By JANICE R. KIASKI - Herald-Star community editor , The Herald-Star

STEUBENVILLE - They came with questions and got some answers as the GFWC/OFWC Woman's Club of Steubenville facilitated a community dialogue Monday afternoon about the implications of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly called Obamacare.

The informational Obama Health Care Forum attracted about 300 Tri-State Area residents to Eastern Gateway Community College where Donna Keagler served as moderator and event committee member along with club President Kathy Mills, Marge Bedortha, Judy Brancazio, Eileen Krupinski and Shirley Valuska.

"We really want to thank you very, very much for your interest, your attendance and your active participation," Keagler said in opening remarks echoed by Mills.

MAKING A POINT Kathy Magushak, right, certified insurance counselor with McBane Insurance, makes a point during Mondays forum on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The event organized by the GFWC/OFWC Womans Club of Steubenville was held at Eastern Gateway Community College and included the participation of numerous panel members with expertise in varied areas. With Magushak are, from left, Donna Keagler, moderator; Kathy Mills, club president; and Al Macre, certified public accountant. - Janice Kiaski

"It is with a great deal of pleasure that the woman's club is able to bring this program to you today," Keagler said. "The panel you see in front of you has worked very, very hard to try to bring the leaders in our government to Steubenville to give you some insight as to what's going on with the law," she said.

"Much of that bill has already been implemented - you just haven't seen it yet - and what we're hopeful of doing today is being able to bring to you the most up-to-date, accurate, honest information that we can," Keagler said. "This is not a debate. There's nothing we can do about it at this point. It's been passed. The best we can do is understand it."

The more than two-hour forum began with an introduction of the panelists who explained their area of expertise and their interest in participating, all in an effort, Keagler said, to arm forum attendees with "good information."

Sarah E. Poulton was the featured speaker who gave a PowerPoint presentation about some of the basics of the mandate. Poulton works out of the Salem office of U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Marietta, as director of constituent services, specializing in health care, Medicare and Social Security issues.

"I have been working closely with this law for about two-and-a-half years, but like a lot of people I would not call myself an expert. I am learning every single day like everyone else," Poulton said.

Here is the original post:

Health care questions answered during forum

WASHINGTON, June 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Voxiva, Inc., a pioneer in interactive mobile health programs, announced today that members of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care are now able to enroll in Care4Life(SM), a personalized diabetes self-management program delivered to their mobile phones. Care4Life combines the best in diabetes education with proven evidence-based behavior change techniques. The program uses text messages, a personal online web portal and a mobile website to connect, engage and support people living with diabetes.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130122/PH45632LOGO )

"We pride ourselves on offering innovative resources to help our members better manage their conditions. Care4Life is consistent with our vision because it is a very personal and interactive way to engage participants in taking an active role in their health and living well with diabetes," says Lydia Bernstein, Director, Clinical Programs, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.

Care4Life provides education, medication and appointment reminders, blood glucose tracking, weight/exercise goal setting and tracking, and a motivational virtual coach. Care4Life also contains information from American Diabetes Association publications including healthy recipes, nutrition tips, and information on disease management. Along with increases in medication/appointment attendance and weight loss, Care4Life participants are more knowledgeable, confident and effective in managing their diabetes.

"Harvard Pilgrim is the top-ranked health plan in the US because of their commitment to improved member health and satisfaction. Care4Life supports this commitment with an innovative and personalized approach for people with type 2 diabetes. We look forward to many members utilizing this service to improve their quality of life," says Voxiva CEO, Justin Sims.

Surveys of Care4Life participants show:

In addition, clinical study results measuring the effectiveness of Care4Life are expected to be published in the coming months.

Care4Life's text messages were developed by Theresa Garnero, APRN, BC-ADM, MSN, CDE, author of the American Diabetes Association book, Your First Year With Diabetes, and 2004 AADE Diabetes Educator of the Year. "It is the daily reinforcement of desired behavior that's so unique about Care4Life," according to Garnero. "Interactive text messaging, combined with an online log that is built one text message at a time, will reinforce the guidance provided by the patient's educator and care team."

To learn more, contact Voxiva Inc. at (202) 419-0179 or info@voxiva.com.

PR Contact:

See original here:

Voxiva Partners with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care to Deliver Personalized Diabetes Support to Plan Members via Mobile ...

OTTAWA, June 5, 2013 /CNW/ - Canadian productivity would grow substantially, and people living with either Type 2 diabetes or depression would have better health outcomes, if they were treated by a team of health care professionals rather than solo practitioners; according to a new Conference Board of Canada study.

Currently less than half of patients with either of these two conditions receive treatment from teams of health and social service providers who are working together in interprofessional primary care (IPC) teams. An IPC team is a group of primary health care professionals from different disciplines who formally work together - traditional examples include family health clinics and community health centres.

The report, Improving Primary Health Care Through Collaboration: Briefing 3Measuring the Missed Opportunity, shows that treating more patients in health care teams would reduce medical complications and deaths from Type 2 diabetes. In addition, teams would reduce the total loss of productivity attributed to depression by an estimated eight per cent - enabling thousands of workers to join or rejoin the workforce. The overall gains to productivity would add billions of dollars to the Canadian economy.

"Chronic conditions are emerging as one of the great health challenges for Canadians. These long-term conditions can be better managed in interdisciplinary primary care teams than in acute care hospitals," said Thy Dinh, Senior Research Associate, Canadian Alliance for Sustainable Health Care. "With health and social services providers working together, interprofessional primary care teams have the potential to be the standard model of care for patients with chronic conditions."

The research determined that IPC teams appeared to be most effective at managing the clinical outcomes of Type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes and symptoms of depression in adults.

Prevalence of both conditions is rising in Canada. In 2011, there were an estimated 1.6 million Type 2 diabetes cases and an estimated two million depression cases. A 2012, the Conference Board report estimated that mental health cost $20.7 billion annually.

For adults with Type 2 diabetes, other research has indicated that primary care teams surpassed solo practitioners in controlling blood glucose, bad (LDL) cholesterol and blood pressure - which, in turn, lowered complications such as strokes, heart attacks and other conditions (up to and including death).

For depression patients, teams were shown to help control symptoms better than primary care physicians working in solo practices.

If the percentage of Type 2 diabetes patients under the care of teams rose from 38 per cent to 100 per cent, an estimated $657 million in costs could be reduced annually. This includes $263 million in direct costs due to fewer complications such as strokes and heart attacks, and $394 million in indirect costs (generally associated with loss of current and future income). Even if 100 per cent coverage of patients is unrealistic, savings can still be generated by incrementally increasing the share of patients covered by teams. For example, each percentage point of Type 2 diabetes patients that receives care in teams could reduce direct health costs by $4 million annually.

For depression conditions, the benefits are mostly to society measured in terms of increased economic activity - largely in the form of an expanded labour force. If the percentage of depressed individuals under the care of teams rose from 44 per cent to 100 per cent, the size of the labour force would grow by the equivalent of 52,000 full-time workers. And every percentage-point-increase in the share of depression patients cared for by teams would save approximately $40 million in indirect costs to the economy per year.

Continued here:

Treatment by health care teams improves outcomes for Type 2 diabetes or depression patients - Approach also best for ...

ANN ARBOR, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Truven Health Analytics, formerly the Healthcare business of Thomson Reuters, announced today that Kristine Knutson, senior analytic consultant, is the latest member of the Truven Health staff to have earned the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Associations (NHCAA) unique professional credential: Accredited Health Care Fraud Investigator. Knutson joins the growing rank of Truven Health employees who have earned AHFI credentials.

Established in 2002, the AHFI program provides the first-ever formal accreditation of individuals who meet specific qualifications for professional experience, ongoing training, formal education, and demonstrated knowledge in the detection and investigation and/or prosecution of fraud against private or government-funded health insurance plans. Individuals accredited under the program also must meet stringent requirements of continuing professional education in order to maintain their AHFI status.

Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Washington, DC, the non-profit NHCAA is comprised of the anti-fraud units of private health payers and the formal law enforcement liaisons of federal and state agencies that have law enforcement or administrative jurisdiction over health care fraud.

With over two decades of fraud, waste and abuse detection experience, Truven Health Analytics has assisted more than 25 Medicaid agencies, the federal government, over 50 employers and dozens of health plans in identifying and recovering millions of dollars in healthcare fraud, waste, and abuse. According to Truven Health research, approximately $125 to $175 billion is wasted each year on healthcare fraud and abuse. Despite the common myth that fraud and abuse are confined primarily to the public sector programs of Medicare and Medicaid, Truven Health estimates that 5-10 percent of payments in the private health plan market are inappropriate.

Truven Health is passionate about providing best-in-class fraud, waste, and abuse investigation, and Kristines designation is affirmation of our commitment to this goal, said Jean MacQuarrie, vice president, Truven Health Analytics. I look forward to working with Kristine to help reduce fraud and waste in our healthcare system.

To learn more about Truven Health Payment Integrity solutions and services, click here.

About Truven Health Analytics

Truven Health Analytics, formerly the Healthcare business of Thomson Reuters, delivers unbiased information, analytic tools, benchmarks, and services to the healthcare industry. Hospitals, government agencies, employers, health plans, clinicians, pharmaceutical, and medical device companies have relied on us for more than 30 years. We combine our deep clinical, financial, and healthcare management expertise with innovative technology platforms and information assets to make healthcare better by collaborating with our customers to uncover and realize opportunities for improving quality, efficiency, and outcomes. With more than 2,000 employees globally, we have major offices in Ann Arbor, Mich.; Chicago; and Denver. Advantage Suite, Micromedex, ActionOI, MarketScan, and 100 Top Hospitals are registered trademarks or trademarks of Truven Health Analytics.

For more information, please visit http://www.truvenhealth.com.

See the original post:

Truven Health Analytics Professional Receives Accredited Health Care Fraud Investigator Credentialing

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Health care workers are gathering in Sacramento to fight California's planned rate cut to Medi-Cal providers Tuesday.

About 125 people boarded buses from Cedars Sinai Medical Center Tuesday for a seven hour journey up to the state's capitol. The group is set to rally and protest against the $1 billion in proposed spending and budget cuts to Medi-Cal.

The government health care program for the poor serves an estimated 7.5 million Californians and nearly half of them are children.

According to government figures, about 440 hospitals participate in Medi-Cal programs across the state.

The proposed cuts come at a time where California's budget has shown evident signs of growth. Despite that fact, the governor says this is not the time to start spending.

The rally was organized by We Care for California which formed this year to expand access to health care for all Californians and oppose further rate cuts to Medi-Cal.

The group includes health care providers, organizers representing physicians and hospitals as well as members from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California.

Many of those who gathered at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Tuesday were hospital employees who also brought along their families. If these cuts do go into place, employees fear smaller hospitals that serve many Medi-Cal patients will be so stressed or impaired that the slack may then have to be picked up by larger hospitals.

The rally is also protesting two bills that would cut Medi-Cal rates to nursing homes located in hospitals and a swath of providers.

Cedars-Sinai employees feels like these cuts would significantly impair the quality of service as well as limit access to Medi-Cal patients.

See the article here:

Health care workers to rally in Sacramento against Medi-Cal rate cuts

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division cross a bridge to Al Zunbria, Iraq, Dec. 29, 2007, during operations to secure the area south of their area of operation.Spc. Angelica Golindano

For veterans with mental health conditions, prompt and continuous access to mental health care can be lifesaving. However, research shows that after deployment, veterans often go years without obtaining mental health care, and when they do, their care is often fragmented.

A recent study found that, among veterans with mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, the average time between return from deployment and initiation of mental health care was two years.

The study, which looked at veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who visited Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers between 2001 and 2011, also found that an average of seven and a half years lapsed between the first mental health visit, and the start of treatment that would be considered "minimally adequate" for these conditions which would be eight treatment sessions within a year.

By the end of the study, 75 percent of veterans had not received minimally adequate care. The findings were published in the December 2012 issue of the journal Psychiatric Services.

Prompt care is important because mental illness can impair people's lives and interfere with their relationships and jobs, said study researcher Shira Maguen, a psychologist at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center who treats patients with PTSD. "If we can get them into care sooner, thats less time that they have to live with some of those challenges after they return from deployment," Maguen said.

Many factors can interfere with veterans getting mental health care, including the stigma associated with mental illnesses (such as the belief that seeking care is a sign of weakness), concern that seeking care may jeopardize their careers, trouble finding transport to VA centers, and trouble getting appointments. (Last year, a report from the VA inspector general found that about half of veterans seeking a mental health evaluation waited an average of 50 days for an evaluation.)

To broaden access to mental health care, the VA says it has taken steps to increase staffing and to partner with community health care centers. In a report released last week, the VA said it has made agreements with 15 local clinics in seven states to allow veterans to be treated at those clinics.

Maguen said it is also important to identify the factors that keep veterans coming back for care. Her study found that most veterans who receive minimally adequate care do so within one year of their first visit.

Follow-up appointments are critical for patients at risk for suicide studies show that one of the highest risk periods for suicide is the month following discharge from a hospital or emergency room for a suicidal episode. But a report from the VA inspector general released last month found that about one-third of veterans at high risk for suicide did not receive the required four mental health follow-up visits within a month after their discharge.

Read more here:

For veterans, mental health care often fragmented

WASHINGTON (CNN) -

In what may be the epic battle of the summer, the White House and Republicans are assembling their armies and sharpening their bayonets for a political fight over the selling of Obamacare.

On one side is the Obama administration, which is preparing to carry out the president's landmark health care reform law. It sees success directly linked to his legacy.

On the other side are House Republicans, conservative groups, GOP governors and tea party affiliates. They are reading the latest polls and are determined to make the repeal or severe crippling of the Affordable Care Act their top priority before the 2014 midterms.

"It's a very important battle and both sides are trying to come out on top," said Julian Zelizer, a Princeton University historian and CNN contributor. "The first stage was about whether this passes or not. ... Now the battle is over implementing it and there are all sorts of ways Republicans are trying to cause problems."

Zelizer said Republicans have been aggressively promoting the program's problems in the past few weeks.

"And the administration feels the pressure," he said.

The next phase of the fight for the White House, according to administration officials, is a series of initiatives aimed at using social media, websites, on-the-ground efforts and targeting Spanish speakers and young people in particular to convince as many uninsured as possible to buy insurance when it becomes available on October 1.

"We've got to make sure everybody has good health in this country," President Barack Obama told Morehouse College's commencement ceremonies recently. "It's not just good for you, it's good for this country. So you're going to have to spread the word to your fellow young people."

Meanwhile, Republicans are continuing to whittle away at the law's impact and are hoping that Obamacare's failure could become a rallying cry.

Read the original here:

Next health care law fight could be ugliest yet

Unions That Backed Health Care Law #39;Obamacare #39; Now Coming Against It -RPT - Wake Up America
Unions That Backed Health Care Law #39;Obamacare #39; Now Coming Against ItRPT - Wake Up America.

By: Massteaparty

Continued here:

Unions That Backed Health Care Law 'Obamacare' Now Coming Against It -RPT - Wake Up America - Video

Part 2 (Short version): Health care mdash; MCPB Madagascar (Aleloia)

By: MissionCenterPB

Continued here:

Part 2 (Short version): Health care — MCPB Madagascar (Aleloia) - Video

Tahkik- Health care 26 May 2013
http://mtv.com.lb/Tahkik The only documentary show in Lebanon and the Middle East. A dynamic show presented by Claude Hindi, covering hottest political, econ...

By: mtvlebanon

Read the original post:

Tahkik- Health care 26 May 2013 - Video

Equity Choice in Health Care Access: Welcome and Introduction
Neil B. Guterman delivered the welcome remarks for the Equity and Choice in Health Care Access conference in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Center for Health Administration Studies...

By: UChicago

See the original post here:

Equity

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Physz.com, the leading European-based provider of secure, regulatory- compliant online workspaces for health care professionals, today announced the launch of a new mobile application for iPhone. The new mobile application, available on iTunes App Store, ensures that all members of the Physz community can now exchange with their teams to move multi-stakeholder projects forward with even greater accessibility and speed.

"As part of our ongoing commitment to provide Physz members with the latest tools to help them save time and collaborate with their teams more efficiently, we have developed a simple, intuitive application to enhance their customized, private workspaces, called Labz, said Luc Robilliard, co-founder of Physz. Building further on our expertise in enhancing the user experience, the new app is a natural extension of the simple and intuitive turnkey Labz that our members manage on Physz.com. This application underscores our commitment to helping our members work effectively, while maintaining the same high privacy and security standards of our online platform.

Physz leverages the latest social technologies and strategies to allow participants in the health care community to open private, easy-to-use, turnkey workspaces online to manage multi-stakeholder projects including advisory boards, scientific committees, medical congresses, training sessions, and EU-sponsored public health initiatives.

With the new mobile application, Lab owners can continue to select who is on their project team. They continue to completely control the degree of privacy versus interaction within the broader Physz community. Physz enables doctors and other health care professionals, pharmaceutical companies, and medical and patient associations to engage, collaborate and share information on a 24/7 basis.

Recent studies show that over 80% of doctors use smartphones in everyday medical practice. By collaborating more effectively, lower costs and better health outcomes are achieved, supporting common goals of research excellence and scientific advancement.

[Download as PDF]

About Physz

Physz is the leading Europe-based provider of digital collaboration solutions for the health care sector. On Physz, cutting-edge digital innovations are rendered simple and easy-to-use, allowing members to efficiently convene, engage and collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams of health professionals from around the world. Rigorous respect for privacy, regulatory, and security standards underpin every implementation. Launched in 2012 after extensive beta-testing, Physz is the fruit of over two years of close collaboration between its founders and diverse teams of European health care professionals.

Physz is an independently owned company created by specialists dedicated to improving lives through human-centered innovation, focusing on better digital user experience and social collaboration. Physz promotes greater exchange amongst diverse teams in the health care ecosystem, providing a neutral place for medical minds to meet and get more done because work doesnt always happen at work. http://www.physz.com

Read more here:

New Mobile Application for Physz.Com Enhances Collaboration among Health Care Professionals

Published: Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 11:19 AM.

Competition its a good thing for consumers, right?

Yes, if you believe in the American way of free markets.

No, if you are bureaucrats who create government rules on health care until recently. There is evidence that Raleigh rule-makers are seeing the light on competition in health care.

How it plays out is up to the N.C. Court of Appeals in a case involving CaroMont, a group of Piedmont region doctors and the state Department of Health and Human Services.

The outcome could determine whether people have a local choice in where they get health screenings for colorectal cancer, one of the most common cancers for men and women.

Not just anyone can build one of these screening centers. A certificate of need CON in health-care lingo first must first be granted from the state.

According to what has been the governments misguided economic theory, the CON requirement holds down health care costs by limiting options for patients.

In reality, its just the opposite. Competition drives down costs and, best of all, gives consumers choice based on factors that are important to them.

CaroMont Health in Gastonia secured a CON, but before its screening center was built, the state granted another CON to a group of area doctors. The health care giant now is suing in an effort to block another screening center that local physicians want to open.

Read this article:

Editorial: Court ruling could expand health care

FILE - In this June 15, 2009 file photo, President Barack Obama speaks at the American Medical Association annual meeting in Chicago. Many consumers who buy their own health insurance could get a cancellation notice this fall because their current policies don't meet basic standards under President Barack Obama's health care law. They'll have to find replacement plans, state regulators say. If you like your health care plan, you'll be able to keep your health care plan, period," the president reassured the American Medical Association. "No one will take it away, no matter what." (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

Associated Press

Enlarge photo

WASHINGTON Many people who buy their own health insurance could get surprises in the mail this fall: cancellation notices because their current policies aren't up to the basic standards of President Barack Obama's health care law.

They, and some small businesses, will have to find replacement plans and that has some state insurance officials worried about consumer confusion.

Rollout of the Affordable Care Act is going full speed ahead, despite repeal efforts by congressional Republicans. New insurance markets called exchanges are to open in every state this fall. Middle-class consumers who don't get coverage on the job will be able to pick private health plans, while low-income people will be steered to an expanded version of Medicaid in states that accept it.

The goal is to cover most of the nation's nearly 50 million uninsured, but even Obama says there will be bumps in the road. And discontinued insurance plans could be another bump.

Also, it doesn't seem to square with one of the president's best known promises about his health care overhaul: "If you like your health care plan, you'll be able to keep your health care plan."

But supporters of the overhaul are betting that consumers won't object once they realize the coverage they will get under the new law is superior to current bare-bones insurance. For example, insurers will no longer be able to turn people down because of medical problems.

Other bumps in the road to the new health care law include potentially unaffordable premiums for smokers unless states act to waive them, a new $63-per-head fee that will hit companies already providing coverage to employees and dependents, and a long-term care insurance program that had to be canceled because of the risk it could go belly up.

Read the original here:

Private health care policies could be canceled

In this March 23, 2010 file photo, President Barack Obama signs the health care bill in the East Room of the White House in Washington.

J. Scott Applewhite, Associated Press

Enlarge photo

WASHINGTON Many people who buy their own health insurance could get surprises in the mail this fall: cancellation notices because their current policies aren't up to the basic standards of President Barack Obama's health care law.

They, and some small businesses, will have to find replacement plans and that has some state insurance officials worried about consumer confusion.

Rollout of the Affordable Care Act is going full speed ahead, despite repeal efforts by congressional Republicans. New insurance markets called exchanges are to open in every state this fall. Middle-class consumers who don't get coverage on the job will be able to pick private health plans, while low-income people will be steered to an expanded version of Medicaid in states that accept it.

The goal is to cover most of the nation's nearly 50 million uninsured, but even Obama says there will be bumps in the road. And discontinued insurance plans could be another bump.

Also, it doesn't seem to square with one of the president's best known promises about his health care overhaul: "If you like your health care plan, you'll be able to keep your health care plan."

But supporters of the overhaul are betting that consumers won't object once they realize the coverage they will get under the new law is superior to current bare-bones insurance. For example, insurers will no longer be able to turn people down because of medical problems.

Other bumps on the road to the new health care law include potentially unaffordable premiums for smokers unless states act to waive them, a new $63-per-head fee that will hit companies already providing coverage to employees and dependents, and a long-term care insurance program that had to be canceled because of the risk it could go belly up.

Read the original:

Like your health care policy? You may be losing it

Renette Sims #39; Advantage Health Care Testimonial
This is the testimonial of Advantage Health Care patient Renette Sims.

By: Dr. Robin Ivey

See the original post:

Renette Sims' Advantage Health Care Testimonial - Video

Sherry Morris #39; Advantage Health Care Testimonial
This is the testimonial of Advantage Health Care patient Sherry Morris.

By: Dr. Robin Ivey

Read the original:

Sherry Morris' Advantage Health Care Testimonial - Video

Houston, TX (PRWEB) May 29, 2013

The College of Health Care Professions (CHCP), one of Texas larger, privately-owned accredited health care college, proudly rings in its 25th year of training and preparing students for positions in the allied health care field on May 25, 2013. CHCP has remained a leader for 25 years and continues to jump start students future careers across the United States.

Since its establishment 25 years ago, CHCP:

CHCP is expanding their programs as well as their ground and online campuses to meet the changing demands of the growing health care industry. CHCP will open a new ground campus in McAllen, TX in the fall of 2013 and for the first time, CHCP is expanding its online programs to students in states outside of Texas, including:

Currently, CHCP has three programs available for the online campuses; an associates degree in Medical Assistant, Health Care Management (HCM) and in Health Information Technology and Management (HITM).

For a quarter of a century, CHCP has stayed on course as a trusted, accredited professional college with over 12,000 Texas graduates, with dedicated students and teachers, contributing to its success. CHCP is devoted to providing students with personalized quality, medical training for entry-level employment in the allied health care fields, said Jon Emerald, CEO of CHCP.

In honor of their 25 year milestone, CHCP will be launching internal and external campaigns to garner enthusiasm within the institution. CHCP will be recognizing its students, faculty and staff as well as highlighting CHCPs positive impact on its local communities over the past 25 years.

About The College of Health Care Professions The College of Health Care Professions (CHCP) is an accredited College dedicated to providing students quality, personalized medical training for entry-level employment in the allied health care fields. Founded 25 years ago by physicians, CHCP offers a variety of medical programs focused on students attaining knowledge and proficiency through demonstration, hands-on operation of equipment and the practice of learned techniques. CHCP also provides continuing education and on-going professional development to the health care industry. CHCP currently has six campus locations in 5 cities throughout Texas: Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. CHCP online programs are available giving students the flexibility to advance their careers on their own time. The College of Health Care Professions is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools and the United States Department of Education. For more information about CHCP, please visit http://www.CHCP.edu.

More:

The College of Health Care Professions Celebrates 25 Years on May 25th

(NRCC)

Congressman Barrows Plan: Put the IRS in Charge of Your Healthcare. Fed Up?

banner on mobile billboards launched this week by the National Republican Congressional Committee

The NRCC this week sought to explicitly tie the Internal Revenue Service scandal to the presidents health-care law, targeting four possibly vulnerable Democratic lawmakers with mobile billboards in their congressional districts.

The lawmakers are John Barrow of Georgia, Ann Kirkpatrick and Ron Barber of Arizona and Collin C. Peterson of Minnesota. Barrow and Peterson would seem to be odd targets because both voted against the Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. Obamacare.

But the NRCC justifies the attack because both men have voted against repealing the law. (The lawmakers say they would like to fix a bad law, rather than toss it out completely.)

But what about the key claim that the IRS would be in charge of a persons health care? Does that make sense? Lets take a closer look.

The Facts

Until the scandal erupted over the IRSs targeting of conservative groups applying for a tax-exempt status, few people had paid much attention to IRSs role in the health care law, including the NRCC. But it has an important role in implementing the law, particularly in collecting the taxes and penalties that help fund the expansion of health care to millions of Americans.

Revenue provisions contained in the legislation are designed to generate $438 billion to help pay for the overall cost of health care reform, said the Treasury Department Inspector General in a report this year. More than 40 of these provisions added to or amended the Internal Revenue Code and represent the largest set of tax law changes the IRS has had to implement in more than 20 years.

More here:

The NRCC’s claim that the IRS will be ‘in charge of your health care’

Alarmed at the threat of a big tear in their health care safety nets, leaders of Bay Area counties and public hospitals are opposing Gov. Jerry Brown's plan to take an estimated $2.5 billion from county health programs over the next three years.

Brown argues that the counties will no longer need this money for indigent care because several million Californians will become newly insured as major provisions of the national health reform law take effect beginning Jan. 1.

But county health leaders from around the Bay Area said Tuesday they expect thousands of their residents to remain uninsured -- and in need of government-funded health care. The debate is another indication of the most powerful dynamic affecting

Gov. Jerry Brown speaks in Mountain View on May 23, 2013. (LiPo Ching/Staff file)

Brown wants to use the money to help pay for other programs the state is shifting to the counties.

But county health leaders urged the governor not to shift the money until everyone has a clearer idea of how the national health care reforms will affect Californians.

"We're not greedy in San Mateo -- if there are savings, we're happy to share them with the state," said Jean Fraser, chief of the San Mateo County Health System. "But the governor is assuming everybody (who is eligible) will be enrolled and it will be a perfect world. Whether there are any savings is completely uncertain."

She estimated

Other Bay Area counties stand to lose much more. The impact in Contra Costa County would be about $7 million this year and rise to $25 million in 2015-16.

Santa Clara County would lose about $60 million annually and expects 100,000 to 150,000 residents will remain uninsured, said Rene Santiago, director of the Santa Clara Health and Hospital System.

Visit link:

Health care safety net: County leaders protest governor's proposal to remove $300 million statewide this year