1) Reforming Long-Term Care and Post-Acute Care Could Save Billions by Anne Tumlinson (source: The Health Care Blog )

"Despite the extreme inside-the-Beltway focus on healthcare reform, there’s been hardly a mention of tackling reform of our long-term care system.  This is curious when you stop to consider that these services are used by the same seniors who use the most healthcare resources and that they account for hundreds of billions of dollars of personal and federal spending.  Our existing system strains already-stretched government resources and family networks and will become only more expensive as our nation ages."

2) Medicaid and Long-Term Care Services and Support (source: Kaiser Family Foundation)

"This updated fact sheet provides an overview of long-term care services, delivery of such services, and the large role Medicaid plays in financing long-term care."

3) US Senators begin Writing Healthcare Overhaul Bill (source: VisitBulgaria.info)

"Leaving tough decisions like how to cover the uninsured and pay for it until later, U. S. Senators in an effort to revamp the U. S. healthcare system have begun fleshing out proposals aimed at improving the quality of healthcare."

I thought it would be appropriate to provide my readers information about the recent swine flu breakout. The following video was provided by ICYOU , a video-based website dedicated to providing health related information.

The following website and data table was provided from the most trusted agency for infection control and prevention – the CDC.

CDC’s Swine Flu Information Center (source: CDC)

U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection
(As of April 28, 2009, 11:00 AM ET)

State	# of laboratory confirmed cases
California	10 cases
Kansas	2 cases
New York City	45 cases
Ohio	1 case
Texas	6 cases
TOTAL COUNT	64 cases
International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection See: World Health Organization

It can be a chore to transfer medical records from one doctor to another; but, Google has made this task easier with Google Health. Here is what the free service provides (source: Google Health ):

Google Health puts you in charge of your health information. It’s safe, secure, and free.

• Organize your health information all in one place
• Gather your medical records from doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies
• Share your information securely with a family member, doctors or caregivers

Google stores your information securely and privately, but you always control how it’s used. We will never sell your data. You are in control. You choose what you want to share and what you want to keep private.

For more information, please visit the follow link for a free tour and to start a free account: Google Health

The "Call to Action" Whitepaper outlines the Senate Finance Committee’s proposal for healthcare reform. Max Baucus – Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee – states the following about the Senate’s efforts:

To the American People:
"It is the duty of the next President and the next Congress to reform America’s health care system.  In 2009, Congress must take up and act on meaningful health reform legislation that achieves universal coverage while also addressing the underlying problems in our health system.  The urgency of this task has become undeniable.

In preparing to act, I led the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance in holding nine hearings on health care reform this year, and hosted a day-long health summit in June 2008 to explore in greater depth the problems plaguing our health system.  Additionally, I have spent a good deal of time talking to colleagues on both sides of the aisle and to stakeholders in the health care industry to get better perspectives on the issues that matter.

This paper – this “Call to Action” – represents the next step.  It is not intended to be a legislative proposal.  Rather, it details my vision for both policy and the process in the upcoming health care reform debate.  The plan contained outlined here addresses health care coverage, quality, and cost.  Many components will require an initial investment but, over time, will vastly improve the quality of the health care Americans receive and reduce the cost of that health care, ultimately putting our system on a more sustainable path.  It is my intention that after ten years the U.S. will spend no more on health care than is currently projected, but we will spend those resources more efficiently, and will provide better-quality coverage to all Americans.

The health system is so complex that any solution will demand time and attention to make sure we get it right.  This plan is most certainly a work in progress.  But the intention of this “Call to Action” is to encourage constructive input by policymakers, stakeholders, and health policy thought leaders to move us forward.  I look forward to discussing this plan with President-Elect Obama, with my colleagues in Congress, and with stakeholders in the health care system, working collaboratively with all to enact an effective health reform law.

Americans who care deeply about the future of our health system and our economy must all take up the fight together for comprehensive health care reform.  My door will be open throughout the debate, and I will seek partners with “can do” spirits and open minds.  I believe — very strongly — that every American has a right to high-quality health care through affordable, portable, meaningful health coverage.  And I believe that Americans cannot wait any longer."

I have three interesting research reports relating to health policy. These articles were taken from The UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, which is one of the nation’s leading health policy research centers and the premier source of health policy information for California. Established in 1994, the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research is based in the School of Public Health and affiliated with the School of Public Affairs.

1) What Does It Take for a Family to Afford to Pay for Health Care? by D. Carroll et al.

Abstract (source: UCLA Center for Health Policy Research)

"This report, jointly authored by the California Budget Project and the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, finds that many California families spend a substantial amount on health care premiums and out-of-pockets costs, and could face financially devastating medical expenses if they are not adequately protected. The report recommends that health care reform proposals ensure that families can realistically afford premiums and out-of-pocket costs, such as copayments and deductibles."

2) Sociodemographic, Fmaily, and Environmental Factors Associated with Active Commuting… by S. Babey et al.

Abstract (source: UCLA Center for Health Policy Research)

"Active commuting (non-motorized transport) to school can be an important source of physical activity for children and adolescents. This research examined sociodemographic, family, and environmental characteristics associated with active commuting to or from school among 3,451 US adolescents aged 12–17 years, who responded to the 2005 California Health Interview Survey. Logistic regression results indicated that those more likely to actively commute were males, Latinos, from lower-income families, attending public school, living in urban areas, and living closer to school. Adolescents without an adult present after school and those whose parents know little about their whereabouts after school were also more likely to actively commute."

3) High Cost of Insurance Outweighs other Barriers for Mid-Size Firms by N. Pourat et al.

Abstract (source: UCLA Center for Health Policy Research)

"The continued decline of employment-based coverage in California and more than 6.6 million uninsured residents are major reasons for concern, since health insurance is the primary means by which health care for employed persons and their families is financed in the state. California employers have different advantages in the provision of health insurance to their employees depending on their firm size."