A Closer Look Archives - National Health Care for the Homeless Council

Action Needed: Sign Our Letter to Urge Congress to Protect Medicaid Expansion

January 14, 2025

Congress plans to attack Medicaid. Proposals include adding work requirements, funding cuts, and other policy changes. We want to show our community’s strong support for Medicaid, as it funds around half of all patients receiving care at Health Care for the Homeless programs. Help us urge Congressional leadership to protect the Medicaid expansion program by […]

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A New Cast of Characters Is Coming to HHS

December 12, 2024

By Barbara DiPietro, PhD, Senior Policy Director President-elect Trump is nominating his next Cabinet as well as other advisors who will carry out the President’s agenda. These folks will make policy and funding decisions that directly impact the HCH Community—and it’s important to know who these folks are and what perspectives they bring to these

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It’s a Scary Time; Take Care of Yourself!

October 31, 2024

By Laura Brennan, Senior Policy Manager As the election approaches, the flurry of news, debates, and social media updates can leave many of us feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious. To help navigate this challenging time, I reached out to the Council’s staff for their favorite self-care strategies, hoping to inspire you and provide ideas to

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HCH In Seattle — the View from a Newcomer

September 26, 2024

Editor’s Note: We are very excited to announce Laura Brennan (she/her) has joined the Policy Team as NHCHC’s new Senior Policy Manager! Based in Austin, Texas, Laura will lead our advocacy work on Capitol Hill, writing the monthly Mobilizer newsletter, staffing our Policy Committee, and helping organize within the HCH Community. For 4 years, Laura

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1 in 10 Unhoused People Vote — That’s a Problem

August 30, 2024

By Barbara DiPietro, Senior Policy Director As the HCH Community prepares its voter registration and voter turnout activities in the run-up to the Tuesday, Nov. 5, elections, three points are important to keep in mind: The System is Working as Designed … by Those Who Voted Social justice advocates often assert that the “system is

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The Urgent, Uncomfortable Issue We Need to Talk About

July 25, 2024

by Barbara DiPietro, Senior Policy Director There are two words that feel especially uncomfortable right now: Sanctioned Encampments. This term means different things to different people, and can reference a wide range of approaches—but simply letting large numbers of people live outside is hardly a solution to homelessness—and one that has a high risk of

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bench with bedding juxtaposed against SCOTUS building

Cruel and Unusual Punishment, Part 3

July 9, 2024

By Barbara DiPietro, Senior Director of Policy Background: In March (Part 1), we described the key provisions of this case and outlined how to draw attention and build power around key advocacy messages. In April (Part 2), we summarized the Supreme Court hearing, listed 10 questions the Justices asked during testimony, linked to the amicus

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Bobby Watts, CEO of NHCHC, speaks at a rally in front of the Supreme Court.

Cruel and Unusual Punishment, Part 2

April 25, 2024

By Barbara DiPietro, Senior Director of Policy On Monday, April 22, the Supreme Court heard the case of Johnson v. Grants Pass — a case that determines whether it is cruel and unusual punishment for communities to ticket or fine unsheltered people for sleeping outside. For background, last month’s Closer Look blog described the key provisions of this case

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