It's been three weeks into the New Year, and already we're standing up, speaking out, and continuing to build our movement for quality care, quality jobs and true social, economic and racial justice for all. Take a look at what we're up to and what's in store!

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Boston Women's March for America

This past Saturday, we united in Boston to march in solidarity with communities most affected by acts of hate and intolerance. Together, sent a message to our leaders in Massachusetts, across the country and abroad that the United States of America stands for values centered around human decency, equal rights and freedom from discrimination. We joined 150,000 in Boston hundreds of thousands more walked in sister marches across the country, including Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. We march for equality, dignity and justice. Check out our 1199SEIU Massachusetts Facebook page for photos and more form the march!

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1199er Latia Holmes speaks up for Affordable Healthcare at Joint Press Conference

This month, we joined with Health Care For All, The Greater Boston Interfaith Organization and other community allies to take a stand for affordable healthcare. This comes on the heels of lawmakers in Washington attempting to undo years of progress for our healthcare system.

Their actions will take away the healthcare of 30 million hardworking Americans, including nearly half a million Massachusetts residents, and threaten the economic viability of our healthcare institutions. Repealing the ACA without a plan in place to keep and improve affordable care will cause chaos for patients, providers and workers.

That's why 1199er and Boston Medical Center employee, Latia Holmes, spoke at the press conference on behalf of healthcare workers across Massachusetts and the country, stating that "we need CARE for people who need it most, not CHAOS in our healthcare system."

To see a video of Latia's statement, click here. To take action on #CareNotChaos, visit www.1199seiu.org/CareNotChaos.

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1199er Julie Gonzalez rallies with Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Ed Markey, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and other lawmakers from MA to Save Health Care

Last Sunday, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, Mayor Marty Walsh, and members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation led a rally to tell Republicans loudly and clearly: you are not going to get away with it. We need a viable plan for our healthcare system to improve on care before anything is repealed. To read about the rally, click here.

Julie Gonzalez, a Personal Care Attendant, proud 1199er, mother and grandmother, spoke at the event, inspiring the crowd of thousands with her words of motivation:

“We must channel our emotions and turn them into action. Republican leaders in Congress are determined to take away healthcare from millions of Americans - we must be just as determined to fight back. We need to organize and mobilize!” - Julie Gonzalez, PCA

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Make Your Voice Heard on January 24: Join National Call-In Day for Affordable Healthcare

Thank you to everyone who called their members of Congress on January 10 in support of the Affordable Care Act. As a result of advocacy from you and healthcare workers and allies across the country, we placed thousands of calls and shut down the Capitol switchboard!

With Congress moving forward to repeal the ACA, we must keep up the fight to make our voices heard. Join us again on January 24 for our next National Call-In Day.

On January 24, call 866-426-2631 and tell your member of Congress:

Thank you for putting care first. I am a healthcare worker, and I share your commitment to protecting the healthcare that so many Massachusetts residents depend on. The Affordable Care Act should not be repealed without a plan to keep and improve the healthcare of our patients and clients. I urge you to keep fighting for a plan that:

1. Protects care for 22 million hardworking Americans.
2. Preserves coverage for patients with pre-existing conditions.
3. Maintains Medicaid funding for seniors, children and people with disabilities.

Even if you've contacted your member of Congress in the last few weeks, call again and have your coworkers and families do the same.

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Healthcare workers testify at Provider Price Variation Commission Listening Session

This week, 1199SEIU Massachusetts Vice President of Health Systems and CommunityHospitals Filaine Deronnette and members Sheilah Belin and James Farren testified at the Provider Price Variation Commission's listening session at the State House. This commission was created by Governor Baker, Senate President Rosenberg and Speaker DeLeo in response to our call to address the unfair way Massachusetts hospitals are reimbursed for care. Our team advocated for equity in the hospital payment system to ensure our community and safety net hospitals can continue to thrive.

"How can my hospital continue to keep its doors open to the people who need us? We must level the playing field." - Sheilah Belin, Medical Assistant at Boston Medical Center

"If we cannot come to agreement on more complex policy solutions, at a minimum we must maintain the consensus we have heard over the past two years - community hospitals must be given the support they need to remain affordable, community providers." - James Farren, Patient Access Representative at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center