By Scott Dance and Erin Cox, The Baltimore Sun

6:52 p.m. EDT, March 26, 2013

The House of Delegates approved an identical bill Monday, clearing the way for the legislation to make its way to Gov. Martin O'Malley for his signature.

Among its proposals are:

Adding children ages 6 through 18 and adults younger than 65 with household incomes up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level to those eligible for Medicaid, the joint state-federal program that provides health care to the poor.

Dedicating an existing 2 percent tax on health insurance premiums, paid by health insurers and for-profit HMOs, to pay for operation of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange. The exchange would open by Jan. 1 as a marketplace for individuals and small businesses to shop for health insurance.

Planning the transition for those now covered under the Maryland Health Insurance Plan, which covers many with pre-existing conditions who are denied health insurance coverage. The plan is being canceled and its enrollees sent to the exchange for health coverage.

Establishing guidelines to determine how much small businesses would contribute to employees' health care, if they choose to do so, but also ensuring that no employers would be required to pay for employees' health insurance.

Outlining requirements for what types of plans and what levels of coverage insurance carriers would be required to offer in the insurance exchange.

sdance@baltsun.com

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Final vote expected in Maryland Senate on health care bill

Published: Sunday, March 24, 2013 at 5:06 p.m. Last Modified: Sunday, March 24, 2013 at 5:06 p.m.

McClusky, North Dakota: population 380. "We count all the dogs and cats," said Sarah Baker, the only health care professional for miles around.

Baker is the lone nurse practitioner at the Northland Community Health Center, and she makes the daily hour-long drive back and forth between her home in Bismarck and McClusky so the residents of McClusky don't have to make that journey every time they need medical care.

"We have 96-year-olds who are still living on their farms, and they can't drive their cars to Bismarck in the winter," Baker said. She added, "They've had two or three different practitioners that come and go. I've been here five years, and it's really made a difference in the trust level in the community."

Baker is a member of the National Health Service Program, which offers support to health care professionals in remote or underserved communities. The NHSP's Loan Repayment Program that Baker is part of helps pay off students' loans if they work in these communities. Programs like this are filling in the hole of health care in many remote areas throughout the country.

Baker's salary is not great, she said. "I don't think there's a physician in North Dakota who would work in my practice for what I make. But it's the best job I've ever had."

And, she's flying solo. North Dakota nurse practitioners two years ago successfully pushed to appeal a law requiring the presence of a collaborating physician in a licensed health care clinic.

That opened the door to health care services in areas where people might otherwise slip through the cracks, she said.

In Florida, the regulations are more stringent. According to the Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners' website, Florida requires nurse practitioners to follow strict supervisory protocols. It is also one of only two states that restricts their ability to obtain a drug enforcement administration license to prescribe certain drugs.

Many experts believe lifting some of the restrictions would help amend a shortage of health care in rural areas and as a result help detect cancer earlier.

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Changes could help Fla. improve rural health care

Welcome to the eye of the Obamacare storm. This year represents a deceptively calm interlude after the partisan war whoops of repeal and replace, and before 2014, when millions of Americans are supposed to get covered under the health care law. Its a year of nuts and bolts, trying to get many complicated moving parts in place for a policy that large swaths of the country still oppose.

LOOKING BACK

The year began with a reinvigorated and reinaugurated President Barack Obama outlining his agenda, and if he is talking more about immigration than insurance, it doesnt mean his administration isnt forging ahead with implementation of his signature domestic achievement: the Affordable Care Act.

Bruised but intact after last years uncertainty over the Supreme Court and the election, the health law is firmly moving ahead. Its largely out of Congresss hands now although federal agencies are plenty busy finalizing the rules. But many of the biggest decisions affecting the future of Obamacare are being made by the states.

States in the past few months have had to decide whether to join the White House in running health insurance exchanges. Only about half are on board, and they are largely states with Democratic governors. States have more time to figure out whether the Medicaid expansion is right for them but a growing list is saying yes, including some big-name conservative governors like Ohios John Kasich, Floridas Rick Scott and New Jerseys Chris Christie. That is if their legislatures go along.

But the onset of Obamacare isnt the only health story of 2013. After Newtown, Conn., mental health has emerged on the public agenda, invigorating advocates who have long felt ignored.

Obama has proposed shoring up the nations mental health workforce, funding more intervention for at-risk children, and expediting stalled regulations governing mental health laws already on the books.

Finally, with the fiscal cliff in the rearview, the future of Medicare was put on hold when lawmakers stalled on a grand or even not-so-grand bargain.

LOOKING FORWARD

The White House is laser-focused on ensuring the most sweeping elements of the Affordable Care Act get whirring without a hitch on Jan. 1, 2014.

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Putting health care law into practice

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.Given the choice of whether to expand Medicaid under President Barack Obama's health care law, many Republican governors and lawmakers initially responded with an emphatic "no." Now they are increasingly hedging their objections.

A new "no, but ..." approach is spreading among Republican states in which officials are still publicly condemning the Democratic president's Medicaid expansion yet floating alternatives that could provide health coverage to millions of low-income adults while potentially tapping into billions of federal dollars that are to start flowing in 2014.

The Medicaid health care program for the poor, which is jointly funded by the federal and state governments, covers about one in five people in the U.S. Expanding it was the way Obama envisioned covering many more low-income workers who don't have insurance. The Republican alternatives being proposed in states generally would go part of the way but cover fewer people than Obama's plan, guarantee less financial help or rely more on private insurers.

But so far, many of the Republican ideas are more wistful than substantive. It's uncertain whether they will pass. And if they do, there's no guarantee Obama's administration will allow states to deviate too greatly from the Affordable Care Act while still reaping its lucrative funding. Yet a recent signal from federal officials that Arkansas might be able to use Medicaid money to buy private insurance policies has encouraged Republicans to try alternatives.

The GOP proposals could lead to another health care showdown between the White House and states, leaving millions of Americans who lack insurance waiting longer for resolution.

Officials in about 30 states that are home to more than 25 million uninsured residents remain either defiant or undecided about implementing Obama's Medicaid expansion, according to an Associated Press survey.

Supporters of the Medicaid expansion have built coalitions of hospitals, business groups, religious leaders and advocates for the poor to try to persuade Republicans of the economic and moral merits of Obama's health care plan. But some Republicans think the pressure will fall on Obama to accept their alternatives if he wants to avoid a patchwork system for his signature accomplishment.

A House committee led by Republican Rep. Jay Barnes of Missouri already has defeated Obama's version of Medicaid expansion. It will hear public testimony Monday on his "market-based Medicaid" alternative that would award health care contracts to competing private insurers and provide cash incentives to patients who hold down their health-care costs. His proposal would contain costs by covering fewer children than Medicaid now does and adding fewer adults than Obama's plan envisions.

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Health care law: GOP hedging objections to Medicaid expansion

Senate Votes Overwhelmingly To Repeal Key Health Care Law Tax - Obamacare Tax - Stuart Varney
Senate Votes Overwhelmingly To Repeal Key Health Care Law Tax - Obamacare.

By: Massteaparty

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Senate Votes Overwhelmingly To Repeal Key Health Care Law Tax - Obamacare Tax - Stuart Varney - Video

For the 11th straight year, Michigan Democratic Rep. John Conyers has introduced what he calls the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act to establish a universal, single-payer health care system in the United States similar to what exists in most developed countries throughout the world.

Conyers plan is the real health care reform that the United States, if its politicians werent so beholden to special interests, would have adopted decades ago.

Instead, we are struggling with more jury-rigged reform that allows governors like Wisconsins Scott Walker to play cynical political games to make it as complicated as possible.

Obamacare is surely better than anything weve had up until now and once it is fully implemented will remove millions of Americans from the roles of the uninsured.

But a single-payer plan is still the way the nation ought to go. Everyone in the country would have health care from the day theyre born to the day they die. Conyers would essentially expand the single-payer Medicare program for senior citizens to include everyone in the country.

It would cover primary care, inpatient and outpatient care, emergency care, prescription drugs, durable medical equipment, long-term and palliative care, mental health services, dental services, vision and hearing.

Conyers, who was joined by 37 other House members, would provide that private hospitals, physicians and other health providers could continue to operate as private nonprofit entities, but they would no longer be investor-owned. Hospitals, health centers and other health care organizations would be paid a monthly lump sum within a global budget to cover all operating expenses while physicians would be paid fee-for-service payments or offered regular salaries.

Under the Michigan congressmans plan, a trust fund would be established to fund the Medicare for All program. The fund would include existing sources of federal government spending for health care, increase personal income taxes on the top 5 percent of income earners and institute modest payroll tax increases. That total is expected to be less than the premiums and health care expenses currently borne by companies and individuals.

Conyers plan has little chance of going anywhere, but one of these days perhaps the country will wake up to finally making health care a right of U.S. citizenship.

Dave Zweifel is editor emeritus of The Capital Times. dzweifel@madison.com

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Plain Talk: Single-payer health care is still right way to go

Menomonie (WQOW) - Imagine a place where knowing the cost of your health care is as easy as ordering off a menu.

ReforMedicine, in Menomonie, is a family practice that operates on a direct pay basis. The clinic has been open for 18 months and because of a demand for care, it's adding a second doctor and expanding hours. Dr. David usher used to work at a large clinic in Eau Claire, but decided to start his own practice because of changes surrounding the Affordable Care Act, and concerns he's heard from patients about the cost of health care.

"This is a better way to go because people are actually in control of the care that they receive. They have the power of the purse and we as doctors have to be, in this system better at explaining the value of the thing we're recommending. If we want somebody to have a test and to pay for it, we have to be really good at explaining why it is that this is going to help them, " says Dr. Usher.

Here's one example of how the clinic's direct pay system works: for an office visit you'd pay a flat fee of $55. Dr. Usher says it provides an affordable option for people with health savings accounts, high deductible health insurance, or no insurance.

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Health care as easy as ordering off a menu?

AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwire - Mar 22, 2013) - Today, the LIVESTRONG Foundation, Central Health, the Shivers Cancer Foundation and Senator Kirk Watson announced the results of a white paper on the availability of quality clinical adult cancer care and support services in the greater Austin region, which includes Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties. Cancer is the leading cause of death in the region and residents cite it as a top health concern.

"Central Texans share a fierce community pride," said Sen. Watson. "Quality of life is a point of pride and an article of faith in our community, so our friends, neighbors and family members rightly expect high-quality health care. Cancer has become the No. 1 cause of death in our region, so it's important -- especially in this community -- that we work to reduce this trend. This paper illustrates the many assets we have and challenges we face to provide more comprehensive cancer care. Now we can start defining a path forward."

Central Health, the LIVESTRONG Foundation and the Shivers Cancer Foundation collaboratively commissioned public health consulting firm Health Resources in Action (HRiA) to develop the Greater Austin Region Cancer Care White Paper: Cancer Care in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson Counties. An advisory group of Austin-area cancer-care experts consulted on the project, which resulted in 14 consensus statements (see page 4) representing the class and accessibility of clinical care and support services. From those statements, the advisory group agreed that Central Texas has good quality cancer care and immense opportunity to innovate its cancer care services, as well as access.

The project set forth to describe the prevailing perceptions of cancer care and understand patients' perspectives, while identifying goals for the future to cover gaps in coverage that were identified in the research.

In the Austin area, cancer incidence and mortality rates were found to be lower than the average both in Texas and nationally, but the city has the highest rate of uninsured adults under 65 in the state. However, of those uninsured, a relatively low number (5-15 percent) are seeking cancer care.

Although Travis and Williamson County retain the most primary care providers in the area, there are not enough to meet the growing need, especially in Bastrop, Hays and Caldwell Counties -- the three fastest growing counties in the region. In the future, lack of supply may lead to more people in need of care leaving their home city to receive treatments in other cities. To address this concern, the advisory group believes the incoming medical school needs to attract, train and retain its physicians, while ensuring collaboration among all aspects of cancer care.

"We believe commitment to ongoing collaboration among cancer care leaders in our community is a vital first step toward expanding and further elevating the quality cancer care that the flourishing Austin region deserves," said Clarke Heidrick, Shivers Cancer Foundation Chairman.

An opportunity for growth resides in prevention and screening in the area, especially among minority populations. Austin is shown to have a good screening and prevention rate, but identifying outreach to sub-populations can, and should, be pursued, according to the project.

"One of the greatest challenges is providing a seamless continuity of care, especially for the traditionally underserved minority population," said Trish Young, Central Health President and CEO. "We have to work harder to ensure people don't fall through the cracks between screening and detection, treatment and ongoing care, and that they are always able to access all of these essential, lifesaving services to ensure their cancer incidence rates remain in line with the rest of the country."

Another facet of cancer care that needs to be addressed is post-treatment options for cancer survivors. Results indicate that cancer survivors in the area generally have less access to services that meet their needs after completing their treatment. There is also a general lack of awareness of services available and where to access them. The need for medical and social service cancer navigation is currently far outweighing the demand.

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White Paper by Leading Health Care Organizations Cites Opportunity for Cancer Care in Austin

By Brenton Flynn | More Articles March 23, 2013 |

From revolutionary science to the impact of Obamacare, every week The Motley Fool's health care team sits down to discuss the most fascinating developments across the health care industry and their implications for long-term investors. In this week's edition, the team talks about the disruptive potential of a new iPhone app, as well as an FDA inquiry that could have negative implications for some of the pharmaceutical industry's biggest players. In addition, our analysts dive into some of the stocks making big moves over the past week and discuss companies on their radar for the near future.

In the following segment, health care bureau chief Brenton Flynn discusses a big customer loss for medical distributor Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH) and why it doesn't worry him as much as another ongoing development -- industry consolidation.

We know what's eating at companies like Cardinal Health, but what macro trend was Warren Buffett referring to when he said "this is the tapeworm that's eating at American competitiveness"? Find out in our free report: "What's Really Eating At America's Competitiveness." You'll also discover an idea to profit as companies work to eradicate this efficiency-sucking tapeworm. Just click here for free, immediate access.

The relevant video segment can be found between 10:55 and 12:42.

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Why the Health Care Arms Race Hurts This Stock

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

STATEMENT FROM OUR SALUD COMMUNITY ADVOCATES NESTOR VALENCIA AND ELBA ROMO:

Advocates for the Latino community of East Los Angeles have sent the following letter to Attorney General Kamala D. Harris, requesting a full investigation into HealthCare Partners (HCP) alleged illegal operation.

HealthCare Partners is a Torrance-based medical group who currently manages care for more than half a million Los Angeles area residents. In October 2012, HealthCare Partners merged with DaVita, Inc., a Denver-based, publicly-traded dialysis company with no previous ties to California. The $4.4 billion merger was the largest consolidation in healthcare history. This merger was completed with no requirements pursued by the Department of Managed Health Care to force licensure by HCP.

Normal protocol requires consumers to take up issues of health care delivery with the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC). Our SALUD sent their request for investigation directly to the Attorney Generals office.

The DMHCs abandonment of oversight responsibility of this medical group has forced Our SALUD to take this issue to the states top counsel, said advocate Elba Romo, Our SALUD community. We hope that AG Harris considers the gravity of this issue and conducts a full investigation of this renegade medical group.

It is a time of change in California and all over the nation as states begin to prepare for the implementation of provisions under the Affordable Care Act. HCP has been deemed a pioneer Accountable Care Organization (ACO) under this new health care reform, allowing them to lead the way in this new venture.

This is a business model that clearly puts profits before patients and certainly should not be the benchmark for such significant reform, said Nestor Valencia, Our SALUD community advocate. Patient lives have already been affected by HCPs unlawful operation. California state officials have the duty to ensure more patients arent impacted and that HCP is held accountable for its actions. Standing idle will only propel HCP as a health care leader and set a dangerous precedent among all medical groups that wrongful actions will not be penalized but actually prove profitable.

Nestor Valencia and Elba Romo, Our SALUD community advocates, are available for interviews and further comment.

Our SALUD letter to the Attorney General:

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Health Care Advocates Our SALUD Request Attorney General to Take Action in Alleged Unlawful Operation

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette's CajunCodeFest 2.0 will be highlighted by a 27-hour coding competition for developing new health care technology.

Speakers in healthcare and technology, an economic development roundtable discussion and social events, including a crawfish boil, will also be part of the second-year event, from April 24-26 at the Cajundome. Software programmers and engineers, health care professionals, entrepreneurs, educators and undergraduate and graduate students will take part.

CajunCodeFest 2.0 is organized by UL Lafayette's Center for Business and Information Technologies, which started the event last year based on collaboration with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.

The purpose of CajunCodeFest 2.0 is to showcase and optimize Lafayette's entrepreneurial culture, fiber optic capabilities and health care industry, said Cian Robinson, associate director for the Center for Business and Information Technologies. "We're looking to do a local roundtable where we talk about health care information technology, workforce development and the needs of employers," he said.

Speakers at CajunCodeFest 2.0 will include: Dr. Farzad Mostashari, national coordinator for health information technology; Bryan Sivak, chief technology officer for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Bruce Greenstein, secretary for the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals; and Greg Trahan, director of business development for Louisiana Economic Development.

For the coding competition, teams of up to seven members will analyze data, brainstorm ideas and create digital prototypes. The data will be used to create solutions that encourage patients to "Own Your Own Health."

"We're going to give them data sets in two different formats so they can pick whatever technology they want to use to solve the problem," Robinson said. The first-place team wins $25,000, but coming up with the best health care solution requires a complete team effort, he added. Other honors include for Best Student Team and Best Use of Microsoft HealthVault Technology.

"Application development isn't just done by software developers. There has to be a person who understands the marketing, who understands the marketplace need," Robinson said.

More than 275 people from three countries, 15 states and 40 cities attended last year. Of those, 45 were participants in the health care coding competition, 94 were health and information technology professionals, 42 were entrepreneurs and 35 were students.

This year, Robinson said he would like to see more students take part in the coding competition or attend CajunCodeFest 2.0 simply to network.

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Health care solutions, economic development aim of CajunCodeFest 2.0

Dr Ben Carson Addressing CPAC - Outspoken Critic Of Health Care Law (Obamacare) - Part 1
Dr Ben Carson Addressing CPAC - Outspoken Critic Of Health Care Law - Part 1 Dr Ben Carson - Part 2 Bellow http://youtu.be/y_HI_fFdRBA.

By: Massteaparty

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Dr Ben Carson Addressing CPAC - Outspoken Critic Of Health Care Law (Obamacare) - Part 1 - Video

Diabetes health care in England is failing thousands of people, a group of MPs has warned.

Almost half of people with diabetes are not getting the nine annual recommended checks, MPs said

Members of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Diabetes have called on ministers to take action on the "poor state" of diabetes care after its report highlighted "huge variations" in standards of care across the country.

It added that almost half of people with diabetes are not getting the nine annual checks recommended by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice). The MPs said that without this care, patients are at higher risk of developing diabetes-related complications such as blindness, strokes or amputations.

The report calls for a national plan for better healthcare across the country and also says the Government should increase funding for type 1 diabetes.

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders, chairman of the group, said: "Diabetes is one of the greatest challenges we face yet diabetes healthcare is poor, patchy and expensive, and too many people with the condition are not getting the care or support they desperately need.

"It is completely unacceptable that barely half of people with diabetes are getting the nine checks and services recommended by Nice. This postcode lottery of care is leading to devastating health conditions and premature death for many people with the condition.

"While we welcome the Government's acceptance that care for people with diabetes is poor and must improve, we now need the Government to spell out exactly how they intend to make diabetes a priority so that everyone with diabetes receives the care and support they need.

"Unless this happens, thousands more people a year will be condemned to entirely avoidable debilitating complications and early death."

Barbara Young, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said: "Time and time again we hear about the depressingly poor state of diabetes healthcare, yet we are still waiting to hear how the Government intends to deal with what is fast becoming a crisis. The Government must designate diabetes as a priority and commit to ensuring everyone with diabetes gets good quality care so that they can live long healthy lives."

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MPs: Health care failing diabetics

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

HealthHelp announced it is a sponsor of the Women Business Leaders (WBL) of the U.S. Health Care Industry Foundation and WBLs 12th Annual Summit.

The WBL Summit will be a gathering of more than 180 board members, CEOs, and other senior executive women from the $2 trillion health care industry. The three day event will help these senior leaders study ways to innovate the business of health care, as they compete to stay at the cutting edge in an industry under intense pressure and undergoing tremendous change. The Summit also focuses on increasing visibility for senior executive women from the health care industry for board of director positions with companies across the entire U.S. economy.

The Summit will be held March 20-22 at the Ritz-Carlton Dallas. HealthHelp has been a sponsor of WBL since 2008.

I am honored to be a part of such a great organization that allows business women leaders from the health care industry to collaborate towards building significant change for women and workplace equality, expressed Donna Baker-Miller, VP of Business Development. As a Vice President in one of the fastest growing companies in the health care industry, I believe in mentoring smart, savvy (motivated, focus-driven, and ambitious) women leaders in taking a more active role in pursuing higher level strategic positions in health care.

Notable speakers at the Summit include:

Dr. Molly Joel Coye, MD, Chief Innovation Officer, UCLA Health System on disruptive new competitors and entrants to the market

Carol Burt, Board member of Vanguard Health Systems, WellCare, and Emergency Services Medical Corporation (EMSC) on innovation and the role of the board

Deborah Wince-Smith, President & CEO, Council on Competitiveness on the innovation imperative: challenges and opportunities for U.S. competitiveness

Myrtle Potter, CEO, Myrtle Potter Company LLC on how accountability to customers fosters quality innovation

See the article here:

HealthHelp Supports Senior Executive Women in Health Care by Sponsoring WBL Foundation and WBL’s 12th Annual Summit ...

Published: Tuesday, March 19, 2013, 12:01 a.m.

The Arlington hospital is joining with two other public hospitals, Island Hospital in Anacortes and Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon, to consider its options.

The three hospital boards are scheduled to give final approval tonight to seeking proposals from other regional health care organizations on how they might work together.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. at the WSU Extension Center, 16650 Highway 536 in Mount Vernon.

One of the reasons Cascade Valley is considering the change is that smaller community hospitals have a tough time making it financially. Partnerships mean they can offer the services of other larger health care organizations, said Clark Jones, the hospital's chief executive.

"It's difficult to be a small hospital in a suburban or urban area," he said.

The type of services offered at Cascade Valley tend to be the day-to-day-services that people need most often, such as the emergency room or baby delivery services, he said.

Yet hospitals generally aren't paid very much by insurance companies or government programs such as Medicaid or Medicare to provide these services, Jones said.

Payment is better for specialty services such as heart surgery, brain and stroke services, and intensive care units for infants, he said. But these services are only provided in larger, nearby urban and suburban hospitals.

Letters requesting business proposals with the three hospitals will probably be sent to the area's major not-for-profit health care organizations, Jones said.

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Arlington hospital may team with health care nonprofit

taxes

Taxes Tax Filing W-2 Forms Now Detail Health Care Costs

Have you taken a good look at your 2012 Form W-2? If you get health care coverage through your job, then you probably noticed a new amount in box 12.

That figure reflects how much you and your employer spent on your health insurance premiums last year. It's a new reporting requirement of the Affordable Care Act, often referred to as Obamacare, and it applies to most companies with 250 or more workers. Next year, smaller companies also will have to report their workers' health care costs on their annual earnings statements.

Depending on your coverage, the options you chose or even where you live, the amount on your W-2 form could be in the five-figure range. A 2012 Kaiser Family Foundation survey found that the average family received $15,745 in health care coverage.The numbers from the actuarial firm Milliman are higher; its 2012 analysis found medical coverage for a family of four cost nearly $21,000.

But don't panic if the amount on your W-2 form is large. The money shown in box 12, designated by the description code DD, is not taxable income.

When health care reform was being debated in 2010, lawmakers decided to add the reporting requirement so employees would know the exact costs of their workplace-provided medical plans. The idea is that workers, armed with the cost information, will shop for more economical coverage that meets their medical needs.

What isn't counted: The W-2 amount, however, doesn't show all your health care costs. It only covers the premiums you and your employer paid. To determine how much of that you paid, pull out your final 2012 pay stub and subtract the final amount shown for your portion of health care premiums.

The box 12 amount doesn't include any contributions you made to special health care plans, such as a medical flexible savings account, Archer Medical Savings Account or health savings accounts. Nor does it take into account additional payments you made for separate dental and vision plans, co-payments, deductibles or other out-of-pocket health care expenses.

While the added reporting requirement is a bit more work for employers or the payroll companies to which they outsource the job, most companies have no problem with sharing the data. The amount spent on this employee benefit could help employers justify why pay raises are smaller than workers would like; the company money is going into health care coverage instead.

Originally posted here:

W-2 forms now detail health care costs

Infectious outbreaks caused by health care providers are increasing in the mountain state.

Last year, there were 111 outbreaks, affecting more than 29 hundred people.

The outbreaks can be attributed to problems with catheters, ventilators, and central lines.

In the valley, the health department is working with providers to make sure patients don't get sick on their account.

"Across the nation as a whole it is a problem. As far as our region in particular, health care associated infections have not been a huge issue. This past year we did see some health care associated influenza outbreaks. As far as the more serious infections, none have been reported to our health department this year," says Jessica Woods, Epidemiologist with the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department.

To prevent health care related infections, Woods says, it's all about educating both patients and health care providers.

"We provide education and we try to educate infection control personnel at the hospitals. We also reach out to health care providers by giving them information we receive from the state. As we also generate yearly reports so people can know the trends of what's going on."

Patients are encouraged to ask their providers to wash their hands. They can also ask if needles and other equipment are new or sterilized.

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Health Care Infections Rising In WV

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Health Law Practice of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. is a sponsor of the Women Business Leaders (WBL) of the U.S. Health Care Industry Foundation and WBLs 12th Annual Summit.

Karen S. Lovitch, a Member and Practice Leader of Mintz Levins Health Law Practice, and Deborah A. Daccord, a Member of the firms Health Law Practice and Co-chair of the Healthcare Deal Lawyers working group, are both WBL Foundation Associates. Foundation membership is by invitation only. Ms. Daccord is also on the WBLs Advisory Board.

The WBL Summit will be a gathering of more than 180 Board members, CEOs, and other senior executive women from the $2 trillion health care industry. The three day event will help these senior leaders study ways to innovate the business of health care, as they compete to stay at the cutting edge in an industry under intense pressure and undergoing tremendous change. The Summit also focuses on increasing visibility for senior executive women from the health care industry for board of director positions with companies across the entire U.S. economy.

The Summit will be held March 20-22 at the Ritz-Carlton in Dallas, Texas.

Notable speakers at the Summit will include:

Dr. Molly Joel Coye, MD, Chief Innovation Officer, UCLA Health System on disruptive new competitors and entrants to the market

Carol Burt, Board member of Vanguard Health Systems, WellCare, and Emergency Services Medical Corporation (EMSC) on innovation and the role of the board

Deborah Wince-Smith, President & CEO, Council on Competitiveness on the innovation imperative: challenges and opportunities for U.S. competitiveness

Myrtle Potter, CEO, Myrtle Potter Company LLC on how accountability to customers fosters quality innovation

See the original post here:

Mintz Levin Supports Senior Executive Women in Health Care as Sponsor of Women Business Leaders’ 12th Annual Summit

MELVILLE, NY--(Marketwire - Mar 18, 2013) - The Long Island Capital Alliance ("LICA"), the leading non-profit capital formation and business development organization serving regional companies, today announced the successful completion of its Health Care Capital Forum held on March 8, 2013.The capital forum, held in collaboration with The Center for Advanced Sensor Technologies at Stony Brook University, showcased six companies selected by LICA from a wide selection of developing medical technology, life sciences and health care information technology companies on Long Island and the nearby region.

A panel of health care investors also participated in the event.The panel provided insights on presenting companies' business plans and investment potential, as well as a review of the current investment climate for health care companies.

Neil Kaufman, chairman of LICA, stated that, "Despite a heavy snow storm, we are pleased to have had strong participation with over 50 attendees at our Health Care Capital Forum.This demonstrates the increasing role of LICA as a pivotal player in capital formation leading to economic development in the region.We are very excited to build on this momentum, as we plan our next event in partnership with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, one of the nation's leading research facilities for molecular biology and genetics, that focuses on the bio/pharma sector of the health care industry."

"Even with the weather impact, we made a couple of good contacts. At events like this it is not about the number of people who attend but the quality and mutual fit of the participants.The event was very well done," said David Crane, Chief Executive Officer of Mobile Health One, a presenting company at the event.

"The Capital Forum was a terrific event and provided a really unique opportunity for emerging companies to interact with investors and advisors in an open forum," said Rusty Ray, a panelist at the event and a New York-based health care investment banker at 11T Partners.

Health Care Capital Forum Industry Experts

The following industry investors participated in the panel discussion at the Capital Forum:

Health Care Capital Forum Presenting Companies

The following companies presented their business plans at the Capital Forum:

Mobile Health OneMobile Health One, Inc. develops mobile, on-demand HIPAA-compliant systems that unify healthcare professionals within and between organizations by simplifying communications to accelerate, consolidate, and control information sharing.

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Long Island Capital Alliance Holds Successful Health Care Capital Forum

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill., March 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Enrollment results from the industry's largest private health care exchange indicate that when given more choice and control, employees become more engaged and invested in selecting their health benefits. This is according to a new analysis from Aon Hewitt, the global human resources business of Aon plc (AON).

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During the 2013 annual enrollment period last fall, more than 100,000 U.S. employees successfully enrolled in health benefits through Aon Hewitt's Corporate Health Exchange, the only fully insured, multi-carrier corporate health exchange available to large national employers today. According to Aon Hewitt's post-enrollment analysis, almost 80 percent of enrollees felt confident they chose the health plan that offered the best value for them and their family, and almost all (93 percent) liked being able to choose among multiple carriers.

"When given more options, employees become empowered to make individual choices based on value, provider network, price and health status," said Ken Sperling, Aon Hewitt's national health exchange strategy leader. "Employees like having control over such an important decision and appreciate not being limited to a pre-determined plan and insurance company."

Aon Hewitt's Corporate Health Exchange consolidates purchasing power while providing best-in-market health insurance options for employees. Through its strong relationships with insurance providers, Aon Hewitt's Corporate Health Exchange offered a wide range of health, dental and vision benefits options from multiple national and regional carriers during the 2013 enrollment period, including UnitedHealthcare, Kaiser Permanente, HealthNet, Health Care Service Corporation (operating Blue Cross Plans in IL, NM, OK and TX) and Florida Blue, Florida's Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plan.

"Aon Hewitt's corporate exchange allowed us to move away from a one-size fits all approach to providing health benefits," said Danielle Kirgan, senior vice president of Total Rewards and Shared Services at Darden Restaurants, one of the companies participating in Aon Hewitt's corporate health care exchange in 2013. "This year, we were able to offer a broader array of health care choices than we have in the past, giving our employees the flexibility to choose the level of coverage that best meets their needs at a price they could afford."

During enrollment, employees could quickly and easily sort and filter benefits options by price, carrier and/or plan type using Aon Hewitt's proprietary exchange portal. Participating insurance providers highlight the unique features and capabilities of their plans to help employees differentiate between coverage options and optimize their choices. Aon Hewitt's benefits experts and advisorsincluding its industry-leading Advocacy Support teamprovided expertise, answers to questions and guidance throughout the enrollment process.

Enrollment by Plan Type

According to Aon Hewitt's post-enrollment analysis, two-thirds of employees who participated in the corporate exchange said they now had a good understanding of how they share the cost of medical insurance with their employer. When choosing a coverage level, most employees said they based their choice on the desire to choose a plan that offered coverage similar to their current plan and price.

Aon Hewitt's enrollment data shows that 39 percent of employees enrolled in a consumer-driven health plan (CDHP), up from 12 percent in 2012. Conversely, the number of employees who enrolled in a PPO-type plan decreased from 70 percent in 2012 to 47 percent in 2013. However, while a significant number of employees migrated toward consumer-driven health plans, Aon Hewitt's data revealed that when given the choice, a fair number of employees chose to increase their coverage. For 2013, 32 percent of employees chose a plan similar in type to their current coverage (e.g., PPO to PPO), while 26 percent of employees chose richer coverage. Forty-two percent of employees chose to reduce their regular payroll contributions and select a less rich form of coverage.

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Enrollment Results Show Aon Hewitt's Corporate Health Exchange Empowers Employees to Become More Astute Health Care ...