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Medicare Managed Care Costs More
This edition of CHAIN Reaction will be the last for 2006. Thank you for all your concern and advocacy this past year! We look forward to keeping you informed and working together in 2007.
Florida Medicaid Reform Hotline on Overload
Choice counselors at the state’s Medicaid reform hotline are seeing an unexpected surge in calls, which is slowing their efforts to recruit consumers to new health plans.
According to information shared at a Medicaid Reform Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) meeting on December 7, four months into Florida’s Medicaid Reform experiment in Broward and Duval counties, hotline counselors are flooded with calls from people who are dissatisfied with their initial health plan choice and want to enroll in another. Consumers can do so for up to 90 days.
Meanwhile, thousands more Medicaid beneficiaries, newly eligible to sign up for a health plan, call with questions about premiums, prescription lists and available doctors. The number of calls pouring into the hotline has increased four times as fast as the number of outbound calls that telephone counselors have placed to enrollees, according to the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).
“We are getting a lot of calls, which concerns us,’’ Chris Osterlund of AHCA told the TAP. “You don’t want (calls) to be because of confusion.”
ACS, the company hired to manage Choice Counselors, says the added call volume is why it fell short of its contract goals last month. ACS is responsible for enrolling 65 percent of consumers during their 30-day sign-up period; in November, the rate fell to 61 percent.
Those who don’t sign up with a plan during their enrollment window are assigned to one by the state.
One way AHCA plans to deal with this issue is by redesigning the informational packets it sends to consumers when their enrollment time is drawing near. Through their own focus groups and through information garnered from Town Hall meetings and focus groups organized by consumers and advocates, AHCA has concluded that the brochures are “too hard to follow” and the hotline information “was too much to absorb,’’ Osterlund said.
AHCA is also revising the health plan information that Choice Counselors give by phone, as dozens of consumers interviewed by Florida CHAIN and other members of the Medicaid Reform Advocates Coalition (MRAC) have stated that they have not received the kind of information they expected from Choice Counselors that would allow them to make accurate, informed decisions.
For months, Florida CHAIN and MRAC have warned AHCA that ACS’ phone and field choice counselors may not be equipped or trained to handle the volume and content of calls from concerned Medicaid consumers. The changes under Florida’s Medicaid reform efforts are too vast for most consumers to understand during brief phone conversations and outreach efforts to inform consumers of when and where they can meet counselors in person have fallen short.
Four months after the hotline opened, AHCA has also concluded that a health care professional should be available to field questions from callers, especially those with complex medical needs. ACS is training the first of five nurses that will work the phone lines.
Florida CHAIN applauds AHCA’s willingness to restructure Medicaid reform as anecdotal evidence of problems arises. We also believe that a more effective way to implement changes to reform is to allow input from advocates and consumers in the design and implementation process before materials are distributed.
Florida Continues Near Bottom in Residents’ Health
When it comes to the overall health of its residents, Florida continues to rank near the bottom of the list compared to other states, according to a new survey.
United Health Foundation ranked Florida 41st of the 50 states based on categories including personal behavior, community environment, public and health policies and clinical care. Florida ranked 40th according to last year’s survey.
The most significant change for Florida: the percentage of children ages 19 to 35 months receiving complete immunizations decreased from 88.5 percent to 79.3, dropping Florida from a national leader (ranked 2nd) to a 31st ranking. This indicates that children are not getting fully immunized during their first year.
The report states that generally the cost of clinical care in Florida is high compared to other states and the quality of care is low.
The survey also shows that Florida continues to lag behind other states when it comes to the rate of insured versus uninsured residents. Florida’s uninsured population has steadily climbed from 17.8 percent in 1990 to 20.7 percent. In this area, Florida ranked 49th.
Florida has consistently ranked in the bottom quarter of all states because of several long-term challenges:
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a low high school graduation rate with 66.7 percent of incoming ninth graders who graduate within four years (ranked 42nd),
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a high violent crime rate at 708 offenses per 100,000 population (ranked 48th),
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a high incidence of infectious disease at 39.1 cases per 100,000 population (ranked 49th).
Minnesota, Vermont and New Hampshire rank as the healthiest states; Louisiana and Mississippi were found to be the least healthy.
The report was produced by United Health Foundation in partnership with the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention. The United Health Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation funded by UnitedHealth Group. The health care company offers private, Medicaid and Medicare plans in Florida.
Medicaid Citizenship Proof Begins to Show Decline in Rolls
Some states are seeing a decline in Medicaid rolls since a new federal mandate that requires individuals to show proof of U.S. citizenship to obtain government-subsidized health insurance.
The number of Medicaid consumers in Kansas has dropped by 18,000 people since the new citizenship requirements took place July 1, according to news reports. State officials there report spending an additional $1.2 million to hire more staff to research citizenship paperwork.
In Utah, officials are looking into a 7 percent drop in enrollment since the new requirements went into effect.
Under the new requirement, Medicaid beneficiaries – regardless of whether they are immigrants – must produce a birth certificate, passport or other form of documentation at when they apply for benefits. Existing beneficiaries must do the same at the time of their renewal date, which is every six months.
That means that by Jan. 1, all existing Medicaid consumers are supposed to verify their residency status. But some states aren’t following the new requirement as strictly as others. In fact, Medicaid program administrators in California have not even begun enforcement.
Although stories of Floridians who have been denied Medicaid benefits due to the documentation requirement have not yet been chronicled, Florida CHAIN is working with other grassroots organizations to track this issue. If you or anyone you know has experienced such problems, please contact Florida CHAIN at info@floridachain.org or 954/791-7314.
Medicare Managed Care Plans Cost Government More
Managed care plans that were supposed to save the federal government billions of dollars appear to be falling short of that goal, according to a study by the Commonwealth Fund.
In fact, the federal government paid on average $922 more for each senior enrolled in a Medicare Advantage health plan than if comparable individuals had been covered under traditional Medicare. Total payments to health plans exceeded $5.2 billion, according to the study.
“The extra payments provided to Medicare Advantage plans distort the policy intent of the program, which was to provide an option for Medicare beneficiaries to enroll in private plans that could operate more efficiently than traditional Medicare fee-for-service plans,’’ according to the study.
Under traditional Medicare, the federal government directly pays doctors, hospitals and other providers for the medical services they provide to Medicare consumers. About 37 million seniors get their health care under this system.
Another 5.6 million are enrolled in Medicare Advantage health plans – in Florida, 635,000 seniors are enrolled in such plans, according to the report.
Partner of the Month: Jacksonville Area Legal Aid Services Include Medicaid Reform Advocacy
November 30, 2006
All too often the legal profession gets a bad rap. Sometimes because of dazzling “dream teams” hired by jet setters who give the impression that justice can be bought (such as those who have as much star power as their clients and are regular features on the Nancy Grace’s, Larry King’s and Greta Van Susteren’s cable shows). Sometimes because of images of less than scrupulous lawyers winning cases to line their pockets while helping their clients as an afterthought.
Yet, Florida is full examples of thousands of low-income, underrepresented individuals and families who, for civil cases, rely on the help of legal teams that are in it for all the right reasons: the regional Legal Aid organizations and Florida Legal Services. Although Florida CHAIN works closely with many of these in matters related to health care advocacy, access and policy, this month we highlight the work being done by the Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc. (JALA).
Since 1976, JALA’s mission has been to assist “our low-income neighbors in our community with civil legal problems. With thirty attorneys and a thirty year history of providing high-quality legal representation in a variety of service areas, JALA is an integral part of our community’s infrastructure.”
JALA’s span of issues, like other similar organizations, covers the gamut from housing and employment discrimination to immigrant and refugee rights. Health care access is also a big part JALA’s work.
In 2005, the Florida Legislature designated Duval as one of the pilot counties (together with Broward) where Medicaid reform—the privatization of health care services previously paid for by the state—was to begin. In July 2007, Nassau, Clay and Baker Counties, in the Jacksonville area, are scheduled to follow suit.
JALA, in partnership with Florida Legal Services provides legal advocacy on behalf of Medicaid beneficiaries affected by Medicaid reform through its Medicaid Reform Project. Its advocacy includes direct client advocacy, representation at fair hearings, assessment of administrative remedies to Medicaid reform and providing beneficiaries a platform to voice concerns to public officials.
According to staff attorney Sarah Sullivan, Esq. “JALA and FLS can be the conduit between social advocacy and the Medicaid beneficiaries' access to justice. It is vital that medical providers and/or social service agencies addressing the needs of Medicaid Reform beneficiaries–whose clients are adversely affected by Medicaid Reform in Duval County– contact us at our dedicated helpline at 904/394-0042.”
JALA is planning a Town Hall Meeting on health care to be held in January 2007 to give beneficiaries a chance to share their stories on Medicaid reform.
JALA is also active with the Medicaid Reform Advocates Coalition (MRAC) in Broward and Duval, in its efforts to coordinate statewide advocacy efforts on behalf of the most vulnerable Medicaid consumers.
For more information on Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, visit http://www.jaxlegalaid.org/v2/index.html.
RONALD FULTON, MIAMI ADVOCATE FOR DISABLED
December 14, 2006
 One day he was going about his life, hardly thinking about the many things we rarely give thanks for, and the next day he awoke only from the neck up. For Ronald Fulton of Miami, the realization that a terrible car accident had changed his life forever came slowly, as the haziness of medications began to fade and the looks on the faces of his loved ones began to tell the story. It was 2001 and the Navy veteran and aspiring pilot woke up a quadriplegic, with only minimal control of his hands.
“When I realized what happened, I was angry, I was depressed. I began to feel sorry for myself,” said Ronald at a recent Health Advocacy Network Dade (HAND) event hosted by Human Services Coalition. “At first I just laid there, expecting that people would do things for me.” It was months before he went home, and when he did he was forced to lie in bed for weeks because he could not afford to purchase his own motorized wheelchair and it took a while for Medicaid to come through with one.
Ronald doesn’t remember the exact moment when he realized that, even disabled, he did have power, that he could fend for himself, even if with limitations. “I am not sure if even now I know that,” he jokes. But he can and he does. Because he was determined to be more than a spectator in matters affecting the disabled community, Ronald joined the Commission on Disability Issues County Advisory Group, began a Bible study group at the Miami Rescue Mission, and volunteered for the Center for Independent Living. In addition, he honed the art of networking, so that before he knew it, he himself was a health care and disability resource for people in his community who needed services from Jackson Memorial.
“I understood that I could help my community in a sort of ombudsman role, because through my networking and persistence I had learned the contact names and numbers of people at Jackson Memorial who could make things happen,” he said. “Many people, whether disabled or able-bodied, are given the runaround and feel intimidated by the system until they give up. I tell them who they need to call and if need be make the call myself on their behalf.”
Ronald knows what it’s like to be disabled and low income and not have adequate transportation to the health care providers one needs. But in his activist role he has also discovered another hurdle for individuals with disabilities who want to be included in any kind of health care reform process. “When I learned about Medicaid Reform happening in Broward,” he said. “I wanted to go there and participate in the various focus groups and public forums where people could give their opinions. I found out very quickly that no transportation provider in Miami Dade would take me to Broward to participate. This is one thing that can be fixed by providing regional transportation facilities to the disabled, rather than county based,” he said.
In addition, Ronald is concerned that in many instances organizations conducting forums and other activities of interest to the disabled community do not offer scholarships to the disabled as a matter of practice. “There was a Florida Housing Coalition forum I wanted to go to not long ago, but the registration fee was over $100. If they truly want to have input from individuals who have plenty to say about the way things are and how to fix them, they ought to consider giving scholarship for peoples with disabilities,” he said.
Florida CHAIN Seeks Stories
Florida CHAIN welcomes contributions from health care consumers who are interested in sharing their experiences with readers of CHAIN Reaction. If you have a story to share, please contact Andrew Leone at 954/684-9895 or andrewl@floridachain.org
RECENT HEALTH ARTICLES
December 14, 2006
Florida News & Opinions
KidCare and SCHIP
Medicare and Medicaid
Medicare Drug Coverage, Drug Costs
Other Medicare, Medicaid
Health Insurance and Costs
Other Health Issues
National News & Opinions
Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP
Medicare Drug Coverage, Drug Costs
Other Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP
Health Insurance and Costs
Other National Health Issues
KidCare and SCHIP
Medicare and Medicaid
Medicare Drug Coverage, Drug Cost
Medicare Drug Help Is Losing Patients
It's unclear whether fewer questions about coverage is a good thing or not. Attendance was noticeably less this week than it was one year ago at local government-sponsored programs on Medicare Part D, better known as the Medicare drug plan. That could mean one of several things: There's less confusion because people who went through the initial enrollment last year know what questions to ask in the ongoing re-enrollment period that's in effect through Dec. 31. People generally are satisfied with their coverage. Or they don't realize they should be asking questions because they are unaware that monthly premiums, drugs covered by a plan and co-payments for drugs or services are likely to have changed. (12//7/06, Lakeland Ledger)
Jesse Jackson urges seniors to get Medicare drug coverage
Jesse Jackson came to Miami to urge seniors and minorities to sign up for Medicare drug coverage. In an event sponsored by a major health insurer in Miami Wednesday, the Rev. Jesse Jackson said he favored full access to care for everyone. "That's why I support a single-payer medical system.'' Jackson also encouraged the new Democratic leadership in Congress to negotiate with drug companies to bring drug prices down and allow cheaper drug imports from Canada to provide "affordable healthcare." (12/7/06, Miami Herald)
Part D sign-up is slow while deadline nears; Premiums up for many Medicare drug plans
An elderly man turned off a computer, took off his glasses and waved goodbye to Bob Kahn. "We haven't had that many come in at this site," said Kahn, sitting in a sizable conference room at the Silver Springs Shores Presbyterian Church on a recent Wednesday morning. For the past few weeks, the room has been booked from 9 to 11 a.m. every Wednesday. But compared to the chaotic sign-up process last year, this year seems to be quieter here in Ocala. And Kahn is worried, because the open enrollment period, which started on Nov. 15 and ends on Dec. 31, is the only time most beneficiaries can change their drug plans. Ocala ranks third in the nation for the number of Medicare beneficiaries, according to a 2006 report from the U.S. Census Bureau. The city also ranks third in the number of Social Security Program beneficiaries. (12/3/06, Ocala Star-Banner)
Other Medicare, Medicaid
EDITORIAL: False Medicaid reform
Primarily because of low payments, too few specialists will treat patients covered by the state/federal program that provides health coverage for the poor. That forces the poorest Floridians to seek care out of town or forgo care until landing in an emergency room. In that way, Medicaid in Florida reflects the failures of the health-care system nationwide that affect not just the poor but the 41 percent of non-elderly American adults who were uninsured in 2005, despite earning between $20,000 and $40,000. As the Agency for Health Care Administration tests Gov. Bush's proposals to "reinvent Medicaid" in pilot programs in Broward and Duval counties, the agency must ensure that Medicaid's move toward privatization does not simply cast Florida's 2.1 million Medicaid beneficiaries into a maze of private insurance with no accountability when services are unavailable. (12/3/06, Palm Beach Post)
OPINON: Medicaid reform having positive effects for patients
by Christa Calamas, Secretary, Florida Agency for Health Care Administration
In response to the editorial "False Medicaid reform" (Dec. 4): Denial is the last thing that the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration has shown toward the state's Medicaid program. In fact, under the leadership of Gov. Bush and the Florida Legislature, the agency publicly has showcased and thoroughly examined the shortcomings of the Medicaid program during the past two years, resulting in unprecedented reform of Florida's Medicaid program and philosophy. (12/11/06, Palm Beach Post)
U.S. rolls back what it will pay for power chairs
The federal government is using a new fee schedule for Medicare and Medicaid to reduce 'fraud and abuse.' In an effort to reduce what it calls "numerous instances of fraud and abuse," the federal government recently reduced the amounts it reimburses companies and Medicare recipients for power wheelchairs. Still, the new fee schedule "might put people out of business" or force suppliers to stop offering wheelchair services, said Raul Lopez, president of the Florida Association of Medical Equipment Services. (12/5/06, Orlando Sentinel)
EDITORIAL: Spending more through privatization
While Florida proceeds with its privatization experiment, a new report by a nonpartisan think tank suggests that handing off government health services to for-profit corporations results in higher costs. The question here is obvious: Why is the government paying more for care through private HMOs than it would under straight Medicare? "It has almost nothing to do with hospitals and doctors," Biles says. "It has to do with a belief and theory that the private sector is always better than the public sector." That may be a reason to explore different options for handling Medicare. But it's not a justification to pour billions of dollars of taxpayer money down the drain when seniors report satisfaction with the traditional Medicare system.
(12/1/06, Daytona Beach News-Journal)
OPINION: Don't let drug companies displace your doctor or good sense
by J. Terry Petrella, M.D., is a clinical assistant professor of neurology at the University of South Florida in Tampa and maintains a private practice in Sarasota
With the prospect of a Democratic Congress and potential change in the political climate on Capitol Hill, many drug companies and their lobbyists are drafting a battle plan to limit or prevent Congress from negotiating lower drug prices for millions of older Americans, particularly Medicare Part D recipients. The Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers of America Board met recently to begin strategizing and reinforcing allies in the Bush administration to potentially block any political bills aimed at driving down drug prices or encouraging the sales of equivalent generic products or lower-priced sales from Canada. Many drug companies are snatching up Democratic former aides as consultants and have already spent, this year alone, hundreds of millions lobbying in Washington. Although several recent national surveys suggest that at least three-fourths of people with Medicare drug coverage are satisfied, many critics of that program believe the 2003 Medicare Drug Law was essentially written by the pharmaceutical industry, disallowing the government to negotiate wholesale prices and the allocation of cheaper yet bioequivalent generic alternatives. Many House Democrats have been quoted as saying that Republican policies serve special-interest groups like the pharmaceutical industry, and taxpayers are paying the price. Whether Democrat or Republican, we as Americans should push for stricter regulation of drug safety and encourage legislation to fund development of low-cost, high-quality generic equivalents. We need to support the advance of biotechnology and the understanding of major illnesses and potential cures, rather than just selling more high-priced pills. (12/1/06, Sarasota Herald-Tribune)
Health Insurance and Costs
Websites compare user data to grade insurers
While health insurers are busy measuring doctors and hospitals, they too are getting measured for quality and consumer satisfaction. AvMed's health maintenance organization gets four stars for helping its members stay healthy. Blue Cross Blue Shield's HMO gets three stars; and Humana's Medicare plan gets two stars from a national quality association. Fifty-six percent of Jackson Memorial's HMO liked the plan and would sign up again. Only 31 percent of those in the Vista Healthplan would get it again, according to a state website. Health insurers, which have been pushing hard to reveal performance data of hospitals and doctors, are themselves being measured by government and nonprofit entities on a vast array of measures, from how fast they pay claims, to ease of seeing a specialist. But data are still missing, and many persons know nothing about the websites, even though information on insurers is one of the oldest sets of health data made available to the public, going back 10 years on a national level and seven years in Florida. (12/10/06, Miami Herald)
Report: More high school grads could cut health care costs
If every Florida student in the class of 2005-2006 graduates from high school, the state could save $1.5 billion in lifetime health costs. That's according to what the Alliance for Excellent Education said are conservative calculations in its new brief, Healthier and Wealthier: Decreasing Health Care Costs by Increasing Educational Attainment. State numbers put Florida's graduation rate at 71.9 percent in 2004-05. The school year before, it was 71.6 percent. (12/5/06, South Florida Business Journal)
School insurance great, unless you have a family
John Stanley’s wife hasn’t had health insurance for the past four years. The family decided this year to add her to Stanley’s plan. “Does she need insurance? Yes,” he said. “Do we have to have insurance? We can get by without it, but if she has to have something major done, we are stuck between a rock and a hard place.” The cost of adding his wife, who works part-time, costs Stanley, a teacher at Barron Collier High School, about $300 a paycheck. Over 20 paychecks, which is the number of paychecks Collier County teachers receive in a year, the health insurance costs $6,000. “That is a tremendous chunk of change for someone who makes $38,000 a year,” Stanley said. “We have seven kids, and with my low income, we qualify for free health care for them.” (12/9/06, Naples News)
Doctors have a wish to provide better health-care to all
What do doctors want? Big picture: optimal opportunity to make a difference in the quality of patient health care. Near-term, Florida: Two key pieces of legislation proposed by Florida Medical Association -- and with two Pensacola physicians playing leadership roles.The goal of making quality care widely accessible is no small challenge given rapidly rising medical costs and a large population of uninsured. There are some 47 million uninsured in the country, including 2.8 million in Florida. There are about 66,000 uninsured or underinsured in Escambia County. (12/7/06, Pensacola News-Journal)
Small business strains to provide health care
Sue Pashley would like to offer health insurance to her employees, she says, but the price tag is too high for her small business, Super Pool Services in Sarasota. (12/6/06, Bradenton Herald)
Health care centers to open in Publix stores
Publix Super Markets will soon be offering medical services from within it stores. Little Clinic will open three clinics on Dec. 9 in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Lutz. They will be staffed by nurse practitioners who write prescriptions, provide diagnosis and treatment of common ailments and minor injuries, and offer wellness care with physicals, screenings and vaccinations. Most services are expected to cost less than $60, and appointments are not necessary, a release said. The clinics will be open seven days a week accepting most major health insurance plans, including Medicare. (11/27/06, Tampa Bay Business Journal)
ER panel deflects specialist dilemma
After spending three years and nearly $600,000, a group of hospital CEOs and doctors that was formed to find a solution to the shortage of emergency room doctors has punted the issue to the taxpayer-funded Health Care District of Palm Beach County. It's unclear whether the district will want to play ball, though officials say they will review it. The group, which was spearheaded by the county medical society and funded largely by the Quantum Foundation, was formed after a countywide shortage in specialists, such as neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons, was identified. The Palm Beach Post disclosed in 2004 that as a result of the shortage, county hospitals were transferring patients to Miami, Gainesville and Tampa. While some hospitals have recruited new specialists and have started paying other specialists to be on call, most hospital CEOs say the problem is worse than ever, especially for patients who are uninsured or on Medicaid, the state-federal health insurance program for the poor. At the same time, doctors in Florida and nationwide have become skittish about working in the ER because of an abundance of uninsured patients and fears of being sued for malpractice when they have dropped liability coverage. (11/30/06, Palm Beach Post)
Mayan families find health lifeline
The task of applying for services such as Medicaid and understanding requirements and doctors' instructions got to be too much for Andres, who has never had health insurance. That's when she sought the help of the Guatemalan Maya Center in Lake Worth. The center helped her with the complex world of Medicaid applications. Andres is one of hundreds of women who rely on the center to deal with the health-care system. The center provides help with prenatal and postnatal care and runs two schools with after-school programs for Mayan children. (12/9/06, South Florida Sun-Sentinel)
Other Health Issues
Crist names secretary of state, health care administration head
Gov.-elect Charlie Crist said Thursday that Pasco County elections supervisor Kurt Browning will serve as secretary of state and a hospital executive will lead the Agency for Health Care Administration. The new health care chief, Dr. Andrew Agwunobi, is currently chief operating officer for St. Joseph Health Care Systems, which runs hospitals in California, Texas and New Mexico. His brother John was Florida's health secretary before President Bush named him assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Agwunobi previously ran Atlanta-based Grady Health System, one of the largest public hospital systems in the southeast. Its flagship facility, Grady Memorial Hospital, is considered Atlanta's primary trauma center and safety net hospital. (12/14/06, Florida Times-Union)
Florida drops a spot to No. 41 for healthcare
Florida, traditionally low-ranked for its healthcare, slid down one notch, ranking No. 41 among the 50 states in the annual survey of United Health Foundation released on Tuesday. (12/6/06, Miami Herald)
40 states are healthier than Florida in rankings
Florida ranks an abysmal 41st out of 50 states in the 17th annual "America's Health Rankings," released last week, which also pointed out that the world's richest nation "continues to trail other nations in important statistics such as healthy life expectancy and infant mortality." (12/11/06, Orlando Sentinel)
State's files on doctors fall short
In 2003, 11 years after he pleaded guilty to 82 felony counts of Medicaid fraud, and four years after New York regulators took away his podiatry license for ''gross negligence'' -- Jack J. Cohen started practicing podiatry in Miami Beach. Since then, the Florida Department of Health has fined Cohen $1,100 for violating state law by failing to report what happened in New York, according to a deposition that Cohen gave earlier this year. But you'd never know any of this from Cohen's online profile, which is posted on a Florida Department of Health website along with those of every podiatrist, medical doctor, osteopath, chiropractor and advanced registered nurse practitioner licensed to work in Florida. According to his state profile, Cohen has no criminal history and has not been disciplined by any state board in the nation in the past 10 years. (12/10/06, Miami Herald)
EDITORIAL: Voters To the Rescue
The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids released its annual report Tuesday. Florida, which ranked 43rd last year in its efforts to prevent youth smoking and encourage cessation programs, ranked 41st this year.That low rating has been good enough for the Legislature, which has been more than happy to divert money from a $11.3 billion legal settlement with the tobacco industry so the state could cut taxes while funding other programs.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the state spend between $78 million and $221.3 million a year in order to have an effective program. Last November, voters rebelled and approved a constitutional amendment initiative requiring the Legislature to allocate 15 percent of the tobacco settlement payments toward anti-smoking efforts. That would mean next year's budget for the program should be about $75 million or more. (12/7/06, Lakeland Ledger)
Judge declines to find DCF in contempt on mentally ill inmates
A Broward County judge ruled Tuesday that the state's chief social service agency clearly has failed to comply with court orders to move mentally ill people out of jail to state treatment hospitals, but he's not going to penalize the agency for it. Circuit Judge Martin Bidwill said he could not hold the state Department of Children & Families in contempt for failing to move mentally ill inmates from jail within 15 days, as required by law, when it is clear that the department does not have enough beds in its hospitals. (12/13/06, South Florida Sun-Sentinel)
NATIONAL NEWS & OPINIONS
Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP
Medicare Drug Coverage, Drug Cost
Renewed Worries on Medicare Drug Plans
Pharmacists and insurance counselors say many of the 600,000 beneficiaries will not discover the change in their status until they show up at pharmacies next month. Many prescription drug plans are changing benefits. Beneficiaries are changing from one plan to another. New plans are entering the market. Some beneficiaries will find they can no longer use the drugstores they have been using.(12/4/06, New York Times)
Success of Drug Plan Challenges Democrats: Medicare Benefit's Cost Beat Estimates
It sounded simple enough on the campaign trail: Free the government to negotiate lower drug prices and use the savings to plug a big gap in Medicare's new prescription-drug benefit. But as Democrats prepare to take control of Congress, they are struggling to keep that promise without wrecking a program that has proven cheaper and more popular than anyone imagined. (11/26/06, Washington Post)
Congress Looks towards SCHIP Reauthorization and Possible Expansion
Congressional Democrats, in what many see as "the only opportunity before the 2008 presidential election to inch closer to their goal of ensuring universal health care," will try to expand health care coverage to more uninsured children and possibly more adults through the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). (12/9/06, National Journal)
Other Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP News
Medicare Links Doctors’ Pay to Practices
After years of trying to rein in the runaway cost of the Medicare program, Congress has decided to use a carrot instead of a stick to change doctors’ behavior. Doctors had been fearing a pay cut under Medicare, the health care program for 43 million elderly and disabled, but Congress instead has offered doctors a small bonus with big strings attached. To get the money, doctors will have to report how often they provide quality care, as defined by the government. Lawmakers approved the change as one of their final acts before adjourning early Saturday morning, and proponents said it would improve the quality of medical. But the plan immediately raised concerns among some doctors and lawmakers who specialize in health issues. They said they worried that it could be a step toward cookbook medicine and could erode the professional autonomy of doctors. (12/12/06, New York Times)
Democrats eye changes to state Medicaid policies Bush administration policies granting states unprecedented flexibility to redesign their Medicaid programs likely will be subject to increased scrutiny when Democrats take control of Congress. Although the senior Democrats poised to assume leadership positions have staked out plans to tackle Medicare and have signaled a willingness to negotiate with President Bush on Social Security, they have been mostly silent on how to reform the third piece of the entitlement puzzle: Medicaid. But congressional Democrats have long expressed concern about the administration’s use of a process that allows it to waive certain federal requirements regarding whom Medicaid covers, what services it pays for and what share of the cost is borne by beneficiaries. (11/29/06, The Hill)
OPINION: Medicaid on the mendUntil Medicaid was created in 1965, America's poor often went without adequate health care. The federally subsidized, state-run program was a lifeline to millions. Like other social welfare programs, Medicaid has been a victim of its own success. It will cost taxpayers $300 billion this year (about 70% of the Pentagon's budget) and serves 56 million poor Americans. It has been the fastest-growing expense for states over the past decade, threatening to break budgets and force service cuts. Until now. For the first time, Medicaid spending has declined — by 1.4% in the first nine months of the year. Some patient advocacy groups worry that the new state plans restrict enrollment, force people into managed care plans and demand more cost-sharing through co-payments and premiums. That could deter some patients from seeking care, but it's too soon to calculate the impact because the plans are so new. It's also too soon to celebrate this first dip in Medicaid spending. An economic downturn could have a big impact, and fledgling state programs may prove harsher than advertised. Even so, it's encouraging that there are new ideas for controlling medical costs without reverting to pre-1965 privations. (11/30/06, USA Today)
Health Insurance and Costs
Language, culture block immigrants from seeking mental health care
Many low-income immigrants and their families have problems with access to mental health treatment because of "a language barrier and a deep cultural divide." The National Latino and Asian-American Study, conducted in December 2003 with funds from the National Institute of Mental Health, found that Latino and Asian immigrants had a lower rate of mental health problems than native U.S. residents but sought treatment for their problems less often. According to a report released in 2001 by the Office of the Surgeon General, racial and ethnic minorities often fail to seek mental health treatment because of an inability to speak English and a lack of health insurance. The report noted that 37% of Latinos lack health insurance and that fewer than one in 20 with mental health problems sought treatment from mental health specialists. (12/3/06, AP)
Wyden Proposes Historic New Health Care Plan
Following 60 years of gridlock on a desperately-needed overhaul of the nation's health care system, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, a member of the Finance Committee, today unveiled a groundbreaking new proposal to provide affordable, high quality, private health coverage for everyone regardless of where they work or live. The plan [is] known as the Healthy Americans Act. (12/13/06, U.S. Senate News Release)
Bill Makes HSAs More Flexible
The U.S. House and Senate on Saturday passed a bill that may increase the popularity of health saving accounts. The Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 (H.R. 6408) [provides that] employees and employers can contribute up to $2,850 for single coverage and $5,650 for families, even if the deductible is lower. Moreover, companies can contribute more money to HSAs for workers making less than $100,000 per year than for higher-income employees.(12/12/06, Benefit News)
Behind the Slow Growth of Employer-Based Consumer-Driven Health Plans
From the employee's vantage point, monthly employee contributions are similar between traditional plans and CDHPs, but employee cost sharing is much higher in CDHPs. Not only are average annual deductibles more than a thousand dollars more than in PPO plans—the traditional plans with the highest deductible—but CDHPs also typically use coinsurance for physician office visits while traditional plans primarily rely on copayments. (Dec 2006, HSC Issue Brief)
Nation's Overall Health Falters as Number of Uninsured Rises
The number of uninsured in the United States is one of the reasons the nation's health, which has not improved since 2000, is "stagnating." (12/5/06, USA Today)
Despite Opposition to National Health Care, Government Already Funds More Than Half of It
Though the Bush administration says it opposes direct government involvement in health insurance, the government already funds about 61 percent of the nation's health care costs through Medicare, Medicaid, the military, federal employees and tax subsidies, and is likely to start funding more, reports the New York Times. (12/3/06, New York Times)
OPINION: Senator Kerry's Reinsurance Proposal Is Endorsed by Automakers
President Bush should consider supporting a reinsurance plan to pay for catastrophic health care costs, as the leaders of the Big Three automakers suggested in a recent meeting with the president. (11/24/06, Boston Globe)
Other Health Issues
Study Finds Medication Raises Suicide Risks in Young Adults
Health officials reported that antidepressant medications appeared to increase significantly the risk of suicide attempts and related behaviors in adults under 25. (12/6/06, New York Times)
Ads target stigma of mental illness among youth
The federal government has launched a $1 million public-service advertisement campaign that seeks to reduce the stigma associated with mental illnesses such as depression and bipolar disorder. The campaign will first use radio and television ads to encourage young adults to support peers who have mental illnesses and later target seniors and individuals in rural areas. In 2005, nearly 25 million adults ages 18 and older had serious mental illnesses, 13.5 million of whom did not seek treatment, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The survey found that 26% of adults who had serious mental illnesses and did not seek treatment cited the stigma associated with the conditions as one of their main reasons. (12/4/06, USA Today)
HEALTH ADVOCACY RESOURCES
December 14, 2006
Florida CHAIN Website Resources
Grants and Fellowships
Organizations and Services
Manuals, Guides and Toolkits
Technology and Audio Visual Materials
Audioconferences and Webcasts
Media Programming
Web Sites, Web Features
Videos
Periodicals and Books
Reports and Studies
New Listings
New Listings: Medicare, Medicaid
New: Health Insurance, Health Care Costs
New: Health Equity Issues
New: Other Health Issues
Florida Reports
Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIPS
Federal Budget/Health Care
Health Insurance, Health Costs, Health Care Reform
Health Equity Issues
Other Health Issues
FLORIDA CHAIN WEB SITE RESOURCE UPDATE
Florida Medicaid Reform PowerPoint Presentation
Educate your colleagues and/or employees on Florida Medicaid Reform basics. with Florida CHAIN's PowerPoint presentation for public use. Feel free to call Florida CHAIN for more information about Medicaid reform or about the PowerPoint: 954-791-7314.
The Florida CHAIN web site now includes resource information in Spanish.
GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS
New grant listings
Fresh Ideas: Improving the Health of Immigrant and Refugee Communities
Application Deadline: Jan 15
This Robert Wood Johnson Foundation initiative aims to give immigrants and refugees the tools and support they need to improve and maintain their own health. Today, more than 30 million immigrants and refugees live in the United States. They often have high rates of chronic health problems, due at least in part to difficulties they have getting appropriate social and health services. Language barriers, lack of education and cultural differences sometimes make it harder for immigrants and refugees to obtain culturally appropriate services, outreach or other information that could help them live healthier lives.
Community Access to Child Health Implementation Funds ProgramDeadline: Jan 31American Academy of Pediatrics has released a 2007 Call for Proposals for the Community Access to Child Health Implementation Funds program. CATCH provides grants to support pediatricians in the planning or pilot stages of the implementation of community-based child health initiatives. Grants should lead to the initialization of implementation projects aimed at increasing access to medical homes and other needed services. A pediatrician must lead the project and be significantly involved. Priority will given to projects serving communities with the greatest demonstrated healthcare access needs and health disparities. Grants of up to $10,000 each are awarded each year on a competitive basis to pediatricians who want to address the local needs of children in the community. This is a six-month implementation grant. Only applicants from US and territories are eligible, and must be members of AAP.
NIH: Social and Cultural Dimensions of HealthApplication deadline: variableThe ultimate goal of this program announcement is to encourage the development of health research that integrates knowledge from the biomedical and social sciences. This announcement invites applications to (a) elucidate basic social and cultural constructs and processes used in health research, (b) clarify social and cultural factors in the etiology and consequences of health and illness, (c) link basic research to practice for improving prevention, treatment, health services, and dissemination, and (d) explore ethical issues in social and cultural research related to health.
Continuing grant listings, in order of submission deadlines
Funding for Mental Illness Information and Outreach Initiatives
Deadline: Dec. 22
The American Psychiatric Foundation is making up to $750,000 in grant funds available over the course of three years (2005-07) to fund public education, information, and outreach initiatives that promote the early recognition and treatment of mental illness. Grants from the foundation can support a wide variety of public education activities in this arena. The foundation seeks to fund new and innovative ideas and programs that promote public awareness of mental illness, the effectiveness of treatment, and the importance of early intervention.
Fellowship in Minority Health Policy (2007-8)
Application deadline: Jan. 2
Supported by The Commonwealth Fund, administered by the Minority Faculty Development Program at Harvard Medical School, this innovative fellowship is designed to prepare physicians, particularly minority physicians, for leadership roles in formulating and implementing public health policy and practice on a national, state, or community level. Five one-year, degree-granting fellowships will be awarded per year. Fellows will complete academic work leading to a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at the Harvard School of Public Health, and gain experience in and understanding of major health issues facing minority, disadvantaged, and underserved populations. CFHUF also offers a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree at John F. Kennedy School of Government to physicians possessing an MPH. It is expected that CFHUF will support the development of a cadre of leaders in minority health, well-trained academically and professionally in public health, health policy, health management, and clinical medicine, as well as actively committed to careers in public service.
2007 NCHS/AcademyHealth Fellowship
Deadline: Jan 8
Sponsored by National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and AcademyHealth, this fellowship program brings visiting scholars in health services research-related disciplines to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) in Hyattsville, Md. for a period of 13-24 months to conduct studies of interest to policymakers and the health services research community. Fellows have access to NCHS data resources for use in their proposed studies, and also work on collaborative projects with NCHS staff.
HRET Cultural Competence Leadership Fellowship
Deadline: Jan. 30
The Health Research and Educational Trust and the Institute for Diversity in Health Management (IFD), in partnership with the National Center for Healthcare Leadership (NCHL), Health Forum, and the American Hospital Association (AHA), are now accepting applications for the Cultural Competence Leadership Fellowship. Now in its second year, the program equips participants with critical skills to lead their organizations in providing safe, high quality care to multicultural patients and communities. Fellows explore practical approaches to assessing organizational competence, enhancing patient-provider interaction, and using systems approaches to reduce disparities. Community practitioners and teams are encouraged to apply.
Changes in Health Care Financing and Organization
Application Deadline: Open
This Robert Wood Johnson Foundation program supports policy analysis, research, evaluation and demonstration projects that provide policy leaders timely information on health care policy and financing issues. This Call for Proposals is intended to support projects that: 1) examine significant issues and interventions related to health care financing and organization and their effects on health care costs, quality and access; and 2) explore or test major new ways to finance and organize health care that have the potential to improve access to more affordable and higher quality health services.
Funding for Community-Based Approaches to Improve Care for Vulnerable Populations
Deadline: Rolling
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is accepting applications for its Fresh Ideas: Community-Based Approaches to Improve Care for Vulnerable Populations grant program. The purpose of this program is to promote community-based approaches to health and health care problems that interact with social problems. Examples include inadequate housing, poor education and poverty. Priority is given to projects that focus on hard-to-reach populations such as new immigrants and refugees and at-risk adolescents.
Research Proposals on Disparities Issues
Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation seeks to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in the care of patients with cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus type 2 and/or depression. To that end, RWJF invites research proposals that offer solutions towards reducing health care disparities. RWJF encourages researchers to include data and analyses in their proposals to help us better understand these disparities related to: sub-ethnic and other marginalized groups (e.g., Mexican, Puerto Rican, Vietnamese and American Indian); and acculturation factors (e.g., generation, years in US, age of migration and language proficiency). RWJF will consider projects of up to $75,000 with a one-year time frame.
State Coverage Initiatives
Through funding from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, State Coverage Initiatives offers both policy planning and demonstration grants. SCI grants are designed to support states in the early stages of planning coverage expansions and those states that have decided on a new coverage expansion mechanism and seek assistance designing and implementing the program. Specific new grant opportunities are announced on the Web site and through the e-newsletter, St@teside; however, states may submit project ideas at any time. For specific info, contact isabel.friedenzohn@academyhealth.org or 202/292-6726
Donors Forum of South Florida on-line database
The new online searchable Donors Forum of South Florida database has up-to-date information about funders in South Florida. This resource— which is also available in hard copy — presents continuously updated information about the giving interests and procedures of funders with a track record of investing in the South Florida area and working collaboratively with others. To order, email leot@donorsforumsf.org or call 305/371-7944.
Directory Of Health Policy Fellowships
This Kaiser directory contains new listings for undergraduates, graduate students and professionals searching for summer, school-year, or post-doctoral positions.
ORGANZATIONS AND SERVICES
Newly posted resources are at the top of the list.
Social Determinants of Health ListServ
There is increasing recognition in the health promotion field that the factors that are the prime determinants of health are outside the health care and behavioural risk arenas. Many of these factors involve public policy decisions made by governments that influence the distribution of income, degree of social security, and quality and availability of education, food, and housing, among others. These non-medical and non-lifestyle factors have come to be known as the social determinants of health. In many nations - and this is especially the case in North America - recent policy decisions are undermining these social determinants of health. Social determinants of health determine whether individuals stay healthy or become ill. Since a social determinants of health approach sees the mainsprings of health as being how a society organizes and distributes economic and social resources, it directs attention to economic and social policies as means of improving health. A social determinants of health approach is explicitly political. The Social Determinants of Health Listserv is intended as an international forum for those concerned with the latest developments in theory, research, and practice regarding the social determinants of health. The purpose is to: a) provide the latest information on scholarship on social determinants of health; b); explore the implications of these conditions for the health of citizens; and c) provide support for those attempting to strengthen these social determinants of health in their local jurisdictions. To subscribe: Send the following to listserv@yorku.ca in the message section: subscribe SDOH yourfirstname yourlastname
Medicare Rights Center (MRC) is a comprehensive independent source of health care information and assistance for older adults and people with disabilities. Multiple services include: a telephone hotline; a database of case advice; education and training; public policy work; electronic newsletters; and communications with local and national media outlets. To help you understand your Medicare health plan choices, the Medicare Rights Center offers Medicare Interactive (MI), a web-based Medicare counseling tool.
Training Alliance for Communities of Color
This is a new website from the National Health Policy Training Alliance for Communities of Color, a partnership between Families USA, the Joint Center Health Policy Institute (HPI), the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund, and the National Medical Association (NMA). This unique partnership was created to make clear the link between efforts to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities and the role of health policymaking, as well as to ensure that community leaders have the tools, information, and resources they need to address these issues. The mission of the Alliance is to empower community leaders, elected officials, and journalists from communities of color with pertinent information about health policy developments in order to: expand their capacity to address and catalyze action on crucial health and health care issues; bolster the skills of leaders from communities of color to play a more influential role in shaping and creating health policies that are of relevance to their respective communities; and engage diverse leaders in national health policy development.
Access to Benefits Coalition
The nonprofit ABC is dedicated to ensuring that Medicare beneficiaries with limited incomes know about and make the best use of all available resources for accessing prescription drugs and reducing their costs. ABC is working through local community coalitions to inform beneficiaries and their families, as well as the professionals who serve them, about Medicare Part-D. Extra Help is provided online or in person; find out if you or someone qualifies by going to BenefitsCheckUpRx?. Publications include: Applying for the Low-Income Subsidy: A Tool Kit for Advocates; and Pathways to Success: Meeting the Challenge of Enrolling Medicare Beneficiaries with Limited Incomes
The National Hispanic Resource Help-Line 1/800-473-3003 provides support for Latinos throughout the nation who need information about educational, health and human service providers. To become part of their database, click here.
Southeast Florida Cancer Control Collaborative (SFCCC)
SFCCC is a group of individuals and organizations working together to reduce the cancer burden and to reduce cancer disparities in Southeast Florida, including Broward, Indian River, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties. The SFCCC includes representatives from more than 60 public and private organizations, agencies and health care providers, as well as cancer survivor and advocacy groups. SFCCC aims to increase awareness about cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment among populations at high risk. The Collaborative meets quarterly at various locations in the region.
MANUALS, GUIDES, TOOLKITS
Newly posted resources are at the top of the list.
New/Updated Resources Medicare Drug Plan Resources
In advance of the 2007 Medicare drug plans open enrollment period beginning Nov. 15, Kaiser Family Foundation has issued a series of new and updated resources based on ongoing research including consumer surveys:
Updated fact sheet providing state-specific data about Medicare drug plan options for 2007, including stand-alone drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans, and information on premiums, gap coverage, and availability to beneficiaries who qualify for full low-income assistance.
Updated Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit fact sheet, with a revised estimate that 4 million people will be affected by the coverage gap in 2006, as well as current enrollment and low-income subsidy participation and updated Medicare per capita drug spending.
Updated Talking About Medicare online consumer guide, reflecting 2007 benefit changes, to help people with Medicare and their families understand options and make decisions based on their personal situations; includes information about financial assistance for those with limited incomes, supplemental insurance options, and Medicare Advantage.
Fact Sheets and Primer on the Uninsured
The Kaiser Family Foundation has collected links to some resources on the topics of health coverage and the nation’s uninsured population to assist you in your work related to these issues:
The Uninsured and Their Access to Care
Covering the Uninsured: Growing Need, Strained Resources
Massachusetts’ New Law to Cover the Uninsured
Women's Health Insurance Coverage
The Uninsured: A Primer
Applying for the Part D Low-Income Subsidy: A Tool Kit for Advocates
Access to Benefits Coalition provides these Tools You Can Use to help people apply for the extra help available through the new Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage.
Families USA is offering a new resource, Making Public Programs Work for Communities of Color: An Action Kit for Community Leaders, from its Minority Health Initiatives Department. The kit provides community leaders with information, tools, and resources to engage in health advocacy and improve the health and well being of their communities. Emphasizing the importance of public programs in reducing racial and ethnic health disparities, the kit contains: a summary and statistics of racial and ethnic health disparities and the role public programs can play in reducing them; an overview of Medicaid (and SCHIP) and Medicare, including their relationships to communities of color; fact sheets on improving health coverage for racial and ethnic minority groups; state and local case studies on health advocacy; advocacy tools including a powerpoint presentation, and lists of organizations and publications. Contact: 202/628-3030 or rpanares@familiesusa.org.
Healthy Kids Marketing and Public Relations Tool Kit
Healthy Kids asks users to please forward updates on items used, including how they were used, numbers distributed and feedback on effectiveness. Call center staff need to be aware of any efforts so they know which items are out in each community and are prepared to address questions. To make changes or additions to any design or use the trademarked logos or phone numbers, prior approval is required to ensure that accurate information is distributed. Send requests to floyda@healthykids.org or fax to 850/224-0615.
The Medicaid Matters web site is a resource for people working across the country to protect Medicaid, the health insurance that 50 million rely on. It stores a ready-to-use toolkit of messages, materials and dissemination ideas. Users are able to download, at no cost, tested messages emphasizing the importance of Medicaid and the threat now facing the program. Messages are enhanced by high quality, full color photography. One set of materials is designed to be ready to print. Once downloaded, they can be forwarded to any print house or copy shop without any further formatting. The second set of materials is designed so that components of the product can be adapted to suit the needs of that organization or constituency that wishes to use them.
TECHNOLOGY AND AUDIO/VIDEO RESOURCES
Audio Conferences and Webcasts
Dated events listed chronologically; standing webcasts listed last
Families USA Audioconference: What is the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and What are its Prospects for Reauthorization?
Dec 19 3:00 PM Eastern Time
Join Families USA for another installment of their conference call series. One of the biggest items on Congress' agenda next year will be reauthorizing the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Do you work on enrolling kids in your state’s Medicaid or SCHIP program, but don’t understand what all the fuss is about in Washington? If so, then this call is for you! Click here to RSVP. You will receive an e-mail shortly thereafter with the call-in information. Print or otherwise save this information, as you'll need it to participate in the call.
ACHI Audio Conferences
Jan. 18 2:00 pm ET
Primary Care Access Network: Health Care for the Underinsured
Feb. 15 2:00 pm ET
Maximizing Community Benefit's Impact on Community Health
Ask the Experts: Open Enrollment for Medicare Part D
As the open enrollment period for Medicare Part D begins, panelists on this Nov. 14, 2006 Kaiser Family Foundation "Ask the Experts" episode discuss how plan choices are changing, how the process is going for beneficiaries and what they should think about when making drug coverage decisions. Available in video, podcast or transcript.
The Medicare Drug Benefit: Counseling strategies for the 2007 enrollment period
In this web seminar, you will learn: How Medicare benefits will be changing next year; What people with Medicare drug coverage need to know; If people will still get Extra Help next year if they had it this year; What rights people have if they change Medicare drug plans this year. Available in recording or transcript.
Media Programming
"60 Minutes" Targets Hospitals' Billing of the Uninsured
"60 Minutes" segment transcript
"60 Minutes" responses to segment transcript
Web Sites, Web Features & Databases
Newest postings are listed at the top of State and National Web Resources sections below
State Web Resources
Florida Association of Community Health Centers (FACHC)
The following resources have recently been added to the FACHC web site:
Short Assessment of Health Literacy for Spanish-speaking Adults (SAHLSA-50) A new health literacy test than can be used to screen for low health literacy among Spanish speakers.
Health Coverage and Access to Care for Hispanics in "New Growth Communities" and "Major Hispanic Centers" A 2006 Report from the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured
Spanish Language Mental Health Manual for Health Promoters Developed by the California- Mexico Bi-National Health Initiative.
Florida Health Care Website for Consumers
A new Web site for Florida health-care consumers officially launches today, courtesy of the Florida Hospital Association. The site offers links to information on doctors, hospitals and health-care plans as well as checklists to help consumers ask the right questions. It is intended largely as a portal to other, established sites. There are links to sites for Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, among others.
"2006 Kids Count” Report
The annual report measures each state in terms of 10 statistics, including infant mortality, teen birth rate and infants born with low birthweights. The report finds no change in U.S. infant mortality since 2000, less than a percentage point increase to 7.9% in 2003 in the percentage of infants born weighing less than 5.5 pounds and a decrease in the teen birth rate from 48 births per 1,000 girls in 2000 to 42 births per 1,000 in 2003. (6/27/06, Annie E. Casey Foundation)
State of Florida Health Care Consumer Websites
The recently expanded FloridaCompareCare.gov aims to improve care and reduce costs by giving citizens the tools to compare outcomes and prices between health care providers and medical services. Through this website one can see data on certain conditions and procedures related to quality of care, pricing and performance at the state’s hospitals and ambulatory (outpatient) surgery centers. In 2005, Florida became the first state to publicly report infection and mortality rates in each hospital. In July 2006, Florida became the first state to publicly report separate pediatric quality of care data. In addition, adult data can now be broken out specific to ages 65 and over. Additional new breakdowns include types of facilities.
FloridaHealthStat.com provides health care information to assist consumers, health care professionals, and researchers in making well-informed health care decisions and in researching the status of health care in Florida. MyFloridaRx.com provides consumers with the retail prices of the most commonly used prescribed drugs by pharmacy across Florida. For questions or comments regarding any of Florida’s consumer websites, contact 850/922-7036.
Medicaid Applications Online 24/7 and in Neighborhoods
Local partners can direct families to their area sites or online to apply for Medicaid and other benefits. The Web Application is generally preferable as the data makes it into the Florida system more quickly and there is a reduced chance of data entry errors.
Florida KidCare Applications can be completed online
Website Offers Free 24 Hour Health Information to Floridians to address concerns and inquiries
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) Secretary encourages health care consumers to visit www.FLHealthSource.com whenever they need information about a licensed health care professional. DOH’s Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) maintains FLHealthSource.com. The site provides health care consumers with a host of information, including license status, office address, and disciplinary information for all health care professionals licensed in Florida. The site also provides additional information for the five profiled professions –medical doctors, osteopathic physicians, chiropractic physicians, podiatric physicians and advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs).
Statehealthfacts.org provides free, up-to-date, and easy-to-use health data on all 50 states, covering more than 500 health topics.
Florida Progressive Information Network (FLPIN)
offers a nonpartisan communication system designed to link progressive organizers with progressive activists. Individuals may sign up free of charge to receive alerts on a variety of progressive issues from other organizations participating in the Network. In order to make FLPIN work, it must be used on a regular basis. The more information put in, the more valuable it is as a tool. Link FLPIN to organization websites. A training manual is at www.flpin.net/alert.pdf. For more information or assistance, contact jen@floridahumanist.org
National Web Resources
CVS/pharmacy Helps Seniors Find The Right Medicare Part D Plan
CVS/pharmacy has launched an online Medicare Plan Comparison Tool. The tool is available through the web and at CVS pharmacies. Designed to help millions of eligible seniors find the Medicare Part D plan that best suits their needs, the user-friendly CVS/pharmacy Medicare Plan Comparison Tool is part of CVS/pharmacy's ongoing efforts to educate seniors about their Medicare Part D options.
New Online Medical Dictionary Reference Tool
MediLexicon International Limited, corporate owners of Medical News Today, was pleased to announce on Nov. 11 the launch of a new medical dictionary tool. This dictionary search is a joint collaboration between MediLexicon and Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, who have provided the data.
Online Interactive Medicare Advantage Comparison Tools
Before making the switch to Medicare Advantage, beneficiaries can compare plans to determine their needs. Then they can review each plan using the “Guidelines for Considering Medicare Advantage” from the Center for Medicare Advocacy. More information about Medicare Advantage managed care plans is online at Medicare.gov. More recent FAQs on private fee-for-service plans is available through CMS.
Online Parent SCHIP Information
To assist in the growing problem of America's uninsured children, medical insurance hub HealthInsuranceFinders has added information to assist parents in finding and understanding all of their health insurance options: a State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) section with an overview of State Children Health Insurance Programs for each state.
State By State National Survey of Children’s Health Data Resource Center Dataset
The DRC Child Health Indicators version of the 2003 NSCH Dataset is now available. Added to the data sets are the 65 Child Health Indicators for the DRC online data query and the National Chartbook. Also included are Healthy People 2010 relevant indicators and key socio-demographic variables.
Comprehensive source of Hispanic data
Recent release from the Census Bureau with data and linkage to sources covering many areas.
Statehealthfacts.org Data Updates
New updates include 2005 Medicaid Spending and Enrollment, Adult Overweight/Obesity Rates, and Child Health for 2005. New 2003 child health data from the Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health on the percentage of children who are overweight and children who have accessed mental health services have also been added and are available by state and region.
Private Health Insurance 101 Tutorial
This new Kaiser Family Foundation narrated slide tutorial provides an overview of the private health insurance system, discussing basic concepts that are important in understanding private health insurance and how it works, such as risk spreading/risk selection, pluralism, costs, coverage, and regulation. Tutorial slides can be downloaded.
Updated Medicare 101 Tutorial
The newly expanded Kaiser Family Foundation tutorial gives an overview of Medicare, describes how it works and explores the program's challenges. The tutorial has been updated to include the latest information on Medicare spending, the prescription drug benefit and future challenges.
Rural Communities Statistics and Information
The Rural Assistance Center has added to its Web site a new resource providing continuously updated demographics and statistics, documents and resources and contacts for all 50 states. RAC said the federally funded "State Resources" addition is designed to help health care providers and human services representatives in rural communities with activities such as locating and competing for funding opportunities and networking.
American Community Census Data Online
The new poverty, income, and health insurance data from the U.S. Census Bureau released on August 29, 2006 is available online. This year, it has more state and local data than in previous annual surveys.
Covering Kids & Families Web Site
New layout includes Back to School Campaign resources; Communications Action Center, a one-stop outreach resource; new Covering Kids & Families Policy Center; new promising strategies section; resources for families looking for information about low-cost and free health care coverage; streamlined free materials ordering section; new PSA featuring Bernie Mac; royalty-free photos; resources for event planners. For more information, call 202/338-7227 or email coveringkidsandfamilies@gmmb.com.
New Community Health Action Web Site
This website is intended to give leaders at community-based organizations, easy and ready access to important information on healthcare issues. The site also features a free quarterly newsletter called Community Health Advocacy News & Views with resources and information.
State Level Data on Health Coverage & the Uninsured
Kaiser Family Foundation's interactive web tool includes the health insurance status of the state’s population (those with various types of health coverage or who are uninsured), and demographic information (such as income, race/ethnicity, age, gender) for those who are uninsured, have employer-based insurance, or Medicaid. Information about Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries can be found in those respective categories. Find data from other categories on the website that relate to Health Coverage & Uninsured.
The Johns Hopkins INFO Project's New OneSource Database
This provides one-stop access to over 360,000 resources and six separate databases with a single mouse click or search term. OneSource users can quickly search for reports, articles, documents, posters and pamphlets, photos, web sites, Q&As and news articles through a single interface. An enhanced search and browse capability makes finding global family planning, reproductive health and population information faster and more simple than ever. Enter your terms in the search box. Select the resource type you want to look for, or search all six databases at once, and click Search.
Uninsured Tutorial, Module, and Reference Library
This KaiserEDU.org page contains comprehensive resources including links to key research, policy analysis, and the latest data and statistics on the uninsured.
Health Care Coverage in America: Understanding the Issues and Proposed Solutions includes a corresponding PowerPoint presentation. (Cover the Uninsured)
Immigrant Health Policy Reference Library
This new compendium summarizes data and research on immigrants’ health coverage and access to care. The library also includes a list of organizations that conduct analysis on the impact of major health policies on immigrants and presents research on specific populations, including Latino, African and Asian immigrants.
Medicaid Fact Sheets Tool
Compare your state's Medicaid program and the population it serves to other states and the nation by visiting Kaiser's new interactive online State Medicaid Fact Sheets tool.
Interactive Tools on Medicaid
The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured presents the State Medicaid Fact Sheets and the Medicaid Benefits Online Database, two interactive tools featuring the latest key data, information and services provided for each state’s Medicaid program. Both tools allow for easy access to the data which can then be printed, saved and emailed.
2006 Federal Poverty Guidelines
The Southern Institute on Children and Families, National Program Office for Covering Kids & Families has made available the 2006 Federal Poverty Guidelines. Compiled from the 2006 HHS Poverty Guidelines, these guidelines provide income levels for families at 50%, 100%, 125%, 133%, 150%, 185% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Healthcare Coverage Options Database: Assistance for Obtaining Health Coverage
This Web site provides information on health insurance options for low-income U.S. residents. The site includes comprehensive information on large-scale programs like Medicaid, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and the federal Health Care Tax Credit Program, as well as hundreds of smaller state, federal, and private programs.
Videos
Covering Kids & Families Video
Parents' Action for Children, a 2006 national supporter, has created a flash animation video in partnership with Covering Kids & Families that promotes the availability of low-cost and free health care coverage for eligible families. Parents’ Action for Children plans to promote the video to their membership of more than 35,000 parents across the country who are working to improve the lives of children and families in their communities. View the video today! For more information, contact 202/338-7227 or coveringkidsandfamilies@gmmb.com
Problems with the Medicare Drug Program and How to Fix Them: Video
This new 14-minute video produced by Families USA features trusted newsman Walter Cronkite discussing the problems within the new Medicare prescription drug benefit and offering solutions for the Part D program. The video offers an authoritative look at Medicare’s prescription coverage. First-hand experiences come from retirees from across the country, who offer an up-close look at the troubles the new drug benefit has generated, from the headaches of sorting through dozens of plans to the financial tolls the program will take on so-called beneficiaries. A dedicated community pharmacist shares his insights on the roll-out of Part D and knowledgeable consumer advocates analyze the politics at the core of the creation of the Medicare drug program. Watch the Video Online or Request a Copy
PERIODICALS AND BOOKS
The Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
has announced its November 2006 issue. Articles include: The Tuskegee Legacy Project: Willingness of Minorities to Participate in Biomedical Research; A Cervical Cancer Curriculum for Hispanic Adolescents in Rural High Schools; Prior Health Care Experiences of Adolescents who Enroll in SCHIP; How Can States Provide Affordable Pharmaceuticals To the Underserved?; The Financial Value of Services Provided by a Rural Community Health Fair; Socioeconomic Status and Medical Care Expenditures in Medicare Managed Care; Assessing Health Concerns and Barriers in a Heterogeneous Latino Community; Transportation Barriers to Accessing Health Care for Urban Children.
Southern Medical Journal Publishes Studies On Healthcare Disparities
The U.S. healthcare system is one of the most highly advanced in the world. Yet still today, many Americans suffer from unequal access to high-quality health care-a problem that carries a high cost for individuals, communities, and society at large. A special Csection of the September issue of Southern Medical Journal, official journal of the Southern Medical Association, focuses attention on the problem of healthcare disparities in the United States. "As a physician member association, we are pledging a five-year commitment to this issue to make a difference in this country by using our areas of influence to bring recognition and change," comments Dr. Braxter P. Irby, President of the SMA. "Discrepancies in healthcare encompass factors such as race, age, gender, socioeconomic status, geographic location and culture," says Dr. Ronald C. Hamdy, Editor of SMJ. "Southern Medical Journal is planning a series of articles on healthcare disparities to make our readers more aware of this inequality, in the hopes that appropriate changes may be implemented."
(10/23/06, Medical News Today)
Dying While Black
One of the most significant issues to be addressed by health community is inequalities in health and health care for minorities, particularly African Americans. African Americans still suffer from the generational effect of a slave health deficit. African Americans lag behind on nearly every health indicator, including life expectancy, death rates, infant mortality, low birth weight rates anddisease rates. African Americans are sicker than European Americans. Blacks have shorter lives - Blacks are quite literally dying from being black. (October 2006)
Covering Health Issues - A Sourcebook for Journalists
The newest edition of the Alliance for Health Reform's 300-page guide, "Covering Health Issues," is now available for downloading. The guide is useful for anyone interested in health policy issues. Each chapter contains key facts, an overview, expert sources with telephone numbers, story ideas, helpful websites and a discussion of current policy proposals.
New Journal, Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action
The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health will publish the inaugural issue this fall of its new journal, Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action (PCHP). Published by The Johns Hopkins University Press, with a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, PCHP will address topics in the growing field of community-based participatory research.
Health Disparities: A Selected Bibliography
From the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
REPORTS AND STUDIES
New Listings
New Listings: Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP
Too Close to Turn Back: Covering America’s Children
The report calls on Congress to ensure that the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) has funding needed to cover more children, eliminate red tape barriers to child health coverage, and address quality and accountability of child health coverage. (12/12/06, Georgetown University Health Policy Institute Center for Children and Families)
Congress Punts on Children's Health Care in Favor of Tax Shelter for Wealthy
As one of its final acts, Congress chose to attach to the tax extenders bill a provision making Health Savings Accounts more lucrative as tax shelters for wealthy individuals even as Congress refused to provide funds needed to ensure that up to 600,000 low-income children keep their health insurance through the State Children’s Health Insurance Program in 2007. It has been known all year that without additional SCHIP funding, 17 states would face SCHIP shortfalls in 2007. The Administration included a proposal in its budget to address these shortfalls. Various bills to resolve the problem were introduced in Congress. But when decision time came, Congressional leaders declined to act. Coverage for up to 600,000 low-income children will be at risk as a result. When it came to making HSAs more lucrative as tax shelters, by contrast, Congressional negotiators charted a different course. They took a special-interest HSA bill that had never been considered on the floor of either the Senate or House and attached it to the same bill to which they declined to attach the needed SCHIP resources. (12/7/06, Center for Budget and Policy Priorities)
Statement
Related Fact Sheet
Background Analysis on HSA Expansion
Background Analysis on SCHIP Funding Shortfall
Seeking Higher Value in Medicaid: A National Scan of State Purchasers
States are generally happy with and continue to pursue full-risk managed care, and...realize that they can do much more with their purchasing power than merely secure financial predictability...Increasing quality, efficiency, and accountability are all important goals. (Nov 2006, Center for Health Care Strategies)
Strengthening Medicare's Role in Reducing Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities
Disparities in health care for racial and ethnic minorities and low-income persons pose a pressing national problem. This report of a study panel convened by the national Academy of Social Insurance examines Medicare's role in moving towards a solution. The panel concludes that Medicare is obligated to take the lead in reducing disparities—both for its beneficiaries and throughout the health system—and makes 17 recommendations to those who set policy for and administer the Medicare program. (Oct 2006, national Academy of Social Insurance)
The Cost of Privatization: Extra Payments to Medicare Advantage Plans
This updated and revised report found that Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in private Medicare Advantage plans in 2005 cost the federal government $5.2 billion, or 12.4%, more than comparable beneficiaries enrolled in the traditional fee-for-service program. (Nov 2006, Commonwealth Fund)
Medicaid spending sees first decline
Medicaid spending declined by 1.4% in the first nine months of 2006 compared with the same period last year, marking the first decrease in spending since the program was created in 1965, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The historic reversal will free up billions of dollars in state budgets. Medicaid has been the fastest-growing expense for states over the past 10 years. (11/26/06, USA Today)
Medicaid's Long-Term Care Beneficiaries: An Analysis of Spending Patterns
This issue brief by the examines costs related to Medicaid beneficiaries who use long-term care and acute care services. 7% of Medicaid beneficiaries who use long-term care account for more than half of all Medicaid spending, with 75% of those costs being used for long-term care and 25% being used for acute care and other supportive services. (11/22/06, Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured)
Medicare drug plan to cost $13B Less In 2006 than projected
The Medicare prescription drug benefit will cost $30 billion in 2006, a 30% decrease from a previous estimate of $43 billion, according to CMS. CMS said that the decrease resulted from: $7.5 billion in savings from lower-than-expected enrollment; $6.9 billion in savings from competition; and $3.7 billion in savings from lower-than-expected increases in prescription drug prices in the two years prior to the launch of the program. (11/28/06, AP)
Fewer Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Plans Cover Brand-Name Medications During 'Doughnut Hole' In 2007
Purchasing Medicare prescription drug plans that offer coverage during the so-called "doughnut hole" will be "more restricted and more expensive" for beneficiaries in 2007. Although more plans will offer coverage of generic drugs during the doughnut hole next year, the number of plans offering coverage of brand-name medications will decrease from 33 to 27. (11/29/06, LA Times)
New Listings: Health Insurance, Health Costs
The Uninsured And The Affordability Of Health Insurance Coverage
The 2005 Current Population Survey (CPS) is used to estimate what share of uninsured Americans are eligible for coverage through Medicaid or the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), need financial assistance to purchase health insurance, and are likely able to afford insurance. Twenty-five percent are eligible for public coverage, 56 percent need assistance, and 20 percent can afford coverage. This varies across uninsured populations: 74 percent of children are eligible for public programs, and 57 percent and 69 percent of parents and childless adults, respectively, need assistance. A central conclusion is that a large percentage of uninsured adults need help purchasing health insurance. (11/30/06, Health Affairs online)
Employers Willing to Do More to Cover Workers
Despite the rapidly rising costs of health coverage, a new study based on national survey data finds that two-thirds of U.S. employers—including those who provide health benefits and those who do not—either strongly or somewhat agree that all employers should share in the cost of health insurance for employees, either by covering their own workers or by contributing to a fund to cover the uninsured.A majority of employers is also willing to undertake administrative changes designed to expand coverage—for example, reducing an eligible employee's withholding tax by the amount of any available health insurance tax credit. (Nov 2006, Commonwealth Fund)
(second annual) EBRI-Commonwealth Fund Consumerism in Health Care Survey
Consumer-driven health plans are not catching on. This year's survey finds that enrollment in CDHPs and high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) is virtually unchanged since 2005. Only 1 percent of the privately insured population ages 21 to 64 is currently enrolled in a CDHP. CDHPs have not been attracting significant numbers of previously uninsured people. Despite some policymakers' expectations that the lower premiums and tax benefits of CDHPs would substantially reduce the number of uninsured, adults in these plans are no more likely to have been uninsured prior to enrollment than are adults with more comprehensive coverage. (12/7/06, Commonwealth Fund)
Healthier and Wealthier: Decreasing Health Care Costs by Increasing Educational Attainment
This new Issue Brief argues that higher educational attainment improves a student’s future income, occupational status, and social prestige, all of which contributes to improved individual health. The brief cites several reasons why, including the fact that Americans with higher educational attainment have more
insurance coverage, individuals who lack health insurance receive less medical care and have poorer health outcomes, and lower education levels generally lead to occupations with greater health hazards. (Nov 2006, Alliance for Excellent Education)
New Listings: Health Equity Issues
America's Health Rankings: A Call to Action for People and their Communities
The United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention?, have released this 2006 edition, to stimulate public conversation concerning health in our states, as well as provide information to facilitate citizen participation. Participation in all elements is encouraged: personal behaviors, community environment, clinical care and public and health policies. Florida's rank among states went from 40 in 2005 to 41 in 2006.
Improving Health & Reducing Disparities through Prevention: Challenges, Implications, and Opportunities
An innovative report calling for a broad and strategic response to reducing inequitable health outcomes by identifying and discussing key strategies that build on the successes of a variety of fields not previously applied or considered relevant to health disparities reduction. (December 2006, Prevention Institute)
Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care
Focusing on Institute Of Medicine principles for designing a high-quality health care system, the author identifies areas where cultural competence could be used to reduce disparities and achieve high performance health care. (Oct 2006, Commonwealth Fund)
Cultural Competency: Moving the Agenda Forward
At the fifth National Conference on Quality Health Care for Culturally Diverse Populations, held in Seattle from October 17–20, 2006, The Commonwealth Fund released a series of reports exploring the role of cultural competency in improving quality and outcomes for patients, reducing disparities, and helping patients become more active and engaged in their care. (Nov 2006, Commonwealth Fund)
A High-Performing System for Well-Child Care: A Vision for the Future
Standardization, while intended to ensure that families receive core services and key information, tends to encourage a "one-size-fits-all" approach. Many families are subjected to unnecessary visits, while children who are at serious risk for physical, developmental, or behavioral problems fail to get the services they need. The author is convinced that the U.S. system of well-child care provision is ripe for change. In the report, he and his coauthors present a model for effective, efficient well-child care, as well as a guide for future policy and research efforts. characterized by advanced access to services, team-based care, individualized developmental and behavioral screening, care coordination through a medical home, electronic health records, and tools for information and knowledge transfer. Some reforms are ready to be implemented, while others would require additional resources, new technology, and/or policy changes. (Oct 2006, Commonwealth Fund)
On the Front Lines of Care: Primary Care Doctors' Office Systems, Experiences, and Views in Seven Countries
Survey results that reveal striking differences in primary care practice internationally—differences that highlight the importance of having national policies in place to support primary care. According to the survey, U.S. physicians are among the least likely to have extensive clinical information systems or quality-based payment incentives, the least likely to provide access to after-hours care, and the most likely to report that their patients often have difficulty paying for care. (11/2/06, Health Affairs)
Cultural Competency: Moving the Agenda Forward
Medical professionals who are "culturally competent" consider a patient's race and ethnicity, cultural background, primary language, health practices, and value systems when recommending treatment and providing care. Although more and more health care organizations, clinicians, and medical schools are recognizing the importance of cultural competency in health care delivery, there is still plenty of work to be done to make it truly a part of everyday medical practice. (Nov 2006, Commonwealth Fund)
The Role and Relationship of Cultural Competence and Patient-Centeredness in Health Care Quality
This report considers the intersection of patient-centered care and cultural competency. (Nov 2006, Commonwealth Fund)
Migrant Worker Health Study Completed Three Years Ago Still Unreleased
A federal study on the health of migrant farmworkers that was completed three years ago remains under review by HHS and is yet to be made public, McClatchy/Miami Herald reports. Congress in 2002 ordered a study of farmworkers to asses barriers to enrollment in Medicaid and state SCHIP programs; examine the lack of health care "portability" between states; and evaluate potential solutions, including interstate compacts, public-private partnerships and a national program to serve migrant workers. (11/27/06, Kaiser Network)
Many Patients Don't Understand Prescription Medicine Labels
Many people still don't fully understand the seemingly simple label instructions on their prescription medication, according to a new study of low-income patients. The study found that nearly half of the patients in the study misinterpreted at least one or more out of the five prescription labels they were shown. Patients with low literacy made the most mistakes and frequently were unable to grasp four out of five label instructions. But even people with a high-school education and higher had problems. (11/29/06, Annals of Internal Medicine)
New Listings: Other Health Issues
National Survey on Health OpinionsNew poll finds broad support among Democrats, Independents, and Republicans for drug price negotiation, reimportation, and prioritizing children for coverage of the uninsured. Views on stem cells are more mixed. Public sees health care prices as unreasonable and wants government to take steps to lower them. (12/8/06, Kaiser Family Foundation et al)
Florida Reports
Florida Senate Interim Project Report on Florida KidCare Organizational Streamlining and Administrative Simplification
The Florida KidCare program provides health care coverage to over 1.4 million children. KidCare is an "umbrella” program, the components of which include Medicaid for children, Healthy Kids, Medikids, and Children’s Medical Services Network. Linking these has resulted in a complex administrative structure, with different financial eligibility requirements, benefit designs, service delivery systems, cost sharing equirements, and multiple administrative entities. This administrative structure has created barriers to access, although many have been or are being addressed. This report recommends further incremental approaches for organizational streamlining and administrative simplification. A model for comprehensive reorganization is also provided for consideration. (October 2006, Florida Senate)
Medicaid Changes: What will they mean for Broward and Duval counties, and beyond?
This document is Briefing #1 by researchers at Georgetown University’s Health Policy Institute engaged in a two-year evaluation of the Medicaid reform pilot counties for both Florida counties. The evaluation is assessing how these changes affect Medicaid beneficiaries’ ability to access needed care as well as the impact on community health providers.(September 2006, Georgetown University Health Policy Institute)
National Survey of Children’s Health, 2003 Florida State Profile Children ages 0-17
State of Working Florida 2006
Research Insitute on Social and Economic Policy (RISEP)'s annual Labor Day report reviews economic data to provide a comprehensive picture of workers and their families. Data on wages, employment, industries, and benefits show how workers are faring in Florida 's economy. Key 2006 findings include: almost 20% of Florida’s residents had no healthcare coverage in 2002-2005, worse than all but two of the nation’s states; median wage well below national norms; drop in family incomes; positive outcomes from new state minimum wage law.
Report looks at uninsured in Florida
This report from the Research Institute on Social and Economic Policy at FIU documents and breaks down Florida's uninsured figures, finding 18.5% of the total Florida population uninsured. The report looks at employment and industry data related to lack of coverage, and proposes a partial solution.
Grading State Systems for Adults with Serious Mental Illness
A National Alliance on Mental Illness report grades each state's public mental health system for adults with serious mental illness, and assigns the nation an overall grade of D. The report grades states on 39 criteria in the areas of infrastructure, information access, services and recovery.
Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIPS
Benefit Design and Formularies of Medicare Drug Plans: A Comparison of 2006 and 2007 Offerings
This profiles the 2007 Medicare stand-alone drug plans offered to the 43 million 2007 beneficiaries and highlights some of the changes in plans from 2006. It looks at premiums, covered drugs, copays, and other features that affect out-of-pocket costs and access. The changes identified in the report underscore the importance for Medicare beneficiaries in reviewing key features of drug plans before enrolling in a plan for 2007. This study compared the prescription drug plans offered in 2006-2007, finding: more plans were being offered with more drugs covered, but with higher premiums; generally lower copayments for generics and preferred brand-name drugs; 30 percent more plans offered nationwide in 2007; 483 plans that qualify for full premium subsidy for people eligible for Extra Help in 2007, up from 409; increased premiums; and more plans covering the doughnut hole but most with only generics. (11/14/06, Kaiser Family Foundation)
Status Report On Medicare Part D Enrollment In 2006: Analysis Of Plan-Specific Market Share And Coverage
A comprehensive look at the 2006 private Medicare drug plan enrollment as the enrollment period for 2007 begins. The article examines organization- and plan-level market share, as well as enrollment by type of plan, benefit design, and gap coverage. (11/21/06, Kaiser Family Foundation)
State-level Medicare Part D Plan Characteristics, A 2007 Update
This fact sheet contains new state-specific summary data about available Medicare drug benefit options, including the number of stand-alone plans with gap coverage in the "doughnut hole," and the number of plans available at no cost to qualifying beneficiaries. (11/10/06, Kaiser Family Foundation)
Recalibrating Medicare Payments for Inpatient Care
Article discusses reasons for variation in profitability for different services and the effect of specialty hospitals on reimbursements. States that policy must be established to "ensure more accurate payment methods," or "providers will increasingly gravitate toward the medical problems and procedures that boost their bottom line," rather than provide other needed medical care. (November 2006, New England Journal of Medicine)
Medicaid Patients Less Likely Than Those With Private Insurance To Receive Recommended Cardiac Care
The quality of cardiac care for Medicaid patients lags behind the care given to those with HMOs and private insurance according to a new study. The study found Medicaid patients were less likely to receive short term medications and to undergo invasive cardiac procedures. They also had higher in-hospital mortality rates and were less likely to receive recommended discharge care. Differences were fewer and smaller for Medicare patients. (11/21/06, Annals of Internal Medicine)
How Does the Medicaid Buy-In Program Relate to Other Federal Efforts To Improve Access to Health Coverage for Adults With Disabilities?
The issue brief examines how the Medicaid Buy-In program -- which allows states to expand Medicaid coverage to workers with disabilities whose incomes would otherwise make them ineligible -- compares to other federal programs that promote employment for people with disabilities, such as work-incentive provisions of the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs. The brief also examines large-scale federal demonstration projects that aim to improve access to medical services for certain groups of working-age adults who have disabilities or potentially disabling conditions. (11/17/06, Mathematica)
Average Monthly Premiums Will Increase By 87% In 2007 For Medicare Prescription Drug Plans Providing 'Meaningful Coverage' In Doughnut Hole
Average monthly premiums in 2007 for Medicare prescription drug plans that offer "meaningful" coverage during the so-called "doughnut hole" coverage gap will increase by 87.4% to $103.20, compared with $55.08 in 2006. (11/1/06, Families USA)
Benefits of Proposed Democratic Medicare Drug Program Reforms
“Under Democratic reform proposals, the Medicare program would be empowered to negotiate for discounts on behalf of beneficiaries, reducing overall drug costs by an estimated 25%...[T]he total savings for beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare drug plans are estimated to be $4.3 billion annually. Over a ten-year period, the total savings for Medicare beneficiaries would be an estimated $61 billion” (October 2006, U.S. House of Representatives Committee on government Reform-Minority Staff)
Three-fourths of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in the prescription drug benefit are satisfied with their plans, according to a recent Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive poll.
The poll, conducted between Oct. 27 and Oct. 31, included responses from 2,766 U.S. adults, 177 of whom were Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in the prescription drug benefit. Among Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in the prescription drug benefit, 70% said that their prescription drug plans have reduced their medication costs. In addition, 82% of those respondents said that their prescription drug plans were not difficult to use, the poll found. Half of those respondents said that their prescription plans provided them with information to help reduce their medication costs, according to the poll. In addition, 73% of those respondents said that they likely will remain in the same prescription drug plans next year and 12% said that they likely will switch plans, the poll found. Among all respondents, 30% said that they agreed with enactment of the 2003 Medicare law, compared
Danger Looms for Children's Health Care in 2007
The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), a program created in 1997 to expand health care coverage to the millions of uninsured children living in the U.S., faces federal funding shortfalls for fiscal year 2007. These shortfalls are quite alarming; especially at a time when the Census Bureau is reporting that the number of children without health insurance grew to over 8 million in 2005, the first time the proportion of uninsured children has risen since 1998. For years, SCHIP allowed more children to receive coverage, bucking the trend of declining health insurance among adults. But now, insufficient federal funding for SCHIP has started to make things worse, with 17-18 states unlikely to be able to sustain their existing SCHIP programs in fiscal year 2007. Currently, thanks to SCHIP, over 4 million low-income children who might otherwise not be able to receive proper health care are able to see a doctor and entitled to immunizations, regular checkups, and hospital care. Unfortunately, due to the way SCHIP is financed some of these children may be forced to join the ranks of the uninsured by the end of this year. (9/19/06, Coalition on Human Needs)
Closing the Gaps in Child Health Coverage
Every year, millions of children temporarily lose their health coverage under public insurance programs, only to be reenrolled later in the same program or a different one. According to two different Fund-supported reports, coverage gaps are often a byproduct of the cumbersome coverage renewal processes families must periodically undergo, or of unnecessarily complicated transitions from one program to another. (August 2006, Commonwealth Fund)
Federal Budget/Health Care
Health Insurance, Health Costs
Americans Wary Of Comprehensive Health Care Reform, Survey Finds
Although a majority of Americans are dissatisfied with the current health care system, they remain unlikely to accept comprehensive reform legislation, according to a review of numerous public opinion surveys. Middle-income people in particular - while supporting concepts such as universal coverage and Medicare reform - are concerned about the trade-offs that might be required to meet these ambitious goals. (December 2006, The Milbank Quarterly)
Exploring the Public's Views on the Health Care System: A National Survey on the Issues and Options
Instead of assessing support for specific health reform initiatives, this study examines fundamental attitudes that shape views about the provision and financing of health insurance. It finds strong support for equity and expansion of coverage, with few differences across sociodemographic groups, but some support for holding individuals responsible for health-related behavior. Consumers want to retain choice of plans and coverage for routine expense yet not bear additional financial burden. "There was strong consensus that the current system is not working well. When asked whether or not they agreed with the statement that the current system has lots of problems and needs to be improved, 80 percent of respondents agreed, compared with only 20 percent who said that the employer-based system combined with current government programs is working well." (November 2006, Health Affairs)
Headed for a Tipping Point?
Average people on the street think the health care system is headed for disaster, and it appears they're right. Try this for fun: The next time a stranger asks you what you do for a living, say, "I'm a health care futurist. I write and speak about the future of health care." The single most common response is rather shocking. Most people say, "Does it have a future?" (November 2006, H&HN)
National Survey of Households Affected by Cancer
This USA Today/Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard School of Public Health National Survey provides an in-depth examination of how families cope with cancer and highlights problems of health insurance and health care costs through the lens of those who have experienced this major illness. One in four families affected by cancer said the experience led the person with the disease to spend all or most of his or her savings, while one in eight borrowed money from relatives, a new survey conducted by USA Today, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health finds. The survey found that cancer's impact often extends beyond an indi vidual patient to affect entire families -- sometimes causing financial crisis, strained relationships, and physical and mental health issues for those who love and care for people diagnosed with the disease. Having health insurance during treatment helped to limit the financial consequences of a cancer diagnosis, but even those with consistent coverage faced difficulties. (11/20/06, Kaiser Family Foundation)
Comparison of Expenditures in Nongroup and Employer-Sponsored Insurance
Part of the Snapshot on Health Care Costs series, this report examines the differences in costs associated with individual, nongroup insurance and employer-sponsored insurance. (11/10/06, Kaiser Family Foundation)
Illustrating the Potential Impacts of Adverse Selection on Health Insurance Costs in Consumer Choice Models
Part of the Snapshot on Health Care Costs series, this report examines the sensitivity of health insurance premiums to enrollment shifts by high-cost members, a process known as adverse selection (11/10/06, Kaiser Family Foundation)
Consumer Spending on Outpatient Drugs Jumps 89% in Four Years
U.S. spending on prescription drugs obtained in the outpatient setting nearly doubled from 1999-2003 to $141 billion for brand name drugs and $36.6 billion for generics, according to a new report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Brand name drug purchases by the civilian non-institutionalized population increased to 1.7 billion from 1.3 billion, while generic purchases increased to 1.1 billion from 0.8 billion. (10/11/06, AHRQ)
As Health Care Costs Take a Toll, Some Changes Win Broad Backing
A wide-ranging September poll of 1,201 Americans' views on the nation's health system found that costs in the nation's health care system are ensnaring millions more Americans: One in four report problems paying their medical bills, and nearly three in 10 -- rising to nearly half of women with children -- have put off treatment because of the cost, often despite a serious illness or condition. Both are new highs in polls dating back a decade or more. Such problems contribute to substantial public disapproval of the country's health care system overall, in terms of its cost, the level of uninsured Americans, and to a lesser extent, the quality of care. Yet most people remain satisfied with their own personal costs, coverage and care --experience that makes the risk of change less attractive. Still, support for change does exist. Most Americans, 56 percent, favor shifting from the current health system to a taxpayer-financed universal health insurance program. But there are provisos: Support has slipped a bit from its 2003 level, as Republicans have moved farther away from the idea. And support for universal coverage drops sharply if it means higher costs, waiting lists for some care or less choice of doctors or treatments. Support goes much higher for other, somewhat less fundamental, changes. Large majorities favor employer mandates, expanded government health insurance programs and special aid to provide low-income Americans with health coverage. Many of these are not only supported by much of the public, but "strongly" so. Full poll results are available. (10/16/06, ABC News, USA Today, Kaiser Family Foundation)
No Shelter from the Storm: America's Uninsured Children
In recent years, much attention has been paid to the growing number of Americans who lack health insurance. Unfortunately, less attention has been paid to a startling and often-overlooked fact: One out of every five uninsured Americans is a child. This report takes a closer look at uninsured children—who they are and what kinds of services they miss out on as a result of being uninsured. (9/28/06, Campaign for Children's Health Care)
Number of Uninsured Americans at All-time High
Data released by the Census Bureau show that the number of uninsured Americans stood at a record 46.6 million in 2005, with 15.9 percent of Americans lacking health coverage. "The number of uninsured Americans reached an all-time high in 2005," said Robert Greenstein, executive director of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. "It is sobering that 5.4 million more people lacked health insurance in 2005 than in the recession year of 2001, primarily because of the erosion of employer-based insurance." (8/29/06, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities)
The Coverage Gap: A State-by-State Report on Access to Care
Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2004 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) – a national survey of preventive and health risk behaviors – the researchers analyzed health disparities between insured and uninsured adults. Using data from the US Census Bureau Current Population Survey from 1994, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2004 and 2005, they also looked at the number of Americans age 50-64 that are without health care coverage.
Health Equity Issues
Little Public Money Spent On Health Care To Undocumented Immigrants, RAND Study Shows
Just a small fraction of America's health care spending is used to provide publicly supported care to the nation's undocumented immigrants. Overall, immigrants to the United States use relatively few health services, primarily because they are generally healthier than their American-born counterparts, according to the study by the nonprofit research organization. The report - which appears in the November edition of the journal Health Affairs - estimates that in the United States about $1.1 billion in federal, state and local
government funds are spent annually on health care for undocumented immigrants aged 18 to 64. That amounts to an average of $11 in taxes for each U.S. household. In contrast, a total of $88 billion in government funds were spent on health care for all non-elderly adults in 2000. ( November 2006, Health Affairs)
As Holidays Approach, Data Shows High Rates of Hardship for African Americans and Latinos
Analysis of data on hardships faced by American families — based on an annual survey the Administration plans to eliminate this fiscal year — shows that between one-fourth and one-third of all African American and Latino citizen families experience difficulty affording food, lack needed medical care, and/or live in overcrowded conditions.Twenty-eight percent of African American families with children, and 31 percent of families headed by a Latino citizen, experience at least one of the above three hardships at some point during the year, according to the survey. This is double the rate for non-Latino white families with children (14 percent). This disparity largely reflects the fact that poverty rates are several times higher for African American and Latino families than for white families. (11/21/06, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities)
Delays in Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment by Racial/Ethnic Group
Although white women have the highest incidence of breast cancer, African American, followed by Hispanic, American Indian/Alaskan Native, and Asian American or Pacific Islander, women have higher death rates from the disease. Timely initiation of treatment has been shown to improve survival, and may help to lessen the mortality differences among racial/ethnic groups. (11/13/06, Archives of Internal Medicine)
Discrimination Contributes To African-American Health Disparities
The experience of racial discrimination may be a key factor in explaining why African Americans have higher rates of obesity and suffer at higher rates from such diseases as diabetes and cardiovascular disorders, according to UCLA researchers. Repeated responses to such discrimination - which include elevated blood pressure and heart rate - can cause enormous stress on a person's mental and physical health, according to research scheduled to be published. (Volume 58, Annual Review of Psychology)
Low Health Literacy Interferes With Good Health Care
Communication problems with health professionals can negatively impact the outcome of medical care for some patients, according to a report by the health literacy committee of the American Medical Association. The report also revealed that inadequate health literacy may increase the risk of hospitalization. (10/31/06, Medical News Today)
Multiculturalism in Health Care
Hospitals need to understand the values and traditions of the various ethnic groups within their communities. Areas all over the United States are becoming much more racially, ethnically, culturally and linguistically diverse. Previous record inflows of immigrants at the turn of the 20th century have been surpassed; the foreign-born now number more than 33 million.... Our nation's increasing diversity has made providing care to diverse populations a challenge for many health care organizations. With the increasing diversity, there is a concomitant need to understand cross-cultural differences. This ethical imperative is particularly critical, given the numerous reports that document significant health disparities. (10/31/06, H&HN)
Black Patients Have Poorer Outcomes On Quality Of Care Measurements In Medicare Health Plans
Black patients in Medicare managed care health plans often have poorer outcomes for treatment of common and important conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol, compared to white patients, according to a study in JAMA. "High-quality health plans had racial disparities that were generally comparable in magnitude to low-quality plans." (10/25/06, Harvard Medical School)
New Report Highlights Importance and Impact of Consumer Voice in Protecting Health Care Access and Promoting Health Care Reform
This 16-state study demonstrates that an organized consumer voice is critical in protecting or expanding health care access. The report, which examines the political, economic, and organizational factors that affect the power of consumer health advocacy, is based on interviews with more than 200 activists, policymakers, and funders in the target states. In states where consumer organizations are organized and well-supported like Colorado, Illinois and Massachusetts, consumer advocates have been the drivers of major health policy reform. But even in more challenging environments like Mississippi and Ohio, they have been the linchpins in campaigns to protect thousands of people from losing access to health coverage. The report, which was funded by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, pinpoints the specific capacities that result in effective consumer advocacy and makes recommendations for developing strong and organized systems of consumer advocacy in all fifty states. (10/3/06, Community Catalyst)
Barriers To Prevention And Treatment Are Leading Contributors To Mental Health Crisis
One in four U.S. adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder, yet they face barriers to equal access to treatment and preventive health services, public health experts said today at a forum releasing new research examining the impact of mental illness on the nation's health. Barriers include stigma and racial and ethnic discrimination. (October 2006, American Journal of Public Health)
America’s Uninsured Children: Minorities at Greater Risk
Campaign for Children’s Health Care's new fact sheet and report finds that more than 60 percent of the uninsured children in the United States are racial or ethnic minorities.
Examining the Health Disparities Research Plan of the National Institutes of Health: Unfinished Business
This final report of an Institute of Medicine committee charged with assessing the NIH Strategic Plan to Reduce and Ultimately Eliminate Health Disparities is now available. The report recommends ways to improve oversight and coordination of the Strategic Plan and to assure that needed research on health disparities is being carried out as effectively and expeditiously as possible. The recommendations are intended to help NIH achieve its minority health and health disparity Strategic Plan objectives. (Institute of Medicine)
The 2005 National Healthcare Quality Report (NHQR) and 2005 National Healthcare Disparities Report (NHDR) are now available on AHRQ's Web Site. The 2005 NHQR is a comprehensive national overview of quality of health care in the United States. The 2005 NHDR tracks disparities in both quality of and access to health care in the United States for both the general population and for congressionally designated priority populations.
Other Health Issues
Health, United States, 2006
This 30th report on the health status of the nation is submitted by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to the President and Congress of the United States in compliance with Section 308 of the Public Health Service Act. The 559-page report was compiled by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics served in a review capacity. The Health, United States series presents national trends in health statistics. Each report includes an executive summary, highlights, a chartbook, trend tables, extensive appendixes, and an index. Contents include: Fertility, Natality, Life Expectancy and Mortality; Health Behaviors, Status, Risk Factors, Determinants and Measures; Health Care Access, Utilization, System Influences, Expenditures, Resources and Personnel; Health Insurance Coverage and Payors; Uninsured Population; Age, Race and Ethnicity and Poverty; Alcohol and Drug Use; Physical Activity and Limitations; Dental Care and Access; and a Special Section on Pain. (November 2006, HHS, CDC, NHCS)
The Oral Health of Children A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005
The Health Resources and Services Administration presents this chartbook highlighting the major findings of the National Survey of Children's Health on children's oral health. This survey, the first of its kind, presents national- and State-level information on the health and well-being of children and their use of health services, including oral health and dental care. The survey includes many positive findings about children's oral health.
STATE HEALTH EVENTS AND NOTICES
December 14, 2006
NORTH FLORIDA
Developmental Disabilities Guardian Training
Jan. 19-20 Tallahassee
Florida Developmental Disabilities Council is sponsoring training workshops to empower families to become more knowledgeable about navigating the legal system. This is particularly important because there is a scarcity of attorneys with the necesary knowledge and experience. There is no fee for consumers and family members. Travel reimbursement is available. However, you must register using this form or online. For more information, call 305/243-6397, or email JSherman@med.miami.edu.
CENTRAL FLORIDA
WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA
The Value of Biologic Medications
Jan 18 10:00am-2:00pm Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk, 200 N Ashley Dr
In the last decade the deciphering of the human genome has opened up a whole new world of drug discovery. Most of these new specialty pharmaceuticals are biologics. New biologics now offer treatments and cures where none existed previously. The challenge for advocates and for policy makers alike is to ensure that the value and benefits of these new specialty pharmaceuticals are understood and that patients have access so that they can benefit from them. Participants will learn the value of biologic medications, what they are and the profound impact they have for individuals with chronic illness; and tools advocates can use to promote education about the need for access to effective treatments. Contact 916/444-1985 or info@tmjsociety.org.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
Events
Notices
Health Care Access through Action Project
If you care about improving our Health Care System, the Human Services Coalition of Miami-Dade invites you to take part in a plan to improve health care access. There are a number of ways to be involved: take a health access survey; join a Community Action/Learning Group to develop Action plan drafts to reduce and eliminate barriers to health care to be presented at the 2nd Access through Action Summit in March; or become an Action Group facilitator with a Jan. 9 training. This project is supported by Children’s Trust, Allegany Franciscan Ministries, Inc., Robert Stemple School of Medicine, Community Voices and South Florida Health Foundation. For info and how to get involved, contact parmerh@hscdade.org or ashal@hscdade.org.
Not-For-Profit Task Force of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce announces Sixth Annual NOVO Awards for not-for-profit innovative excellence.
Nominations deadline: 4:00 pm Jan 16
The NOVO Awards will be given to a not-for-profit organization in recognition of a program that has made a difference in the lives of the people it serves. Attached please find a copy of the application. Two awards will be given; one for non-profits with an operating budget of less than $2 million and one for non-profits with an operating budget over $2 million. The top three finalists from each category will be recognized at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors and Trustees luncheon on Wednesday, March 7, 2007. $1,000 will be presented to the winner in each category. To be considered, click here to download the award application, fill out and submit. For further info,contact Ingris at 305/577-5468.
Health Council of South Florida leader opinion survey
The Council is conducting a leader opinion survey about health issues in Miami-Dade County. The results will help serve the needs of residents.
STATEWIDE
Events
2007 AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting
Call for Abstracts in Gender & Health deadline: Jan 9
June 3-5 Orlando
Presentation of cutting-edge health services research is the cornerstone of this meeting, offering opportunities for researchers to share important findings with policymakers and providers who can move the research into action. This year's ARM is organized around 21 themes, including Gender & Health.
11th Annual Medicaid/Medicare Conference Set
March 13-15 Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota
This yearly event offers vital information on nuance and change in Medicaid/Medicare regulations to stay current with the issues that surround Medicaid and Medicare. Reimbursement, risk management, valuation, acquisition and many other concerns facing providers, insurers and lenders will be reviewed.
12th Annual Children's Week
March 25-April 1, 2007 Tallahassee
Click here for details.
Notices
US Health Care Documentary Film Project seeks interviews
This film crew is looking for more people to interview, who are in need of immediate care of some sort and are having trouble affording it because they are underinsured or uninsured. Do you know of someone who needs dental work, eye work, or some sort of minor surgery? They will try to link those in need to care. Email karen249@yahoo.com.
KidCare Renewal
It's not too late to renew KidCare coverage for uninsured children by calling toll-free 1-800/821-5437. Have your Florida KidCare Family Account Number ready when you call. If any previous KidCare applications should no longer be used, but instead, download the new version at www.floridakidcare.org. Florida KidCare will no longer except old versions of the application under any condition. If submitted, those applications will be returned and will delay coverage for those in need of healthcare services.
NATIONAL EVENTS AND NOTICES
December 14, 2006
CONFERENCES AND EVENTS
2007 AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting
Call for Abstracts in Gender & Health deadline: Jan 9
June 3-5 Orlando
Presentation of cutting-edge health services research is the cornerstone of this meeting, offering opportunities for researchers to share important findings with policymakers and providers who can move the research into action. This year's ARM is organized around 21 themes, including Gender & Health.
Families USA Conference Health Action 2007
Deadline for early bird registration: Dec 18
Jan 24 Lobby Day
Jan 25-27 Renaissance Mayflower Hotel, Washington, D.C.
This will be a gathering of creative, hard-working advocates determined to plow ahead on expanded coverage until every one of us has affordable, high quality health care. Opening Speakers: Sen. Barack Obama and Uwe Reinhardt, Princeton economist. Closing Speaker: The Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar, National Council of Churches. Register on or before December 18, 2006 to take advantage of an early-bird registration fee of $315. After that date, registration is $365. This fee includes three lunches, continental breakfasts, breaks, a Capitol Steps performance, dessert party, and all program materials. Lobby Day on Jan. 24 will be a day of strategizing and encouraging the new Congress to take positive action on health care. For more information please call 202-628-3030. To request scholarship assistance, contact rwise@familiesusa.org.
Race and Class Inequalities in Health
Abstract submission deadline: Feb 2
June 19-22 Boston
Conceptual and data-based papers are requested for presentation at the annual Society for Epidemiologic Research (SER) meeting in 2007. There will be a contributed paper session on Race and Class Inequalities in Health and those working in this area are encouraged to submit abstracts of their work. Accepted abstracts will be distributed at the June meeting and will also be published in a Supplement issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology.
Community Benefit 101: the Nuts and Bolts of Planning and Reporting Community Benefit
Feb. 2007 Baltimore
April 2007 San Francisco
Catholic Health Association, leader in the community benefit field for 20 years, is offering a seminar that covers the basics of community benefit in not-for-profit health care. This event presents a valuable introduction for persons new to the topic and a useful review for those who are already doing the work of community benefit planning an reporting.
Spring Training for Health Champions
March 7-9 New Orleans
Topic tracks of this annual event include: access to care; chronic disease prevention and management; community benefit excellence; and community health assessments. The Maximizing Access to Care track will discuss and debate approaches to making health care more accessible during sessions, such as Consumer Driven Health Care - Myth or Reality?, Ensuring Care for Low-Income Residents: Coverage and Safety Net Models and Winning Approaches for Increasing Access to Care.
Facing Race
March 22-24 New York City
This conference will bring together key policy advocates, academics, researchers, organizers and activists interested in exploring innovative strategies and successful models for changing public policy to produce more racial equity. The persistence of deep racial disparities in an array of areas--such as education, employment, health care and housing--points to the need for more strategies and new policies to address systemic inequities. This conference hopes to unite the movement by building bridges across issues and communities to amplify the concerns of communities of color in the intellectual, policy and popular debates that lie ahead.
Mobilizing Partnerships for Social Change
April 11-14 Toronto
This is the 10th Anniversary Conference of Community-Campus Partnerships for Health. CCPH promotes health through partnerships between communities and higher educational institutions.
5th Annual Integrative Medicine for Healthcare Organizations Conference
April 12-14 San Diego
Health Forum and the American Hospital Association invite you to this two-and-a-half day program, customized to provide you and your team with top-notch educational sessions, in-depth case studies, skill building workshops, onsite visits to successful integrative medicine centers, a cutting-edge poster and exhibit forum and ample time for networking. Information on the educational program will be available in late fall 2006.
Bridging the Health Care Divide: Research and Programs to Eliminate Cancer Disparities
April 18-20 New Orleans
This conference of the American Cancer Society seeks to bring together researchers, community groups, physicians, nurses, social workers, public health leaders, lay persons, advocates, and policy makers to describe successful, sustainable models to eliminate cancer disparities.
Community Benefit 101: The Nuts and Bolts of Planning and Reporting Community Benefit
April 24 San Francisco
For today's tax-exempt health care organizations, planning and reporting community benefit are critically important functions. Catholic Health Association, the leader in the community benefit field for 20 years, is offering a seminar that covers the basics of community benefit in not-for-profit health care, a valuable introduction for persons new to the topic and a useful review for those who are already doing the work of community benefit planning and reporting. Attend with your org's community benefit team and plan an integrated, practical approach to community benefit programming that your group can initiate on your first day back in the office.
Advancing Science-Based Prevention: Creating Real World Solutions
May 30 - June 1 Washington, D.C.
All participants are encouraged to submit abstracts for individual paper and poster presentations, organized paper symposium, poster forums, roundtable discussions/scientific dialogues and technology demonstrations for the Society for Prevention Research 15th Annual Meeting.
The Changing Face of Health Education and Health Promotion
June 7-9 Seattle
This national health education and health promotion conference is cosponsored by the Directors of Health Promotion and Education, the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Proposals are encouraged for concurrent sessions, pre or post-conference workshops, or poster presentations at the 2007 National Health Education Conference & SOPHE's 2007 Midyear Scientific Conference.
2007 CSTE Annual Conference: Eliminating Health Disparities: Data to Action
June 24-28 Atlantic City, NJ
Abstract proposals are being sought by the Program Planning Committee for the 2007 Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Annual Conference.
Global Primary Health Care Strategies
July 21 - Aug 11
The Dept of Health Policy and Management of the Univ. of South Florida College of Public Health, with Jamaican Southern Regional Health Authority offers this graduate field course in Treasure Beach Jamaica. The course will cover strategies for providing access to health care services for disadvantaged rural populations as a part of its focus. The 3 credit course will be coupled with an hour of field practicum credit for a total of 4 semester hours of credit. Mornings will be spent in the field in the Black River Health District on projects that will feed into afternoon class sessions. The 4 credit program, including tuition, lodging, field travel, course materials, pickup and return to Montego Bay airport and 12 dinners will cost $3500 for both Florida and out of state participants. Airfare is extra.
AUDIO AND WEB EVENTS
Families USA Audioconference: What is the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and What are its Prospects for Reauthorization?
Dec 19 3:00 PM Eastern Time
Join Families USA for another installment of their conference call series. One of the biggest items on Congress' agenda next year will be reauthorizing the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Do you work on enrolling kids in your state’s Medicaid or SCHIP program, but don’t understand what all the fuss is about in Washington? If so, then this call is for you! Click here to RSVP. You will receive an e-mail shortly thereafter with the call-in information. Print or otherwise save this information, as you'll need it to participate in the call.
ACHI Audio Conferences
Jan.18 2:00 pm ET
Primary Care Access Network: Health Care for the Underinsured
Feb. 15 2:00 pm ET
Maximizing Community Benefit's Impact on Community Health
NOTICES
Draft Model for Developing 2020 Health Objectives
Comment deadline: Dec. 22
The Draft Model represents preliminary work and describes how objectives might be developed, but does not include health objectives themselves. Once public comments are incorporated into the Draft Model, National Opinion Research Center will present it to The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion in the Office of Public Health and Science, as one possible option for creating the nation's health objectives for the year 2020. Comment online at http://2020comment.norc.org
CAMPAIGNS AND INITIATIVES
Join Mental Health America's New Advocacy Network
Building on nearly a century of advocacy, Mental Health America (formerly National Mental Health Association) is spreading the message that mental health is fundamental to the health and well-being of every person and the nation as a whole. Mental Health America has launched its Advocacy Network to create a community of concerned citizen advocates. This site will be the gathering place for individuals who want to know more about mental health and wellness, and understand the issues confronting our nation and communities. Most important, it will be an environment where citizens take action. Join thousands of other Americans in protecting the rights of individuals with mental illnesses and promoting access to care for all who need help. Sign a petition calling on Congress to embrace a Vision for Change and make mental health a priority in 2007 and beyond.
Get Ready for Cover the Uninsured Week 2007!
April 23-29
Mark your calendars and plan how you and your community can help get America covered. With the help of supporters like you, Cover the Uninsured Week 2006 was a tremendous success, with: more than 4,700 events; 60,000 emails sent to the U.S. Congress; former Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter once again served as Honorary Co-Chairs, and 10 former Surgeons General and Health and Human Services secretaries signed an open letter to the American people; more than 200 national organizations and more than 3,500 local organizations participated. Please visit www.CoverTheUninsured.org to download guides to get started planning events such as press conferences, health and enrollment fairs, and interfaith breakfasts. Additional information will be posted as plans for 2007 develop.
CDC Launches 'Get Informed. Get Diagnosed. Get Help.' Campaign
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today launched a national public education and awareness campaign on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), a weakening and often devastating illness for millions of Americans. The campaign, called "Get Informed. Get Diagnosed. Get Help," is designed to increase awareness among clinicians and the public, because 80 percent of Americans afflicted with CFS illness may not know they have it.
Covering Kids & Families Back-to-School Campaign
thanks you for a record-breaking Back-to-School Campaign! A record 4,034 outreach and enrollment events and activities were held nationwide. Television, radio and print news coverage of the campaign and the availability of health coverage for eligible families reached tens of millions of families in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 10 corporate partners helped us reach millions of consumers nationwide through placement of public service ads on mailing inserts, milk cartons, cereal boxes, event programs and in-store displays. 210 national organizations promoted Back-to-School through member communications, Web buttons and newsletter articles. Faith leaders from every major religion distributed Back-to-School materials. School districts in 28 states participated in major school-based outreach activities designed to help enroll eligible children. All 12 Major League Soccer teams held game-day activities to spread the word about available coverage to nearly two million fans. Calls from potentially eligible families to the 877/KIDS-NOW hotline increased by nearly 250 percent nationwide during the Campaign, proving that your efforts to reach families paid off. Thanks to your efforts, thousands of children now have information about free or low-cost health care coverage through Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. For more detailed results, go to www.coveringkidsandfamilies.org. You can continue to help enroll eligible children and families. Access free kits and guides to inform your efforts and read what you can do to plan additional year-round activities! Contact 202/338-7227 or coveringkidsandfamilies@gmmb.com.
January
Cervical Health Awareness Month: Jan
National Cervical Cancer Coalition
(818) 909-3849 (818) 780-8199 Fax
info@nccc-online.org www.nccc-online.org/awareness.php
Materials available
National Birth Defects Prevention Month: Jan
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
(888) MODIMES (663-4637)
askus@marchofdimes.com www.marchofdimes.com
Materials available
National Blood Donor Month: Jan
AABB (formerly the American Association of Blood Banks)
(301) 215-6526 (301) 907-6895 Fax
publicrelations@aabb.org www.aabb.org
Materials available
National Glaucoma Awareness Month: Jan
Prevent Blindness America
(800) 331-2020 (847) 843-8458 Fax
info@preventblindness.org www.preventblindness.org
Materials available
February
AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month: Feb
Prevent Blindness America
(800) 331-2020 (847) 843-8458 Fax
info@preventblindness.org www.preventblindness.org
Materials available
American Heart Month: Feb
American Heart Association
(800) 242-8721
inquire@americanheart.org www.americanheart.org
Materials available
National Children’s Dental Health Month: Feb
American Dental Association
(312) 440-2500
publicinfo@ada.org www.ada.org/goto/ncdhm
Materials available
National Wise Health Consumer Month: Feb
American Institute for Preventive Medicine
(248) 539-1800 x222
sjackson@healthylife.com www.healthylife.com
Give Kids A Smile Day: Feb 2
American Dental Association
(312) 440-2500
publicinfo@ada.org www.ada.org/goto/gkas
Materials available
National Wear Red Day: Feb 2
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Health Info. Center
(301) 592-8573 (240) 629-3255 TTY (301) 592-8563 Fax
nhlbiinfo@nhlbi.nih.gov www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth
Materials available
National Women's Heart Day: Feb 16
Sister to Sister: Everyone Has A Heart Foundation, Inc.
(301) 718-8033 (301) 718-8620 Fax
info@sistertosister.org www.womansheartday.org
Materials available
National Eating Disorders Awareness Week: Feb 25-Mar 3
National Eating Disorders Association
(800) 931-2239 Information and Referral Helpline
(206) 382-3587 (206) 829-8501 Fax
info@nationaleatingdisorders.org www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
Materials available
March
National Brain Injury Awareness Month: March
Brain Injury Association of America
(703) 761-0750 (703) 761-0755 Fax
publicrelations@biausa.org www.biausa.org
Materials available
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month: March
Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation
(800) 227-2732 (877) 35-COLON (352-6566)
(703) 886-4413 Fax
cindy.iverson@preventcancer.org www.preventcancer.org/colorectal
Materials available
National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month: March
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
(800) 225-6495 (954) 938-8708 Fax
annette@msfocus.org www.msfocus.org
Materials available
National Nutrition Month®: March
American Dietetic Association
(800) 877-1600 x4771 (312) 899-4790 Fax
nnm@eatright.org www.eatright.org
Materials available
Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week: Mar 5-11
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
(800) 344-4867 (212) 986-3240
MSAwarenessweek@nmss.org www.nationalmssociety.org
Materials available
Brain Awareness Week: Mar 12-18
Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives
(212) 223-4040 (212) 593-7623 Fax
bawinfo@dana.org www.dana.org/brainweek
Materials available
American Diabetes Alert Day: Mar 28
American Diabetes Association
(800) DIABETES askada@diabetes.org
www.diabetes.org/communityprograms-and-localevents/americandiabetesalert.jsp
Materials available
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