April 11, 2014 - Vol 8, Issue 13
|
|
|
Important Information about Alaska Health Policy Review
|
The formatting of this electronic version of Alaska Health Policy Review may be degraded due to variations in Internet service providers, browsers, and email applications. To ensure that you are reading a complete and properly formatted version of the publication, please click on "For the most readable copy of the newsletter please click here" located just above the banner at the top of the newsletter.
|
|
|
From the Editor
|
Dear readers, The other day I was exploring the National Public Health Week (NPHW) website and I discovered a featured activity that I did not readily understand. First there were the words: active transportation. How can transportation be anything but "active?" I wondered. A Google search being the only possible response to this puzzle, a search ensued. Partnership for Active Transportation describes the term this way: "Active transportation" is a means of getting around that is powered by human energy, primarily walking and bicycling. Often called "non-motorized transportation," we prefer the term "active transportation" since it is a more positive statement that expresses the key connection between healthy, active living and our transportation choices. Finally, understanding what active transportation is, I continued reading about the activity. This is what it said: Join us for a special Google + Hangout On Air. Stumped again. What the heck is a Google + Hangout On Air. And back to Google. Google + Hangout On Air is a Google service that brings live broadcast discussions and performances to you via a Google+ Home page and a YouTube channel. Now that I have decoded the terminology for you, I encourage you to read the article, Today! Hang Out on Google + and Learn More About Active Transportation to find out how you can participate. But hurry. It is scheduled for this morning at 10:00 AM AKDT. In conjunction with National Public Health Week, on April 9, 2014, Public Health Newswire, a news service sponsored by the American Public Health Association, published an interview with FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg. In the interview, Hamburg discusses new FDA initiatives, current FDA goals, and her take on how the U.S. can become the healthiest nation in one generation. If public health is your passion, head on over to the article to learn more about how activities of the FDA may align with your interests. And finally, I highly recommend visiting the National Public Health Week website to learn more and to explore recaps of NPHW activities and events. Did you participate in any of the National Public Health Week activities? Did you or or your organization sponsor an event? Please visit the Alaska Health Policy Review Facebook page to share your experiences or thoughts about NPHW. Have a wonderful, sunny weekend and thank you for reading Alaska Health Policy Review. |
|
|
|
Today! Hang Out on Google + and Learn More About Active Transportation
|
Find out how active transportation can play a role in helping the United States become the healthiest nation in one generation. In observance of National Public Health Week (NPHW), the American Public Health Association invites you to join in a special Google+ Hangout On Air today at 10:00 AM AKDT. Registration is open.
Making active transportation a realistic, affordable, and convenient option for all transportation users could help reduce health impacts and promote physical activity, recreation, and environmental preservation. This Google+ Hangout On Air features an exceptional panel of public health professionals, leaders, and advocates who will share their unique perspectives and experiences surrounding active transportation in communities.
Speakers include:
- Amy Eyler, PhD, assistant professor at Washington University in St. Louis and chair of APHA's Physical Activity Section
- Rachel A. Davis, MSW, managing director, Prevention Institute
- Kate Kraft, PhD, national coalition director, America Walks
- Susan Polan, PhD, associate executive director for public affairs and advocacy, American Public Health Association
For more information, email Nathan Bhatti or call (202) 777-2485.
|
Today! Partners in Policymaking Application Deadline
|
UAA Center for Human Development is accepting internship applications for individuals interested in participating in the 2014 Partners in Policymaking (PIP) leadership training. This PIP internship is designed for individuals with disabilities, elders, behavioral/mental health disorders, people with long-term care needs, and their family members. Participants will learn how to be an effective advocate for themselves and others.
Participants will
- Learn advocacy strategies including how to identify needs, tell your story, and create and implement an advocacy plan.
- Explore ways to help individuals maintain choice and control of their lives.
- Identify local and statewide leadership opportunities.
- Practice effective communication strategies to promote change.
You must be willing to commit
- Up to 5 hours per week working on training activities.
- Participate in regular intern meetings, either face-to-face or by computer conference. The face-to-face meeting is May 13-15, 2014, in Anchorage. You do not have to live in Anchorage to be eligible.
- Be willing to work with other interns and mentors on advocacy activities via phone and e-mail.
Alaska's PIP Program, a national model of advocacy and leadership training, is funded by the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority and is designed for Trust beneficiaries and their families. This project, geared towards individuals who have not held a leadership position, helps develop advocacy and leadership skills to improve the lives of Trust beneficiaries.
For more information email Lynn Kenney or call 907-264-6253, or email Stephanie George or call 907-264-6242.
Back to top
|
Please Respect Our Copyright
|
Alaska Health Policy Review is sent to individual and group subscribers for their exclusive use. Please contact us for information regarding significant discounts for multiple subscriptions within a single organization. Distributing copies of the Alaska Health Policy Review is prohibited under copyright restrictions without written permission from the editor; however, we encourage the use of a few sentences from an issue for reviews and other "Fair Use."We appreciate your referral of colleagues to the ACPP website in order to obtain a sample copy. The Alaska Center for Public Policy holds the copyright for Alaska Health Policy Review. Your respect for our copyright allows us to continue to provide this service to you. For all related matters, please contact the managing editor, Jacqui Yeagle.
|
Bill Watch: Bill Tracking Methodology
|
Bills listed in Alaska Health Policy Review were selected based on a series of subjective criteria to determine whether they were "health or health policy-related." Then we carefully watch new bills as they are filed and add the pertinent bills to the screened list. The bills are divided into several general categories. This facilitates finding bills that match readers' particular areas of interest. The information listed for each bill includes the bill number, the short title, the committee in which the last action on the bill took place, and the date on which the last action on the bill took place. Abbreviations have been used for committee names. The committee names and their abbreviations are: (H) HSS: House Health and Social Services Committee (S) HSS: Senate Health and Social Services Committee (H) L&C: House Labor & Commerce Committee (S) L&C: Senate Labor & Commerce Committee (H) EDC: House Education Committee (S) EDC: Senate Education Committee (H) FIN: House Finance Committee (S) FIN: Senate Finance Committee (H) JUD: House Judiciary Committee (S) JUD: Senate Judiciary Committee (H) STA: House State Affairs Committee (S) STA: Senate State Affairs Committee (S) RLS: Senate Rules Committee (H) CRA: House Community and Regional Affairs Committee (S) CRA: Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee (H) TRA: House Transportation Committee (S) TRA: Senate Transportation Committee (H) RES: House Resources Committee (S) RES: Senate Resources Committee (H) MLV: Military and Veterans' Affairs (H) EDT: Economic Development, Trade & Tourism Committee (H) FSH: Fisheries Back to top
|
Note: Green text indicates activity in the last seven days.
Bill updates are current as of April 10, 2014, at 1:00 PM.
|
Bill Watch: Drugs
|
Back to top
|
Bill Watch: Health Professional Workforce and Education
|
|
Bill Watch: Medical Assistance and Health Insurance
|
Back to top
|
Bill Watch: Mental Health Issues
|
Back to top
|
Bill Watch: State Boards and Licenses
|
Back to top
|
Bill Watch: Family Health Issues
|
|
Bill Watch: Workers' Compensation
|
Back to top
|
Bill Watch: Public Safety
|
|
Bill Watch: Environmental Issues
|
|
Bill Watch: General Health Issues
|
|
Are You Interested in Learning More about Policy in Alaska?
|
Do you have a public policy topic you want to explore? Let us know. Alaska Center for Public Policy seeks to sponsor community-led special research projects. We may be able to provide mentoring for your project idea.
ACPP also seeks volunteers to help with organizational efforts. The following volunteer positions are available. Other ideas are also welcome. Affordable Care Act researcher: Are you curious about what's in the new health care law? Join us to track the implementation of the ACA. Duties may include
- Report to ACPP staff and general public on progress and changes to the law.
- Write white papers, 3 - 5 pages in length, on aspects of the ACA of choice, in consultation with ACPP staff.
- Attend community meetings about the ACA.
- Update the ACPP blog and Facebook page with relevant information and promote public events.
- Generate topic-related content for Alaska Health Policy Review (i.e., get published!).
- Commitment: 10 hours a week.
General topics researcher: Do you need a reason to research the policy issues that matter to you? Pick a topic and start investigating! Duties may include
- Conduct policy-related research; write articles for the ACPP blog, Facebook page, and Alaska Health Policy Review.
- Prepare press releases.
- Write two white papers, 3 - 5 pages in length, on policy-related topics of choice, in consultation with ACPP staff.
- Commitment: 10 hours a week.
Development/marketing coordinator: Do your long-term goals include being a lead researcher with several important grants under your belt? Do you have ideas for capacity building and marketing? Take the first step toward your goals as an intern at ACPP. Duties include - Consult with ACPP staff to research and respond to grant proposals.
- Develop a marketing plan for ACPP.
- Commitment: 10 hours a week.
Communications and social media coordinator: Are you an expert with fancy social media apps and technology? Do you want to use your skills to support a fun and passionate non-profit communicate the latest on hot policy topics in Alaska? Duties for this position include
- Manage the ACPP blog and Facebook page.
- In conjunction with ACPP staff, develop strategies to share the work of ACPP with the general public.
- Commitment: 10 hours a week.
Do you want the skills and knowledge needed to debate the latest policy topics with your friends and colleagues? Look no further, the Alaska Center for Public Policy can help you!
For more information contact Kelby Murphy, or visit ACPP and complete an application.
Back to top
|
Alaska Health Policy Calendar
|
This calendar of health policy and related meetings is current as of April 10, 2014. 2014 Alaska Rural Health Conference
When: Tuesday and Wednesday, April 22 and 23, 2014 Where: Sheraton Hotel, Anchorage Other information: At the Alaska Rural Health Conference, learn about and contribute to health care transition in your community and across Alaska. Content will focus on key policy areas: emerging care delivery models in rural settings; technology and its adoption and use in health care; insurance and payment changes and their impact; and using data effectively to inform policy. Registration will open in early 2014. Contact information: Visit the conference website for the latest information about the agenda, key speakers, and exhibitors. Business of Clean Energy in Alaska
When: Thursday and Friday, May 1 and 2, 2014
Where: Dena'ina Center, Anchorage Other information: This two-day event, sponsored by Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP), features experts from across the country and the world who will talk about the economic benefits of developing renewable energy and energy efficiency in Alaska. Conference-goers have the chance to network with elected officials, utility leaders, and business executives from across the state. Registration -- with discounts for registering early -- is now open. Contact information: Email Katie Marquette or call her at 907-929-7770, ex 14 for more information. If you have knowledge of a health policy event that you think should be included in our calendar, please email Jacqui Yeagle. Thank you.Back to top |
Subscribe to Alaska Health Policy Review
|
The Alaska Health Policy Review is issued electronically, weekly during the regular legislative session and monthly the rest of the year. A standard individual 12-month subscription to the Alaska Health Policy Review is available for $600. Note: Current subscribers will see the change in cost reflected in their next invoice.
During the legislative session, Alaska Health Policy Review features a bill tracking section so you can stay informed about the status of health-related bills just by opening your email! Other features include interviews with health policy makers, original and reprinted health policy research, and a calendar of health policy-related events.
Discount rates apply for multiple recipients in the same organization, legislators, and small nonprofit organizations. Don't miss an issue! Direct orders, comments, and inquiries to Alaska Center for Public Policy by email or by phone at 907-276-2277.
|
Alaska Health Policy Review Staff and Contributors
|
Kelby Murphy, Proofreader
Jacqui Yeagle, Managing editor
|
|
|
|
|