NEWS - July 2009
HEALTH CARE REFORM
While mid-summer Congressional activity winds down, U.S. health care reform continues to be widely discussed in the media. A search of Google news in late July generated more than 25,000 hits, with "top ten" articles from FOX News, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and Business Week. Topics ranged from misrepresentation claims (Obama Administration) to pundits' opinions about the Blue Dog vote and how proposed plans could impact small business owners. News from earlier in the month is summarized in the following abstracts.
National Spotlight:
Long-Term Care Services
In mid-July, two long-term care publications were issued by the SCAN Foundation (Long Beach CA). The National Omnibus Survey on Long-Term Care gauged American opinions and likelihood of supporting specific sets of services. The Long-Term Care in Health Care Reform report includes four policy options, with emphasis on improving access for individuals with limited financial resources and strengthening protections for everyone.
While home care costs have remained fairly stable, expenditures for assisted living, nursing homes, and Medicaid have risen significantly since 2003. Increasing cost-effectiveness is an obvious option, which may be achieved by shifting some long-term care services from institutions to patients' homes. Improved coordination of long-term and medical care services is another report recommendation.
SCAN Foundation's survey determined that 80% of Americans were inclined to support inclusion of long-term care in health care reform legislation. As of mid-July, the Senate package included a section for a voluntary insurance program to cover basic home-based long-term care services.
For more information, the original press release is available from Business Wire. Visit the SCAN Foundation for information about the survey and report.
Health Care Success Stories
In a mid-July 2009 announcement, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) acknowledged the Michigan Keystone ICU Project as a "health care success story." As a joint partnership between Johns Hopkins University and the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, measures implemented during the Project greatly reduced catheter-associated infection rates in Michigan ICU departments, generating an estimated cost savings of $200 million. Subsequent HHS reports are planned to showcase other innovative programs and initiatives.
For more information, the original press release is available from HHS.
Primary Care Physician Shortage
Recent news from Congressional, media, and professional sources identified a workforce shortage of primary care physicians in the United States. With substantial disparities between primary care and specialist salaries, there is little financial incentive for new doctors to work in family and general practices. While health care reform focuses on cost containment and universal coverage, access to care may become a serious issue as more people are insured and demand rises. The Recovery and Reinvestment Act allocated $2.5 billion to encourage doctors to meet primary care needs in rural and other under-served populations. Representatives from professional groups such as the Academy of Family Phyisicians continue to highlight the problem and advocate for measures to be included in health care reform legislation.
For more information, the original press release is available at: DotMed.com.
State Spotlight:
Illinois
In a mid-July press release, the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) announced its support for health care reform. The official statement emphasized the need to combine affordable, high quality health care to everyone while maintaining patients' choice of plans and primary care physicians. The IAFP supports the U.S. Senate legislation (the Affordable Health Choices Act).
For more information, the original press release is available from the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians.
North Carolina
State employees joined the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) to demonstrate their support of health care reform. The group designated July 15th, 2009 as "We Can't Wait for Affordable Health Care" day and advocates for a plan that lowers costs while also providing quality care for all. The event took place at Blue Cross Blue Shield (Chapel Hill) because the company has a 72.5% market share in North Carolina. Current estimates suggest that approximately 1.8 million North Carolinians are uninsured.
For more information, the original press release was issued by Business Wire.
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