tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75682968041249960232024-02-07T03:42:53.750-05:00National Physicians Alliance: New York Local Action Network<br>NPA NY is a local action network of the <a href="http://www.npalliance.org">National Physicians Alliance</a>.
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The National Physicians Alliance is committed to advancing the core values of the medical profession: <br>Service, Integrity, and Advocacy.<br><br><a href="http://npalliance.org/membership"><b>REGISTER HERE</b></a> to become a member and receive critical updates.<br><br>NPA-New Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13109697581914453105noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568296804124996023.post-31663031584486423282011-03-24T23:31:00.000-04:002011-03-24T23:31:29.867-04:00New home for NPA-NY!Please join us on our new <a href="http://npalliance.org/newyork/">local network page</a> on the <a href="http://npalliance.net/">National Physicians Alliance</a> website! The new website will help you keep up to date on both local and national health care news.Sharon Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014404965275565906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568296804124996023.post-80104064633418326972011-02-01T12:15:00.000-05:002011-02-01T12:15:42.301-05:00Time to reform gun policy; gun violence is a public health issue<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the tragic event in Tucson reminded everyone a few weeks ago, our nation’s love of firearms can have severe consequences. Unfortunately, those of us who practice in urban neighborhoods plagued by violence are frequently reminded of the impact guns have on our patients’ lives. Emergency room physicians see the victims themselves. As a primary care physician, I see the secondary victims: friends and family members of those who are injured or killed by guns. The mothers of those affected come in heartbroken, either because their children were killed or have gone to jail on gun-related offenses. Their siblings are bereaved and confused, sometimes wanting to get into the game themselves for revenge, other times feeling anxious and afraid to leave the house. Those who are killed or sent to prison leave behind yet another set of victims, their children, whose caregivers have limited support to raise them, often leaving them one step behind their peers.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although the absolute number of deaths from guns is relatively low in comparison with heart disease or cancer, violence is a public health issue, and we need to address it as such. Among 15-24 year-olds, homicide and suicide are the 2</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">nd</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and 3</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">rd</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> leading causes of death. The majority of these deaths are gun-related. Black men are disproportionately affected; the homicide rate for black men is 6 times that of white men.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are solutions to this problem. In New York, anti-violence advocates have introduced a bill to enact </span><a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/06/20/2010-06-20_bill_could_help_trace_all_bullets.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">microstamping</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">; this would imprint a unique mark on every bullet casing, helping officers connect guns to crimes. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On a national level, legislation has been proposed to close the “</span><a href="http://www.bradycampaign.org/legislation/backgroundchecks/gunshowloophole"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">gun show loophole</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">,” a loophole in federal law that allows guns to be purchased at gun shows without a background check. New York Representative McCarthy recently introduced a bill called the </span><a href="http://www.npr.org/2011/01/11/132826365/Rep-McCarthy-To-Propose-Ban-On-High-Capacity-Ammo"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Devices Act</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> in response to the shooting in Tucson. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To learn more about how we can begin to address the problem of gun violence in New York and nationally, please join our partner Greater NYC For Change at an </span><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1882654546"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">event on Wednesday February 9</span></span></a><sup><a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=147269668664403&ref=ts"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">th</span></span></span></a></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> at 7:00 PM, cosponsored by the American Friends Service Committee and New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, at 15 Rutherford Place (Union Square), New York, NY.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more information about gun violence statistics, see the following:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.vpc.org/studies/blackhomicide11.pdf"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Violence Policy Center</span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><!--StartFragment--> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">United States Department of Justice</span></a></div><!--EndFragment--> <br />
<!--EndFragment-->Sharon Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014404965275565906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568296804124996023.post-44326849405792812312010-12-30T11:41:00.002-05:002010-12-30T11:54:30.132-05:00Health Reform Benefits in 2011<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">It’s the new year, and that means new benefits from the Affordable Care Act (also known as the health reform law.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Seniors enrolled in Medicare’s prescription drug plan (Medicare Part D) will spend out of pocket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Currently, when a people with Part D have used $2,830 of their drug benefit, they are required to pay the entire cost until they reach a certain threshold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is called the Part D coverage gap, or the “doughnut hole”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>With the ACA, pharmaceutical companies are required to provide consumers with a 50% discount on all non-generic drugs while they’re in the coverage gap, and a 7% discount on generic prescription drugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Although seniors will be paying less for their medications while in the coverage gap, the full price will be applied, getting them through the gap more quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>By 2020 the coverage gap will go away entirely (see the <a href="http://www.aarp.org/health/health-care-reform/info-06-2010/fact_sheet_health_law_doughnut_hole_rebate.html">AARP</a> for further explanation).</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Also effective January 1<sup>st</sup> is the implementation of the minimum medical loss ratio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We wrote about this <a href="http://npany.blogspot.com/2010/11/medical-loss-ratio-ruling-good-news-for.html">previously</a>; it requires that insurers spend at least 80% of the premiums they collect on medical care, instead of on advertising or paying their employees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Doctors will soon find it easier to care for patients relying solely on Medicare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Although most physicians continue to accept Medicare, some primary care physicians find it quite hard to provide their patients with necessary services on the rates they are paid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Starting January 1<sup>st</sup>, Medicare payments for primary care and general surgeons in shortage areas will rise by 10%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Unfortunately, this increase will only last through 2015, at which point Congress will likely have to address the issue again.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Also effective January 1, seniors on Medicare will no longer have to pay copays for some preventive services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This will be limited to services that have been rated <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/grades.htm">“A” or “B”</a> by the United States Preventive Services Task Force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>These are services that, based on available evidence, are likely to provide either moderate or substantial benefit, either by improving well-being or preventing death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This includes screening for elevated blood pressure, cervical cancer, cholesterol, colon cancer, vision testing in children, counseling for tobacco abuse, screening for osteoporosis, and <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/grades.htm">many other services</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Although there is disagreement among different experts regarding breast cancer screening, the ACA also covers mammograms for all women over 40, although the USPSTF no longer recommends routine mammograms for women under age 50.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Another small change you’ll notice is nutritional labeling for all food sold at chain restaurants and in vending machines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We already have nutritional labeling in New York City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There is no evidence that knowing how many calories are in the meals bought at chain restaurants changes behavior, or even that people understand what the numbers mean, but for some people knowing the information is valuable (starts in March). </p> <p class="MsoNormal">We can also expect some smaller programs aimed at sparking innovative approaches to improve the way we deliver health care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation will design and implement multiple small projects by consulting with stakeholders, including medical providers, insurers, and patients, to improve the quality of medical care by streamlining what is often a fragmented system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The goal is to find new models of health care delivery that will improve care and save money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For more information see the <a href="http://innovations.cms.gov">CMS innovations site</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Another smaller project will give increased Federal support for 2 years to patient-centered medical homes (also known as health homes).</p> <p class="MsoNormal">In Graduate Medical Education, Teaching Health Centers (where residents, or doctors-in-training who have finished medical school) will be funded as residency sites for 5 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Residency slots will be redistributed to favor primary care training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>These changes will occur in July.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Some other behind-the-scenes changes include grants to help Medicaid enrollees develop healthier lifestyles, as well as grants to small employers to develop similar wellness programs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>States will receive grants to start planning their insurance “markets”, also known as the American Health Benefit Exchanges and the Small Business Health Options Program Exchanges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Enrollment in the Exchanges is planned for 2014.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Cost-saving measures include no longer paying hospitals for certain preventable infections acquired in hospitals; restructuring Medicare Advantage programs so that they are no longer subsidized at the expense of other Medicare beneficiaries (currently Medicare Advantage plan members receive extra benefits when compared with traditional Medicare beneficiaries, due to a 13% increased payment to the plans compared to those on traditional Medicare; the subsidy will decrease to 1% on average, but it will vary from state to state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>See the Wall Street Journal for <a href="http://www.blogger.com/online.wsj.com/article/SB127336164057988979">more information</a>. Those with tax-free health savings accounts will only be able to over-the-counter drugs covered if prescribed by a physician.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Individuals earning over $85,000 per year (couples earning more than $170,000) will continue to pay premiums for Part B coverage, but instead of having this threshold increase yearly it remains frozen. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This will only affect about 5% of Americans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Similarly, about 3% of Part D enrollees will be subject to a new premium for this drug benefit program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>These changes are in effect on January 1<sup>st</sup>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Several other provisions include changes to long-term care, an optional disability insurance program, and several other items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For a full explanation see the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/healthreform.kff.org/timeline">Kaiser Family Foundation</a> or <a href="http://www.healthcare.gov/">www.healthcare.gov</a> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The vast majority of Americans will see many benefits from these changes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A small percentage will benefit, but also will have to pay more for some of their benefits; some may end up saving money despite this increased cost due to full coverage of preventive services.</p> <!--EndFragment-->Sharon Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014404965275565906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568296804124996023.post-65536906643643854442010-12-23T21:15:00.002-05:002010-12-23T22:11:17.854-05:00The grinch who stole health care reform?Families USA <a href="http://www.standupforhealthcare.org/blog/five-things-health-care-grinches-don-t-want-under-your-tree-this-year">does a great job</a> reminding us of all the good the Affordable Care Act has already done with their holiday-themed post, "Five things the health care grinches don't want under your tree this year." The Republicans (and some Democrats) are looking forward to dismantling the law. We hope they don't want to roll back everything we've gotten so far: <a href="http://www.hhs.gov/ociio/regulations/children19/factsheet.html">coverage for all kids</a> regardless of health problems, <a href="http://www.healthcare.gov/law/provisions/preventive/index.html">no cost-sharing</a> for most preventive services in new health plans, <a href="http://www.healthreform.gov/about/answers.html">help for businesses</a> to cover their employees, coverage for <a href="http://www.healthcare.gov/foryou/youngadults/index.html">young adults</a>, and new <a href="http://www.familiesusa.org/resources/publications/reports/health-reform/pre-existing-conditions.html">high risk pools for people with pre-existing conditions</a>. Plus there's more to come in January of 2011, including lower drug costs for seniors on Medicare; free preventive services for seniors; requirements for insurance companies to spend premiums on care, not on advertising; and help coordinating safe discharges from hospital to home for vulnerable patients. Read more at Families USA's <a href="http://www.standupforhealthcare.org/blog/five-things-health-care-grinches-don-t-want-under-your-tree-this-year">Stand Up for Health Care</a> project and at <a href="http://www.healthcare.gov/">healthcare.gov</a>.<br /><br />Happy holidays, and we look forward to working with all of you next year as week keep fighting for health for all.Sharon Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014404965275565906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568296804124996023.post-40698250696614591102010-12-13T20:33:00.005-05:002010-12-15T11:54:06.159-05:00Reform law repeal? Unlikely; many benefits already in effect.<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA, also known as the health reform law) was signed into law, its detractors have been bringing lawsuits everywhere they can find a willing prosecutor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>More than 20 suits have been filed around the country, several of which have been dismissed (in <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/43289.html">Michigan</a> and <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/other/131261-second-judge-rules-healthcare-reform-constitutional">Virginia</a>), and the majority of which are pending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>On December 13<sup>th</sup>, the lawsuit in the Eastern District of Virginia was upheld when the judge ruled the mandate for individuals to buy insurance was unconstitutional, and that the Commerce Clause (regarding regulation of interstate finance) does not allow for a mandate to purchase health insurance (for a complete listing of lawsuits and their status, see <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/health-care-overhaul-lawsuits/?sid=ST2010120605227">The Washington Post</a>). Other clauses are also an issue, but I'll leave that to the experts. Although the judge ruled that component of the law unconstitutional, the rest of the law is not affected.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Some constitutional scholars seem less than pleased with this ruling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Professor Stephen Schwinn, at the American Constitution Society Blog, notes that the decision goes far beyond a ruling on the individual mandate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He argues that the ruling is consistent with rolling back decades of judicial thought and returning the role of the courts to those of the first half of the 20<sup>th</sup> century.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At that time, the Commerce Clause was defined quite narrowly, allowing the courts to obstruct congressional activity considerable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the late 1930s, the courts moved to a more pliant interpretation of the Commerce Clause, taking into account the complexity of our modern economy. (Please read more about it here <a href="http://www.acslaw.org/acsblog/node/17875">http://www.acslaw.org/acsblog/node/17875</a> as I am not a lawyer).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>President Obama, himself a Constitutional scholar, clearly believes this law to be appropriate and within the mandates of the Constitution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There are, of course, some scholars who disagree and believe that requiring people to purchase health insurance is not allowed by the Commerce Clause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Most likely this will end up in the Supreme Court, according to<a href="http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2010/12/health_care_legislating_from_t.html"> policy watchers</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Most supporters of the PPACA believe that an individual mandate to buy insurance is required.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Although the individual mandate was in part a bargaining chip to bring insurers on board to support health reform rather than bring their full advertising muscle against it, it also has value in making the system sustainable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If people are not required to buy health insurance but insurers are required to sell it to everyone regardless of their medical history, some people will simply wait until they’re ill to buy the insurance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If everyone does this, there won’t be enough money in the system to pay for expensive hospital stays or surgeries for those who are ill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As a result, everyone who does pay insurance will have to pay more to cover those who are sick, while others get a free ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Worse, people may still not even buy insurance when they’re sick, then not pay their medical bills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Again, everyone else ends up having to pay more to make up for the people who don’t pay their part. (Here’s a helpful (if dry) <a href="http://healthreform.kff.org/video-explainers/individual-requirement.aspx">video</a> from the Kaiser Family Foundation that explains the concept of the individual mandate more thoroughly)</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Nobody wants to have to pay for insurance, especially if they don’t think they need it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>On the other hand, none of us want to see our friends, family, and neighbors suffer because they can’t afford to see a doctor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In addition, most people will qualify for coverage that is either free or significantly subsidized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Ironically, many of those calling for repeal are those who will have free health care in 2014 when the full effects of the law take place.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The health reform law is already benefiting many people, by requiring insurers to cover preventive services, eliminating pre-existing conditions for children, extending coverage to young adults, and creating special insurance plans for people with pre-existing conditions (see <a href="http://www.healthcare.gov/">www.healthcare.gov</a> for details on all of these provisions).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In 2014 it will benefit far more people, with improved eligibility for Medicaid, subsidized insurance options for the majority of Americans who are uninsured, elimination of denials for coverage for pre-existing conditions, and many other changes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>(Find out how much you can expect to save with the Kaiser Foundation’s <a href="http://healthreform.kff.org/subsidycalculator.aspx">subsidy calculator</a>)</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The individual mandate is just one part of a large reform package meant to improve the way people get health care in the US.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>While its future remains uncertain, the remainder of the plan is intact, and many more benefits can be expected in the future.</p> <!--EndFragment-->Sharon Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014404965275565906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568296804124996023.post-79557144039145796662010-12-09T15:52:00.000-05:002010-12-09T15:53:15.705-05:00More good news for consumers as a result of the Affordable Care Act: No more “mini-med” plans<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">HHS recently <a href="http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/12/20101209c.html">released guidance</a> regarding limited benefit insurance plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>These plans tend to be much less expensive than more comprehensive plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The tradeoff, unfortunately, is that coverage falls short of what’s needed when the subscriber gets sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Some plans only pay $100/day in the hospital (which the true cost can be well over $1,000/day), or have extremely low maximum benefits of only a few thousand dollars.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">These plans are fine for those who are healthy, but any chronic condition or any acute event will rapidly exhaust the coverage, leaving the subscriber without any way to pay for needed care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is the reason such plans will no longer be permitted starting in 2014.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">In the meantime, those people who have no other choice but to continue to use such plans now have increased protection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The plans must make the limits of coverage clear to all subscribers, and must provide information on how to access more options through the healthcare.gov website.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>New limited benefit plans are not allowed (with some exceptions), and existing limited plans will have to obtain waivers to continue operating, and will no longer be allowed at all in 2014.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Although this will make insurance prices go up for some in the future, at this time it ensures consumers know what they’re getting and know where to go to find out about more comprehensive plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Although the limited benefit plans are better than nothing, people deserve the peace of mind that comes with not worrying if the next medical problem they face will lead to bankruptcy.</p> <!--EndFragment-->Sharon Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014404965275565906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568296804124996023.post-75820296137496824882010-12-03T19:50:00.010-05:002010-12-05T21:26:05.862-05:00Town Hall in Brooklyn December 2nd, 2010<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span></span></span>NPA New York Local Action Network cosponsored an event on December 2<sup>nd</sup> with multiple organizations** entitled “Health Reform: The Battles Ahead in Albany and Washington.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Those who attended were fortunate to hear from New York experts Dr. John McDonough (Distinguished Fellow in Public Health at Hunter College); Mark Hannay (Director of <a href="http://metrohealthcare.org/">Metro New York Health Care for All</a>); Kinda Serafi (Senior Health Policy Associate at the <a href="http://www.cdfny.org/">Children’s Defense Fund</a>); NPA’s Dr. Bill Jordan (<a href="http://npalliance.net/">NPA</a> board member and co-chair of health policy for the <a href="http://phanyc.org/">Public Health Association of New York</a>), Jenny Rejeske (Director of Health Advocacy for the <a href="http://thenyic.org/">New York Immigration Coalition</a>), and Lois Uttley (Director of the <a href="http://mergerwatch.org/">Mergerwatch Project</a>, co-founder of <a href="http://www.raisingwomensvoices.net/">Raising Women’s Voices for the Health Care We Need</a>, and Board Member of <a href="http://phanyc.org/">PHANYC</a>).</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><b>Dr McDonough</b> began the talk with an overview of the provision of the Health Reform Act, also known as the PPACA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The goal of the act is to improve access to health care through nine different measures:</p><span><span></span></span><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfoirB9jfjhmlI9ZR5zlOOF_7SKaLOG2BuZL08s-CQydcK6p3RWs5fiWsQ6yKwSKDEv6D-_0425phbBrzyd0Jm-s6G3Z1d_mWhlQHw9X-MjEK-YJGv46HVbMiKEYh9tSyZy3nQkwYq6o/s320/Dec2TownHall.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547389774640330498" /><p class="MsoNormal">1) Affordable and available coverage through creation of an insurance exchange and subsidies</p><p class="MsoNormal">2) Reforms of Medicaid and CHIP (Child Health Insurance Program) to increase the number of people eligible by changing income requirements and covering single adults</p><p class="MsoNormal">3) Delivery system reforms to lower the rate of spending increase throughout the system</p><p class="MsoNormal">4) Prevention and wellness initiatives to improve access to preventive care by eliminating cost-sharing for most preventive services and creating a national program to promote wellness & prevention</p><p class="MsoNormal">5) Workforce initiatives to improve access to primary care</p><p class="MsoNormal">6) Eliminating fraud and abuse</p><p class="MsoNormal">7) Improving access to generic versions of certain expensive medicines</p><p class="MsoNormal">8) New affordable private voluntary disability insurance</p><p class="MsoNormal">9) Attain revenues by increasing taxes on the most wealthy (with an income over $200,000 for individuals, $250,000 for families) and on unearned income, as well as taxes on indoor tanning salons</p> <p class="MsoNormal">He also explained how the reforms enacted would not only pay for themselves, but would end up saving billions of dollars by decreasing costs of health delivery, decreasing costs of taking care of the uninsured nationwide, and reforming the way Medicare and Medicaid work to make them more efficient.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Following Dr McDonough, <b>Mark Hannay</b> explained where we are in New York with this law, and where we have to go to truly make sure all New Yorkers have affordable access to health care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Because most of the implementation of this law falls to the states, we have a tremendous opportunity to turn New York’s program into a model for other states.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>New York has about 2.7 million uninsured right now, of whom about 2 million will be insured once the law takes effect.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Kinda Serafi</b> discussed the advantages of this law for many people who currently are uninsured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>One of the challenges will be to make application for these programs accessible for all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Currently, Medicaid applications can be so long and daunting, or stigmatizing, that many New Yorkers who qualify do not apply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>On implementation, the best case scenario would be to create a system accessible to everyone, by phone, mail, internet, or in person, that could help individuals and families determine what plans they’re eligible for, how much they will cost, and other details.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Although this would require an extensive overhaul of the Medicaid eligibility system, which is currently quite antiquated, but would be well worth the investment.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Dr. Bill Jordan</b> spoke about the challenges posed to the health care workforce by this law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As it is, there aren’t enough primary care doctors to meet demand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When millions more people flow into the system with their new health coverage, we need to make sure there are enough doctors to care for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>To help with this, the PPACA increases loan repayment for primary care providers, redistributes residency training slots to favor primary care sites and rural, underserved areas, and also redirects training funds to increase the supply of general surgeons.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Jenny Rejeske</b> discussed the impact of the law on immigrants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As a group, many immigrants have much to gain from this law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Some immigrants, those who are undocumented, are left behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The majority of immigrants will benefit as the most are here with legal status, either as residents or as naturalized citizens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The key will be to ensure that those eligible for Medicaid and other subsidies are aware that these programs are available to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In addition, we need to ensure that undocumented immigrants are connected to the health care services available to them, including patient financial assistance at all hospitals that accept federal funds, as well as community health centers and HHC clinics and hospitals for those living in New York City. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Lois Uttley</b> finished up by talking about women’s health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In terms of women’s health, there are great gains for most women, in that maternity care will be a mandated service starting in 2014, and preventive services must be provided without a deductible for new insurance plans starting this year (meaning mammograms, pap smears, and STI testing are now free to all women regardless of which insurance plan they use).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The negative for women will be the restrictions on abortion coverage for all new insurances bought through the exchange, as well as a likely similar effect even on those who have insurance now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The law states that each state has the right to limit, prohibit, or restrict coverage abortion in all insurances sold on the exchange (14 states have already taken advantage of this).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Even where abortion coverage is allowed, participants in those plans have to write 2 separate checks to the company, one to cover abortion and one for everything else.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Attendance at the event was impressive at 115.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Audience members asked important questions to clarify the impact of the law on immigrants and children, as well as the future structure of the health care system.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Thanks to all the co-sponsors, panel members, and attendees!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">**<i>Co-sponsors of this event were</i>: <span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://www.liu.edu/Brooklyn/Academics/Schools/SHP.aspx">Long Island University School of Health Professions</a>,</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://www.aarp.org/states/ny/">AARP-NY</a>, <a href="http://phanyc.org/">PHANYC</a>, <a href="http://www.cdfny.org/">Children's Defense Fund-NY</a>, <a href="http://www.cssny.org/">Community Service Society</a>, <a href="http://cirseiu.org/">Committee for Interns and Residents - SEIU</a>, <a href="http://metrohealthcare.org/">Health Care for All New York</a>, <a href="http://www.hlny.org/">Health Care Leaders of New York</a>, <a href="http://thenyic.org/">New York Immigration Coalition</a>, <a href="http://nownys.org/">National Organization for Women - New York State</a>, and <a href="http://raisingwomensvoices.net/">Raising Women's Voices for the Health Care We Need</a></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Sharon Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014404965275565906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568296804124996023.post-51999899490692175142010-11-22T23:10:00.002-05:002010-11-22T23:13:38.347-05:00Medical loss ratio ruling - good news for those with individual insurance policies<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">On November 22<sup>nd</sup>, the Department of Health and Human Services <a href="http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2010/November/22/HOTH-transcript-med-loss-ratio.aspx">issued rules</a> regarding a part of the health reform law known as the medical loss ratio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The new rules require that all insurers must spend at least 80% of the premiums they collect from customers on direct medical care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Currently, some insurers spend as little as 70% of premiums on medical care, such as <a href="(http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundamerica/consumer/industry.html)">doctor and hospital bills and quality improvement initiatives</a> with the rest of the money going to overhead such as administrative costs, advertising, and profit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The new rules should help some consumers see decreased insurance costs, though the insurance companies have been lobbying heavily to have as many expenses as possible classified as direct care costs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the end, though, insurers will not be able to classify running customer service hotlines, executive pay, and other administrative costs as direct care, so they will now have much more of an incentive to spend more money on patient care and less on administration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Some subscribers might actually get a check in the mail as a rebate on their coverage if it turns out the insurer charged too much money.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">This will mostly only apply to people who buy insurance individually; people who get insurance through their employer (if their employer is a large business) will likely not see any change or get any rebate, as most group insurers have a medical loss ratio of 85-90% because of improved administrative efficiency and decreased need to advertise to individuals.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Of course, when we look at Medicare our requirement of a medical loss ratio of 80% seems excessively generous; Medicare’s medical loss ratio is 98-99% because their administrative costs are so low.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In other words, of the tax money we give to Medicare, only 2% at most goes to overhead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is one of the arguments made by single payer advocates; by not having to advertise, by having streamlined enrolment, reimbursement, and funding streams, and by not having to profit from providing care or pay executives, Medicare saves lots of money.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">This new ruling on the medical loss ratio doesn’t get us anywhere near the efficiencies enjoyed by Medicare, but it’s a good first step.</p> <!--EndFragment-->Sharon Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014404965275565906noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568296804124996023.post-57220297566816738672010-11-13T23:43:00.004-05:002010-11-14T00:21:18.641-05:00Support New York City's WomenOne-third of women will have an abortion at some time in their lives. For years, New York City residents seeking abortion care have had to contend with the existence of so-called "pregnancy resource centers" (also known as crisis pregnancy centers, or CPCs) located near clinics that provide abortion services. These "resource centers" are intentionally placed near free-standing abortion clinics such as Planned Parenthood in the hopes of luring women seeking a medical service into their doors. The centers rarely have any medical personnel, and have as their mission to prevent women from choosing abortion (see this recent <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/12/nyregion/12bigcity.html?_r=1">New York Times article</a> for more information). They often do so <a href="http://www.prochoiceny.org/assets/files/cpcreport2010.pdf">using misleading information</a>, and they do so with the help of our tax dollars, according to a <a href="http://www.chsourcebook.com/articles/waxman2.pdf">2006 report</a> commissioned by Representative Henry Waxman. <div><br /></div><div>Because CPCs misleadingly claim to provide medical services and full spectrum pregnancy options, doctors, women, and women's advocates have been rallying to make sure women have full information of what they can expect when walking in the door. Baltimore <a href="http://www.alternet.org/blogs/reproductivejustice/144749/women's_victory:_baltimore_crisis_pregnancy_centers_must_now_disclose_the_limited_nature_of_their_services/">recently passed legislation</a> that would require CPCs to clearly post signs stating that they do not offer or refer for abortion or contraception services.</div><div><br /></div><div>On <a href="http://www.ppaction.org/ppnyc/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=20745673">November 16th 2010 at 1:00 PM</a>, the New York City Council will be hearing testimony from the public to consider similar legislation here. I strongly urge any of our New York physicians who take care of women to either attend the meeting or submit testimony directly to the Council. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is not about the morality of abortion, or judgements about the choices women make. This is about every patient's right to accurate information and to access routine medical services.</div><div><br /></div>Sharon Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014404965275565906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568296804124996023.post-60068857150917562602010-10-07T21:59:00.002-04:002010-10-09T22:28:40.352-04:00To Speaker Quinn: Support the Paid Sick Time Act!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKXik9afIX-jFIAgjI2p68bWkL-ExLzabK-r5ED9ISQv7xcnZjN8l_fz0wu-2wfte_bbTLng2aGGHZJ5d0MYZK6YKsOy4E0P52GJGWv6CFbI9a9k8ZsB_C0sd4MSDpg1Ht2O-ez2sdaQX/s1600/Paid+Sick+Time+1.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKXik9afIX-jFIAgjI2p68bWkL-ExLzabK-r5ED9ISQv7xcnZjN8l_fz0wu-2wfte_bbTLng2aGGHZJ5d0MYZK6YKsOy4E0P52GJGWv6CFbI9a9k8ZsB_C0sd4MSDpg1Ht2O-ez2sdaQX/s200/Paid+Sick+Time+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526238461252693538" border="0" /></a><br />So often, in my office, someone will come in clearly having waited to come see me. I used to wonder why people waited so long- why did they walk around in debilitating pain until they couldn't walk, why did they let their child stay sick and infect everyone else in the household, etc etc. It's not that people don't know better, or that they don't want to. It's often that they can't afford to. And not being able to get off work is frequently the reason. Either out of concern that they may get fired, or because they can't afford not to get paid. And of course, the jobs that are least likely to provide paid sick time are also the ones that pay the least, leaving hard working people- single mothers, manual laborers, young adults- with hard choices to make. Is it going to be rent or going to the doctors this month? No one should ever have to make that choice.<br /><br />So a coalition of physician advocacy organizations decided to visit City Council Speaker Christine Quinn's office today. Dr. Bill Jordan and I from NPA-New York joined with members of CIR (including our ring leader, Tim Foley) and Doctors for America. We learned that although the Council had heard from a few health care professionals, it seemed that the physician voice had been missing. And that the business interests had been the overwhelming lobby in their office. It was important for us to show them how this affected real people, and how the health care field was accomodating this reality.<br /><br />We told them stories of our patients. The first one that came to my mind was during my second job as a Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner. This young woman had come in late on a Friday night after having been sexually assaulted- on Wednesday. Often people come several days after the assault because of fear and shame, but that wasn't the case with her. She came 2 days later because she had to work, as she was the main breadwinner in the house, since she was taking care of her bed-bound mother and siblings. Besides not having time to be able to process this traumatic event until a few days later, she was also too late to get medicines to reduce her chances of contracting HIV, and the morning after pill I gave her was much less effective 2 days later. No one, no one, should have to go through this- not the assault, and not the 2 days of waiting.<br /><br />Others told stories of people resorting to using the Emergency Room for their care, because they couldn't take time off during the day. We spoke about how many of our clinics had shifted their hours to a later time, as well as on weekends, to accomodate for this. We reminded them that contagious illnesses know no bounds. We recounted the conversations we've had with our patients trying to convince them that they need to take time of work because they are sick and need rest or to not transmit their illness to others- often falling on deaf ears because that person cannot afford the time.<br /><br />We really hope that Speaker Quinn and her colleagues in the City Council hear our voices, and pass the Paid Sick Time Act.Dr Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206738668153686820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568296804124996023.post-54268528135832577882010-10-05T13:19:00.004-04:002010-10-05T21:46:24.828-04:00Why we support the New York City Paid Sick Time ActThis week, a coalition of advocacy groups is advocating for the passage of the <a href="http://abetterbalance.org/">New York City Paid Sick Time Act</a>. The idea of this act is that all workers deserve paid sick days. It's hard to believe, but only 37% of the lowest paid workers have any paid sick leave available to them. These are the workers who are most likely to be living paycheck to paycheck, and the least likely to be able to afford a day off from work when they or a family member are sick. This is harmful not only to workers and their families, but also to all of us. If a mother can't take time off to care for her sick child, that child may end up going to school and infecting his classmates, and the mother goes to work and passes the infection on to her colleagues as well.<br /><br />Workers who don't take time off when they or a family member are sick aren't selfish people who don't care about the effects of their behavior on their neighbors. They are people who simply cannot afford to miss even a day of work, or who can't afford a baby sitter for a sick child even for one day. These people suffer, as do their family members.<br /><br />When I was working in the pediatric emergency department a few years ago, I evaluated a seven-year-old girl who was having a severe asthma attack. She had a history of mild asthma, and usually only needed medications a few times a year, but she was suffering from the kind of attack that I usually see only in children with severe asthma. When I spoke with her mother, she revealed that she had contracted a cold a week earlier, and for the last three days was having more and more trouble breathing.<br /><br />It was about 11:30 PM. I asked the mom why she hadn't brought her daughter in sooner. Her face immediately fell, and she started crying. She explained that she knew her daughter was sick, but she was unable to change her work schedule. She was a home health aide, a job at the bottom of the pay scale that rarely comes with benefits. She explained that her rent was late and she simply couldn't take an unpaid day off. Unfortunately, because her daughter had been sick for so long before she came to the hospital she required admission overnight. If she had seen her pediatrician earlier that week she likely would have avoided the ED visit and hospitalization entirely.<br /><br />Yet the consequences of this situation go far beyond the effect on this mother and daughter. Her daughter was in school with a cold for several days, and likely passed it on to her classmates. The mother, while she didn't yet have symptoms, quite likely would get the cold herself and pass it on to her elderly home care patient.<br /><br />The lack of paid sick days affects all of us, and disproportionately affects the poor. Our families, neighbors, friends, and all of us deserve to be able to take a day off when we're sick and not have to worry about the impact it will have on our economic stability.Sharon Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014404965275565906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568296804124996023.post-7713479214646566712010-09-16T22:39:00.002-04:002010-09-17T00:19:55.695-04:006 months of health reform!It's hard to believe it's been 6 months since the Affordable Care Act (aka Health Reform) was signed into law by President Obama. New benefits that have just started include:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Extension of coverage to young adults</span><br />Now young adults whose parents have insurance can be included on their parents' plans, meaning access to affordable health care for young adults up to age 26. For more information see the <a href="http://www.younginvincibles.org/">Young Invincibles</a> website. The Young Invincibles were a critical voice for health reform and continue to work for better health access for young adults.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">No more coverage exclusions for children with pre-existing conditions<br /></span>Believe it or not, up until now children could be denied for coverage for pre-existing conditions, even conditions they were born with. In 2014, the same will be true for adults<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span> </span>as well.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Restrictions on annual limits<br /></span>Many people who have insurance find themselves facing astronomical bills after a serious illness. Starting now, insurers must pay at least the first $750,000 of expenses incurred in a year, and in 2014 these annual limits will be eliminated.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span>For more information see the <a href="http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Features/Insuring-Your-Health/key-health-law-provisions.aspx">Kaiser Health News</a> website<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Sharon Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014404965275565906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568296804124996023.post-74934146118960692902010-07-27T05:52:00.003-04:002010-08-01T16:40:39.589-04:00New DirectionsHello to all! I am the new director of the NPA New York Local Action Network. Now that healthcare reform has become law, we have many exciting new directions in which to go. We will mostly be focusing on local and state-wide projects and plan to continue to work with our community partners to improve the health of all New Yorkers. Some legislation currently on the horizon that we support:<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.nyam.org/initiatives/sp-sbb.shtml">Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax</a> - Obesity is a challenging problem for all of New York, especially among the poor. In the future, obesity and the diseases that come with it, including diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease will take up more and more of our health care dollars. Heavily sweetened beverages are a large source of calories that can lead to obesity, and by taxing them at a higher rate than other beverages we hope to discourage their consumption and also to raise much-needed revenue for obesity prevention programs. There are many competing interests against such a tax and it appeared to be off the table until recently, when Governor Paterson announced he would consider it again.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.nysalm.org/mma.htm">Midwifery Modernization Act </a>- Maternity care in New York has become increasingly medicalized and C-section rates are skyrocketing, without any improvement in the health of women or babies. Midwives who specialize in home births offer a safe alternative for women who want to deliver in the comfort of their own home. Home births are safe when women are at low risk of complications and when attended by a qualified midwife. Current regulations require that midwives attending home births have a "written practice agreement" with an obstetrician. Unfortunately, this regulation does not improve the safety of women giving birth and serves only to limit their choices of where and how to deliver their babies because few obstetricians are willing to sign this agreement. We as physicians know that midwives are highly trained professionals who work in collaboration with other providers; a formal written practice agreement should not be required. All women should have the option of a home birth attended by a midwife. This legislation is currently on the Governor's desk awaiting his signature.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://abetterbalance.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=64&Itemid=64">The New York City Paid Sick Time Act</a> - Currently many workers have no paid sick days at their jobs. As a result, they risk losing valuable income if they don't go to work either to care for themselves or their children. This puts all of us at risk of contracting infectious diseases. Similar initiatives in other cities such as San Francisco have had minimal impact on business productivity.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.fpaofnys.org/leg/reproductivehealthandprivacyprotectionact.asp">Reproductive Health Act</a> - Around the country, access to abortion services is under threat. The Reproductive Health Act seeks to change arcane state laws about abortion services and to regulate abortion under the same code as with all other legal medical procedures. It will also ensure that even if national laws about abortion change, New York will continue to offer abortion services up to 24 weeks, which is consistent with the landmark Supreme Court case (Roe v Wade) that legalized abortion throughout the country nearly 40 years ago. This law will allow women to consult with their doctors in privacy to make the best decisions for themselves. The legislature declined to move on this legislation in this past session.</div><div><br /></div><div>Looking forward to working with you this year!</div><div><br /></div><div>Sincerely,</div><div><br /></div><div>Sharon Phillips</div>Sharon Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014404965275565906noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568296804124996023.post-9243037617759180742010-04-03T09:21:00.000-04:002010-04-03T10:15:56.616-04:00March 22 Health Insurance Reform March on Washington, DCIt was a rainy day and the buses were late but that didn't slow the momentum in the least. Two buses from Union Square set out carrying doctors, medical students, and other health care professionals to join hundreds more in Washington from around the country. The members of NPA-NY who were in attendance were Manisha Sharma, MD, Sharon Phillips, MD, Bill Jordan, MD, and Rafi Pristoop, MD.<br /><br />The entire group first convened at Freedom Plaza where doctors, medical students, and nurses, from DC, New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Boston, Philadelphia, Virginia, Chicago, North Carolina, Florida, and California, gave personal testimonials about the need for Health Insurance Reform. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ncay3LtsS2e2FpWEQxMkS4v3l046jRBQU104Gg24pFa9P1zK7OrHmd9XbysIne3BAzmGya34KfXvdQ8RxF1TU0ssIiHkQ9dogdt4HGdt-DNaSZRbcpQ8LJaJCkQVkmEK5-oc3lA9DMta/s1600/IMG_5075.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ncay3LtsS2e2FpWEQxMkS4v3l046jRBQU104Gg24pFa9P1zK7OrHmd9XbysIne3BAzmGya34KfXvdQ8RxF1TU0ssIiHkQ9dogdt4HGdt-DNaSZRbcpQ8LJaJCkQVkmEK5-oc3lA9DMta/s320/IMG_5075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455907143856271506" border="0"></a><br /><br />Next, we Marched to the Capitol in the pouring rain. Dr. Manisha Sharma led the crowd with spirited cheers using her megaphone. This is a great feat because although doctors are smart, they are generally rather dull people. So to get them yelling at the top of their lungs takes great persuasion and charisma. While we waited in line to enter the Senate Hart Building, where the Press Conference was to take place, we ate our soggy boxed lunches. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShudiXqJp69GFBUA42Z6YcezDjcuBPLNO9mHf9b5Sh4_fSOiF5HE3pnxoQ4e-JQ1M7A241XJBM2KPBrrfuT-HRM6S51Wqpu1jH-5RGGX3bCtaVoQUKVgg_QXMfdKTRp-jLjDCy-LlHJIH/s1600/20100322ds_HealthcareMarchDC_15.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShudiXqJp69GFBUA42Z6YcezDjcuBPLNO9mHf9b5Sh4_fSOiF5HE3pnxoQ4e-JQ1M7A241XJBM2KPBrrfuT-HRM6S51Wqpu1jH-5RGGX3bCtaVoQUKVgg_QXMfdKTRp-jLjDCy-LlHJIH/s320/20100322ds_HealthcareMarchDC_15.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455906599510349890" border="0"></a><br /><br />At the Press conference Senator Bingaman (D- NM), Rep. Jim McDermott MD (D- Seattle), Rep. Jan Shakowski ( D-IL) spoke along with leaders from Doctors For America, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and Nurses Alliance, showing support for the historic bill signed into law. Dr. Rafi Pristoop got to stand on stage next to the speakers. Again, Dr. Sharma led the audience in with great spirit. Senator Bingaman even made the comment, "I've attended a lot of events in this room and I've never seen so much enthusiasm before."<br /><br /> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxnsrJFsCZYFJXwtgxYwxvaHo1Cc4I97xz5a25gAZCllqsblt1jiEDdql8leo5lkFJ0XLdIpI1YImPWVhnBjw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />After the Press Conference Doctors split up and spoke to their respective Senators and Congresspeople. The New York delegations sent doctors to the offices of Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, Rep Yvette Clarke, Rep McMahon, Rep Murphy, Rep Owens, and Rep Towns.<br /><br />The final event of the day was a happy hour at a bar where everyone got to celebrate and relax after over a year of dedication, fighting, and hard work.Stoophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15581965145248594050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568296804124996023.post-68163785172225403422010-03-28T16:30:00.000-04:002010-08-01T16:31:39.825-04:00Thank You to Our Partners<div>Dear Friends, Partners, Colleagues, and Patients,<br /><br />This week was <em>truly historic</em>. For the first time, doctors and community members stood together for health care reform. The lawmakers heard our voice and acted. Because of our work over the past year, nearly all Americans will gain access to guaranteed, quality, affordable care that improves our health.<br /><br />We recognize that the law is not perfect and much work lies ahead. The first step is to call our elected officials and thank them. We also need to learn about the benefits of reform so that we can teach our patients, colleagues, friends, and families. The more we know, the better we can advocate for quality and affordable health care for all.<br /><br />We look forward to continuing our work together in the pursuit of social justice.<br /><br />In unity,<br />NPA NY Leadership</div><div><br /></div><div><b>PARTNERS</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div>Thank you for making a place for physicians in your coalition. Here is a list of some of the many partners with whom we are grateful to have worked.</div><div><br /></div></div><div><a href="http://www.aecom.yu.edu/">Albert Einstein College of Medicine</a></div><div><a href="http://www.amsa.org/">American Medical Student Association</a></div><div><a href="http://apaforprogress.org/">Asian Pacific Americans for Progress</a></div><div><a href="http://brooklynforbarack.org/">Brooklyn for Barack</a></div><div><a href="http://citizenactionny.org/">Citizen Action of New York</a></div><div><a href="http://cirseiu.org/">Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR)</a></div><div>Democratic Club of Northern Manhattan</div><div><a href="http://drsforamerica.org/">Doctors for America (DFA)</a></div><div><a href="http://dghonline.org/">Doctors for Global Health</a></div><div>Downtown East for Obama</div><div><a href="http://greaternycforchange.org/">Greater NYC for Change</a></div><div><a href="http://grittv.org/">Grit TV</a></div><div><a href="http://healthcareforamericanow.org/">Health Care for America Now</a></div><div>Make the Road</div><div><a href="http://metrohealthcare.org/">Metro New York Health Care for All Campaign</a></div><div><a href="http://mssm.edu/">Mount Sinai School of Medicine</a></div><div><a href="http://moveon.org/">MoveON.org</a></div><div><a href="http://thenyic.org/">New York Immigration Coalition</a></div><div><a href="http://www.med.nyu.edu/medicine/dgim/sections/primary/">New York University Primary Care Internal Medicine Residency Program </a></div><div><a href="http://nwbxforchange.org/">NW Bronx for Change</a></div><div><a href="http://www.barackobama.com/">Organizing for America</a></div><div><a href="http://prch.org/">Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health</a></div><div><a href="http://ppnyc.org/">Planned Parenthood NYC</a></div><div><a href="http://phanyc.org/">Public Health Association of NYC</a></div><div>Queens County for Change</div><div><a href="http://raisingwomensvoices.net/">Raising Women's Voices</a></div><div>South Asians for Change</div><div><a href="http://snma.org/">Student National Medical Association</a></div><div><a href="http://www.downstate.edu/">SUNY Downstate Medical School</a></div><div><a href="http://tribecaforchange.org/">Tribeca for Change</a></div><div><a href="http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpcylf">Upper West Side Baby Boomers for Change</a></div><div>Voterbook</div><div>Westchester Health Care Reform Task Force</div><div><a href="http://younginvincibles.org/">Young Invincibles</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568296804124996023.post-38747073610828397542010-03-23T00:15:00.000-04:002010-03-28T16:09:30.465-04:00Victory in DC<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qhQ9dKIdFLRrtu3FGvxJoO3mHVLiwyhBQpgnoKfKzvbpVHvmFBU-p3sHx2nD0sp84fSaKSOpnPG-swCRz-y5BXdSmKnMkvu0S-rkQH7TUSw6q3gT9qp8_gnS_CDLp28pZOCUKMz3Nmh2/s1600-h/CIMG0082.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qhQ9dKIdFLRrtu3FGvxJoO3mHVLiwyhBQpgnoKfKzvbpVHvmFBU-p3sHx2nD0sp84fSaKSOpnPG-swCRz-y5BXdSmKnMkvu0S-rkQH7TUSw6q3gT9qp8_gnS_CDLp28pZOCUKMz3Nmh2/s200/CIMG0082.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451679984808660386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxqNZgyYQzNWnkwe5cUkho6G5soB9ir-NHAC9whs6j2GgP48TyN3Ulrj8hS5bxVqDPz4hyvyo9i_D_jgA7sl3_Fm9aJEE_x4wbjQzXqCZtgXvHdJDRfFTdH0yMi43SCnV5xneT5brCN-j/s1600-h/CIMG0079.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxqNZgyYQzNWnkwe5cUkho6G5soB9ir-NHAC9whs6j2GgP48TyN3Ulrj8hS5bxVqDPz4hyvyo9i_D_jgA7sl3_Fm9aJEE_x4wbjQzXqCZtgXvHdJDRfFTdH0yMi43SCnV5xneT5brCN-j/s200/CIMG0079.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451679977686278690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNaYA1xROd0XGy6Eidu2jNGroz9hyphenhyphenOewzjys-O9wIVvv0Z2_SdmJ70-vo1-lpJv2qjyGAVUVCnnCSeOn8ruRaEZ856xbwaYdgarNxVmaTxQT4Z2jWlBR157cLjyGyWbm1Y0ps6bv4NWIj/s1600-h/CIMG0078.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNaYA1xROd0XGy6Eidu2jNGroz9hyphenhyphenOewzjys-O9wIVvv0Z2_SdmJ70-vo1-lpJv2qjyGAVUVCnnCSeOn8ruRaEZ856xbwaYdgarNxVmaTxQT4Z2jWlBR157cLjyGyWbm1Y0ps6bv4NWIj/s200/CIMG0078.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451679970229068978" border="0" /></a><br /><br><br />300-strong. Today, March 22, 2010, we marched, rallied, and lobbied in DC to celebrate our victory, thank our Representatives, and press our Senators to get the job done. Dr. Manisha Sharma from NPA NY warmed up the crowd.<br /><br />We owe our thanks to all our patients, community partners, elected officials, and colleagues on this momentous day.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxGFR0neQmp2rsP9raFq1hON_RMfs_LKVCrA6_jcpRzDPqWkFXTm9Uz8HHwerdBkZXB37Q9m_0A69e3n05ECA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><div class="photo-wrapper"><br /> <img src="http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/photo/gallery/090811/GAL-09Aug11-2448/media/PHO-09Aug11-213206.jpg" alt="Manisha Sharma of New York leads dozens of medical professionals in a rally showing support for the House health-care bill." width="400" height="266" border="0" /><br /> <h4 class="optTitle">March 22, 2010</h4><br /> <h3 class="caption">Manisha Sharma of New York leads dozens of medical professionals in a rally showing support for the House health-care bill.</h3><br /> <p class="credit">Marvin Joseph-Washington Post</p><br /></div><br /><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568296804124996023.post-66658146139715682912010-02-22T19:32:00.000-05:002010-02-22T21:25:54.879-05:00Feb 20 Brooklyn Bridge March for Health Care Reform on CBS!!!!<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mm5_5d02QMw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mm5_5d02QMw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />A coalition of NYC groups all part of Health Care for America Now!, including MoveOn, National Physicians Alliance, NYC for Change, NY Immigration Coalition and Citizen Action, marched across the Brooklyn Bridge and rallied in front of Wellpoint Insurance in downtown Manhattan, demanding that Congressional Democrats and President Obama finish the fight for real health care reform. For more on the rally, watch this video and listen to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0R80OtyGNYs">Manisha's wonderful speech</a>.Karen Wanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807291775896763076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568296804124996023.post-61117184948009567882010-01-30T18:10:00.000-05:002010-01-30T18:20:47.333-05:00I'm sick of the politics. 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</w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1107304683 0 0 159 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">At this point it seems like everyone’s frustrated with health care reform.<span style=""> </span>Liberals feel betrayed about the public option and worry that we’ll see little actual “reform.” <span style=""> </span>Conservatives are skeptical about the proposals’ ability to control costs, and worry that expanding public programs without stronger cost controls will leave our country further in debt.<span style=""> </span>Having debated compromises, and compromises of those compromises, many of us are left wondering whether health care reform even matters anymore.<span style=""> </span>Well, as an American, I am disappointed in the broken political process; as a progressive, I worry my core values of justice and equity are being undermined; but as a doctor, I cannot give up on reform.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">More than a year ago, Mr. Nelson*, a hypertensive man in his 50’s with two grown daughters and a college bound son, came in as a new patient.<span style=""> </span>He had lost his job as a salesman and with it his health insurance. For awhile, he paid out of pocket for the medication prescribed by his previous doctor, but he could no longer afford them.<span style=""> </span>The community health center where I work offers sliding scale payment and low cost medications, so when he began having severe headaches, he came in to see if we could help.<span style=""> </span>His blood pressure was sky high and I was concerned that he could have a stroke, but he did not want to go to the emergency room fearing the costs.<span style=""> </span>Instead, I wrote a few prescriptions, saw him several times over the next few months, and we finally got his blood pressure under control.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I saw Mr. Nelson again a few weeks back, and he has still been unable to find work.<span style=""> </span>His wife’s employer does not offer health insurance, and with her salary and his unemployment benefits, their income is too high for Medicaid.<span style=""> </span>He could purchase coverage on the non-group market if it was affordable, but he has looked and this is not an option.<span style=""> </span>Over the past year, I have been worried about his daytime fatigue and snoring, and I suspect he has obstructive sleep apnea.<span style=""> </span>However, he cannot afford the thousands of dollars for a sleep study and respiratory equipment, so he must delay this medical care.<span style=""> </span>It is a gap that the health center cannot fill.<span style=""> </span>Each visit he is upbeat about his family and his blood pressure, but I cannot help but worry that sleep apnea is causing permanent damage to his heart and lungs.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I have other patients like Mr. Nelson, and I’m sure there are many other Americans out there as well, who are just getting by, and maybe cutting their pills in half to make them last, and delaying medical care as they focus on more pressing matters like putting their kids through school.<span style=""> </span>The health care horror stories are heart breaking, but thinking about my patients on the verge of a bad outcome or one illness away from bankruptcy, I feel impassioned to demand reform now.<span style=""> </span>We cannot wait for the perfect plan.<span style=""> </span>A health insurance exchange with subsidies for private insurance is not the same as a public health insurance option, but it would offer affordable coverage to Mr. Nelson.<span style=""> </span>If <a href="http://www.apha.org/about/news/ajphreleases/2009/nov2009ajphrelease.htm">45,000 preventable deaths annually</a> are attributable to lack of health insurance, the Senate bill, which covers 2/3 of the uninsured with subsidized private insurance and expanded Medicaid, could potentially save 30,000 lives.<span style=""> </span>If this is not the purpose of health insurance reform, I’m not sure what is.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Many are calling for the <a href="http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20100126_Meaningful_reform_will_require_courage.html">House to pass the Senate bill</a>, and fix issues like the level of premium subsidy via reconciliation.<span style=""> </span>This won’t remake the American health care system into a model of efficiency and equitability, but it does move us from debate to action.<span style=""> </span>It will help 30 million Americans who are uninsured.<span style=""> </span>It will provide security to those with private insurance.<span style=""> </span>It will strengthen primary care, prevention, and wellness.<span style=""> </span>Waiting any longer is just not an option.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">*I thank Mr. Nelson for allowing me to share his story.<span style=""> </span>I have changed his name and other minor details in order to protect his privacy.</p> Dr Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15171714739726069086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568296804124996023.post-49615712882644263352010-01-30T13:03:00.000-05:002010-01-30T13:19:58.076-05:00Families USA 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIC8pKkSqZ6R9mi7wzHSFQjLtAlDjV08LzXTXpq2J7GSayyH4ZWup8cuyVxf1igZs903YYd8ZdIGOjfp6V4QdXenCV-e-rKsqYnN9Z37k7EVH7qRL2VIO3LqigkukdW4nIi98m1AMulaOo/s1600-h/20100128DC02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIC8pKkSqZ6R9mi7wzHSFQjLtAlDjV08LzXTXpq2J7GSayyH4ZWup8cuyVxf1igZs903YYd8ZdIGOjfp6V4QdXenCV-e-rKsqYnN9Z37k7EVH7qRL2VIO3LqigkukdW4nIi98m1AMulaOo/s200/20100128DC02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432599070047436722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpzkSNK8QQPmRc8g6lAhZcREm1EkPkRfYPTnPwke1tAcfni1JbZnTN7OjM4ez9dNj1o39xiMzEs_tdKUa82JdUsGAuIEXu2jDoGGnme0J8QIOxPVSmoQGz0j-ZnicXA0gytr4L8P9MGiX/s1600-h/20100128DC01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpzkSNK8QQPmRc8g6lAhZcREm1EkPkRfYPTnPwke1tAcfni1JbZnTN7OjM4ez9dNj1o39xiMzEs_tdKUa82JdUsGAuIEXu2jDoGGnme0J8QIOxPVSmoQGz0j-ZnicXA0gytr4L8P9MGiX/s200/20100128DC01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432599065851517202" border="0" /></a><br />NPA doctors came out for the Families USA Health Action 2010 Conference in DC this week. Featured here are Drs. Arkoosh, Sriram, and Silver-Isenstadt at a rally in the Dirksen Senate Building. Drs. Aaron Fox, Sharon Phillips, Cameron Page, and William Jordan from our local New York group fanned out for interviews with radio talk show hosts from across the country who came for the conference.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568296804124996023.post-74388118737556559052010-01-30T02:45:00.000-05:002010-02-17T06:35:01.779-05:00Dr. Cameron Page on Progressive Blend RadioHear Dr. Page <a href="http://www.progressiveblendradio.com/interviews/famusarow/Cameron_Page_MD.mp3">here</a>.NPA-New Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13109697581914453105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568296804124996023.post-52830256381524366012010-01-30T02:30:00.000-05:002010-02-17T06:29:24.874-05:00Dr. Aaron Fox on Warren Ballentine ShowLong show, skip to hour 2 minute 34.<br /><br /><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="480" height="386" id="utv763526" name="utv_n_332694"><param name="flashvars" value="autoplay=false" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.ustream.tv/flash/video/4297405" /><embed flashvars="autoplay=false" width="480" height="386" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" id="utv763526" name="utv_n_332694" src="http://www.ustream.tv/flash/video/4297405" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" /></embed></object>NPA-New Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13109697581914453105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568296804124996023.post-44864576995068591722010-01-30T02:00:00.000-05:002010-02-17T06:21:28.870-05:00Dr. Aaron Fox on the Radio<h1><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 16px; ">Quoted from <span class="author"><a href="http://talkradionews.com/author/unm/" title="Posts by University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service">University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service</a></span> on <span class="date">January 29, 2010</span> | <span st_page="home" class="stbuttontext"><a st_page="home" href="javascript:void(0)" title="ShareThis via email, AIM, social bookmarking and networking sites, etc." class="stbutton stico_default">ShareThis</a><br /><br />Dr. Aaron Fox with the National Physicians Alliance explains what his organization does, and details how health care reform would benefit Americans. (5:32)</span></span></h1><div class="podPress_content"><div style="display: block;" id="podPressPlayerSpace_1"><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://talkradionews.com/wp-content/plugins/podpress/players/podango_player.swf" id="audioplayer1" width="290" height="24"> <param name="movie" value="http://talkradionews.com/wp-content/plugins/podpress/players/podango_player.swf"> <param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&bg=0xF8F8F8&leftbg=0xEEEEEE&text=0x666666&lefticon=0x666666&rightbg=0xCCCCCC&rightbghover=0x999999&righticon=0x666666&righticonhover=0xFFFFFF&slider=0x666666&track=0xFFFFFF&loader=0x9FFFB8&border=0x666666&listen_wrapper=off&soundFile=http://media.libsyn.com/media/talkradionews/20100129AaronFoxRadioRow.mp3"> <param name="quality" value="high"> <param name="menu" value="false"> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></object></div><br /><a href="http://media.libsyn.com/media/talkradionews/20100129AaronFoxRadioRow.mp3" target="new"><img src="http://talkradionews.com/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/audio_mp3_button.png" class="podPress_imgicon" alt="icon for podpress" align="top" border="0" /></a> Standard Podcast [5:32m]: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=7568296804124996023#" onclick="javascript: podPressShowHidePlayer('1','http://media.libsyn.com/media/talkradionews/20100129AaronFoxRadioRow.mp3',300,30,'true'); return false;"><span id="podPressPlayerSpace_1_PlayLink">Hide Player</span></a> | <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=7568296804124996023#" onclick="javascript: podPressPopupPlayer('1', 'http://media.libsyn.com/media/talkradionews/20100129AaronFoxRadioRow.mp3',300,30); return false;">Play in Popup</a> | <a href="http://media.libsyn.com/media/talkradionews/20100129AaronFoxRadioRow.mp3" target="new">Download</a><br /><br /></div> <div class="b art_bottom">January 29, 2010 </div>NPA-New Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13109697581914453105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568296804124996023.post-32358043177256447452010-01-29T20:00:00.000-05:002010-02-17T06:22:17.055-05:00Dr. Sharon Phillips on the RadioDr. Sharon Phillips spoke on Hard Knock Radio, out of the Pacifica affiliate in Berkeley, California.<br /><tr><td><br /></td><td height="31" valign="top">Friday<br />01/29/10</td><td><br /></td><td valign="top">Davey D continues to report from the Families USA Health Action 2010 Conference. First he talks with Congressman James E. Clyburn (D-SC) about passing legislation to help poor people and his thoughts on Katrina and Haiti. Then he talks with Democratic Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow on how Michigan will come back from this economic crisis. Finally, an interview about health care and reproductive rights with Dr. Sharon Phillips.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><script language="JavaScript" src="http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/kbcs/convio/audio/audio-player.js"></script><br /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data=" http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/kbcs/convio/audio/player.swf" id="audioplayer1" height="24" width="290"><br /><br /><param name="movie" value=" http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/kbcs/convio/audio/player.swf"><br /><param name="FlashVars" value="playerID=1&soundFile=http://kbcsweb.bellevuecollege.edu/downloads/HKR/HKR_20100129.MP3"><br /><param name="quality" value="high"><br /><param name="menu" value="false"><br /><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><br /></object><br /></td><td><br /></td></tr>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568296804124996023.post-13438765624591424932010-01-27T02:00:00.000-05:002010-01-30T11:56:11.726-05:00Haiti Benefit Success<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeg7VzfwnxKVbhzaI090ABFgpCNk0fix3dvd4l8lyKKgOa3SG1e39zv8CToDZh1uWTZ3bBQR6fMuZ0ROZ9NJFjxzlA63EHuevUFYl93VKNwU0KwAhzCklbnbQXheAqJq4n1i7W3Iwa33IA/s1600-h/2010+01+26+Haiti03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeg7VzfwnxKVbhzaI090ABFgpCNk0fix3dvd4l8lyKKgOa3SG1e39zv8CToDZh1uWTZ3bBQR6fMuZ0ROZ9NJFjxzlA63EHuevUFYl93VKNwU0KwAhzCklbnbQXheAqJq4n1i7W3Iwa33IA/s200/2010+01+26+Haiti03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432577435391056274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">See below for a message from our partner in the Haiti Benefit. Dr. Manisha Sharma pictured at the event.</span></span><div style="margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><p style="margin: 0pt 0pt 1.3em; padding: 3px 0pt 0pt; font-family: Sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5em; vertical-align: top;">_________________________________________________________________<br /></p><p style="margin: 0pt 0pt 1.3em; padding: 3px 0pt 0pt; font-family: Sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5em; vertical-align: top;">Thanks to all those who attended our "Stand with Haiti" grassroots benefit. It was a moving night, perhaps best expressed in the words of an earthquake survivor who had just arrived in New York.</p> <p style="margin: 0pt 0pt 1.3em; padding: 3px 0pt 0pt; font-family: Sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5em; vertical-align: top;">Soft-spoken and eloquent, she told her story in her native Creole. She reminded all of us how helpful each contribution was to the people of Haiti in rebuilding their nation. How she had seen so many children who were tired and sad, and who have no home to return to.</p> <p style="margin: 0pt 0pt 1.3em; padding: 3px 0pt 0pt; font-family: Sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5em; vertical-align: top;">Through the generous contributions of our wonderful New York City community, <strong style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">we were able to raise $2,250</strong> to help these children rebuild their future. Amity Hall, who had initially pledged 10% of their revenue, <strong style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">ended up</strong> <strong style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">donating much</strong> <strong style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">more</strong>, citing the worthiness of the cause.</p> <p style="margin: 0pt 0pt 1.3em; padding: 3px 0pt 0pt; font-family: Sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5em; vertical-align: top;">Our heartfelt thanks goes out to them and to you. We know you took time out of your busy schedules to attend our event. And for those who could not attend, or would like to give more, please visit Partners in Health online, at <a href="http://go.madmimi.com/redirects/8a94dd0f10512a9b22dfbdad62a7e9dd?pa=609113884" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">www.standwithhaiti.org</a>.<br /></p><p style="margin: 0pt 0pt 1.3em; padding: 3px 0pt 0pt; font-family: Sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5em; vertical-align: top;">With kind regards,<br />Aliya Quraishi<br />NYC for Change</p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568296804124996023.post-41705353985956622652010-01-26T20:00:00.000-05:002010-01-30T12:27:30.429-05:00Bronx Rally<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rX2PYQ6_bmA&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rX2PYQ6_bmA&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />I spoke to a small but enthusiastic Bronx crowd who braved the cold to support health care reform. This was one of hundreds of coordinated rallies nationwide on Tuesday, January 26, 2010. Rep Engel sent Staffer Shirley Saunders to voice his support. -William Jordan, MD<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqSeZCL-Q42tn4lMNuE5Tz9vZ2JcjnfEncUhlQL5CPNYzMvpGO2mMTIFsc_W3WGFX9c8TJyk5yeT8MEel_SXPeKnLaBq08T-_3qW1Qbb9PKMjHAtHiE7yFwgoTxk4Nt1glTFFs3jMbBMK/s1600-h/20100126bx2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqSeZCL-Q42tn4lMNuE5Tz9vZ2JcjnfEncUhlQL5CPNYzMvpGO2mMTIFsc_W3WGFX9c8TJyk5yeT8MEel_SXPeKnLaBq08T-_3qW1Qbb9PKMjHAtHiE7yFwgoTxk4Nt1glTFFs3jMbBMK/s200/20100126bx2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432578884650139970" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0