Since 2000, the rate of deaths from opioid-related overdoses has increased 200 percent. In 2014, there were approximately one and a half times more drug overdose deaths in the United States than deaths from motor vehicle accidents. So: what can we do about it? One thing we can do is…
Archives: Voices
Head Smacker: During the height of mosquito season, Congress recesses — without fighting Zika
For months, public health officials have warned that the Zika virus eventually would show up in the continental U.S. They warned of this back in the winter, months before the mosquitoes that help transmit Zika were on most people’s radar screen. They warned of this in the spring, even as…
Nuns on the Bus – Mending the Gaps
Editor’s note: This post was written by Richelle Friedman, CHN’s Director of Public Policy, on Thursday, July 28. Richelle spent a week with NETWORK’s Nuns on the Bus, including at the Democratic National Convention last week. The full Nuns on the Bus tour lasted three weeks, including visiting the Republican…
Fact of the Week: Vouchers Reduce Homelessness and Housing Instability by 80 Percent
More than 5 million low-income households receive help affording homes through federal rental assistance. That’s why a new chart book from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities that shows us some of the important facts about rental assistance is so useful. The chart book includes information on who is…
Resources from Around the Coalition: Racial and Ethnic Equality, Low-Wage Working Parents, Refugee Children and More
Promoting movements towards racial and ethnic equality. Developing agendas to help low-wage workers and their children succeed. Protecting undocumented students and their families. CHN’s coalition members are producing great work on very important issues. This week, we continue our Resources from around the Coalition blog series, highlighting important resources you…
Nuns on the Bus
Editor’s note: This post was written by Richelle Friedman, CHN’s Director of Public Policy, on Saturday, July 23. Richelle is currently traveling with NETWORK’s Nuns on the Bus, who are on the road (including at the Republican National Convention last week and the Democratic National Convention this week) to call on…
Honoring Ruth, Wade, and the Politics of Change
Visitors who stand on the sidewalk in front of the AFL-CIO’s Washington, D.C. building and look left capture a magnificent view of the White House, perhaps three-quarters of a mile away. This was the backdrop Tuesday night for the Coalition on Human Needs’ 13th annual Human Needs Hero Reception. CHN…
Human Needs Report: What Congress Did and Didn’t Do Before the Summer Recess
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 appropriations, Zika funding, the first major piece of authorizing legislation affecting housing vouchers and public housing since 1998, and other actions Congress took – and punted on – before…
13 Reasons Why We Do the Work We Do Together
The CHN office is always a flurry of activity. With a small staff and so much to do to protect and expand programs that help our low-income neighbors, there’s no time to sit still. This week is even busier as we take care of final preparations for our Human Needs…
An Open Letter to Members of Congress
Editor’s note: The following challenge to Congress originally appeared in the Huffington Post on Wednesday, July 13. Our nation cries out for leadership. We need you to lead and heal now by acting to remedy wrongs and prevent harm visited disproportionately on communities of color. There are meaningful steps you…
A Wake-up Call for White Progressives
Editor’s note: In light of recent events in Minnesota, Baton Rouge, and Dallas, and subsequent protests across the country, CHN is urging Congress to take action on a number of human needs issues important to communities of color before members break for their summer recess. You can join our call…
Supreme Court Declines to Take Appeal on Home Care Rule; True Victory for Home Care Workers
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on the National Council of La Raza’s blog on July 1. The National Employment Law Project’s Executive Director Christine Owens also penned an op-ed on this topic that was published by The Hill and is featured on NELP’s blog. The Supreme Court has ended…