Twila Brase, Citizens Council on Health Freedom, addressed the group today. CCHF has a very big national presence now with a “Health Freedom Minute” on 800 stations across the Country. Repeal of the ACA seems to have slowed down so on Feb 15 they are having a second “NATIONAL CALL INTO CONGRESS” to ask “Where’s the Bill? – Repeal it all, repeal it now and do not delay”. Steps are moving forward through the passing of a budget resolution. Tom Price, the new HHS secretary has a 56 word repeal language that could be used.
In the meantime, CCHF is working on ways to get care and freedom (not just coverage). One project is to de-link Medicare and Social Security – because now if an eligible retiree wants to refuse Medicare they lose their social security benefits. Another project is to provide tax equity for those purchasing individual plans – so that insurance would be owned individually and not be tied to an employer (which creates pre-existing conditions when a person changes jobs).
A growing movement is paying for care directly from a provider by check, cash or charge and avoiding the government regulations and interference that is driving doctors out of practice. To find a direct primary care practice or fee for service provider go to JointheWedge.com. You can also encourage your MD to consider opting out by educating them about the Wedge next time you see them.
The New Generation of Sex Trafficking
On Sat. Jan 14 an attentive audience listened to Pete Orput talk about the “Major Crimes Unit” which was established by the Washington County Attorney’s office. This unit began for the purpose of prosecuting economic crimes and was soon overwhelmed by child prostitution and other sex trafficking cases. Orput explained that prostitution isn’t on the street corner anymore. It includes pimps finding 16-17 year old girls for party buses or stag parties via the internet. Because the younger generation is an on-line generation, connections are made via the internet’s various pages like Back Page (recently shut down) Adult Friend Finder, snap-chat etc. where they target vulnerable young girls. There is a working group on Sex Trafficking with Minneapolis and St. Paul which the office coordinates with. Notably, Wash Co is only the 2nd County office in the Country doing major investigations into this type of crime. Pete gave some examples of young girls who were trapped into this complex cycle which can include: rape, kidnapping, narcotics and assault. In 2016 the unit, which includes a team of a prosecutor, law clerk, FT para-legal, law enforcement, program manager and others, had 41 ‘buyers’ arrested, 13 juvenile solicitation charges filed and 14 trafficker (pimps) cases charged. To find out more, you can download their latest informational brochure at: https://www.co.washington.mn.us/2521/Sex-Trafficking
Starting the New Year with Pete Orput, Washington County Attorney
You’re invited – Sat. Jan. 14, 2017 from 9 – 11:00 am
Lake Elmo Inn, RSVP by Thurs Jan. 12, 2016
Speaker: Pete Orput, Washington County Attorney. Topic: Sex Trafficking. Pete is a popular speaker, easy to understand and passionate about his work.
To reserve contact: Brian at: 612-462-2163 or email him at: [email protected]
Cost: $20. non-member; $16. members and $10. Students.
Join for the year: $25 and it will pay off in 5 meetings.
Each attendee will be eligible for the drawing for a door prize!
PLEASE NOTE: We will be enforcing our “no show” policy – attendees will be charged for the meal at the 2nd no-show.