Issue: Coronavirus

Alabama Arise’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic

By Robyn Hyden

Here at Alabama Arise, we share the uncertainty and worry that many of you may feel about COVID-19 and how best to prepare ourselves, help our neighbors and speak out for adequate resources and aid.

Our first priority is the physical and mental health and safety of our members, partners and staff, and of people living in poverty. More than 46% of adults in Alabama are at higher risk of developing serious illness if infected by COVID-19. And we believe dramatic and immediate behavioral changes will be necessary to help protect vulnerable people from infection.

As a result, we are following health experts’ social distancing recommendations. All staff will be working from home for the foreseeable future. We also will cancel travel plans and will conduct meetings via phone or videoconference where possible.

We’ve arranged to answer calls to our office phone number during workdays. For now, though, email is the surest way to reach us. You can find staff members’ email addresses here.

Despite these short-term adjustments, we remain extremely involved in ongoing policy analysis. And we remain committed to advocating, educating and organizing our communities to speak out for what is most needed.

Looking ahead

We are not sure how long these social isolation measures will remain in place. We recognize that most of the people we advocate for and with do not have the luxury of being able to work from home. This crisis will likely have catastrophic impacts on low-wage workers and low-income communities, worsening social and economic inequality.

As we consider how Alabama should respond to this crisis and the longer-term challenges it brings, please let us know how we can help you be a part of the conversation. That may be through timely policy information or analysis, targeted action alerts, remote convenings or other support.

Please take care of yourself, and each other. Thank you for all you do as we continue to work together to improve policies for people in poverty.

Ways to make a difference:

What to do if you need help:

  • If you have a primary care doctor and think you may have coronavirus, contact your doctor for more information.
  • If you don’t have a health care provider or health insurance and think you may need to be tested for coronavirus, call the Alabama Department of Public Health’s hotline at 888-264-2256 for guidance.
  • Call 2-1-1 if you require immediate financial assistance.

COVID-19: 7 policy changes that would help protect Alabamians

By Robyn Hyden

The World Health Organization has labeled COVID-19 a global pandemic. And state officials announced the first confirmed case of the disease in Alabama on Friday. As the virus strains our health systems, schools and economy, we must ensure the most vulnerable Alabamians have the medical care, social supports and other protections they need to weather the crisis.

The Alabama Legislature will be on spring break for the next two weeks. We hope our state lawmakers and members of Congress will take time to examine the situation developing in their communities. And we hope they will act quickly and courageously to address these critical public health needs.

Here are seven actions that policymakers should take now to protect the well-being and security of all Alabamians:

1. Gov. Kay Ivey should expand Medicaid.

Medicaid expansion would extend health coverage to more than 223,000 uninsured Alabamians with low incomes. It also would ensure coverage for another 120,000 who struggle to afford the insurance they have.

Expansion would take several months to implement, but it would prepare us for the big challenges ahead. In the short term, Medicaid could take numerous other steps to protect families. Examples include streamlining enrollment, covering new mothers for one year after delivery and increasing our “bare-bones” income limit for parents.

Email Gov. Ivey to ask her to expand Medicaid and help address the coronavirus threat. Or if you’d prefer to reach out by phone, click here to call Gov. Ivey’s office.

2. Lawmakers should increase funding for public health to ensure adequate testing, preparation and prevention.

In addition, state and local agencies should take the lead on proactive policies and procedures to protect those who are most vulnerable to this virus. Read State Health Officer Scott Harris’ report to the Senate Health Committee.

3. Congress should authorize emergency food assistance increases.

Boosting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would help children get the food they need while they’re out of school. It also would promote food security for seniors, people who lose their jobs and other people at risk of hunger. Read additional recommendations to address critical food security issues from our partners at the Food Research and Action Center.

4. Policymakers should remove barriers to social support services.

Medicaid, SNAP, WIC and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) save and improve lives. Red-tape barriers to these services make it harder for struggling families to get the help they need during a crisis. Read Arise’s fact sheet to learn why state lawmakers should abandon efforts to reduce access to safety net programs.

5. State lawmakers should remove the state sales tax on groceries while protecting education funding.

As many people prepare for social distancing by purchasing enough food to last for several weeks, the grocery tax imposes the highest tax burden on the people who can least afford it. It’s yet another illustration of why this cruel tax must end. Click here to urge state legislators to untax groceries and replace the revenue by supporting SB 144.

6. Policymakers should look at options to extend paid medical and family leave to every worker.

States including Washington and Massachusetts have created affordable buy-in plans so that even smaller employers can provide extended medical or family leave. Read how paid family and medical leave was made affordable and available to every worker in the state of Washington. Then read more about federal discussions to provide short-term relief for paid leave.

7. Alabama should expand unemployment protections to mitigate the effects of job losses for individuals and communities.

Closures and layoffs in the coming months will leave many workers without essential income. Public officials must act now to reduce the financial toll on people who struggle to make ends meet. Read recommendations from the National Employment Law Project (NELP) about potential improvements to unemployment insurance coverage.

Looking ahead

The conversation about the best policy and social responses will continue to evolve over the coming days and weeks. And additional needs and solutions are likely to emerge. Throughout this crisis and beyond, Arise will continue to speak out for dignity, equity and justice for all Alabamians.

Arise legislative recap: March 6, 2020

By Matt Okarmus

Arise’s Jim Carnes discusses how the coronavirus outbreak and the closure of Pickens County Medical Center showcase Alabama’s need for Medicaid expansion. Also, in the wake of the recent execution of Nathaniel Woods, Jim talks about HB 359, which would forbid the death penalty in capital cases where the jury does not agree unanimously to impose it.