A Healthcare Conversation

Do you have a healthcare story or just care about healthcare in Wisconsin? Please come share your story in person or on zoom. Find out how Citizen Action of Wisconsin is working to transform healthcare for Wisconsinites.

Join Citizen Action of Wisconsin for

A Healthcare Conversation in the Driftless

Thursday, Sept 28th - 5:30-7:00 p.m.

UU Fellowship, 401 West Avenue South, La Crosse

or join us via Zoom!

    

RSVP for in-person or Zoom link

Have you had a frustrating healthcare experience? A bill you didn’t understand? Numerous calls with providers and insurance companies where things don’t get resolved? High medical debt? 

 

We want to hear your story! 

 

Join us for a discussion on healthcare in Wisconsin and hear about how one woman is standing up against unfair practices. When we come together to share our stories, we start to build the power we need to fix our broken healthcare system and put Care Over Cost! 

Citizen Action member Lori Toso wants to stop this from happening to other folks.  She has taken on the challenge and dedicated over 80 hours working with her insurance company and her healthcare provider to find out why she isn’t receiving the benefits her family works and pays for. After five months and all her work, she still hasn’t had resolution and is stuck with a huge bill.

Healthcare systems and Insurance companies know most people don’t have the time to wait on hold or sift through the mountains of paperwork.  We work hard for access to healthcare and insurance is expensive. Yet so often complicated bills, overcharges and denied claims leave us with high medical debt.  Lori is taking on this fight not only for her family but for all of those families that can’t.

We believe that health systems in Wisconsin have a systemic problem with billing issues including improper coding, overcharging, lack of transparency, incomplete review processes and unfair collection practices.

 

We will also discuss:

• Citizen Action of Wisconsin statewide efforts around a Badgercare Public Option bill that will offer a lower cost healthcare option to Wisconsinites and Wisconsin employers with fewer than 50 employees!
• Healthcare as a commodity
• Unfair charges on ACA covered wellness visits
• Future actions against other healthcare systems, insurance xompanies, and greedy pharmaceutical companies
• Fair Share medical deficits in our state (when healthcare systems don’t live up to their charity obligation to maintain non-profit status)

 RSVP TODAY!

Progressives

 

RSVP for Our Revolution’s LIVE National Town Hall with U.S. Reps. Barbara Lee, Ro Khanna, Ayanna Pressley, and Mark Pocan, and Minnesota AG Keith Ellison on Tuesday, September 19 at 8:30 p.m. Rep. Lee will also have news about her Senatorial campaign.

March to End Fossil Fuels

 

March to End Fossil Fuels

Hispanic Heritage Month

 

Latino presence in Wisconsin predates statehood but is not included in traditional historical narratives. This lectures reviews the presence of Spanish colonial traders and officials, their relationship with Indigenous peoples in the Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi region--named "Pais de los Ilinueses" in the eighteenth century, and follows the arrival of Mexican and Mexican American traders and workers in the nineteenth and early Twentieth Century, followed by an overview of various Latino communities, and their struggle to access opportunity to the present.

This Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

"Wisconsin's Latino Past & Present" presented by Víctor M. Macías-González will take place on Monday, September 18 from 10 a.m. to noon at The Bluffs, UWL Student Union.

September 19 - Voter Registration!

 

The League of Women Voters of the La Crosse Area will observe National Voter Registration Day by assisting voters at the City of La Crosse Main Library from 11 am to 4 pm on Tuesday, September 19. All are welcome.

If you haven’t voted since the last presidential election, your record may well have been deactivated unless you replied to the Wisconsin Elections Commission postcard mailing about this process.

On August 4th, as required by state law, the WEC deactivated 108,378 voter records as a cleanup of those who have moved to a new address without re-registering, voters who have died, others who have asked to have their registrations deactivated, and those who simply have not voted. 

You can go to our state’s online site for all voting needs: myvote.wi.gov – a quick, user-friendly service that can be accessed by computer, smart phone or tablet – to check your registration, and if necessary, re-register.

If you have questions we can assist in person at this event, or you can contact us at lwvlacrosse.org.

If you can't make the local event, join in an online smash-up of National Voter Registration Day AND National Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Ahoy!

Join us on the high seas of civic engagement for an unforgettable virtual event on National Voter Registration Day (which also happens to be National Talk Like a Pirate Day)! Mark your calendars for 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 19 and prepare to embark on an adventure that will empower you to seize your freedom to vote. Arrr you ready to register? We can promise fun and information, but we can't promise that we'll slow down on the pirate puns!

Register: bit.ly/NVRDPirateParty

What to Expect

• Stories on the importance of voting
• Answers on your voter registration questions
• Create and share fun content about voter registration
• Sessions to text friends with info
• Opportunities to win merch and prizes

Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Water: Issues & Actions

 

,,,

Join an expert group of thinkers and reporters for an informative discussion about Wisconsin’s water heritage and a new initiative to cover the Mississippi River basin. Journalists and speakers will deliver updates on their reporting/topic followed by a Q&A session and discussion about water quality, environment, and sustainability.

Wisconsin Waters: Issues and Actions will be held at the Lunda Center at Western Technical College on Thursday, September 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. Free registration is available here.

Read more about the event and its reasons in this Wisconsin Watch article. They describe some of the programming:

[Wisconsin Watch's Bennet] Goldstein and [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Madeline] Heim will be joined by JC Nelson, acting center director for the U.S. Geological Survey’s Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Lee Donahue, a supervisor from the town of Campbell on French Island, where residents have been drinking bottled water since 2021 because of PFAS contamination in private wells, and a representative from the La Crosse Urban Stormwater Group.

Casey Meehan, director of Sustainability and Resilience at Western Technical College will moderate the panel discussion and a question-and-answer segment with the audience. Lee Rasch, executive director of LeaderEthics a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting integrity in American democracy, will serve as the emcee.

Pride

 FREE - Family Friendly!

Community Groups!

Merchants - Food Vendors!

Kids Activities & more!

Free Speech on Campus

What does free speech mean? Bringing up and discussing difficult ideas? Challenging the status quo? Calling out misinformation? Confronting a powerful hierarchy? Calling for violent acts against individuals or groups of individuals? Bullying people into silence? Lying? Gaslighting? Publishing liars, bullies, and gaslighters? 

Here's what the campus free speech movement means to some of us old folks. 

UC Berkeley student, Mario Savio, 1964

But things are different now. Having won their freedom of speech, at a campus victory rally, Savio noted,

"We're asking that there be no, NO, restrictions on the content of speech save those provided by the courts. And, that's an enormous amount of freedom. And, people can say things, within that area of freedom, which are not responsible. We've finally gotten into a position where we have to consider being responsible, because now, we have the freedom within which to be responsible. And I'd like to say, at this time, I'm confident that the students, and the faculty, University of California, will exercise their freedom with the same responsibility they've shown in winning their freedom."niversities started designating "free speech zones," outside of which, speech was restricted, 

The boundaries of responsibility are broken. Dishonest speech seems to have been weaponized to encourage violence and mistrust in basic institutions. Marketing and manipulation, wrapped in free speech, are not meant to further understanding and connection. Then what?

Does free speech mean a Nazi must be allowed to encourage violence or a dominion isn't must be able to push for restrictions on rights for fellow citizens? 

Respectful disagreement, maybe, can't easily occur in a hierarchy. Where one party holds control over or can affect the well-being of the other, can the speech of the powerful party really be non-threatening, and can the speech of the threatened party really be free? Maybe this program will help answer those questions. 

"LeaderEthics is proud to be a partner with the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in presenting A Conversation About Free Speech on College Campuses. This free event will be held at 7pm on Tuesday, September 19th at the Weber Center for Performing Arts, 428 Front Street S., La Crosse."

One of the panelists, apparently, "a champion for integrity and community collaboration," might be asked if publishing lies and threatening opinion articles and cartoons is responsible speech or not. Get more information here.

A raffle, a plan

This raffle is open to anyone. First prize is an e-bike or cash. Second prize is a B&B stay with spending money. You need not be present at the 10/21 drawing to win. The money raised is for a good cause.

🌎🇺🇸🌎🇺🇸🌎🇺🇸🌎🇺🇸🌎🇺🇸🌎🇺🇸🌎

If you're not gearing up to vote for the sane candidates in 2024 , help others vote, and do whatever you can to make sure we are not participants in the end of America as we know it, you have not been paying attention.

For the past few months, news outlets have reported on a comprehensive 180-day plan being cooked up by a right-wing think tank, The Heritage Foundation, that would immediately jerk the country into Republihell should #TFG or one of his sycophants win the presidential election in 2024. 

Project 2025 (you can read it online) would double down on the unprecedented changes made after Trump took office in 2017--filling public service positions with partisan ideologues, packing courts with Federalist Society hacks, using laws to benefit wealthy cronies' businesses, selling off public assets to the highest bidders, and weaponizing programs against the vulnerable groups they were set up to protect. And forget about climate action.

Here's a description of some of the environmental changes in store if P25 gets its way from The Guardian:

The guide’s chapter on the US Department of Energy proposes eliminating three agency offices that are crucial for the energy transition, and also calls to slash funding to the agency’s grid deployment office in an effort to stymie renewable energy deployment, E&E News reported this week.

The plan, which would hugely expand gas infrastructure, was authored by Bernard McNamee, a former official at the agency. McNamee was also a Trump appointee to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. He previously led the far-right Texas Public Policy Foundation, which fights environmental regulation, and served as a senior adviser to the Republican senator Ted Cruz.

Another chapter focuses on gutting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and moving it away from its focus on the climate crisis. It proposes cutting the agency’s environmental justice and public engagement functions, while shrinking it as a whole by terminating new hires in “low-value programs”, E&E News reported. The proposal was written Mandy Gunasekara, who was the former chief of staff at the EPA under Trump.

The guide also features a chapter on the Department of the Interior written by William Perry Pendley, who controversially led the Bureau of Land Management under President Trump and worked to eliminate drilling regulations.

Now is the time to pay attention. If you were afraid the current administration isn't doing enough to stop drilling and fracking and subsidies for fossil fuel companies, wait 'til the other guys take control. Or do something now.

Be a Poll Worker

Wisconsin needs people like you to serve as paid poll workers for the 2024 elections. If you're looking for a way to make an impact in 2024, becoming a poll worker is one of the most vital roles you can play. Being a poll worker means helping people vote safely and ensuring as many people as possible can cast their ballot.  Poll workers are important because they: Create an accessible and inclusive environment where voters feel empowered and safe throughout the voting process.  Serve their community. More poll workers mean more polling places. This keeps lines short and efficient for their neighbors.  Play a vital role in upholding our democratic processes. And, they get hands-on insight into our safe, fair and free elections. How do I sign up? Visit powerthepolls.org/lwvwi and enter your information so your local clerk knows that you are interested in becoming a poll worker.

SIGN UP

What will I do? Poll workers check in voters, help people register to vote, check photo IDs, and process absentee ballots. Your local clerk will provide you with training before Election Day.  You can help make our elections safer for all and ensure everyone has fair access to the ballot!

Rice Pantry Volunteers

Cia Siab, Inc. is pleased to announce that our Rice Pantry event Rice Pantry will be held on Friday, September 8th, at the Hmoob Cultural and Community Agency at 1815 Ward Ave, La Crosse. We are looking for individuals who are interested in volunteering for this event Need Volunteers.

We thank you for considering this event to contribute to our cause. We sincerely appreciate your support. 

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me at julia@ciasiabinc.org or (608) 615-7117.

Warm regards,

Julia Yang

She/her/hers

Office Assistant & Volunteer Coordinator

julia@ciasiabinc.org

608-616-9356

Cia Siab, Inc.

Building a Culturally Vibrant Hmoob Community.

1825 Sunset Ln., La Crosse, WI 54601

Office: (608) 615 -7117, M-F 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

24/7 WI Hmong Family Strengthening Helpline 1-877-740-4292

Website: https://www.ciasiabinc.org/

Show your support for public transit

 

One of the city's climate action goals is moving more people from cars to public transit. How can we get there?

Are you "climate aware," understanding it's not something to put off to the future, but rather, something to concentrate on right now? Use this opportunity to show your support for our current public transit system and to tell MTU staff what would encourage you to ride the bus more. 

Are you currently a transit rider? Take this opportunity to show appreciation and tell MTU staff what you like best about transit. 

Don't just think, "Oh, yeah, I support transit," and stay home. Come on down for a few minutes to demonstrate your support to MTU staff and to our elected leaders whose actions could beef up our transit system so more people could use it.

Citizen Climate Lobby meeting

August La Crosse CCL Meeting

PLEASE NOTE: We are once again meeting both in person and via Zoom.

 

Wednesday, August 23rd, 6:30pm

VIA ZOOM

Get the Zoom link here.

Phone call: +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

Meeting ID: 885 0557 2189

Passcode: 638575

MEET IN PERSON AT:

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of La Crosse, 401 West Ave S, La Crosse, WI 54601

NOTE: Please enter through the door near the bike rack behind the building.

Email info@lacrossccl.org with any questions.

TO DO BEFORE THE MEETING

Please watch the recording of the August International CCL Meeting on YouTube (44 minutes) or listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Get links here.

 

CCL's August Speaker

Ramona Liberoff, Executive Director

Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy (PACE) Ramona Liberoff is the Executive Director of Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy (PACE), which was launched by the World Economic Forum and is a delivery platform of the World Resources Institute. The circular economy offers solutions to the joint crises of climate change and biodiversity loss by regenerating natural systems, keeping products and materials in circulation, and preventing waste and pollution. After a career of leading innovation for multinationals such as Unilever and Pepsico, Ramona has worked at the intersection of global climate, innovation, and finance, at Roots of Impact, as the CEO of SPRING Accelerator and as COO of the Innogy Innovation Hub.

Fundraiser extended!

This important fundraiser has been extended for an additional five days. Have you donated yet" Please share with others to help support needed resources in our community!

DONATE HERE!

Xcel, Gas, Beans

A vague media release invites people to a press event at City Hall Friday at 11 a.m. where the Mayor will, "sign an agreement with Xcel Energy-Wisconsin President Karl Hoesly to further support shared clean energy goals through customer programs, economic development and technology."

What does this mean?

On the plus side, Xcel has made a commitment to reduce net carbon emissions to zero by 2050 (those these utility pledges have been called into question). They offer a Renewable-Connect program which let's people pay more for (cheaper) renewable energy.

But, Xcel is also planning to build ten new fossil gas-powered generating plants at Wheaton near Eau Claire.

We know that in 2022, Xcel's net profit was $1.74 billion. In Minnesota recently, Public Utility Commissioners decided that their ratepayers should not have to pay for excessive executive compensation. 

As climate conscious communities ban new natural gas for home heating, in Colorado, Xcel is rolling out a "clean heat" program that will mix hydrogen with gas to reduce emissions from burning (but not from producing where much of the damage, from methane release, occurs) and slow the shift to heat pumps which can be run on renewably-generated electricity.

Then, there's Xcel's trash burning plant which generates electricity by burning garbage, including lots of fossil fuel-derived plastic, which produces air pollution. 

If you want to atted, do, but be aware of the background.

Today! Tammy Baldwin in La Crosse

Meet and talk with U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin TODAY (Wednesday) from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Riverside Park fountain.
RSVP (suggested, not required)

Cap Times Idea Fest 9/17-23

 

In person and online. A week of journalism, ideas, and conversation. Bernie on Sept. 22. Other guests include Judy Woodruff, Al Hunt, Paul Soglin, David Mara Miss, Carl Bernstein, and  Rep. Jamie Rankin.

Program still in process.

More info at The Cap Times and tickets at https://captimesideafest.com/

Cycling Without Age

CYCLING WITHOUT AGE

Wisconsin Bike Fed staff are visiting the La Crosse area this Thursday, August 10 for two events:

• Pilot Training from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. (for current or new pilots)
• Community Introduction (basic information meeting) from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Lakeview Health Center and Assisted Living, 962 Garland St. E. in West Salem

If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Bachaus, Community Engagement & Cycling Without Age Program Manager: michelleb@wisconsinbikefed.org

For more information about Cycling Without Age, please visit the Bike Fed page: https://wisconsinbikefed.org/what-we-do/programs/cycling-without-age/

 

Climate Action NOW

"If the United States, China, and the rest of the world do not act extremely aggressively in cutting carbon emissions, our planet will face enormous and irreversible damage. Let me be clear about that last part. If the entire planet, led by the largest economies of the world--the United States and China--does not get its act together, the world we will be leaving to our children and future generations, will be increasingly unhealthy and uninhabitable."
 

"Unfortunately, its worse than 'the new normal,'  because 'the new normal' sort of sounds like we've got a new situation; we just have to figure out how to deal with it. But this gets worse and worse as long as we continue to burn fossil fuels and generate carbon pollution, and the planet continues to heat up, we're going to see more of these unprecedented, extreme weather events."

Black Student Leaders Sing Along

Do you love to sing? Do you love to support a great cause? Stop in at J's Cafe Thursday, August 17 at 6 p.m. for Black Student Leaders Sing Along!! 

There will be popular songs playing that you could either sing or pay to pass the mic to a friend! Come have a great time and support an amazing cause! 

Each year Black Student Leaders sends 100 students back to school with $100 worth of gift cards (plus providing rides to the stores) as well backpacks, school supplies, snacks, and everything else needed to prepare teens to go back to school on a positive note! 

Come show your support to this amazing fundraiser and of course food by Chef Mia.

Mental Health Scholarship

Please consider promoting and making a tax-deductible donation to this endowed fund, which will provide scholarships to persons of color seeking graduate degrees in mental health counseling.

This fund is created by Peace of Mind Counseling with the aim to help diversify providers in the mental health field, ensuring there are mental health providers who have similar shared experiences as the clients they serve.

La Crosse’s Black Leaders Acquiring Collective Knowledge (B.L.A.C.K.) is a partner in the effort and will be making the scholarship decisions.

An anonymous donor has offered a $15,000 match to help get the fund built to a level where it can begin disbursing scholarships. The La Crosse Community Foundation kicked off the $15K in 15 Days initiative on Tuesday, August 1st.

Volunteer with Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood's Healthy Neighborhood Canvassing program marches on through promising recent developments in the movement to Restore Roe!

There are several upcoming opportunities to join the Healthy Neighborhood Canvassing program in La Crosse. You'll join Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin organizers and volunteers talking to  neighbors about the services Planned Parenthood provides and steps we can all  take to restore abortion access in Wisconsin.

No prior canvassing experience is necessary! Each canvass begins with a thorough training. All necessary materials (and some fun goodies) are provided and no one is asked to canvass alone. The PPWI canvassing program is perfect for new canvassers, or those who have had less than ideal past canvassing experiences, to jump (back) in with plenty of support!

Check out this testimony from Tisha, a recent new canvasser:

I was a bit nervous to go door to door to ask people about their feelings about abortion. It can bring up such strong and complicated emotions for people. I didn't want to make someone upset, but I wanted to talk to my neighbors about how they feel and if they were interested in doing more to fight for body autonomy. I felt very supported by Joella/PP. I got to work with someone who had done this before, and was pleasantly surprised by the comfortable conversations I had with neighbors. I highly recommend trying it - even if you just tag a long.

Join the Planned Parenthood -Western Wisconsin Supporters FB page. Reach out to Joella with any questions or concerns you may have. Click this link for more details and to sign up for upcoming canvasses on:

• Saturday, August 5 from 10 to 1
• Monday, August 14 from 5 to 8 p.m.

One down, many to go

 Cross-posted from SPACE-La Crosse:

THE Crowley Park/Emerson shredded tire playground surface is being removed!

Let's CELEBRATE!!

Join SPACE-La Crosse on Wednesday, August 16 at noon at Crowley Park/Emerson playground where we'll celebrate the removal of the rubber chips and spring and summer accomplishments, and learn what's next for SPACE-La Crosse!

News coverage of our summer "citizen science" experiment, recording temperatures of different play surfaces around the city, has helped more people become aware of the potential hazards recycled tires pose for children, adults, and our environment. Check out the reporting here:

• News8000 - WKBT
• News19 - WXOW
• La Crosse Tribune

We are still inviting you to join us is collecting data about the temperatures of different playspace surfaces. Check out an infrared digital thermometer from the La Crosse Public Library's Library of Things (or bring your own) and use this online form to report your results. Test as many spaces and surfaces as you wish!

In the meantime, we'll see you at Crowley Park/Emerson School on Campbell Road at noon on August 16 to celebrate this change for safer playspaces and community environments in La Crosse!

Support Hmoob Youth

 

Looking for a delicious way to make a meaningful impact? Tomorrow, we're hosting a HMoob Camp Brat Stand Fundraiser at the Onalaska Festivals from 10am - 6pm. Don't miss this opportunity to support HMoob Language and Culture Camp. 

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you at our Brat Stand Fundraiser!

Contact us: 608-615-7117 info@ciasiabinc.org

It's JANET Day!

 

Our long gerrymandered-Republican-minjority-hell rule will soon be over. 

"Now this is not the end.  It is not even the beginning of the end.  
But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning."

* 

WisDOT Active Transportation Planning

Attend a virtual open house to help shape the state's vision for active transportation.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is currently working on the Wisconsin Active Transportation Plan 2050 (ATP). 

In early August, WisDOT will hold six virtual open houses to talk about the ATP and hear what goals and visions people throughout Wisconsin (you!) have for walking, biking, and rolling. 

The Open Houses are divided by WisDOT regions so we can have localized and specific conversations. That said, all the meetings will be a same format. If you cannot make your region’s open house, please attend the one that works best with your schedule. Register for an open house below.

Don't know your WisDOT region? Find out Here!

No pre-registration is required. Please log on a few minutes before the beginning of the webinar to sign in and launch the virtual meeting.

Please use the comment form under each sign-in link to provide us with comments before, during or after the meeting.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Southeast Region

Meeting ID: 883 2048 7499
‍Passcode: 138974
‍Or call in: 651-372-829

Have comments during the meeting? Let us know here!

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Southwest Region (that's us).

Meeting ID: 822 3115 5025
‍Passcode: 184620
‍Or call in: 651-372-8299

Have comments during the meeting? Let us know here!

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Northwest Region

Meeting ID: 851 3094 1268
‍Passcode: 416390
‍Or call in: 651-372-8299

Have comments during the meeting? Let us know here!

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9 from noon to 1:30  p.m. North Central Region

Meeting ID: 881 5666 0126
‍Passcode: 578012
‍Or call in: 651-372-8299

Have comments during the meeting? Let us know here!

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9 from 3 to 4:30  p.m Northeast Region

Meeting ID: 839 9021 9742
‍Passcode: 610486
‍Or call in: 651-372-8299

Have comments during the meeting? Let us know here!

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9 from 6 to 7:30  p.m. Statewide Region

Meeting ID: 813 0615 2195
‍Passcode: 755895
‍Or call in: 651-372-8299

Have comments during the meeting? Let us know here!

Learn more about the plan and the process at https://www.wisdotplans.gov/announcement-pages/attend-your-regions-atp-open-house