Larry Gross, Executive Director, Coalition for Economic Survival
Alan Minsky, Executive Director of Progressive Democrats of America
Councilmember Carroll Fife
Anne Miskey, Housing & Homelessness Expert and Advocate
Author: Evan Rose
Transitions: Educating, Supporting & Housing Children
Carolyn Fowler, Government Affairs Advisor for LA Unified School District Tara Ford, Interim Directing Attorney for Public Counsel’s Opportunity Under Law project Rachel Stein, Directing Attorney – Audrey Irmas Gender Justice Project Iziko Calderon, Child Welfare Advocate working to make local, statewide, and national policy changes
Building Better Communities: Community Land Trusts and Faith-Based Housing Collaborations
Weathering the Storm: Climate Resilience & Housing Security as a Core Theme in Housing Policy
Saket Soni, Founder and Director of Resilience Force, Labor Organizer
Jamie Court, President of Consumer Watchdog
U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal
Race, Education & Addressing the Youth Homelessness Crisis
Dr. Joseph Bishop;
Dr. Tyrone Howard
Proposition 1: Housing for the Homeless, Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services
California Governor Gavin Newsom, Mayor of Sacramento Darrell Steinberg, California Secretary of Health & Human Services Dr. Mark Ghaly
Healthcare Price Transparency: From a Movement to a Revolution
Do you agree that patients should have the right to know healthcare costs before they have a procedure? Do you think price transparency would provide a fundamental step toward a fairer, more efficient system?
If so, you might be interested to learn that a landmark law requiring hospitals and insurers to publish their prices passed Congress three years ago with strong bipartisan support.
Yet, the reality remains daunting: only 21% of 2000 hospitals reviewed are meeting federal compliance; 100 million Americans grapple with medical debt; hospitals in 21 states sue patients over unpaid bills. The call for transparency and enforcement has never been more urgent.
Cynthia Fisher, Founder and Chairman of Patients RightsAdvocate.org, led a powerful conversation at a recent Sanders Institute Gathering on transforming healthcare through price transparency. Cynthia and her fellow panelists provided unprecedented information about how medical expenses are inflated, why price transparency is such a critical issue and how important enforcement measures are to curbing ever-rising healthcare costs.
Across the country, price transparency is reshaping healthcare by revealing the true costs of medical services, empowering patients to make informed choices, and pushing down healthcare costs.
Efforts to enforce real-price disclosures are already making a difference.
– Patients avoid surprise bills and have the power to choose affordable care.
– Some states have implemented transparency initiatives that have saved millions, making healthcare more accessible and affordable.
– Unions, organizations and communities are leveraging transparency to negotiate better healthcare rates, investing the savings back into community programs and employee benefits.
– Through technology and advocacy, patients have tools to understand costs upfront, making healthcare a more equitable system for everyone.
What can you do?
- Watch Cynthia’s keynote and panel discussion to learn how transparency is changing healthcare.
- Stay Informed: Follow The Sanders Institute on X, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for updates on future evens and initiatives.
- Take Action: Check to see if your hospitals and insurers are providing price transparency. Let us know what you find. Spread awareness by forwarding this message to your network.
- Support the Cause: If you’re passionate about fair healthcare, consider donating today. Every contribution strengthens our mission to make healthcare accessible and just.
Together, we can ensure a healthcare system that serves everyone—transparent, fair, and within reach.
Honoring Service: VA Land Can Provide Housing Solutions for Veterans
On this Veterans Day, even in these tumultuous times, it is important that we take the time to honor the sacrifices made by our military veterans and confront the pressing crisis of veteran homelessness. This year’s Sanders Institute Gathering in Los Angeles brought together a dedicated panel to discuss the ongoing struggle over some of the most coveted real estate in West LA—land that was once promised to those who bravely served our country.
We were heartened by a landmark ruling in September – shortly after our panel – that could significantly reshape housing justice for veterans in Los Angeles and serve as a crucial starting point for national reform. U.S. District Judge David O. Carter’s decision to order the VA to construct over 2,500 housing units for veterans marks a vital stride forward. This ruling addresses immediate concerns while setting a precedent for similar initiatives in communities nationwide, demonstrating that collective action can lead to real change in the fight against veteran homelessness. However, as of Friday, November 8, a temporary stay issued by the 9th Circuit Court is delaying progress.
Ongoing Challenges: Despite this progress, the alarming rise in unhoused veterans highlights the systemic challenges that persist. Many veterans face a critical shortage of affordable housing and encounter barriers rooted in institutional practices. Many could retain their homes with minimal financial assistance, underscoring the urgent need for targeted housing solutions and personalized support.
Advocacy from West LA: The West LA VA campus, originally designated as a sanctuary for veterans, has faced significant setbacks. In response, veterans have rallied to raise awareness about their housing needs, launching initiatives such as the “Tiny Shed” program for temporary shelters. Yet, bureaucratic hurdles continue to obstruct access to the housing they rightfully deserve.
Call for Accountability: The conversation surrounding veterans’ homelessness extends beyond social issues; it touches on profound violations of human dignity and constitutional rights. As we reflect on these injustices, we must advocate for accountability and support for veterans facing trauma and hardship.
At the Sanders Institute, we stand in solidarity with these advocates, amplifying their voices and efforts. We invite you to support grassroots movements and champion necessary legislative reforms. Together, we can create a future where every veteran can access safe, affordable housing.
Thank you for your attention to this important issue.
Below you will find additional reference materials as well.
KCAL – CBS News Los Angeles: Looking at the ongoing legal battle over the VA’s West LA campus on Veterans Day
Fox 11 Los Angeles: Setback for homeless veterans
Westside Current: Federal Court Order Halts Plan for Temporary Housing at West LA VA Campus Days Before Veterans Day
Los Angeles Times: U.S. appeals court stops work on modular shelters on the VA’s West L.A. campus
The Housing Crisis Demands Action: Unite for Justice Now
The housing crisis in America is spiraling out of control. With rents skyrocketing and working-class communities being pushed out of their homes, millions face an uncertain future. We cannot afford to wait any longer—housing justice must be a priority, and the time for action is now.
At The Sanders Institute Gathering in Los Angeles, leading voices like Michael Weinstein, President and Co-founder of the Healthy Housing Foundation, and a panel of dedicated community leaders shared their vision for solutions that will protect, preserve, and produce affordable housing for all.
They highlighted the urgency of this fight, especially with key initiatives like the Justice for Renters campaign for Prop 33 that could pave the way for rent control measures across the country. With corporate greed driving prices higher and gentrification displacing communities, the stakes have never been higher.
But there is hope.
The panelists—activists, lawmakers, and labor leaders—made it clear: We can win this fight if we unite. Here’s how:
• Prevent displacement: Push for stronger rent control policies that keep people in their homes.
• Protect our communities: Stand against gentrification that uproots neighborhoods and erases culture.
• Produce affordable housing that works for all, not just the wealthy.
This isn’t just a fight for the future of our cities; it’s a fight for human dignity. Housing is a human right, and we need your help to ensure everyone can access it.
Now is the time to act.
Below you will find Michael’s powerful speech from our LA Gathering dedicated to Affordable Housing and Homelessness, the panel discussion on housing and workers’ rights from the same event, and the panel from our Vermont Gathering.
What you can do right now:
- Stay informed: Follow The Sanders Institute on social media for real-time updates and ways to get involved.
- Take action: Share this message with your network to spread the word.
- Support the cause: If you’re moved to make a difference, consider donating today. Every contribution helps us continue the fight for justice.
Let’s not wait for another crisis to act.
Together, we can protect our communities, preserve affordable housing, and produce real change.
Perpetually Affordable Housing: Protect, Preserve and Produce
Michael Weinstein, President and Co-founder, Aids Healthcare Foundation speaking at The Sanders Institute Gathering in Los Angeles.