 Getting to Yes on Health Reform
--by James W. Squires, M.D.
The financing and delivery of health care now bear an eerie resemblance to the credit and banking systems that financed and underwrote home mortgages in 2007. Fortunately, the dangers of an unsustainable health-care system are in clear view and the topic of public policy debates. So, with a front-row seat to the American political process in all of its glory, we are witnesses to a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address fundamental changes in our nation's health-care system. Unlike the mortgage crisis, we have the power to prevent this bubble from bursting. However, it is a mistake to try and reconfigure a broken, out-of-date and unstable system. It requires more fundamental reform.
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 Reform's Dizzying Pace, Fever Pitch: Will Cool Heads Prevail?--by Jeanne Ryer, Program Director
For health policy wonks, it is the best of times and the most nerve-wracking of times. Many of us have worked for years to solve the long list of challenges with the current health system: the difficulties in getting care for folks with no insurance or not enough insurance, the provider shortages as beleaguered primary-care physicians have run for the exits, costs escalating at a terrifying pace, and quality problems that challenge the best hospitals and providers. The system we have can't continue without threatening our economy.
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 Health Reform: Creating a Mental Health Agenda--by Kim Firth, Program Director
There is no lack of credible voices confirming the link between behavioral health and overall health. Many of these voices are prominent federal organizations and commissions, including the U.S. Surgeon General, the New Freedom Commission, the Institute on Medicine, the Institute of Health, and the Institute of Mental Health. State and national research has documented the need to reform discriminatory policy, which limits access and treats mental health and substance use disorders differently from other health problems. After decades of research and education, we are beginning to make tangible progress.
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 Championing Oral Health In State and National Reform
--by Lindsay Josephs, Oral Health Consultant
If anyone doubted the urgency of including oral health in health reform, the tragic death of Deamonte Driver in 2007 certainly provides the necessary wake-up call. The 12-year-old boy's mother could not get him into a dentist. The infection in his decayed tooth spread to his brain and he ultimately died after a prolonged and costly (six figure) hospitalization that included surgery and treatment in the intensive care unit. Had has mother been able to get a timely visit with an oral health provider for her son, the restorative care he needed would have cost about $80.
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 Ensuring a Healthy Future, By Insuring ALL Families
--by Kelly Laflamme, Program Director
When immigrants arrive in this country, they are on average healthier than their U.S. born neighbors. However, as they begin to settle in to their new home, their health status begins to deteriorate. There are a number of potenital reasons for this downturn in their health. Certainly, the same culture that has produced obesity and chronic disease in the U.S. begins to influence their lifestyle. In addition, lack of health coverage and cultural and language barriers are significant obstacles to overcome. Health care reform presents an opportunity to overcome social and cultural barriers to care, starting with expanding coverage to the uninsured.
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The Portsmouth Health Care Town Hall with President Obama
From left to right: Endowment for Health President Jim Squires, Susan Parker Sorlien,
Jeanne Ryer, EH Program Director, and Mary Kaplan, EH Vice President and COO.
From left to right: Mike Cohen, NAMI-NH; Angela Boyle, NH Oral Health Coalition.; Lisa Kaplan-Howe, NH Voices for Health; Kimberly Persson, UNH; and Tom Bunnell from the Pierce Law Centers Institute for Health, Law and Ethics.
Those in favor of health reform made their presence known!
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Endowment for Health Awards More Than $1.5 Million for Statewide Health Projects
The Endowment recently awarded more than $1.5 million in grants to organizations for the resources necessary to forward health-related projects in New Hampshire. Many of these projects have statewide reach while others address need in targeted geographic areas of the state.
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Finance Project Trains More Than 20 Endowment
Grantees on Sustainability
Over 60 individuals representing 20 EH grantees participated in the second day of sustainability training conducted by the Finance Project on May 12. Each organization's team has made great progress on completing the five modules to develop a sustainability plan, including assessing current practices and engaging the right leaders. The first cohort will reconvene in September to share their plans and lessons learned.
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Refugee Mental Health Symposium a Success
A two-day refugee mental health symposium was held on May 13 and 14 and included national experts from Minnesota, Massachusetts and Vermont. Presentations were given on best practices in parenting and psychosocial supports for families. The event delved into school-based and multi-systemic interventions as well as local outreach. More than 80 people participated, representing ethnic-based organizations, mental health centers, primary-care providers, schools, resettlement and social-service agencies, academic institutions, advocacy organizations, philanthropy and government. | |
