February 18, 2009

 

Stimulus Medicaid Funds May Help Some, Supplant More

As a result of the passage of the economic stimulus/ recovery bill, more than $4 billion in additional federal Medicaid funding will flow into Florida, including an additional $4.39 billion in federal Medicaid funds for the period October 2008 - December 2010. And some potential Medicaid cuts are now off the table. But, according to legislation passed during the recent Special Session, large amounts of funding intended for Medicaid will now be used instead for unrelated purposes.  (Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN) Read more

 

 

CHIP Reauthorization Signed Into Law: What’s Next For Kids? It’s Up To Lawmakers in Florida

Congress passed and President Obama has signed the Children’s Health Insurance Program reauthorization bill.  Now, Florida has a great opportunity to pass legislation during the Legislative Session that would result in the state receiving additional dollars to insure its uninsured children through Florida KidCare. (Karen Woodall, Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy) Read more

 

 

Considering Buying COVER FLORIDA Health Insurance? Some Things You May Need to Know

How do I apply? Will it provide enough coverage?
Is it better than no coverage? Why are there two different types? Is it true Cover Florida must approve me even if I have health problems? What's the catch?
Should I consider family coverage if offered?
Learn this and more in Florida CHAIN's new Fact Sheet. (Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN) Read more

 

 

First Ratings of Reform Plan Performance Not Much to Look At

AHCA has quietly released the first set of performance ratings of managed care plans in Medicaid Reform. The fact that these ratings tell us almost nothing is further indication that the State isn’t making a serious effort to fulfill Reform’s promises of transparency and consumer empowerment. (Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN) Read more and link to the full Florida CHAIN analysis

 

Florida CHAIN presents:

A WEBINAR to Discuss Medicaid Reform: 
What Florida Needs to Know Before Considering Expansion

 Thursday, February 26th
11 AM- 12 Noon

Read more and learn how to log in.

 

 

Bi-partisan Support for Increase in Florida Cigarette User Fee; Federal Legislation Makes State $1 Increase More Urgent than Ever

Momentum is mounting to pass an increase in Florida’s cigarette tax to stem the dire impacts of smoking and to pump much needed revenue into our health care system. Last week, Rep. Zapata (R) filed a bill to up the state cigarette tax by 65 cents. Senate champion of this tax, Ted Deutch (D) has shown support for a $1 increase and advocates anticipate the will file shortly. (Laura Goodhue, Florida CHAIN) Read more

 

 

TAKE ACTION: Work Incentive Medicaid Coverage Initiative UPDATE 

Thanks to Senator Crist (R) who filed the "Medicaid Buy In" bill in the Florida Senate and Rep. Planas(R) who filed it in the House. The proposed changes would increase the income and asset limits for persons on SSI/SSDI and Medicaid. Now it's time for legislative committee advocacy! (Olga Golik, Citrus Health Network) Read more and TAKE ACTION

 

 

TABOR Return as Florida Health Advocacy Issue

TABOR – The Taxpayer Bill of Rights - is returning as an important issue for Florida advocates. When TABOR was enacted in Colorado, the health care consequences were disastrous. AARP invites you to parta free webinar on TABOR, on February 23. (Leslie Spencer, AARP Florida) Read more

 

 

Florida Health Champion Awarded Health Care Advocate of the Year by Families USA

This year, almost 20 advocates from Florida  joined hundreds of others at the Families USA Health Action 2009 conference in Washington D.C. And one of our very own was awarded the prestigious Consumer Health Advocate of the Year award: Josephine Mercado, founder and Director of Hispanic Health Initiatives in Central Florida, AND Board member of Florida CHAIN. (Laura Goodhue, Florida CHAIN) Read more

 

 

REAL STORIES FROM FLORIDA HEALTH CARE CONSUMERS 

Medicaid Reform's Enhanced Benefits Earn Consumer Useless Items

 

Nancy V. earned Medicaid Reform Enhanced Benefits, designed to reward healthy behaviors. As instructed, she picked out the items she wanted from the list online. But the store substituted things she couldn't use, except for one $6 item. AHCA tells her it's up to the store to resolve the issue but. . . .  Read more

 

 

Resources for Florida Health Care Advocates

Visit our newly streamlined Advocacy Resources page for up to the minute tools and information, and an archive of Florida materials. 
Support Florida CHAIN

Florida CHAIN is a non-profit organization supported by foundations, corporations and individual donations. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of our CHAIN Reaction e-newsletter or value our work and would like to make a donation, please click here or call Laura Goodhue at 561-691-4062 for more information.  

 

 


CHAIN Reaction is a bi-weekly publication of Florida CHAIN (Community Health Action Information Network), a statewide consumer advocacy organization that works toward access to quality health care, empowering people to actively shape their world by participating in civic life and caring for each other’s well being. 

Florida CHAIN: 3167-B Gardens East Drive, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 info@floridachain.org     www.floridachain.org 

 

 

 

Stimulus Medicaid Funds May Help Some, Supplant More

 

As a result of the passage of the economic stimulus/ recovery bill, more than $4 billion in additional federal Medicaid funding will flow into Florida. The fate of the bill in Congress was perhaps the most watched news story in the nation the past few weeks. House and Senate Democrats, along with a few centrist Republicans, reached a compromise late last week, reducing the overall price tag to $786 billion, though most Republicans persisted in their objections to much of the spending.

 

The biggest health-related impact was an $87 billion boost in the “FMAP” rate, which is the share of a state’s Medicaid costs paid by the federal government. Florida now stands to receive an additional $4.39 billion in federal Medicaid funds for a 27-month period (October 2008 through December 2010).

 

In addition, a “maintenance of effort” requirement will prevent states from tightening Medicaid eligibility requirements (though some services could still be cut). One direct consequence is that the 2008 Legislature’s decision to end most of the Medically Needy and MEDS-AD Waiver programs as of this July 1 must be reversed for Florida to qualify for the extra funds. So these two programs will be spared until at least 2011 as a result. (Services could still be cut from within those programs, although there could be no  justification for doing so). The same maintenance of effort requirement will also take other Medicaid-cutting scenarios completely off the table, such as reducing the income eligibility limit for pregnant women and eliminating coverage for 19 and 20 year olds.

 

The bad news is that, according to language included in budget-cutting legislation passed during the recent Special Session, large amounts of funding intended for Medicaid will be used instead as a flexible source of revenue for unrelated purposes. To accomplish this, the Legislature would simply replace State funds currently earmarked for Medicaid with the new federal money. On the other hand, it appears that the 3 prior rounds of Medicaid cuts made since October 2007 will not be reversed.

 

Health care access is impacted by other components of the bill also, such as assistance for laid-off workers with expensive COBRA coverage premiums.  Under the finalized legislation, COBRA assistance would last up to 9 months and pay 65% of monthly premiums.

 

Also, the bill again extended the moratoria (ban) on the implementation of 6 federal Medicaid rules pushed by the Bush administration that would eliminate Medicaid funding for important activities such as school-based services and targeted case management. However, the proposal to provide temporary Medicaid coverage to unemployed workers was removed from the final bill.

 

Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN


 

CHIP Reauthorization Signed Into Law: What’s Next For Kids? It’s Up To Lawmakers in Florida

Congress passed and President Obama recently signed the Children’s Health Insurance Program reauthorization bill, known as CHIP.  With this, Florida has a great opportunity to pass legislation during the upcoming Legislative Session that would result in the state receiving additional dollars to insure its uninsured children through its CHIP component, known as Florida KidCare.

 

The new bill provides bonus payments to states that streamline their enrollment and retention procedures and increase CHIP and Medicaid enrollment of children above a target level. The states will receive a federal bonus payment for each additional child enrolled. 

 

In Florida, advocates are currently working on legislation that would achieve this goal by reducing wait periods for enrollment if insurance is voluntarily cancelled; eliminating wait periods if the cost of employer or private insurance is more than 5% of the families income; reducing penalties for late payment of premiums; providing continuity of coverage when a child loses Medicaid due to family income becoming too high; providing for electronic verification of income when possible and providing for continuous eligibility in all Kidcare programs.

 

Florida has more than 700,000 children who are income eligible for the KidCare program but who are not enrolled.  Removal of existing barriers to enrollment and retention will grow the program overnight and should allow Florida to qualify for additional funding through the new incentive programs. 

 

The new CHIP bill also allows states to cover low-income women who’ve just given birth for a 60 day period beginning on the last day of pregnancy.  Currently, Florida only covers pregnant women with incomes up to 185% of the federal poverty level.

 

The CHIP bill also provides grants to states to improve outreach and enrollment. Florida should  apply for these grants which because no state matching funds are required.  

 

In addition, states can decide to provide coverage for immigrant children who are in the country legally without making them wait for 5 years and the match rate would be the same as for the rest of the program.  Florida has a large number of children who fall into this category so this option to cover them and receive generous matching funds from the federal government is great and will be another barrier to coverage removed if the Legislature takes advantage of this opportunity.

 

Of course, the state will have to provide the matching dollars to draw down our federal allocation.  Unfortunately, Florida does not have a good history in leveraging and maximizing our federal tax dollars which has resulted in millions of dollars being lost to other states. 

 

Even with Florida’s budget shortfalls, there is money available to pay for the increased enrollment that will result from removing barriers AND enrolling new groups of uninsured children and pregnant women.  It needs to be stressed, however, that this is not just an issue of funding.  Florida could appropriate $100 million tomorrow and we would not increase our enrollment and retention - THE BARRIERS MUST BE REMOVED! 

 

This is Florida’s opportunity to accomplish a long standing goal to provide every child in the state with quality, affordable health insurance.  The Legislature must act now. Rhetoric is not enough.

Karen Woodall, Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy

 

 Considering Buying COVER FLORIDA Health Insurance?
Here Are Some Things You May Need to Know


How do I apply for coverage?

There isn't one centralized number to call. Click here to go to the State's Cover Florida website  to research the plans in your county. Also, contact information for all of the plans can be found at the bottom of this fact sheet. Each plan has its own application and process.

Will Cover Florida provide enough coverage? Is Cover Florida coverage better than no coverage at all?

It depends. Think of health insurance as being like a blanket. If your blanket is too small or too thin, it won't keep you warm. Cover Florida coverage will provide a blanket, but it may be too small or too thin to protect you the way you think a blanket should. You don't want to buy cheaper health coverage, and then find out later that it doesn't cover enough to be worth it.

What are there two different types of coverage being offered? What's the difference?

With Cover Florida, insurance companies must offer both "preventive" and "catastrophic" coverage options.  But the kind of health insurance coverage that people usually talk about includes both of those together. Preventive coverage is there to help you get and stay healthy. It provides benefits like office visits with your regular doctor. Catastrophic coverage is there in case you have serious health problems and covers hospital care.  

So why are there two different types of coverage?

Because splitting what most people consider real coverage into these two parts keeps the cost of each part low. Remember, the State's main goal is to offer affordable coverage, not the best coverage.

Is it true that Cover Florida must approve me for coverage even if I have health problems? What's the catch?

Yes, but your plan might not cover treatment for  your existing medical conditions for 12 months. Also, even after your medical problem is "covered", the benefits may be limited or not exist at all. For example, you may need prescription drugs, but few drugs may be covered. Or the plan may offer only a discount drug card and not have prescription drug coverage at all.

How do I decide whether or not to buy coverage?

For preventive coverage, find out if it will it get you the health care you think you'll need this year.  Think about how much you'll spend for premiums and out-of-pocket costs. For catastrophic coverage, think about how much it will protect you if something goes very wrong.

Should I consider family coverage, if it is offered?

Less expensive  and better coverage for your children  may be  available through Florida KidCare.  If you qualify based on income, you would pay no more than $20 per month. If not, you can buy coverage for about $120. Visit www.floridakidcare.org for more information.

Toll-Free Phone Numbers:

Blue Cross Blue Shield of FL (Statewide)  877-872-6580
United Healthcare (Statewide)   800-809-9831
Florida Health Care Plans (Volusia-Flagler)   800-232-0578     
Total Health Plan (Miami-Dade, Broward)    800-213-1133
Medica Health Plan (Miami-Dade, Broward)  866-260-5278     
JMH Health Plan (Miami-Dade)  800-721-2993

Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN

 

First Ratings of Reform Plan Performance Not Much to Look At

 

AHCA has quietly released the first set of performance ratings of managed care plans in Medicaid Reform. The fact that these ratings tell us almost nothing is further indication that the State isn’t making a serious effort to fulfill Reform’s promises of transparency and consumer empowerment.

 

The report consists of the plans’ “ratings” (identified by 1, 2 or 3 checkmarks) with respect to up to 20 performance measures, with 2 checkmarks indicating performance reasonably close to average. This is the least informative rating system possible, and 5 out of every 6 ratings assigned were 2 checkmarks. Every plan’s average rating across all performance measures fell between 1.8 and 2.1 checkmarks.

 

Behind the checkmarks, however, are a much wider range of actual performance scores. A review of those scores reveals that despite performing poorly - in comparison both with other Reform plans and national Medicaid HMO performance benchmarks – many plans nevertheless received average ratings.

 

Finally, in addition to using this fairly meaningless plan rating system, the State also fails to assess the performance of the Medicaid Reform Pilot itself. AHCA's report seems to give the impression that somehow it’s only with Reform that we could have performance measurement, and that’s simply not the case. All these ratings show is how these plans in the Pilot compare with one another. We could and should compare performance throughout Medicaid managed care and beyond.

 

Click here to read Florida CHAIN's full report.

 

Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN

WEBINAR to Discuss Medicaid Reform
What Florida Needs to Know Before Considering Expansion

 Thursday, February 26th
11 AM- 12 Noon

In 2005, the state of Florida sought and received approval of a federal waiver allowing the State to make unique and significant changes to the way the Medicaid program works.

The Medicaid Reform experiment promised to "introduce more individual choice, increase access, and improve quality and efficiency while stabilizing cost." Today, two and a half years into implementation of the five-year pilot program, many consumers and advocates believe that Reform has yet to fulfill these and other promises.

Learn more during next week's webinar. Hosted by Florida CHAIN (Community Health Action Information Network), Florida's statewide consumer health care advocacy organization, this webinar will: 

  • Provide an overview of what we know about Medicaid Reform to date.
  • Distinguish the problems in Reform from those in traditional Medicaid managed care.
  • Contrast current myths about Reform with reality.
  • Identify initial steps that Florida could take in lieu of continuing Pilot in its current form.

The webinar will be interactive allowing the opportunity for participants to ask questions online.

Instructions:
1. Log on via this link:                  http://floridachain.presenternet.com
2. Enter Pass Key:  81007
3. Call in number:  712-580-0392
4. Enter Passcode:  357613

If you encounter any problems accessing the webinar, contact Lisa at Florida CHAIN at lisam@floridachain.org or 954-986-6535. 

 

Bi-partisan Support for Increase in Florida Cigarette User Fee; Federal Legislation Makes State $1 Increase More Urgent than Ever

 

Momentum is mounting to pass an increase in Florida’s cigarette tax to stem the dire social and economic impacts of smoking and to pump much needed revenue into our health care system. Last week, Rep. Juan Zapata (R- Miami) filed legislation that would increase the state cigarette tax by 65 cents. Senate champion of the tobacco tax, Sen. Ted Deutch has shown support for a $1 increase and advocates anticipate that he will file legislation shortly.

Differences beyond the tax amount include how new revenue will be spent. While both Rep. Zapata’s version and proposals circulated by health care advocates would include funding for cancer research and medical facilities, medical schools and the Lawton Chiles fund, missing from the bill filed by Rep. Zapata includes much needed funding for low-income hospital patients through the medically indigent program, Children’s medical services or CMS, the Medically Needy program and the MEDS-AD program for very low-income seniors and disabled persons. However, Rep. Zapata’s bill DOES include health access money for community health centers and the Agency for Disabilities.

While supporters remain dedicated to passing an increase in Florida’s cigarette user fee, many are asking how the federal tobacco tax increase of 62 cents will affect efforts. The new federal tax will go directly towards expanding health care coverage for low-income children through the S-CHIP program. Florida will ONLY benefit if the Legislature invests additional matching funds into the State S-CHIP program (KidCare) to draw down these federal dollars to cover some of the 800,000 uninsured children and babies in Florida.

A $1 increase  in Florida’s cigarette user fee will bring in much needed additional revenue that can be used to stimulate our economy by keeping Floridians healthy and generating jobs. A state cigarette tax generates revenue for Floridians and funds state programs.

Finally, despite the federal increase, Florida will still have one of the lowest cigarette tax rates in the country. In order to save lives, stop children from smoking (an estimated 16.3% decrease), cover the state’s very low-income children, seniors and disabled citizens and pump much needed money into the economy, Florida must continue to advocate for an increased cigarette tax, now more than ever!

Laura Goodhue, Florida CHAIN

 

 

Work Incentive Medicaid Coverage Initiative UPDATE 

Time to help get the Medicaid Buy In Bill Moving!

Thanks to Senator Crist (R) who filed the "Medicaid Buy In" bill in the Senate, Senate Bill 348 and Rep. Planas(R) who filed it in the House, House Bill 529. The proposed changes would increase the income and asset limits for persons on SSI/SSDI and Medicaid so they go back to work with less fear of losing their Medicaid.

 

But getting the bill filed is just step one. Now the bill gets assigned for various committees. Many bills just die when they don't have time to get heard in committee. We need your calls to keep our bill moving positively through the committees so it can be voted on.

 

Please call or email the Chair of the Health Regulation Committee and let him know that the Medicaid Buy In Bill (Senate Bill 0348 Sponsored by Senator Crist) is a very important bill and that we would like it to be scheduled in the Health Regulation Committee as soon as possible. Email Senator Don Gaetz or call (850) 487-5009.

 

Here are the other members of the committee: 

Vice Chair: Senator Eleanor Sobel (D)

Senator Thad Altman (R)

Senator Dave Aronberg (D)

Senator Michael S. "Mike" Bennett (R)

Senator Andy Gardiner (R)

Senator Dennis L. Jones, D.C. (R)

Senator Alfred "Al" Lawson, Jr. (D)


After it moves through this committee, it still needs to go to the following Senate committees: Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Health and Human Services Appropriations; Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means. It is still pending assignment of House committees.

Click here for the Partnership website to access for advocacy tools including: sample letter to your legislator, Backgrounder, Talking Points, Frequently Asked Questions, Making a Difference advocacy tips, etc. 

  

 

Background on Work Incentive Medicaid Coverage Initiative

 

This advocacy effort is coordinated by a statewide Partnership for Work and Healthcare consisting of over 30 organizations. Learn more about this "Medicaid Buy In" program at the partnership website, and sign in for updates. The website provides talking points for meeting with legislators, sample letters to the editor, and other advocacy and educational materials.

 

The proposed changes would increase the income and asset limits for persons on SSI or SSDI so they can go to work, make a living wage and still keep their health insurance. Here are the elements suggested by the Partnership: 1) Unearned income would be capped and tied to existing Medicaid requirements to help control start-up costs. 2) Cash assets of $10,000 (individual) and $15,000 (married couple) would be excluded, as would IRS-recognized retirement accounts. Participants could be charged premiums of up to 7.5 percent of their income if their earned income exceeds the poverty level. The cost to the state for this program is low, since many proposed participants are already receiving Medicaid.

 

Olga Golik, Citrus Health Network

 

 

TABOR Return as Florida Health Advocacy Issue

 

TABOR – The Taxpayer Bill of Rights - is returning as an important issue that Florida advocates must be prepared to keep from reaching fruition on the 2009 or 2010 ballot. While the title, The Taxpayer Bill of Rights, sounds enticing, all advocates who work in health and human services need to be aware of the true story behind TABOR.  When TABOR was enacted in Colorado, the health consequences were disastrous.

 

Therefore, AARP would like to invite you to participate in a free webinar on TABOR – The Taxpayer Bill of Rights on Monday, February 23rd, from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm.

 

This online interactive session is designed to provide an educational overview of TABOR and its potential implications for our state. Having dealt with this issue last year before the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission as well as the legislature, advocates must be prepared to counteract any such proposals from reaching fruition in 2009 or the 2010 ballot. 

 

There is already a constitutional proposal that has been filed which would ratify many TABOR-like provisions in Florida.  To date, TABOR has only been enacted in one state (Colorado), however; the consequences were disastrous. Colorado state rankings for pre-natal care, children’s immunizations, and health insurance coverage all dropped following the enactment of TABOR. 

 

This webinar will provide you an opportunity to learn more about TABOR: what it does; the current constitutional amendment; partners, allies, opponents; and potential next steps.  There will also be an opportunity for questions to be submitted during the webinar. 

 

Please contact Leslie Spencer at lspencer@aarp.org to sign up for the webinar or if you have any additional questions.

 

Leslie Spencer, AARP Florida

 

Florida Health Champion Awarded Health Care Advocate of the Year by Families USA

 

Every year, hundreds of the nation’s leading health care advocates convene for the annual Families USA conference to share successes and strategies and learn from experts in the field. This year, almost 20 advocates from Florida participated in the Health Action 2009 conference in Washington D.C.

 

One of our very own was awarded the prestigious Consumer Health Advocate of the Year award. Josephine Mercado, founder and Director of Hispanic Health Initiatives in Central Florida, AND Board member of Florida CHAIN was presented the award by Families USA along with advocates from Tennessee and Wisconsin.

 

Josephine has dedicated herself to educating the Hispanic community in Central Florida about important health care issues such as diabetes, breast cancer and obesity to name a few. With Hispanic Health Initiatives, Josephine has developed culturally competent health care campaigns that reach out to underserved populations by providing education, health screenings, referral and navigation assistance and, more recently, health care advocacy training.

The progression of  Hispanic Health Initiatives from a small education and prevention community organization to one that includes advocacy for improved access to health care for minorities was recognized by the national organization as an exemplary example of grassroots healthcare advocacy.

While attending the conference, Josephine made time to meet with staff from Florida’s Congressional delegation on the hill along with other Florida child and health advocates. Days later, the S-CHIP re-authorization bill was passed with significant support from Florida’s Congressional delegation including a key vote by Senator Mel Martinez from Central Florida.

Laura Goodhue, Florida CHAIN 

 

REAL STORIES FROM FLORIDA HEALTH CARE CONSUMERS

 

Medicaid Reform's Enhanced Benefits Earn Consumer Useless Items

 

“I’m having terrible problems with my Enhanced Benefits that I’m supposed to be able to get through Florida Medicaid Reform to reward healthy behaviors.

 

I went online and got the list for current items under Enhanced Benefits.  I picked out items that were on the website from Walgreens and called in the order.

 

But when my friend picked them up and brought them home, Walgreens had switched my items and did not give me what she asked for.  I called Enhanced Benefits, and they told me to take it back to Walgreens.  However, when my friend got there, they refused to take it back because they said it had gone through Medicaid processing already and, on top of it, were very rude to her.  

 

The items they switched included giving me vitamins in a different brand and in half the amount and giving me a blood pressure cuff (which I cannot use because of my obesity) rather than the wrist band. They changed brands on those and other items as well. 

 

They charged $102 out of my $150 Enhanced Benefit amount, and the only thing I can use from what I asked for is a $6 item.”

 

Nancy V., Medicaid Reform consumer, Broward County  

 

Florida CHAIN Seeks Stories

 

Florida CHAIN welcomes contributions from health care consumers who are interested in sharing their experiences with readers of CHAIN Reaction. If you have a story to share, please contact  lisam@floridachain.org

February 18, 2009

State Events 
     North Florida

     Central Florida     

     East Central Florida    

     West Central Florida
     Southwest Florida
     Southeast Florida
     Florida Audio and Web Events
     Statewide Notices

 

National Events 
     Conferences 
     National Audio and Web Events

     National Notices

     National Campaigns


STATE EVENTS & NOTICES

NORTH FLORIDA   

 

State Rep Janet Adkins to Host Community Health Conversation in Nassau County

Feb 26  6:30-8:30 pm  Florida Community College, Betty P. Cook Nassau Center in the ‘Red” Bean Training Center Building located at 76346 William Burgess Blvd,  Yulee.

A Community Health Conversation will be hosted by State Representative Janet Adkins, R- District 12, and the Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida, Inc., in cooperation with Florida Community College at Jacksonville. This event will focus on discussions facilitated around Medicaid Reform, Cover Florida Health Care Access Program and Federal Healthcare Reform.  Medicaid Reform is of special interest, as four of Northeast Florida’s counties (Baker, Clay, Duval and Nassau) are participating in a statewide Medicaid Reform Pilot Initiative. The public is invited to attend this event. Local and State Elected Officials and Leaders, Hospital Administrators, Physicians, State Organized Medicine Associations, Nursing Associations, County Health Departments, members and leaders of local Chamber of Commerce, College and University Administrators and Professors and Administrators of the Health Insurance Industry have also been invited to attend. For more information, contact Amanda Young at 904-491-3664.

 

Children’s Week

Mar 29-31  Tallahassee

Join strengthening Florida’s families by sharing a commitment to improve our communities through events and outreach efforts aimed at promoting the health, safety and well-being of our children. Children’s Week is supported by over 80 different non-profit, corporate, philanthropic, faith based, state agencies and organizations. Children’s Week develops and implements over 200 community events and activities statewide, bringing thousands of parents, children, policy makers, professionals, community leaders and concerned citizens together to share valuable knowledge and information about children's issues in each community across the state and at the State Capitol. On Tuesday, March 31, more than 2,000 children’s advocates are planning to attend the Children’s Capitol for a Day. Please register your event by jan 5, wherever it is being held, and Children’s Week will promote it Two toolkits are available.   Next Statewide Conference Call: Dec 16 at 3:00 pm. Contact 850-251-7274 or jz@childrensweek.org 

Notices

CENTRAL FLORIDA

 

NACCHO Annual Conference 2009
July 29-31  Orlando
The theme of the conference is, “The New Public Health - Working Across Sectors to Leverage Investment in Communities.” Conference tracks include Quality Improvement & Performance Standards; Successful Multisector Investments in the Community’s Health; The Value of Public Health Interventions; and the Power of Public Health. MAPP users are encouraged to submit abstracts that showcase how their process has helped them work across sectors to leverage investments.

EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA

WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA 

Events

 

Women of Color – Cancer Retreat

Feb 27, 28 and March 1

Faces of Courage Foundation invites all women to participate in a weekend retreat, at no cost. For more information or to register, please call 813-877-CAMP (2267) or e-mail your name, mailing address and phone number to psherry@facesofcourage.org

 

Notices

Pinellas residents can get free discount drug cards, which may not be used in conjunction with any health insurance plan, including Medicare and Medicaid, but will help those seeking discounts on drugs. 

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

  

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA

  

Events

 

Advocacy Corps Training

Saturday, 10:00 am-1:00 pm  HSC, 260 NE 17th St, Miami
February 21 – Taxes and Talking to legislators

The Human Services Coalition invites you to participate in their Advocacy Corps Trainings (ACT). Find out how to create change around health care and other issues that matter most to you. Learn key advocacy skills like: communicating effectively with decision makers, public speaking and much more. These workshops will be fun, interactive and free. Breakfast served. Participants are encouraged to attend at least three in the series. Sign language interpreters, aides and other accommodation available on request at least seven days in advance. Call 305-576-5001 ext 28 or email jacobc@hscdade.org

 

American Cancer Society Lifeline Transportation Coalition Road to Recovery Training 

Feb 21  10:00 am- 12:00 Noon   8095 NW 12th St, Miami

Lack of transportation is one of the biggest challenges for thousands of cancer patients. Many need daily or weekly treatment and do not have a car or are too ill to drive This program provides volunteer drivers to and from treatments. For more information, call 1-800-227-2345.

  

South Florida Cancer Control Collaborative Meeting

Feb 26   9:30 am   Aventura Hospital & Medical Center Medical Arts Bldg, 21110 Biscayne Blvd

Phil Fusca, MSW is host, and Catholic Hospice is sponsoring. Contact 305-682-7000. 

Networking & coffee at 9:30 am, meeting starts at 10 am, ends at 2 pm. Results from the Collaborative Online Survey will be presented

Health Communications and Reducing Cancer Disparities

March 13  10:00–11:00 am  Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Matthew Kreuter, PhD, MPH, Professor of Social Work and Medicine, and Director of the Health Communication Research Laboratory, Washington University in St. Louis, Brown School of Social Work. Dr. Kreuter is an expert in health information and health disparities. One of his current projects is Building Evidence-based Action into Community Outreach Networks (BEACON) which involves building partnerships with cancer programs and communities. BEACON involves St. Louis University's Prevention Research Center, NCI's Cancer Information Service (CIS), and the NCI-designated Center for Cultural Cancer Communication at St. Louis University. They work with community partners to build capacity to support and participate in cancer prevention

 

Liberty City Health Fair
March 21  Jessie Trice Center for Community Health, 5361 NW 22nd Ave., Miami
The Department of Community Service (DOCS) program at the Miller School of Medicine has been sponsoring health fairs in communities such as Hialeah, Little Haiti, the Keys, and Homestead, with health information and screening, and referrals to free clinics for patients in need of services. This year, a new health fair site has been added in Liberty City

Notices

2009 Paths of Public Health Awards
Nominations due: March 1
Awards Luncheon at FIU: April 3
This award was established by the Robert Stempel School of Public Health at Florida International University to recognize individuals and organizations in public health for their contributions and commitment to promoting and protecting the health of South Florida. The awards also serve to raise the community’s awareness and understanding of the contributions made by public health professionals. This a great opportunity to nominate a hard-working colleague or group for their outstanding work and contributions to public health. 

Sponsored by the Miami-Dade Health Department. Nominate Your Company!

 

Donors Forum of South Florida Annual IMPACT Awards

Deadline: March 27

Awards: April 29

This program honors funders for grants/initiatives that have had a positive impact on the community. In addition to receiving self-nominations or nominations of colleagues by funders, nonprofits may also nominate funders.  Over the past few years, this has been an important way that we have learned what funding has been most helpful from the nonprofit perspective. Donors Forum will announce this year’s award recipients and celebrate the impact funders are making during our annual South Florida “Making Connections” Conference on April 29. Call (305) 371-7944 for an application.

 

Community Foundation Developing Palm Beach County's Digital Public Square

Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties is forging unique partnerships among non-profit and community organizations as the charity prepares to launch Palm Beach County's first-ever "digital public square.” From video footage of community events and an interactive historical timeline of Palm Beach County's history, to nonprofit news and comprehensive databases of community information, the Foundation's content partners are creating a wide array of resources and online training tools for the innovative project. Funds from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation are being used to develop the project and ensure its long-term sustainability. This includes training for content partners, the provision of grants to area non-profits, public outreach, development of development of grassroots civic journalism among community organizations and citizens, recruiting content contributions from across the region and staff support and technical training. For more information please visit www.yourcommunityfoundation.org or call 561-659-6800.

FLORIDA AUDIO CONFERENCES AND WEBCAST

Webinar to Discuss Medicaid Reform: What Florida Needs to Know Before Considering Expansion
Feb 26  11:00 am–12 noon

The Medicaid Reform experiment promised to "introduce more individual choice, increase access, and improve quality and efficiency while stabilizing cost." Today, two and a half years into implementation of the five-year pilot program, many consumers and advocates believe that Reform has yet to fulfill these and other promises. Learn more during next week's webinar. Hosted by Florida CHAIN. Instructions: 1) Log on via this link: http://floridachain.presenternet.com; 2) Enter Pass Key: 81007; 3) Call in number: 712-580-0392; 4) Enter Passcode: 357613. If you encounter any problems accessing the webinar, contact Lisa at Florida CHAIN at lisam@floridachain.org or 954-986-6535. 

STATEWIDE NOTICES  

Join Florida Breast Cancer Coalition Research Foundation at the Annual NBCC Washington Lobby Day

Scholarship Deadline: March 9

May 2-5   Washington, DC

NBCC advocates from nearly every state and the District of Columbia prepare to become advocates in training, briefings, and state delegation meetings, and spend an entire day on Capitol Hill conducting and participating in more than 400 meetings with members of Congress and congressional staff.  Scholarships for FBCCRF members are available to attend.To download the scholarship application please visit www.stopbreastcancer.org or call 1-866-640-0969.

Health Information Security and Privacy Toolkit for Physicians to Encourage Health Information Exchange
Florida is one of 8 pilot states for this initiative launched January 2009, called the Health Information Security and Privacy Toolkit that will provide physicians with the information they need to participate in electronic health information exchange. The Web-based toolkit focuses on safe, private and secure health information exchange for providers. It offers tools and resources to help physicians get connected electronically. Physicians can also earn continuing medical education credits while learning more about electronic health information exchange and electronic health record systems.

Recruiting Ovarian Cancer Survivors
The Comprehensive Cancer Control Program is recruiting ovarian cancer survivors in the Gainesville, Jacksonville and Miami/Ft Lauderdale areas for its Survivors Teaching Students: Saving Women’s Lives Program. For more information, please contact 850- 245-4444 extension 3854.

Call to Action from Sister Study
This study is a national effort to find the environmental and generic causes of breast cancer by recruiting 50,000 women who have never had breast cancer but have a sister who has had the disease. There is still a great need for: Caucasian women with a high school degree or less, Caucasian women 65-74 years old, African Americans, Latinas, Asians and Native Americans 35-74 years old of all educational level. Please forward this message to women who may be eligible to join the Sister Study (www.sisterstudy.org or 1-877-474-7837).

NATIONAL EVENTS & NOTICES

 

CONFERENCES AND EVENTS 

 

National Boricua Latino Health Organization 2009 Annual Conference
Feb 20-21 Univ. of Penn. School of Medicine
Sponsored by National Boricua Latino Health Organization

 

Cultivating Healthy Communities: 20th National Conference on Chronic Disease Prevention and Control
Feb 23-25  National Harbor, Maryland
Sponsored by The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

 

Third National Leadership Summit on Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health: A Blueprint for Change
Feb 25-27 The Gaylord National, 201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD 20745

Sponsored by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health

 

The Association for Community Health Improvement National Conference

March 11-13     Los Angeles

This annual conference hosts more than 450 professionals from hospitals, health systems, foundations, public health, and community health organizations for a gathering that stimulates real change and improvement in how community health programs are planned, run, and evaluated. There will be four tracks: Leading Community Health Assessments to Set Priorities, Programs, and Policie; Achieving Community Benefit Excellence; Improving Health by Addressing Our Social and Built Environments; Building the Skills of Community Health Leaders (for Today and the Future)

 

ACHI Spring Training for Health Champions
March 11-13  Los Angeles
Now more than in ever in recent memory, community health services and community benefit programs need to be targeted, efficient and effective. This annual conference is the best source of help for doing this.

 

The Fifth Annual Mobile Health Clinics Forum
April 26-28 Las Vegas
Mobile Healthcare professionals share their insights and invaluable expertise on a broad range of topics. Whether you currently operate a mobile health clinic or are launching a new mobile outreach program, the Forum curriculum will enhance your skills and expand your knowledge-base. Sessions address such topics as: budget development, business plans, funding options and grant writing, universal benchmarks, ROI and outcomes assessment, electronic medical records, telehealth/telemedicine, emergency response, political advocacy and more.

Creating the Future We Want to Be: Transformation Through Partnerships

Community-Campus Partnerships for Health's 11th Conference

April 29 - May 2   Milwaukee

 

National Breast Cancer Coalition 2009 Annual Advocacy Training Conference 

May 2-5  Washington, DC

Each year, hundreds of breast cancer advocates come together to network with one another, hone their advocacy skills and hear the latest news in breast cancer science, research and policy. The four-day conference includes thought-provoking plenary sessions, delivered by well-known researchers, scientists, advocates and policy makers. Workshops offer scientific information and practical skills for advocates, and we set aside time to have some fun.

 

Race and Class Inequalities in Health 
Conference: June 23-26  Anaheim, CA

Conceptual and data-based papers are invited for presentation at the annual Society for Epidemiologic Research meeting. There will be a contributed paper session on Race and Class Inequalities in Health. Accepted abstracts will be distributed at the June meeting and will also be published in a Supplement issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology.  Submit online  For inquiries about this specific session on Race and Class Inequalities in Health, contact Irene Yen: irene.yen@ucsf.edu or Pat O'Campo: pat.ocampo@utoronto.ca

 

Presentation Opportunities for Child Health Services Researchers

Conference: June 27  Chicago

Proposals for research panels and posters are being accepted for the 2009 Child Health Services Research Meeting to be held on June 27 in Chicago. This meeting, now in its 11th year, features the latest in child health services research and policy.

AUDIO AND WEB EVENTS     

Community Health Status Indicators: Employing a New Tool for Assessments and Planning
April 16  2:00-3:00 (ET)
This ACHI webinar will showcase and provide a tour of the newly released Community Health Status Indicators (CHSI) containing individualized reports for more than 3,000 counties in the United States. The CHSI online tool provides local and state public health agencies, hospitals, community health centers, community organizations, policymakers, and researchers with unprecedented access to comprehensive and nationally comparable health data.  

NOTICES

Share What Works: NACCHO’s Model Practice Program
Deadline: March 13
NACCHO is soliciting entries for its 7th Annual Model Practice Awards to help local health departments "share what works.” All local health departments and NACCHO affiliate members are encouraged to submit examples of practices, programs, and/or policies.

CAMPAIGNS & INITIATIVES

 

Families USA Letter to the Editor Tool
Fixing the economy means fixing health care - and Families USA invites you to help get this message out to as many people as possible. They’ve launched a campaign to help spread the word, with a simple tool to help you send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper about the urgent need for health care reform. Stand up for health care.

 

Cover the Uninsured Week will be held March 22-28, 2009
For the past six years, this week has highlighted the need for our nation's leaders to make reforming our health care system a top priority in order to provide a solution for all Americans, especially the 46 million - including 9 million children - living without health insurance.  As a new Congress and administration take office in January, it is important that they put reforming our nation's health care system at the top of their agenda. Now is the time for you and your community to get involved in Cover the Uninsured Week 2009!   Host an enrollment event, organize a health coverage forum, and more. Many resources available.

 

Visit the National Health Information Center for a complete list of the 2009 National Health Observances and contact information for resources

February 18, 2009

New listings, in order of submission deadlines 

 

Disparities Leadership Program
Deadline: Feb  27
The Disparities Leadership Program (DLP) is a year-long executive education program designed for leaders from hospitals, health plans and other health care organizations who want to implement practical strategies to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health care, particularly through quality improvement.

 

Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida

Deadline: March 13

The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida has issued its 2009 Request for Proposals. The Foundation’s mission is to enhance access to quality health-related services for Floridians. The competitive grantmaking program focuses on community health clinics and outreach programs. The Foundation strives to award funding to diverse solutions that improve program capacity and reduce barriers to access; nurture community health leadership, foster innovation, and sustain quality; and leverage financial, human, and other resources to maximize measurable impact. Grants generally range from $10,000 to $100,000.

 

Dade Community Foundation Community AIDS grants
Deadline: March 20

Community AIDS Partnership grants will support HIV prevention and education programs in Miami-Dade that focus on high-risk populations and high-need communities and address emerging needs to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS in Greater Miami.

 

Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Centers
 Deadline: April 30
The Children’s Environmental Health Centers have been examining the interaction between environmental exposures and child health outcomes. Combining research and outreach, these Centers form a national network to address a range of health outcomes that may result from environmental exposures, including impairments in overall growth and development, nervous system development and respiratory dysfunction. The Centers work with communities, health care providers, researchers and government officials to conduct research with the goal to prevent and reduce childhood diseases in these areas.  

 

Chronic Illness Self-Management in Children and Adolescents
Multiple Closing Dates, Jan 10, 2010
The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement is to solicit research to improve self-management and quality of life in children and adolescents with chronic illnesses. Biobehavioral studies of children in the context of family and family-community dynamics are encouraged. Children diagnosed with a chronic illness and their families have a long-term responsibility for self-management. The child with the chronic illness will have a life-long responsibility to maintain and promote health and prevent complications. Research related to biological/ technological factors, as well as, sociocultural, environmental, and behavioral mechanisms that contribute to successful and ongoing self-management of chronic illnesses in children is also encouraged.

Continuing listings, in order of submission deadlines     

Communities Creating Healthy Environments
Deadline for first stage brief online proposals: Feb 26, 3:00 pm
Communities Creating Healthy Environments (CCHE), a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), will provide training, technical assistance and three-year grants of up to $250,000 to ten local advocacy groups working in communities of color and indigenous nations to develop effective, replicable policy initiatives that achieve food and recreation equity in the communities where they work. Brief proposals will be reviewed and scored according to the criteria listed in the Call for Proposals brochure. Approximately 40 applicants will be invited to submit full proposals.

Florida Department of Health, Office of Minority Health Funding Opportunity: Reducing Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities: Closing the Gap Grant Program 

Deadline:  March 3, 5:00 pm 

The Florida Department of Health, Office of Minority Health announces the availability of approximately $5 million in FY 09 funds for the Closing the Gap grant program to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities and improve minority health. The Closing the Gap Grant Program seeks to facilitate the improvement of minority health and elimination of health disparities through the development of community-based and neighborhood based projects and partnerships with public and private entities and faith-based organizations. 40-50 awards will be made, between $75,000 to $150,000; HIV projects may receive up to $175,000.

 

Dr. Scholl Foundation  
Deadline: March 1

The Dr. Scholl Foundation is dedicated to providing financial assistance to organizations committed to improving our world. Applications for grants are considered in areas including but not limited to programs for children, developmentally disabled, senior citizens, civic and cultural institutions, social service agencies, hospitals and health care.

 

Civic Ventures: Purpose Prize for Experienced Social Innovators
Deadline: Mar 9

These awards go to people over 60 who are taking on society's biggest challenges. The prize recognizes those with the passion and experience to discover new opportunities, create new programs, and make lasting change. Five awards of $100,000 and five awards of $50,000 will be given to exceptional individuals who are channeling their creativity and talent to address critical social problems at the local, regional, national, or international level. The winners may be working in public, private, nonprofit, or for-profit organizations devoted to tackling the hardest challenges of our time: homelessness, social justice and human rights, violence, poverty and hunger, health, education, and the environment, to name a few. Nominees must be legal residents of the U.S. who have initiated important innovations in an encore career. 

 

Public Welfare Foundation
Letters of inquiry due: 6-8 weeks before deadlines

Deadlines: Mar 23, July 27  

The Public Welfare Foundation supports efforts to ensure fundamental rights and opportunities for people in need. The Foundation looks for carefully defined points where funds can make a difference in bringing about systemic changes that can improve the lives of countless people. 2009 funding priorities include a Health Reform program that fosters the development of strong systems of advocacy with expertise in health policy, organizing community and interfaith groups, and building coalitions 

 

Office Depot

Deadine: April 30
Office Depot helps a large number of local nonprofit organizations every year. The nonprofit organization must be aligned with Office Depot's mission to directly impact the health, education and welfare of children, and Funds must directly assist children. Recipients must have an established track record of community advocacy.

 

Innovating Worthy Projects Foundation
Requests are accepted from Jan 1 through Aug 31
The Innovating Worthy Projects Foundation provides support to nonprofit organizations throughout the United States that are dedicated to providing direct care or services for children with special needs, acute illnesses, or chronic disabilities. Preference is given to small organizations that might not otherwise be helped. Grants support new ideas and approaches to providing services as well as equipment purchases.

 

Advancing technology to improve healthcare sevices: Verizon Foundation

Applications accepted: Jan 1 through Nov 30
The mission of the Verizon Foundation is to improve education, literacy, family safety, and healthcare by addressing Verizon's commitment to deliver technology that touches life. The Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that benefit communities in the locations the company serves within the United States. One of the Foundation’s priority categories is Education and Literacy, with emphasis on innovative, technology-based approaches to literacy and K-12 education. In addition, through the Safety and Health category, the Foundation supports initiatives that contribute to the safety and well-being of families, with emphasis on domestic violence prevention and technology for healthcare and healthcare accessibility. 

  

The Humana Foundation
Proposals accepted: Nov 1-June 15

The Humana Foundation supports nonprofit organizations in communities where the company has facilities in states including Florida. The Foundation is committed to serving the needs of children, families, and seniors in their quest to build healthier lives and communities. Special consideration is given to proposals that focus on the following areas: health and fitness efforts that lead to better lifestyles; literacy activities that lead to improved health experiences; and the development of technology, tools, and resources that lead to healthy communities. 

 

Department of Health and Human Services Understanding and Promoting Health Literacy (R21)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date(s): April 24, 2009; December 24, 2009
Application Submission/Receipt Date(s): Sept 24, 2008; May 25, 2009; Jan 25, 2010

 

Research on Social Work Practice and Concepts in Health (R03)

Closing date for applications: May 7, 2009, Multiple deadlines

This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) issued by the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research solicits Small Research Grant (R03) applications from organizations/institutions that propose to develop empirical research on social work practice, concepts, and theory as these relate to the NIH public health goal of improving health outcomes for persons with medical and behavioral disorders and conditions.

 

Planning Grant for Oral Health Promotion across the Life Span (R21)
Closing date for applications: May 7, 2010, Multiple deadlines
This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is intended to encourage and support meritorious oral health promotion research directed at improving oral health and preventing diseases and/or their sequelae across the lifespan.

 

Community Participation Research Targeting the Medically Underserved (R01)
Expiration Date: May 15, 2010
The ultimate goal of this  Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) with a special review issued by the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR), National Institutes of Health (NIH) is to solicit Research Project Grant (R01) applications that propose research on health promotion, disease prevention, and health disparities that is jointly conducted by communities and researchers and targets medically underserved areas (MUAs) and medically underserved populations (MUPs) as defined by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

 

Community Participation Research Targeting the Medically Underserved (R21)
Expiration Date: May 15, 2010
The ultimate goal of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR), National Institutes of Health (NIH) is to solicit Exploratory/Developmental (R21) grant applications that propose research on health promotion, disease prevention, and health disparities that is jointly conducted by communities and researchers and targets medically underserved areas (MUAs) and medically underserved populations (MUPs) as defined by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). 

 

Community Participation in Research (R01)
Expiration Date: May 8, 2011
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR), National Institutes of Health (NIH) solicits R01 grant applications that propose intervention research on health promotion, disease prevention, and health disparities that communities and researchers jointly conduct.

 

The Effect of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination/Bias on Health Care Delivery (R01)

The Effect of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination/Bias on Health Care Delivery (R21)

The Effect of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination/Bias on Health Care Delivery (R03)

Expiration Date: May 8, 2011

Grant applications are encouraged from institutions/ organizations that propose to: (1) improve the measurement of racial /ethnic discrimination in health care delivery systems through improved instrumentation, data collection, and statistical/analytical techniques; (2) to enhance understanding of the influence of racial/ethnic discrimination in health care delivery and its association with disparities in disease incidence, treatment, and outcomes among disadvantaged racial/ethnic minority groups; and (3) to reduce the prevalence of racial/ethnic health disparities through the development of interventions to reduce the influence of racial/ethnic discrimination on health care delivery systems in the United States.

 

Ben & Jerry’s Foundation
Ongoing deadline for Letters of Interest
The Ben & Jerry's Foundation offers competitive grants to not-for-profit, grassroots organizations throughout the United States which facilitate progressive social change by addressing the underlying conditions of societal and environmental problems. Grant applicants need to demonstrate that their projects will lead to societal, institutional and/or environmental change; address the root causes of social or environmental problems; and lead to new ways of thinking and acting. Awards are granted ranging from $1,001 - $15,000.

 

Nathan Cummings Foundation
Letters of inquiry may be submitted at any time

The Nathan Cummings Foundation is rooted in the Jewish tradition and committed to democratic values and social justice, including fairness, diversity, and community. The Foundation seeks to build a socially and economically just society that values nature and protects the ecological balance for future generations, promotes humane health care, and fosters arts and culture that enrich communities. An additional goal is to strengthen the capacity of the Jewish community to work for social and economic justice, both in the United States and Israel. Funding priority is given to projects that have an impact at the state, multi-state, or national level.

 

Kresge Foundation Grantmaking Programs in Health and Environment

Deadline: Open

Both the Health and Environment Programs address health and environment-related social issues, particularly those affecting minority, low-income, and other underserved communities.

 

United Health Foundation - Health Services Programs Supported Nationwide
Deadline: Open

United Health Foundation works to improve health outcomes for all Americans. Support is provided to nonprofit organizations that serve the health needs of people and communities throughout the US. The Foundation's priorities are: to enhance the quality of health and medical care services by providing reliable, scientifically-based information to support decisions made by health professionals, communities, and individuals; and to expand access to medical care and health-related services for individuals and families who live in challenging circumstances. Grants generally range from $1,000 to $50,000.

 

Educational Foundation of America

Rolling Acceptance
The mission of the Educational Foundation of America is to improve individual lives and surroundings through education and awareness, in hopes of bettering humanity and the world we inhabit. The Foundation provides grants to progressive nonprofit organizations throughout the United States that offer specific programs with broad impact. The Foundation’s areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the environment, reproductive freedom, theatre, education, medicine, drug policy reform, democracy, peace and national security issues, and human services. Online letters of inquiry are accepted at any time through the website listed above.

 

Johnson Foundation: Wingspread Conferences
Letters of inquiry accepted at any time.
The mission of the Johnson Foundation is to cultivate ideas that sustain community – people living in harmony with one another and their environment. The Foundation pursues this mission through Wingspread Conferences, small meetings of thoughtful inquiry convened in an atmosphere of candor and purpose. The Foundation co-sponsors conferences with nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, or government agencies that work in the following areas: education, media, family, democracy and community, and sustainable development and the environment. The conferences are held at Wingspread, the Foundation's headquarters and educational conference center located near Racine, WI.

Fulbright Scholar Award

Multiple deadlines
Applications continue to be accepted for some Fulbright Scholar awards for lecturing, research or combined lecturing/research awards in public health during the 2008-2009 academic year.  Faculty and professionals in public health may apply for awards specifically in their field, as well as one of the many "All Discipline" awards open to any field. 

 

Ladder to Leadership: Developing the Next Generation of Community Health Leaders
Application deadline: Varies
Ladder to Leadership: Developing the Next Generation of Community Health Leaders is a collaborative initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Center for Creative Leadership. The initiative aims to enhance the leadership capacity of community-based nonprofit health organizations serving vulnerable populations. It will develop critical leadership competencies for 270 early- to mid-career professionals through an innovative, sixteen-month leadership development curriculum 

Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation Community Improvement Programs
Applications accepted throughout the year.

Provides support to nonprofit organizations that improve communities and positively impact lives. The grantmaking emphasis is on programs that help children and families, animals, or the environment. Average grant $2,500.

 

Donors Forum of South Florida on-line database
The new online searchable Donors Forum of South Florida database has up-to-date information about funders in South Florida. This resource— which is also available in hard copy — presents continuously updated information about the giving interests and procedures of funders with a track record of investing in the South Florida area and working collaboratively with others. To order, email leot@donorsforumsf.org or call 305/371-7944.

 

Directory Of Health Policy Fellowships

This Kaiser directory contains new listings for undergraduates, graduate students and professionals searching for summer, school-year, or post-doctoral positions.

 

February 18, 2008

Florida CHAIN Website Resources

 

Organizations and Services

     New: Florida

     New: National

     Continued Listings: Florida


Manuals, Guides and Toolkits

     New: Florida

     New: National

     Continued Listings: Florida


Technology and Audio Visual Materials

     Media Programming

     Web Sites, Web Features

          New: Florida

          New: National    

          Continued Listings: Florida


Audio, Videos and Films: Web, Rent/Purchase. Theater 

 

Periodicals and Books

 

Reports and Studies

        New: Florida Reports

        New: National

        Continued Listings: Florida Reports

FLORIDA CHAIN WEBSITE RESOURCE UPDATE

Florida CHAIN Website Updated

www.floridachain.org continues to be updated with current resources. Find comprehensive information about Medicaid Reform including background information, evaluations, media coverage, consumer experiences, correspondence with AHCA, and more. Apply for Florida KidCare, access the KidCare renewal flyer, or view the KidCare Coordinating Council’s annual report. Discover resources for people who are uninsured. Find the contact information of Florida’s health committee members. Use our town hall meeting template to create your own town hall. Access health care resources in Spanish. Learn more about Florida CHAIN’s activities, board of directors, and partners. View Florida CHAIN’s publications. Just visit www.floridachain.org and mark it as one of your favorites.  For feedback or suggestions, contact Lisa Margulis at lisam@floridachain.org or 954-986-6535. 

 

ORGANIZATIONS AND SERVICES

New: Florida Organizations and Services

 

New: National

 

Save Our Sons
Save Our Sons is an innovative health education project, sponsored by Community Voices of Morehouse School of Medicine, the Lorain County Urban League, The National Urban League and Pfizer, Inc. The Save our Sons project targets African-American men and boys and provides free educational workshops on ways to incorporate healthy eating and exercise in an effort to maintain healthy lifestyles and reduce diabetes rates.

 

PrevengaLaGripeInfantil.org

Is a resource for service providers working with Hispanic communities, who play a key role in reaching Spanish-speaking parents, caregivers and youth about the benefits of annual influenza (flu) vaccination. The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases has created a Spanish-language website where you can access free Spanish-language flu vaccination educational materials.  Note: English-language materials are also available at PreventChildhoodInfluenza.org

 

 

Continued Listings: Florida

 

(Florida) Hispanic Health Initiatives
In Florida, almost half of the 3 million uninsured adults are Hispanic. Central Florida has continued to see the rates of the uninsured increase and the availability of culturally competent services decrease. One agency, Hispanic Health Initiatives, Inc (HHI), is the only health services facility in Central Florida created to specifically address the needs of the Hispanic community.  Since its inception in June of 2000, this volunteer-driven, community-based organization has worked to connect medically underserved families with free or low-cost health care services. Read more.

 

The Florida Discount Drug Card
is designed to lower the cost of prescriptions for Florida residents who are 60 and older and without prescription drug coverage or who fall into the Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage gap; OR under age 60, without prescription drug coverage, and with an annual family income of less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. Qualifying incomes include those below: $30,636 (individual); $41,076 (family of two); $61,956 (family of four). It can give eligible participants a discount on virtually all drugs and be used at all participating pharmacies.

 

Florida Relay Service 711

The Florida Relay Service is the communications link for people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf/Blind, or Speech Impaired. Through the Florida Relay Service, people who use specialized telephone equipment can communicate with people who use standard telephone equipment. To call Florida Relay, dial 7-1-1, or use the appropriate toll free numbers: 800-955-8771 (TTY); 800-955-8770 (Voice); 800-955-1339 (ASCII); 877-955-8260 (VCO-Direct); 877-955-5334 (STS); 877-955-8773 (Spanish); 877-955-8707 (French Creole)  In emergencies, Relay users should call 9-1-1 directly or the emergency services center in their community. Note: 711 can't be accessed from many buildings with a switchboard system because the PBX system won't recognize it, and consumers need to dial 1-800-955-8771 from them. Florida Relay customer service is available 24 hours a day 365 days a year: 1-800-676-3777 (English); 1-800-676-4290 (Spanish)

 

Southeast Florida Cancer Control Collaborative (SFCCC) 

SFCCC works to reduce the cancer burden and cancer disparities in Southeast Florida, including Broward, Indian River, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties. The SFCCC includes representatives from more than 60 public and private organizations, agencies and health care providers, as well as cancer survivor and advocacy groups. SFCCC aims to increase awareness about cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment among populations at high risk. The Collaborative meets quarterly at various locations in the region.

 

MANUALS, GUIDES, TOOLKITS

 

New: Florida 

 

New: National

 

Improving Quality and Achieving Equity: A Guide for Hospital Leaders
This guide is designed to convince hospital leaders to take specific action to address disparities. The guide includes a thorough review of the peer-reviewed literature, and case studies of innovative approaches that hospitals are undertaking to identify and address disparities and achieve equity. (December 2008,

Disparities Solutions Center)

 

Continued Listings: Florida

TECHNOLOGY AND AUDIO/VIDEO RESOURCES 

Media Programming

The Uninsured in America
PBS' NewsHour with Jim Lehrer offered a three-part series in January.  Viewers are introduced to patients who skip treatment or drugs because they can't afford co-pays, small business owners who feel guilty because they've had to stop offering coverage, and others. View the series online.

 

Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?

This seven-part series for PBS broadcast and DVD release will, for the first time on television, sound the alarm about our glaring socio-economic and racial disparities in health--and seek out root causes. While we pour more and more money into drugs, dietary supplements and new medical technologies, it turns out there is much more to our health than bad habits, health care or unlucky genes. The social conditions in which we are born, live and work profoundly affect our well-being and longevity. The series is part of an ambitious Public Impact Campaign conducted in partnership with leading public health, policy, and community-based organizations, pointing out that investing in our schools, improving housing, integrating neighborhoods, better jobs and wages, and giving people more control over their work, are as much health strategies as smoking diet and exercise.

  

Web Sites, Web Features & Databases

 

New: Florida Listings

New: National

 

Continued Listings: Florida

SHADAC Launches Redesigned State Health Access Assistance Web Site
The new RWJF Web site gives users easy access to research and resources related to issues of health insurance coverage, data collection methods and state health policy.

Florida Medicaid Reform Evaluation Project 

The website provides information on the evaluation and access to key publications, talks, and presentations produced by the MRE team. The University of Florida (is conducting a five-year evaluation of the state’s Medicaid Reform Demonstration Project under a contract with AHCA, Florida’s  state agency for  health policy and planning. The evaluation will be conducted over the period of Florida’s Section 1115 Medicaid demonstration waiver (July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2010), as approved by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services by the Department of Health Services Research, Management and Policy at UF. The overall objective is to assess whether Florida's Medicaid Reform accomplishes its stated objectives of delivering quality healthcare services while achieving better health outcomes and enrollee satisfaction at a more predictable lower cost. For further information, contact (352) 273-6073 or mre@phhp.ufl.edu  

 

Florida's Community and Migrant Health Centers Brochure UPDATED 9/07

A low literacy brochure describing services offered at Florida's CHCs with a map of all CHC locations and phone numbers. English Brochure  Spanish Brochure  Haitian Creole Brochure

 

Annie E. Casey Foundation: 18th KIDS COUNT Data Book

This is the recently released new edition of this national and state-by-state effort to track the status of children in the United States. By providing policymakers and citizens with benchmarks of child well-being, the Foundation seeks to enrich local, state, and national discussions concerning ways to secure better futures for all children. Information is also available in an online database that enables users to generate custom graphs, maps, ranked lists, and state-by-state profiles. Both the book and the online database can be accessed on the website listed above.

First Steps: A Guide for Parents of Young Children with Developmental Disabilities

Florida Developmental Disabilities Council’s most popular publication ever has been revised and updated with critical info for any parent or family member of a young child with a developmental disability. The publication is a reliable source of info for parents at the beginning of a new journey. They will learn a new vocabulary, discover advocacy skills they never knew they had, and meet new people who will become important in their life as friends, teachers, doctors, therapists and caregivers. This is a valuable tool to help guide parents in the initial steps of their journey as well as a resource they can visit again and again as they, their child and their families grow through the coming years together. The publication is available in both English and Spanish, as well as in a full color version and a black and white version – both are in Acrobat Reader format (PDF) and available in two sections – Chapters 1 to 5 and Chapters 6 to 10 – for your convenience downloading the publications.

 

Florida Health News, free online non-profit news service
The Florida Health Policy Center has announced the launch of an independent, free, non-profit news service:  Florida Health News Inc. FHN will post health-related stories reported around the state, highlight the Florida impact of national stories, and track state health legislation.  The news service also will feature original coverage of major health policy developments and a free Monday-through-Friday news service.  You can visit the site and subscribe to the e-mail news service by clicking on the link: www.FloridaHealthNews.org. To send your comments, story tips and news of conferences and other events, or get more information, contact pat.curtis@floridahealthnews.org or 850/556-1668.

 

Florida Health Insurance Coverage of Children 0-18 (2004-2005)
Kaiser Family Foundation has released information about this on-line resource.

 

Statehealthfacts.org Updates Data on Medicaid & SCHIP Coverage for Children
Statehealthfacts.org has updated information on eligibility levels for children in Medicaid and SCHIP and parents and pregnant women in Medicaid using survey data from the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured (KCMU). The latest information on Medicaid and SCHIP enrollment practices for pregnant women and children and renewal practices is also now available. Overall SCHIP spending for FY 2006 and Federal SCHIP spending data from FY 1998 through FY 2006 are also now available. Recent additions to the site include new information on children's demographics and health insurance status from analysis of the Census Bureau's March 2005 and 2006 Current Population Surveys. These additions include the distribution of children by race/ethnicity, the distribution of children by citizenship status, and health insurance coverage among low-income children living near poverty.

 

Florida Association of Community Health Centers (FACHC)

The following resources have recently been added to the FACHC web site:

Short Assessment of Health Literacy for Spanish-speaking Adults (SAHLSA-50) A new health literacy test than can be used to screen for low health literacy among Spanish speakers. 

Health Coverage and Access to Care for Hispanics in "New Growth Communities" and "Major Hispanic Centers" A 2006 Report from the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured 

Spanish Language Mental Health Manual for Health Promoters Developed by the California- Mexico Bi-National Health Initiative. 

 

Florida Health Care Website for Consumers
A new Web site for Florida health-care consumers officially launches today, courtesy of the Florida Hospital Association. The site offers links to information on doctors, hospitals and health-care plans as well as checklists to help consumers ask the right questions. It is intended largely as a portal to other, established sites. There are links to sites for Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, among others.

  

State of Florida Health Care Consumer Websites
The recently expanded FloridaCompareCare.gov aims to improve care and reduce costs by giving citizens the tools to compare outcomes and prices between health care providers and medical services.  Through this website one can see data on certain conditions and procedures related to quality of care, pricing and performance at the state’s hospitals and ambulatory (outpatient) surgery centers. In 2005, Florida became the first state to publicly report infection and mortality rates in each hospital.  In July 2006, Florida became the first state to publicly report separate pediatric quality of care data. In addition, adult data can now be broken out specific to ages 65 and over. Additional new breakdowns include types of facilities.


FloridaHealthStat.com provides health care information to assist consumers, health care professionals, and researchers in making well-informed health care decisions and in researching the status of health care in Florida. MyFloridaRx.com provides consumers with the retail prices of the most commonly used prescribed drugs by pharmacy across Florida. For questions or comments regarding any of Florida’s consumer websites, contact 850/922-7036.

 

Medicaid Applications Online 24/7 and in Neighborhoods
Local partners can direct families to their area sites or online to apply for Medicaid and other benefits. The Web Application is generally preferable as the data makes it into the Florida system more quickly and there is a reduced chance of data entry errors.

 

Florida KidCare Applications can be completed online

 

Website Offers Free 24 Hour Health Information to Floridians to address concerns and inquiries 

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) Secretary encourages health care consumers to visit www.FLHealthSource.com whenever they need information about a licensed health care professional. DOH’s Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) maintains FLHealthSource.com. The site provides health care consumers with a host of information, including license status, office address, and disciplinary information for all health care professionals licensed in Florida. The site also provides additional information for the five profiled professions –medical doctors, osteopathic physicians, chiropractic physicians, podiatric physicians and advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs).

 

Statehealthfacts.org provides free, up-to-date, and easy-to-use health data on all 50 states, covering more than 500 health topics. 

 

Florida Progressive Information Network (FLPIN)

offers a nonpartisan communication system designed to link progressive organizers with progressive activists.  Individuals may sign up free of charge to receive alerts on a variety of progressive issues from other organizations participating in the Network. In order to make FLPIN work, it must be used on a regular basis. The more information put in, the more valuable it is as a tool. Link FLPIN to organization websites. A training manual is at www.flpin.net/alert.pdf.  For more information or assistance, contact jen@floridahumanist.org

 

Audio, Videos and Films: Web, Rent/Purchase, Theater

The Science of Eliminating Health Disparities
View a webcast of the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities’ recent first National Institutes of Health (NIH) research summit on this topic. The three-day meeting highlighted the progress of NIH minority health and health disparities research activities; identified current gaps in health disparities research; and showcased best-practice models in research, capacity building, and outreach.

 

Improving Quality and Achieving Equity: A Guide for Hospital Leaders
The Disparities Solutions Center hosted a webinar to announce the release of a new guide designated to help hospital leaders address racial/ethnic disparities in health care. The goal was to highlight the important features of the guide which includes a discussion of the evidence for racial and ethnic disparities in health care and the rationale for addressing them; a survey of model hospitals and leaders who are actively addressing disparities; and resources that can help hospital leaders initiate an agenda for action in this area.

 

The Uninsured in America
PBS' NewsHour with Jim Lehrer offered a three-part series in January.  Viewers are introduced to patients who skip treatment or drugs because they can't afford co-pays, small business owners who feel guilty because they've had to stop offering coverage, and others. View the series online.

 

PERIODICALS AND BOOKS

 

Recipe Book Designed to Teach Hispanics about Healthy Eating
More than 10 percent of Hispanics older than age 20 have been diagnosed with diabetes. Developed under the National Diabetes Education Program, a joint program between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health, the Más que comida, es vida, which means “It’s more than food. It’s life,” guide includes information on how to alter traditional meals to be healthier and how to control portion size. To view this recipe booklet in English, click here. To view the recipe booklet in Spanish, click here. (2/2/09, Border Health)

 

Florida Dept of Health Women’s Health Newsletter

The FL Dept of Health website has a Women’s Health page with a new quarterly Women’s Health Newsletter. The April-June 2008 will be online.

REPORTS AND STUDIES

New Listings

 

New: Florida Reports

 

ASTHO 2008 Florida Snapshot: Activities to Promote Health Equity
The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) has published online snapshots highlighting state activities that promote health equity. Nearly every state is represented. This online tool features an overview of each state’s health priorities, a flowchart outlining the organization and infrastructure of state departments of health, each state’s activities and/or organizations that address the social determinants of health.

New Listings: Medicaid

Medicaid Enrollment Surging as Economy Weakens
Medicaid enrollment in a number of states grew by 5% to 10% in the last 12 months as the economic recession continued and more people lost their jobs and employer-sponsored health insurance, the New York Times reports. In a nationwide survey by the Times, 16 of the 40 states that responded had experienced at least a 5% increase in enrollment over the past 12 months that data was available, and the growth rate has at least doubled in many states compared with the previous year. Many states also reported increases in SCHIP enrollment, though smaller than those seen in Medicaid. (1/22/09, Kaiser Family Foundation)

Medicaid Enrollment Swells as More Americans Lose Jobs and Insurance
As the deepening recession leads to more Americans becoming both unemployed and uninsured, enrollment in Medicaid is surging, "by unprecedented rates in some states," overwhelming social service agencies and putting increased pressure on state officials struggling to balance their budgets.  (1/22/09, New York Times)

New Listings: Children's Health Care

New Reports Examine Trends in Children’s Health Coverage
With Congress poised to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) with a substantial increase in its federal funding, there are potentially new opportunities for reducing the estimated 9 million uninsured children nationwide. At the same time, the nation’s weak economy and growing unemployment have many more families and children turning to Medicaid and SCHIP for health coverage. To examine the implications of these developments, the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured (KCMU) held a policy briefing on trends in health coverage for children and parents and implications for the future.  (1/23/09, Kaiser Family Foundation)

Short Coverage Lapses Limit Children's Access to Health Care Services
Children's access to health care suffers when they spend any time - even a few months - without health care coverage, according to a new study appearing in the (February 2009, Medical Care Research and Review)

Prospects for Reducing Uninsured Rates among Children: How Much Can Premium Assistance Programs Help?
considers the extent to which uninsured children could be covered through premium assistance programs, which use Medicaid or CHIP funding to subsidize employer-based coverage. New data indicate that only 4.6 percent of all Medicaid-eligible uninsured children and 15.9 percent of CHIP-eligible uninsured children have a parent with employer-based coverage. This suggests that premium assistance programs may not make a substantial dent in the numbers of uninsured children. (1/16/09, Urban Institute)

New Listings: Medicare

The Effects of the Coverage Gap On Drug Spending: A Closer Look At Medicare Part D
People with Medicare who fell into the Part D doughnut hole and who did not have a plan to provide coverage through the gap reduced their use of prescription drugs by 14 percent. However, those who had a plan that provided generic drug coverage through the doughnut hole reduced their drug use by only 3 percent. (2/3/09, Health Affairs)

Revisiting ‘Skin in the Game’ Among Medicare Beneficiaries
The financial burden of health care costs continues to increase for people with Medicare. Out-of-pocket health care costs for people with Medicare continued to rise in the last decade. In 2005, half of the people with Medicare spent more than 16 percent of their income on health expenses, an increase from the median out-of-pocket spending in 1997, when half of the people with Medicare spent less than 12 percent out-of-pocket, according to, reports this n update to a previous Kaiser paper. Both years predate the start of the Medicare drug benefit. (2/4/09, Kaiser Family Foundation)

Health Care on a Budget: An Analysis of Spending by Medicare Households
People with people with Medicare have greater medical needs and spend more out-of pocket than people without Medicare, despite people with Medicare having lower incomes on average than the non-Medicare population.  In 2006, people with Medicare allocated 14.1 percent of their total spending to health care, as compared to non-Medicare households that spent 4.3 percent on average. The disparity in spending can be partly explained by people’s declining health—and need for more care—as they get older. Two-thirds, or 62.9 percent, of Medicare households’ health care expenditures were spent on Medicare and Medigap premiums in 2006. In the same year, drug costs accounted for 18.1 percent of health care-related expenditures, followed by 15.3 percent for medical services and 3.8 percent for medical supplies. (2/4/09, Kaiser Family Foundation)

The Effect of Medicare Part D Coverage on Drug Use and Cost Sharing Among Seniors without Prior Drug Benefits
A preponderance of evidence indicates that increased patient cost-sharing has a strong effect on overall medication use and adherence to specific therapies. Reduced drug usage as a consequence of reaching a coverage gap has been associated with worse health outcomes. (2/3/09, Health Affairs)

HHS Inspector General Finds Insurers Overcharged Beneficiaries, Taxpayers By Billions For Medicare Part D
Private health insurers that operate plans under the Medicare prescription drug benefit have overcharged beneficiaries and the program by several billion dollars since the program began in 2006, but CMS remains unaware of the total impact of the practice because of a failure to perform required audits. (2/1/09, McClatchy Newspapers)

Insurers Increase Medicare Advantage Plan Premiums By 13% On Average This Year
Premiums for Medicare Advantage plans provided by Humana, Health Net and almost 200 other health insurance companies rose by an average of 13% in 2009, more than five times the 2008 increases, according to an analysis by (2/5/09, Avalere Health)

New Listings: Federal/State Budgets

Budget Shortfalls Threaten State Health Coverage Efforts
Nearly half of states proposed expanding coverage for the uninsured in their fiscal year 2009 budgets, but many of those efforts may have to be scaled back or abandoned due to mounting budget shortfalls, according to a new report by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Last year, 41 states and the District of Columbia reported a combined budget shortfall of $43 billion, and that number is only expected to grow as state revenues continue to decrease, the report notes. “[C]urrent economic conditions will increase pressure on states to contain costs,” the report states. “For many states, controlling costs may prove more difficult than expanding access.” (2/9/09, AHA News Now)

State Budget Troubles Worsen
At least 46 states faced or are facing shortfalls in their budgets for this and/or next year, and severe fiscal problems are highly likely to continue into the following year as well. Combined budget gaps for the remainder of this fiscal year and state fiscal years 2010 and 2011 are estimated to total more than $350 billion. (2/10/09, CBPP)

Facing Deficits, 40 States are Imposing or Planning Cuts that Hurt Vulnerable Residents
 At least 40 states have made or proposed budget cuts that threaten vital services for many residents. Targeted areas include Public Health in 28 states. (2/10/09, CBPP)

 New Listings: Health Insurance, Health Care Costs   

More Nonelderly Americans Face Problems Affording Prescription Drugs
finds that the proportion of children and working-age Americans who went without a prescription drug because of cost concerns reached 13.9 percent in 2007, up from 10.3 percent in 2003. Nearly one in four working-age adults with Medicaid or other state insurance reported having difficulties affording prescription drugs, while nearly three in 10 working-age Medicare beneficiaries reported having such problems. (January 2009, Center for Studying Health System Change)

US Cancer Survivors Foregoing Care On Cost Grounds
In the United States, more than a million cancer survivors are foregoing essential medical care on grounds of cost, with Hispanics and African-Americans twice as likely to do this. (2/4/09, National Cancer Institute)

Unemployed and Uninsured in America
Millions of workers who have lost their job are without health insurance. View the report and your state’s data here. Families USA has also released a consumer guide to help laid-off workers find coverage. (February 2009, Families USA)

For Many Unemployed, COBRA Coverage Is Out of Reach
As the U.S. economic downturn continues and job losses mount, more working Americans are likely to lose access to affordable health benefits subsidized by their employers. Analysis of the 2007 Commonwealth Fund Biennial Health Insurance Survey finds that two of three working adults would be eligible to extend job-based coverage, under the 1985 Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) if they became unemployed. Under COBRA, however, unemployed workers would have to pay four to six times their current contribution at a time of sharply reduced income. Substantial financial assistance of 75 percent to 85 percent of premiums could help laid-off workers maintain coverage. (1-23-09, Commonwealth Fund)

Most Unemployed Workers Can’t Afford Cobra
Fewer than one in 10 unemployed workers choose to sign up for Cobra, which allows them to keep their health coverage through their former employer by paying the entire cost of the policy, mostly because they cannot afford to. (1/23/09, Wall Street Journal)

Private Health Insurance Doesn't Protect Cancer Patients from High Costs
According to a new report released by the American Cancer Society and the Kaiser Family Foundation, cancer patients with private health insurance are far from being immune from the financial squeeze of paying for lifesaving care—running up large debts, filing for personal bankruptcy and even delaying or forgoing potentially lifesaving treatment. (2/5/09, American Cancer Society)

Americans Pay More for Health Insurance but Get Less
"A growing number of workers in 2009 will pay more for health benefits--and in some cases receive less coverage--as their employers grapple with the financial fallout of rising medical expenses and diminished revenue and profits."  (1/25/09, Washington Post)

Both Insured and Uninsured Skip Costly Prescription Drugs More Frequently
According to a study by the Center for Studying Health System Change, one in seven Americans under age 65 went without a prescription drug in 2007 due to the cost, up substantially from 2003 when one in 10 skipped their medication. (1/22/09, New York Times)  

Turning to Medicaid and SCHIP in an Economic Recession: Conversations with Recent Applicants and Enrollees examines the impact of the recession and illuminates the emotional and financial difficulties of families who have lost health coverage, which has forced many to skip medications and postpone doctor visits. Many who once had steady employment are now turning to Medicaid and CHIP for the first time, even as these programs face increasing budget constraints as state tax revenues decline. (12/23/08, Kaiser Family Foundation)

 

I.R.S. Study Tries to Assess if Hospitals Earn Tax Breaks

A new report from the Internal Revenue Service has found that nonprofit hospitals vary widely in the amount and type of charitable benefits they provide to the communities they serve. Responding hospitals reported spending an average of 9 percent of their total revenues on providing community benefits, including free medical care, education, and research. (2/12/09, New York Times)

Reforming Health Care for Cost, Quality and Value
A new president and a new congressional majority, all with a mandate for health care reform. A public crying out for health care reform—and informed by a sentiment that can often best be described as boiling rage at the current payment system. The popular, respected and very ill Sen. Ted Kennedy trying from his sickbed to pull together a bill and a coalition of support for a health care reform bill, the measure he has called “the cause of my life.” An economic downturn threatening the jobs and health care coverage of millions of Americans—but especially of baby boomers, most still short of retirement and Medicare age. (1/27/09, Hospitals & Health Networks)

Employers Hope Incentives Will Reduce Costs, Improve Worker Health
In an effort to reduce health care costs, a number of U.S. employers have begun to offer incentives -- such as cash, no-cost prescriptions and health insurance discounts -- to employees who take steps to improve their health, USA Today reports. (1/22/09, Kaiser Family Foundation)

JAMA Commentary Promotes Investment in Disease Prevention
This commentary argues that, in these difficult economic times, our nation can no longer ignore the importance of disease prevention. (2/5/09, RWJF)

Using Medicare Payment Policy to Transform the Health System
As the largest payer for health services in the United States, Medicare has the leverage and capacity to slow the growth of program costs, enhance the value of care it purchases, and serve as a model for broader health system change by offering an array of payment approaches to encourage more coordinated care.  (1/27/08, Commonwealth Fund)

The Role of Individual Mandates in Health Care Reform examines the 2006 Massachusetts mandate that all adults purchase health insurance. Several national health care reform proposals include an individual mandate, and a number of other states have considered moving in this direction. The article considers the evidence supporting arguments for and against individual mandates, discusses their nuances in practice, and reviews the available evidence on their effectiveness. (January 2009, National Institute of Health Care Management)

Experts Say Health Care System Needs New Business Model
Some experts say that the U.S. health care system--which "costs too much and saps economic vitality, achieves far too little return on investment and isn't distributed equitably"--needs to be based on a new business model that "reduces costs yet improves both quality and accessibility," reports the New York Times. (2/1/09, New York Times)

Health Savings Accounts and High Deductible Health Plans: Who Really Benefits?
Health savings accounts (HSAs) and high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) have been cornerstones of many health reform discussions in recent years because of their purported potential to rein in health care spending and help people obtain insurance. In fact, the last Congress saw 54 bills related to HSAs, and the role of these tools will no doubt be of continued interest as the Obama administration and Congress focus attention on health reform. (2/3/09, RWJF)

New Listings: Health Disparities 

 

Measuring Trends in Racial/Ethnic Health Care Disparities

Based on three approaches for measuring disparities, researchers found that disparities between Hispanics and whites for two broad indicators of health care increased between 1996 and 2005, while disparities between blacks and whites remained roughly constant. (1/27/09, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)

 

Knowledge Path: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health
The updated guide provides a list of current resources for consumers and health professionals about preventing, identifying, and eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in health. (December 2008, National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health at Georgetown University)

 

Getting and Keeping Coverage: States’ Experience with Citizenship Documentation Rules
examines the impact that the Bush Administration’s citizenship documentation rules have had on coverage stability in the public programs of seven states. It finds that these rules have made it more difficult for children and families to obtain and maintain coverage because the new requirements increased the complexity, administrative burden, and costs of enrollment and renewal in some states. (1/12/09, Commonwealth Fund)

 

New Listings: Other Health Issues   

 

State Coverage Initiatives' (SCI) "State of the States" 2009 report, Charting the Course: Preparing for the Future, Learning from the Past
Finding ways to expand coverage to the uninsured continued to dominate state policy agendas in 2008. The year saw a multitude of state efforts aimed at developing, legislating, and implementing reforms. While forecasters projected that 2009 would bring renewed energy to many states’ coverage efforts, the nation’s serious economic ills are causing an about-face such that state officials are now concerned whether progress by states can continue to be made. Declining economic conditions have considerably darkened the outlook for 2009 and will perhaps thwart many states’ reform efforts. (February 2009, RWJF)

 

The Public’s Health Care Agenda for the New President and Congress assesses how the American public prioritizes health care and presents its views on a range of health policy issues. The survey reports that large majorities of Americans say that coverage expansion, cost reduction, and improving the quality and cost-effectiveness of the health care delivery system are important pieces of health care reform. It finds a partisan divide in the public’s willingness to pay higher insurance premiums or taxes to cover more individuals and the extent to which the government should regulate health care costs. (1/15/09, Kaiser Family Foundation)

 

Health Care Opinion Leaders’ Views on Priorities for the Obama Administration reports that leaders in heath care and health care policy feel strongly that President Obama should pursue an ambitious reform agenda that expands coverage, improves quality and efficiency, and controls costs. There was strong support for allowing individuals to purchase coverage through a health insurance exchange, expanding CHIP, creating new insurance market regulations, requiring employers to either offer coverage or pay a percentage of their payroll to help finance expanded coverage, and including a public insurance option in an insurance exchange. (January 2009, Commonwealth Fund)

 

7th Annual HealthGrades Study Finds Top Hospitals Have 27 Percent Lower Mortality
Medicare patients treated at top-rated hospitals nationwide across the most common Medicare diagnoses and procedures are 27 percent less likely to die, on average, than those admitted to all other hospitals, according to a study released by HealthGrades, the leading independent healthcare ratings organization. Patients who undergo surgery at these high-performing hospitals also have an average eight percent lower risk of complications during their stay. Individuals can see how their local hospitals are rated, and if they have been designated Distinguished Hospitals for Clinical Excellence, for free. (1/27/09, HealthGrades)

More Outpatient Surgeries Performed At Free-Standing Facilities
The number of surgeries and other medical procedures performed annually at free-standing surgical centers increased to 15 million in 2006, a 300% increase from 1996. (1/29/09, National Center on Health Statistics, CDC)

The Supreme Court’s Two-Front War on the Safety Net: A Cautionary Tale for Health Care Reformers argues that critical components of the nation’s health care safety net have been seriously undermined by the conservative bloc of the Supreme Court. The piece also asserts that the original purposes of Medicaid and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) have been hindered by the Court’s application of progressively stricter limitations on enforcement of federal mandates. (January 2009, American Constitution Society for Law and Policy)

 

Continued Listings: Florida Reports

Florida among 10 worst states for adult diabetes
In just one decade, Florida has gone from having one of lowest rates of adult diabetes in the country to cracking the top 10 worst, federal health officials reported Thursday. Diabetes more than tripled in Florida in the past decade while it was doubling at the national level, according to CDC. (10/31/08, South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

 

Florida CHAIN Issue Brief: Health Plans' Persistently Consumer-Unfriendly and Divergent "Preferred Drug List" Posting Practices Exemplify Unresolved Challenges in Medicaid Reform

As with other benefits made available under the Medicaid Reform Pilot Program, the prescription drugs covered by health plans (called Preferred Drug Lists, or PDLs) are permitted to deviate significantly from standard Medicaid. Although this flexibility has been touted as increasing consumer choice, meaningfully informed choice is still not possible given the lack of simple and direct access to usable information about those options. In particular, longstanding problems in Reform with respect to accessing plans' PDLs on-line have still not been resolved. These problems may stem from AHCA's reluctance to impose requirements ensuring clarity, accessibility and uniformity of consumer information, as well as from its apparent unwillingness to enforce even the weak requirements it has already imposed.

 

Dying for Coverage in Florida 

More than six people die each day in Florida because they do not have health insurance. A new Families USA report is the first-ever state-specific report of its type, based on a ground-breaking national study by the Institute of Medicine, which in 2002 forged the direct link between a lack of health coverage and deaths from health-related causes. The report also finds that:Between 2000 and 2006, the estimated number of adults between the ages of 25 and 64 in Florida who died because they did not have health insurance was more than 13,600. Across the United States, in 2006, twice as many people in that same age category died from a lack of health insurance as died from homicide. (March 2008, Families USA)

 

HHS Failed To Show Budget Neutrality Before Approving Florida, Vermont Medicaid Waivers
HHS did not ensure that two Medicaid pilot projects in Florida and Vermont would be budget neutral before approving them. Under federal law, states can obtain a federal waiver for pilot programs to test new ways of delivering care under Medicaid if they can show that spending would not rise faster than it normally would. However, in approving the Florida and Vermont programs, "HHS approved spending limits that were higher than the limits that would have been granted if HHS had held the states to limits based on benchmark growth rates," the report found. In addition, "HHS' basis for approving the higher spending limits was not fully supported by documentation," according to GAO. (March 2008, GAO) 

 

State of Breast Cancer Report Names Florida as One of the "Most Restrictive" for State Assisted Breast Cancer Treatment
Florida is part of a minority of states that still determines a woman ineligible for Medicaid-funded treatment unless she was screened through the state program, restricting access to care for those diagnosed elsewhere. The Florida Suncoast Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is on a mission to lobby the state legislature to change laws affecting women seeking Medicaid-funded treatment for breast cancer. The affiliate also encourages survivors, their families and the Tampa Bay community to contact their local and state representatives, urging them to revisit the laws governing breast cancer treatment. The Report provides information on advancements in diagnosis, treatment and research that have made breast cancer a survivable disease for more than 2 million people in the United States. The report also explores cultural, social, educational and financial barriers – or disparities – that prevent many people from getting screening and receiving life-saving breast cancer care. (11/26/07, Susan Komen Fdn)

 

Florida Funding For Safety-Net Hospitals Could Be Affected By Proposed Property Tax Cuts 

Proposed cuts to Florida property taxes could reduce funding for safety-net hospitals in fiscal year 2009. The "low-income pool" of local and state tax dollars, which receives federal matching funds to reimburse hospitals that provide care to low-income and uninsured residents not covered by Medicaid, is mostly funded by ad valorem property tax revenue. Gov. Charlie Crist (R) and state lawmakers have proposed cutting those taxes this year. (1/3/08, Tampa Tribune) 

 

Too Great a Burden: Florida Families at Risk A Report on the Impact of Healthcare Costs on Florida Families

Over the past eight years, relentless growth in health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs has made spending on health care an increasing burden. For many Floridians, this means that health care is consuming an ever-growing share of their budgets, forcing them to make difficult sacrifices in other areas so they can make ends meet. And for many hard-working families, the burden of these health care costs has become too great to bear. (Dec 2007, Families USA)

 

Miami-Dade Health Profiles 2007

The Health Council of South Florida released the South Miami-Dade 2007 Health Profile in fall 2007. The South-Miami Dade Health Profile is the second in a series of area Health Profiles prepared for Miami-Dade County's Office of Countywide Healthcare Planning as part of the Building Better Communities General Obligations Bond Program which seeks to improve access to primary care throughout Miami-Dade County. A Health Profile of the Miami Beach Service Area was released in July, and one focusing on the North Miami-Dade Service Area will be released in December. Comparative data is included for Miami-Dade as a whole. The profiles provide a general overview of the population, health needs and resources available in the Service Areas.

 

(Florida) AHCA's Annual Report on Medicaid Reform

(delivered 10/1/07)

 

Annie E. Casey Foundation: 18th KIDS COUNT Data Book

This is the recently released new edition of this national and state-by-state effort to track the status of children in the United States. By providing policymakers and citizens with benchmarks of child well-being, the Foundation seeks to enrich local, state, and national discussions concerning ways to secure better futures for all children. Information is also available in an online database that enables users to generate custom graphs, maps, ranked lists, and state-by-state profiles. Both the book and the online database can be accessed on the website listed above.

 

2007 Miami-Dade County Community Health Report Card: Health improvement through benchmarking, priority setting and leadership engagement

Intended as a “call to action” for area health care advocates and policy makers, the report assesses how well systems and institutions are meeting residents’ needs. It analyzes and synthesizes 93 health indicators, examines pervasive continuing racial and ethnic disparities, and sets targets for ten priority need areas including access to health care and coverage.  

  

Florida Children’s Action Agenda 2007/2008 Available Online
Florida state Senators Nan Rich and Durell Peaden and Representatives Loranne Ausley and J.C. Planas have released the final recommendations of the 2006 Florida Children’s Summit.  The Summit participants learned a lot, and the next Summit in Fall 2008 will reflect that.  In 2008 they will spend substantially more time in workshops hashing out recommendations and will secure experienced workshop facilitators who are knowledgeable about the topics they are facilitating.  Also, they will institute a process to ensure that when leaving the 2008 Summit - or very shortly thereafter - all will know the Summit recommendations. 

 

Report looks at uninsured in Florida
This report from the Research Institute on Social and Economic Policy at FIU documents and breaks down Florida's uninsured figures, finding 18.5% of the total Florida population uninsured. The report looks at employment and industry data related to lack of coverage, and proposes a partial solution.
 
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