Alaska Health Policy Review

A recent report shows that major healthcare interests have spent 1.4 million dollars per day this year, lobbying Congress. Political action committees and individuals associated with industries in the health sector, each of which are intimately involved in the nation’s ongoing health care reform debate, have donated more to federal candidates during the second quarter of 2009 than the first quarter of this year, according to an analysis done by the Center for Responsive Politics. Among the highest increases was the Health Services/HMOs industry, which includes health insurance companies, with a spending increase of 37 percent during the second quarter of 2009.

The health sector spent more than any other sector lobbying to Congress during the second quarter of this year as well, spending $133 million. [24] Within the health sector, the pharmaceutical/health products industry ranked the highest, with $68 million going to lobbying in the second quarter alone. Read the rest of this entry »

Attached is a copy of a press release just issued announcing availability of the Alaska Health Care Commission’s preliminary draft 2009 report for public comment. The draft is available at http://hss.state.ak.us/healthcommission/, and information on how to submit comments is included in the report and in the attached press release.

We are accepting written comments until December 28, 2009, and opportunity for oral testimony at a public hearing is available on:

Monday, December 14, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at LIOs around the state.

The next face-to-face meeting of the Alaska Health Care Commission has been set for Friday, January 8. It will be held in Anchorage at the Frontier Building (3601 C Street) and a teleconference number will be provided for those outside of Anchorage. The purpose of this meeting will be to finalize the report based on public comment received on the draft. The Commission’s report is due to the Governor and the Legislature January 15. Read the rest of this entry »

Anchorage Public Safety Advisory Commission will hold public forum

Wednesday, December 9th, 6PM to 7:30PM

Loussac Library, conference room next to Assembly Chambers

3600 Denali Street

Merits of AO 2009-108(S), an ordinance providing for an extended closing “safety hour”

for certain premises licensed to sell alcohol.

Contact Catherine Curtis, 343-4433 or Tamara Holman, holmantj 267-5091 for details

[Source: Health
Policy List Serv sponsored
by AARP Alaska, All Alaska Pediatric Partnership, Alaska Primary Care
Association and Member Benefit for Alaska Public Health Association and Alaska
Health Education Consortium]

With the debate underway in the Senate, many American families are beginning to feel hope that the overhaul our system needs is closer than ever. The need for reform remains apparent as many Americans  lose their health insurance on December 1 as the COBRA subsidies expire. Families USA has come out with a special report highlighting this devastating trend:

Expiration of COBRA Subsidy: Millions of Uninsured Workers and Their Dependents Are at Risk; Many Will Lose Their Subsidy as of December 1, 2009

In February 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was signed into law. One important effect of this law was that it provided recently laid off workers with a health insurance subsidy to help them cover the excessive cost of their COBRA insurance plans. This temporary subsidy is set to expire as of December 1, 2009, and as Families USA shows in their report, many Americans will lose their subsidy and as a result their health insurance.

The loss of these subsidies will be severe: Unemployed families could see their premiums increase from $389 to $1,111 per month. An average monthly premium could consume 83.4% of the average unemployment paycheck, leaving little to survive on.

This report highlights the importance of extending this temporary subsidy, but even more so it demonstrates the desperate need to reform our health care system. A reformed system would not make families dependent on COBRA and would offer them a new, permanent source of help.

Go here to read the full report and see state level data

Thank you,

Jessica Larochelle
Field Director
Families USA

[Source: Families USA]

HEALTHY PEOPLE 2020: HELPING DEFINE U.S. GOALS

As a crucial part of the medical/public health community, you  are encouraged to help shape the direction of the Healthy People 2020 objectives. Healthy People provides science-based, 10-year, national objectives for promoting health and preventing disease. Healthy People 2020 will reflect assessments of major risks to health and wellness, changing public health priorities, and emerging issues related to our nation’s health preparedness and prevention. Those wishing to comment may submit online

http://www.healthypeople.gov/hp2020/Objectives/TopicAreas.aspx

The Healthy People 2020 <http://www.healthypeople.gov/hp2020/Comments/default.asp

The process remains on track, with an anticipated roll-out date of early 2010. Release likely will coincide with the President’s fiscal year 2011 budget request for the Department of Health and Human Services. Soliciting input from the public, the HHS Secretary’s Advisory Committee on National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives for 2020 has held fifteen meetings since January 2008. The next meeting is a Dec. 11 Webcast open to the public.  Check the web link for details.

[/source]

PHISHING SCAM  – CDC Sponsored State Vaccination Program for H1N1

CDC has received reports of fraudulent emails (phishing) referencing a CDC sponsored State Vaccination Program for H1N1. The messages request that users create a personal H1N1 (swine flu) Vaccination Profile on the CDC.gov web site.

An example of the phishing email is below:

Users that click on the embedded link in the email are at risk of having malicious code installed on their system. CDC reminds users to take the following steps to reduce the risk of being a victim of a phishing attack:

• Do not open or respond to unsolicited email messages.
• Do not click links embedded in emails from unknown senders.
• Use caution when entering personal information online.
• Update anti-virus, spyware, firewall, and anti-spam software regularly.

December 3 & 4, 2009 (Thursday & Friday) 8:30am-4:30pm

Ready & Able: Independence, Employment and Disability Benefit Programs

DECEMBER 3 – Programs for Independence (Programs to Assist People with Disabilities)

DECEMBER 4 – Employment and Disability Benefits (How Employment Impacts Public Benefits)

General Description: This is a 2 day event where folks can learn about programs, meet specialists, network, share information, access new resources and get some training in target areas that impact the lives of beneficiaries. Read the rest of this entry »

Even as Congress debates health care reform proposals, millions of Americans—with and without health insurance—struggle to pay medical bills, and their numbers continue to grow.

Today, Families USA released three new pieces to help consumers navigate the maze of medical debt. These new consumer guides offer strategies, tips, and warnings to consumers as they struggle to manage medical debt and to avoid bankruptcy.

Your Medical Bills: A Consumer’s Guide to Coping with Medical Debt, details the legal rights and primary actions consumers should take to deal with rising medical expenses. The consumer-friendly guide offers step-by-step instructions on dealing with medical bills, beginning with the vital first step of reviewing each bill and learning how to appeal charges that may be inappropriate or should be covered by insurance. Read the rest of this entry »

This study was completed last year, but I was compelled to post it because it is so important in the current environment.  ~~ldw

Key Findings

In the vast majority of states, insurance companies are permitted to reject individuals for coverage based on their health status, occupation, or even their recreational activities.

• Only five states prohibit all insurance companies from cherry-picking the healthiest consumers and excluding everyone else.

If an insurance company does accept an individual’s application for coverage, few states significantly limit how much an insurer can increase an individual’s premiums based on what the insurer deems to be health risks (which can include anything from cold sores to hobbies to below average height).

• In 35 states and the District of Columbia, there are no limits on how much insurers can vary premiums based on health status. An additional six states have limits that still allow dramatic variations in premiums.

Read the rest of this entry »