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Safety Net leaders gather to discuss 'Future of the Safety Net'
On February 11-12, the Health Authority sponsored a summit on the future of the safety net in southeastern Michigan. Given the potential of health care reform and the growing demand on safety net services as Detroit, Wayne County, and the region grapple with the current economic challenges, the Health Authority felt it was time for stakeholders to envision a collective future.
The invitees included leaders of health plans, health systems, safety-net providers, non-profit agencies and those who influence policy in the region. Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano offered opening remarks the summit, stating that this was a necessary event to assist those who are suffering from lack of insurance and also those struggling to find work.
The Health Authority is hosting a follow-up to the summit March 24th and the morning of March 25th to continue the discussions and work of the earlier planning summit. A detailed summary will be published in an upcoming issue of E-Path. |
Accounting Aid Society helps with free income tax/Medicaid enrollment services
Detroit Wayne County Health Authority and the Accounting Aid Society are joining forces to assist individuals and families who qualify for low to medium income levels with free tax assistance and Medicaid enrollment services. Both organizations share a mission to serve low income people.
The collaboration is a pilot project that will integrate free tax assistance with Medicaid eligibility screening and application assistance. As an IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, Accounting Aid offers free tax assistance for individuals with annual incomes under $25,000 and families under $50,000. The same audience that qualifies for tax help may also meet the requirement for Medicaid.
"The similar income guidelines and documentation requirements for Accounting Aid's free tax program and Medicaid applications make this partnership natural," states Kathleen Hatke Aro, president of the Accounting Aid Society. "We look forward to expanding the joint services upon the successful completion of the pilot project". For more information, including locations and documentation to have available for these services being offered now through April 15th, 2010, please contact the Accounting Aid Society at 313.586-1920 or the Health Authority at 313.871.3751.
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Free Sports and Well Child Physical Exams
During the week of, April 5-9, the Health Authority will host week-long sports and well child physical exams for students in the Detroit and Pontiac school systems. The goal is to serve 2,000 children in the districts to ensure that each student has the opportunity to receive a thorough physical exam to measure their health status in order to be attentive to their needs. Moreover, hosting the physicals at various schools in Detroit and Pontiac will make this process more convenient to parents both financially as well as their scheduling demands, i.e. taking time off work to visit a pediatrician. The Health Authority's outreach staff is initiating this program and questions and comments may be directed to the Outreach Manager, Michele Adams-Calloway at 313.871.3751.
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Health Authority Walk aims for 'Healthy Communities'
One of the goals of the Health Authority's annual Walk for the Uninsured has been fitness. This year, the Walk's Leadership Committee has recommended a change in focus to "Walk for Healthy Communities." "This change in name is consistent with the Health Authority's evolving role in promoting health through personal behavior as well as access to essential health services," explained Chris Allen, CEO of the Health Authority. "We will walk to promote the overall well-being of the health care safety net - personal as well as provider. In the end, we want health communities."
Walk for Healthy Communities will be held on Saturday, Aug. 7 at the Belle Isle Casino. The Walk, chaired by Rose Khalifa, executive director of Metro Solutions, and Wayne Bradley, President and CEO of Detroit Community Health Connections, will complement efforts throughout the safety net community to encourage healthy living styles to prevent the need for health care. The Health Authority not only advocates for physical exercise, but better choices in eating habits, particularly combating obesity, which contributes to several disease categories. In an effort to promote fresher foods within safety net communities, the Health Authority is working with Detroit's Eastern Market to promote fresh produce and proper eating. Eastern Market will sponsor a meal preparation demonstration at the Walk.
Walk teams are encouraged to support the event, which is free. However, pledge donations are welcome to support the "Access for all...Health Care Fund," which underwrites the cost of physical exams for uninsured people at Federally Qualified Health Centers. As more information and promotional materials become available, the staff at the Health Authority will keep you updated and any questions regarding this event such as sponsorship and walking teams can be addressed to Erin Barthel, Government and Community Relations Coordinator at ebarthel@dwcha.org. |
Health Care execs expect worse uncompensated care in '10
As the debate on health insurance reform nears an end, whatever the resolution won't come soon enough to prevent the uncompensated care hospitals expect to provide in 2010, according to national hospital executives interviewed by Healthcare Leaders Media.com. "It's hardly a bad case of pessimism on their part," according to the Feb. 15 article. "With the sharp rise in unemployment that accompanied the re cession, uncompensated care and bad debt have indeed spiked at hospitals nationwide, bringing another slew of challenges to the already financially beleaguered health care system."
Nowhere has this been felt more than in Detroit, Wayne County, and Michigan - primarily the result of the "beating" the auto industry received during the past three years, and indirectly their suppliers, according to Nancy Schlichting, CEO of Henry Ford Health System and Chair of the Health Authority's Uncompensated Care Committee. The Ford health system provided more than $160 million in uncompensated care in 2008. Noting her work with the Uncompensated Care Committee, Schlicting adds, "We have a real partnership with all the area CEOs and CFOs to strive to improve the access to care and the coverage and to make sure that everyone that needs care gets it."
For more on this topic, visit www.healthleadersmedia.com/audio. |
Boston Herald calls Obesity "Bad Business"
Attached is an editorial from the Boston Herald entitled "Bad business for all: Obesity". The Health Authority wants to make a concerted effort to help in the fight against childhood obesity so future generations will not be challenged with the diseases that are attached to being overweight. The cost is tremendous on the health care industry and on families who need medical attention when ailments such as heart disease, joint replacement, hypertension, among others, become reality.
http://bostonherald.com/news/opinion/op_ed/view.bg?articleid=1233089&format=text
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Health Coverage Tax Credit
The Health Coverage Tax Credit refunds 80 percent of health care premiums and can arrange to pay the bulk of those premiums each month going forward. The credit covers anyone whose job loss is certified under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act, as well as anyone 55 or older and whose pension plan has been taken over by the pension board. For more information, please go to http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/program_kit_rev_1-2007.pdf |
Backgrounder
Republicans offer their visions for health reform
The Op-Ed board of the New York Times asked five well-known conservatives to offer their advice on national health care reform. Below is also a brief summation of each person's recommendation to President Obama and Congress and following that is the link to the article in its entirety.
"You simply need to pay people to do a good job, demand measurable outcomes and adopt proven standards of practice and information technology. Reward value, not volume."
- Bill Frist, surgeon and former United States senator from Tennessee.
"For example, the Democratic bills would let providers share in Medicare savings if they can show that the way they prevent and manage illnesses reduces complications and costs Medicare less. Republicans should further propose that Medicare strengthen its capacity to provide, date and measure patient outcomes - to help providers and to evaluate changes in care quickly."
- Mark McClellan, director of the Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform at Brookings Institution and former Medicare administrator in the George W. Bush administration.
"Sixty-seven percent of Americans say they are not getting enough medical treatment, according to Kaiser Family Foundation data. But we want not just more care; we want better health. A "more health" plan is a win for individual health, a win for economic growth and; yes, and a win for the cause of long-term health savings."
- James P. Pinkerton, fellow at the New America Foundation and former domestic policy aide for Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush.
"We have a rare opportunity to lower America's health care costs, extend coverage and provide better care. What's uncertain is whether our bipartisanship leadership is up to the task."
- Charles Kolb, former domestic policy advisor to George H. W. Bush and president of the nonpartisan Committee on Economic Development.
"A new Gallop poll, commissioned by Jackson Healthcare, indicates that doctors believe an astounding one in four health care dollars is now spent on unnecessary care."
- Newt Gingrich, former speaker of the House of Representatives and founder of the Center for Health Transformation, a health-care policy consulting firm.
For more on the Republican vision, visit:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/22/opinion/22healthintro.html?ref=politics
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