Breast Health Access for Women with Disabilities (BHAWD)

BHAWD Mission Statement - To increase the access of women with disabilities to breast health information, screenings and early breast cancer detection.

BHAWD’s Public Policy and Advocacy section provides visitors the resources to understand the issues and legislation that affect women with disabilities. The information is organized within five separate categories:

IMPORTANT ISSUES - Provides an overview of current issues that need immediate attention.

>> ACTION ALERTS <<
Several organizations track legislation that impacts people with disabilities and post alerts on their websites. Some of the alerts suggest contacting legislators. This provides links to websites that have Action Alerts that may affect you.

GETTING INVOLVED IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS - Provides strategies of how you can get involved in the legislative process. A listing of Legislator contact information is included.

LEGISLATIVE TOOLS - Provides information on tracking legislation. A multiple listing of organizations that have up-to-date legislative information is available.

PUBLIC ADVOCACY AND POLICY LINKS - Provides a list of useful Public Policy and Advocacy links of organizations. We include the contact information for each organization listed.

IMPORTANT ISSUES Provides an overview of current issues that need immediate attention.

Health Care Budget Cuts Scorecard
Information on how the budget cuts will affect health care programs in California prepared by Health Access.

Medicare and Medi-Cal News
Congress of California Seniors has an extensive website dedicated to Medicare and Medi-Cal issues. You can find news articles, helpful links and legislative information related to Medicare and Medi-Cal coverage.
http://www.seniors.org/wherewe.asp?id=213

ACTION ALERTS
Several organizations track legislation that impacts people with disabilities and post alerts on their websites. Some of the alerts suggest contacting legislators. This provides links to websites that have Action Alerts that may affect you.

The Breast Cancer Fund
http://www.breastcancerfund.org/action.htm
Calls To Action and other vital information about breast cancer via email.

California Foundation of Independent Living Centers (CFILC)
http://www.cfilc.org/projects/scn.htm
Systems Change Network Action Center provides updates on legislation affecting people with disabilities and information on how to get involved.

National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
http://www.nad.org/openhouse/action/alerts/index.html
NAD has action alerts on issues affecting deaf and hard of hearing individuals. You can also find action alerts on a variety of ADA and disability issues.

Older Women’s League
http://www.owl-national.org/actionalert/index.html
OWL Action, Information and Planning Alerts, provides timely information on women's health and retirement information and legislative activity as well as organizational announcements to chapters and members via email.

Protection and Advocacy, Inc.
http://www.pai-ca.org/PublicAffairs/
Find alerts, policies, updates and news releases affecting people with disabilities.

Women’s Health Network
http://www.womenshealthnetwork.org./advocacy/takeaction/tamain.htm
The National Women's Health Network advocates for policy changes that will improve the health of women. This Take Action section of our website offers some suggestions for ways that you can add your voice to our calls for change and efforts to raise awareness of women's health concerns.

GETTING INVOLVED IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
Provides strategies of how you can get involved in the legislative process. A listing of Legislator contact information is included.

Write letters to your elected representatives. Visit www.congress.org, fill out your zip code and be connected to address, email and telephone contact information. Find the California State Legislators’ home pages, committee membership and legislative calendars.

Make an appointment to visit your elected representative. As their constituent, it is important for you to express your opinion on pending legislation or ask about their stance on disability related issues.

Visit Public Policy and Advocacy websites that provide legislative information.
Read The State Capitol Today for articles on Capitol coverage from the LA Times, Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Chronicle, The Mercury News and The San Diego Union Tribune.

Write a Letter to the Editor or respond to editorials and articles in newspapers.

Register to vote and VOTE.

LEGISLATIVE TOOLS
Provides information on tracking legislation. A multiple listing of organizations’ that have up-to-date legislative information is available.

Some organizations do not have a TTY phone number listed. If you need to communicate via TTY, you can reach the California Relay Service (CRS) toll free:
• TTY users call 1-800-735-2929
• Non-TTY users call (calling by voice) 1-800-735-2922
• Spanish speaking users call 1-800-855-3000 voz y TTY
• Computer/ASCII 1-800-735-0091 (8 bit, 0 parity, 1 stop bit, half duplex)

Key Contacts for Health Care Related Legislation
California Legislative information is available for review on the website and is a good way to track bills. The Legislative Counsel of California maintains this site. If there are specific bills you are interested in you can "subscribe" to their service, which would give you free e-mail messages that a "change" has occurred in the bill you subscribed for and inform you of when the bill would be heard in committee or on the floor of a house.
Website: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov
Address: State Capitol Building in Room 3021, Sacramento, CA 95814
Voice: (916) 341-8000

The California Journal has news available (some free or low cost) on legislation and the legislature.
Website: http://www.statenet.com/news/calj/
Address: 2101 K Street, Sacramento, CA 95816
Voice: (800) 726-4566

Legislative Bill Room has information, legislative summaries and text of actual legislation available.
Website: http://www.osp.dgs.ca.gov/Services+Directory/Legislative+Bill+Room.htm
Address: Public counter: State Capitol, Basement Room B32
Annex: 712 R Street, Sacramento CA 95814
Voice: (916) 445-2323

The Office of Women's Health in the California Department of Health Services reviews women's health legislation for the Department of Health Services.
Website: http://www.dhs.cahwnet.gov/director/owh/
Address: P.O. Box 942732, MS 0027, Sacramento, CA 94234-7320
Voice: (916) 653-3330

California Healthline is published for the California HealthCare Foundation by National Journal Group Inc. They provide a daily compilation of newspaper articles around the state which report on the state government and California Legislature.
E-mail: news-support@chcf.org.
Voice: (800)717-3245 or (202) 295-6300

American Cancer Society, Legislative Office in Sacramento has information about the legislative porcess and follows cancer-related legislation.
Website: http://capwiz.com/acs-national/index_frame.dbq?url=http://capwiz.com/acs-national/issues/basics/?style=comm
Voice: 916-448-0500

PUBLIC POLICY & ADVOCACY LINKS

Please find a list of useful links related to Public Policy and Advocacy. We included the contact information for each organization listed. Some organizations do not have a TTY phone number listed. If you need to communicate via TTY, you can reach the California Relay Service (CRS) toll free:
--TTY users call 1-800-735-2929
--Non-TTY users call (calling by voice) 1-800-735-2922
--Spanish speaking users call 1-800-855-3000 voz y TTY
--Computer/ASCII 1-800-735-0091 (8 bit, 0 parity, 1 stop bit, half duplex)

NEW! Administration on Aging
http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov
Has extensive links: Click onto National Aging Information Center, then Internet information notes
Address: 50 United Nations Plaza - Rm. 455, San Francisco, CA 94102
Voice: 1-415-437-8780
Fax: 1-415-437-8782

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
"Improving Health Care Quality"
This article offers tips for patients to receive better care and avoid medical errors. Free copies are available at
http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/qntlite/

Americans with Disabilities Act
http://www.pacdbtac.org
Questions about the ADA or discrimination issues can be referred to Pacific Disability and Business Technical
Address: 555 12th Street,
Suite 1030,
Oakland, CA 94607-4046
Voice: 1-800-949-4232
TTY: 1-800-949-4232
Fax: 510-285-5614

NEW! ArcLink California
http://www.thearclink.org/state/index.asp?ID=CA
ArcLink California is an organization supporting people with mental retardation, their families, legal guardians and conservators. The ArcLink California provides legislative and public policy updates on the state level.
Address: 1225 8th Street,
Suite 210,
Sacramento, CA† 95814
Voice: 1-800-698-6619
Email: arcca@quiknet.com

NEW! Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD)
http://capwiz.com/aauap/issues/bills/
AUCD produces a weekly legislative summary and update called Legislative News In Brief.
Address: 8630 Fenton Street,
Suite 410,
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Voice: 1-301-588-8252
Email: dlmeltzer@aucd.org

NEW! AT Network
http://www.atnet.org/advocacy/index.htm
Find Assistive Technology advocacy, legislative and policy information.
Address: 660 J Street, Suite 270 Sacramento, CA 95814-2495
Voice: 916-325-1690
TTY: 916-325-1695
Fax: 916-325-1699

NEW! California Black Health Network
http://www.cbhn.org/
The mission of the California Black Health Network is to improve the health status of African Americans in Claifornia. CBHN provides a forum where policy makers,providers, consumers and advocates concerned about the ealth sttus and access to care for African americans can engage in problem analysis and solution building.

NEW! California Healthcare Foundation
http://www.chcf.org/
Based in Oakland, CA it is an independent philanthropy committed to improving California's health crare delivery anf financing systems. Formed in 1996 the goal is to ensure all Californians have access to affordable quality health care.

NEW! California Health Advocates
www.cahealthadvocates.org
Through leadership, communication and partnerships, California Health Advocates is dedicated to achieving and sustaining timely, accurate and responsive education and advocacy efforts for California Medicare beneficiaries and the pre-retirement population.

NEW! California Disability Alliance (CDA)
http://www.disweb.org/cda
CDA is a statewide, grassroots organization consisting of persons with disabilities and their supporters. Its membership has a broad agenda for promoting the health, independence and full community inclusion of persons with disabilities.
Email: af752@lafn.org

California Foundation for Independent Living Centers
http://www.cfilc.org
Links to regional independent living centers.
Address: 660 J Street,
Suite 270,
Sacramento, California 95814-2495
Voice: 1-916-325-1690
TTY: 1-916-325-1699
Fax: 1-916-325-1695
Email: amor@cfilc.org

NEW! California Pan-Ethnic Health Network
www.cpehn.org
CPEHN is a statewide network of multicultural health organizations working together to improve health care access and eliminate health status disparities in CA's communities of color.

NEW! CA Patients Guide - Your Healthcare Rights & Remedies
http://www.calpatientguide.org/
This guide is intended to inform you of your rights to receive quality health care and what steps you can take if you encounter problems.
Address: Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights,
1750 Ocean Park Blvd.,
Suite 200,
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Voice: 310-392-0522
Email: calpatientguide@consumerwatchdog.org

NEW! California Primary Care Association CPCA
http://www.cpca.org/
CPCA, together with more than 500 community clinics and health centers it represents, has helped to ensure affordable, quality health care to California's uninsured, low-income and minority communities. Check out the sections on Government Affairs, News & Legal information and the Health Disparities Collaborative.
Address: 1215 K Street, Suite 700, Sacramento, CA 95814
Voice: 1-916-440-8170
Fax: 1-916-440-8172
Email: info@cpca.org

NEW! California State Independent Living Council (SILC
http://www.calsilc.org/
The California State Independent Living Council is a federally-mandated state agency with the mission of maximizing options for independence for Californians with disabilities. Find information on statewide Public Meetings that provide an opportunity for people with disabilities to speak of their policy concerns and provide feedback to the State Plan for Independent Living.
Address: 1600 K St.,
Suite 100,
Sacramento, CA 95814
Voice: 1-916-445-0142
TTY: 1-916-445-5627
Fax: 1-916-445-5973

NEW! Center for Health Rights
www.healthcarerights.org
The Center for Health Care Rights is a consumer advocacy organization serving consumers through a combination of direct service programs and policy legal advocacy.

NEW! Center for Studying Health Systems Change (HSC)
http://www.hschange.com/
HSC is a non-partisan policy research organization that provides analyses about the effects of health system change to inform the thinking and decisions of policy makers in government and industry.
Address: 600 Maryland Ave, SW
#550,
Washington, DC 20024
Voice: 1-202-484-5261
Fax: 1-202-484-9258
Email: hscinfo@hschange.org

NEW!Congress of California Seniors
www.seniors.org
The Congress of California Seniors takes stands on issues of importance to midlife and older persons and their families.

NEW! The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD)
http://www.c-c-d.org
CCD is a coalition of approximately 100 national disability organizations working together to advocate for national public policy. The CCD Health Task Force works on all the issues encompassed in the very broad term "health". Specific emphasis is placed on private health insurance; public programs such as Medicaid and Medicare; managed care, as well as quality assurance and consumer education and protections.
Address: 1331 H Street, NW,
Suite 301,
Washington, DC 20005
Voice: 1-202-783-2229
Fax: 1-202-783-8250
Email: Info@c-c-d.org

NEW! Consumers for Quality Care (CQC)
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/healthcare/
CQC has worked diligently to become a nationally recognized, highly effective consumer healthcare watchdog group.
Address: The Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights,
1750 Ocean Park Blvd.
Ste 200,
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Voice: 1-310-392-0522
Fax: 1-310-392-8874
Email: ftcr@consumerwatchdog.org

NEW! Disability Rights Advocates
http://www.dralegal.org/
DRA is a national and international non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the civil rights of people with disabilities. Operated by and established for people with disabilities, DRA pursues its mission through research, education, and legal advocacy.
Address: 449 15th Street,
Suite 303,
Oakland, CA 94612-2821
Voice: 1-510-451-8644
TTY: 1-510-451-8716
Fax: 1-510-451-8511
Email: general@dralegal.org

NEW! Disability Rights Education and Defense Funds (DREDF)
http://www.dredf.org/
A national law and policy center dedicated to protecting and advancing the civil rights of people with disabilities through legislation, litigation, advocacy, technical assistance, and education.
Address: 2212 Sixth Street,
Berkeley, CA 94710
Voice: 1-510-644-2555
TTY: 1-510-644-2555 (same as voice)
Fax: 1-510-841-8645
Email: dredf@dredf.org

NEW! Families USA: The voice of healthcare consumers
http://www.familiesusa.org
Information on the following issues: Medicare, Medicaid, uninsured, prescription drugs, private insurance, communities of color and more.
Address: 1334 G Street NW,
Washington DC 20005
Voice: 1-202-628-3030
Fax: (202) 347-2417
Email: info@familiesusa.org

Health Access California
http://www.health-access.org
A broad coalition working for quality, affordable, health care for all, made up of over 200 organizations representing seniors, people with disabilities, children, immigrants, communities of color, health care professionals, people of faith, labor, women, families, and communities throughout California.
For more information, contact: Anthony Wright, Executive Director, at 916-442-2308, or awright@health-access.org or 1127 - 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. In Northern California: Jessica Rothhaar, at 510-873-8787, ext. 107, or jessicar@health-access.org

NEW! Health Consumer Alliance
www.healthconsumer.org
A partnership of consumer assistance programs operated by community -based legal services organizations. Their common miision is to help lw-income people obtain essential health care.

HICAP - Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program
http://www.cahealthadvocates.org/
e-mail: hicap@lashicap.org
Provides assistance with Medicare and other health insurance to seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare.
Voice:1-800-393-0363
Email: hicap@lashicap.org

Internet information notes: a service of the National Information Center.
Has extensive links:
http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov
Click onto National Aging Information Center, then Internet information notes

Legal Protection for People with Disabilities in Managed Care.
http://www.ilru.org/mgdcare/rrtcnewsletter.html
The complete text of this research offers readers case studies as well as practical information including a Resource Directory and Technical Assistance on the ADA.
Voice & TTY: 1-713-520-0232

NEW! Medi-Cal Policy Institute
http://www.medi-cal.org/
Online source for research, analysis, and news on Californiaís Medi-Cal and Healthy Families programs.
Address: 476 Ninth Street, Oakland, CA 94607
Voice: 1-510-286-8976
Fax: 1-510-238-1382

Medicare
http://www.medicare.gov/
Medicare consumers now can compare kidney dialysis facilities at
Search for information on health plans, nursing homes, dialysis facilities, Medigap policies, contacts, Medicare activities, participating physicians, and prescription drug assistance programs in your area.
Address: 7500 Security Boulevard,
Baltimore MD 21244-1850
Voice: 1-877-267-2323
TTY: 1-866-226-1819

NEW! National Association of Councils on Developmental Disablities
http://www.nacdd.org
NACDD is a national organization for Developmental Disabilities Councils that promotes national policy to enhance the quality of life for all people with Developmental Disabilities (DD). The Public Policy section includes fact sheets and letters on important issues.
Address: 1234 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite 103, Washington, DC 20005
Voice: 1-202-347-1234
Fax: 1-202-347-4023
Email: info@nacdd.org

NEW! National Council on Disability (NCD)
http://www.ncd.gov/
NCD is an independent federal agency making recommendations to the President and Congress on issues affecting Americans with disabilities. The Resources section of the website includes a guide to Disability Civil Rights Laws.
Address: 1331 F St., NW,
Suite 850,
Washington, DC 20004
Voice: 1-202-272-2004
TTY: 1-202-272-2074
Fax: 1-202-272-2022 ---
Email: mquigley@ncd.gov

NEW! National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)
http://www.ncil.org/
NCILís advocacy program provides members with national policy updates, summaries of legislative activities, advocacy tips and information on proposed regulations, upcoming congressional hearings and other events.
Address: 1916 Wilson Boulevard,
Suite 209,
Arlington, VA 22201
Voice: 1-703-525-3406
TTY: 1-703-525-4153
Fax: 1-703-525-3409
Email: ncil@ncil.org

Older Women's League
As the only national grassroots membership organization to focus solely on issues unique to women as they age, OWL strives to improve the status and quality of life of midlife and older women. OWL is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that accomplishes its work through research, education, and advocacy activities conducted through a chapter network.

National OWL: http://www.owl-national.org

CA OWL is a chapter of National OWL that focuses advocacy on local, state and national issues.

CA. state OWL: http://www.seniors.org/womensissues.asp
Address: 666 11th Street NW
Suite 700
Washington, DC 20001
Phone - (202) 783-6686
FAX - (202) 638-2356
Contact: Deborah Briceland-Betts

NEW! Planned Parenthood of California
www.ppacca.org
Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) is one of the 21 state public affairs offices of Pallned Parenthhod Federation of America. The sites focuses on California federal legislation, reproductive health issues, links to statewide affiliates and to their clinics and services.

NEW! Protection and Advocacy, Inc. (PAI)
http://www.pai-ca.org/
PAI is a nonprofit agency that works in partnership with people with disabilities ó to protect, advocate for and advance their human, legal, and service rights.
Address: 100 Howe Avenue, Suite 185-N, Sacramento, CA 95825
Voice: 1-800-776-5746

NEW! RAND Study ìFinancing Health Care for Women with Disabilitiesî
http://www.rand.org/publications/WP/WP139/
The study provides an overview of how care is delivered, describes the types of coverage that apply to women with disabilities and incorporates policy recommendations and future research needs.
Address: 1700 Main St.,
Santa Monica, California, 90407
Voice: 1-310-393-0411.

NEW! State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD)
http://www.scdd.ca.gov/
SCDD is an independent state agency established in federal and state law to assist in planning, coordinating, monitoring and evaluating services for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
Address: 2000 "O" Street,
Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95814
Voice: 1-916-322-8481
TTY: 1-916-324-8420
Fax: 1-916-443-4957
Email: council@scdd.ca.gov

NEW! THOMAS Legislative Information on the Internet
http://thomas.loc.gov
Legislative information on the internet including databases, senate and house roll call votes, bill text, public laws by law number, bill summary and status, committee reports, days in session calendars and more. Updates are made several times a day.
Address: The Library of Congress,
101 Independence Ave SE,
Washington, DC 20540
Voice: 1-202-707-5000
Email: thomas@loc.gov

NEW! Vote Health
http://www.votehealth.net
Vote Health believes that health care is a basic human right. Its mission is to win accessible, high-quality health care for everyone, regardless of legal status or ability to pay.
Address: P. O. Box 18922,
Oakland, CA 94619
Voice/Fax: 510-653-1626
Email: info@votehealth.net

NEW! Western Center on Law and Poverty
http://www.wclp.org/
The Western Center on Law and Poverty is a non-profit legal services program devoted to high-impact poverty law litigation and legislative advocacy in California. WCLP focuses its work in the areas of welfare, housing and health care.

Women's Health Leadership Program
http://www.connectccp.org/programs/whl/index.shtml
The Women's Health Leadership (WHL) Program seeks emerging women leaders to cultivate the seeds of leadership for women's health in California. Click on this link for more information. #