April 2, 2009

 

 

URGE SENATORS:  Support SB 918 to Insure Florida’s Children

Florida ranks third in the nation with the highest number of uninsured children. Approximately 700,000 are uninsured and 72% of them are estimated eligible for KidCare. Florida would qualify for federal bonus dollars IF the state streamlines the enrollment and retention procedures and increases enrollment for low income children. (Linda Merrell, Florida Child Health Care Coalition) Click here to read more and TAKE ACTION!
WEBCAST: Affordable Health Care for Kids: Moving Forward without Delay
April 3   2:00 pm–3:00 pm ET 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services presents this interactive Webcast. Share your experiences and ideas about how we can help millions of uninsured children get the health coverage they need...without delay, and with special guests from HHS, HRSA and CMS. Read more and register

 

 

Florida Accepts Stimulus Funding, Saves Endangered Medicaid Coverage

 

That both the Florida House and Senate have agreed to use the federal stimulus money means that Medicaid eligibility can’t be tightened until 2011. In particular, Medically Needy and MEDS-AD Waiver programs will be continued rather than eliminated. Tens of thousands of the most vulnerable Floridians can breathe a little easier for now. (Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN) Read more

TAKE ACTION: Urge Legislators to Oppose Nursing Home Funding Cuts

 

The Florida Senate has proposed an $81 million cut and the House has proposed a $69 million cut to Medicaid funding; both are unacceptable and could mean cuts to critical nursing home services. Speak out NOW for quality nursing home care. Time is of the essence. (J. Emmett Reed, Florida Health Care Association) Read more and TAKE ACTION

Managed Care Not the Only Path to Stronger Medicaid

 

Managed care was supposed to solve Medicaid’s problems but seems to have been more a source of problems than a solution. That’s why Florida CHAIN and others have called for a meaningful investigation of alternatives that would strengthen and improve Medicaid. (Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN) Read more
Sweeping Medicaid Managed Care Bill Introduced in House Council

 

This week, the House Council on Health and Family Services introduced a Proposed Committee Bill (PCB) that would make significant and helpful changes to Florida Medicaid, particularly to Medicaid managed care. The bill neither expands nor significantly changes the Reform Pilot, and would create a new pilot "medical homes" model in 4 non-Reform counties. (Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN) Read more

 

 

Preparing for Life After WellCare

The upcoming departure of Medicaid HMO giant WellCare from the Medicaid Reform Pilot Program has been widely reported.  WellCare’s two plans are among 6 that have announced a pull-out from the Pilot since last fall.  As a result, more than half of the Medicaid recipients in Reform have been-or will be- forced to change plans. (Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN) Read more

 

 

“Untitled” (a.k.a. My Own Private Florida)

 

This article was to review the  State's closed door negotiated contracts with health insurance companies for the Cover Florida program, Governor Crist’s new initiative to expand access by stripping regulations and allowing limited benefits. As Cover Florida struggles for market share, the (public record) contracts remain private – making it impossible to answer important questions like whether deregulation alone can work. (Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN) Read more
New Report Finds Nearly 5.8 Million Floridians Were Uninsured at Some Point in 2007-2008

 

Approximately 5.8 million Floridians—38.1 percent of residents under age 65—were uninsured during 2007-2008, according to a report just released by Families USA about the nation and the states. 4.5 million of those, 78.5 percent of the total, were uninsured for 6 months or more.  Read more

 

 

TAKE ACTION: Tell Florida's U.S. Senators to Reduce Poverty, Revive Economy by Supporting President Obama's Budget

 

We have a real opportunity to pass a budget that sets us on the path to creating jobs, providing health care for all, and developing renewable energy, but only if you call Senators Nelson and Martinez. (Coalition on Human Needs) Read more and TAKE ACTION

 

 

Florida Gets a “D” in Mental Health Care 

 

In 2006, Florida’s mental health care system received a grade of C from the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Three years later, as the need for public mental health services is growing, the state’s grade has slipped to a D in the NAMI National Grading the States 2009 report.  (Judith Evans, NAMI Florida)  Read more

 

 

Cigarette User Fee Still Has a Chance

The Cigarette User Fee passed the Senate Finance and Tax Committee (its first committee) yesterday afternoon with a 5-0 vote. The C/S includes the $1 per pack increase, but the specific proposed uses of the additional revenue were removed and put into a Health Care Trust Fund  for now. The CUF is still waiting for its first hearing in the House. (Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN) Read more

 

 

25 Miami-Dade Advocates Travel to Tallahassee

Over 25 community advocates travelled from Miami to Tallahassee this week to educate members of the Florida Legislature and their staff about issues affecting access to health care.  These activities were part of the annual Call To Action/CHAIN Days, hosted by the Human Services Coalition and Florida CHAIN. 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 Lisa Margulis Grossman at 954-986-6535 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  

 

 

 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services presents an interactive Webcast:

Affordable Health Care for Kids: Moving Forward without Delay

 

April 3   2:00 pm–3:00 pm ET

 

Share your experiences and ideas about how we can help millions of uninsured children get the health coverage they need...without delay.

 

Special Guests:

  • Rima Cohen, Counselor to the Secretary for Health Policy, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

  • Mary Wakefield, PhD, RN Administrator, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

  • Jackie Garner, Acting Director, Center for Medicaid and State Operations, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Connect online at http://www.hhs.gov/childrenshealthinsurance

 

Questions and comments for the panel will be accepted in advance of and during the Webcast. To submit a question or comment, go to http://www.hhs.gov/childrenshealthinsurance/questions  

 

 

Florida Accepts Stimulus Funding, Saves Endangered Medicaid Coverage

 

The House and Senate 2009-10 budget processes are underway.  Florida faces a $7 billion shortfall for next year, and budget issues have overshadowed all else.

 

Most importantly, the Health and Human Service (HHS) budget under consideration in the House relies on the use of federal Medicaid stimulus funds, despite the objections raised earlier by the leadership.  

 

The fact that both House and Senate have now agreed to use the stimulus money means that Medicaid eligibility can’t be tightened until 2011. In particular, the Medicaid-funded Medically Needy and MEDS-AD Waiver programs will be continued rather than eliminated. Rejecting the stimulus funds would have shredded the Medicaid safety net. Tens of thousands of the most vulnerable Floridians can breathe a little easier for now. Thanks to those who contacted legislators and urged them to spare Medicaid.

 

The total Medicaid budget will be increased in 2009-10, but most of this is due to the fact that more people have enrolled due to the recession. Funding for these additional recipients will also come through the stimulus. In fact, both House and Senate call for the use of $1.85 billion in stimulus funds in the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) budget alone. This means that we’re replacing more State funds with short-term federal funds than necessary.

 

AHCA’s total budget under both proposals is also roughly similar: $17.8 billion in the Senate and $17.9 billion in the House. However, only the Senate budget includes more than $300 million in cuts in the form of another round of reduced payments to hospitals, nursing homes, HMOs and other providers.  Other reductions also appear in the budgets for the Departments of Children & Families (mental health and substance abuse) and Elder Affairs, as well as the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.

 

So far, however, both budgets avoid most (but not all) cuts to critical Medical services like those on the table in previous years: dentures, hearing aids, etc.

 

Neither House nor Senate proposal includes expansion of the Medicaid Reform Pilot, but both would delay the switch requiring all health plans in Medicaid Reform to be paid like HMOs. Postponing that change would also delay the related crisis facing county health departments there. Both chambers also propose transferring responsibility for senior-related Medicaid waivers to the Department of Elder Affairs (excluding the Medicaid Reform-related Senior Care Pilot Program, which would be officially dead.)

 

In short, the effort to keep Medicaid alive took one giant step forward with the acceptance of the stimulus funds. The next step forward requires fixing Florida’s broken revenue and tax structure.

 

Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN

 

TAKE ACTION:
Urge Legislators to Oppose

Nursing Home Funding Cuts

 

Florida legislators have released their budgets for the 2009 legislative session, and we need your immediate assistance to help us oppose the cuts they have proposed to nursing home funding.

 

Despite the solution we provided legislators during the January special session, which allows the state to draw down $392 million in federal dollars to fund nursing home care, the Florida Senate has proposed an $81 million cut and the House has proposed a $69 million cut to Medicaid funding.

 

These cuts are unacceptable, particularly as legislators are taking more than $780 million of federal stimulus dollars that were designated for health and human services and directing them out of health care and into other areas.

 

You know more than anyone that funding cuts mean less money to provide residents the quality care they deserve. And it could mean possible job cuts for critical nursing home staff, at a time when our state's unemployment rate is at a record high.

 

FHCA is implementing a statewide communications plan to raise awareness of this issue, which includes a press conference on April 6th with Senator Nan Rich, FHCA Chair Deborah Franklin and other stakeholders, as well as outreach to newspaper editorial boards across the state.

 

We know from experience, however, that legislators listen closest to you, your staff and the family members of your residents, so we need your help. Here's what we're asking you to do: 

  • Send an email to your legislators.  You can use our Take Action link to find your legislators and e-mail the message we've provided or write your own.
  • Forward the Take Action link to your staff and family members to help us increase their knowledge of the funding cuts at stake this session.
  • Download the Talking Points that FHCA has created to help you with key messages on why we oppose these cuts. Use these messages when speaking with legislators, members of the media and other stakeholders.
  • Take part in FHCA's Lobby Wednesdays and join us in our efforts to meet with legislators and their staff face-to-face about the impact these cuts would have on your residents and staff. Contact Teresa Brown of our staff for details.
  • Stay informed by reading your Focus on Florida e-newsletter, which contains weekly legislative updates, following FHCA's Capitol Connection blog, and watching FHCA's Provider Program, our weekly online video update where you'll hear real-time accounts of what members, staff and lobbyists are doing on your behalf to help protect and preserve Medicaid funding for nursing home residents.

Please know that time is of the essence, as the budgets will be addressed on the Senate and House floors within the next two weeks. Thank you for helping us in this effort to increase the number of voices speaking out against these cuts and speaking up for quality long term care.

 

J. Emmett Reed, FHCA

Managed Care Not the Only Path to Stronger Medicaid

 

If the economic climate during the past year provided an opportunity for for-profit HMOs to prove that Medicaid managed care is the “answer”, perhaps someone should repeat the question. 

 

The performance of Florida’s Medicaid managed care initiatives has become a serious concern for a number of reasons. Certainly prominent among them, however, is the fact that, as available resources shrink, HMOs must drain the system they’re supposed to protect. That’s unsustainable.

 

The examples are familiar:

  • Most recently, AHCA announced that it would end the Prepaid Therapies Program, in which 2 contracted “mini-HMOs” were to regulate access to therapy services for children in MediPass. AHCA spent several years trying to implement a workable system, but the result was overly restrictive, to the point of creating a legal liability for the State.

  • The Medicaid Reform Pilot continued to grow its long and well-documented list of problems, including, for example, the recent departure of most HMOs from the Pilot.

  • AHCA indefinitely postponed changes approved during the 2008 legislative session that would have forced many MediPass enrollees into HMOs. Those who did not specifically ask to remain in MediPass during their open enrollment period would have been automatically switched to an HMO. If implementation had gone forward, several federal Medicaid regulations would have been violated.  

  • WellCare, the Medicaid HMO giant, was forced to repay millions after it was discovered that the company had pocketed funds it had been required to spend on direct patient care.  

Managed care was supposed to solve Medicaid’s problems but seems to have been more a source of problems than a solution. That’s why Florida CHAIN and others have called for a meaningful investigation of alternatives that would strengthen and improve Medicaid.

 

One such potential alternative could emerge as early as this legislative session. A newly filed House committee bill would create a new Medicaid pilot project in 4 counties. The pilot would create “medical home networks” that would test the potential to better coordinate and integrate care through an interdisciplinary team - led by a primary care provider.

 

This is by no means the only alternative that Florida could test, but it’s one that has support from a number of different stakeholder groups, at least conceptually. Another provision of the bill would form a workgroup that would review current issues in Medicaid managed care and recommend alternatives. There may yet be a fork in the road to Medicaid’s future after all.

 

Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN

Sweeping Medicaid Managed Care Bill Introduced in House Council

This week, the House Council on Health and Family Services, chaired by Rep. Ed Homan (R - Temple Terrace), introduced a Proposed Committee Bill (PCB) that would make significant and helpful changes to Florida Medicaid, particularly to Medicaid managed care. The bill neither expands nor significantly changes the Reform Pilot.

 

The centerpiece of the bill is the creation of a new pilot program that would implement a "medical homes" model in 4 non-Reform counties.

 

The bill also would kick off the process of expanding the components of Medicaid Reform that have some potential merit throughout Medicaid managed care, such as risk-adjusted payments (i.e., paying plans more for enrolling recipients with greater health needs) and "enhanced benefits" for performing healthy behaviors.

 

Furthermore, the bill includes a number of measures intended to help get a handle on the many problems that have plagued Medicaid managed care and especially the Medicaid Reform Pilot (such as encounter data collection).

 

The bill’s major shortcoming is its silence on problems affecting Reform participants which may now condemn them to at least another year of the same. 

 

Click here to see unofficial summary of the PCB is attached.

 

Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN

 

Preparing for Life After WellCare

 

The upcoming departure of Medicaid HMO giant WellCare from the Medicaid Reform Pilot Program has been widely reported. But what happens next?

 

WellCare’s two health plans – Staywell and HealthEase – are among 6 that have announced a pull-out from the Pilot since last fall.  As a result, more than half of the Medicaid recipients in Reform have been-or will be- forced to change plans.

 

Plan departures have been staggered, making the transition less overwhelming than expected.  But in WellCare’s case, 78,000 recipients will be impacted.

 

AHCA told legislators the capacity is available to absorb additional recipients. However, this is in the form of either HMOs with very low enrollments, brand new untested plans or Provider Service Networks that may soon be paid like HMOs for the first time. Meanwhile, Reform’s choice counseling contractor, ACS, has already been bogged down by the departure of much smaller plans.

 

The troublesome handwriting is on the wall. For example, 7,000 fewer Broward recipients were enrolled in plans in December than in November. These recipients were “between plans”, illustrating the potential for disruption to care.

 

On March 23, Florida CHAIN sent an “emergency request” asking the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services to intervene and:

1.           Assess whether the capacity of the plans remaining in the Pilot is sufficient.

2.           Assess the capacity of ACS to help recipients navigate the complex choice process in a short period.

3.           If capacity is lacking, instruct the State to reinstate the MediPass program as an option.

 

On March 26, however, AHCA informed CHAIN about additional steps the agency is taking to promote a smooth transition. Among them: adding choice counseling call center staff, posting choice counselors in the field and offering face-to-face choice counseling at Medicaid offices. AHCA is also finalizing an informational flyer, and plans to distribute 9,000 copies of it, post it on-line and mail it to interested parties. (Florida CHAIN will also post the flyer and other information.) In addition, WellCare and AHCA must mail recipients directly about the change.

 

AHCA also reported taking steps to avoid further stranding of recipients without plans. Specifically, AHCA will select a new plan for those who don’t choose one at least 30 days prior to their plan’s departure. As the old plan leaves, the switch to the new plan will take effect. Recipients will then have 90 days to change plans (for any reason).

 

HealthEase will leave Broward, and Staywell will leave Duval on May 1. Staywell leaves Broward on June 1, and then HealthEase leaves Duval on July 1.

 

Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN

 

“Untitled” (a.k.a. My Own Private Florida)

The title “Untitled” refers to the fact that the content that was to be provided here is missing. It is the story behind that missing content warrants an article in its own right.

 

This article was to provide a summary review of the contracts that the State negotiated behind closed doors with health insurance companies for the Cover Florida program. Cover Florida is Governor Crist’s initiative aiming to expand access to affordable health coverage by stripping away insurance regulations and allowing a limited range of benefits.

 

These Cover Florida contracts are public records. Article I, Section 24, of the Florida Constitution makes it clear that “[e]very person has the right to inspect or copy any public record made or received in connection with the official business of any public body.” State law clarifies further that the keeper of the public record must “respond to such requests in good faith”.

 

AHCA is the State agency in charge of issuing and managing the contracts. This writer requested copies way back on January 21st – 10 full weeks ago. Yet as of this writing, even after a dozen reminders of citizens’ right to public records, no copies have been received.

 

The Florida Supreme Court has ruled that the only permissible delay in producing public records is “the limited reasonable time [needed] to retrieve the record and delete those portions of the record [believed to be] exempt."

 

And it’s not that anyone has asserted that the contracts are exempt from disclosure. It’s just that no one will provide them. And since the only other options available are asking the Attorney General to mediate or taking AHCA to court, don’t look for that article anytime soon.

 

Cover Florida has struggled to gain market share during its initial rollout, and efforts to evade what may be perceived as premature criticism are understandable. However, withholding information from potential critics isn’t the answer.

 

More importantly, the Cover Florida experiment raises important public policy questions such as whether deregulation alone, without subsidies to assist with premiums, can make a meaningful dent in the uninsurance crisis. That question simply can’t be answered without access to the private contracts that superseded the State insurance Code.

 

In a letter sent last month to the Orlando Sentinel in recognition of “Sunshine Week”, the Governor noted that “Floridians can be proud of the fact that our open-government laws are nationally recognized... They provide the accountability that enables people to determine for themselves which government programs are working and which are not.”  Perhaps AHCA missed a memo.

Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN

New Report Finds Nearly 5.8 Million Floridians Were Uninsured at Some Point in 2007-2008

38.1 Percent of Florida’s non-elderly Americans were uninsured for one month or more in 2007-2008 

 

Washington, D.C. – Approximately 5.8 million Floridians—38.1 percent of residents under age 65—were uninsured at some point of time during 2007-2008, according to a report just released by the health consumer organization Families USA. In fact, 4.5 million of those uninsured Floridians, 78.5 percent of the total, were uninsured for six months or more during that time.

 

The situation is reflected nationwide. Approximately 86.7 million Americans—one out of three people (33.1 percent) under 65 years of age—were uninsured at some point during 2007-2008. The Families USA report is an essential supplement to commonly-used Census Bureau data, such as the 45.7 million people deemed to be uninsured for the entire 2007 calendar year.   

 

“The huge number of people without health coverage in Florida is worse than an epidemic,” said Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA. “At this point, almost everyone in the country has had a family member, neighbor, or friend who was uninsured—and that’s why meaningful health care reform can no longer be kept on the back burner.”

 

The Families USA report reveals additional important demographic information about uninsured individuals in Florida:

 

  • More than four out of five uninsured Floridians uninsured, or 80.8 percent, were in working families, working full- or part-time.

  • More than three-fifths, or 60.7 percent, of those individuals and families in Florida with incomes below twice the poverty line—$42,400 of annual income for a family of four in 2008—went without health insurance at some point in 2007-2008.

  • In addition, more than a quarter, or 27.3 percent, of those individuals and families in Florida with incomes at or above twice the poverty line—$42,400 of annual income for a family of four in 2008—went without health insurance at some point in 2007-2008.

  • While whites accounted for the largest number of uninsured in Florida, Hispanics/Latinos and African Americans were much more likely to be uninsured than whites: 54.4 percent of Hispanics/Latinos and 42.5 percent of African Americans went without health insurance in 2007-2008, compared to 30.2 percent of whites.

“These startling numbers clearly document the seriousness of the problem and demonstrate what happens when a problem is ignored for too long,” Pollack said. “It’s important, however, to note that the Congress and the President have begun to address this serious issue and have made a down-payment on comprehensive health care reform by extending coverage to more than four million uninsured kids.

 

“The action of Congress the President was an important down payment for health care reform, and it offers the promise that all Americans will one day have access to high quality, affordable health care.”

 

The Families USA report was based on data from the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey and the Survey of Income and Program Participation as well as the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey used by the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality. The data were compiled with the assistance of The Lewin Group, a distinguished health policy and data consulting firm.

 

 

TAKE ACTION: Tell Florida's U.S. Senators to Reduce Poverty, Revive Economy by Supporting President Obama's Budget

 

We have a real opportunity to pass a budget that moves the country in the direction we need, but only if you . . .


 

Call Senators Nelson and Martinez:

  • Toll-free: 1-866-544-7573

  • Senator Nelson: 202-224-5274

  • Senator Martinez: 202-224-3041

Tell them: "Please vote to support President Obama's budget priorities, to set us on the path to create jobs, provide health care for all, and develop renewable energy.  I care about taking care of families during the recession, and about reducing poverty in the long run.  These investments will revive our economy and build a foundation for long-term prosperity."

 

President Obama recently released his proposal for the 2010 federal budget. The President has produced a groundbreaking budget proposal to reset America's priorities.

But opposition is growing.  That's because the budget is responsible in paying for these investments.  There are corporations who don't want their loopholes closed, wealthy households who don't want to lose any of their tax deductions, military contractors who like their generous payments, and companies who don't want to pay a fee designed to reduce global warming.  The hoofprints of a lot of gored oxen are visible on Capitol Hill. 

If you want the public interest to win out over the vested interests, please call your Senators!

Next week, the House and Senate Budget Committees are expected to report out their budget resolutions, with floor votes expected the week of March 30.  Please let your Senators know you want these investments.  Every day of bad economic news makes it more important to invest in the President's priorities.

Some of what's good in the budget:  The budget provides $634 billion in funding in order to tackle health care reform over the next 10 years.  It increases our investment in programs that pay off over the long term, such as Head Start, education for low-income children and college students, improved child nutrition, and other programs that benefit low-income children. It will reduce pollution and create jobs in renewable energy.  It addresses the immediate needs of those families hardest hit by the current economic downturn by building on the recently passed economic recovery legislation.

 

For more information, see:  The President's Budget: A Dramatic Shift in Priorities.

 
Thanks! 

 

Florida Gets a “D” in Mental Health Care 

 

In 2006, Florida’s mental health care system received a grade of C from the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Three years later, as the need for public mental health services is growing, the state’s grade has slipped to a D in the NAMI National Grading the States 2009 report.

 

Florida has one of the biggest uninsured populations in the nation, 3.7 million, and Medicaid rolls are swelling with residents hit hard by the nation’s economic crisis. At the same time, the state’s budget shortfall in 2008 was over $3.4 billion.

 

The Department of Children and Families (DCF), the agency that provides public mental health care, has been consistently under-funded. Fourteen offices around the state contract with providers to deliver community mental health services, but typically people must be in crisis to secure services.

 

Meanwhile, a high proportion of the state’s scarce inpatient psychiatric beds are used to restore competency for people facing criminal charges. Many people who receive no or little mental health services enter the criminal justice system when they experience a crisis.

 

While Florida hoped that Medicaid reform pilot programs in Duval and Broward Counties would increase flexibility and improve outcomes for recipients, a Georgetown University report found that, instead, services have been put at risk. Many managed care plans participating in the pilot programs provide inadequate crisis services, too few providers, and no medication coverage during emergencies.

 

Grades by Category

  1. Health Promotion and Measurement: F 25% of Total Grade
    Basic measures, such as the number of programs delivering evidence-based practices, emergency room wait-times, and the quantity of psychiatric beds by setting.
  2. Financing & Core Treatment/Recovery Services: D 45% of Total Grade
    A variety of financing measures, such as whether Medicaid reimburses providers for all, or part of evidence-based practices; and more.
  3. Consumer & Family Empowerment: D 15% of Total Grade
    Includes measures such as consumer and family access to essential information from the state, promotion of consumer-run programs, and family and peer education and support.
  4. Community Integration and Social Inclusion: C 15% of Total Grade
    Includes activities that require collaboration among state mental health agencies and other state agencies and systems.

Judith Evans, NAMI Florida

 

Cigarette User Fee Still Has a Chance

 

The Cigarette User Fee passed the Senate Finance and Tax Committee (its first committee) yesterday afternoon with a 5-0 vote.

 

Senator Deutch did an excellent job introducing the Committee Substitute (C/S)  for the bill and gave an overview of the estimated generated revenue – 871 million each year- based on conservative projections from the Revenue Estimating Conference (State economists). 

 

The C/S includes the $1 per pack increase, but the specific proposed uses of the additional revenue were removed and put into a Health Care Trust Fund instead- for now- in order to avoid getting bogged down further with those issues.

 

Several groups spoke on behalf of the bill including American Cancer Society, the Association of Counties, American Lung Association of Florida, Safety Net Hospital Alliance, Florida Hospital Association and a number of smaller groups.  Florida CHAIN waived in support of the bill along with AARP, PTA, Florida Impact, and others.  The groups opposed to the bill included the Florida Retail Association, Big Tobacco, Associated Industries of Florida, a cigar company from Tampa, and a group that represented individuals transporting cigarettes across the state.

 

Although the bill passed unanimously, a few senators indicated that they still had some unresolved concerns. This bill has a long way to go in the Senate, but we’re moving forward, thanks to the efforts of a very large and dedicated coalition. As for the House version of the bill, it’s not moved at all, but even if it doesn’t move, the CUF could still surface during budget deliberations.

 

The CUF is still waiting for its first hearing in the House.

 

Updates and potential next steps will be sent out as soon as we know anything further. Thanks for your continuing support of a CUF increase for health care.

 

Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN

 

25 Miami-Dade Advocates Travel to Tallahassee

 

Over 25 community advocates travelled from Miami to Tallahassee this week to educate members of the Florida Legislature and their staff about issues affecting access to health care.  These activities were part of the annual Call To Action/CHAIN Days, hosted by the Human Services Coalition and Florida CHAIN.

 

Specific issues the group discussed with their representatives included the importance of funding for programs such as Medicaid, KidCare and the increase in revenue through a $1 per pack cigarette user fee.  Prior to their visits with Florida Legislators, participants spent several days in advocacy workshops discussing issues important to them and learning about current legislation which could affect them.

 

This annual event has become an effective way for consumers and advocates to have a voice on issues affecting access to health care and to demonstrate how the community is working to improve access in Florida. It is essential for those who are living with these important issues day to day to speak to members of their delegation and educate legislators on how their decisions truly affect the communities they represent. 

 

Leah Cook, Florida CHAIN

 

 

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   

  

Notices

CENTRAL FLORIDA

 

1st Annual Florida Tobacco Summit
May 13-14   Rosen Hotel, Orlando

The Purpose of the Florida AHEC Network’s Tobacco Summit is to bring Florida's Health Care Professionals together to educate and inform them about the newest tobacco related treatment options, trends and areas of interest. This two day Summit will host speakers from Harvard University, the Centers for Disease Control, Florida State University, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, University of South Florida, University of Florida, Nova Southeastern University, the Florida Dept. of Health and others. Registration Fee for Program: $100.00 (Includes 1 Breakfast, 2 Lunches, 3 Breaks and all program materials) For any Questions Please Call 305-743-7111 ext. 203

 

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

 

2009 Florida Conference on Aging

Aug 24-26  St. Pete Beach, TradeWinds Island Resort.

For more information: 850-222-8877 or www.fcoa.org. For reservations, call 800-808-9833. 

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

 

2009 Paths of Public Health Awards
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. 

 

Imagine Miami's Changemaker Summit

April 4  8:30 am-5:00 pm  Miami-Dade College Wolfson Campus
Is it time for a change in your community? In Miami-Dade? Meet changemakers who are building prosperity, environmental stewardship and healthy communities in Miami-Dade. Learn and share in a World Cafe community conversation and brainstorming. Engage in exciting hands-on workshops on innovative techniques for social impact. This is no ordinary gathering. Go to www.regonline.com/imchangemaker to see the agenda. Or, register by phone (in English, Spanish or Creole) at (305) 576-5001 x45. Vendor/Exhibitor spaces are still available -- contact corinnam@imaginemiami.org to learn more.

 

Sacred Heart Outreach 5th Annual Health Fair

April 18   10:00 a.m. – 2:00 pm  Sacred Heart Outreach Center, 20 SE 2nd Road

Health Education and Screenings for migrant farm workers. English, Spanish, Creole spoken. Breakfast, hot dogs and soda. Vendors welcome. Co-sponsored by Barry University Division of Nursing. If you have any questions, please contact Adrianne Watson at 305-321-0993 or adrianne.watson@mymail.barry.edu

Haitian American Nurses Association of Florida, Inc. (HANA) 25th Annual Scholarship Fundraising & Awards Gala
April 18  7:00 pm   Marriott Hotel, 1109 Brickell, MiamiMembers of the association, community partners, friends, and leaders in the community will join in this festive and auspicious occasion. $100 per person donation. Sponsorships and ads in program booklet available. Reply by April 10. For more information, please call (305) 609-7498 or send us an e-mail at info@hana84.org. 

Social Medicine Advocacy, Research and Training (SMART) Forum

April 24  1:00 – 5:00 pm   Univ. of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Lois Pope Life Center 

Registration is open for the Inaugural Social Medicine Advocacy, Research and Training (SMART) Forum, hosted by the Jay Weiss Center for Social Medicine and Health Equity. The aim of the forum is to encourage inter-disciplinary and community-based approaches for addressing health disparities. All University faculty, staff, and graduate students as well as community members are urged to attend. The SMART forum will address topics in social medicine and health equity including public health; social epidemiology; community-based, participatory research; qualitative research with underserved populations; evaluation of University-community partnerships to impact community or individual health outcomes; health behaviors and lifestyles; health communications / education; health services / economics; health-care ethics; population health / genomics. Register for free online at www.jayweisscenter.org, or at the door. For more information: khoughton@med.miami.edu or  305-243-8893.

"Improve Your Health to Change the Quality of Your Life" Community Health Awareness Fair
April 25  10:00 am-2:00 pm  Philadelphia Evangelical Baptist Church, Miami
Screenings by UM/Jackson Health System North Dade Health Center Clinic and The Beautiful Gate Inc. Cancer Support & Resource Center. Sponsors & additional health providers are needed. Call (786) 585-4831 or email Ijoseph27@hotmail.com

Donors Forum of South Florida Annual IMPACT Awards
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. Call (305) 371-7944

 

Health Care Heroes Awards Luncheon

May 14  11:30 am–1:30 pm   Jungle Island, Miami

Honoring Health Care Professionals.  Registration $75/person.

 

2nd Annual Back to School Community Health Fair

Aug 8   10:00 am -2:00 pm Volunteer Park, 12050 W Sunrise Blvd, Plantation

FREE Health Screenings and Education presented by Woman2Woman Breast Cancer Foundation and Florida Medical Center. Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar, Cholesterol Testing, Body Mass Index, Posture Evaluation and Screening, and Wellness Information and Health Education/Counseling on Diabetes, Hypertension, Heart Disease, Asthma, Sickle Cell Disease, Colorectal Cancer, Women’s Health Issues, Osteoporosis, Prostate Cancer, Breast Cancer, and other forms of cancers, Support Groups/Programs, Nutrition, Exercise, Information on Medicaid benefits, Family Counseling Services, Education, Prevention, Care/ Treatment. In addition, there will be a Children’s Corner to educate children on hand washing, hygiene, safety, and nutrition as well.  The focus of the health fair will be on health promotion, prevention, and wellness for the community. June 5 cutoff to sign as a vendor. For more information: 954-703-1529 or Keandra.gray@w2wbcf.org. Appt needed for Bone Density Test; call 1-866-442-2362

Notices

 

“The Earlier, the Better” Breast Cancer Detection Program Seeks Haitian Women

The Haitian American Association Against Cancer (HAAAC) and the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center are asking for your help in finding women for one of their projects, “The Earlier, the Better.” The project’s goal is to improve early detection of breast cancer among Haitian women in South Florida. They are interested in learning about Haitian American women’s experiences with breast cancer and in hearing their opinions about how to educate Haitian women about the disease. Women will receive a gift certificate for their participation.  For more information including flyers in English or Haitian Creole, please contact Pascale Auguste from HAAAC at 305-572-1825, padenize@aol.com, or Jenny Blanco from Sylvester at 305-243-1360, jblanco3@med.miami.edu.

 

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

STATEWIDE NOTICES  

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

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 

  

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.

 

Strategies for Navigating the New Medicaid
May 31-June 2   Washington, DC
The Fourth National Medicaid Congress has announced a Call for Presentation Proposals. For further registration information, go to the website, call 800-684-4549 or email registration@hcconferences.com.

Disparities in Health in America:  Working Towards Social Justice
June 20–26  University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
The goal of the 7th Annual Summer Workshop is to provide a comprehensive approach to the issue of health disparities, and to provide attendees with a broad base of knowledge so that they may address health disparities with a bio-psychosocial approach.

 

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.

 

Diversity Matters: An Ongoing Conversation
Nov 2-3     Vancouver, British Columbia
Proposals are currently being accepted for this conference , which is open to professionals, educators, managers, executives, ethicists and researchers in health care, social services, and community service and development; government leaders and policy-makers; as well as consumers and all those interested,. It focuses on cultural competencies in healthcare, education, research and community services.  Among keynote speakers, Dr. Roberto Lewis-Fernandez will present on Reduction of Healthcare Disparities Through Cultural Competence: Barriers and Solutions to Consumer Engagement  and The Role of Cultural Idioms of Distress in Psychiatric Diagnosis.

AUDIO AND WEB EVENTS     

Affordable Health Care for Kids: Moving Forward without Delay

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Interactive Webcast

April 3   2:00–3:00 pm ET

Share your experiences and ideas about how we can help millions of uninsured children get the health coverage they need...without delay. Special Guests: Rima Cohen, Counselor to the Secretary for Health Policy, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); Mary Wakefield, PhD, RN Administrator, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); Jackie Garner, Acting Director, Center for Medicaid and State Operations,Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Connect online at http://www.hhs.gov/childrenshealthinsurance  Questions and comments for the panel will be accepted in advance of and during the Webcast. To submit a question or comment,go to http://www.hhs.gov/childrenshealthinsurance/questions

 

Federal Budget Explained: Updates and Actions Free Webinar

April 7   3:00-4:00 pm EDT

Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/801292624
The House and Senate are each about to approve their own budget resolutions.  A few days later, we'll tell you what they've done and what happens next.
Should you sign up for this webinar? Only if you care about health care reform, climate change, investments in education, housing, nutrition, and social/community services, rebuilding our economy and creating jobs, sensible and fair ways of paying for services, responsible reductions in military spending, and/or help for low-income people. This webinar is in support of the Rebuild and Renew America Now campaign (http://www.rebuildandrenew.org/), and is sponsored by the Coalition on Human Needs (http://www.chn.org/).

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.  

ACHI Webinar - Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to Advance Community and Public Health
May 21  2:00 – 3:00 pm (ET)
This presentation will demonstrate the uses and value of GIS with visual demonstrations using sample health data. It will also share information on how HIPAA compliance can be maintained when working with sensitive patient data in the GIS environment. GIS is advanced technology that is growing every day in its application to community and public health. This session will equip participants with up-to-date knowledge and greater clarity on the ways GIS can strengthen their initiatives.

ACHI Webinar - Priority Setting for Community Benefit: A Primer on Matching Community Need and Organizational Effort
June 18   2:00 (ET)
This session will establish the community needs assessment as the starting point linking the community benefit plan and program priorities. Biel will discuss the importance of adopting a formal priority setting process, and share techniques and tools for making it happen. This will include discussion of explicit priority setting criteria, tools and discussion questions to help guide the process, and real case examples from a variety of hospitals. Register for the session online.

NOTICES

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.

 

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

 

 

New listings, in order of submission deadlines 

 

Addressing Asthma from a Public Health Standpoint
Letter of Intent Deadline: April 8
Application Deadline: May 8
The purpose of this grant from the CDC is to develop program capacity to address asthma from a public health perspective to bring about: (1) a focus on asthma-related activity within states; (2) an increased understanding of asthma-related data and its application to program planning and evaluation through the development of an ongoing asthma surveillance system; (3) an increased recognition, within the public health structure of states, of the potential to use a public health approach to reduce the burden of asthma; (4) linkages of state health agencies to other agencies and organizations addressing asthma in the population; and (5) implementation of interventions to achieve positive health impacts, such as reducing the number of deaths, hospitalizations, emergency department visits, school or work days missed, and limitations on activity due to asthma.

 

Integrating Colorectal Cancer Screening within Chronic Disease Programs
Application Deadline: April 10
The purpose of the program is to establish and integrate evidence-based colorectal cancer screening programs with existing CRC screening programs and/or other cancer screening or chronic disease programs, in order to increase population-based CRC screenings.

 

2009 Team Nutrition Training Grant
Application Deadline: April 13
The purpose of this grant is for State agencies to expand and enhance their training programs that incorporate and implement the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and USDA Foods in meals served under child nutrition programs.

 

Louis Stokes Urban Health Public Policy Fellows Program with the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)

Deadline for applications:  April 16

The Louis Stokes Urban Health Policy Fellows Program is a 12-month policy training and leadership development program for policy professionals who are committed to eliminating health disparities. Typically, fellows receive health policy training by spending five months working in a Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) member’s office and the remaining seven months working on a congressional committee that focuses on health-related issues. The program also includes enrichment opportunities, such as seminars on policy and politics. Through this program, fellows are exposed to the history and work of the CBC, and are prepared to analyze how policies affect African Americans and other minority groups.

 

Wal-Mart Foundation State Giving Program
Online Application Deadlines: April 17, Sept 18

The Wal-Mart Foundation State Giving Program awards grants at the state and regional level to programs that have a strong impact within the communities the company serves. The program provides grants of $25,000 and up in categories including Health and Wellness; these grants strive to improve access to healthcare, reduce healthcare disparities, and promote healthy lifestyles. The Foundation has a particular interest in supporting veterans and military families, traditionally underserved groups, individuals with disabilities, and people impacted by natural disasters.

 

The Florida Breast Cancer Coalition Research Foundation Education Grants

Deadline: April 30

FBCCRF is currently offering education grants of up to $10,000.00 for innovative projects in the areas of breast health and breast cancer education, outreach, and support targeting services not otherwise available to the medically underserved populations of Florida.  Grants are available for up to one (1) year. Those interested in applying to the Florida Breast Cancer Coalition Research Foundation for funding should complete the application following ALL of our guidelines and requirements. Please, ONLY Florida non-profit organizations who are currently classified by the IRS as a 501 (C)(3) and/ or 509 (a)(1), (2), or (3) with an historic interest in providing life-saving health information to Florida residents are eligible to receive grant funding.

 

Seed Grants for Dementia Day Programs
Deadline: July 1

The Brookdale Foundation works to advance the fields of geriatrics and gerontology and to improve the lives of senior citizens. The Brookdale National Group Respite Program supports community-based efforts throughout the U.S. to develop social model respite programs for elders with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia, and their families. The initiative awards seed grants to service providers that are planning to implement new, dementia-specific Group Respite or Early Memory Loss programs. Up to 40 programs will receive grants for $7,500 in the first year. Grants are renewable at $3,000 in the second year, based upon evaluation of the first year's activities and potential for future continuity of the program.

 

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Investigator Awards

Deadline: July 7 (Stage 1 Brief Proposals)

The RWJF Investigator Awards in Health Policy Research funds highly-qualified individuals to undertake broad studies of the most challenging health policy issues facing America. RWJF will award approximately 10 grants of up to $335,000 each to investigators from a variety of disciplines to support projects that combine creative and conceptual thinking with innovative, policy-relevant solutions. The RWJF welcomes applications from investigators in the health, social, and behavioral sciences, as well as other fields. They seek a diverse group of applicants, including minorities, early-career investigators, and individuals who work in nonacademic settings such as research firms and policy organizations. Fourteen matching grants of up to $500,000 will be awarded to independent, private, community, and corporate grantmakers working to improve the health of residents in their communities.

 

Occupational Safety and Health Research
Application Deadline: March 6, 2010
The purpose of this grants program is to develop an understanding of the risks and conditions that are associated with occupational diseases and injuries, to explore methods for reducing risks and for preventing or minimizing exposure to hazardous conditions in the workplace, and to translate significant scientific findings into prevention practices and products that will effectively reduce work-related illnesses and injuries.

NIOSH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings
Application Deadline: May 8, 2011
The purpose of the program is to support high quality conferences/scientific meetings that are relevant to its scientific mission and to the public health.

Research on Clinical Decision-Making in People with or at-Risk for Life-Threatening Illnesses
Application Deadline: May 7, 2012
This funding opportunity seeks to stimulate research on the decision-making processes made by persons at risk for and those faced with life-threatening illness. These illnesses are ones that almost always lead to death in a fairly short period of time if left untreated, but may be chronic or even cured if dealt with early in the disease process. Decision-making can occur from the point of adopting preventive behaviors through the end of life.

Continuing listings, in order of submission deadlines     

Health Disparities Research on Minority and Underserved Populations
Deadline: April 17
The overall objective is to support all investigators whose current research focuses on disease/conditions that disproportionately affect ethnic racial minorities, underserved populations, and rural and low-income populations. The research may include, but is not limited to, chronic diseases such as: cardiovascular, cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, infant mortality, asthma, obesity and kidney disease. Specific targeted areas of research also may include studies that influence health disparities such as biological (e.g., genetics, cellular, organ systems) lifestyle factors, environmental (physical and family) social (peer influences), economic, institutional and cultural and family influences.

 

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. 

 

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.

 

Translational Research for the Prevention and Control of Diabetes and Obesity
Deadline: May 7
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the National Institute of Nursing Research and the Office of Behavior and Social Sciences Research seek to develop cost effective and sustainable interventions that can be adopted in real world settings, for the prevention and control of diabetes and obesity.

 

RWJF: Local Health Collaboration Partnerships
Brief Proposal Deadline: July 7
Local Funding Partnerships a collaborative program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and local grantmakers, supports innovative, community-based projects throughout the United States. Through LFP, a local grantmaker proposes a funding partnership with RWJF to provide seed money for a new project that addresses the health or health care problems of people who are not reached by traditional health and social services or for whom existing services are insufficient. Projects are expected to create meaningful change by addressing health in the context of complex social factors that impede good health for society's most vulnerable people. Programs that address access to medical care – such as the start-up of community health centers, mobile vans, dental services, or school-based health centers – also are not likely to be competitive. LFP provides grants of $200,000 to $500,000 per project, which must be matched dollar for dollar by local grantmakers such as community foundations, family foundations, corporate funders, etc.

 

Active Living Research and Healthy Eating Research
Letters of Intent Deadline: July 17
The Active Living Research and Healthy Eating Research joint call for proposals for 2009 Rapid-Response Round 2 Grants. This CFP supports time-sensitive, opportunistic studies to evaluate changes in policies or environments with the potential to reach children who are at highest risk for obesity, including African-American, Latino, Native American, Asian American, and Pacific Islander children (ages 3 to 18) who live in low-income communities or communities with limited access to affordable healthy foods and/or safe opportunities for physical activity. Research studies may focus on one or both sides of the energy balance equation - on physical activity (including sedentary behavior), healthy eating, or both. 

 

Childhood Obesity Prevention and Treatment Research Consortium
Deadline: Oct 6
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development solicit cooperative agreement grant applications from institutions to conduct randomized controlled trials to test innovative interventions that address issues immediately germane to the childhood obesity epidemic and runs parallel with a separate Funding Opportunity Announcement.

 

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. 

 

Frueauff Foundation
Deadline: Dec 15
The Frueauff Foundation supports mental health services, organizations serving at-risk youth and other community programs. Since its founding, hospitals and health agencies have been recipients of Foundation awards. Equipment, outreach programs, staff positions, screening and education materials are just a few examples of grants given. Health education programs for at-risk children and their parents, support for the critically ill, AIDS/HIV education programs, and nursing scholarships have all received awards in the past decade. Specific institutions and specific programs, rather than national organizations, are usually given.

    

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): May 25, 2009; Jan 25, 2010

 

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

Closing date for applications: May 7

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.

 

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

Deadlines: 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 

 

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. 

 

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.

 

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). 

 

NIOSH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings
Deadline: May 8, 2011
The purpose of the program is to support high quality conferences/scientific meetings that are relevant to its scientific mission and to the public health. 

 

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.

 

 

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

 

Insurance claim denied? Here's where to get help

 

Florida Office of Insurance Regulation: Investigates complaints against insurers, including denials of claims. Online: floir.com  Phone: 1-877-693-5236

 

Subscriber Assistance Program: Reviews disputes between individuals and their managed-care plans. Online: fdhc.state.fl.us/MCHQ/Consumer/SPSAP/  Phone: 1-888-419-3456

 

Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders, SHINE: Helps consumers navigate the Medicare appeals process. Online: floridashine.org  Phone: 1-800-963-5337

 

Medicare Rights Center: National group helps Medicare clients understand their rights and benefits. Online: medicarerights.org  Phone: 1-800-333-4114

 

Florida Legal Services: Free help for low-income adults denied prescription-drug coverage from Medicaid or Medicare Part D. Online: floridalegal.org  Phone: 1-800-436-6001

 

New: National

 

Continued Listings: Florida

Medicare Access Network of Florida
Do you know of any Medicare Part D beneficiaries who have questions about their plan? If so, feel free to direct them to one of the SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) free counseling sites for help that are located throughout Broward and Miami-Dade. To make an appointment, or for questions, call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-96-ELDER (1- 800-963-5337).

South Florida Smoking Cessation Programs
South Florida Cancer Control Collaborative has also started a list of smoking cessation links. Click here to view the list.

 

(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

 

Continued Listings: Florida

TECHNOLOGY AND AUDIO/VIDEO RESOURCES 

Media Programming

Web Sites, Web Features & Databases 

New: Florida Listings

statehealthfacts.org

This web site recently added new data on Medicaid, CHIP and Medicare. New data from the Congressional Research Service on CHIP enrollment and projected federal allocations have been added for all states and the nation. In addition, data on the distribution of enrollment in CHIP by family income level for fiscal year 2008 and the projected federal CHIP allotments under the CHIP Reauthorization Act for FY 2009 are available for all states and the nation. Statehealthfacts.org also added new data from HHS and the Government Accountability Office about temporary federal Medicaid relief provided by the federal economic stimulus plan to states from October 2008 through March 2009, along with the total estimated federal stimulus allocations to each state through December 2010. The Web site also added new data from an analysis by the Urban Institute and the Foundation's Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured of 2005 CMS data on dual eligibles. The new data include Medicaid spending for dual eligibles by service, Medicaid spending per dual eligible, dual eligibles as a percent of total Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and the distribution of dual eligible enrollment.

New: National

So You Think You Know Minority Health? Game
In an effort to draw attention to health disparities facing people of color in America today, Families USA has created an online game to help you increase your knowledge by asking questions in five key categories: Dude, Where's My Care? tests your knowledge about the trends in access to health care-who has health insurance, who doesn't, and where people seek care; Debate and Legislate asks questions about what the government is currently doing to combat health disparities, including minority health legislation and coverage provided by public health insurance programs; Trick or Treat? tests your knowledge about the differences in treatment and the quality of health care received by different racial and ethnic groups; Feeling Groovy-or Not tests your knowledge about the differences in disease rates and health outcomes between racial and ethnic minorities, and whites; The "X" Factor asks questions about the social and environmental conditions that affect our health, such as education, income, and where we live.

 

Health Risks and Disparities Experienced by Black Youth
The CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health has released its newest web resource, available under the "Related Resources" section. It provides an introduction to health disparities, including health risk behaviors among black youth, highlights factors that contribute to health disparities, and offers strategies to address health and educational disparities for state and local education and health agencies.

 

Covering Health Issues: A Sourcebook for Journalists

is being offered online chapter by chapter and will cover a wide variety of health policy topics, including health reform, health care costs, and individual and employer-sponsored coverage. These chapters include background information, facts on each topic, story ideas for reporters, and discussions of the likely policy debates. This “book” will be useful for anyone looking for concise, balanced information. (March 2009) 

 

 

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.

 

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

Community Health Centers: Their Post-Stimulus Role in Health Reform

Webcast of Alliance for Health Reform Briefing

Congress has recently approved a stimulus package that includes almost $2 billion for health center infrastructure. Community health centers play a key role in the U.S. health care safety net. They provide primary health care and other health services for medically underserved populations, including one in eight Medicaid beneficiaries, one in seven uninsured persons, one in three people in poverty, one in ten minorities, and one in nine rural Americans.

 

Our World, Our Community: Building Bridges for Health Equality

Webcast of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health Minority Student Caucus’ recent annual conference, featuring workshops ranging from men’s health disparities to the impact of racism on health.

White House Summit on Health Reform
In keeping with his belief that health reform is not only a “moral imperative, but a fiscal imperative,” President Obama recently led the White House Summit on Health Reform. President Obama stated that if we do not invest in health reform now, we will continue to contribute to the current budget deficit. During the summit, President Obama mentioned his proposed budget plan for the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), which establishes a reserve fund of more than $630 billion to be used over the next ten years. The HHS budget will fund, but is not limited to funding, strengthening the Medicare program, accelerating the adoption of health information technology, investing in increasing the number of doctors to practice in medically-underserved areas, and strengthening the Indian Health System. The budget also calls for a strategic effort beyond this initial “down payment” to put the nation on a path towards health coverage for all. For a full report of the HHS budget, click here. The White House summit brought together people from diverse backgrounds and interests: both private and public interest groups, community voices, Congress, and representatives from every organization—all with the common interest to discuss and raise concerns over the current health care crisis. After the opening remarks, the nearly 150 participants were assigned to one of five breakout sessions led by a senior Obama staff member and/or congressman. Topics of these sessions ranged from expanding health care infrastructure, to investing in preventive medicine, to improving health information technology. To watch videos of these breakout sessions, click here. To watch a webcast of the White House summit, click here.  

PERIODICALS AND BOOKS

 

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

 

Reports Criticize Health Care At U.S., Florida Immigration Detention Centers
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency routinely delays, denies or provides low-quality medical care for detained immigrants in ill-equipped facilities nationwide, according to two new reports (March 2009,  Human Rights Watch and the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center)

 

New Listings: Medicaid

Improving Medicaid as Part of Building on the Current System to Achieve Universal Coverage

reports that as the source of comprehensive, affordable coverage, Medicaid can serve as one model for health care reform. The report discusses ways that policymakers can improve the program, including integrating Medicaid into broader efforts to increase the cost-effectiveness of health care and facilitating enrollment by modernizing eligibility rules and procedures. (February 2009, CBPP)

States Should Tap New Tools to Help Beneficiaries Maintain Coverage
States should adopt two important new options, enacted in February under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), that would help more low-income Medicaid beneficiaries maintain their health coverage when they reenter the workforce or see their earnings increase, while also lowering states’ administrative costs." (3/12/09, CBPP)

Health Care and Medicaid – Weathering the Recession
These are tough economic times. Since December 2007, the U.S. economy has shed 4.4 million jobs, and as of February, the unemployment rate had risen from 4.9% to 8.1%. Millions of Americans have seen their jobs disappear, incomes decline, and health care coverage become increasingly remote. (3/26/09, NEJM)

New Listings: Children's Health Care

CHIPRA 101: Overview of the CHIP Reauthorization Legislation
After a long, hard-fought battle by health care advocates across the country, legislation to reauthorize and expand the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) was signed by President Obama last month. This is just the first in a number of briefs to provide analysis and summary of the new CHIP law. To ensure you receive subsequent briefs, please click on the link to the subscription management page at the bottom of this email and make sure you have checked “Children’s Health” as one of your interests. Most of the coming CHIP issue briefs will be sent only to advocates who have noted “Children’s Health” as an interest. (March 2009, Families USA)

Beyond Incrementalism? SCHIP and the Politics of Health Reform  
This study examines the incremental health reform model using the experience of CHIP and discusses the lessons that policymakers developing comprehensive health reform legislation can take from those experiences. (3/16/09, KFF)

 

CMS Should Improve How it Assesses Crowd-Out in SCHIP
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services should improve efforts to assess whether the State Children’s Health Insurance Program is substituting for private insurance, the Government Accountability Office said in a report today. To improve information on whether this substitution, also known as “crowd-out,” should be a concern in SCHIP, GAO recommended that the acting CMS administrator ensure that states collect and report consistent information on the extent to which SCHIP applicants have private insurance available to them, and determine whether available private health insurance is affordable for SCHIP applicants.  (3/23/09, AHA News Now)

 

CHIP: CMS Should Improve Efforts To Assess Whether SCHIP Is Substituting for Private Insurance
For the study, GAO researchers examined CMS' and states' efforts to prevent crowd-out in CHIP. Researchers analyzed federal laws and guidance, examined state annual reports, and interviewed CMS officials and CHIP officials from nine states. GAO also offers recommendations on ways to improve information about whether crowd-out should be a concern. (3/23/09, GAO)

New Listings: Medicare

Access to Prescription Drugs for Medicare Beneficiaries
finds that the introduction of the Medicare prescription drug program in 2006 did little to close longstanding gaps in drug accessibility between white and African American seniors, healthier and sicker beneficiaries, and lower-income and higher-income beneficiaries. For example, in 2007, three times as many African American beneficiaries went without a prescribed medication as white beneficiaries. (March 2009, Center for Studying Health System Change)

 

Choosing a Medicare Part D Plan: Are Medicare Beneficiaries Choosing Low-Cost Plans?

uses pharmacy claims experience and premium and cost-sharing information about Medicare drug plans to examine whether seniors chose the lowest-cost plan for themselves. The analysis models the approach seniors were advised to follow in choosing a plan based on their medication regimen and found that most Part D enrollees did not choose one of the lowest-cost drug plans offered in their area. (March 2009, KFF)

 

Curbing Medicare Advantage Overpayments Could Benefit Millions of Low-Income and Minority Americans
The report suggests minority Americans would disproportionately benefit from a system of universal health coverage given that they constitute a majority of the uninsured. To finance this system, researchers suggest eliminating large overpayments to the private insurers that serve some Medicare beneficiaries through the Medicare Advantage program—and reinvesting these savings to finance universal health coverage. (2/19/08, CBPP)

 

Fraud, Abuse Contributed To 44% Increase In Medicare Spending On Home Health Services Over Five Years
Fraud and abuse by some home health care providers contributed to a 44% rise in Medicare spending on home health care services over five years, according to a recent GAO report.(March 2009, GAO)

"Upcoding” Problem Exacerbates Overpayments to Medicare Advantage Plans
'Upcoding' in Medicare Advantage is a little-known problem with a significant budgetary impact. Unless measures are taken to address [it], the adoption of various recommendations to level the playing field between private plans and traditional Medicare will fall short of eliminating wasteful overpayments to private plans. The Obama Administration’s proposal to address upcoding for Medicare Advantage payments in 2010 is a sound first step..." (3/12/09, CBPP) 

New Listings: Federal/State Budgets

An Update on State Budget Cuts
At least 34 states have imposed cuts that hurt vulnerable reisidents, but the federal economic recovery package is reducing the harm. At least nine states, including Florida are already using fiscal relief provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to minimize cuts in public services. Additional cuts are likely in the coming months as recovery act funding is sufficient only to fill about 40 percent of state shortfalls. (3/13/09, CBPP)

State Budget Troubles Worsen

At least 47 states including Florida 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." (3/13/09, CBPP)

 

Overview of States and the Weak Economy

This snapshot of state budget problems has been updated to reflect the new data on state budget cuts and shortfalls included in the above analyses. (3/18/09, CBPP)

Analysis of House and Senate Budget Plans
The President’s budget and the House and Senate plans...all recognize the need to address the immediate threats from the steep economic downturn and financial system crisis, to begin to restore fiscal responsibility and bring deficits under control as the country recovers from the recession, and to meet important national needs in areas such as health care, energy and the environment, and education. (4/1/09, CBPP)

 New Listings: Health Insurance, Health Care Costs   

At the Brink: Trends in America’s Uninsured 1994-2007

looks at what has happened since the last significant health care reform effort ended in 1994 without any  comprehensive congressional action, showing that since 1994, average nationwide costs paid by an employee for an individual health insurance premium have risen nearly eight times faster than average U.S. incomes. In addition, 6 million more workers are uninsured today than 15 years ago. The report, with state-by-state data, demonstrates why now, more than ever, we must continue to urge our nation’s leaders to make health care reform a top priority. (3/24/09, RWJF)

 

Snapshots from the Kitchen Table: Family Budgets and Health Care

shows the central role of health care costs and coverage in a household’s economic stability. It finds that health care costs were of particular concern, with many families forgoing doctor visits, skipping prescription medications, and postponing needed care. Even those with health insurance reported delaying care in order to avoid copayments, rising deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs. (February 2009, KFF)

 

Measuring Adequacy of Coverage for the Privately Insured
The study examined the recent changes in out-of-pocket spending for privately insured U.S. residents. According to the researchers, "The central problem is that national surveys with the relevant data are not designed to generate state-level estimates." In the study, the researchers estimate state-level measures of out-of-pocket spending relative to income for privately insured adults and children. They conclude that over time "there has been only modest change." (April 2009, Medical Care Research and Review)

The COBRA Subsidy and Health Insurance for the Unemployed
The issue brief examines the COBRA provisions included in the recently enacted federal economic stimulus package. The brief outlines who is likely to benefit from the provisions, how the provisions are likely to be implemented and how they will align with other programs aimed at helping people obtain and maintain health coverage. The brief also looks at the potential limitations of the COBRA provisions in the stimulus package. (3/16/09, KFF)

 

Health Care in Crisis: 14,000 Losing Coverage a Day

estimates that since the recession began, 14,000 U.S. residents have been losing job-based health coverage each day because of layoffs. The report finds that a one percentage point increase in the national unemployment rate results in 2.4 million people losing job-based coverage. Of those, 1 million seek coverage through Medicaid or CHIP, while 1.1 million remain uninsured. (February 2009, Center for American Progress)

 

National Health Insurance – A Brief History of Reform Efforts in the U.S.

provides an overview of health reform efforts over the last century, from New Deal-era calls for subsidized health coverage to the creation of Medicare and Medicaid. The brief is part of a new section on Kaiser’s Web site that includes information on research, analysis, public opinion polling data, and other topics related to health reform. (March 2009, KFF)

 

Retiree Health VEBAs: A New Twist on an Old Paradigm – Implications for Retirees, Unions, and Employers

provides an overview of stand-alone VEBA trusts, vehicles through which employers have rid themselves of future obligations to pay retiree health benefits in exchange for making a payment that approximates the projected cost of these benefits. The brief looks at three case studies, including the Big Three VEBAs, and highlights some of the pros and cons of such arrangements for employees, unions, and employers. (March 2009, KFF)

 

State Policies to Encourage High-Deductible and Limited-Benefit Health Plans: Costs, Constituents, and Concerns

looks at state efforts to encourage the use of such plans as a way to provide coverage and describes the costs and enrollment rates of different types of plans. Some states that heavily subsidize premiums for limited-benefit plans have succeeded in enrolling people who were previously uninsured. However, where subsidies have been absent or only modest, there is little evidence that limited-benefit plans enrolled significant numbers of uninsured people. (March 2009, Mathematica) 

 

The Tier 4 Phenomenon: Shifting the High Cost of Drugs to Consumers

Study of the practice of shifting massive costs to patients in the form of percentage co-insurance-as opposed to fixed-dollar co-pays-for super expensive "miracle" drugs. This report is especially timely given anticipated developments of legislation to create a pathway to create generic biologics. (March 2009, AARP)

 

Businesses Say U.S. Health System Provides Low Value at High Costs
A report from the Business Roundtable, which represents chief executives from major companies, says that the U.S. health care system "costs too much and delivers too little," making it "a liability in a global economy." (3/12/09, AP)


Health Care Reform: What's at Stake for 50-to 64-year-olds?

This report by AARP's Public Policy Institute analyzes recent data on the fastest growing segment of the uninsured population. Key findings include that more than a quarter (28%) of Americans age 50-64 spend more than 10% of their income on health care-more than one-and-a-half times as many as younger Americans. (March 2009, AARP)

How Consumer Choice Affects Health Coverage Plan Design

A key challenge of health care reform will be designing new coverage programs for people who are currently without access. This AARP Public Policy Institute report uses employer experience with health coverage to illustrate the trade-offs and issues in designing benefit packages. (March 2009, AARP)

 

Health Care Costs Put U.S. at Disadvantage in Global Economy, According to Business Group Report
According to the study, the annual health care expense in the U.S. is $2.4 trillion and Americans spent $1,928 per capita, GDP-adjusted in 2006 on health care, which is nearly two-and-a-half times more than in any of the other advanced countries. In addition, a cost-benefit analysis found that the U.S. ranked 46 points behind the systems of the three developing countries. (3/12/09, Kaiser Weekly Health Policy Report)

 

21 percent of Americans Struggle to Pay Health Costs
In December 2008, 21 percent of Americans reported having difficulty paying for necessary health care during the previous year, according to a poll of more than 355,000 people by Gallup and the disease management company Healthways, the largest poll ever conducted by Gallup, reports USA Today. (3/10/09, Gallup in USA Today)

 

The Impact of Wireless-Only Households on Estimates of Health Insurance Coverage
Survey estimates on trends in health insurance coverage are critical for informing health policy. Many state and national household surveys that serve as the basis for these estimates rely on data collected from telephone surveys. These surveys are becoming more expensive and difficult to conduct, due in part to the increasing use of cell phones. A new analysis released by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) tracks wireless-only phone use to assess potential implications for health surveys and other research conducted from random-digit-dialing methods on landline phones. (3/12/09, RWJF)   

 

The Gallup–Healthways Well-Being Index

surveys the physical, emotional, and economic well-being of U.S. residents. It found that 39 percent of people with incomes less than $2,000 per month reported having problems paying for medical care or medication. Income levels influenced how people felt about their physical well-being, with 40 percent of those with monthly incomes less than $1,000 reporting dissatisfaction with their health. (March 2009, Healthways) 

 

The Role of Section 1115 Waivers in Medicaid and CHIP: Looking Back and Looking Forward

offers a range of options that the new Administration could consider about the role of such waivers in the future. While these waivers have facilitated program evolutions, some have raised concerns about issues such as the limited focus on waiver evaluations and the diminishing transparency of the waiver approval process. (March 2009, KFF)

 

Covering All Americans Could Cost $1.5 Trillion Over 10 Years
Providing health care coverage to all Americans could cost as much as $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years, according to health policy experts, twice as much as the $634 billion that President Barack Obama set aside in his proposed budget for reforming the health care system. (3/18/09, AP)

New Listings: Health Disparities 

Health Care Reform: Critical to Closing the Gap for Communities of Color
looks at the number of individuals that were uninsured for some period of time during 2007-2008. The data reveals alarming disparities by race and ethnicity and highlights the importance of health care reform for communities of color. (March 2009, Families USA)

 

Racial Disparities in Emergency Department Length of Stay for Admitted Patients in US

Black patients wait longer for hospital beds after being admitted into the emergency department than patients of other races, according to a new study. (February 2009, Academic Emergency Medicine)

 

Trends in Child Health 1997-2006: Assessing Black-White Disparities

examine factors that influence health and quality of life, such as low birth weight, unmet dental needs, and an ADHD/ADD diagnosis. (February 2009, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies)

 

Trends in Child Health, 1997-2006: Assessing Hispanic-White Disparities

examine factors that influence health and quality of life, such as low birth weight, unmet dental needs, and an ADHD/ADD diagnosis. (February 2009, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies)

 

Engagement of Health Plans and Employers in Addressing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care

The study examines the awareness of racial and ethnic disparities in health care access and quality, perceptions of employer and health plan roles in addressing disparities, and reported efforts to measure and reduce disparities. The study finds that "most health plans and many employers are aware of the existence of substantial disparities and that health plans, but not employers, have taken steps to examine and influence patterns of care by race and ethnicity among their members." (April 2009, Medical Care Research and Review)

 

Economic Recession Forcing Local Health Departments To Reduce Services To Undocumented Immigrant
Some community health clinics are cutting services for undocumented immigrants as the economic recession continues. (3/17/09, AP)

 

Check the Color Line: 2009 Income Report
The published a new study,. The report presents alarming data on racial and ethnic income disparities at both the national and state levels, and proposes policy solutions to promote equality of opportunity. Among its many policy solutions, the report suggests that state policy makers should expand the availability of childcare by expanding eligibility levels for subsidies, and reduc ing copayments for minority parents. (2/17/09, Applied Research Center and the Center for the Study of Social Policy)

Insurance Status and Quality of Diabetes Care in Community Health Centers
This study examined how insurance status affected the quality of diabetes care in federally funded community health centers. The study found that uninsured patients were the least likely to meet quality-of-care measures and that Medicaid beneficiaries had a quality of care similar to that of uninsured patients (April 2009, American Journal of Public Health)

Increasing Number of Americans Have Insufficient Levels Of Vitamin D
Average blood levels of vitamin D appear to have decreased in the United States between 1994 and 2004, according to a report in the March 23 issue of. Racial and ethnic differences persisted throughout the surveys, with important implications for health disparities and public health. This drop was associated with an overall increase in vitamin D insufficiency to nearly three of every four adolescent and adult Americans. (3/23/09, JAMA Archives of Internal Medicine) 

Heart Failure Strikes Blacks More Often and at Younger Ages
Black adults developed heart failure at a rate 20 times higher than did whites, even dying of it decades before the condition typically strikes whites, in a large multicenter study of the causes of heart disease, researchers reported. (3/18/09, NYT)

 

Separate and Unequal: Clinics Where Minority and Nonminority Patients Receive Primary Care
The released a new study, , which examines the influence of physician workplace conditions on health care disparities. Researchers found that because of differences in quality of care (e.g., less access to medical supplies and more chaotic work environments in clinics where minorities make up at least 30 percent of the patient population), minority patients have worse outcomes from numerous diseases and conditions, such as depression and substance abuse problems. (2/9/09, Archives of Internal Medicine)

 

Americans at Risk: One in Three Uninsured

presents data showing that 86.7 million people were uninsured for some period of time during 2007-2008. The report finds that 55.1 percent of Hispanics/Latinos, 40.3 percent of African Americans, and 34.0 percent of people of other racial or ethnic minorities went without health insurance in 2007-2008, compared to 25.8 percent of whites. To view this report, click here. To view a factsheet highlighting uninsured numbers for minorities, click here. (March 2009, Families USA)

 

One In Four Americans Lacks Timely Access To Optimal Care During Time Sensitive Medical Emergencies
Although most Americans live close to some type of emergency room, as many as one in four Americans are more than an hour away from the type of hospital that's most prepared to save their life during a time-sensitive medical emergency. (March 2009, Annals of Emergency Medicine)

 

New Listings: Other Health Issues   

 

Chronic Care: A Call To Action For Health Reform
This new report exposes the struggles chronically ill patients and their caregivers face throughout the health care system, and concludes that overcoming barriers to improving chronic care requires adopting a range of health reform initiatives. It further offers specific recommendations for policy designs. The report includes two comprehensive surveys of Americans with chronic conditions and caregivers who work with chronically ill loved ones. (March 2009, AARP Public Policy Institute)

 

Survey: More Employers Targeting Chronic Conditions
A growing number of large employers are taking action to combat chronic health conditions to mitigate costs and improve the health of their workforce, according to a new survey by Hewitt Associates. Their efforts go beyond general condition management programs to pinpoint the most prevalent chronic illnesses among their employees. Three-quarters of the 343 large U.S. employers surveyed are targeting diabetes, 69% are targeting cardiovascular disease, 56% are targeting asthma and 32% are targeting depression. However, only a small percentage of eligible workers actually participate in these condition management programs, and their long-term success will depend on changes in participant behavior, Hewitt said. (3/13/09, AHA News Now)

 

Obesity as Detrimental to Life Expectancy as Smoking

A study that obesity can trim as much as a decade off an individual's life expectancy, comparable to the effects of a life-long smoking habit. (3/17/09, Lancet in USA Today)

U.S. Falling Short of Tobacco Cessation Goals
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that, despite declines in the U.S. adult smoking rate during the last decade, the nation likely will not meet the Healthy People 2010 objective of reducing smoking rates to 12 percent or less. (3/13/09, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly)

 

Continued Listings: Florida Reports

A Closer Look at Tobacco Taxes: “Florida’s Fiscal Crisis: The Prescription”
This report recommends: Raise the cigarette tax by $1.00 per pack and increase the tax on "other tobacco products" to 100% of the wholesale price.  It is estimated that this change in tax rate will add an additional $1,000.8 million to the state's recurring general revenues. (March 2009, Florida Center for Fiscal & Economic Reform) 

 

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.

 

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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