While the Supreme Court has spoken, we seem no closer to understanding if there is a tax or penalty regarding the health care overhaul passed recently. Regardless of its classification, it is a fee that we must understand might affect future income tax returns.

The fee changes over time, so for now we can only look ahead to 2016, which is the last year a fixed amount of the fee can be determined for everyone.

The fee in 2016 is $695 per adult and $347.50 for each person under age 18. This translates to a potential $695 fee for those filing single with no dependants. A couple without dependants filing jointly could see a penalty of $1390. A family of four with two children under age 18 could see a penalty of $2,085. This amount will be added to the tax owed on your income tax return.

In years following 2016, the fixed fee is replaced by one that is a percentage of your total gross income.

What Ive just outlined is the maximum fee that can be assessed. There will be complicated formulas that will calculate a reduction or elimination of this maximum fee. The fee does look at the entire household not just individuals with the filer being responsible for paying any fee assessed to that household.

For those of us living in Massachusetts, this is already a routine we perform when completing our own state income tax return. The maximum fee in Massachusetts for last year was $1,212 for any individual over age 18. An uninsured married couple filing a joint return could be looking at an extra $2,424 added to their tax burden. Massachusetts does not assess a fee for those under age 18 who do not have health insurance. Again, there is a complex array of conditions that might reduce or eliminate the fee.

At stake, then, are two fees, which, for a family of four, could represent a $4,509 tax liability in 2016. Now, it is very important to note that those who have a defined level of health insurance would not be required to pay either fee at all. The fee is only imposed for those who do not carry health insurance for themselves or members of their household. Safe to say, seniors enrolled in Medicare will have no need to worry about or be concerned about the fee.

On the other side of the equation, there could be a tax credit applied for those who do have health insurance and cannot really afford it. The tax credit is intended to lower the total cost of health insurance premiums paid. Sadly, it is yet another complex calculation based on income and health care premiums paid.

Surely, there will be taxpayers calculating their cost of compliance verses the cost of non-compliance. But what is really at stake is an ability to obtain professional health care when it is needed. We never know when that will be or which of our loved ones might require it. If ever needed, the fee will probably be an irrelevant concern.

Ron Griffin is a Medfield resident who writes about Medicare. He can be reached at Rongriffin65@Gmail.com.

Link:

Senior Health Matters: Health care -- penalty or tax?

In a landmark decision, the U.S. Supreme Court generally upheld the constitutionality of the controversial 2010 health care law. In addition to preserving mandates for health insurance coverage, certain tax provisions will take effect as scheduled in 2013, barring any subsequent legislation. Here's a summary of the main tax changes for 2013.

Two Medicare surtaxes could affect individual taxpayers:

A 3.8 percent surtax on the lesser of annual net investment income or the amount by which modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds $200,000 ($250,000 for married couples). "Net investment income" includes interest, dividends, royalties, rents, gains from dispositions of property and income from passive activities, but not tax-free interest or distributions from qualified retirement plans and IRAs.

A 0.9 percent surtax on earned income such as wages that exceeds $200,000 ($250,000 for married couples).

Flexible spending accounts: Currently, there's a $5,000 limit on pretax contributions to a flexible spending account used for dependent care expenses, but there's no such limit on health care FSAs. The law caps health care FSA contributions at $2,500 starting in 2013.

Medical deductions: For 2012, you may deduct unreimbursed medical expenses in excess of 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income. The law raises this AGI floor in 2013 to 10 percent for taxpayers under age 65.

Other tax-related provisions in the law were also upheld by the Supreme Court. For instance, an individual will generally have to obtain "minimum essential health insurance coverage" or pay a nondeductible penalty, beginning in 2014. Another provision, which took effect in 2010, allows a qualified small business to claim a tax credit for part or all of the cost of providing health insurance.

Contact your accountant regarding your personal circumstances.

Excerpt from:

Sunken: Health care law to trigger tax provisions in 2013

PROTESTERS have marched in Madrid against a a new government measure restricting free health care for some immigrants, which has already provoked a revolt by some doctors and regional health bodies.

Hundreds of people demonstrated noisily against the measure, which will limit access to free health care for immigrants without full legal status in Spain. Other Spanish cities also hosted demonstrations.

Previously, such immigrants had access to free care in the public health system. From Saturday however only children, pregnant women and people needing emergency medical care will be eligible: others will have to pay.

Conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's government introduced the new restrictions as part of its austerity program to tackle the country's debt crisis.

But seven of Spain's 17 regional health authorities have already said they will not implement the measure and many doctors and nurses have insisted they will continue to treat those affected by the change for free.

Rights groups Medecins du Monde (Doctors of the World) and Amnesty International have also denounced the new measure as a violation of basic rights.

In a joint statement together with several other rights groups, they warned that the cuts "...could cost lives, because they will leave thousands of people without access to the health system".

And an internet petition for Spanish health professionals vowing to stand by those affected by the change has so far attracted 1885 signatures.

"My loyalty towards my patients does not allow me to fail in may ethical and professional duty ...," says the online manifesto.

Health professionals were among those marching in Madrid and so too were some of those hit by the change.

Read more here:

Hundreds protest Spanish health cuts

By WAYNE WILSON

A 65-year-old couple retiring in 2012 will spend approximately $240,000 on health care throughout their retirement, according to a report from Fidelity Investments. This doesnt even include over-the-counter medication, dental care and other add-ons.

Many of us have always received health care coverage through our employers, but as retirement looms near, the reality of choosing and paying for our own health care can become overwhelming. Planning ahead for this change can make all the difference.

Budgeting basics

The first step when budgeting for health care is to consider what youre currently paying through your employer. Use this number as a guide to budget for future payments and choose a plan. Look at what services you use and dont use, how often you use them and how much their cost factors into the total amount. Keep in mind that your trips to the doctor may become more frequent as you grow older. Also be sure to consider inflation when budgeting, which can be up to four times higher for health care. Experts assume annual increases of 6 to 8 percent.

For example, that same 65-year-old couple with annual household income of $75,000 can expect to pay about $10,500 for health care this year. With increases in health care costs and inflation, Fidelity predicts that number could rise to $25,000 in just 15 years.

Picking the right plan

As you plan for retirement, its important to remember that turning 65 makes you eligible for Medicare, which can cost significantly less than buying individual health care before Medicare kicks in.

There are several questions to consider when choosing a Medicare plan. Do you only need the most basic care option? Do you want prescription drug coverage? What works best for you Original Medicare with a Medigap plan or a Medicare Advantage plan?

First, lets look at your options:

Read the original here:

GUEST OPINION: Planning for health care after retirement: What you need to know

Though Florida lost its Supreme Court challenge to President Obamas health care law, state politicians could still have a say in setting minimum health benefits for plans here under the federal Affordable Care Act. And thats what has some health advocacy groups worried.

We have just seen the governor try to thwart the Affordable Care Act at every step he can, said Laura Goodhue, executive director at Florida CHAIN, a statewide consumer health care advocacy organization. We just dont want the governor to submit something that is completely opposite of the spirit and intention of the law.

Florida was the lead state challenging the Affordable Care Act and Gov. Rick Scott, since the ruling, refuses to comply with any part of the part of the law that isnt required. With the federal government promising to offer states flexibility, advocates worry that leaders in Florida will allow their repugnance for the federal law to cheapen the benefits available to its residents.

The Affordable Care Act strives to offer Americans not just affordable coverage, but quality coverage, proponents of the law say.

To ensure that plans dont leave out necessary coverage in the name of saving a buck, the Department of Health and Human Services came up with some parameters to set the low bar for plans offered to small employers and individuals buying insurance on their own.

This part of the law does not apply to plans offered by large employers because the vast majority offer comprehensive coverage already.

For the smaller markets, HHS has established certain categories that must be covered, such as maternity and pediatric care.

But the law leaves the decision of setting the minimum bar in the hands of state officials. States have until Oct. 1 to name their Essential Health Benefits or surrender the decision to the federal government. If that happens in Florida, a plan offered by Florida Blue (formerly Blue Cross Blue Shield) would be the minimum benchmark, per the federal rules.

A group of 15 medical and health advocacy organizations wrote to Scott, the state insurance commissioner and other leaders, asking them to hold public hearings and seek input on what benefits will best serve Floridians.

This is such an important decision that affects literally millions in Florida, said Goodhue, whose group was one of the letters signers.

Read more:

States have power to shape federal health care law if governors want to take it

Protesters marched in Madrid Saturday against a a new government measure restricting free health care for some immigrants, which has already provoked a revolt by some doctors and regional health bodies.

The rest is here:

Hundreds protest Spanish health cuts targetting migrants

The new law promises more will be insured, but some expect a shortage of doctors to see them.

Below: Medicare/Medicaid definitions Looking for a primary care physician? Health care reform timeline

Preparations are under way in York County to extend primary health care access to a possible 38,000 uninsured residents in 2014, which is when the new federal health care law takes full effect.

It is still unknown, however, if the efforts will be enough to absorb all the new patients.

The 2011 Healthy York County Coalition Community Health Needs Assessment found that 9 percent of York County residents do not have health insurance, Jess Ensminger, Family First Health CEO said in an email. That means any health care costs for preventive care, emergency room visits and prescription medications are out-of-pocket expenses for them.

"In addition, 12 percent (of the study's population) responded that they had skipped seeing a doctor because of cost in the previous 12 months," Ensminger said.

Dr. Wanda Filer has been practicing family medicine in York County for 25 years and works at Family First Health. She also is a board member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. There, she said, she has seen evidence of an upswing in patients who delayed seeking medical care because of cost.

But once all those people get access through the federal law, they might not be able to find a primary care doctor.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act makes room to expand Medicaid coverage to income-eligible residents. Not all physicians can afford to accept Medicaid coverage.

Billing concerns doctors

Excerpt from:

York County girds for promise, problems of new health care law

Protesters decry Spain's move to deny many illegal immigrants free health care

Follow this link:

Protests Decry Spain Cuts to Immigrant Health Care

August 29, 2012

Deena Dodd and Jim MIller from the Indiana Rural Health Association (IRHA) led discussion on the strengths and weaknesses the Bremen community has and noted key factors the public in attendance thought made the biggest impacts on health care choices. Photo by Angel Perkins

BREMEN A meeting to collect input about the health care needs of Bremen was well represented with town and community leaders, however, even more input is needed and requested by the areas emergency health care providers. Three facilitators (Jim Miller, Deena Dodd, and Ally Orwig) from the Indiana Rural Health Association (IRHA) led discussion on the strengths and weaknesses the Bremen community has and noted key factors the public in attendance thought made the biggest impacts on health care choices. Invited by Community Hospital of Bremens president and CEO Scott Graybill to conduct the study, IRHAs overall findings will be sent to the Internal Revenue Service to fulfill a requirement that says the needs of the community should be assessed every three years. Graybill said the last time Community Hospital of Bremen had one done was in 2007 (for its own inquiry) with one done prior to that in 2000. As a hospital were normally looking at illness, Graybill said. The assessments provide us with information about health care as a whole which then enables us to take action as a health care provider, and others to step up as well, to meet those needs. IRHA, a not-for-profit corporation developed for the purpose of improving the health of all Indiana citizens in rural settings, was organized in 1997 with its founding organizers being committed to impacting the health of citizens through the identification of rural health issues and through advocacy roles in both the public and private sectors. Data from the Centers for Disease Control determined the top 11 states with the most obesity problem included the state of Indiana, and recognized that more than 30 percent of the overall population is obese. Another study proved that 11 percent of the children in Marshall County presently live below the poverty level. Dodd invited those present, which included school and town officials, club and business leaders, health care providers and the general public, to list what factors determine whether or not a person gets good health care so the survey could be more area- and demographic-driven. Strengths offered included good schools, strong service groups, churches and their members strong faith, good work ethics, strong family units, plenty of youth sports and opportunities such as Scouts and the local Boys and Girls Club. Things lacking that might contribute to causing ill health included no public transportation, young people leaving the community after graduation or college, few services for the homebound, many single-parent families, unemployment, high costs for health care, and limited or no insurance coverage. The three IRHA representatives will compile the suggestions given Aug. 15 at CHoB to create a survey and will be back in mid-September to go door-to-door, business-to-business asking persons from every walk of life in Bremen what they think Bremen has to offer and what it lacks. We want to make sure the farmers are heard, the high schoolers the elderly and the Amish, said Graybill. The survey will be offered to the public online through the hospitals website for those that might miss being contacted (or for their convenience) and a Hispanic version of the survey will be offered for those whos second language is English. The results of the survey will be complied and then revealed to the public as well as sent in to the government (before March 2014 in order for each hospital to retain its non-for-profit status). The H.R. 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act states that in order to maintain tax-exempt status, not-for-profit hospitals are required to conduct a community health needs assessment at least once every three years, and adopt an implementation strategy to meet the needs identified through the assessment. To meet the initial compliance obligation, hospitals are required to complete a needs assessment and adopt an implementation plan based on that assessment at some time during the period between the start with its first tax year that begins after March 23, 2010, and the end of its tax year that begins after March 23, 2012. A $50,000 penalty will be imposed on hospitals for failure to comply with the community needs assessment requirement in that initial and any subsequent applicable three-year period.

Read more:

Health assessment will take community input

by Elizabeth Stawicki, Minnesota Public Radio

August 31, 2012

Audio player code:

ST. PAUL, Minn. The CEOs for two Twin Cities major health care systems say their proposed merger will mean better quality health care for patients at a more affordable cost.

Bloomington-based HealthPartners and St. Louis Park-based Park Nicollet will combine operations Jan. 1 if regulators approve. Merging the two non-profits would create a massive health organization with annual revenues of about $5 billion.

The pursuit of high-quality care for patients while reining in costs is a common goal among health care organizations these days. That's partly due to changes enacted under the federal Affordable Care Act, but also has to do with economic realities than politics. Health care costs have been skyrocketing and most experts agree that those costs can't be sustained long-term. So, medical centers have collaborated to share expertise and resources. The latest combines HealthPartners, which is also an insurer, and Park Nicollet Health Services.

"The two organizations are very focused on great care, great experiences and affordable cost. And this will give us more capability for that," said Dr. David Abelson, Park Nicollet CEO.

"It was a sense that we share the same mission and vision and we could do better together; we could do more for the community," he said.

The combined operations will include Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, four HealthPartners hospitals: Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater, Hudson Hospital in Hudson, Wis., and Westfields Hospital in New Richmond, Wis. Officials say patients shouldn't notice any interruption and can expect to use their clinics and health plans as before.

HealthPartners' CEO Mary Brainerd says the two organizations are already using their individual experience to share best practices.

See the article here:

CEOs say health merger means lower cost, better care

The November U.S. presidential election may turn on how voters react to one key proposal by Republicans involving the popular Medicare program, which provides government-subsidized health care to citizens 65 years and older. Budget analysts from left and right agree that the program faces financial stress as large numbers of so-called baby boomers reach the age of eligibility. But they disagree on what should be done.

At the University Village Senior Living Community Clinic in Tampa, Florida, Hugh Clark gets his blood checked regularly.

Having had heart problems, he relies on Medicare and opposes any plan to change its status as a government-run program.

"There are some things that are better run by the government than would be run privately," he said.

His friend and neighbor, Ann Cook, agrees. She says she is unimpressed by the Republican promise to preserve the program as it is for those 55 years of age or older.

"I care very much about what happens to coming generations. I am not selfish enough to care only because they say it won't affect us," she said.

But she recognizes the challenge facing the program as government revenues fail to keep up with the numbers of people reaching retirement age.

"You probably have to raise the age incrementally a little bit because people live longer and work longer," she said.

The Republican Medicare reform proposal is contained in a budget plan developed by the party's vice presidential nominee, Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan, who spoke to the convention here in Tampa Wednesday.

"We had help from Medicare, and it was there, just like it's there for my mom today. Medicare is a promise, and we will honor it," he said.

Read more here:

Health Care Program for Seniors Emerges as Key Election Issue

MELVILLE, N.Y., Aug. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Henry Schein, Inc., (HSIC), the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, medical and animal health practitioners, announced today that the Company will present at three investor conferences in New York City during September:

Henry Schein's presentations can be heard via live webcast by visiting http://www.henryschein.com, clicking on "Investor Relations" and following the link for "Webcasts." Replays will be available on the Web site following each presentation.

About Henry Schein, Inc.Henry Schein, Inc. (HSIC) is the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, medical and animal health practitioners. The Company also serves dental laboratories, government and institutional health care clinics, and other alternate care sites. A FORTUNE 500 Company and a member of the NASDAQ 100 Index, Henry Schein employs nearly 15,000 Team Schein Members and serves approximately 775,000 customers. The Company offers a comprehensive selection of products and services, including value-added solutions for operating efficient practices and delivering high-quality care. Henry Schein operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, with a selection of more than 90,000 national and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 100,000 additional products available as special-order items. The Company also offers its customers exclusive, innovative technology solutions, including practice management software and e-commerce solutions, as well as a broad range of financial services.

Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein has operations or affiliates in 26 countries. The Company's sales reached a record $8.5 billion in 2011, and have grown at a compound annual rate of 18% since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995. For more information, visit the Henry Schein Web site at http://www.henryschein.com.

Read this article:

Henry Schein To Present At Three Investor Conferences In New York City During September

By WAYNE WILSON

A 65-year-old couple retiring in 2012 will spend approximately $240,000 on health care throughout their retirement, according to a report from Fidelity Investments. This doesnt even include over-the-counter medication, dental care and other add-ons.

Many of us have always received health care coverage through our employers, but as retirement looms near, the reality of choosing and paying for our own health care can become overwhelming. Planning ahead for this change can make all the difference.

Budgeting basics

The first step when budgeting for health care is to consider what youre currently paying through your employer. Use this number as a guide to budget for future payments and choose a plan. Look at what services you use and dont use, how often you use them and how much their cost factors into the total amount. Keep in mind that your trips to the doctor may become more frequent as you grow older. Also be sure to consider inflation when budgeting, which can be up to four times higher for health care. Experts assume annual increases of 6 to 8 percent.

For example, that same 65-year-old couple with annual household income of $75,000 can expect to pay about $10,500 for health care this year. With increases in health care costs and inflation, Fidelity predicts that number could rise to $25,000 in just 15 years.

Picking the right plan

As you plan for retirement, its important to remember that turning 65 makes you eligible for Medicare, which can cost significantly less than buying individual health care before Medicare kicks in.

There are several questions to consider when choosing a Medicare plan. Do you only need the most basic care option? Do you want prescription drug coverage? What works best for you Original Medicare with a Medigap plan or a Medicare Advantage plan?

First, lets look at your options:

Go here to see the original:

Planning for health care after retirement: What you need to know

Medicare is the 800-pound gorilla in the room when we speak of health care. Both parties fail to address the issue of efficiency to bring down cost.

Neither decreasing payments to hospitals (Democrats) and doctors nor using a voucher system to stimulate competition by insurance companies (Republicans) addresses the basic flaw in these approaches. The profits these systems would generate would absorb any savings. A for-profit health care system is no longer affordable. The only approach for Medicare is to create a not-for-profit HMO.

Those who believe in the free-market system should have the choice of a voucher for the estimated payment that would have gone into the HMO. They could choose an insurance plan, using these funds. Both those in favor of the government option and free enterprise should be satisfied.

Of course, there are details. Where would we get physicians to join this HMO? That could be achieved by offering to absorb medical school loans and malpractice insurance. Would there be enough physicians to care for all the patients? This could be resolve by using a layered system. Most patients would be seen by a nurse. If the nurse could not resolve the issue, a nurse practitioner or physicians assistant would. Next, if the need required, would be the physician and then the specialist.

The savings would be considerable. Additionally, nurses and physicians assistants would have more time to see patients, so patient satisfaction would increase. While all patients would like to see a specialist for routine problems, it is not practical or financially feasible. We can save our health care system while maintaining the quality we all want.

STEVEN SCHWARTZ

Jupiter

Misinformation presented

in article about Medicare

Laura Greens front-page article Medicare truth eludes both sides attempted to point out falsehoods in the Medicare debate between Obamaites and Romneycans. Unfortunately, The Post only exacerbated the problem of inaccurate information floating around.

Original post:

Letter: Both parties miss the real Medicare solution

Earlier this year, I spent some time dissecting Benjamin Graham's The Intelligent Investor, the seminal book on value investing. Along the way, I talked about the Graham number as a means of valuation when it comes to stocks. The formula is pretty straightforward: Multiply earnings per share by book value per share, then multiply that by 22.5, and finally take the square root. The result, in dollars, is the Graham number.

However, a quick check can help determine whether or not a company might be worthy of a look using the teachings of Graham. He said that in an ideal situation, the P/E ratio and P/B ratio multiplied together should not exceed 22.5, with a maximum P/E ratio of 15 and P/B of 1.5. With that in mind, I looked at the stocks of the S&P 500 that exceeded a P/B of 1.5 but still met the ideal situation mentioned above. Currently, there are 68 companies in the index that meet these criteria. I will be making a CAPScall on these companies after comparing them to competitors and their current value in relation to their Graham numbers. Up next is health care provider Aetna (NYSE: AET) .

Who are they?Though much smaller than sector leader UnitedHealth Group, Aetna is still the third-largest health insurer in the United States, insuring over 18 million people at the end of its last quarter. In an effort to swell its membership further, Aetna agreed to acquire Coventry Health Care (NYSE: CVH) for $7.3 billion dollars. Not only will the acquisition boost Aetna's customer base by more than 5 million members, it will further expand its presence in Medicare and Medicaid and push its government business to over 30 percent of total revenue.

What's it worth? All the insurers below are currently trading well below their Graham number valuation, with WellPoint (NYSE: WLP) leading the way, currently trading for a 33% discount relative its Graham number:

Company

EPS (ttm)

Book Value per Share (mrq)

Graham Number

Recent Price

Upside

See more here:

Is This Health Care Company Cheap According to Graham?

INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Imagine needing health care but being unable to understand the information you're given by a doctor. For 90 million people in the U.S., it's a reality with a long-lasting impact on health and finances.

Health literacy defined as the ability to read, understand and act on health information is vital to achieving the best possible health care results for each individual patient. It is being able to read an appointment card, follow a health care provider's instructions, use medical equipment or understand medication information.

According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy survey, two in five American adults have difficulty processing health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.

Health literacy varies by context and setting and is not necessarily related to education level or reading ability. It highlights the struggle of understanding and acting on health information. The American Medical Association reports that the most commonly affected patients low income, elderly, people with limited education, ethnic minorities, recent immigrants and individuals for whom English is a second language have more medication errors, excess hospitalizations and a generally higher level of illness.

Those with poor health literacy also are more likely to have a chronic disease and less likely to get the health care they need, according to the National Adult Literacy Survey. The study showed that 75 percent of Americans who reported having a long-term illness had limited health literacy and knew less about their conditions or how to handle symptoms. The need for awareness and adherence to health literacy principles has become a public health concern, estimated to cost the U.S. economy in the range of$106 billionto$238 billionannually.

"The widespread but often unrecognized public health challenge of health literacy serves as both a warning and a call to action," said Jack Harris, M.D., vice president of Eli Lilly and Company's (LLY) U.S. medical division. "Overcoming health disparities is a transformational and important journey. At Lilly we are working to develop communication and health education that connects with patients in a way that's meaningful and understandable."

Lilly has partnered with nationally recognized health literacy experts to implement new standards to ensure the company's patient communications and resources adhere to health literacy principles. Lilly's health education efforts recently received national recognition from the Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA), which awarded Lilly the Published Materials Award for outstanding achievements in health literacy for two bi-lingual educational pieces. The educational materials Eating to Feel Your Best and Being Active to Feel Your Best and their Spanish counterparts, Comer para sentirse lo mejor posible and Estar activo para sentirse lo mejor possible, address the importance of making healthy food choices at every meal and staying active. Using colorful pictures, clear and concise information, simple illustrations, quick tips and space for personalized notes, readers are inspired, directed and motivated to take action to feel their best. Both pieces are available in English and Spanish on the Lilly for Better Health website http://www.lillyforbetterhealth.com.

"We were delighted to present Lilly USA with our 2012 IHA Health Literacy Award in the Published Materials category for their 'Feel Your Best' patient education brochure series," said Gloria Mayer, RN, Ed.D, FAAN, president and CEO of the IHA. "These materials follow all the tenets of design for a low literate audience, and provide users with an easy-to-use resource to get and keep healthy."

About the Institute for Healthcare Advancement IHA is dedicated to empowering people to better health. It is nationally recognized for its efforts in health literacy and provides health care information through its various publishing efforts, the Internet, and its renowned local and national education programs.

About Eli Lilly and Company Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers through medicines and information for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Additional information about Lilly is available at http://www.lilly.com.

See the rest here:

90 million adults in the U.S. have difficulty understanding health information; Lilly earns national honor for ...

Don’t look now, but mergers and acquisition activity in the health care space is booming. That’s likely to spell good news for Nashville-based companies looking to buy for expansion and other strategic purposes, or for smaller companies that have suddenly become juicy buyout targets.

Continue reading here:

Health care buyout boom likely to help Nashville companies

KANSAS CITY, KS (KCTV) -

Soon there will be more low-cost health care in Kansas City, KS, with a new space, new staff and a new approach.

The Swope Health Center located at located at North 12th Street and Central Avenue has been eight years in the making.

The partnership with the University of Kansas Hospital and KU School of Medicine is a project that will help both the Swope Health Center, the university and possibly even the future of affordable health care.

The health center sits smack in the middle of a neighborhood long on mom-and-pop shops but short on insurance. That means the only doctor many people see is in the emergency room.

"A lot of them have problems that have been undiagnosed or not dealt with for a long time," said Dr. Edward Ellerbeck, faculty of the KU Med Center Department of Preventative Medicine.

The Swope Health Center offers an alternative with a focus on prevention.

"We would much rather them come here then go to the emergency room ... high cost and no real follow-up, no real continuity of care. They can get that here," said Dr. Steven Stites, KU Med Center acting vice chancellor.

The cause for celebration in the freshly finished lobby is about more than mere numbers. The expansion will mean access to care for twice as many people, but it is not just staff and space they have added.

They have also incorporated a behavioral health component that recognizes the connection between body and mind.

Read the original here:

Low-cost health care program expands in Kansas City, KS

WASHINGTON and LEXINGTON, Mass., Aug. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Health Care Association (AHCA), together with PointRight Inc., the industry leader in predictive analytics in the healthcare and insurance industry, today announced that AHCA will incorporate PointRight's proprietary OnPoint-30 methodology of calculating case-mix adjusted hospitalization metric into its national Quality Initiative.

"The partnership with PointRight will help give our members access to the right information to make a difference in their performance," says Mark Parkinson, President and CEO of AHCA. "As we continue to strive to meet the goals of the AHCA Quality Initiative, PointRight's OnPoint-30 risk-adjusted hospital readmission measure is an important tool to help us build the foundation for a professional benchmark."

PointRight uses Minimum Data Set (MDS) data and unique analytics to calculate case-mix adjusted hospital readmission rates that help providers differentiate between areas of excellence and improvement opportunities.

"These analyses help skilled nursing centers focus on improving care for their residents. They also help centers demonstrate their value to hospitals, insurers and physician groups," said David Gifford, MD, MPH, Senior Vice President of Quality and Regulatory Affairs at AHCA. "Having timely, risk-adjusted information is key for our members, so they know how they are performing compared to others and how effective their efforts are in preventing hospital readmissions from occurring."

Launched earlier this year, the AHCA Quality Initiative is an effort that builds upon the existing work in the long term and post-acute care field by setting specific, measurable targets to further improve the quality of care in America's skilled nursing centers. AHCA members are encouraged to reach defined, concrete goals over the next three years in four core areas, including safely reducing hospital readmissions within 30 days during a skilled nursing facility stay by 15 percent by March 2015.

"Having access to the right information is the first step in making solid, quality improving decisions," said Steven Littlehale, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer with PointRight. "The opportunity to bring OnPoint-30 to members of the American Health Care Association means facilities can now be more confident that they're using accurate rehospitalization rate information to guide quality-driven decisions. With case-mix adjusted metrics, you can see your strengths and your weaknesses. SNFs need this information to improve and market to hospitals," added Littlehale.

To learn more about OnPoint-30 rehospitalization, PointRight is hosting an introductory,onlinewebinar on September 12th at 1 PM EDT, Managing Rehospitalizations with OnPoint. Interested participants may register at no cost.

About American Health Care Association As the nation's largest association of long term and post-acute care providers, the American Health Care Association (AHCA) advocates for quality care and services for frail, elderly and disabled Americans. Compassionate and caring employees provide essential care to one million individuals in the Association's 11,000 not-for-profit and proprietary member facilities. For more information, visit http://www.ahcancal.org. To learn more about the AHCA Quality Initiative, please visit qualityinitiative.ahcancal.org.

About PointRight Inc.PointRight is the industry leader in providing data-driven analytics and Web-based tools that measure risk, quality of care, rehospitalization, compliance and reimbursement accuracy of the healthcare and insurance industries. Using some of the largest and best databases in the industry, our nationally recognized clinical staff, researchers, and technologists expertly translate disparate data into usable information and insight. For more information, visit http://www.pointright.com.

Continue reading here:

AHCA To Apply PointRight® OnPoint-30™ Rehospitalization Metric

MELVILLE, N.Y., Aug. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Henry Schein, Inc. (HSIC), the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, medical and animal health practitioners, is helping more than 2,400 children in 21 U.S. and Canadian cities return to the classroom well-dressed and well-prepared as part of the Company's 15th annual "Back to School" program.

Each year Henry Schein's "Back to School" program is eagerly anticipated by the children who participate, the human service organizations that serve them, and the Team Schein Members who sponsor the children. The Program, which started modestly in 1998 by helping 150 children from Long Island, has now sponsored more than 18,000 children in need from communities across North America, providing the children with new school outfits and backpacks filled with school supplies.

The largest of the "Back to School" events is taking place today at the Company's world headquarters on Long Island, where 583 children identified by 10 local human service organizations in Nassau and Suffolk Counties will participate. At the "Back to School" distribution event, which features dinner, games, balloon animals, face painting and music, the children will receive their new outfits personally selected and paid for by Team Schein Members, and backpacks filled with school supplies, books and hygiene products. Additional 2012 Henry Schein "Back to School" events are taking place in Denver, PA; Sparks, NV; Jacksonville, FL; Bastian, VA; Indianapolis, IN; West Allis, WI; Grapevine, TX; American Fork and Sandy, UT; Greenville, SC; Carlsbad, CA; Pine Brook, NJ; Columbus and Boardman, OH; Mandeville, LA; Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON; Montreal, QC; Halifax, NS; Vancouver, BC; and Concord, ON.

"It is the smiles of the children that we remember long after the event is over, and we hope that they take that same happiness and enthusiasm into the classroom," said Gerry Benjamin, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for Henry Schein. "'Back to School' is an incredibly rewarding and special experience for Team Schein, as well as the supplier partners and local businesses that have donated products or provided other support to the program. This opportunity to directly give to people in need in our local communities and to know that we are helping to enhance the overall wellness of the participating children is a day that we look forward to all year."

The "Back to School" program is a flagship program of Henry Schein Cares, the Company's global social responsibility program, and is supported by the Henry Schein Cares Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that works to foster, support, and promote dental, medical, and animal health by helping to increase access to care for communities around the world.

To help identify children to participate in the 2012 "Back to School" event at Henry Schein's headquarters, the Company partnered with Bethany House, Madonna Heights, McCoy Family Center, the Nassau County Department of Social Services, Family Service League in Yaphank, Bayshore and Huntington, MercyFirst, Yes Community Counseling Services, MPowering Kids, the Family and Children's Association, and the Hispanic Counseling Center.

"Everyone at the McCoy Center looks forward to Henry Schein's annual 'Back to School' event because it is wonderful way to partner with a Long Island business leader to serve the children in our local community," said William Pruitt, Executive Director of the McCoy Family Center. "Children and their families have so many challenges in this economic environment, and the essentials for returning to school may not be the highest priority for their limited resources. The clothing, supplies and party atmosphere that Henry Schein provides helps take this burden off of their shoulders and enables these children to start a new school year on a wonderfully positive note."

About Henry Schein Cares and the Henry Schein Cares Foundation

Henry Schein Cares, Henry Schein's global corporate social responsibility program, stands on four pillars: engaging Team Schein Members to reach their potential, ensuring accountability by extending ethical business practices to all levels within Henry Schein, promoting environmental sustainability, and expanding access to health care for underserved and at-risk communities around the world. Health care activities supported by Henry Schein Cares focus on three main areas: advancing wellness, building capacity in the delivery of health care services, and assisting in emergency preparedness and relief.

Firmly rooted in a deep commitment to social responsibility and the concept of enlightened self-interest championed by Benjamin Franklin, the philosophy behind Henry Schein Cares is a vision of "doing well by doing good." Through the work of Henry Schein Cares to enhance access to care for those in need, the Company believes that it is furthering its long-term success.

Original post:

More Than 2,400 Children In Need Take the First Step 'Back to School' at Henry Schein