Action Center Update: High Hopes for Kline Galland Medicare Certified Home Health Service

Take Action: Kline Galland moves to start Medicare certified Home Health Service

Fresh off their successful application for a hospice care license, the Kline Galland is now seeking a license from Washington State to begin a Medicare certified home health service.

Because of their hospice and transitional care work, the Kline Galland has become aware of the need for a Medicare certified home health service which will provide assistance and care with the Jewish population in mind. Many patients and families initially refuse home health services because of their reluctance to leave the Kline Galland umbrella of care. With a home health license for the Kline Galland, patients and families will never have to worry about leaving the Kline Galland's care model.

The Department of Health recently forecast the need for additional home health agencies in King County, and the Kline Galland's license application is being reviewed along with several other applications. During the review process, letters and emails from the community are carefully considered and given weight in the decision making process. Letters from families, patients and people with personal experiences can make the difference.

With this in mind, we hope you take a moment to email the Department of Health to let them know you support the Kline Galland's application to start a Medicare certified home health program in King County.

Jewish Federations, Catholic Charities and United Way oppose cuts to Emergency Food and Shelter Program

"While politicians from both sides of the aisle wrangle over what programs should be cut or spared and by how much, a critical program that helps millions of Americans stay out of poverty is already starting to feel the pain of past cuts and now its future sustainability hangs in the balance."
-- Jewish Federations of North America Op-Ed

On Tuesday, Congress passed and the president signed legislation raising the nation's debt ceiling, but also made deep cuts to government spending. This is in addition to an earlier federal budget which made deep cuts to services for the neediest in our communities.

With our advocacy partners, the United Way and Catholic Charities, Jewish Federations of North America recently had an editorial published in the Seattle Times urging lawmakers to consider the sustainability of vital programs like the Emergency Food and Shelter Program and resist cuts which push families further into crisis.

If you missed the Op-Ed, it can still be read online on The Seattle Times website.

Orthodox Union Welcomes Washington State Court Kosher Law Ruling

On August 1, 2011, a Washington State appellate court upheld its decision for Washington's Humane Slaughter Law, permitting kosher and halal slaughtering of animals. The favorable ruling was achieved primarily due to the efforts of the Orthodox Union. As the nation's largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization, they pushed for the state to maintain the law that defines either the stunning of animals, or religious ritual slaughter to be humane. Kosher slaughter has been the target of activists in recent years, and we expect this isn't the last we'll hear of the humane slaughter act (a challenge could be coming as soon as the 2012 legislative session). However, for now, this ruling assures the Jewish community that every process required to uphold Kosher law will be protected by State law.

The Jewish Community Responds to Palestinian Unilateralism

Across the country, a coalition of Jewish Federations, Jewish Community Relations Councils, and other Jewish organizations have come together, led by the American Jewish Committee, to educate the international community on the threats posed by the move to unilaterally endorse a Palestinian state at the United Nation's September meeting and build a coalition of countries who endorse peace achieved through diplomacy -- not procedural maneuvers.

While it is unclear how the proposal might be presented, one thing is certain -- a move toward a unilaterally endorsed Palestinian state will disrupt diplomatic efforts and make it harder to achieve a meaningful, lasting peace which benefits Israelis and Palestinians.

Because of the efforts of the AJC-led coalition, a number of countries have announced their opposition to a unilateral Palestinian state.

Please take a moment to send a quick email to the local consulate offices of Canada, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Romania for opposing a unilateral Palestinian state.