Affordable Health Care...

Houston, Texas, November 18, 2012 — People and providers of Houston were invited took an in-depth look at the Affordable Care Act during the month of September.  Over the course of four days, a variety of healthcare experts spoke to members of the community, healthcare workers, and religious based leaders learned about changes to come to healthcare and what to expect when changing the paradigm from “sick care to health care.”

By the end of the Healthy Lives, Healthy Futures Symposium over 300 Houstonians all agreed one thing; the issue of healthcare is a people issue and not a political issue.  “We need to refocus on health and not disease,” said Reverend Linda Walling. “This issue transcends partisanship,” she continued.  Walling, Executive Director of Faithful Reform in HealthCare, reminded the audience of other issues American citizens first opposed but then later embraced.  Issues like child labor laws, a women’s right to vote and the civil rights of African Americans and minority groups were all once controversial, political topics. 

The new law brings a “mind, body and soul” approach to healthcare.  It is integration rather than receiving care in silos. It is wellness through prevention instead of treating an illness.  Under the mandate of the law healthcare workers, providers and even congregations are eligible for incentive payments by improving the health condition of others.   

^{Click here for more...}

Houston Learns Facts About Affordable Healthcare

Houston, Texas, November 18, 2012 — The Greater Houston Coalition of Healthy Futures is celebrating the success of a great turn out at the Healthy Lives, Healthy Futures Symposium.  The big story for the weekend was the protection of customers instead of companies, ways to prevent the misuse and abuse of Medicare and the elimination of rejection from insurance plans because of preexisting conditions. 

Although the Affordable Care Act does not officially go into effect until the year 2014, some parts of the law are already active and are affecting the lives of Houstonians now.  For the next sixteen months an estimated 5,600 people can and will receive insurance because insurance companies can no longer exclude children with preexisting conditions, like asthma or diabetes.  Small businesses may be able to receive a tax credit up to $7,400 for providing healthcare to employees and an estimated 3.3 million will most likely be eligible for Medicaid.     

Houstonians were happy and are looking forward to the Affordable Care Act ending the abuse and misuse of Medicare made by practices, providers and agents which in turn will actually strengthen Medicare. For example, right now Medicare pays prescription costs for senior citizens up to a certain dollar amount.  After that dollar amount, the senior is then forced to pay out of pocket for their prescriptions until Medicare kicks back in and pay for prescriptions again.  This effect is called the “doughnut hole” and with the Affordable Care Act we can expect for the doughnut holes to be phased out by the year 2020.

Each day of the symposium was focused on a specific audience.  Friday was for medical providers, Saturday the religious community, Sunday included the entire Houston community and Monday was for behavioral and mental health providers.  

A few Texas celebrities and government officials were in attendance at the symposium.  Fox 26 news anchor, Jose Grinan, acted as Master of Ceremonies and stressed how important it is to take care of ourselves.  Health and Human Services Regional Director, Marjorie Petty, educated providers on Act’s impact on women and women’s health service issues. 

Other featured speakers were. Executive Director of Faithful Reform in Health Care, Reverend Linda Walling engaged audiences in interactive conversations and answered direct questions about the upcoming healthcare reform.  Mr. Michael Duffy warned behavioral health providers to become Medicaid licensed, to integrate with a health care partner and discussed the challenges of certified electronic health records.

###

Press Release: Providers and Public Informed about Accessing Healthcare at the Healthy Lives, Healthy Futures Symposium

Houston, Texas, September 1, 2012—Now that the Supreme Court has upheld the Affordable Care Act, what does that mean for YOU? 

The Healthy Lives, Healthy Futures Symposium will be held September 7th -10th to educate an estimated 1.1 million uninsured and under insured members of the Greater Houston area community and healthcare providers on accessing healthcare.  The purpose of the symposium is to simplify the Affordable Care Act and to inform people on what the law will pay for, will not pay for and any out-of-pocket costs to expect in 2014. The event is free to everyone.

The event for the general public will be held on Sunday, September 9th from 3:30- 6:30 pm.  A variety of healthcare experts will be available Sunday afternoon to answer questions on how to access healthcare. Featured speakers, Randall Wright, MD and Veronica D. Moore, will speak about the impact of the Act to American citizens and what to expect when going from “sick care to health care.”  

Continue Reading...