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April 22, 2008
Cover Florida? Yes! But with What?
The Cover Florida Initiative
Governor Charlie Crist could hardly have picked a more pervasive and intractable problem as his top legislative priority than the lack of access to affordable health coverage. Particularly given the persistence with which he has championed his Cover Florida initiative as well as the dire need for something to be done, any critique of the plan by advocates for the uninsured may seem misguided or even hypocritical. However, need and intent alone do not assure the desired outcome. As always, the “devil is in the details.” And too many such details seem to have been left intentionally fuzzy in the proposed Cover Florida legislation.
Nevertheless, editorial boards and leaders across the state have apparently heard enough to justify their hailing the initiative as a breakthrough in the effort to address the uninsured crisis. Very disparate interests like Associated Industries of Florida (concerned about costs of coverage to employers) and the Florida Hospital Association (concerned about the high cost of uncompensated care), also both publicly expressed strong support for the initiative last week. Less surprisingly, the Florida Health Insurance Advisory Board, consisting primarily of health insurers and the State Insurance Commissioner, also endorsed the proposal last week. There have been few vocal critics.
Here’s what we do know: Cover Florida policies are to be “guaranteed issue” (i.e., approved enrollment regardless of current or past medical conditions). The coverage would be available to Floridians ages 19 to 64 who are neither covered by private insurance nor eligible for public insurance, and who have been uninsured for no less than six months. Crist has consistently maintained that, through the use of the State’s negotiating power, coverage can be offered for $150 or less per month. (NOTE: Nothing in the legislative proposal under consideration actually caps or constrains premiums.)
Cover Florida: Of Potential Concern?
The potential problem, however, in a nutshell, is that no coverage option can promise and deliver everything. Since there is an expectation that premiums would be capped or at least constrained, benefits will be reduced and/or copayments and other fees will be increased. This in turn will necessitate relaxation of the more than 50 mandates currently imposed on Florida health insurers. The fact that guaranteed issue - and the increased costs that inevitably accompany it – remain in the mix will only make the task more daunting. However, the details won’t come to light until long after the legislation is enacted, when negotiations with insurance companies begin and decisions are delegated to State staffers.
The version of the Cover Access legislation that passed the Senate unanimously on Thursday (CS/CS/SB 2534) largely eliminates mandates. The legislation does include a list of very general types of services that are to be offered, but plans are also seemingly given license to squeeze down costs however they deem necessary by imposing “limits on the number of services, caps on benefit payments, and copayments for services.” The most consumers could fall back on would be “guidelines” established by State staffers to ensure adequate access and quality, along with vague requirements that insurers avoid deceptive marketing and unreasonable pricing.
A closely related concern is that Cover Florida will not actually make meaningful coverage options any more affordable, but rather will clear the way for less than adequate protection to be be sold at the amount consumers can afford - now facilitated and sanctioned by the State. As just one concrete illustration of how shallow coverage might be, CS/CS/SB 2534 allows required prescription drug “benefits” to consist simply of access to medications using the Florida Discount Drug Card, which is already available free of charge and may not save consumers money.
Florida Health Choices: Of Definite Concern!
Very early Saturday morning, after a long and acrimonious day and night, the House passed an amended version of the Cover Florida legislation by a party line vote of 70-39. Unfortunately, this version contains an additional element originating in the House Healthcare Council which ratchets concerns about diluted coverage standards several notches tighter. This even fuzzier and far more controversial component, dubbed Florida Health Choices, is touted as a “a single, centralized [virtual] marketplace for the sale and purchase of various products that enable individuals to pay for health care.” A corporation controlled by insurers and other industry representatives would be set up as administrator of all of these new insurance products. Most importantly, there would be virtually no outside regulation of these “stripped down” or “bare bones” plans, forcing consumers to gamble on a la carte forms of coverage.
The emergence of the Choices proposal is not surprising, as it embodies the belief of fiscal conservatives leading the House that the unrestricted free market is always the best way to get whatever product is sought at the lowest price. House background materials summarize the philosophy: “Everyone needs medical care, but everyone wants more care than they need. Markets are tools for sorting out what wants and needs determining the process it takes to satisfy them.”
Perhaps the best description of the overall concern with the Choices approach is that its idealized view of the market does not reflect the reality of the world in which people who can’t afford traditional coverage live. Given the number of uninsured Floridians who lack any timely access to appropriate care, for example, the assertion that they “want more care than they need” is either cruel or naive. A similar assessment can be made about the assertion that plans with vested interests will make the options so clear - and that consumers armed with information will somehow become so clairvoyant - as to be able to purchase exactly the amount of coverage they’ll need in the future.
On a Smaller but Brighter Note?
The version ultimately passed by the House on Saturday did not contain some even more consumer-unfriendly provisions present in an earlier version. These included authorizing businesses to require employees to enroll in the coverage offered as a condition of employment, and allowing automatic enrollment of eligible employees and their dependents unless they expressly opt out.
Finally, the bill includes forms of two smaller initiatives proposed by the Governor that seem likely to increase access to coverage at least a little without significant unintended consequences, namely: 1) allowing parents the option of keeping children covered under their policies up to age 30, and 2) allowing families with incomes above 200 percent of the poverty level to “buy in” to coverage under the KidCare program.
Given the differences between the House and Senate versions, difficult negotiations will likely follow during the Session’s final weeks, and the bill’s prospects for passage as of this writing are unclear.
(Submitted by Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN)
Florida CHAIN Teams Up With Advocacy Groups to Bring Consumers to Tallahassee
Florida CHAIN teamed up with Human Services Coalition and Hispanic Health Initiatives to bring consumers and advocates from Miami Dade and Broward Counties, Central Florida, and Tampa Bay to visit their legislators in Tallahassee.
A group of 34 passionate and dedicated men, women, and children spent the day on April 1st sharing stories of their health access challenges and urging legislators to support programs on which their lives depended.
Several of the families considered this opportunity to have their voices heard so important that the parents actually took time off from their jobs. One of the young boys whose experience was impacting said that when he grew up, he wanted to “make laws to help people, too.”
The group advocated on Medicaid Reform, KidCare, oral health, the cigarette user fee, and the implications of proposed budget cuts.
(submitted by Lisa Margulis, Florida CHAIN)
  
Budget Process Continues; Florida’s Health Still Hangs in the Balance
Throughout the 2008 Regular Session, the Legislature has grappled with an unanswerable question, namely: How can Florida, with so many needs left unmet, operating under the $72 billion budget passed a year ago, now find a way to get by on a $65 billion budget?
As advocates and editorial pages have echoed continuously across the state, low-income Floridians in particular will be unable to absorb the deep cuts under consideration, especially as Florida remains mired in/ near a recession and as the budget axe falls with the greatest force onto health and human services and education.
As of this writing, the House and Senate had each passed their own versions of the budget, and as expected, each includes incredibly deep cuts to health and human service (HHS) programs. The chart below summarizes the position of both the Senate and the House on a few of the significant health-related programs in peril (as well as selected additional topics of frequent discussion):
|
Program or Service |
House |
Senate |
|
Medically Needy Program: Short-term Medicaid coverage for persons with catastrophic medical expenses |
Eliminates hospital services for everyone in the program (e.g., transplants would be eliminated) |
Eliminates the program entirely for seniors and persons with disabilities |
|
MEDS-AD Waiver Program: Medicaid coverage for certain vulnerable seniors and persons with disabilities, all of whom have incomes below 88% of the poverty level |
|
Eliminates program entirely |
|
Essential Medicaid Services for adults |
Eliminates hospice, chiropractic and podiatry services |
Eliminates dentures and hearing aids |
|
Healthy Start Coalitions |
15% cut in funding |
|
|
Medicaid payments to hospitals, HMOs, nursing homes, health departments |
Huge reductions in payment |
Huge reductions (though not as deep as the House version) |
|
Medipass – Primary Care Case Management (an effective alternative to Medicaid Managed Care) |
Reduce case management fee from $3 to $1.50
Forces Medipass consumers into Medicaid HMOS who don’t expressly agree |
Reduce fee from $3 to $2 |
|
Medicaid Reform Expansion |
Allows “unobligated surplus” funds to be used to prepare for Medicaid expansion |
No mention of expansion |
|
Adult Eyeglasses under Medicaid |
Removed from cut list |
|
Medicaid for Pregnant Women
150-185% of Poverty Level |
Never on cut list, but previously considered |
|
Treatment and surgery for children with cleft palates or lips |
Removed from cut list |
These and other differences are the subject of the budget conference process, where House and Senate representatives will try to work out their differences. The two bodies also differ on the total amount of proposed cuts (the House would cut $300 million more).
The fact that House and Senate differ sharply on so many significant issues is to an extent intentional, as all of them will now be part of the same intractable debate about what to cut. Under current assumptions, there simply is no ath out of this predicament, as there simply isn’t enough money to go around. In fact, according to a Miami Herald blog, House conferees were told on Thursday that they would be required to cut another $180+ million from the HHS budget.
However, Republican leaders might yet come to grips with the need to support increased revenue, although they have insisted to the contrary thus far. Options include eliminating ad hoc sales tax exemptions without a justifiable public purpose, significantly tapping reserve funds and using other one-time sources to fill gaps.
Florida CHAIN and others in the Healthy Florida Alliance have been emphatic about the need to increase the user fee on cigarettes by $1.00 per pack. Increasing the fee from the current rate of 34 cents (unchanged since 1990) would not only significantly reduce youth smoking but also generate a billion dollars annually for health care. The increased fee would, among other things, provide a dedicated source of revenue for the Medically Needy and MEDS-AD Waiver programs, both of which are perpetually on the chopping block.
During the same meeting where the need for another round of HHS cuts were announced, Rep. Jim Waldman (D-Coconut Creek), sponsor of cigarette user fee legislation in the House (and surprise HHS conferee), was quick to broach the issue: "We need to look at alternate sources of revenue. We need to look at the cigarette tax." The reported gist of the response by Healthcare Council Chair, Rep. Aaron Bean (R-Fernandina Beach), was that, by contrast, further across-the-board belt-tightening would be necessary.
The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn May 2nd.
(Submitted by Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN)
Cigarette User Fee Bill Passes Out of Key Senate Committee
But Movement in House, Support from Gov Lag
The proposal to increase Florida’s cigarette user fee by $1.00 per pack, CS/SB 2790 & HB 299, has garnered both momentum and attention as the Session has progressed.
The “win-win” of reduced smoking rates and a billion dollars a year for health care has taken on even greater significance in light of the huge budget deficit and the resulting proposed excision of health care services. For example, under the current version of the bill, the fee increase would provide a dedicated source of revenue for both the Medically Needy and MEDS-AD Waiver programs.
The bill reached a major milestone last week, as it was heard by the Senate Health Policy Committee. The committee approved the measure 4-1, with an array of supporting organizations, including members of the Healthy Florida Alliance, in attendance. Senator Ted Deutch (D-Boca Raton), the bill’s sponsor, effectively emphasized the health benefits associated with reduced smoking as well as the critical link between collections and the provision of essential health care services.
Opponents of the bill were also present, and some of the expected criticisms were raised, including misleading arguments about the disproportionate burden placed on smokers, the purpose of the Tobacco Settlement funding, and the impact of cigarette smuggling and hoarding.
Despite that success, however, the bill will likely not advance further unless and until leadership is swayed from its universal opposition to “tax increases.” Despite the many articles and editorials across the State calling for the increase, that support from the leadership has not yet been forthcoming.
In addition, Governor Crist has further dampened the bill’s prospects by indicated his opposition, although he has not been emphatic on that point. In fact, he’s said nothing publicly beyond the fact that he doesn’t support it.
On the House side, the bill has not moved, although the House sponsor Rep. Jim Waldman (D-Coconut Creek), who was appointed to the Conference Committee responsible for reconciling the House and Senate versions of the health cuts, wasted no time in calling upon the committee to examine potential sources of revenue, particularly an increase in the cigarette user fee.
(Submitted by Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN)
Click here to TAKE ACTION and tell Governor Crist why he should support the $1 increase in the cigarette user fee.
Please help us turn the volume up to expand health care access to Floridians by becoming an HFA partner. To join HFA or for more information on the tobacco tax, visit www.healthyfloridaalliance.org or contact Linda Vaughn at lindav@floridachain.org or 850-294-2285.
TAKE ACTION: Call Now to Urge Governor Crist To Support Cigarette User Fee!
Although Governor Crist has recently been quoted in several articles as unsupportive of an increased cigarette user fee, there is a good chance that strong public outcry could turn him around. His support is crucial to our success. Momentum continues to build in support of the $1 increase per pack of cigarettes so please don’t let up now!
Keep the pressure on by calling Governor Crist at 850-488-7146 with the following messages:
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Even with the drastic budget cuts, there’s still an opportunity this session to directly improve the health and health care for Floridians.
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A recent poll show that 79% of likely voters support an increased tobacco tax that allocates its revenue to health care.
Please do YOUR part and call now!
House Select Committee Unveils Bill for Autism Services
Late Monday, the House Select Committee on Autism and Developmental Disabilities unveiled a 56-page bill they say will make it easier for autistic children to get needed services.
The proposed legislation would:
Among many other things, the proposal would require the Office of Insurance Regulation to convene a workgroup to develop penalties for insurers who deny medically necessary services to individuals with developmental disabilities.
The original bill filed by Rep. Ari Porth (HB 1291) would require group insurance plans to cover treatment and screening for autism in children through age 8. Some House members said that wouldn't cover the majority of kids enrolled in other plans such as self-funded insurance plans.
Monday's new draft legislation drew the interest of House speaker Marco Rubio, who appeared at the committee meeting. He said it will ''change the lives of people.'' So far, 80 of 120 House members have signed on as bipartisan cosponsors of Rep. Porth's bill.
The Senate version of Rep. Porth's bill, SB 2654 by Sen. Steve Geller, could face a vote by the full Senate as soon as Wednesday.
For more information, email alisa@snowstrategies.com
KidCare: Session Mixes Cuts with Additional Slots
On the budget side, there is some bad news as expected, but also some good news. Both the House and Senate budgets eliminate funding for KidCare marketing and outreach, and also cut $15 million from the Healthy Kids by freezing payment rates at 2007-08 levels. But both budgets also create 38,417 additional KidCare slots to provide coverage for more children.
None of the 5 bills aiming to make improvements allowing more children to get and keep KidCare coverage have advanced as advocates had hoped. According to the Florida Child Health Care Coalition, “each of the different bills have some of the key essential recommendations that will create a seamless and more efficient KidCare program to support the continuity of health care for eligible children.”
In the House, supporters hope for a blending of elements of the proposal supported by advocates (HB 1275) into the Administration-backed HB 1457. In the Senate, three different bills were been filed, including counterparts to the House bills discussed: SB 2472 and SB 2032, respectively, as well as a more expansive bill (SB 888) similar to one that failed in 2007. Only HB 1457 and SB 888, two different bills, have been heard in any committee. Unfortunately, no KidCare bills were heard in the House or Senate last week as anticipated, but the Session is not over.
Finally, one measure in the KidCare bills that would increase access is also included in the Governor’s health coverage bill that passed in both the House and Senate last week, although the controversial aspects of that bill make its ultimate fate uncertain. Specifically, a section of that bill removes the cap on the number of children who can buy into coverage through the Healthy Kids and Medikids components of KidCare. For each component, the number of “full pay” enrollees currently cannot exceed 10% of total enrollment.
(Submitted by Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN)
TAKE ACTION: Tell Legislators It’s Time to Make Key Fixes to KidCare
The KidCare bills were not heard in the House or Senate Committees last week as anticipated. It is time to now focus a strong and convincing urgent message to key legislators to move the bills this week.
Fortunately, there is still a high level of interest to make key fixes to the KidCare program that will make it easier for eligible children to remain in the program and help newly eligible children enroll.
The different bills all have some of the key essential recommendations that will create a seamless and more efficient KidCare program to support the continuity of health care for eligible children.
The House sponsors continue to work on the blending of Representative Rene Garcia's bill, HB 1457 and Representative Ausley's HB 1275.
In the Senate, Senator Dawson introduced SB 888 last week and announced her interest and willingness to work with other Senate KidCare bill sponsors to reach a consensus for a KidCare bill this year.
ADVOCACY ACTION......MESSAGE FOR KEY LEGISLATORS:
- Thank you for the additional funding to enroll more uninsured eligible children in Florida KidCare.
- To accomplish the goal to increase enrollment and utilize the proposed funding this year, it is essential to "move" the KidCare bills to promote an efficient and seamless system.
- We urge you to help move the proposed bills that have some improvements...and suggest the following:
Bills should include:
- A seamless transition between Medicaid XIX into Title XXI programs, Healthy Kids, MediKids,and CMS preventing thousands of children from losing coverage monthly and increasing the enrollment into other KidCare programs.
- Reduce loss of coverage for late premiums payments from 60 days to 30 days.
- Reduction of the wait period of 6 months for families who voluntarily cancel insurance to 90 days with "good cause" exceptions to the 90 day wait period.
- Electronic verification of income for enrollment.
- Maintain the KidCare Coordinating Council that provides a forum for all KidCare partners and the participation of a diversified membership with expertise and child health experience.
Please remind these legislators that they have already provided the funds to accomplish these changes, which will result in increased enrollment in the KidCare program:
Rep. Aaron Bean
aaron.bean@myfloridahouse.gov
850/ 488 6920
(Chairman of House Healthcare Council)
Rep. Ray Sansom
ray.sansom@myfloridahouse.gov
850/488-1170
(Chairman of Health Policy and Budget Committee)
Rep. Marco Rubio
marco.rubio@myfloridahouse.gov
850/488-1450
(Speaker of the House)
Sen. Ken Pruitt
pruitt.ken.web@flsenate.gov
850/487-5008
(Senate President)
Sen. Mandy Dawson
dawson.mandy.web@flsenate.gov
850/487-5112
(Chair Sen.Health Poilcy)
Sen. Durell Peaden
peaden.durell.web@flsenate.gov
850/487-5000
(Chair. Health & Human Services Appropriations)
Sen. Lisa Carlton
carlton.lisa.web@flsenate.gov
850/487-5081
Submitted by Florida Child Health Care Coalition Co-conveners:
Linda Merrell
LindaKids1@aol.com
386/295-3651
Karen Woodall
Diana Ragbeer
Healthy Kids Seeks Community-based Partners for Marketing & Outreach
Florida Covering Kids and Families is working with Healthy Kids to implement an outreach campaign targeting organizations and associations whose membership and clientele focus on families who are likely eligible for the Florida KidCare Program.
Healthy Kids seeks community-based partners to complement the program’s existing marketing and outreach efforts. These partners would also encourage participation in areas of the state where no formalized marketing or outreach activities are currently underway.
Application process: All potential participants must submit the one-page application form (attached). Upon approval of the application, a letter of agreement outlining requirements and expectations of both parties must be completed between FHKC and the participating organization.
Eligibility for Participation: An organization must be a non-profit corporation (501(c)(3) status) or a governmental entity to qualify for participation. Preference may also be given to organizations that target groups or areas identified as under- represented by FHKC and the 2007 Florida Children’s Health Insurance Study. FHKC also reserves the right to select organizations on other basis to ensure geographic diversity.
Certification required: Certification is required only of those organizations committed to the Enhanced and Supreme levels of commitment and can be obtained by successfully completing the FHKC online training program. At least two representatives of each Enhanced or Supreme level community partner must pass training for the organization to receive incentive payment from FHKC.
Materials provided: FHKC provides financial incentives, materials, applications and promotional items, as well as technical support at FHKC’s expense. The level of financial support given by FHKC is based on the commitment level selected by your organization and approved by FHKC.
Membership Levels:
|
Level 1 – Basic Membership Up to $1,000 quarterly |
Level 2 – Enhanced Membership Up to $2,000 quarterly |
Level 3 –Supreme Membership Up to $3,000 quarterly |
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Display signage for the Florida KidCare program
-
Add a link to Florida KidCare program website on org’s website
-
Provide advertising about the program in newsletters, distribution lists or other communications to membership on at least a quarterly basis
-
Submit a report of activities at the end of each quarter
|
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Commit to all of the Basic Level requirements
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Have front-line staff that interact with public most frequently successfully complete on-line training provided by FHKC
-
Provide public on-line access to the Florida KidCare Online application process on the premises and advertise availability to membership
|
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Commit to all of the Basic and Enhanced Level requirements
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Make trained staff available to help families complete the Florida KidCare application process
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Participate in local activities at which eligible families are likely to attend by disseminating materials, and where internet access is available, encourage families to complete the online application
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Agree to seek and receive pre-approval of all proposed activities and events from FHKC
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Actively promote the Florida KidCare Program on a local basis
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Identify and develop other community partnerships |
Partnership Evaluation: All FHKC partners’ activities will be monitored either by FHKC directly or by an entity under contract with FHKC (University of South Florida, Covering Kids & Families Initiative), and applications and financial support may be withdrawn at any time should FHKC determine that the organization is not meeting their agreed-upon obligations.
Submission: Please return your completed form to Amber Floyd at Post Office Box 980, Tallahassee, Florida 32302-0982, by email at floyda@healthykids.org, or by fax at (850) 224-0615.
Questions? Contact Amber Floyd at floyda@healthykids.org or by phone at 850-701-6166 .
(Submitted by Jodi Ray, MA; Project Director,
Florida Covering Kids and Families)
Medicaid Reform Expansion Moves Farther into the Future as Bill Heads toward Conference
In the House, the budget-related Medicaid bill HB 5085 packs together numerous changes to Medicaid laws necessitated by budget cuts, and one portion of the bill addresses Medicaid Reform. Advocates should first note that efforts to guard more counties from expansion in 2008 were successful, and even expansion in 2009 seems highly unlikely at this stage.
However, given the strong support for expansion expressed by House Speaker Marco Rubio and House Healthcare Council Chair Aaron Bean, the final House language calls for expansion of the Reform Pilot to include 9 additional counties (Miami-Dade, Monroe, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Manatee, Polk, Highlands and Hardee) by September 1, 2010.
Supporters argued that eventual expansion is essential to keep Medicaid from overwhelming the budget, in effect conceding that cost containment was the one promise the Reform experiment must keep, even if it is clear that all the other promises cannot be kept. Opponents, particularly Broward County Democratic legislators representing consumers already enrolled in Reform, raised objections, including on the House floor, where the decision to expand Reform passed largely along party lines.
The House bill also includes relatively weak improvements in the way the current Pilot Program works, as also proposed by Rep. Bean. The language is much weaker than the “Reform of Reform” he called for earlier.
The Senate’s Medicaid bill SB 1854, by contrast, is basically silent on Reform, and specifically includes no timetable of any kind for Reform expansion (i.e., does not authorize further expansion). The bill also lacks language of any kind about improvements to the current Reform Pilot. However, the Senate has discussed meaningful improvement proposals in committee.
As a result of their differing views on Reform expansion and improvement, both issues will be part of the Conference negotiation process.
(Submitted by Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN)
Tax Proposal Almost Killed Colorado; did Florida Kill It First?
What would be worse than the consequences of the Legislature’s current plan to cut $5 billion from the State budget? How about starting with that cut as a baseline, and then allowing the gap between revenue and need to widen further from there? The latter scenario would be a real possibility, had a proposal considered by the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission reached the November ballot.
At the same time the 2008 Legislative Session is in full swing, the Commission, required every 20 years by the Florida Constitution to review the structure and process by which Florida generates and expends revenue, is finishing its work. The Commission, which has actually been meeting for more than a year, is specifically charged with “determin[ing] methods favored by the citizens of the state to fund the needs of the state.”
And of course, those same citizens of the state approved by a wide margin a Constitutional amendment (Amendment 1) in January reducing property taxes. The ease with which the initiative was approved has fueled speculation about whether voters might be receptive to proposals calling for even stronger forms of tax “relief”.
In fact, Commissioners proposed no less than 51 different measures during the process, a number of which aimed to further restrict the ability of state and local governments to raise the revenue necessary to meet the needs of Florida and Floridians.
Just to raise the stakes even further, the Commission has the power to place proposals to amend the Florida Constitution (if approved by at least two-thirds of the full Commission) directly on the ballot for a vote.
Yet despite this, the Commission’s deliberations were far from prominent on the radar screens of many health care advocates, sadly including Florida CHAIN, at least until very recently. That’s when CP (Constitutional Proposal) 45 emerged as one of the biggest potential threats to the State’s ability to meet basic needs in modern Florida history.
CP 45 would have placed in the Constitution a “hard cap” on the collection of state and local revenue at 2007-08 levels, with annual increases limited to only 1% plus factors allowing for population growth and inflation. To exceed the cap, a 2/3 vote of the taxing body would be required. Any revenue collected above the cap would be returned to taxpayers.
CP 45 was modeled after a measure enacted in Colorado in 1992 known as the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR). By 2005, the threat of virtually zero funding for higher education, transportation, maintenance of public buildings, etc. prompted the business community and others to fund a successful ballot initiative to suspend TABOR for 5 years. This entailed voters agreeing to forego the tax rebates they would otherwise have received (i.e., that’s how bad things were).
The State’s rankings in almost every area of health and education had fallen to last or near-last. As one Colorado business leader noted, “Businesses cannot prosper without efficient infrastructure and effective workforce development”, noting that “TABOR create[d] a hidden tax on Colorado businesses because of the need to subsidize services no longer provided by the public sector”.
The debate over CP 45 dominated three meetings of the full Commission and it was tweaked many times. But in each case, as explained by the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy, “its original intention and its potentially damaging effects to Florida's economy and its very future remained intact.”
According to analysis run by legislative economists, once CP 45 kicked in, the State would lose $2 to $3 billion in revenue each year due to the caps. Even that number would grow over time. Local governments would also quickly reach their caps, consequently losing amounts totaling hundreds of millions each year.
As the Center on Colorado Law and Policy explained, initiatives like CP 45 are a recipe for disaster: “the inflation-plus-population formula doesn’t capture the growth in costs of the goods and services purchased by the state?Each year, the state can spend a little less than it needs to; over time, the gap grows.” Some of the most glaring examples of the inadequacy of this scheme are found in health care. For one, the growth in health care costs always outpaces the general rate of inflation. For another, groups of consumers with greater health needs, such as seniors, will continue to grow at a faster rate than the overall population.
Ultimately, CP 45 (in any form) couldn’t quite muster the votes needed to place it on the ballot, with confusion about what the measure would do likely playing a factor. Unfortunately, just as CP 45 lay dying, a proposal to place a version of CP 45 on the ballot was taking flight in the Legislature. On April 15th, the House Policy and Budget Council heard and passed HJR 7125 by a vote of 26-9. Although the proposal is not presently under consideration in the Senate, this risky idea seems likely to linger on the scene a while longer.
Thanks to the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy for providing much of the information and links to information used in this article.
(Submitted by Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN)
Floridians Have a Major Opportunity to Mobilize for Mental Health Resources NOW
The conduct of the Florida legislature in heartlessly gutting mental health (as well as many other social services) programs calls for a major effort to mobilize our stakeholders in this election year. Even if drastic measures like a march on Tallahassee have any impact, the time is now to mobilize, during the coming election year, all who:
i) care about humane treatment of mental health and substance abuse consumers; and
ii) are upset by the irresponsible fiscal actions of the legislature.
The current situation, as strange as it seems, is in our favor. Polling data points out the public wants the legislature to find ways to fund programs despite the sales tax shortfall with alternative revenues or reserves. Editorial pages from influential newspapers across the state are condemning the actions of the legislature.
It is time for us to stand up and take leadership in this debate. What is happening will impact all Floridians, not just the ones who need care and treatment.
This year's election cycle will draw more attention from citizens who care and vote than in many years. The mere fact there is no incumbent president or vice president running has already set the stage. There are record numbers of votes in the primaries. There are record amounts of money, including from small donors, being spent.
Our movement must appear at every candidate forum or town hall meeting in the election season with registered voters, talking point papers, and other information for the candidates and the others attention. We must be the most visible advocacy group in the election cycle. There is no better opportunity to educate interested voters.
The Brainstorming Council II held in February of this year adopted a priority for voter registration and restoration of rights programs in our Tampa Bay Region. Various organizations are having their own drives, which is wonderful, that will be augmented by this community effort.
When we show these legislators that we have voting strength we can truly influence policy. We have that strength in the numbers of us who suffer from and care about mental health and substance abuse conditions. We have the data, the arguments, and the support of the knowledgeable portion of our electorate. Now we must act. If we don't, then shame on us.
All who want to participate with us or get help for their own effort: call Scott F. Barnett, Executive Director of Mental Health America of Greater Tampa Bay at 813-972-2618.
REAL STORIES FROM FLORIDA HEALTH CARE CONSUMERS
When Turning 21 in Florida Means Giving Up Independent Life
I am Ron Tourony of Fort Myers, Florida. I have Muscular Dystrophy and I will be turning 21 in October.
Living an independent life is my current goal. I, like any other 20 year-old, want only to live out the given right to pursue happiness in a life that I can call my own.
I have a tracheotomy and feeding tube, so by law, I am required to have skilled nursing care; aides do not suffice. Currently, I have Medicaid, which provides me with my daily nursing care, medications, and medical equipment.
When I turn 21, all of this will change. There is a waiver for those who are developmentally disabled, but I do not qualify. Unfortunately, a nursing home is Florida's plan for my future. For me, going into a nursing home would be like giving up on life.
For the past year, I have been trying to gather information from numerous contacts from agencies across the board. My liaisons were hopeful that an answer would lie at the end of my endeavors. Recently, I have discovered that the only answers are unacceptable.
Both the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and Children's Medical Services (CMS) have confirmed that when October comes around, I will lose many of my medical services, including nursing. The result of this incomprehensible change will be me, forfeiting my freedoms and withering away in a care facility. It is an arbitrary imprisonment for the crime of being disabled. This is outright deplorable.
There are no more contacts, there are no other organizations, and there are no elusive waivers. I have sent letters like this to the leading politicians of Florida. I'm planning to fight this until a change occurs.
Is there anyone here willing to help me with this? Please contact me with your feelings on this issue.
(From an email shared by
Bill Rettinger of Medicaid Advocates. Com)
Florida CHAIN Seeks Stories
Florida CHAIN welcomes contributions from health care consumers who are interested in sharing their experiences with readers of CHAIN Reaction. If you have a story to share, please contact lisam@floridachain.org
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
Florida Children and Youth Cabinet Meeting
May 19 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
UNF University Center, Rm 1058, 12000 Alumni Drive, Jacksonville
Notices
CENTRAL FLORIDA
2008 Governor's Conference on Women's Health
May 27-28 Buena Vista Palace, Buena Vista
The Florida Department of Health (DOH), Women's Health Program 2008 Governor's Conference on Women's Health's theme is "Focus on the Big Picture: Planning Women's Health Over a Lifespan." The purpose of the conference is to provide an educational forum for women's health stakeholders to discuss the major issues affecting women across the lifespan, including racial and ethnic disparities, perinatal care, and the needs of elder women.
2008 Florida Conference on Aging
Aug 11 -14 Orlando Resort at SeaWorld
Call (850) 222-8877 for more information
EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA
WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA
2008 Minority Health Disparities Summit
Deadline for Breakout Session Proposals: April 23
Event: Aug 13-15 Grand Hyatt, Tampa Bay
The Florida Department of Health (DOH), Office of Minority Health (OMH) announces the Summit. This year’s theme is “Bridging the Gap: Embracing Solutions to Eliminate Health Barriers.” It will examine health barriers that contribute to health disparities. The goal is to present solutions and/or interventions to these barriers to help bridge the health gap in Florida. Individuals can register for the conference in June for $100, or $110 after July 18. CEUs for select sessions. Rooms may now be reserved at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay for $117 per night by calling (813) 871-1234 or (800) 233-1234. Poster presenters, exhibitors and sponsors needed. Contact Thometta_cozart@doh.state.fl.us or (850) 245-4444, ext. 2035.
2008 10-day Florida Benefits Information Resource Network (F-BIRN)Training
Second 3 days: May 13, 14, 15
Last session (4 days): June 9, 10, 11, 12
Safety Harbor Resort, Safety Harbor (on the west bank of Tampa Bay)
The Partnership for Work and Healthcare is providing this training because too many people with disabilities either do not work or limit the number of hours they work, for fear of losing health care coverage. APD is announcing the third 10-day training session on The Changing Face of Benefits: Knowledge for Successful Employment! Presented by Sharon Brent of the National Disability Institute. This training will save staff time, by connecting you or your staff with knowledgeable benefits planners and other professionals who are certified to assist people with disabilities work AND maintain their benefits. If you support people with disabilities working, then you or someone on your staff needs to be a part of this training. Training is free. APD hotel rate is $89/night. Call: 850.488.9546, 1.866.APD.CARES or 1.866.273.2273.
Cancer, Culture & Literacy: 6th Biennial Conference
May 15-17 Sheraton Sand Key, Clearwater Beach
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute and the University of South Florida are proud to sponsor the sixth biennial Cancer, Culture & Literacy conference, to be held at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort, May 15-17, 2008. This conference provides a national forum for the exchange and dissemination of important information covering current research and education in the area of cancer, culture and literacy.
One Goal: Building the Future Together “Putting Families and Children First”
July 16-18 Hyatt Regency at Tampa City Center
This conference brings together early education and care providers and leaders from around the state to share innovative programs, practices and techniques for improving services and outcomes for all Florida’s children. Includes general sessions, concurrent presentations, and exhibits of appropriate materials. Presenter Proposal Form is on the website. The previous conference “Providing Childcare For Children With Disabilities And Special Health Care Needs” coordinated by the Florida Inclusion Advisory Council is now fully integrated with the One Goal Summer Conference. Registration fee of $45 waived for primary presenter only. Contact: 850/893-6270 or frankieallen_2000@yahoo.com.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
Events
United Against HIV: A Teen & Family Summit
April 26 9:30 am-3:00 pm Boynton Beach High School
This family event is geared to empower our community, families and youth to unite together to understand the importance of preventing HIV/AIDS, to know what resources are available to the community to be tested and educated, as well as how to be an advocate for this disease in your community. Presented by Sylvester HIV/AIDS Consortium.
Workshop for Human Services Organizations on Immigration Issues
April 28 8am – 12noon Temple Israel, 137 NE 19th St, Miami
HSC’s Advocacy Corps Trainings
May 17 – July 26, Alternate Saturdays from 10 am-1 pm
Human Services Coalition, 260 NE 17th Terrace, Suite 200, Miami
The goal of the Advocacy Corps is to develop a group of skilled, trained advocates around issues such as healthcare, who can become leaders in communicating with elected officials about issues that matter to them and to their communities. Participants will hone their communication skills, learn more about important issues they read about in the newspaper, and become more involved in holding elected leaders accountable. Selected topics include: May 17 Healthcare for the Uninsured/Public Speaking; June 14 Children’s Health Insurance/Writing Letters to Newspaper Editors; July 12 Medicaid Getting Others to Join You. Breakfast will be served Sign language interpreters will be provided free of charge. Auxiliary aids and services will be provided upon request including printed material in alternative formats. Requests should be made seven days in advance. For more information – including topics – or to RSVP – contact 305-576-8050, Ext. 12 or roxannep@hscdade.org
Coalition Panel on Health for Latinos
May 21 7:30 am Memorial Hospital, Miramar
Panelists from national and local health organizations will discuss health awareness, programs, and better collaboration, pro-active healthy living, public policy for the South Florida Latino community. No charge; includes continental breakfast. RSVP required: info@prchamberonline.org
South Florida Cancer Control Collaborative Meeting
May 22 10am – 2pm The Wellness Community, 8609 S Dixie Hwy, Miami Contact: phil.fusca@HCAhealthcare.com
Notices
Survey seeks Florida public feedback about U.S. healthcare
Healthcare for All - Florida (HCFAFL), a grassroots nonpartisan group, has launched a survey that gives the public an opportunity to voice their opinions about the U.S. healthcare system. Take the survey now!
Ovarian Cancer Survivors Sought to Teach Students
The Florida Department of Health and the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance are looking for ovarian cancer survivors who might be interested in participating in the Survivors Teaching Students (STS) Program. They are looking for about 5 women from Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and/or Martin counties. Pass this along. Contact Mary Shafer (850) 245-4444 ext 3854 or Mary_Shafer@doh.state.fl.us
Women Beyond Cancer is a national non-profit organization that provides free retreats for women dealing with cancer. Its Chairwoman lives in Miami Beach and is interested in letting others know about their services, and in being part of the Collaborative. Contact murfeebrwn@aol.com
FLORIDA AUDIO CONFERENCES AND WEBCAST
STATEWIDE NOTICES
NATIONAL EVENTS & NOTICES
CONFERENCES AND EVENTS
What's the Use of Race?
April 25-26
Center for the Study of Diversity in Science, Technology, and Medicine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Annual Breast Cancer Advocacy Training Conference & Lobby Day
April 26-29 Washington, DC
Join the Florida Delegation at the Annual Breast Cancer Advocacy Training Conference & Lobby Day, with Florida Breast Cancer Coalition Research Foundation. RSVP intent to attend and T-shirt size by April 4 to: FBCCRF at ceo@fbccrf.org or 1-877-644-FBCC (3222)
Harnessing the Winds of Change: Learning from Our Past to Build Our Future
May 21-24 Chicago
Pre-registration deadline: April 25
Exhibit and Sponsorship opportunities are still available at the SOPHE 2008 Midyear Scientific Conference
Diversity and Disparities: Parallel Challenges for 21st Century Health Care
June 19-20 San Antonio, TX
The 8th National Leadership & Educational Conference of The Institute for Diversity in Health Management will feature scholars, thought leaders, expert practitioners and nationally recognized authorities on workforce diversity and the causes and effects of health care disparities. Panelists and speakers from leading health care organizations will share best practices and lessons learned in diversity strategy development and implementation to promote equity in care and medical outcomes.
Promote optimum health for Black women - physically, mentally and
June 19-21 Washington, DC
The Black Women's Health Imperative’s 25th anniversary event to celebrate 25 years of creating a lasting legacy of health and wellness for Black women. Topics include: Self-Help SisterCircle;, Program Tracks on Obesity, HIV and Mental Health; Walking for Wellness; Health Screenings and Physical Fitness Activities; Entertainment and family activities. Online registration.
Diversity and Disparities: Parallel Challenges for 21st Century Health Care
June 19-20 San Antonio, TX
The 8th National Leadership & Educational Conference of The Institute for Diversity in Health Management will feature scholars, thought leaders, expert practitioners and nationally recognized authorities on workforce diversity and the causes and effects of health care disparities. Panelists and speakers from leading health care organizations will share best practices and lessons learned in diversity strategy development and implementation to promote equity in care and medical outcomes.
Race and Class Inequalities in Health
Conference: June 24-27 Hyatt Regency Chicago
Society for Epidemiologic Research annual meeting
Making an Impact: Evidence-Based Community Benefit
July 15-16 St. Louis
Co-sponsored by the Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA) and VHA Inc., in cooperation with the School of Public Health at Saint Louis University, this first-time program offering will introduce new public health evidence-based tools and knowledge to health care practitioners in order to enhance the effectiveness of community benefit programs and thus the overall health of communities.
Becoming the Healthiest Nation in a Healthier World
Conference: Sept 9-12 Sacramento, CA
This annual National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) conference will be the year's largest gathering of state and local public health officials in the United States, jointly sponsored with Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO).
Sixth National Conference on Quality Health Care for Culturally Diverse Populations
Sept 21-24 Minneapolis
Held biennially since 1998, this is one of the most respected and well supported events on cultural competence and health disparities reduction in the United States. It is co-produced by Drexel University School of Public Health's Center for Health Equality, Resources for Cross Cultural Health Care, and the USDHHS Office of Minority Health Care. This year's theme is "Partnerships for the Future: Supporting Practitioners and Advancing the Field through Innovation, Policy and Research."
AUDIO AND WEB EVENTS
Towards Shared Recovery (webinar)
April 25 3:00 pm EDT
People and Communities are Hurting. How Helping Them is Not Only Right - It's the Best Way to Boost the Economy. Learn about proposals before Congress to respond to the recession, and about a growing effort by advocates to support the most effective forms of aid: extending unemployment benefits, help with the high cost of food and home energy, funds to prevent cuts to Medicaid, child support, and other services, and school repair. More information at http://www.chn.org/pdf/2008/stimulus4142008.pdf
Effective Product/Market Positioning Strategy: Using Health Status Assessment and Community Health Improvement to Enhance Your Bottom Line (ACHI audio-conference)
May 15
Men's Health Disparities: Implications for Research and Intervention (webcast)
June 3 2:00-4:00pm EDT
14th Annual Summer Public Health Research Videoconference on Minority Health
Webcast, C-band satellite
Community Benefit - What Counts? (ACHI audio-conference)
June 4 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm EDT
As not-for-profit health care organizations prepare to report their community benefit activities using the revised IRS Form 990, it will be critical to understand how to determine whether an activity is a true community benefit. This audio-conference will describe criteria that organizations can use to assess whether an activity should count as a community benefit.
NOTICES
Nominations for Robert F. Allen Symbol of H.O.P.E. Award
Deadline: April 25
Presented annually by the American Journal of Health Promotion, the Robert F. Allen Symbol of H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Through Empowerment) Award honors individuals who have worked to promote cultural diversity within health promotion or who have demonstrated significant achievement in serving the health promotion needs of underserved populations.
Recognizing Innovation in Multicultural Health Care Award
Application deadline: May 30
National Committee for Quality Assurance calls for applications
This program highlights and recognizes health plans for their exemplary efforts and demonstrated effectiveness in promoting cultural competence and addressing the health care needs of diverse members. More info: CLASAwards@ncqa.org
CAMPAIGNS & INITIATIVES
Get Ready for Cover the Uninsured Week 2008
April 27-May 3
Forty-seven million Americans, including more than 9 million children, are living without health care coverage. It's time to start planning for the sixth annual Cover the Uninsured Week and help get America covered. There are many ways for you and your community to get involved in Cover the Uninsured Week 2008: Host an enrollment event at a hospital, community center or school; Organize a health coverage forum with community, business and faith leaders; Plan a seminar for small business owners; Distribute information about available low-cost and free health coverage programs to uninsured individuals and families.
Get involved with Cover the Uninsured Week and join thousands of others working together to help make health coverage for the uninsured a top priority.
Tell What You're Doing: Publicize your events and activities by adding them to our Event Map. Visit our Event Planning Center to sign up as an event planner and register your events today.
Plan an Event: Speak out on behalf of our nation's uninsured. There are many ways you can help:
Free Materials Available: Use the free guides and toolkits to help you get started! Myths and Facts on the Uninsured. Too many people have misconceptions about the uninsured in America. Share our fact sheet to help educate leaders in your community. Free bookmarks, lapel stickers and promotional fans are available to help you promote the importance and availability of health care coverage. Place your order today! Download and share your state’s Guide to Finding Health Coverage at your event.
2008
April
Cancer Control Month
American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org
National Autism Awareness Month
Autism Society of America
mcolston@autism-society.org
www.autism-society.org
National Public Health Week – April 7-13
American Public Health Association
Kaitlin.Sheedy@apha.org
www.nphw.org
National Infant Immunization Week – April 19-26
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
cdcinfo@cdc.gov
www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw/default.htm
2008 March for Babies – April 26-27
March of Dimes
marchforbabies@marchofdimes.com
www.marchforbabies.org
May
American Stroke Month
American Heart Association
inquires@heart.org
www.americanheart.org
Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
info@aafa.org
www.aafa.org
Healthy Vision Month
National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health
www.healthyvision2010.nei.nih.gov
Hepatitis Awareness Month
Hepatitis Foundation International
hfi@comcast.net
www.hepfi.org
Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month
American Academy of Dermatology
mediarelations@aad.org
www.aad.org
Mental Health Month
Mental Health America
infoctr@mentalhealthamerica.net
www.mentalhealthamerica.net
National High Blood Pressure Education Month
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Health Information Center
nhlbiinfo@nhlbi.nih.gov
hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/nhbpep_kit/
www.ctf.org
National Women's Health Week - May 11-17
Office on Women's Health
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
www.womenshealth.gov/whw
National Women's Check-up Day – May 12
Office on Women's Health
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
www.womenshealth.gov
June
National Headache Awareness Week – June 1-7
National Headache Foundation
info@headaches.org
www.headaches.org
National Men's Health Week - June 9-15
Men’s Health Network
info@menshealthweek.org
www.menshealthweek.org
July
UV Safety Month
American Academy of Ophtalmology
eyemd@aao.org
www.aao.org/eyemd
August
Children's Eye Health and Safety Month
Prevent Blindness America
info@preventblindness.org
www.preventblindness.org
National Immunization Awareness Month
Centers for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam/default.htm
September
Healthy Aging® Month
Educational Television Network, Inc.
info@healthyaging.net
www.healthyaging.net/agingevents.htm
National Cholesterol Education Month
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Health Information Center
nhlbiinfo@nhlbi.nih.gov
hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/cholmonth
National Pediculosis Prevention Month/ Head Lice Prevention Month
National Pediculosis Association, Inc.
npa@headlice.org
www.headlice.org
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
nocc@ovarian.org
www.ovarian.org
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
National Prostate Cancer Coalition
info@fightprostatecancer.org
www.fightprostatecancer.org
National Suicide Prevention Week – September 7-13
American Association of Suicidology
info@suicidology.org
www.suicidology.org
October
"Talk About Prescriptions" Month
National Council on Patient Information and Education
4915 Saint Elmo Avenue, Suite 505
Bethesda, MD 20814-6082
(301) 656-8565
(301) 656-4464 Fax
ncpie@ncpie.info
www.talkaboutrx.org
Healthy Lung Month
American Lung Association
info@lungusa.org
www.lungusa.org
Let's Talk Month
Advocates for Youth
tom@advocatesforyouth.org
www.advocatesforyouth.org
National Dental Hygiene Month
American Dental Hygienists' Association
media@adha.net
www.adha.org
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Domestic Violence Awareness Project
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
ck@pcadv.org
dvam.vawnet.org
National Mammography Day – October 17
American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org
National Health Education Week – October 20 - 24
National Center for Health Education
ray@nche.org
www.nche.org
November
American Diabetes Month
American Diabetes Association
askada@diabetes.org
www.diabetes.org
Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Lung Cancer Alliance
info@lungcanceralliance.org
www.lungcanceralliance.org
National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month
Alzheimer's Association
info@alz.org
www.alz.org
National Hospice Palliative Care Month
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
jradulovic@nhpco.org
www.nhpco.org
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
information@pancan.org
www.pancan.org
Great American Smokeout – November 20
American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Awareness Week – Nov 25-Dec 1
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
iffgd@iffgd.org
www.aboutgerd.org
December
World AIDS Day – December 1
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS
unaids@unaids.org
www.unaids.org/en/default.asp
New listings, in order of submission deadlines
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Active Living Research, Round 8
Deadline: May 14
This call for proposals is the first to reflect a new emphasis for Active Living Research. The program will now focus on supporting research to inform policy and environmental strategies for increasing physical activity among children and adolescents, decreasing their sedentary behaviors and preventing obesity.
Social Justice for Women Supported
Deadline: May 14
The Ms. Foundation supports the efforts of women and girls to govern their own lives and influence the world around them. The Foundation has just issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) that will award grants to groups working in the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories in aeras including: U.S. Women and AIDS Policy; Reproductive and Sexual Rights, Health and Justice; Child Sexual Abuse Prevention. In all of the grantmaking areas, the Foundation prioritizes programs that increase the number of women and girls, especially those from marginalized communities, engaged in movements for social justice.
Assistance to New/Emerging Latino Communities
Deadline: May 30
The National Council of La Raza is accepting applications for its grant program for community organizing groups that provide assistance to new and emerging Latino communities. Grants are awarded in conjunction with technical assistance and training to strengthen multi-issue community organizing work.
Department of Health and Human Services Understanding and Promoting Health Literacy (R21)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date(s): Aug 22, 2008; April 24, 2009; December 24, 2009
Application Submission/Receipt Date(s): Sept 24, 2008; May 25, 2009; Jan 25, 2010
Continuing listings, in order of submission deadlines
GE Healthcare Charitable Giving Program
Deadlines: May 1, Aug 1, Nov 1
The GE Healthcare Charitable Giving Program provides support to nonprofit organizations in the United States that focus on youth education and/or promote healthy lives. For the Youth Education grant category, the focus is on underserved communities with low graduation rates; core competencies (math, science, reading, writing); arts in education; and early childhood development programs. For the Healthy Lives grant category, the focus is on childhood obesity; women’s healthcare; and cancer, heart disease, and diabetes prevention and education programs. An application eligibility quiz is available on the website listed above.
Elimination of Health Disparities through Translation Research (R18) (RFA-CD-08-001)
Deadline: May 2
This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) encourages applicants to submit research grant applications that accelerate the translation of research findings into public health practice through implementation, dissemination, and diffusion research within health disparity populations.
Innovating Worthy Projects Foundation
Requests are accepted from Jan 1 through Aug 31
The Innovating Worthy Projects Foundation provides support to nonprofit organizations throughout the United States that are dedicated to providing direct care or services for children with special needs, acute illnesses, or chronic disabilities. Preference is given to small organizations that might not otherwise be helped. Grants support new ideas and approaches to providing services as well as equipment purchases.
Advancing technology to improve healthcare sevices: Verizon Foundation
Applications accepted: Jan 1 through Nov 30
The mission of the Verizon Foundation is to improve education, literacy, family safety, and healthcare by addressing Verizon's commitment to deliver technology that touches life. The Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that benefit communities in the locations the company serves within the United States. One of the Foundation’s priority categories is Education and Literacy, with emphasis on innovative, technology-based approaches to literacy and K-12 education. In addition, through the Safety and Health category, the Foundation supports initiatives that contribute to the safety and well-being of families, with emphasis on domestic violence prevention and technology for healthcare and healthcare accessibility.
The Humana Foundation
Proposals accepted: Nov 1-June 15
The Humana Foundation supports nonprofit organizations in communities where the company has facilities in states including Florida. The Foundation is committed to serving the needs of children, families, and seniors in their quest to build healthier lives and communities. Special consideration is given to proposals that focus on the following areas: health and fitness efforts that lead to better lifestyles; literacy activities that lead to improved health experiences; and the development of technology, tools, and resources that lead to healthy communities.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Deadlines: June 15
AFSP will now accept and review applications for all categories of one- or two-year research grants and fellowships two times a year. The grant amounts for Standard Research Grants are now: max. $60,000 to $75,000; Young Investigator Grants max. $70,000 to $85,000); Pilot Grants max. $20,000 to $30,000). Distinguished Investigator Grants and Postdoctoral Research Fellowships remain at $100,000. AFSP research grants support studies that aim to increase understanding of the causes of suicide and factors related to suicide risk, or to test treatments and other interventions designed to prevent suicide. Investigators from all academic disciplines are eligible to apply, and both basic science and applied research projects will be considered.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Local Funding Partnerships
Application Deadline: July 8
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Local Funding Partnerships (LFP) forge relationships between RWJF and local grantmakers to fund promising, original projects that can significantly improve the health of vulnerable people in their communities. Local grantmakers propose a funding partnership by nominating community initiatives that offer creative solutions to critical health or health care problems.
Public Welfare Foundation Social Change Programs Funded
Full proposal deadline: Aug 1
Letters of inquiry should be submitted at least six weeks before the deadline
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 throughout the United States. The Foundation's 2008 funding priorities include Health Reform.
Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida Announces Deadlines for 2008
Sept 12 (Winter Cycle)
The Blue Foundation board of directors has identified community-based health clinics and outreach services as a priority focus for the foundation's grantmaking. The greatest percentage of the Blue Foundation funding will be to identify, nurture, and sustain such activities to benefit uninsured and underserved population.
Research on Social Work Practice and Concepts in Health (R03)
Closing date for applications: May 7, 2009, Multiple deadlines
This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) issued by the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research solicits Small Research Grant (R03) applications from organizations/institutions that propose to develop empirical research on social work practice, concepts, and theory as these relate to the NIH public health goal of improving health outcomes for persons with medical and behavioral disorders and conditions.
Planning Grant for Oral Health Promotion across the Life Span (R21)
Closing date for applications: May 7, 2010, Multiple deadlines
This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is intended to encourage and support meritorious oral health promotion research directed at improving oral health and preventing diseases and/or their sequelae across the lifespan.
Community Participation Research Targeting the Medically Underserved (R01)
Expiration Date: May 15, 2010
The ultimate goal of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) with a special review issued by the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR), National Institutes of Health (NIH) is to solicit Research Project Grant (R01) applications that propose research on health promotion, disease prevention, and health disparities that is jointly conducted by communities and researchers and targets medically underserved areas (MUAs) and medically underserved populations (MUPs) as defined by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
Community Participation Research Targeting the Medically Underserved (R21)
Expiration Date: May 15, 2010
The ultimate goal of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR), National Institutes of Health (NIH) is to solicit Exploratory/Developmental (R21) grant applications that propose research on health promotion, disease prevention, and health disparities that is jointly conducted by communities and researchers and targets medically underserved areas (MUAs) and medically underserved populations (MUPs) as defined by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
Community Participation in Research (R01)
Expiration Date: May 8, 2011
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR), National Institutes of Health (NIH) solicits R01 grant applications that propose intervention research on health promotion, disease prevention, and health disparities that communities and researchers jointly conduct.
The Effect of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination/Bias on Health Care Delivery (R01)
The Effect of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination/Bias on Health Care Delivery (R21)
The Effect of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination/Bias on Health Care Delivery (R03)
Expiration Date: May 8, 2011
Grant applications are encouraged from institutions/ organizations that propose to: (1) improve the measurement of racial /ethnic discrimination in health care delivery systems through improved instrumentation, data collection, and statistical/analytical techniques; (2) to enhance understanding of the influence of racial/ethnic discrimination in health care delivery and its association with disparities in disease incidence, treatment, and outcomes among disadvantaged racial/ethnic minority groups; and (3) to reduce the prevalence of racial/ethnic health disparities through the development of interventions to reduce the influence of racial/ethnic discrimination on health care delivery systems in the United States.
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.
Medical Care Enhancement Funded by United Health Foundation
The purpose of the United Health Foundation is to improve health outcomes for all Americans. Through the Foundation's responsive grantmaking, support is provided to nonprofit organizations that serve people and communities in the United States. The Foundation’s priorities include enhancing the quality of health and medical care services by providing reliable, scientifically-based information to support decisions made by health professionals, communities, and individuals. An additional priority is to expand access to medical care and health-related services for individuals and families who live in challenging circumstances. Letters of inquiry are accepted throughout the year.
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
Florida
Children's Health
Medicare
Prescription Medications
Health Disparities
Other
Manuals, Guides and Toolkits
Children's Health
Medicaid
Medicare
Uninsured
Health Disparities
Other
Technology and Audio Visual Materials
Media Programming
Web Sites, Web Features
Florida
Children's Health
Medicaid
Medicare
Health Disparities
Other
Audio, Videos and Films: Web, Rent/Purchase. Theater
Periodicals and Books
Reports and Studies
New Listings
New Listings: Medicaid
New Listings: Children's Health
New Listings: Medicare
New Listings: Federal/State Budget
New: Health Insurance, Health Care Costs
New: Health Disparities
New: Other Health Issues
Florida Reports
Children's Health
Medicaid
Medicare
Federal/State Budgets
Health Insurance, Health Care Costs
Health Disparities
Other Health Issues
FLORIDA CHAIN WEBSITE RESOURCE UPDATE
The Florida CHAIN website has been updated to include extensive resources on Medicaid Reform.
Click here to access:
- Background Materials
- Issue briefs explaining the harmful implications of expanding into Miami Dade
- Office of Inspector General (OIG) Report
- University of Florida Evaluation Website Link
- Georgetown University Policy Briefs
- Newspaper Editorials and Opinion Pieces
- Alternatives to Medicaid Reform including summary and powerpoint presentations from the Feb. 28, 2008 "Exploring Alternatives to Medicaid Reform" Symposium
- Consumer Experiences
- List of Medicaid Reform Advocates Coalition Members
- List of Medical Care Advisory Committee Members
ORGANIZATIONS AND SERVICES
Newly posted resources are at the top of each Topics List.
Florida
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.
Children's Health
IPUT, Informed Parents United Together: Advocating for Universal Education and More!
This nonprofit agency works at an individual local network level to educate parents
and increase their advocacy for Inclusion of children and adults with disabilities in General Education environments. Check out the IEP Tool Box.
Medicare
Medicare Rights Center (MRC) has an Rx Hotline for Nonprofit Professionals as one component of its comprehensive independent source of health care information and assistance for older adults and people with disabilities. It helps with understanding or explaining the Medicare prescription drug benefit to clients. Call RxHelp, a national hotline dedicated for nonprofit professionals serving the Medicare population, operated from 10 am to 6 pm EDT. Dial 877/RXHELP-0 (877/794-3570).Other services include: a telephone hotline; a database of case advice; education and training; public policy work; electronic newsletters; and communications with local and national media outlets. To help you understand your Medicare health plan choices, the Medicare Rights Center offers Medicare Interactive (MI), a web-based Medicare counseling tool.
Access to Benefits Coalition
The nonprofit ABC is dedicated to ensuring that Medicare beneficiaries with limited incomes know about and make the best use of all available resources for accessing prescription drugs and reducing their costs. ABC is working through local community coalitions to inform beneficiaries and their families, as well as the professionals who serve them, about Medicare Part-D. Extra Help is provided online or in person; find out if you or someone qualifies by going to BenefitsCheckUpRx?. Publications include: Applying for the Low-Income Subsidy: A Tool Kit for Advocates; and Pathways to Success: Meeting the Challenge of Enrolling Medicare Beneficiaries with Limited Incomes
A Healthier US Starts Here: CMS Prevention and Wellness Initiative
This spring and summer, as part of the "A Healthier US Starts Here" initiative the US Department of Health and Human Services and CMS will join with local officials and partners, to raise awareness of the importance of preventing chronic disease and illness, promote Medicare preventive benefits and provide information about how beneficiaries can take action to maintain and improve their health.
Prescription Medications
The AZ&Me? Prescription Savings
This new AstraZeneca program provides medicines free of charge to community free clinics, community health centers and hospitals that serve the uninsured. AstraZeneca plans to provide medicines to hundreds of thousands of patients at approximately 150 facilities by the end of 2008. The new program builds on current AstraZeneca patient assistance programs by extending prescription drug assistance directly to the sites where uninsured patients interact with healthcare providers, supporting patients at one central place where they can get the medicine and care they need. In light of the updates to their patient assistance programs in the last year, AstraZeneca has decided to no longer participate in the Together Rx Access program after January 31, 2008. They offer AstraZeneca programs that provide medicines free of charge to those making up to $30,000 for an individual, or $60,000 for a family of four. More info: 1-866-325-8198
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance
is a service sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry that offers a single point of access to more than 475 patient prescription assistance programs, including more than 180 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. Through referrals by organizations, more than 260,000 people in Florida have received assistance with their prescriptions medicines. They have launched a national campaign to raise awareness about the importance of SCHIP and its reauthorization, including a website and TV and print ads. They also have updated their FAQs and Fact Sheet to include SCHIP.
The Prescription Project
This project is led by Community Catalyst in partnership with the Institute on Medicine as a Profession. Funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Project seeks to eliminate conflicts of interest created by industry marketing by promoting policy change among academic medical centers, professional medical societies and public and private payers. In addition the Project will advance state and national level policy solutions. The Project will sponsor a wide range of activities to achieve its goals, including research and policy analysis; national and community-based forums; outreach to the media; and meetings with key decision-makers, including deans of medical schools, health care administrators, business leaders, policy makers and consumers. These include the Prescription Project Weekly Reader, a readable, relevant way to keep members and friends of the Project informed about what is happening at the intersection of medical conflict-of-interest issues and prescription drugs.
Together Rx Access
is a prescription savings program sponsored by 10 pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer. It provides savings on a wide range of prescription products at the pharmacy counter to eligible patients without prescription coverage. For more information, call 1-800-444-4106
Health Disparities
National Health Law Program (NHeLP) Resources
Language access continues to be a significant barrier to health care for individuals with limited English proficiency. Over 23 million individuals—almost 9 percent of the population—speak English less than “very well” and likely need assistance communicating in the health care arena. In an attempt to provide tools for health care providers and others, NHeLP has released a series of reports outlining promising practices for providing language services in health care settings. In mid-April, the National Health Law Program and the American College of Physicians released Language Services for Patients with Limited English Proficiency: Results of a National Survey of Internal Medicine Physicians. Other resources include Providing Language Services in State and Local Health-Related Benefits Offices: Examples from the Field, which outlines how state and local benefit offices can provide language services and Language Services Resource Guide for Healthcare Providers which offers information on how to provide language services including translator agencies, training programs, and health care symbols.
Refugee Health Information Network
RHIN is a national collaborative partnership, managed by refugee health professionals, whose objective is to provide quality multilingual, health information resources for those providing care to resettled refugees and asylees. RHIN places its greatest emphasis on identifying, collecting, and making quality available materials that have been produced in refugee languages. Sources of these materials include federal, state and local public health agencies; national organizations; health care agencies; community-based organizations; academic institutions and international organizations. RHIN also strives to identify news and events, as well as other information resources useful to health providers serving refugees.
Training Alliance for Communities of Color
This website is from National Health Policy Training Alliance for Communities of Color, a partnership between Families USA, the Joint Center Health Policy Institute (HPI), the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund, and the National Medical Association (NMA). Their mission is to empower community leaders, elected officials, and journalists from communities of color with pertinent information about health policy developments in order to: expand their capacity to address and catalyze action on crucial health and health care issues; bolster the skills of leaders from communities of color to play a more influential role in shaping and creating health policies that are of relevance to their respective communities; and engage diverse leaders in national health policy development.
The National Hispanic Resource Help-Line 1/800-473-3003 provides support for Latinos throughout the nation who need information about educational, health and human service providers. To become part of their database, click here.
Other
Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD)
Any serious policy proposal that aims to improve health care in America and control rising health care expenditures must address chronic disease. That’s why a broad group of patients, providers, community organizations, business and labor groups, and health policy experts has joined together to form the – a national, bi-partisan coalition committed to raising awareness of the policies and practices that save lives and reduce health costs through more effective prevention and management of chronic disease.
MANUALS, GUIDES, TOOLKITS
Newly posted resources are at the top of each Topics List.
Children's Health
Alliance for Health Reform has developed an online toolkit on child health coverage. The toolkit provides links to resources that will improve the user’s understanding of how children get coverage in the U.S. and the importance of public programs and employer-sponsored health insurance to children.
Cover the Uninsured Storybook - The Success of SCHIP: How the State Children's Health Insurance Program Helps America's Working Families
This is a 15-page, downloadable booklet that shares the touching stories of 23 families that have benefited from coverage provided through SCHIP. Download it today to share with opinion leaders in your community. Order Free Materials: FREE English and Spanish promotional materials featuring the 1(877) KIDS-NOW hotline, which parents can call to find out if their uninsured kids are eligible for SCHIP or Medicaid, are available to augment your outreach efforts. Order fans, bookmarks, posters and more to distribute in your community while supplies last.
Helping Pediatric Practices Implement Parental Depression Screening
A new online manual helps pediatric clinicians successfully screen parents for depression, discuss with them the impact depression can have on their children, and refer parents for counseling. Rates of major depression peak during women's childbearing years. Research has shown that maternal and paternal depression can affect parenting behaviors and, ultimately, harm children's health and development. Because pediatricians have frequent contact with parents, they have opportunities to screen for depression and intervene when necessary. Accumulating data about the adverse effect of parental depression on child health, development, and behavior have provided an impetus among pediatric practices for changing clinical care.
Medicaid
The Basics of Medicare and Medicaid
The primers help explain Medicaid and Medicare, including an overview, how they work, who they serve and how they are funded. The Medicare primer is new, and the Medicaid primer has been updated with the most current information (Kaiser Family Foundation, "The Basics of Medicare and Medicaid," (3/19/07, Kaiser Family Foundation)
The Medicaid Matters web site is a resource for people working across the country to protect Medicaid, the health insurance that 50 million rely on. It stores a ready-to-use toolkit of messages, materials and dissemination ideas. Users are able to download, at no cost, tested messages emphasizing the importance of Medicaid and the threat now facing the program. Messages are enhanced by high quality, full color photography. One set of materials is designed to be ready to print. Once downloaded, they can be forwarded to any print house or copy shop without any further formatting. The second set of materials is designed so that components of the product can be adapted to suit the needs of that organization or constituency that wishes to use them.
Medicare
Toolkit: Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans
The toolkit contains links to resources on general information about Medicare private fee-for-service plans, advantages and incentives of using the plans and the difficulties that beneficiaries have faced with the plans, including enrollment fraud. The toolkit also includes a list of experts and Web sites for further information on the plans. (7/12/07, Alliance for Health Reform)
Medicare Advantage Tutorial on the basics of Medicare Advantage and types of MA plans, as well as trends in MA enrollment, characteristics of beneficiaries and the impact of MA plans on traditional Medicare. And an updated Medicare Health and Prescription Drug Plan Tracker with MA plan enrollment data for June, containing local, regional and national data on MA plans and stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plans. (7/17/07, Kaiser Family Foundation)
The Basics of Medicare and Medicaid
The primers help explain Medicaid and Medicare, including an overview, how they work, who they serve and how they are funded. The Medicare primer is new, and the Medicaid primer has been updated with the most current information (Kaiser Family Foundation, "The Basics of Medicare and Medicaid," (3/19/07, Kaiser Family Foundation)
Medicare Rights Center Part D appeals manual
This free, comprehensive, easy-to-understand guide is for advocates who help people with Medicare get the drugs they need.This 25-page manual offers a complete overview of the entire appeals process, real-life case examples from MRC's Client Services department, a glossary of important Part D appeals terms, a sample appeals protocol for advocates, and links to important resources and documents. All in consumer-friendly language
New/Updated Resources Medicare Drug Plan Resources
In advance of the 2007 Medicare drug plans open enrollment period beginning Nov. 15, Kaiser Family Foundation has issued a series of new and updated resources based on ongoing research including consumer surveys:
Updated fact sheet providing state-specific data about Medicare drug plan options for 2007, including stand-alone drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans, and information on premiums, gap coverage, and availability to beneficiaries who qualify for full low-income assistance.
Updated Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit fact sheet, with a revised estimate that 4 million people will be affected by the coverage gap in 2006, as well as current enrollment and low-income subsidy participation and updated Medicare per capita drug spending.
Updated Talking About Medicare online consumer guide, reflecting 2007 benefit changes, to help people with Medicare and their families understand options and make decisions based on their personal situations; includes information about financial assistance for those with limited incomes, supplemental insurance options, and Medicare Advantage.
Uninsured
The Consumer Guide to State Health Reform
Community Catalyst and Families USA new Web-Based Guide to State Health Reform for Advocates. More and more states are prioritizing health care reform to address the coverage gaps that exist, the affordability crisis that continues to worsen, and the increasing costs of health care. Community Catalyst and Families USA are pleased to announce the release of a unique web-based guide to state health reform for consumer advocates working to strengthen and expand health care coverage in their states. A Consumer Guide to State Health Reform provides a detailed look at the building blocks of comprehensive health care coverage.
Fact Sheets and Primer on the Uninsured
The Kaiser Family Foundation has collected links to some resources on the topics of health coverage and the nation’s uninsured population to assist you in your work related to these issues:
The Uninsured and Their Access to Care
Covering the Uninsured: Growing Need, Strained Resources
Massachusetts’ New Law to Cover the Uninsured
Women's Health Insurance Coverage
The Uninsured: A Primer
Health Disparities
Medicaid and SCHIP: Critical for Latino Families Facing Financial Hardship is a new fact sheet that discusses how Medicaid is important to low-income Latino families, especially during economic hard times. The fact sheet argues that having access to Medicaid benefits prevents Latino families from having to compromise their health care or finances. (4/10/08, national Council of La Raza)
Disparities Toolkit for Collecting Patient Race, Ethnicity, and Primary Language Data
The updated version of this web-based toolkit is now available free of charge on the HRET Web site, thanks to HRET and AHA support. The new edition, which can be viewed online and downloaded as a PDF, is easy to navigate and offers important new material.
Women's Health Policy: Coverage and Access to Care Tutorial
The tutorial provides an overview of women's health care needs and concerns, and discusses important issues stemming from women's health coverage and access to care and reviews central policy challenges in improving women's access to care (Feb 2008, Kaiser Family Foundation)
HRET Disparities Toolkit
The updated HRET Disparities Toolkit gives hospitals, health systems, clinics, and health plans the information and resources needed for collecting race, ethnicity, and primary language data from patients. In order to make this invaluable Toolkit more accessible to all health care providers, the Toolkit is now available free of charge.
Race Matters
This toolkit was created to help advocates and leaders address race and power structures within their work to help create equitable opportunities for all. (Voices for America's Children and The Annie E. Casey Foundation)
A Patient-Centered Guide to Implementing Language Access Services in Healthcare Organizations
The guide was created to assist health care organizations in better serving their clients with limited English proficiency and decrease disparities in access to health care. (DHHS Ofc. of Minority Health)
Amigos en Salud Online Disparities Toolkit
Pfizer has created a free toolkit to help community health centers reduce racial health disparities. The program, called Amigos en Salud/Friends in Health, involves training community health workers to be a bridge between minority communities and the healthcare system.
Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparities: A Quality Improvement Initiative in Medicaid Managed Care ToolkitCenter for Health Care Strategies
The toolkit examines the experiences of a workgroup - comprising 10 Medicaid health plans and a state primary care case management association - that adopted strategies to identify and address racial and ethnic health disparities in birth outcomes and immunizations, asthma care and diabetes care. (January 2007)
Families USA is offering Making Public Programs Work for Communities of Color: An Action Kit for Community Leaders, from its Minority Health Initiatives Department. The kit provides community leaders with information, tools, and resources to engage in health advocacy and improve the health and well being of their communities. Emphasizing the importance of public programs in reducing racial and ethnic health disparities, the kit contains: a summary and statistics of racial and ethnic health disparities and the role public programs can play in reducing them; an overview of Medicaid (and SCHIP) and Medicare, including their relationships to communities of color; fact sheets on improving health coverage for racial and ethnic minority groups; state and local case studies on health advocacy; advocacy tools including a powerpoint presentation, and lists of organizations and publications. Contact: 202/628-3030 or rpanares@familiesusa.org.
Other
GoingSmokeFree.org: A Toolkit for Implementing Smoke-Free Laws
The site is a clearinghouse for activities, events, and tools states and communities need to plan, implement and support new or expanded smoke-free laws. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, in partnership with the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids and Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights, has created this free online resource to help states and communities implement smoke-free laws.
New Web Tool Provides Samples of Report Cards on Health Care Quality
With rising interest in information about the quality of care delivered by health care providers, HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has developed a new Web tool demonstrating a variety of approaches for health quality report cards. The new Health Care Report Card Compendium is a searchable directory of over 200 samples of report cards produced by a variety of organizations. The samples show formats and approaches for providing comparative information on the quality of health plans, hospitals, medical groups, individual physicians, nursing homes, and other providers of care.
ACHI's Community Health Assessment Toolkit
Built with funding from the American Hospital Association and expert guidance from a 35-member ACHI working group, this will be online in November 2007. The Toolkit, a member service of the Association for Community Health Improvement, available to members of the American Hospital Association and the Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development, is a hands-on guide for both novice and experienced practitioners seeking to design, conduct and use assessments to improve the health of their communities.
Five Guidelines for Developing Customer-Friendly Websites
This new Covering Kids & Families publication is intended to help state agencies and other organizations do a
better job of helping people find information on the Web about Medicaid, SCHIP and other government services by producing a customer-friendly sites
TECHNOLOGY AND AUDIO/VIDEO RESOURCES
Media Programming
Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?
This seven-part series for PBS broadcast and DVD release will, for the first time on television, sound the alarm about our glaring socio-economic and racial disparities in health--and seek out root causes. While we pour more and more money into drugs, dietary supplements and new medical technologies, it turns out there is much more to our health than bad habits, health care or unlucky genes. The social conditions in which we are born, live and work profoundly affect our well-being and longevity. The series is part of an ambitious Public Impact Campaign conducted in partnership with leading public health, policy, and community-based organizations, pointing out that investing in our schools, improving housing, integrating neighborhoods, better jobs and wages, and giving people more control over their work, are as much health strategies as smoking diet and exercise.
Web Sites, Web Features & Databases
Newly posted resources are at the top of each Topics List.
Florida
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.
Summary of health-related bills passed by the 2007 Florida Legislature
Florida Health News, free online non-profit news service
The Florida Health Policy Center has announced the launch of an independent, free, non-profit news service: Florida Health News Inc. FHN will post health-related stories reported around the state, highlight the Florida impact of national stories, and track state health legislation. The news service also will feature original coverage of major health policy developments and a free Monday-through-Friday news service. You can visit the site and subscribe to the e-mail news service by clicking on the link: www.FloridaHealthNews.org. To send your comments, story tips and news of conferences and other events, or get more information, contact pat.curtis@floridahealthnews.org or 850/556-1668.
Florida Health Insurance Coverage of Children 0-18 (2004-2005)
Kaiser Family Foundation has released information about this on-line resource.
Statehealthfacts.org Updates Data on Medicaid & SCHIP Coverage for Children
Statehealthfacts.org has updated information on eligibility levels for children in Medicaid and SCHIP and parents and pregnant women in Medicaid using survey data from the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured (KCMU). The latest information on Medicaid and SCHIP enrollment practices for pregnant women and children and renewal practices is also now available. Overall SCHIP spending for FY 2006 and Federal SCHIP spending data from FY 1998 through FY 2006 are also now available. Recent additions to the site include new information on children's demographics and health insurance status from analysis of the Census Bureau's March 2005 and 2006 Current Population Surveys. These additions include the distribution of children by race/ethnicity, the distribution of children by citizenship status, and health insurance coverage among low-income children living near poverty.
Florida Association of Community Health Centers (FACHC)
The following resources have recently been added to the FACHC web site:
Short Assessment of Health Literacy for Spanish-speaking Adults (SAHLSA-50) A new health literacy test than can be used to screen for low health literacy among Spanish speakers.
Health Coverage and Access to Care for Hispanics in "New Growth Communities" and "Major Hispanic Centers" A 2006 Report from the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured
Spanish Language Mental Health Manual for Health Promoters Developed by the California- Mexico Bi-National Health Initiative.
Florida Health Care Website for Consumers
A new Web site for Florida health-care consumers officially launches today, courtesy of the Florida Hospital Association. The site offers links to information on doctors, hospitals and health-care plans as well as checklists to help consumers ask the right questions. It is intended largely as a portal to other, established sites. There are links to sites for Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, among others.
State of Florida Health Care Consumer Websites
The recently expanded FloridaCompareCare.gov aims to improve care and reduce costs by giving citizens the tools to compare outcomes and prices between health care providers and medical services. Through this website one can see data on certain conditions and procedures related to quality of care, pricing and performance at the state’s hospitals and ambulatory (outpatient) surgery centers. In 2005, Florida became the first state to publicly report infection and mortality rates in each hospital. In July 2006, Florida became the first state to publicly report separate pediatric quality of care data. In addition, adult data can now be broken out specific to ages 65 and over. Additional new breakdowns include types of facilities.
FloridaHealthStat.com provides health care information to assist consumers, health care professionals, and researchers in making well-informed health care decisions and in researching the status of health care in Florida. MyFloridaRx.com provides consumers with the retail prices of the most commonly used prescribed drugs by pharmacy across Florida. For questions or comments regarding any of Florida’s consumer websites, contact 850/922-7036.
Medicaid Applications Online 24/7 and in Neighborhoods
Local partners can direct families to their area sites or online to apply for Medicaid and other benefits. The Web Application is generally preferable as the data makes it into the Florida system more quickly and there is a reduced chance of data entry errors.
Florida KidCare Applications can be completed online
Website Offers Free 24 Hour Health Information to Floridians to address concerns and inquiries
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) Secretary encourages health care consumers to visit www.FLHealthSource.com whenever they need information about a licensed health care professional. DOH’s Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) maintains FLHealthSource.com. The site provides health care consumers with a host of information, including license status, office address, and disciplinary information for all health care professionals licensed in Florida. The site also provides additional information for the five profiled professions –medical doctors, osteopathic physicians, chiropractic physicians, podiatric physicians and advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs).
Statehealthfacts.org provides free, up-to-date, and easy-to-use health data on all 50 states, covering more than 500 health topics.
Florida Progressive Information Network (FLPIN)
offers a nonpartisan communication system designed to link progressive organizers with progressive activists. Individuals may sign up free of charge to receive alerts on a variety of progressive issues from other organizations participating in the Network. In order to make FLPIN work, it must be used on a regular basis. The more information put in, the more valuable it is as a tool. Link FLPIN to organization websites. A training manual is at www.flpin.net/alert.pdf. For more information or assistance, contact jen@floridahumanist.org
Children's Health
Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health
The Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative (CAHMI) presents the Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health. This resource is a no-cost, easy-to-use website that puts national, state, and regional survey findings right at your fingertips. You'll find: interactive data search tools; personalized technical help by email or telephone and information and examples to help you use data more effectively.
Online Parent SCHIP Information
To assist in the growing problem of America's uninsured children, medical insurance hub HealthInsuranceFinders has added information to assist parents in finding and understanding all of their health insurance options: a State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) section with an overview of State Children Health Insurance Programs for each state.
State By State National Survey of Children’s Health Data Resource Center Dataset
The DRC Child Health Indicators version of the 2003 NSCH Dataset is now available. Added to the data sets are the 65 Child Health Indicators for the DRC online data query and the National Chartbook. Also included are Healthy People 2010 relevant indicators and key socio-demographic variables.
Medicaid
Fact Sheets on Medicare, Long-Term Care Spending; Medicaid; Long-Term Spending Data
Fact sheets, Georgetown University Long-Term Care Financing Project: The Georgetown University Long-Term Care Financing Project has released two new fact sheets on Medicare and long-term care and Medicaid policy that aims to protect the incomes and resources of spouses of nursing home residents who are trying to enroll in Medicaid. The project also has updated its 2005 national long-term care spending estimates. (February 2007, Georgetown University Long-Term Care Financing Project)
Medicaid Fact Sheets Tool
Compare your state's Medicaid program and the population it serves to other states and the nation by visiting Kaiser's new interactive online State Medicaid Fact Sheets tool.
Interactive Tools on Medicaid
The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured presents the State Medicaid Fact Sheets and the Medicaid Benefits Online Database, two interactive tools featuring the latest key data, information and services provided for each state’s Medicaid program. Both tools allow for easy access to the data which can then be printed, saved and emailed.
Medicare
CMS Updates Web Site to Help Medicare Beneficiaries Better Compare Drug Plans Price, Coverage, Quality
CMS has launched a revised version of the Medicare Drug Plan Finder Web site that allows beneficiaries to sort plans offered in their communities by annual costs based on prescriptions, monthly premiums, coverage levels in the so-called "doughnut hole" and other factors and view the information in one chart. (October 2007, CMS)
Online Interactive Medicare Advantage Comparison Tools
Before making the switch to Medicare Advantage, beneficiaries can compare plans to determine their needs. Then they can review each plan using the “Guidelines for Considering Medicare Advantage” from the Center for Medicare Advocacy. More information about Medicare Advantage managed care plans is online at Medicare.gov. More recent FAQs on private fee-for-service plans is available through CMS.
Fact Sheets on Medicare, Long-Term Care Spending; Medicaid; Long-Term Spending Data
Fact sheets, Georgetown University Long-Term Care Financing Project: The Georgetown University Long-Term Care Financing Project has released two new fact sheets on Medicare and long-term care and Medicaid policy that aims to protect the incomes and resources of spouses of nursing home residents who are trying to enroll in Medicaid. The project also has updated its 2005 national long-term care spending estimates. (February 2007, Georgetown University Long-Term Care Financing Project)
Uninsured
Interactive Online Side-by-Side Comparisons of Presidential Candidate Health Care Proposals
The online tool allows users to customize side-by-side comparisons by selecting as many as four candidates for comparison that can then be formatted into a printer-friendly format. [Kaiser Family Foundation]
Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured Updates Medicaid Benefits: Online Database with 2006 Data
Using this tool, Medicaid benefits can be compared across the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the US Territories or by specific service. The online tool contains Medicaid benefits survey data from 2003, 2004 and 2006 with information about benefits covered, limits, co-payments and reimbursement. It includes an interactive map, an expandable list of benefits, and the ability to compare data across the three survey periods.
Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured Updates Medicaid Benefits: Online Database with 2006 Data
Using this tool, Medicaid benefits can be compared across the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the US Territories or by specific service. The online tool contains Medicaid benefits survey data from 2003, 2004 and 2006 with information about benefits covered, limits, co-payments and reimbursement. It includes an interactive map, an expandable list of benefits, and the ability to compare data across the three survey periods.
Families USA’s State Coverage Expansions Resource Center
Many states are taking steps — expanding public programs, launching new state programs, and reforming private insurance — to make it possible for more people to get coverage. This new Resource Center will help you find out what the states are doing. Click here. The State Coverage Expansions map guides you to information on key state expansions, with fact sheets, links to legislation, and links to state advocacy groups. Comparing State Expansions is a series of tables that show you the key elements of these new proposals/laws state-by-state. How are states financing their expansions? Who is covered? What benefits do they get? Will small businesses be helped? All this and more is covered in the tables. If your state is doing similar efforts that are not yet on our map, click here to call or send Families USA an e-mail.
Health08.Org, A Hub for Information about Health Care and The Presidential Campaign
With health care emerging as one of the hot topics in the 2008 presidential election, this new ad-free Kaiser Family Foundation Web site will provide analysis of health policy issues, the results of regular public opinion surveys, and news and video coverage from the campaign trail. It will feature original content produced by Kaiser as well as health-related resources from various campaigns, other organizations, and news outlets. The site will offer summaries of candidates' health reform proposals, basic facts and information about the health system, the results of Kaiser tracking surveys examining the public's views on health issues and their perceptions of the candidates' views on health care, syntheses of health news coverage, podcasts and video from the campaign trail, and interviews with candidates and other key players in the health reform debate.
Uninsured Tutorial, Module, and Reference Library
This KaiserEDU.org page contains comprehensive resources including links to key research, policy analysis, and the latest data and statistics on the uninsured.
Health Care Coverage in America: Understanding the Issues and Proposed Solutions includes a corresponding PowerPoint presentation. (Cover the Uninsured)
Healthcare Coverage Options Database: Assistance for Obtaining Health Coverage
This Web site provides information on health insurance options for low-income U.S. residents. The site includes comprehensive information on large-scale programs like Medicaid, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and the federal Health Care Tax Credit Program, as well as hundreds of smaller state, federal, and private programs.
Health Disparities
Unified Health Communication 101: Addressing Health Literacy, Cultural Competency, and Limited English Proficiency
is a free online learning experience designed to help health professionals improve their patient-communication skills, increase their awareness and knowledge of factors that affect their communication with patients, and implement patient-centered communication practices. The course, developed by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), comprises five modules and is estimated to take a total of 5 hours to complete. The course may be completed at the user's own pace and may be taken for credit (CEU/CE, CHES, CME, and CNE) or not for credit.
Guide to Health Programs (Guia de Programas de Salud)
This easy-to-use bilingual guide in Spanish and English is available for free to anyone looking for basic information on health insurance, nutrition, and other public programs. (California HealthCare Foundation, October 2007)
“Race, Ethnicity and Health Care” tutorial
Online from Kaiser Family Foundation.
Systematic Review of Current Disparities Research Interventions Identifies Successful Strategies for Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care
Complete body of reviewed research available through new interactive tool. (10/11/07, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation)
The Context of Health: What Are We Really Doing To Change It?
Healthy People 2010 recognizes that communities, States, and national organizations will need to take a multidisciplinary approach to achieving health equity—an approach that involves improving health, education, housing, labor, justice, transportation, agriculture, and the environment. [95-slide ppt]
Think Cultural Health is a new web page that provides a wealth of resources and information on the issues of cultural competence in health care and health care disparities. (DHHS Office of Minority Health)
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's new disparities Web page includes publications and information listed according to racial/ ethnic group, as well as by topic area.
National Cancer Institute Spanish Web Site
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has launched a new Web site, cancer.gov en español tailored to the needs of the U.S. Hispanic/Latino community. The Web site is completely in Spanish and is one of the latest tools developed by the NCI in its efforts to address cancer health disparities. It is intended to meet the needs of Hispanic/Latino cancer patients, their families and health care providers, who are either Hispanic/Latino or serve such patients.
Facing Race 2007
The Applied Research Center (ARC) and COLORLINES Magazine have made various resources from their conference available on the ARC Web site, the ARC blog, and on the Facing Race wiki
US Racial Disparities Update
Kaiser Family Foundation issued a new data update that shows the percentage of whites, African Americans, and Hispanics in all 50 states and the District of Columbia that are uninsured, enrolled in Medicaid, and living in poverty. The data also provide a quick glance at disparities in rates of infant mortality, diabetes-related mortality, and AIDS cases between these racial and ethnic groups.
Faith Based Efforts and Resources
Families USA has posted a new page on the Minority Health Initiatives section of the Web
site with links to various to encourage faith leaders to become involved in health care advocacy.
Factline: Tracking Health in Underserved Communities
This website is sponsored by the National Library of Medicine and Meharry Medical College that highlights health disparities in underserved communities. Factline presents information about health disparities faced by women, members of minority groups, the elderly and others. The focus of the website is two-fold: presenting significant findings from scholarly research in public health on the subject of health disparities and providing bibliographic references to the literature in which these findings are established. The framework for the research is Healthy People 2010.
New Database for Medical Language Access
The Medical Leadership Council on Cultural Proficiency has unveiled a first-of-its-kind database designed to assist physicians and others in providing improved language access and culturally competent health care. With more than 350 initial entries, the searchable, internet-based, free-to-the-public database includes contact information for interpreters, nonprofit organizations, hospitals, public health departments and others that provide health information and services in languages other than English. Users, including physicians, nurses, social service workers, patients and the general public, can search for listings by county, by language, or by type of service.
2007 Federal Poverty Guidelines Now Available
The Southern Institute on Children and Families has made available the 2007 Federal Poverty Guidelines. Compiled from the 2007 HHS Poverty Guidelines, these guidelines provide income levels for families at 50%, 100%, 125%, 133%, 150%, 185% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Information is provided for the continental United States and separately for Alaska and Hawaii.
Women's Health Insurance Coverage Fact Sheet
As the cost of health insurance continues to rise, women in particular may face difficult challenges affording coverage because they are disproportionately low-income and can have poorer access to employer-based insurance. This fact sheet describes the major sources of health insurance coverage for women ages 18-64, including employer-sponsored insurance and Medicaid. It provides information on the more than 17 million women who are uninsured and summarizes the major policy challenges facing women in the health insurance sector. (Feb 2007, Kaiser Family Foundation)
Comprehensive source of Hispanic data
Recent release from the Census Bureau with data and linkage to sources covering many areas.
Rural Communities Statistics and Information
The Rural Assistance Center has added to its Web site a new resource providing continuously updated demographics and statistics, documents and resources and contacts for all 50 states. RAC said the federally funded "State Resources" addition is designed to help health care providers and human services representatives in rural communities with activities such as locating and competing for funding opportunities and networking.
Immigrant Health Policy Reference Library
This new compendium summarizes data and research on immigrants’ health coverage and access to care. The library also includes a list of organizations that conduct analysis on the impact of major health policies on immigrants and presents research on specific populations, including Latino, African and Asian immigrants.
Other
Tracking the Presidential Candidates on Health Care
The Kaiser Family Foundation's health08.org website offers resources for following health care developments during campaign season. The website serves as a hub of information about health and the election, including original content produced by Kaiser and easy access to health-related resources from the campaigns, other organizations and news outlets.
Consumer Health Information for You and Your Family
Keeping up with the latest consumer health information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just got easier. FDA has a new Web page to provides comprehensive and timely consumer information. A free monthly e-newsletter, FDA Consumer Health Information will alert consumers to content contained on the page.
Metropolitan Quality of Life Data
Diversitydata.org allows visitors to explore how metropolitan areas throughout the U.S. perform on a diverse range of social measures via a dataset of socioeconomic indicators in the form of tables, thematic maps, and customizable reports. The data cover various racial/ethnic, income and nativity groups. Multiple data sources have been used to show data for numerous domains such as housing opportunities, economic opportunities, residential integration, and health.
New Online Medical Dictionary Reference Tool
MediLexicon International Limited, corporate owners of Medical News Today, was pleased to announce on Nov. 11 the launch of a new medical dictionary tool. This dictionary search is a joint collaboration between MediLexicon and Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, who have provided the data.
American Community Census Data Online
The new poverty, income, and health insurance data from the U.S. Census Bureau released on August 29, 2006 is available online. This year, it has more state and local data than in previous annual surveys.
State Level Data on Health Coverage & the Uninsured
Kaiser Family Foundation's interactive web tool includes the health insurance status of the state’s population (those with various types of health coverage or who are uninsured), and demographic information (such as income, race/ethnicity, age, gender) for those who are uninsured, have employer-based insurance, or Medicaid. Information about Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries can be found in those respective categories. Find data from other categories on the website that relate to Health Coverage & Uninsured.
The Johns Hopkins INFO Project's OneSource Database
This provides one-stop access to over 360,000 resources and six separate databases with a single mouse click or search term. OneSource users can quickly search for reports, articles, documents, posters and pamphlets, photos, web sites, Q&As and news articles through a single interface. An enhanced search and browse capability makes finding global family planning, reproductive health and population information faster and more simple than ever. Enter your terms in the search box. Select the resource type you want to look for, or search all six databases at once, and click Search.
Audio, Videos and Films: Web, Rent/Purchase, Theater
The Partnership for Quality Care hosted a summit, “Confronting the Chronic Care Challenge,” that focused on improving value in delivering care to patients with chronic conditions. In particular, the second panel of the summit focused on changing delivery systems to reduce inequities in health care. To view the entire summit or specific panels, click here.
Medicare and Medicaid Prescription Drug Policies: Impact on Access for Psychiatric Patients
Dr. Joyce West gives a timely presentation in this Bristol-Meyers Squibb Mental Health Advocacy Teleconference Replay of the most highly attended call in the series. This replay will be available from April 17 - May 16, 2008. The call in number is 1-888-348-0203. There is no password. If you have any questions please call 330-607-0437.
Sick People or Sick Societies?
We are healthier than ever before, and we live longer, but improvements in health are not distributed evenly. The rich outlive the middle classes, who outlive the poor. Swedes and Japanese live longer than Canadians, and Canadians, longer than Americans. Freelance journalist Jill Eisen discovers that the reasons have little to do with our health care systems. FREE download available for limited period.
Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?
This seven-part series for PBS broadcast and DVD release will, for the first time on television, sound the alarm about our glaring socio-economic and racial disparities in health--and seek out root causes. While we pour more and more money into drugs, dietary supplements and new medical technologies, it turns out there is much more to our health than bad habits, health care or unlucky genes. The social conditions in which we are born, live and work profoundly affect our well-being and longevity. The series is part of an ambitious Public Impact Campaign conducted in partnership with leading public health, policy, and community-based organizations, pointing out that investing in our schools, improving housing, integrating neighborhoods, better jobs and wages, and giving people more control over their work, are as much health strategies as smoking diet and exercise.
Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?
Hosted by the Black Women’s Agenda, the workshop featured a panel discussion of this PBS documentary produced by California Newsreel. View the entire panel discussion online.
Partnerships to Achieve Health Equity
This Society for Public Health Education summit featured a series of plenary sessions dealing with the elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities by focusing on health behavior dissemination, research, and implementation. Videos and transcripts available online.
Can Tax Credits Be a Linchpin for Health Reform? Lessons from the Factory Floor
In a policy field notoriously beset by ideological and partisan division, one of the few ideas enjoying support across the philosophical spectrum is the use of federal income tax credits to cover the uninsured. The only credit of this sort now available-the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC), serving workers displaced by international trade-aids no more than 15 percent of eligible households. (4/1/08, Urban Institute)
PERIODICALS AND BOOKS
The entire Health Affairs March/April issue focuses exclusively on racial and ethnic disparities in health and health care. Articles cover the many diverse aspects of inequity in health, including the role of social determinants, the effects of education level on life expectancy and mortality, data collection, and workforce diversity.
Ahora Hablo! Medical Edition,"Simple Steps to Communicate with Spanish-speaking Patients
Unlike other medical Spanish books on the market, this book is pocket-sized and includes vocabulary for dental and vision care as well as many specialized areas such as obstetrics and cardiology. It retails for $9.95. It is being picked up independent and college book stores as well as hospitals and clinics. For more information: m.h.graham@ahorahablo.com or call 414-331-7178
Active Living in Diverse and Disadvantaged Communities
This theme issue is devoted to links between health and community factors. (April 2008American Journal of Preventive Medicine)
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.
REPORTS AND STUDIES
New Listings
New Listings: Medicaid
New Listings: Children's Health
New Listings: Medicare
Internists Report On How Scheduled Medicare Pay Cuts Will Affect Patients
Medicare patients - many of whom have multiple chronic illnesses - face severe difficulty in receiving healthcare if Congress does not act to avert pending cuts to Medicare payments, according to physicians who specialize in internal medicine released today by the 125,000-member American College of Physicians (ACP). Concerns about the impact of the cuts on access-to-care were evident from the responses of almost 2000 internists who, in response to a request from ACP, completed a questionnaire on the impact of the cuts. (April 2008, American College of Physicians)
Medicare Spends More, Gets Worse Results Than Other Healthcare SystemsTracking the Care of Patients with Severe Chronic Illness: The Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care 2008 found that caring for people with chronic diseases accounts for more than 75 percent of all healthcare spending, due in part to Medicare's encouragement of the use of acute care hospital services and the proliferation of medical specialists. Indeed, the U.S. healthcare system as a whole lacks efficient ways of caring for people with severe chronic illnesses, the report found. The report found significant variations in the number of services that patients with severe chronic diseases receive at the end of life, depending on the hospital, region, and state in which the patient is located, rather than how sick a patient is. The report also found that regions and states that use more services per patient do not necessarily have higher quality care. (4/10/08, Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Robert Wood Johnson Fdn)
Medicare Advantage: Options for Standardizing Benefits and Information to Improve Consumer Choice
This report finds the problem in the high degree of variability and complexity in Medicare Advantage plans--and the lack of good information for making educated choices. Based on discussions with an array of experts, the authors outline three possible remedies: requiring more standardized information and better tools to support beneficiaries' decision-making; implementing a few standardized benefit and cost-sharing regimes to limit the numbers of dimensions along which plans may vary; and requiring that plans put a cap on out-of-pocket costs. With these steps, Medicare officials and their community partners would find it far easier to educate beneficiaries about their health plan choices, while strengthening the ability of the market-based Medicare Advantage program to incorporate beneficiary preferences. (4/16/08, Commonwealth Fund)
Health Insurer Shares Rise After Medicare Delays Payment Adjustment Until 2010
UBS analyst Justin Lake said a risk score change could have slashed industry revenues by $640 million. ‘The lack of adjustment in 2009 is clearly a positive from plan perspectives, although we continue to believe it remains a meaningful risk long-term,’ Lake wrote in a note to investors. Health insurers steadily climbed in midday trading.” (April 2008, Associated Press)
New Listings: Federal/State Budgets
Many States Imposing Cuts that Hurt Vulnerable Residents
At least 20 states (up from 17) have made or proposed budget cuts that threaten vital services for many residents. Targeted areas include Public health: 13 states; Elderly and disabled services: 5 states; K-12 education: 9 states; Colleges and universities: 12 states. (4/15/08, CBPP)
22 States Face Total Budget Shortfall of at Least $39 Billion in 2009; 8 Others Expect Budget Problems
30 states (up from 28) anticipate budget problems. Of those: 22 states and the District of Columbia project budget gaps for 2009 (Their combined shortfall totals at least $39 billion)(4/15/08, CBPP)
New Listings: Health Insurance, Health Care Costs
Commonwealth Fund/Modern Healthcare Health Care Opinion Leaders Survey has reported that substantial improvements in the quality of U.S. health care and the way it is delivered to patients will require profound organizational changes in our health system. Nearly nine of 10 respondents to the survey agree on the need for fundamental change. None of the experts said no changes were needed, and only a relative few--8 percent--said modest changes to the health care delivery system would be sufficient. (4/20/08, Commonwealth Fund & Harris Interactive)
High Deductible Plans--Poor Fit for the Uninsured?
The high-deductible plans sold in conjunction with health savings accounts charge relatively low premiums, prompting some Republicans to pitch them as a good solution for the uninsured. But a study released by the Kaiser Family Foundation says the uninsured often have too few assets to pay the costs of those high deductibles when illness strikes. Even if the relatively low premiums charged for the plans are made even more attractive through federal subsidies, "many uninsured households do not have a sufficient financial cushion to absorb the potential out-of-pocket liability that can arise under these policies." (4/14/08, KFF)
States' Roles in Shaping High Performance Health Systems
[T]his study found that states are pursuing system improvements across the full spectrum of their authority, including health care purchasing, regulation of providers, reporting of performance data, integration of public health with health care approaches, and improving the availability and affordability of health insurance. Despite this activity, this study finds room for states to do much more. (4/10/08, Commonwealth Fund)
Uninsured Households' Cost Sharing under High-Deductible Health Plans
Abstract: Paying premiums for a policy that exposes the uninsured to unaffordable medical bills may be viewed as an uneconomical use of their limited assets. (4/15/08, Health Affairs)
In the Balance: Some Candidates Disagree, but Studies Show It's Often Cheaper To Let People Get Sick
In 1986, a health economist published "Is Prevention Better Than Cure?," in which she concluded that prevention activities tend to cost more than they save. Since the book's appearance, her observation has been borne out by studies of hundreds of interventions -- everything from offering mammograms to all women and prescribing drugs to people with high cholesterol to requiring passenger-side air bags in cars and shortening the response time of ambulances. (4/8/08, Washington Post)
Who Really Pays for Health Care in the United States?
Americans believe employers pay the bulk of workers' premiums, government pays for Medicare, Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program and individuals pay some premiums as well as deductibles and co-pays. This is wrong. Business, government and individuals do not share the financial responsibility for health coverage. Individuals bear the full cost of health care through lower wages and taxes. (3/27/08, Chicago Tribune)
Economic Burden of Health Insurance Increasing for Small Employers
Small businesses (those with 25 or fewer employees) saw the expense of providing health insurance rise by nearly 30 percent during the study period - significantly more than the hikes experienced by medium and large businesses examined by the study. (4/4/08, Rand)
Co-Payments Soar for Drugs with High Prices
Health insurance companies are rapidly adopting a new pricing system for very expensive drugs, asking patients to pay hundreds and even thousands of dollars for prescriptions[.] With the new pricing system, insurers abandoned the traditional arrangement that has patients pay a fixed amount, like $10, $20 or $30 for a prescription, no matter what the drug's actual cost. Instead, they are charging patients a percentage of the cost...which can amount to thousands of dollars a month. (4/14/08, NYT)
Are the Uninsured Responsible for the Increase in Emergency Department Visits in the United States?
A study has found that the rise in emergency room visits from 90.3 million in 1996 to 113.9 million in 2004 was not caused by a stampede of the uninsured. Instead it was people with higher incomes, who usually visit their doctor's office, who were largely responsible for the 26 percent spike. (2008, UCSF)
How Government Adds to Ranks of Uninsured
When William Rogers, a medical officer at the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, noticed a cashier in the agency cafeteria was having trouble walking, he was blunt: "Fay," he said, "you need to get on a diet." Fay Derricotte...lost 55 pounds. Still, her walking got worse...Yet, unlike the federal workers who were her customers, Ms. Derricotte had no health insurance from her job...and earning about $14,500 a year left her unable to afford good medical care on her own. (3/25/08)
Cost of Failure: the Economic Losses of the Uninsured
In 2000, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) estimated that the "annualized economic cost of the diminished health and shorter lifespan of Americans who lack health insurance is between $65 and $130 billion for each year of health insurance forgone. After updating the IOM's numbers to reflect growth in the economy and increases in the number of uninsured, we estimate that the poor health and shorter lifespan of the uninsured cost the US economy between $102 billion and $204 billion in 2006. (March 2008, New America Foundation)
US Doctors Support Universal Health Care
More than half of U.S. doctors now favor switching to a national health care plan and fewer than a third oppose the idea, according to a survey published on Monday. The survey suggests that opinions have changed substantially since the last survey in 2002 and as the country debates serious changes to the health care system. (3/31/08, Reuters)
Health Insurance Coverage: Early Release of Estimates from the National Health Interview Survey, January-September 2007 ( March 2008, CDC)
New Listings: Health Disparities
Untreated Cavities 5 Times More Likely In Kids from Low-income Communities Than High-income Ones
About 31 percent of low-income children ages 2 to 5 have dental cavities that don't get treated, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. A much smaller portion of high-income children -- about 6 percent -- have untreated cavities. (April 2008, AHRQ)
Do Assets change the Racial Profile of Poverty among Older Adults?
The federal government has found that elderly poverty rates among blacks are nearly triple and among Hispanics are more than double those of whites...this racial disparity changes and widens when imputed rental income and annuitized asset values are added to income. Because blacks and Hispanics do not share equally with whites in either housing equity or assets, the small reduction in overall poverty attributed to these broader measures of resources benefits mainly whites, and leaves the racial gap even wider: blacks 6.4 times more likely than whites to be poor; Hispanics 8.1 times more likely than whites to be poor. (March 2008, Urban Institute)
From Awareness to Action: A Renewed Call to Eliminate the Unequal Burden of Cancer
In conjunction with its 11th Biennial Symposium on Minorities, the Medically Underserved & Cancer held in D.C., the ICC released a new report that seeks to provide the most up-to-date data on racial and ethnic disparities in cancer and cancer death rates. The report, called provides "realistic goals" for helping racial and ethnic minorities, rural residents, the elderly and the indigent from dying from cancer, according to the release. The report includes a 12-step action plan outlining how lawmakers can address the issue. (4/3/08, Intercultural Cancer Council Caucus)
Medicaid and SCHIP: Critical for Latino Families Facing Financial Hardship is a new fact sheet that discusses how Medicaid is important to low-income Latino families, especially during economic hard times. The fact sheet argues that having access to Medicaid benefits prevents Latino families from having to compromise their health care or finances. (4/10/08, national Council of La Raza)
Neighborhood Realities: Media Focus on Poverty, Race, and Health
This effort may lead to new solutions and should be combined with continued efforts to address the known social determinants that negatively affect the health of people of color, though policymakers must ensure that efforts to conflate genetic and social science do not succeed. And critical attention must be paid to the need to secure affordable, quality health care for all. (4/11/08, Center for American Progress)
People, Places, Processes: Reducing Health Inequalities though Balanced Health Promotion Approaches
The resource includes a draft equity lens tool that is currently being tested amongst health promotion agencies, and discusses the benefits and limitations of approaches (place-based, population-wide, targeted, and life course) and assist health promotion planners in applying program logic when designing policy and interventions to reduce health inequalities. (April 2008, VicHealth)
Research Summary: Burden of Disease Due to Health Inequalities
This document provides data on the inequitable burden of disease and describes the effect of health inequality on specific populations. (April 2008, VicHealth)
Research Summary: Key Influences on Health Inequalities
This document provides data on the key influences on health (such as work, education, housing and community infrastructure), how these influences impact health and how access to these influences is inequitable. (April 2008, VicHealth)
Disparity Increases In Life Expectancies Of Higher-, Lower-Income U.S. Residents
A "large and growing" disparity exists between the life expectancies of higher- and lower-income U.S. residents, according to a new federal study. (3/26/08, DHHS)
A Strategic Framework for Improving Racial/Ethnic Minority Health and Eliminating Racial/Ethnic Health Disparities
The Framework is intended to help guide, organize and coordinate the systematic planning, implementation and evaluation of efforts within OMH, HHS and across the nation to achieve better results relative to minority health improvements and health disparities reductions. The Framework reflects current knowledge and understanding of the nature and extent of health disparities, their causes or contributing factors, effective solutions and desired outcomes and impacts. (3/31/08, National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities)
Influence of Patients' Socioeconomic Status on Clinical Management Decisions: A Qualitative Study
Physicians indicated that patient SES did affect their clinical management decisions. As a result, physicians commonly undertook changes to their management plan in an effort to enhance patient outcomes, but they experienced numerous strains when trying to balance what they believed was feasible for the patient with what they perceived as established standards of care. 3/25/08, Annals of Family Medicine, Inc)
Addressing Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities by Improving Health Care Quality
discusses whether disparities are the result of who you are or where you seek care. Dr. Beal draws on...compelling evidence that health care disparities in hospitals are often due to the quality of the facilities minorities visit. Also outlines quality improvement strategies for reducing disparities, such as establishing medical homes and transforming safety net hospitals and clinics into high-performing institutions. (3/31/08, Commonwealth Fund)
Interpreting the Bottom Line: The Case for Language Services from the C-Suite
In this Issue Brief, hospital leaders who participated in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation program, Speaking Together: National Language Services Network, discuss their experiences in providing language services to patients who speak limited English...Ultimately, the CEOs agree that providing effective interpreter services is critical to ensuring that all patients receive the highest quality of care in a comfortable, patient-centered setting. (March 2008, Speaking Together: National Language Services Network)
Health Risk Behaviors: Examining Social Inequalities in Bladder and Colorectal Cancers
For each cancer site, individual education remained a predictor of risk after controlling for health risk behaviors. Adjustments for health risk behaviors (smoking) shifted the age- and sex-adjusted relative risk (RR) associated with bladder cancer from 2.24 to 1.74 (29.5%). No health risk behaviors (smoking, diet, obesity) resulted in substantial change in the low education risk estimates for colon cancer (RR = 2.88) or rectal cancer (RR = 2.42). (February 2008, Annals of Epidemiology)
New Listings: Other Health Issues
RWJF Supports Campaign to Help Change the Way Smokers Think about Quitting
Research shows that most smokers in America-70 percent-want to quit, but only about 5 percent achieve long-term success. Now, the National Alliance for Tobacco Cessation-consisting of more than 20 of the nation's leading public health organizations, including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and 14 states-offers a new way to quit. (April 2008, RWJF)
AHRQ's 2007 State Snapshots
An annual analysis to help health leaders identify areas of health care delivery that need quality improvement now includes important information such as each state's rate of obesity, health insurance coverage, mental illness and the number of specialist doctors. As in previous years, the 51 State Snapshots - every state plus Washington, D.C. - summarize health care quality in three dimensions: type of care (such as preventive, acute or chronic care), setting of care (such as nursing homes or hospitals), and by clinical areas (such as care for patients with cancer or diabetes). The evaluations are expressed in simple, five-color "performance meter" illustrations that rate performance from "very weak" to "very strong." Users may explore whether a state has improved or worsened compared to other states in several areas of health care delivery. (March 2008, AHRQ)
The Politics of Prevention - Washington's Role in a More Health Conscious America: 82% Of Voters Believe Americans Not Doing Enough To Ensure Their Health Through Preventive Steps
Although health care costs are rising across the board, a full 82% of Americans are not taking the affordable and simple steps to a healthier life, according to a new nationwide survey released. The poll further reveals that voters are interested in prevention, with some even practicing those lifestyles, but more could be done to raise awareness and promote healthy habits. "The results of this poll are important. We know that preventative services such as mammograms, colonoscopies and simple dental exams are vital tools in the fight against serious disease. We now have to act on this knowledge; procrastination costs lives and fuels the high cost of health care," said Senator Benjamin L Cardin (D-MD). (4/3/08, Erickson Health)
Florida Reports
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.
Medicaid
Children's Health
CMS Reports 5.9% Increase in SCHIP Enrollment
More than 7.1 million U.S. children were enrolled in the State Children's Health Insurance Program at some point in fiscal year 2007, according to data released today by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. That's 5.9% or 399,600 more children than in FY 2006, the agency said. (3/12/08, AHA News Now)
Health Coverage for Children and Families in Medicaid and SCHIP: State Efforts Face New Hurdles
reports that, between July 2006 and January 2008, nearly two-thirds of states expanded access in these public programs. The report contains state-specific charts and tables that show changes in health coverage, income thresholds for parents applying for Medicaid, and the way that the August 2007 CMS directive affected states. (1/28/08, KFF)
Medicare
Transitioning to Medicare Before Age 65
shows the importance that Medicare’s coverage for people with disabilities already provides for people approaching their 65th birthday. One in six persons receives Medicare coverage between ages 55 and 64, either because of disability or because of diagnosis of end-stage renal disease. One-quarter of those who qualify for Medicare because of a disability went without health coverage during the two-year waiting period for Medicare. (The two-year waiting period is written into law and starts when an individual receives the first check for Social Security Disability Insurance.) More than half of those who went without health coverage during the two-year waiting period had no coverage even before they became disabled. These individuals in particular would be helped if Congress acted to eliminate the two-year waiting period, the authors conclude. (3/25/08, Health Affairs)
Medicare Trustees Report shows Medicare’s Problems Daunting
The new reports confirm that policymakers will need to take action to keep Social Security and Medicare on a sound financial footing. Medicare’s financial problems are much more challenging and stem primarily from the continuing sharp rise in both public and private health care costs, not from deep structural problems with the program. (The trustees predict that, in 2019, the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund will not have enough money coming in from payroll taxes to pay for all the hospital care and other Part A services that people with Medicare will likely need. That means Congress will need to take some action to either raise more money or cut spending for Part A services. Some conservative policymakers want to cut spending by raising the eligibility age from 65 to 67, which will doubtless increase the ranks of uninsured older adults, a group that already has a difficult time finding quality, affordable insurance in the private market.) (3/25/08, CBPP)
From Politics to Policy: A New Payment Approach in Medicare Advantage
proposes a new method of setting benchmarks against which MA plans bid, benchmarks consistent with evidence that MA plan costs vary less geographically than fee-for-service Medicare expenses and also would eliminate payment floors for rural areas. This approach would pay plans in these "floor counties" less than under current law but more than under a local-neutrality proposal by the (3/4/08, Urban Institute in Health Affairs)
Survey Finds Most Baby Boomers Underestimate Disability Risk
Most Baby Boomers underestimate their risk of suffering a disability that would cause them to miss work for an extended period of time, according to a new survey conducted by Harris Interactive. Baby Boomers are unaware of the most common causes of disability and are not too concerned about their risk of becoming disabled. "When individuals underestimate their risk of disability, they are less likely to protect their income and are more vulnerable to the financial hardship that suffering a disability can cause." (3/11/08, AHIP)
Medicare Out-of-Pocket Costs: Can Private Savings Incentives Solve the Problem?
Examines whether incentives for private savings could relieve the burden of post-retirement health care costs, especially for low-income individuals. Although low-income seniors have lower medical costs on average than other seniors, these costs account for a far greater percent of their annual income. Enhanced savings offer only a partial solution to this problem, especially for low-income seniors. (3/19/08, Commonwealth Fund)
Federal Budget/Health Care
Four Helpful Hints for States Dealing with Deficits
States, facing their worst fiscal problems in five years, should consider the following four policy options when dealing with deficits: (1) protect their revenues from the effects of federal tax changes, (2) tap their "rainy day funds," (3) don't rule out revenue increases, and (4) avoid "stimulus" tax cuts. (3/12/08, CBPP)
Facing Deficits, Many States are Imposing Cuts that Hurt Vulnerable Residents
To date, at least 17 states facing deficits (including Florida)have made or proposed budget cuts that threaten vital services for many residents, including some of the state’s most vulnerable residents. (3/13/08, CBPP)
Health Insurance, Health Care Costs
Poll: Voters Want Quick Action on Uninsured
More than three-quarters of voters want the next president and Congress to take quick action to help the more than 47 million Americans without health care coverage get it, according to polling data. 83 percent of voters feel immediate action on the issue is required, with 55 percent of voters saying it was "very important" and 28 percent listing it as "somewhat important." About a quarter of voters also said they fear not being able to pay for health care benefits (15 percent) or losing their coverage (11 percent). Other health-related concerns grabbing the electorate's attention include overhauling the current medical malpractice system, requiring Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices and changes to entitlement programs. (March 2008, by American Viewpoint for Federation of American Hospitals)
Third EBRI/Commonwealth Fund Consumerism in Health Care Survey
Enrollment in consumer-driven and high-deductible plans still makes up a very small segment of the overall insurance market. Enrollment in consumer-driven plans with a tax-advantaged account represented 2 percent of privately insured adults in 2007, up from 1 percent in 2006. One of 10 insured adults had high-deductible health plans without accounts. Evidence shows that the percentage of consumer-driven plan enrollees with high incomes--above $100,000--swelled in 2007. Indeed, one of the major criticisms of these plans is that they attract wealthy and healthy participants rather than those with lower incomes and poorer health status. The survey found that consumer-driven plan enrollees are in better health, are less likely to smoke, and are more likely to exercise; they are also more likely to be white, male, and higher-income. And they are no more likely to have been uninsured prior to enrollment than adults in other plans. Over the three years of the survey, there have been no significant gains in the amount of information on provider cost and quality made available by health plans. (3/18/08, Commonwealth Fund)
ERISA Pre-emption: Implications for Health Reform and Coverage
provides an overview of state and local attempts at comprehensive health insurance reform and finds that ERISA limits states’ ability to carry out these reforms. For example, ERISA prevents states from establishing minimum levels of coverage for employer-based plans and limits their ability to fund health insurance subsidies for low-income adults through a tax. (Feb 2008, EBRI Issue Brief)
Moving Beyond Access: Achieving Equity In State Health Care Reform
The Institute of Medicine’s 2003 Unequal Treatment report raised the public’s and policymakers’ awareness of racial and ethnic health care disparities, but federal policy-makers have implemented few of the report’s more than two dozen recommendations. State health care reform efforts, however, are gaining support around the country and have great potential to reduce health care inequality. This paper offers a policy framework to explore how states can move toward eliminating disparities by addressing health care access and quality, state health care infrastructure, patient and community empowerment, state policy infrastructure, and social and community determinants of health. (Mar/Apr 2008, Health Affairs)
Access for All America Report: Congress Should Increase Funding for Community Health Centers
Community health centers could save taxpayers as much as $40 billion per year in health care costs if the federal government is willing to invest $10.5 billion over the next eight years The report, titled "Access for All America," urges Congress to increase the funding for health centers between 12 and 15 percent each year. The centers would use the money to invest in new facilities and technologies, such as health IT, and the improvements would allow health centers to increase the number of patients to 30 million by 2015. (March 2008, National Association of Community Health Centers)
Study Finds Doctor-Owned Facilities Get the Best Insured Patients
Well-insured patients are more likely to be referred to a physician-owned, ambulatory surgical center rather than hospital outpatient departments, limiting access to the best care and possibly undermining hospitals' ability to cover uninsured patients, according to a study in the journal (March 2008, Health Affairs)
Warfare and Health Care
Martin Luther King Jr. described the horrific trendline four decades ago: "A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death."... Nearly one in six Americans has no health insurance, and tens of millions of others are badly underinsured...The United States...now spends about $2 billion per day on military pursuits. (3/12/08, Perspective)
Drug Prices Climbing
Drugmakers increased their prices last year by an average of 7.4 percent for brand-name medicines most commonly prescribed to the elderly, according to the advocacy group AARP. The increase was about 2.5 times overall inflation, continuing a long-standing trend. (3/5/008, AARP by AP)
Who Really Pays for Health Care? The Myth of 'Shared Responsibility
discusses the "misconception" that employers and the government pay a significant share of U.S. health care costs. Concludes that employer-sponsored health benefits are a component of overall worker compensation, and the government increases taxes on the current population, borrows from future generations or cuts other necessary programs to pay for increases in health care costs. Also discusses how the "myth of shared responsibility" makes it difficult to remove employers as part of efforts to overhaul the U.S. health care system. (3/5/08, JAMA)
Four In 10 Americans Say They Have Trouble Paying For Drugs Or Skip Prescriptions Or Cut Pills Due To Cost
A new poll finds Americans greatly value prescription drugs' potential benefits for their families, but most believe they cost too much money and many struggle to pay for needed medicines. Four in 10 Americans (and half of those regularly taking at least one medication) report experiencing at least one of three cost-related concerns in their family: 16 percent say it is a "serious" problem to pay for prescription drugs; 29 percent say they have not filled a prescription in the past two years because of the cost; and 23 percent say they have cut pills in half or skipped doses in order to make a medication last longer. People are most likely to report one of these three issues if they lack drug coverage (52 percent), if they have low incomes (54 percent) or if they take four or more drugs regularly (59 percent). Forty four percent of Americans who ask their doctors about an advertised medicine are prescribed the drug. Nearly one-third of Americans inquire about specific prescription drugs after viewing ads for these products. (3/4/08, Harvard School of Public Health, USA Today and KFF, March 4, 2008)
State of the States 2008: Rising to the Challenge
This report outlines 2007 efforts to expand health insurance coverage and find new tools to address health care reform at the state level. While many states made progress, key contributors to uninsurance remain unchecked and historically difficult policy questions remain unanswered. According to the report, steady increase in the number of uninsured has been a hallmark of the last decade, precipitated by unprecedented declines in employer-based coverage. In 2007 the trend continued and, like last year, was exacerbated when public program funding remained flat, failing yet again to offset new losses. This one-two punch hits children particularly hard, swelling the ranks of uninsured kids by 700,000 in 2006 and accounting for more than one-quarter of the growth in uninsured. (Feb 2008, RWJF)
The U.S. Economy And Changes In Health Insurance Coverage, 2000–2006
The number of uninsured Americans increased by 3.4 million between 2004 and 2006, despite improving economic conditions. In the first four years of the decade, during a period of economic recession, the number increased by 6.0 million. The dominant factor in both periods was a decline in employer-sponsored insurance coverage.” (2/20/08, Health Affairs)
Health Disparities
2007 National Healthcare Quality Report
examines improvements in health care quality between 1994 and 2005 and trends in health care disparities since 1994. The quality of health care continues to improve at a modest pace. However, the rate of improvement appears to be slowing. (3/4/08, AHRQ)
New study urges stroke checkup for Hispanics
Previous studies have shown that clogged carotid arteries increase the risk of heart attack and stroke in Caucasians and African Americans. Now, a new study shows that Hispanics with even a small amount of plaque in their arteries are four times more likely to suffer or die from a stroke or heart attack than Hispanics with no plaque.(3/21/08, Miami Herald)
The Gap Gets Bigger: Changes in Mortality and Life Expectancy, by Education, 1981-2000
It's no secret that over the last few decades, life expectancy in the United States has been rising. However, recent data shows that not everyone has benefited from this encouraging trend. New findings demonstrate that individuals with more than 12 years of education have significantly longer life expectancy than those who never went beyond high school. (March/April 2008, Health Affairs)
Minorities More Likely Than Whites To Rate Their Health Care As Fair Or Poor
Minorities are more likely than whites to rate the quality of their health care as fair or poor, according to a survey of 4,334 U.S. adults in 2007. The study found that 91% of whites rated their care as excellent or good. For most ethnic groups, the percentage that rated care as excellent or good was lower than that of whites, with the lowest ratings among Chinese-Americans at 74%, blacks born in Africa at 73% and Vietnamese-Americans at 72%. (March/April 2008, Health Affairs)
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in U.S. Health Care: A Chartbook
Research shows that minorities in the United States are in poorer health, have more trouble accessing care, are more likely to be uninsured, and receive lower-quality care more often than other Americans. Containing 75 charts and accompanying analysis, this unique resource presents emerging evidence linking many disparities to the overall performance of local health care systems. According to the research team, U.S. minorities may disproportionately live in regions where the quality of care is suboptimal. (3/13/08, Commonwealth Fund)
Black, Latino Children More Than 12 Times As Likely As White Children To Both Be Poor and Live In Poor Neighborhoods
Almost 17 percent of black children and 20.5 percent of Latino children in the United States live in "double jeopardy," meaning that they live in both poor families and poor neighborhoods, according to research released today in the March/April issue of the journal Health Affairs. In contrast, only 1.4 percent of white children live in double jeopardy. According to researchers, the type of neighborhood one lives in plays a significant role in racial and ethnic health disparities. (Mar/Apr 2008, Health Affairs)
Health Views Differ along Ethnic Lines
Minorities are more likely than white patients to rate their health care as fair or poor, a view that is particularly true among Chinese-Americans, blacks born in Africa and Vietnamese-Americans. Researchers have long stressed that improving patients' perception of their care is important to improving outcomes. That's because negative experiences can lead to less time spent with a physician and poor communications between doctor and patient. (3/10/08, AP)
Do Hospitals Provide Lower-Quality Care to Minorities than to Whites?
Research has shown that minority patients tend to have primary care physicians with less clinical training, see specialists with poorer clinical outcomes, and seek care at lower-performing hospitals than do white patients. However, a new Commonwealth Fund-supported study finds that when minority patients and white patients seek care at the same hospital, they receive the same standard of care. (3/11/08, Commonwealth Fund)
The Characteristics and Performance of Hospitals that Care for Elderly Hispanic Americans
is the first to examine where Hispanics receive hospital care and finds that a small number of hospitals care for most elderly Hispanics in the nation. The researchers document how hospitals that disproportionately serve Hispanics provide lower-quality care for common medical conditions. (Mar/Apr 2008, Health Affairs)
Disparities in Physician Care: Experiences and Perceptions of a Multi-Ethnic America
If public policies provided minority groups with better insurance coverage and language skills, many of the health care disparities found in this study would be narrowed. (Mar/Apr 2008, Health Affairs)
Evaluating Interventions to Reduce Health Care Disparities
Now that racial/ethnic disparities have been well documented, what can be done to reduce them in real-world settings? (Mar/Apr 2008, Health Affairs)
Challenges to Using a Business Case for Addressing Health Disparities
For health care organizations, the social case for reducing health disparities should be just as important as the business case. (Mar/Apr 2008, Health Affairs)
Geographic and Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Child Health
paints a disturbing picture of an "unequal geography of opportunity." (Mar/Apr 2008, Health Affairs)
Racial-Ethnic Inequality in Child Well-Being from 1985-2004: Gaps Narrowing, but Persist reports that, since 1985, racial and ethnic disparities in children’s health have decreased, which is largely due to behavioral changes such as decreases in violent crime and drug use, and increases in family income. Although these disparities have improved, the overall well-being of children in the U.S. is far below that of our international peers. (Jan 2008, Fdn. for Child Development)
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Medical and Dental Health, Access to Care, and Use of Services in US Children found that minority children experience multiple disparities in these areas of health care, and certain disparities were particularly marked for specific racial/ethnic groups. For example, asthma and speech problems are particularly problematic for African Americans, and unmet medical and dental needs are more common for Native Americans. (Feb 2008, Pediatrics)
Using Healthy Eating and Active Living Initiatives to Reduce Health Disparities
This report, targeted at communities and public health organizations, recommends healthy eating and active living initiatives as a key approach to reducing health disparities, and outlines five strategic principles that have emerged from interviews with leading national programs and relevant literature for increasing the probability of successful and sustainable outcomes. (Feb 2008, Institute for Alternative Futures)
Unequal Health Outcomes in the United States
A broad coalition of over 25 national health advocacy and civil rights organizations released a report to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, describing racial inequality in health care, health outcomes, and environmental health in the U.S. Through extensive research, this comprehensive report demonstrates that inequity in the health care infrastructure and in social and environmental conditions is the cause behind health disparities. (January 2008, report to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination)
Health, United States, 2007
is a compilation of more than 150 health tables. Nearly one in five U.S. adults - more than 40 million people - report they do not have adequate access to the health care they need, according to the annual report on the nation's health released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The report also contains a special section focusing on access to care, which shows that nearly 20 percent of adults reported that they needed and did not receive one or more key services in the past year including medical care
America's Health Rankings: A Call to Action for People and Their Communities
This report ranked states' overall health based on 20 well-being factors, including poverty levels for children, violent crime, obesity, and racial and ethnic health disparities. The report indicated that health disparities remain between minorities and whites. In addition, the report shows that Hispanics have the lowest percentage of access to routine dental care and colon cancer screenings. (November, 2007, United Health Fdn., American Public Health Assn., Partnership for Prevention)
Other Health Issues
Kaiser Health Tracking Poll: Election 2008
According to the latest poll, the economy has eclipsed health care and the Iraq war on voters' priority list, but health care plays a role in voters' priorities in two ways: as an independent issue and as part of the growing concern about the economy. The poll finds that among registered voters, health care ranks third as the issue that they want presidential candidates to discuss during the campaign. Party differences exist, with health care ranking second for Democrats, third for independents and fourth for Republicans. The public also links health care costs with the economy overall, with 64% of registered voters saying that significantly lowering the cost of health care would help the overall economic situation in the U.S. The March tracking poll also examines political independents and those who name health care as one of the most important issues in their vote for president. (3/7/08, KFF)
Substance Use, Mental Health Problems by State
Substance abuse and mental health problems affect every state, but to varying degrees, according to a new report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
The Effects of Childhood Stress on Health across the Lifespan
[T]he beneficial aspects of stress diminish when it is severe enough to overwhelm a child's ability to cope effectively. Intensive and prolonged stress can lead to a variety of short- and long-term negative health effects. It can disrupt early brain development and compromise functioning of the nervous and immune systems. In addition, childhood stress can lead to health problems later in life including alcoholism, depression, eating disorders, heart disease, cancer, and other chronic diseases. (CDC)
2008 Federal Poverty Guidelines
HHS has released its updated guidelines. (1/23/08, Federal Register)
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