Rally participants also paid tribute to the late Senator Edward Kennedy who worked tirelessly right up until his death to secure quality health care for all Americans, pledging to keep his dream alive and deliver health care reform in his memory.
Florida Health Care for America Now
Health Reform Would Extend Medicaid Coverage to More Than a Million Floridians
Click here to view the report. Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN
Thriving with Muscular Dystrophy, His Latest Life Threat is an Insurance Crisis
At the time of this purchase, Ian was 9 years old. Warren and I could not foresee that Guardian’s home nursing benefit would someday fulfill its corporate promise of a “Solution for Life.” What we had not previously known was that Guardian had similarly targeted other high claims insureds generating ongoing nursing claims (e.g. due to spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, MS, and cancer). My family is proof that even the richest health plan with unlimited benefits can disappear at the whim of ruthless insurance executives. Meaningful insurance reform must assure not merely the removal of pre-existing condition exclusions and patient caps. It must guarantee equal access to a full menu of benefit options – including home nursing care. Without mandatory insurer transparency and access to essential benefits, our lives (like Ian’s) may depend on illusory insurance benefits that can vanish into thin air. Meaningful insurance reform can only be achieved through the removal of pre-existing condition exclusions and patient (cost) limits, and guaranteed access to the same full menu of benefits that is currently offered to select groups, such as the most elite of large companies. Without covering the benefits we need, our health insurance is worthless. Susan Pearl
Give Proof of Medicaid Reform’s Feasibility
Below is Florida CHAIN’s published rebuttal to an op-ed that appeared in the Sun Sentinel. (See original op ed below FL CHAIN's response).
Give proof of Medicaid reform's feasibility Michael Bond's column on July 26, “Medicaid Reform: Changes needed to improve cost, quality," might have offered a reasonable case for sticking with the ill-fated reform experiment had any of his arguments been grounded in actual facts, and had we not heard it all so many times before.
Medicaid Reform: Changes needed to improve cost, quality Medicaid is in serious financial trouble. Absent major changes, the growth in Medicaid spending threatens to eviscerate the funding available for other vital state priorities. That's one reason why Florida got a federal waiver to try a new approach: a pilot project using managed competition in five counties. Copyright © 2009, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
The Florida Constitution requires the Legislature to redraw the lines for legislative and congressional districts every 10 years based on Census data. The 2010 Census will be used to complete the “redistricting” process in time for the 2012 elections. The current system that allows the legislators in control to set up “safe” districts is nothing new. Today, however, re-districting is a science, as computer software can break down the state into thousands of block-sized pieces, each with its own unique demographics. Districts can then be crafted in a way that divides up these blocks to give the biggest advantage in the maximum number of races. Are there limits to this? The Constitution currently requires only that districts be roughly equal in population and contiguous (i.e., touching, connected without breaks). Unfortunately, that doesn't prevent the creation of districts by carving up communities or stringing together far-flung pockets of people connected only by a narrow strip of land or a major body of water. Both of the major parties have engaged in this practice when in control of the Legislature. The consequences have included one party holding twice as many legislative seats as the other, despite the fact that both had generally equal numbers of registered voters. In addition, only a handful of races around the state are competitive each election cycle. FairDistrictsFlorida.org proposes to amend the Constitution to prohibit drawing legislative districts that favor any party or candidate. Districts would instead be required to be compact and community-based, but also be drawn to assure that voters in racial and language minority groups have an equal opportunity to participate and be represented. An analysis of how Floridians without adequate health coverage proved too difficult an exercise. However, a review of poverty rates within each district may help illustrate the problem. For example, less than a third of the 40 State Senate districts contain more than half the poverty. The poorest 20% of districts have 2 to 4 times more poor constituents than the most affluent 20%. Although the precise impact of the FairDistricts initiative is uncertain, the current system clearly makes a disproportionately small group of legislators responsible for representing the majority of poor residents and poor neighborhoods. A byproduct may be that health-related issues critical to Florida`s future, such as health disparities and lack of health care access become clear “district concerns” only to a few. Almost 677,000 petitions must be signed by Florida voters to place the initiative before voters in 2010, though supporters believe that they will meet that goal soon. If placed on the ballot, at least 60% of voters would need to approve. Petitions and additional information are available at www.fairdistrictsflorida.org. NOTE: Florida CHAIN neither endorses nor opposes any political party or candidate for office. Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN
Please confirm date, time and location for events, as they are subject to change after being listed here. NEW: Health Care Reform Events Southeast Florida
Other State Events & Notices West Central Florida
Other National Events & Notices National Campaigns
HEALTH CARE REFORM EVENTS & NOTICES
Join Candle Light Vigils on September 2, from Jax to Key West Eleven Florida communities are among the hundreds of holding "We can't afford to wait" vigils nationwide. MoveOn.org is organizing these just days before members of Congress return to Washington, to make sure they know that an overwhelming majority of voters are counting on them to act quickly to pass health care reform. The vigils will put a human face on the urgent need for bold health care reform with a real public health insurance option and deliver an unmistakable message to the media and members of Congress. See the listings below by area of Florida for details on events in Jacksonville, Gainesville, Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota, Punta Gorda, Melbourne, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Key West. Bring candles, family and friends. NORTH FLORIDA
Health Insurance Reform Phonebank Sept 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10 5:30 pm FDP Office, 214 S Bronough St, Tallahassee As our members of Congress return to DC after the August break, let us all come together and show them how much we want Health Insurance Reform. We will be doing a phone bank and canvass from the Florida Democratic Party Headquarters. We have worked all summer to make sure that Health Insurance Reform happens, lets let DC know that we want it to happen NOW! Jacksonville Health Care Support Vigil Sept 2 7:30 pm San Marco Square, Jacksonville Gainesville Health Insurance Reform Vigil Sept 2 7:30 pm front of North Florida Regional Medical Center , 6500 W Newberry Rd, Gainesville Sept 5 Jacksonville Children’s Commission Shifts begin at at 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm Part of Festival/Conference includes separate symposia for women and men featuring medical professionals with dialogue on health reform, cardiovascular issues, green pharmaceuticals, holistic healing. "Get Boyd on Board!" Campaign for Health Insurance Reform Sept 13 5:00 PM Private home, Tallahassee An informal late-Sunday-afternoon political meeting and social event (2-3 hours) for persons keenly interested in health care reform, at the host's home on 4 acres.
Sept 2 4:00 pm SEIU, 7001 Lake Ellenor Dr, Orlando We will be holding weekly phonebanks to recruit new volunteers as well as collect pledges in support of health care reform. This is a great opportunity to expand our community network of volunteers which will allow us to hold events more often and gather support for passing health care reform by the end of the year. Please sign up for this event as well as future phonebanks listed on this site. Bring a friend!
Orlando Public Option NOW! Vigil at Lake Eola Park Sept 2 7:30 pm Lake Eola Park, 195 N Rosalind Ave, Orlando Polk County for Health Care Reform Sept 5 1:00 pm Private home, Haines City Organizing for health care events in Polk County. Would like to hold a local rally on 9/13, to coincide with the rally in DC. Sept 12 8:00 am Central Fl Fair Grounds (inside) , 4603 W Colonia Dr, Orlando Caribbean Health Summit Have access to screening and information relating to health maintance and coverage. Theme: The Greatest Wealth is Health
Rally and Vigil in Melbourne to Support Public Option Sept 2 5:00 pm Outside Rep Posey's Town Hall, 3865 N Wickham Rd, Melbourne
Health Care Town Hall with U.S. Rep Bill Posey Sept 7 11:30 am Deland City Hall, 120 S. Florida Ave A peaceful gathering of local citizens to discuss and show support for the proposed Public Option. Bring a chair.
Let's Get It Done: Health Insurance Reform Phonebank Sept 2 4:00 pm 7358 Tamiami Tr, Sarasota Join a phonebank for Health Insurance Reform at a TBD location.
Tampa Health Care Reform Vigil Sept 2 6:30 pm 7038 Fowler Ave, Tampa We will meet on Fowler Avenue 1/2 block east of Riverhills Dr. on the north side of the street at 7308 Fowler Avenue. We will stand on the roadside in front of the First United Church of Tampa. Sarasota/Bradenton "We Can"t Wait" Vigil Sept 2 7:30 pm Downtown Sarasota Office of Cong. Vern Buchanan Location is at the intersection of Orange & Fruitville Aves. Rep. Vern Buchanan's name is visible on the street level entrance to his office. We may be limited to how close we can go, etc. There will be an organizer there one hour before the event. We must make our voices heard. The public option will be a game changer and will lead to real improvement for real Americans. This is our moment and our time. Please come out and bring a story, a friend, and a candle so our Reps know we are ONE and united for change. Health Care Reform Calling from Home Sept 5, 12 12:00 pm Cape Coral During the campaign, the most efficient phone calling and canvass setup was the reason for success in electing President Obama. Callers are needed now to promote Health Care Reform. Will Eat Pizza for Health Care Reform Sept 5 12:30 pm Capalbos Pizza, 10519 Cortez Rd W, Bradenton Local Dems and Moderates in swing Dist. 13 of FL and precinct 50 that I cam captain of DEC county wise, I feel as if I could reach across and get people to come to a local mom and pa pizza chain and we can all gather around and talk and issues and ideas over pizza and coca-cola - I heard they might even serve beer so watch out! ;) But let's be realistic about this and lets just GET TOGETHER and ORGANIZED like we were in October of 2008. Health Care Reform Legislative Forum Sept 29 1:30-3:00 pm Sarasota Campus of USF 8350 N Tamiami Trail Public is invited to a community forum panel discussion that will focus on several key questions about Health Care Reform. RSVP not needed. More information: 866-595-7678 Health Care Reform Cannot Wait! Sept 2 10:00 am West Regional Courthouse, Pine Island Rd/Broward Blvd Help collect pledges of support for health care reform.
Boca Raton Public Option Now Candlelight Vigil Sept 2 7:00 pm Spanish River Park, Boca Raton Ft. Lauderdale Public Options Now! Candlelight Vigil Sept 2 7:00 pm, Coral Ridge Mall, 3200 N Federal Hwy, Ft Lauderdale We will be on the north east corner in front of the Coral Ridge Mall. Handicap accessible, please no dogs. Miami -Latino's Por a Public Option Now! Sept 2 7:30 pm 28 St NW & 17 Ave, Miami Key West Candlelight Vigil: Citizens for Health Care Reform Sept 2 7:30 pm White Street Pier, Key West
Health Care Forum with U.S. Rep. Hasting and GOP Sept 3 1:00-3:00 pm Palm Beach County Board Chambers, 301 N Olive Ave, WPB Rep Hastings will be debating two reform opponents in an event organized by the Palm Beach County GOP. 561-881-9618
Healthcare Reform Town Hall with U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek Sept 3 6:00 pm Lehman Theatre, Pawley Center Bldg 5, 11380 NW 27th Ave, Miami As we continue to move toward serious healthcare reform,Cong. Meek would like you to join him to discuss myths and facts about the current Health Care Reform Bill. Audience members will be randomly selected to ask questions concerning Health Care Reform and related legislation. Seating is limited. First-come, first-served basis for residents of the 17th Congressional District. Please note that no signs will be allowed inside the venue. Sept 5, 6 2:00-4:00 pm Starbucks in the Marriott, 161 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach We will be meeting outside the Starbucks in the Marriott to collect pledges from weekend beachgoers. Stand with OFA and other organizations and let’s show the Nation Miami supports Health Care Reform. North County Democrats Health Care Forum Sept 10 7:00 pm Abbey Road Grill, 10800 N Military Tr, Palm Beach Gardens Forum to discuss the health care reform bills pending in Congress and to show support for President Obama's health care reform agenda. Health Care Reform Pot-Luck Lunch/Rally/Meeting Sept 12 1:00 pm, Jim Ward Community Ctr, Ft Lauderdale This will be a pot-luck lunch/rally/meeting to discuss how to help President Obama achieve real health care reform and how to counter the false information being put out there by those who want him to fail. Bring a dish which can be easily shared with your neighbors. We will provide cups, plates, napkins, and utensils. Sept 13 10:00 am Town Centre Plaza, 10073 S Federal Hwy. (US1), Port St Lucie The purpose of this group is to organize a march on Sept 13th across the USA. Congress is wavering on the public option and we must demand one if we expect healthcare costs to go down. Every city in the country needs you to come out and March For Healthcare. Spread the word about the march. Punta Gorda Health Care Reform Vigil Sept 2 8:00 pm Gazebo @ Laishley Park, 100 Nesbit S, Punta Gorda FLORIDA AUDIO AND WEB EVENTS ON NATIONAL HEALTH CARE REFORM
NATIONAL HEALTH CARE REFORM EVENTS & NOTICES
OTHER STATE EVENTS & NOTICES
Including Prevention in Health Reform: Prospects and Impacts Proposals Due: Sept 25 Conference: March 4-5 Jacksonville, FL Save the date and note the location of ACHI's 2010 annual conference. It'll be more hands-on practical and offer more peer-to-peer networking than ever, so stay tuned this summer as details emerge on 2010's premier community health and community benefit professional meeting. Health Planning Council Annual Meeting Oct 22 12:00 Noon-2:00 pm Jacksonville Marriott Join with other health industry leaders and human service professionals as we look at the state of health care throughout the Northeast Florida region. Learn about several exciting new developments at the Council and future plans that will positively impact the communities we serve. Keynote Speaker Laura McCrary, Director of the Kansas City Regional Health Initiative share how Kansas City health and behavioral health providers moved beyond traditional barriers and began to approach systemic changes to improving care in their community. 904-723-2162
April 11-16 Tallahassee A full week of activities has been posted online.
Notices
Hispanic Health Initiatives presenta Cuidando Mi Salud Primer Viernes de Cada Mes 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Oficina de HHI, 218 Live Oaks Blvd, Casselberry Entérese si usted está en riesgo de presentar enfermedades cardiovasculares, diabetes y/o tipos de cáncer. ¡Llame hoy para su cita! Gratis. Registracion previa es requerida. 407-339-2001 ó 866-377-2583
Beyond October Campaign Against Cancer Sept 9 6:00-10:00 pm Rosen Center, Orlando The Beyond October Campaign, a health and education initiative to fight for a cure and reduce the number of new cancer cases with prevention forums, education, and early diagnosis of cancer. In 2008 the State of Florida had 102,000 new cases of cancer diagnosed. Out of compassion for the plight of women diagnosed with cancer and as a preventive measure, together with community leaders, we are carrying this cancer awareness message to the communities in Central Florida to raise the public’s awareness about the severity of breast and ovarian cancer. Call 407-430-6753. Sept 12 8:00 am-2:00 pm Central Florida Fairgrounds (inside), 4603 W Colonial Dr, Orlando Have access to screening and information relating to personal and financial health maintance. Theme: The Greatest Wealth is Health.
Events
Notices
Events DOH-Coordinated NAACP Health Summit This event is during the 66th Annual NAACP Florida State Conference. Registration is free with a completed pre-registration form. Exhibitors, Health Screeners and Sponsors are needed. Topics of Discussion Include: New National HIV/AIDS Campaign; Soon-to-be Released Man Up! Black Men and HIV/AIDS Report; Preconception Health Campaign – Every Woman, Every Day; Reducing Teen Pregnancies; H1N1-Swine Flu and More. Contact Lona_Gibson-Taylor@doh.state.fl.us or 850-245-4242.
Southeast Florida Cancer Control Collaborative Meeting Sept 17 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Mercy Hospital, Miami Partnership Showcase Presenters requested for a 10-15 minute presentation about your organization. Agenda items requested; agenda and directions will be sent before the meeting. Contact: Phil.Fusca@HCAHEALTHCARE.COM
Persona A Persona/Peer to Peer Recovery Education Course Oct 5–Nov 30 (9 consecutive Mondays) 6:30-8:30 pm North Broward Medical Center, 201 E. Sample Rd, Deerfield Beach National Alliance on Mental Illness of Broward Multicultural Outreach Program (MOP) invites all community agencies and friends to promote and advertise their first Spanish NAMI signature program. The Recovery Course is free to all Spanish speaking participants. It is a unique learning program for people with any mental illness who are interested in establishing and maintaining their health and recovery. Flyers are available in Spanish and English. Contact 954-720-6778 or namimop@hotmail.com. Notices
South Florida Cancer Control Collaborative Survey If you haven’t completed the online survey about partnerships and collaborations resulting from being a SFCCC member, please do so before Sept 17. To add more information, you can start a new questionnaire. Just put the same organizational name you used before. FLORIDA AUDIO CONFERENCES AND WEBCAST
STATEWIDE NOTICES AND CAMPAIGNS
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute: 2009 Public Policy Conference
Agency for Healthcare Research Quality 2009 Conference Promoting Environmental and Policy Change to Support Healthy Aging Sept 15-16 Chapel Hill, NC Research to Practice Symposium sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Prevention Research Centers' Healthy Aging Research Network. Conference sessions will address challenges amenable to environmental and policy change; evidence that supports specific approaches and their outcomes; and promising strategies for practice in the development and promotion of healthy communities for healthy aging. Exhibitor, Scholarship, and Sponsor Opportunities Available
22nd Annual National Academy for State Health Policy Conference Oct 5-7 Long Beach, CA Health Policy Journalism Institute: Covering Health Disparities
Community Benefit 101: The Nuts and Bolts of Planning and Reporting Community Benefit Communities Joined in Health Annual Conference
Diversity Matters: An Ongoing Conversation Proposals are currently being accepted for this conference , which is open to professionals, educators, managers, executives, ethicists and researchers in health care, social services, and community service and development; government leaders and policy-makers; as well as consumers and all those interested,. It focuses on cultural competencies in healthcare, education, research and community services. Among keynote speakers, Dr. Roberto Lewis-Fernandez will present on Reduction of Healthcare Disparities Through Cultural Competence: Barriers and Solutions to Consumer Engagement and The Role of Cultural Idioms of Distress in Psychiatric Diagnosis.
Faces of a Healthy Future: National Conference to End Health Disparities II
Overcoming Disparities: Building Successful Diabetes and Obesity Programs
Webinar: Learn How to Use New Data About Poverty and Health Insurance
One Community’s Practical Guide to Conducting Successful Community Assessments that Lead to Powerful Outcomes This session will present key elements of Healthy Hall’s organization, execution, and use of an assessment for health and broader community improvement. Healthy Hall is an organization of community volunteers and leaders that has guided three community assessment projects in Hall County, Georgia over the past ten years. The presentation will include assessment methodologies, the respective expertise and roles of community partners and of a hired consultant, specific findings that underline the need to focus on disparities reductions, and methods for communicating results in a fashion digestible and usable by the community at large. Registration fee $40 members, $80 non-members Community Benefit Scorecard: Bridging Community and Health System Goals A community benefit scorecard elevates the work of community benefit departments by clearly stating the focus, intent, and accountability of key initiatives. This session will describe the process for selecting elements of the scorecard, including linkages between community collaboratives, health system strategic planning, and operational goals. Registration fee $40 members, $80 non-members
Fundraising Training Events Sept 8 12:00 Noon to 1:30 pm Comm Fdn for Palm Beach & Martin Counties, 700 S Dixie Hwy, Suite 200, WPB The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties is pleased to be the host site for this free audio conference with the Association for Fundraising Professionals. Your website has two strategic objectives - first, to inform the website visitor about your organization and its mission, and more importantly, to garner support for your nonprofit. Learn how to plan and build a site which not only has a lot for the user to see, but a lot for the user to do as well. Consider the impact of a site that offers online donations, event tickets, membership dues, e-store purchases, affiliate marketing, even in-kind donations, planned gifts, investment donations and much more. RSVP: prowan@cfpbmc.org or 561-659-6800. Fundraising Library Orientations Sept 17 10:00 am-noon Funding Resource Center Library at the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, 700 South Dixie Highway, Suite 200 in West Palm Beach Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties offers free resources for organizations seeking grant funding? The Funding Resource Center is a Cooperating Collection of the Foundation Center, Inc., a nationwide network of libraries, community foundations and other nonprofit agencies. The best way to learn about the Center and what it offers is attending a library orientation with Daryl Houston, Program Officer. Spaces fill up quickly so email prowan@cfpbmc.org or call 561-659-6800 to reserve your spot. Registration is strongly recommended since walk-ins cannot be assured of seating (dates are subject to change). To learn more about the library and the resources available please click here.
Continuing listings, in order of submission deadlines The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida Deadline: Sept 11 The focus for the Grants Winter Cyle is on community health clinics and outreach programs. Grants will be awarded to diverse, philanthropic solutions that improve program capacity and reduce barriers to access, nurture community health leadership to reinforce local solutions, foster innovation and sustain quality and leverage financial, human and other resources to maximize measurable impact. Unitarian Universalist Association: Fund for a Just Society The Fund for a Just Society provides grants to nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and Canada that address issues of social and economic justice. The Fund supports organizations that use community organizing to bring about systemic change leading to a more just society and mobilize with those who have been disenfranchised and excluded from resources, power, and the right to self-determination. Consideration is given to projects that are less likely to receive conventional funding because of the innovative or challenging nature of the work or the economic and social status of the constituency. The maximum grant amount is $15,000; however, most grants range between $6,000 and $8,000. Requests are reviewed two times per year.
Wal-Mart Foundation State Giving Program The Wal-Mart Foundation State Giving Program awards grants at the state and regional level to programs that have a strong impact within the communities the company serves. The program provides grants of $25,000 and up in categories including Health and Wellness; these grants strive to improve access to healthcare, reduce healthcare disparities, and promote healthy lifestyles. The Foundation has a particular interest in supporting veterans and military families, traditionally underserved groups, individuals with disabilities, and people impacted by natural disasters.
RWJF Health & Society Scholars The Scholars program provides two years of support to postdoctoral scholars at all stages of their careers to build the United States' capacity for research and leadership to address the multiple determinants of population health and contribute to policy change. The program is based on the principle that progress in the field of population health depends upon multidisciplinary collaboration and exchange. Up to eighteen scholars will be selected to train at one of six nationally prominent universities. Scholars receive annual stipends of nearly $100,000.
Childhood Obesity Prevention and Treatment Research Consortium
Online Competition to Radically Rethink Mental Health Johnson & Johnson/Society for the Arts in Healthcare Grant Funds Available for Arts in Healthcare Programs
CVS Caremark Community Grants Program Accepting Grant Applications for Programs Serving Children With Disabilities and the Uninsured Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to nonprofits and schools working to provide disabled children and youth under age 21 with health and rehabilitation programs and active play opportunities alongside their non-disabled peers.
The Humana Foundation 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.
Deadline: Nov 15 Grants will be awarded in broad fields of education, health, human services, arts and culture, environment, economic and community development. Priority will be given to programs or projects that use community relationships as a key strategy for enhancing their reach, effectiveness, and results; build relationships, particularly among diverse ethnic and racial groups; reach and engage those whose needs are not being met adequately by existing community resources; pursue strategies that address new and emerging needs or approach existing ones more effectively; strengthen organizational capacity to improve results for communities and individuals they serve; build on strengths and assets of people and communities and engage them in problem solving; focus on the root causes of a problem; and leverage additional private or public resources, both financial and volunteer. For more information, contact 305-371-2711.
Frueauff Foundation
Nominations Open for 2010 Purpose Prize Honoring Older Social Innovators
Department of Health and Human Services Understanding and Promoting Health Literacy (R21)
NIOSH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings
Innovating Worthy Projects Foundation Advancing technology to improve healthcare sevices: Verizon Foundation Applications accepted: Jan 1 through Nov 30
Planning Grant for Oral Health Promotion across the Life Span (R21) Community Participation Research Targeting the Medically Underserved (R01) Community Participation Research Targeting the Medically Underserved (R21)
Community Participation in Research (R01) 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.
Exploratory/Developmental Grants Program for Basic Cancer Research in Cancer Health Disparities
Translational Research for the Prevention and Control of Diabetes and Obesity
Research on Clinical Decision-Making in People with or at-Risk for Life-Threatening Illnesses
Community-Based Partnerships for Childhood Obesity Prevention and Control: Research to Inform Policy Cancer Surveillance Using Health Claims-based Data System
2009 Aetna Foundation Regional Community Investment Programs
Ben & Jerry’s Foundation
Nathan Cummings Foundation The Nathan Cummings Foundation is rooted in the Jewish tradition and committed to democratic values and social justice, including fairness, diversity, and community. The Foundation seeks to build a socially and economically just society that values nature and protects the ecological balance for future generations, promotes humane health care, and fosters arts and culture that enrich communities. An additional goal is to strengthen the capacity of the Jewish community to work for social and economic justice, both in the United States and Israel. Funding priority is given to projects that have an impact at the state, multi-state, or national level.
Kresge Foundation Grantmaking Programs in Health and Environment Deadline: Open Both the Health and Environment Programs address health and environment-related social issues, particularly those affecting minority, low-income, and other underserved communities. United Health Foundation - Health Services Programs Supported Nationwide United Health Foundation works to improve health outcomes for all Americans. Support is provided to nonprofit organizations that serve the health needs of people and communities throughout the US. The Foundation's priorities are: to enhance the quality of health and medical care services by providing reliable, scientifically-based information to support decisions made by health professionals, communities, and individuals; and to expand access to medical care and health-related services for individuals and families who live in challenging circumstances. Grants generally range from $1,000 to $50,000.
Educational Foundation of America Rolling Acceptance
Johnson Foundation: Wingspread Conferences Multiple deadlines Ladder to Leadership: Developing the Next Generation of Community Health Leaders Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation Community Improvement Programs Provides support to nonprofit organizations that improve communities and positively impact lives. The grantmaking emphasis is on programs that help children and families, animals, or the environment. Average grant $2,500.
Donors Forum of South Florida on-line database 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.
Note: Items in brown are related to health care reform.
NEW SECTION: Health Care Reform Resources
NEW SECTION: New Health Care Reform Reports NEW SECTION: Continued Listings: Health Care Reform Reports Continued Listings: Florida Reports
Florida Health Care Reform Resources
Health Action Now Florida Group AARP’s Florida Health Action Now group is up and running. Please visit and join. Site goers will discover first-hand information about Site goers will discover first-hand information about health care reform, Medicare, myths and facts and other pertinent AARP information.
Florida SEIU Health Care Reform Database Florida SEIU invites organizations and individuals to enter their information in a Community Partners database for health care reform efforts.
National Health Care Reform Resources
Paying for Better Care: A Consumer Advocate’s Reference Guide to Payment Reform provides clear information about some of the most complex concepts of how we pay for health care. It also provides guidance on evaluating payment reform proposals to ensure that they promote: Improved health outcomes, Increased reliance on primary care, Improved care coordination, Greater provider accountability to patients and communities, Patient-centered care that adjusts for unique needs and circumstances, Increased education and empowerment for patients and their families, Greater transparency on how providers are paid and the quality of care they offer. This report helps consumer advocates understand how the current fee-for-service payment model has contributed to escalating costs and lower quality care, what the alternative payment models are and how to evaluate them, and what roles advocates might play in crafting consumer-friendly payment reform nationally or in their states. Read this report and others in the series here. (August 2009, Community Catalyst) The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has launched to provide timely, nonpartisan information and tools to inform policymakers about the need to reform our ailing health care system. Add the HealthReform.org widget to your social networking page or Web site. This widget feeds the day’s top health reform news clips and The Users’ Guide to the Health Reform Galaxy blog entries. Sign up to have the Daily Health Reform News Digest sent directly to your inbox. Check out The Users’ Guide to the Health Reform Galaxy blog. Learn about new and noteworthy research, data and expert commentary.Access real-time policy analysis. (RWJF) www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck has been launched to knock down the rumors and lies that are floating around the internet. You can find the information below, and much more, there. Recent additions include a video of Nancy-Ann DeParle from the Health Reform Office tackling a viral email head on. Pretty Short Summary of the 3 House Committees Health Care Reform Bills One-pager about how ealth insurance would be provided through (1) employers; (2) a national insurance exchange; or (3) an expanded Medicaid program. Most aspects of the legislation will take effect starting in 2013. (August 2009, Coalition on Human Needs) 10 Reasons to Support Health Care Reform Even though key decisions are still being made, it is clear we have gained significant ground. There is much to be excited about in these proposals: Millions more people will gain health insurance, coverage will be more affordable, and people will have access to the health services they need. These provisions will improve the lives of millions of Americans and give us the peace of mind that comes with knowing that we have coverage no matter what. But the road ahead will not be easy. We must continue to work for improvements and we must ensure that we do not lose the gains we have made so far—they are worth fighting for. Below are some highlights in the health care reform proposals. (Families USA) The Truth About Immigrants in Health Care Reform One-page handout. Opponents of health reform are using immigration as one of their wedge issues to take down health reform for partisan political gain by making false claims regarding immigrants. They provide only empty criticism and offer no solutions to the real problem of working families not having access to quality, affordable health care. The Truth is that the current health reform proposals are not comprehensive enough to appropriately address the health needs of America’s diverse population. For instance, numerous barriers remain to affordable health care for immigrants of all statuses. (National Immigration Law Center)
Families USA Advocate Tip: Respond to Attacks on Reform
Cover the Uninsured Weekly News Digest is currently in its seventh year of providing health coverage advocates and activists from across the United States with leading newspaper editorials, articles and columnist op-eds. This year, as America continues a once-in-a-generation national conversation on health reform, RWJF has expanded its health and health care e-mail products to give you more flexibility than ever to customize the topics, frequency of updates and delivery format that work best for you. We'll also be making a few slight changes to some existing products. You can automatically import stories to your blog, Web page or social networking site either through the Cover the Uninsured Widget or by signing up for the RSS Feed. And, for those who prefer daily e-mail clips or updates on other aspects of health care, RWJF offers the Health Reform Daily Clips as well as subject-specific Content Alerts to inform you of interesting research and studies. Register for these and other e-mails (or update your existing selections) by visiting RWJF.org’s E-mail Subscription page.
Kaiser Updates Interactive Health Reform Comparison Tool To Reflect Latest Congressional Action
HHS Releases State-Specific Online Reports Highlighting Need for Reform
Webcast: Will Health Reform Limit Patients' Choices? How might health reform affect our choices? How could health information technology help us make more intelligent choices? How much choice do we really have now? How much choice do we need? These questions were recently addressed by health policy experts at a National Press Club briefing sponsored by the Alliance for Health Reform and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The briefing provided reporters with access to experts and non-partisan research that will continue to inform the reform debate. Panelists included:Uwe Reinhardt, Ph.D., a health economist at Princeton University;Joe Antos, Ph.D., a health economist at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research in Washington;Daniel Callahan, Ph.D., a medical ethicist and co-founder of The Hastings Center in New York State; andFormer Congressman Tony Coelho, chair of the Partnership to Improve Patient Care.
Universal Coverage and Access: Critical to Achieving Health Equity Congressional briefing powerpoint presentation by Ron Pollack. (5/27/09, Families USA) Rand Corporation’s COMPARE Initiative provides information and tools to help policymakers, the media, and other interested parties understand, design and evaluate health policies. Site includes policy options and analysis, and “HOT” legislation page. Access Denied video Accidents Happen video Children’s Defense Fund encourages all to view and share these videos depicting the importance of health coverage for all children. I'm fighting for health care reform because... (finish the sentence)
RWJF Health Care Consumer Confidence Index The inaugural report (June 2009) of the new monthly RWJF Index has been released online. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation launched a new research tool: the RWJF Health Care Consumer Confidence Index (RWJF Index). The first of its kind, the RWJF Index will provide a monthly snapshot of Americans’ attitudes about health care. Analysis of the data is being provided by the University of Minnesota’s State Health Access Data Assistance Center (SHADAC). The RWJF Index has begun during this critical moment in the health reform debate to serve as a valuable measurement in the months to come, helping with understanding of how changes in the health care system affect the average health care consumer. These monthly data points can be used to make the case for health reform and position the issue in a broader context.
Health Affairs and RWJF Health Policy Briefs Health Affairs and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation are pleased to announce a new series of Health Policy Briefs aimed at providing clear, accessible overviews of timely and important health policy topics. The first brief explores the current debate over cutting payments to Medicare Advantage plans - the privately run health plans that now serve almost a quarter of Medicare enrollees. Health Policy Briefs will be available at no cost on the Health Affairs Web site, and you may sign up to be alerted to new briefs by email or RSS feed. The briefs will also be available via a direct website link. Community Catalyst Timeline for State Advocacy Work The Healthcare Equality Project
RWJF Daily News Digest on Health Reform! Having the right information at the right time is an essential step in changing health care policy and practice for the better. To further this goal, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has launched its first ever Daily News Digest. This new service, focused on health reform, is a comprehensive daily look at what’s happening in the mainstream media, policy press and the blogosphere. Sign up to have this useful resource delivered to your inbox.
Webcast: Health Insurance Exchanges: See How They Run looks at insurance exchanges and examines the following questions: What is meant by a health insurance exchange, and how might it work? Who would be allowed to seek coverage through the exchange? What rules would govern the conduct of plans offering coverage? What’s in it for the consumer?
Senate Finance Committee Hosts Three Roundtables to Discuss Key Elements of Health Care Reform: Delivery System, Coverage, and Financing Between April and May, Senate Finance Committee (SFC) Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-IA) hosted a series of three roundtable discussions on health care reform. The roundtable topics covered the health care delivery system, coverage, and financing. These roundtables were intended to encourage discussion between SFC members and health care policy and industry experts. They were also intended to inform the development of a comprehensive health care reform bill later this summer. Soon after each roundtable, the SFC released a policy paper detailing options for addressing each issue. The three roundtables were open to the public, and webcasts and the three policy papers are available on the Finance Committee Web site at www.finance.senate.gov.
New: Florida Organizations and Services
Health Insurance Resource Center has been providing consumers with health insurance information and navigation advice since 1984. They include special resources for Florida at http://www.healthinsurance.org/florida Insurance claim denied? Here's where to get help
South Florida Smoking Cessation Programs
(Florida) Hispanic Health Initiatives
The Florida Discount Drug Card 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. Free Back to School KidCare Materials from Cover the Uninsured
Web Sites, Web Features & Databases
Florida CHARTS New Interactive Community Maps Application This application displays maps for births, deaths, fetal and infant deaths and U.S. Census data. All data is displayed at the census tract level. Users may choose to display quartiles based on all Florida census tracts or calculate results for only one county’s data. The maps also have the tables for the indicator data and census tract reports. There’s a users’ guide on the web page. You can view maps that show the distribution of deaths (numbers, not rates) from cancer and for selected cancer sites – for the state or by county. Under the “births” section, it has the percentage of births to women who smoke. The census data is still from the 2000 census or before (ok for areas that haven’t experienced much change).
Tobacco-Free Florida has created a new satellite website for businesses. The site has posters that can be downloaded to display at workplaces, as well as a pledge to be tobacco free. If the business takes the pledge, they are automatically entered to win a $500 giftcard for an employee lunch! The phone number for the state's toll free tobacco cessation quitline, Florida Quit-for-Life Line, is 1- 877-U-CAN-NOW. Updated Hospital & Health Plan Data on Florida Health Finder The Agency for Health Care Administration announced the release of updated health plan quality and hospital inpatient data on Florida Health FinderConsumers can access and compare the most recent quality of care and patient satisfaction measures for Florida HMOs and PPOs. In addition, the website now contains hospital inpatient data for July 2007 through July 2008. The most current Hospital Financial Data Book is also available, showing an analysis of hospital financial results for fiscal years ending in 2007. Annie E. Casey Foundation recently updated its online database, , which contains state-, city-, and now community-level data for more than 100 measures of child well-being. This database can generate custom reports for specific geographic areas and compare them based on a particular topic (for example, poverty, education, and health/health insurance).
Florida Census Data
Updates to www.FloridaHealthFinder.gov Website AHCA has announced a major redesign of this site and the addition of a new hospice comparison tool. The site contains interactive tools that give Floridians the opportunity to compare pricing and performance for hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, emergency rooms, health plans, nursing homes, and pricing on prescription drugs. The easy to use website provides health outcome information for over 150 conditions and procedures in Florida’s health care facilities and is linked to an extensive health care encyclopedia.
statehealthfacts.org This web site recently added new data on Medicaid, CHIP and Medicare. New data from the Congressional Research Service on CHIP enrollment and projected federal allocations have been added for all states and the nation. In addition, data on the distribution of enrollment in CHIP by family income level for fiscal year 2008 and the projected federal CHIP allotments under the CHIP Reauthorization Act for FY 2009 are available for all states and the nation. Statehealthfacts.org also added new data from HHS and the Government Accountability Office about temporary federal Medicaid relief provided by the federal economic stimulus plan to states from October 2008 through March 2009, along with the total estimated federal stimulus allocations to each state through December 2010. The Web site also added new data from an analysis by the Urban Institute and the Foundation's Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured of 2005 CMS data on dual eligibles. The new data include Medicaid spending for dual eligibles by service, Medicaid spending per dual eligible, dual eligibles as a percent of total Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and the distribution of dual eligible enrollment. SHADAC Launches Redesigned State Health Access Assistance Web Site 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
A low literacy brochure describing services offered at
First Steps: A Guide for Parents of Young Children with Developmental Disabilities Florida Health News, free online non-profit news service
Florida Health Insurance Coverage of Children 0-18 (2004-2005)
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
State of Florida Health Care Consumer Websites
Medicaid Applications Online 24/7 and in Neighborhoods
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 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
Webinars, Audio, Videos and Films: Web, Rent/Purchase, Theater PBS Re-Broadcasting "Unnatural Causes" Series in October
CNN recently launched a video discussion on race and healthcare, Treatments on Different Races, as part of a week-long focus on health care issues. CNN anchors discussed disparities in disease outcomes between minorities and whites. According to the anchors, one of the most striking disparities is differences in survival rates—for example, the survival rate for black men that have strokes is 25 percent compared to 52 percent for a white men.
Medical Manual for Religio-Cultural Competency To meet the needs of its diverse clinician and patient constituency, EmblemHealth announced on Friday publication of what is believed to be the first comprehensive guide to help physicians and medical professionals address the needs of patients whose health care decisions are influenced by their religious and cultural beliefs. The manual is sponsored by EmblemHealth and created by the Tanenbaum Center For Interreligious Understanding, a global leader in training health care providers to offer religiously and culturally competent care for patients of all ages and backgrounds.
New Health Care Reform Reports The rapid rise in health insurance premiums has severely strained U.S. families and employers in recent years. This analysis of federal data finds that if premiums for employer-sponsored insurance grow in each state at the projected national rate of increase, then the average premium for family coverage would rise from $12,298 (the 2008 average) to $23,842 by 2020—a 94 percent increase. However, if health system reforms were able to slow premium growth by 1 percentage point in all states, by 2020 employers and families together would save $2,571 per premium for family coverage, compared with projected trends. If growth could be slowed by 1.5 percentage points—a target recently agreed to by a major industry coalition—yearly savings would equal $3,759. The analysis presents state-by-state data on premium costs for 2003 and 2008, as well as projections, using various assumptions, for costs in 2015 and 2020. (8/20/09, Commonwealth Fund)
HR 3200 Health Reform Analysis and Overview
Coverage Denied: How the Current Health Insurance System Leaves MILLIONS Behind
Covers: The federal government’s role in financing and delivering health care; Lowering the rate of growth of Medicare spending; Advance care planning for serious illness (8/20/09, Health Affairs)
Rite of Passage? Why Young Adults Become Uninsured and How New Policies Can Help, 2009 Update Young adults ages 19 to 29 are one of the largest segments of the U.S. population without health insurance: 13.2 million, or 29 percent, lacked coverage in 2007. They often lose coverage at age 19 or upon high school or college graduation: nearly two of five (38%) high school graduates who do not enroll in college and one-third of college graduates are uninsured for a time during the first year after graduation. Twenty-six states have passed laws to expand coverage of dependents to young adults under parents' insurance policies. Congressional proposals to reform the health system could help uninsured young adults gain coverage and prevent others from losing it. (8/6/09, Commonwealth Fund) Many Seniors Worry Health Reform Could Hurt Instead Of Help Polls, events and Congressional offices report that far lower proportions of seniors than other groups support health reform, and they are genuinely worried about losing current benefits. (8/13/09, Medical News Today)
A recent Harris/Decima poll in Canada that found a 10-to-1 majority of Canadians believed their system was "superior" to the U.S. system. They might also note that a 70% majority of Canadians thought their system was "performing well"; and that a majority favored an expansion of public sector health care (i.e., "government-run" health care in the current debate) over private sector health care. (8/1/8/09, Harris Poll Weekly) The More People Think They Know about Obama's Health Care Reform Proposals The More They Oppose Them. In late January only 17% of the public claimed to know much about President Obama's health care reform proposals. By late July, just before the president's press conference on July 22nd, that number had more than doubled, to 36%, while fully 72% felt they knew "a lot" or "some." The full importance of this question is that how much people feel they know about the president's proposals are strongly correlated with opposition to them. (8/11/09, Harris Poll Weekly)
How Health Care Reform Can Lower the Costs of Insurance Administration Health Care Premiums Run Amok: The Cost of Doing Nothing about the Health Care Crisis shows that, without health reform, average family premiums will grow to more than $22,000 by 2019, up from $13,000 today. And once copayments and other out-of-pocket expenses are factored into the total, overall family health care costs will be even higher. This memo includes the forecasted premium increases for each state. (7/24/09, Center for American Progress) State Variation and Health Reform Coverage for Low-Income People: Should the Medicaid Program Be Expanded to Cover More of the Uninsured? Should There Be Changes in the Children’s Health Insurance Program? examines the options being debated by key congressional committees and summarizes arguments for and against expansion of these public programs. The proposed changes could raise income eligibility levels, allow low-income individuals to buy private insurance with help from subsidies, or even enroll in a public option. (7/23/09, Health Affairs) Too Sick for Health Care: How Insurers Limit and Deny Care in the Individual Insurance Market reveals the practices insurers use against the roughly one in four Americans who either purchase their insurance in the individual market or have considered doing so. This memo, and the accompanying 50 state fact sheets, examine how insurers in this market offer weak benefits, exclude benefits, cancel coverage, and limit coverage. (7/20/09, Center for American Progress) finds that, over the last three years, nearly three-quarters of people who tried to buy coverage in this market never purchased a plan, primarily due to high premiums. More than two out of five adults with coverage through the individual market reported not getting needed health care because of cost. People with such coverage also spend far more out of pocket than those with job-based coverage and are more vulnerable to catastrophic health care costs. (7/21/09, Commonwealth Fund)
New Listings: Children's Health Care
In 2007, almost 89 percent of people with Medicare had some form of supplemental insurance. Approximately 34 percent had employer-sponsored supplemental coverage, 22 percent were in Medicare Advantage plans like HMOs, and 17 percent purchased Medigap policies. The remaining 15 percent had low incomes and modest assets that qualified them for some form of Medicaid. (August 2009, KFF) Medicare Part D Update—Lessons Learned and Unfinished Business examines the effects of Part D on drug coverage, access to medications, out-of-pocket spending, and overall Medicare spending. More seniors are now covered by a Medicare drug plan and report greater savings, but gaps in coverage and other problems still persist. Seniors now have dozens of Medicare drug plans to chose from, but they do not always pick the cheapest plan. (7/23/09, NEJM) Strategies for Simplifying the Medicare Advantage Market argues that fewer plan offerings, or more transparent differences across plans, would help beneficiaries choose the plans that are most likely to meet their individual needs. Research shows that individuals faced with a large number of alternatives often avoid making a decision, or they choose options that may not be best for them economically. This report outlines nine ways to simplify the process of choosing a plan. (7/21/09, KFF) Medicare Demonstrations Show Paying For Quality Health Care Pays Off Demonstrations being conducted by CMS continue to provide strong evidence that offering financial incentives for improving or delivering high quality care increases quality and can reduce the growth in Medicare expenditures. Data released examines a pilot project by Medicare that links hospital payments to the quality of care. Wall Street Journal reports the project "has helped prevent infections in pneumonia patients and cut death rates in heart-attack patients. ... In the project, hospitals compete for cash incentives from Medicare, the government insurance program for the elderly and disabled. Medicare officials are expected to announce that 225 hospitals will divide $12 million in bonuses; three poor performers will be penalized. Some lawmakers see the experiment, which began in 2003, as a model as they debate ways to overhaul the nation's health-care system." (August 2009, CMS)
New Listings: Federal/State Budgets New Fiscal Year Brings No Relief From Unprecedented State Budget Problems At least 48 states have addressed or still face shortfalls in their budgets for fiscal year 2010 totaling $165 billion – or almost one-quarter of state budgets. This includes new shortfalls of $26 billion that have opened up in the adopted 2010 budgets of at least 13 states and the District of Columbia, just one month into the new fiscal year. (8/12/09, CBPP)
Policy Points: New Fiscal Year Brings Continued Trouble for States Due to Economic Downturn
Building a Bridge from Fragmentation to Accountability - The Prometheus Payment Model A critical part of restructuring the health care delivery system is the need to develop an effective payment formula that rewards professionals for delivering high-quality, coordinated and efficient care. The PROMETHEUS Payment® approach seeks to promote and reward high-quality, efficient, patient-centered health care by using a novel method to pay hospitals and physicians and other providers.(8/19/09, RWJF)
Costly Coverage: Premiums Outpace Paychecks in Florida Over the past decade, the cost of health insurance has skyrocketed, while working families’ wages have merely inched upward. As the recession lingers on, this situation continues to worsen. Reduced hours and job losses have left millions of families struggling to afford their share of premiums and millions more with no coverage at all. The combination of stagnant wages and rising health care costs is placing a growing strain on family budgets, and many families have reached a breaking point. Florida’s families are being priced out of health coverage. The increasingly unaffordable cost of health care is much more than an abstract policy issue for many American families. It is a main reason that the need for health insurance reform is so urgent. This report demonstrates just how untenable the status quo is for so many people and how unsustainable it is for our country. The report shows how rapidly premiums have been outpacing earnings in Florida over the 10-year period from 2000 to 2009. (August 2009, Families USA) Rising Health Pressures in an Economic Recession: A 360-Degree Look at Four Communities explores the financial and personal struggles of families who have suffered economic reversals and lost health coverage. The report and accompanying video, On the Edge: Health Care in a Recession, reveal that many people who have lost jobs are exhausting their savings and collecting limited unemployment benefits, yet they still do not qualify for public safety net programs such as Medicaid. (8/6/09, KFF)
Health Care and the Middle Class: More Costs and Less Coverage examines the availability, affordability, and stability of health coverage of families with incomes of $44,000 to $88,000 for a family of four. Overall, health insurance and medical care have become less affordable for the middle class, and one in 10 middle-class, working-age adults have lost health insurance. (7/24/09, KFF) AHRQ: Spending to Treat Mental Disorders on Rise GAO: Many Eligible People Not Enrolled in State High-Risk Pools Moody’s: Hospitals Likely to Experience Slower Economic Recovery EDs, Medicaid Programs Report Increased Volumes in Recession
As the national debate on health reform heats up, one topic that has generated controversy is comparative effectiveness research. Comparative effectiveness research will be used to help providers and patients make more informed treatment decisions. But critics claim that it will be used to ration care, putting bureaucrats between doctors and patients.1 This is not true. If done right, comparative effectiveness research can equip health care providers with the latest information available on what treatments work best and are the safest. It can also provide patients with access to the same information in an easily understood format. Together, informed doctors and empowered patients can develop the best course of treatment. With this new body of research comes the potential to do something else that’s very important— close gaps in health care quality. (August 2009, Families USA) Addressing Mental Health Disparities Among African-Americans According to the Surgeon General, only one-third of Americans with a mental health problem seek treatment; the percentage of African Americans getting help is only half that of non-Hispanic whites. The National Alliance on Mental Health reports that African Americans are disproportionately more likely to experience social circumstances that increase their chances of developing a mental illness and are less likely to receive diagnoses and treatments for their mental illnesses than Caucasian Americans. (8/20/09, Medical News Today) The Effects of the Economic Recession on Communities of Color This issue brief examines some of the challenges associated with employment, daily life and access to health care among racial minorities, who tend to be disproportionately affected by many of the consequences of economic hard times. High unemployment rates, coupled with vast differences in savings and wealth, have left many individuals struggling to afford such basic necessities as housing and food, and have resulted in lapses in health coverage and difficulties paying for needed medical care. (8/6/09, KFF) Race and Ethnicity and Rural Mental Health Treatment Research has shown that there is less use of mental health services in rural areas even when availability, accessibility, demographic, and need factors are controlled. This study examined mental health treatment disparities by determining treatment rates across different racial/ethnic Findings show that rural residence does little to contribute to existing treatment disparities for racial/ethnic minorities living in these areas. Findings suggest that characteristics of the rural environment may disadvantage all residents with respect to mental health treatment. In more populated areas where mental health services are more plentiful, complex racial and service system factors may play a greater role in evident ethnic/racial treatment disparities. (August 2009, Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved)
Given the current economic recession and high unemployment rates in the United States, this timely study suggests that the stress of being unemployed for longer durations as a young adult predicts higher levels of depressive symptoms.(8/21/09, Medical News Today) Trends in Child Health 1997-2006: Addressing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Activity Limitation To provide fuller detail on disparities in child health, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies analyzed selected child health indicators [low birthweight, health status (excellent, very good, good, fair, poor or unknown), unmet dental care needs, ADHD/ADD diagnosis, asthma diagnosis, learning disability diagnosis, and activity limitation] by sociodemographic characteristics of the families in which children reside. This brief examines disparities in the prevalence of an activity limitation of any type among children under the age of 18 who are African American, Hispanic or white. Comparisons of the prevalence of any activity limitation are made between the racial/ethnic groups of children overall and between children of various racial/ethnic groups in families with comparable sociodemographic characteristics (such as family type, educational attainment of householder, employment status of household, poverty status, and health insurance coverage). Activity limitations are reported less frequently for Hispanic children as a group than for either white children or black children, although it is unclear whether this pattern reflects a difference in the frequency of occurrence, or a difference in frequency of diagnosis. (July 2009, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies)
looks at barriers that prevent such partnerships from forming and discusses strategies to encourage increased employer involvement in the future. Recent evidence suggests that employers are only moderately aware of disparities. Educating employers and employees on the causes and consequences of disparities, and promoting
Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities in TRICARE examines disparities in TRICARE, the Department of Defense health coverage program for members of the uniformed service and their dependents. Although disparities exist among TRICARE beneficiaries, black non-Hispanics and Hispanics appear to receive more equitable care under TRICARE than they do in other types of health plans. (July 2009, Journal of the National Medical Association) New Listings: Other Health Issues
CDC Expects up to 195 Million Doses of H1N1 Vaccine this Year US Life Expectancy Reaches All Time High According to a new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), life expectancy in the US reached an all time high of nearly 78 years in 2007, while the age-adjusted death rate reached a new all time low of 760.3 deaths per 100,000 population. (8/19/09, CDC) Report Finds Emphasis On Quality Reduces Deaths In Hospitals A new report finds that a focus on quality reduces the number of deaths in U.S. hospitals, specifically saving 47,000 lives a year and preventing 92,000 complications. (8/10/09, Reuters)
Continued Listings: Health Care Reform Reports The Clock Is Ticking: More Americans Losing Health Coverage Should Health Benefits Be Taxed So More Can Be Insured?
As lawmakers debate how to pay for an overhaul of the nation's health care system, a new report from The Commonwealth Fund projects that including both private and public insurance choices in a new insurance exchange would save the United States as much as $265 billion in administrative costs from 2010 to 2020. Congressional leaders are attempting to keep 10-year federal budget costs of health care reform legislation under $1 trillion. (7/16/09, Commonwealth Fund)
Fork in the Road: Alternative Paths to a High Performance U.S. Health System Expanding health coverage to nearly all Americans through a national insurance exchange could reduce national health expenditures by between $1.2 trillion and $3 trillion over 11 years, estimates a new study. The study estimates that an insurance exchange offering a choice of private health plans could save an estimated $1.2 trillion over 11 years, when combined with certain other reforms proposed by a Commonwealth Fund commission. Including in the exchange a public plan that reimburses health care providers at rates midway between current Medicare and private plan rates could save $2 trillion over 11 years, while a public plan that reimburses providers at current Medicare rates could save $3 trillion, the study adds. (6/24/09, Commonwealth Fund) Cost Implications of Three Health Reform Scenarios, with Alternative Public Plan Options A comprehensive approach to health insurance, provider payment, and care delivery system reforms has the potential to slow health care cost increases while achieving near-universal coverage. The potential savings for families, businesses, and the federal government vary markedly, however, depending on whether or not a public insurance plan option is included and how such a plan is structured, according to a new analysis from The Commonwealth Fund. (6/24/09, Commonwealth Fund)
HHS Releases State-Specific Online Reports Highlighting Need for Reform
AFL-CIO 2009 Health Care for America Survey The results of the online 2009 Health Care for America Survey, sponsored by the AFL-CIO and Working America, reveal deep problems that must be fixed. A total of 23,460 people responded to the survey, which was conducted between April 1 and May 31, 2009. And more than 6,000 people took the time to tell heart-wrenching stories about the toll of health care costs, lack of insurance, systemic flaws in our health care system and the economic downturn. (July 2009, AFL-CIO)
Health benefit tax could single out Florida
Three Proposals to Pay for Health Care Reform: Impacts on People in Your State Congress will likely pay for health care reform partly by finding savings in the existing health care system and partly by raising revenue in other ways. There are several ways that Congress can raise this additional revenue without hurting families who are already struggling to pay for health care and other necessities. CTJ has analyzed three of these progressive revenue options -- the House Ways and Means Committee surcharge proposal, the President's proposal to limit itemized deductions for high-income taxpayers, and a proposal formulated by CTJ to make the Medicare tax fairer and more progressive. (July 2009, Citizens for Tax Justice)
Some States May Have to Foot More of the Health Care Overhaul Bill
"Many have suggested that reducing or eliminating the tax exclusion of employer-sponsored health insurance (ESI) could generate significant additional tax revenue to fund expansions in health insurance coverage," write the authors of a recent paper that explores "revenue and distributional consequences of several policy options that would alter the ESI tax exclusion. The paper examines the "a cap, or dollar limit, on the amount of employer-sponsored health insurance premiums excluded from taxable income" as well as "an index that determines how this cap might grow over time." The authors conclude, "in addition to providing a source of funding for health reform and incentives for seeking less expensive coverage, limiting the tax exclusion would mitigate the huge inequities built into the current treatment of employer contributions to premiums." (6/1/09, Urban Institute)
Medicare Offers Mixed Lessons For Possible 'Public Plan' Of Medicare, which provides coverage to more than 45 million elderly and disabled, NYT says: "How closely a new public plan would resemble Medicare is unclear. Still, Medicare's record offers insights into the benefits and pitfalls of public health care. While it has driven down costs though its sheer market dominance, Medicare has also been extremely slow in using its power to encourage or compel more effective health care. And, of course, providing health care for older Americans has been expensive. Medicare is expected to represent an estimated 13 percent of next year's federal budget. (7/4/09, New York Times)
Most Americans Want Health Reform But Fear Its Side Effects Health Affairs/RWJF Policy Brief: A Public Health Insurance Plan Primary-Care Doctor Shortage May Undermine Reform Efforts A new report finds that many American adolescents are suffering from unmet physical, reproductive and behavioral health needs. The report finds that many adolescents are uninsured and have limited options for purchasing insurance that meets their unique health needs. also explores the issues of patient confidentiality, finding that the vast majority of health insurance agencies violate adolescents’ privacy by mailing home an explanation of benefits statement for services billed by providers. This often discloses sensitive and confidential services such as STD screenings and treatment. (6/26/09, First Focus)
New Report: Private and Public Insurance Choices Would Help Reduce Administrative Health Care Costs by $265 Billion Over 10 Years House Health Bill’s High-Income Surcharge: A Reasonable Approach “The House surcharge proposal is reasonable and well-targeted. In recent decades, incomes have grown disproportionately for households at the top of the income scale, while their taxes have fallen substantially. Moreover, despite charges to the contrary, the proposal would have only a small impact on small businesses.” (7/17/09, CBPP)
Legislating Under the Influence Health Care Report
Avalere Analysis of Proposed Elimination of Coverage Gap Proposed health reform legislation from the House of Representatives will completely eliminate the Part D doughnut hole in 14 years, but would provide more immediate assistance to people using high-cost specialty drugs by progressively narrowing the coverage gap. (June 2009, Avalere Health)
The Senate Finance Committee is seeking to reduce the cost of its health reform bill to approximately $1 trillion over ten years, but faces difficult choices in doing so. Among the modifications it is considering are changes in subsidies intended to help low- and moderate-income families and individuals afford insurance. Some of these changes which would make it more difficult for moderate-income households (those between 300 percent and 400 percent of the poverty line) to afford insurance, which would likely result in a number moderate-income people remaining uninsured. At the same time, these changes would be preferable to changes that would adversely affect people with incomes below 300 percent of the poverty line, where the consequences of rolling back subsidies or benefit packages would be still more severe. (7/1/09, CBPP) Health Disparities: A Case for Closing the Gap Reducing Medicaid and Medicare Drug Costs Could Help Pay For Health Reform By lowering the costs that Medicaid and Medicare pay for prescription drugs, Congress could generate substantial savings to help pay for comprehensive health reform that achieves universal coverage. (6/11/09, CBPP) If Congress rejects the President’s proposal to help pay for health care reform by limiting the value of itemized deductions for high-income filers, it should at least prevent those subsidies from expanding in 2011, as they would under current law. Simply keeping the value of itemized deductions for filers in the top two brackets at their current levels would raise $68 billion over ten years according to the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. (6/10/09, CBPP) Some Media Reports Mischaracterize CBO Estimate of Senate “HELP” Health Reform Bill; Final “HELP” Bill Likely To Cover Many More People Than Partial Draft CBO Analyzed The news media are widely reporting that, according to a partial and preliminary Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis, health reform legislation that the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) is developing would cut the number of uninsured by only 16 million people while costing $1 trillion over ten years. That conclusion, however, is incorrect. The CBO analysis covers only a part of the HELP plan (the parts for which the Committee gave CBO detailed specifications) and does not include major elements of the plan that would further substantially reduce the number of uninsured. (6/16/09, CBPP) Crossing Our Lines: Working Together to Reform the U.S. Health System This report aims to provide quality, affordable health coverage for all Americans and includes recommendations to improve quality and control costs. Authors Howard Baker, Tom Daschle and Bob Dole address key issues, including the need for strong insurance reforms that require guaranteed issue; the elimination of medical underwriting for pre-existing conditions and rating limitations; new state and regional coverage options through exchanges; reforms that constrain cost growth; and financial assistance through Medicaid and tax credits. The two-year consensus-building process has been supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. (6/17/09, The Leaders' Project on the State of American Health Care)
New Polls Find Support For Health Reform, Fear Of Costs Insurers Support Coverage Mandate Because It's Good for Business "While an employer responsibility requirement is an essential component of health care reform, a proposal that the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee are considering for the forthcoming health legislation is flawed and would have serious unintended consequences, particularly for low-income and minority workers and workers with disabilities." (6/24/09, CBPP) The Last Piece of the Puzzle: Providing High-Quality, Affordable Health Coverage to All Children through National Health Reform Rules of the Road: How an Insurance Exchange Can Pool Risk and Protect Enrollees HHS Report, Forum Call for Health Reform to Reduce Disparities Health Reform: Cost of Failure White House: The Economic Case for Health Care Reform Report Recommends Ways to Increase Coverage Among Children Designing Benefit Standards for a Health Insurance Exchange explains that, in any exchange that is created as part of health reform, it is crucial to establish benefit standards so that all plans cover a comprehensive range of services, thereby ensuring that individuals and small businesses have a choice of affordable, comprehensive plans. These benefit standards would protect people with particular medical conditions from facing excessive costs, and they would better enable consumers to compare plans based on price and quality. (5/21/09, CBPP) Ensuring Affordable Health Coverage and Health Care Services in an Insurance Exchange finds that any health reform proposal that requires everyone to obtain health insurance must establish mechanisms to make health coverage and health care affordable. It also identifies four key components that any successful exchange should have: minimum standards for benefit packages, limits on the degree of variation in different benefit packages, limits on the number of different plan choices, and a requirement that insurers in the exchange offer the full range of benefit packages. (5/21/09, CBPP) Medicaid as a Platform for Broader Health Reform: Supporting High-Need and Low-Income Populations summarizes the problems that low-income individuals face in today's health care system and explores policy options for expanding Medicaid to cover more of this population as a base for broader health reform efforts. The report finds that Medicaid can provide a strong foundation that can help ensure the success of broader reform efforts by maintaining coverage for the poor and sick while providing a vehicle to reach low-income adults. (5/12/09, KFF) Meeting Enrollees’ Needs: How Do Medicare and Employer Coverage Stack Up? finds that elderly Medicare beneficiaries reported greater overall satisfaction with their health coverage, better access to care, and fewer problems paying medical bills than those under age 65 who are covered by job-based plans. This study was designed to examine whether a public plan could potentially improve access to necessary services and reduce the burden of medical bills for individuals under age 65. (5/12/09, Commonwealth Fund) Building Momentum as Democrats Forge Health Care Reform Forging a New Plan For Health Care: Principles and Priorities for Sustainable Reform The U.S. stands poised to enact dramatic and far-reaching changes to health-insurance markets in the name of expanding insurance coverage to the more than 45 million uninsured and controlling rapidly rising health-care costs in both the public and private sectors. Early signals from Congress and the administration indicate that many of these changes will involve expansions of existing government programs like Medicare and Medicaid, massive new regulation of private insurance providers, and trillions of dollars in new federal spending that will have to be financed through new taxes or substantial rationing of patient access to health-care goods and services. This paper makes the fiscal and political case for bipartisan health-care reform that: addresses dysfunctions in the existing health-care-delivery system; expands access to affordable private health insurance in an incremental and fiscally responsible manner; and improves market-based options for consumer access to information on health-care quality. (May 2009, Manhattan Institute for Policy Research) Tax on Employer Health Benefits Could Be Used to Pay for System Overhaul Study Lends Urgency to Passage of Health Care Legislation Too Great a Burden: Americans Face Rising Health Costs Nearly one in four Americans under the age of 65—some 64.4 million people—will spend more than 10 percent of their pre-tax family income on health care in 2009.... And 18.7 million non-elderly Americans.... are in families that will spend more than 25 percent of their income on health care in 2009. What’s even more troubling is that most of these Americans are in families who already have health insurance. 82.6% of Americans in families that spend more than 10% of income on health care are insured, and 76.4% of Americans in families that spend more than 25% of income on health care are insured.With the economy in decline and unemployment at its highest rate in decades, more people are out of work and losing their health coverage as a result. Yet even those with insurance are exposed to thinner coverage and higher out of pocket costs. The need to secure true health reform has never been more urgent: The economic security of American families lies in the balance. (May 2009, Families USA) Limiting the Tax Exclusion For Employer-Sponsored Insurance Can Help Pay For Health Reform; Universal Coverage May Be Out of Reach Otherwise Congress is unlikely to be able to finance health reform legislation that includes universal coverage unless it limits the exclusion of employers’ health insurance payments from workers’ income and payroll taxes. Limiting the exclusion could provide significant revenues for health reform without eroding employer-sponsored insurance or causing other undesirable side effects - if the cap and the rest of the health reform legislation are well designed. (6/2/09, CBPP) Paying for Health Reform The next in a series of reports about how policymakers could pay for health reform that extends insurance to all Americans and slows the growth of health care costs: Reversing the Erosion in Alcohol Taxes Could Help Pay For Health Care Reform Taxing High-Sugar Soft Drinks Could Help Pay For Health Care Reform (5/27/09, CBPP)
Key Priorities to Help Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries discusses three actions Congress should take to improve the Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) and the Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) as part of health reform. (May 2009, Families USA) Medicare: Helping Low-Income Seniors and People with Disabilities examines the high out-of-pocket costs Medicare beneficiaries face and how health reform should improve existing programs that help them afford these costs. (May 2009, Families USA)
State, U.S. Hospital Rankings Differ Judging by Florida’s online healthcare guide, Jackson Health System in Miami is among an elite group of 14 best hospitals for treating heart attacks. But a federal site shows Jackson as among the country’s worst. Which are we supposed to believe? (7/22/09, Health News Florida)
43.8 Million Americans Uninsured in 2008 include almost half of Floridians
Miami's patient co-pays highest
Florida Medicaid grew 13% in past year
Florida Medicaid, KidCare enrollment up The number of women and children enrolling in Medicaid, the safety net health care program for the poor, and KidCare is expected to rise as the state economy continues to lag, a reports says. The News Service of Florida reports that state economists spent Monday going over new forecasts for both the Medicaid program – which is funded with a combination of state and federal money – and KidCare, the state-subsidized children’s health insurance program.Those latest forecasts show an 8 percent growth in the number of pregnant women who are below the poverty line and enrolled in Medicaid during the fiscal year that ended on June 30. But that growth is expected to surge to nearly 15 percent in the coming year.The numbers are even more dramatic for children. (7/21/09, Health News Florida)
FL quality rated below average in new federal report
Nearly three years into a Medicaid privatization program former [Florida] Gov. Jeb Bush said could be a national model, state officials say they do not have crucial data to measure the program's effectiveness, including how many patients' treatments and prescriptions have been approved or denied. There is "little evidence" that the program "has improved health care or saved the state money." Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration, which "oversees the pilot" told the AP in an email that due to an overhaul of their computer system, they "do not have usable data at this time." (6/2/09, OPPGA) Malpractice Suits, Other Factors Contribute to Rise in Caesarean Births
Nonprofits & The Economy Survey
Floridians 50-to-65 Losing Coverage In Florida, the ratio of workers ages 50 to 65 who lacked health coverage in a study two years ago had tripled in this decade to 18 percent, an AARP study found. A spokesman said the numbers have doubtless grown since then because of the recession in a trend AARP views as alarming. (5/8/09, AARP in Tampa Tribune)
Just 2% of Medicare beneficiaries in the U.S. live in South Florida, but the area accounted for 17% of Medicare's total spending on inhalation drugs in 2007 because of potential fraud, according to a new fraud report. (April 2009, HHS Office of Inspector General)
Reports Criticize Health Care At U.S., Florida Immigration Detention Centers
A Closer Look at Tobacco Taxes: “Florida’s Fiscal Crisis: The Prescription”
ASTHO 2008 Florida Snapshot: Activities to Promote Health Equity
Florida among 10 worst states for adult diabetes
As with other benefits made available under the Medicaid Reform Pilot Program, the prescription drugs covered by health plans (called Preferred Drug Lists, or PDLs) are permitted to deviate significantly from standard Medicaid. Although this flexibility has been touted as increasing consumer choice, meaningfully informed choice is still not possible given the lack of simple and direct access to usable information about those options. In particular, longstanding problems in Reform with respect to accessing plans' PDLs on-line have still not been resolved. These problems may stem from AHCA's reluctance to impose requirements ensuring clarity, accessibility and uniformity of consumer information, as well as from its apparent unwillingness to enforce even the weak requirements it has already imposed.
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
State of Breast Cancer Report Names
Florida Funding For Safety-Net Hospitals Could Be Affected By Proposed Property Tax Cuts Proposed cuts to
Too Great a Burden: Florida Families at Risk A Report on the Impact of Healthcare Costs on 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 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
(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
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
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Health Care Reform Myths vs. Facts 
Hundreds of health care reform supporters from across the state gathered at a rally in downtown Orlando on August 29 to call on Florida's congressional delegation to support President Obama's push to bring quality health care to all Americans.
Health care reform being debated in our nation's capitol presents an opportunity to significantly improve the lives of Floridians. Florida CHAIN's newly released report outlines how as many as 1.5 million uninsured low-income Floridians would be able to obtain coverage under national health reform. (Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN) 
Any version of health care reform Congress passes must include this list of critical components for affordable, accessible and comprehensive coverage for children, families and individuals, regardless of the state in which they reside. (Karen Woodall, Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy) 
Eighteen years ago, Ian Pearl suffered cardiopulmonary arrest as a result of muscular dystrophy. No longer able to breathe on his own, he made the courageous decision to live on a ventilator for the rest of his life - despite medical risks, discomfort, immobility, and constant nursing attention. He made the decision to live in complete reliance on an insurance plan with no expiration, no cost cap, and unlimited in-home nursing care. Ian's new crisis is not medical, but an insurance crisis involving the company that saved his life in 1991. (Susan Pearl) 
Before our elected representatives can decide on laws and budgets that shape our health care system, voters are supposed to decide whether or not to elect them. Even before that, unfortunately, our reps to some extent elect us - drawing district boundaries that give a party or candidate a strong advantage that essentially decides races before they begin. That makes many Floridians' views on issues like health care less relevant to the election process. A ballot initiative aims to change that. (Greg Mellowe, Florida CHAIN) 
With National Health Care Reform dominating our agendas, Florida CHAIN is now sending out bulletins to publicize national health care reform efforts all around Florida. So add us to your distribution list or forward the information to 
The rally included several rousing speeches by leaders for health care reform and a panel of individuals sharing their experiences with the current health care system, making the case for immediate and comprehensive reform.
During the panel discussion, several members of the audience were given the opportunity to ask questions.
Another questioner, Marcia Wagshol, is a small business owner from Lake Worth.
Providing the choice of a public insurance option will lower premiums for both small businesses and individuals by bringing much needed competition to the market place.
While many political pundits and operatives have tried to handicap what they see as a political horse race, speculating that major reform will not survive this process, the activists at the rally had no doubt that they would keep up the fight and ensure that meaningful reform passes in the next few weeks.
