Why care so much about the poor, the destitute and the disabled? That is the question that I recently woke up asking myself. I do care, and the people whom I admire most care, too. Now 83 years old, I have spent the majority of those years writing about people…
Archives: Voices
Protecting the Affordable Care Act
“The ACA is a lifeline to our family. Without it and its benefits, our family will suffer greatly.” – Alexis, New Port Richey, Florida On the first day of the new Congress, Senate Republicans took the first concrete steps towards repealing the Affordable Care Act. On Tuesday, Jan. 3, they…
Two perspectives: A CEO and a front-line McDonald’s worker
Editor’s note: The following blog post is authored by Kenan Heise, a Chicago journalist who has for decades illuminated the lives of poor people in his morally powerful writings. He has written for the Chicago Tribune and other major daily papers; he founded the “The Neediest Children’s Christmas Fund” in 1969 with the help…
Will Dr. Price ‘do no harm?’
Editor’s note: The following blog post is authored by Kenan Heise, a Chicago journalist who has for decades illuminated the lives of poor people in his morally powerful writings. He has written for the Chicago Tribune and other major daily papers; he founded the “The Neediest Children’s Christmas Fund” in 1969 with the help…
Emperor penguins and coalitions.
I was half-watching a nature show about emperor penguins last night while making dinner. Hearing about mom and dad penguins taking turns to make an arduous 2-month journey to find food for their baby, I was grateful that the garlic I was chopping came from a market 10 minutes away….
‘People recognize that we are in the fight of our lives’
Editor’s note: Politico Pro recently interviewed CHN Executive Director Deborah Weinstein about what CHN expects and fears with the new Congress and incoming Administration. This is their published article. Remember that whether you are an individual or whether you represent a local, state or national organization, you can signify your…
Human Needs Report: What actions the 114th Congress took – and didn’t – before heading home
CHN just released our latest edition of the Human Needs Report, our regular newsletter on national policy issues affecting low-income and vulnerable populations. This edition includes articles on the stopgap spending measure, aid that will finally flow to Flint, other actions the 114th Congress took – and didn’t – before…
Don’t agonize — Organize!
Last week, some 1,400 people from across the country signed up for a CHN-sponsored webinar entitled, The New Congress: How It Plans to Cut and How to Fight Back. The webinar featured U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, a Massachusetts Democrat who has led anti-hunger efforts in Congress; Ellen Teller, Director of…
Experts on Poverty Send Wave of Reality to the Media
Editor’s note: This post was originally published on RESULTS’ blog on November 21. Advocacy of all kinds, including Letters to the Editor like those described below, will be critical in the coming year. That’s why we hope you’ll join us on Friday, Dec. 16 at 12pm ET for a webinar on…
A positive response to the Bannon-Trump White House, the Destructive Disposition of his Cabinet members and the dangerous choices being considered by Congress
Editor’s note: We are pleased and grateful to post this call to action by Kenan Heise, a Chicago journalist who has for decades illuminated the lives of poor people in his morally powerful writings. He has written for the Chicago Tribune and other major daily papers; he founded the “The Neediest…
The New Congress: How it Plans to Cut…And How to Fight Back
The Affordable Care Act. Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, SSI. Tax rates for the wealthy and corporations. The new Congress wants to repeal, restrict and/or cut all of these. How will they use their rules to try to carry all this out? And how will Senators who oppose these goals try to…
Human Needs Report: Trump’s Cabinet and what’s to come, averting a shutdown and more
CHN just released our latest edition of the Human Needs Report, our regular newsletter on national policy issues affecting low-income and vulnerable populations. This edition includes articles on the stopgap spending measure in Congress to keep the government funded, President-elect Trump’s Cabinet picks, what to look for from the new Administration and more. See below…