Strengthening Immigrants Health Access: Current Opportunities

While the Affordable Care Act (ACA) does not expand access to health insurance for undocumented immigrants, it may pave the way to health care coverage for as many as six million legal immigrants who have had trouble obtaining insurance, and may begin to close the coverage gap between immigrants and native-born adults. First, legal immigrants who do not have health insurance will be able to sign up for coverage through the new on-line exchanges, and may also qualify for federal tax credits that will make a health plan more affordable. In addition, many lawfully present immigrants will also become eligible for Medicaid under the ACA reforms. Dr.  Leighton Ku, author of the policy brief  “Strengthening Immigrants’ Health Access: Current Opportunities,” will outline both  the opportunities and  obligations that federal health reform law will bring to lawfully present immigrants, who have obtained green cards or visas allowing them to work, study  and live in the United States.  Dr. Ku is Professor, Dept. of Health Policy and Director, Center for Health Policy Research in the School of Public Health and Health Services, George Washington University.  State-specific experience and commentary on immigrant insurance coverage and health care access will be provided by Elizabeth Swain, President & Chief Executive Officer, Community Health Care Association of New York State, and Bobbi Ryder President & CEO,  National Center for Farmworker Health, Inc.

Presenters: Leighton Ku, PhD, MPH Professor, Dept. of Health Policy Director, Center for Health Policy Research School of Public Health and Health Services George Washington University     Bobbi Ryder President & Chief Executive Officer National Center for Farmworker Health, Inc.      Elizabeth H. Swain, MA President & Chief Executive Officer Community Health Care Association of New York State

Thursday, Feb 6, 2014, 3:00-4:30pm EST

or visit this link

https://cne.memberclicks.net/index.php?option=com_mc&view=mc&mcid=form_158535 

Notice to WIC Clients and Vendors

Despite the continuing partial shutdown of the federal government, the Virginia Department of Health is confident that it has identified funding options to keep the WIC program running through at least November 1, 2013. 

This funding includes 2013 WIC carryover dollars, rebates from Virginia’s infant formula contract, reimbursement from Medicaid, money from a USDA emergency contingency fund and continued prudent program oversight by WIC staff throughout the state. Additionally, there is no need for any furloughs within the WIC staff through at least November 1, 2013.  It remains “business as usual” for WIC operations in Virginia. Any and all updates for WIC clients and vendors will be posted on http://www.vahealth.org/DCN/General Info/newwic.htm.

Hospital prices fall 0.1% in August

Overall hospital prices declined 0.1% in August, and were 1.5% higher than a year ago, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. Prices for the subgroup of general medical and surgical hospitals were unchanged for the month, and 1.5% higher than in August 2012, according to the BLS' Producer Price Indices, which measure average changes in selling prices received by domestic producers for their output. For hospitals, this translates into actual or expected reimbursement for a sample of treatments or services. The PPI for hospitals measure changes in actual or expected reimbursement received for services across the full range of payer types. This includes the negotiated contract rate from the payer plus any portion expected to be paid by the patient.

New Rural Health Resource

The use of health IT enables better care coordination and instant access to patient information, which can improve health care quality and patient outcomes in rural communities. Follow this link to see some of the ways Health IT will be especially beneficial to rural America where distances between…

Rural Health Resources | Providers & Professionals | HealthIT.gov

http://www.healthit.gov/ruralhealth

Health Insurance Marketplace: Open Enrollment Begins October 1

Starting October 1, 2013, you can enroll in health coverage through the  Health Insurance Marketplace.  The Marketplace allows you to compare your options and find the one that best fits your  needs and budget. Coverage goes into effect as early as January 1, 2014. Learn 4 steps to getting coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

National Prevention Strategy Toolkit

Explore each Strategic Direction and Priority Area in this graphic to find topic-specific resources for each action step

Submit your story and resources on how you are implementing the National Prevention Strategy in your state!

Briefly describe your work in an area related to the National Prevention Strategy and we'll follow up with you soon to finalize your submission to be shared on our website. Go to submission form

Choose Virginia

Don't Miss Out on Virginia's Family Medicine Day!

When: October 12, 2013

Where: Crowne Plaza Hotel - Richmond Downtown, Richmond, Virginia

Who: You are cordially invited to participate in CHOOSE VIRGINIA on Saturday, October 12, 2013. Join medical students, NP students and PA students for the opportunity to participate in a series of comprehensive clinical and procedural hands-on workshops provided by Virginia Family Medicine Residency Program Faculty. This is a valuable opportunity to network with other students along with family medicine residents and faculty from Virginia's Family Medicine Residency Programs.

Additional meeting information, an agenda and on-line registration information will be sent to you via e-mail in late summer. Please also note that complimentary sleeping rooms will be available on a limited first come first serve basis for out of town students.

Don't Miss Out on this Outstanding Opportunity! For more information, please call 1-800-THE-VAFP.

Dr. Wendy Welch Finalist for 2014 APHA’s Fellowship in Government →

Social Determinants of Black-White Disparities in Breast Cancer Mortality: A Review

Despite the recent decline in breast cancer mortality, African American women continue to die from breast cancer at higher rates than do White women. Beyond the fact that breast cancer tends to be a more biologically aggressive disease in African American than in White women, this disparity in breast cancer mortality also reflects social barriers that disproportionately affect African American women. These barriers hinder cancer prevention and control efforts and modify the biological expression of disease. The present review focuses on delineating social, economic, and cultural factors that are potentially responsible for Black-White disparities in breast cancer mortality. This review was guided by the social determinants of health disparities model, a model that identifies barriers associated with poverty, culture, and social injustice as major causes of health disparities. These barriers, in concert with genetic, biological, and environmental factors, can promote differential outcomes for African American and White women along the entire breast cancer continuum, from screening and early detection to treatment and survival. Barriers related to poverty include lack of a primary care physician, inadequate health insurance, and poor access to health care. Barriers related to culture include perceived invulnerability, folk beliefs, and a general mistrust of the health care system. Barriers related to social injustice include racial profiling and discrimination. Many of these barriers are potentially modifiable. Thus, in addition to biomedical advancements, future efforts to reduce disparities in breast cancer mortality should address social barriers that perpetuate disparities among African American and White women in the United States. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(11):2913–23)  Click here to read full review

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). Since the program began in 1985, mammography rates have more than doubled for women age 50 and older and breast cancer deaths have declined.

However, minority populations are not sharing equally in this bounty. The essence of health disparities in our communities is manifested in the way breast cancer affects communities of color.

African American women have a slightly higher incidence rate of breast cancer than White women before age 35, but that situation reverses itself after age 35. However, African American women are more likely to die from breast cancer at every age.

Latinas are in a similar situation. Hispanic women are about 40% less likely to have breast cancer than white women; however, they have a higher risk of dying from the disease.

Click here to learn more

October is Children's Health Month.

If you are a parent or caregiver, check out these resources to help promote your child's good health:

• Vaccines -- Vaccination is one of the best ways to protect children from several potentially serious diseases. Get recommended vaccine information based on your child's age group.
• Nutrition Resources and 10 Kid-Friendly Veggies and Fruits (pdf) -- Encourage children to eat vegetables and fruits by making it fun. Get ideas for healthy snacks and meals.
• Child Development -- Get the basics about healthy development; learn about specific conditions that affect development; get parenting tips; and more.
• Developmental Milestones -- Skills such as crawling, walking, and waving are developmental milestones. Check out milestones for children between the ages of two months and five years.
• Oral Health -- Find out what you can do to help prevent tooth decay and other oral diseases. 
• Child Safety -- Get resources to help keep your child safe during different stages of development.
• Physical Activity -- Children need 60 minutes of play with moderate to vigorous activity every day. Get ideas for steps you can take to increase your child's level of activity.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease

CDC/NCEH-Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry/APHA: Webinar. This is the fourth in a four-part series. When Every Drop Counts: Initiatives in Indian Country Monday, Oct. 22, 1 p.m.- 2 p.m. EDT. Learn More

Exploring Refugee Mental Health Screening in your Organization

Exploring Refugee Mental Health Screening in your Organization RHS-15 Refugee Mental Health Screening Tool workshop for mental health professionals and refugee case workers.


November 14th, 9 a.m. to 1p.m.
Holiday Inn Patriot

3032 Richmond Road,
Williamsburg, VA 23185

This FREE ½ day workshop will present the RHS-15 as an assessment tool to assist staff in the early identification of refugee emotional distress and identify individuals who may benefit from a referral to community mental health program and (ii) begin the identification of the infrastructure needed for such a tool to be useful.

This workshop is only open to individuals working in mental health and refugee resettlement organizations. Space is limited.

Workshop Goals

• Review the RHS-15 tool and strategies for how to operationalize it in your organization.

• Describe the process and approach taken in integrating the RHS-15 in King County, WA

• Analyze various issues to consider before adopting the RHS-15 in your community

• Discuss the challenges and successes with integrating mental health into resettlement


More on this tool can be found here

• http://www.refugeehealthta.org/webinars/mental-health-screening-and-care/tools-and-strategies-for-refugee-mental-health-screening-introducing-the-rhs-15-2/

• http://www.refugeehealthta.org/files/2012/09/RHS15_Packet_PathwaysToWellness.pdf


About the Presenter

Beth Farmer, M.S.W., is the Project Director for the Pathways to Wellness project, a project designed to offer early intervention and support to refugees with depression, anxiety and traumatic stress disorders. She is also the Director of International Counseling and Community Services, a licensed mental health program of Lutheran Community Services Northwest that primarily serves refugees. She has spent over two decades as a social worker, primarily in the fields of women’s health and multicultural issues.

*We understand that the start time may make travel difficult for staff coming long distances. As this is the only session being held, requests for hotel scholarships will be considered. Contact Cecily.Rodriguez@dbhds.virginia.gov BEFORE YOU REGISTER for more information.

Register at http://tinyurl.com/8ouszdc


Sponsored by The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

Made possible by a grant from The Virginia Department of Social Services- Office of Newcomer Services.

National Rural Health Day!

I know it’s still summertime – but believe it or not, National Rural Health Day is less than three months away! While National Rural Health Day will again fall on the third Thursday of November – November 15, to be exact – NOSORH is busy planning a series of events and activities leading up to National Rural Health Day in the hopes of making this year’s celebration more exciting.  We’re doing this for two reasons: first, we want to give those of you planning your own National Rural Health Day activities a greater opportunity to participate in one or more of NOSORH’s NRHD-related activities; and second, there’s just too much good stuff going on to try to cram into one day! Because we’re going to spread our celebration over several days and to help others planning their own National Rural Health Day celebrations, NOSORH has developed a series of National Rural Health Day Celebration Themes that individuals and organization can use to “focus” their events and activities around specific topics.  Primary themes/focus areas that NOSORH plans to address during this year’s celebration include:

• Welcome to Rural America:   an overview of rural America and some of the people, places and things that make it unique.

• Exploring the Issues:  an overview of some of the most pertinent/critical policy issues facing rural America today.

• Doing More with Less:  the economy is bad; budgets are being stretched to the limit; programs are at risk of being cut.  What to expect following the presidential/congressional elections, and what can be done to move ahead regardless of their outcomes.

• Provider Appreciation Day:  an opportunity to honor the individuals/organizations going to great lengths to meet the healthcare needs of rural residents. 

• Looking Toward the Future:  a glimpse at what is already being done – and what must be done– to help rural communities prepare to meet their future needs.

Please be sure to visit the General Resources section of the National Rural Health Day website to download a more detailed list ofNational Rural Health Day Celebration Themes that includes lists of possible topics to be addressed within those themes. We also know that many SORHs and rural partners are busy planning conferences, award ceremonies, and/or other assorted events and activities celebrating National Rural Health Day.  We’d love to know what everyone is doing and hear how everyone is promoting this year’s celebration – which is why we’ve once again posted the National Rural Health Day Celebration Checklist on the NRHD website.  This Google spreadsheet is a great resource for letting us know what you’re planning, and it’s a great way to boost your plans by seeing what everyone else is doing – so be sure to visit the link and update your state’s information as frequently as possible! Here are a few additional resources already available on the National Rural Health Day website to help with your planning:

• National Rural Health Day Logos  (available in PDF and JPG formats);

• a “Save the Date” Card to help you promote National Rural Health Day to others; and

• a list of National Rural Health Day Key Messages to emphasize when promoting your event and/or reaching out to media, potential partners and other stakeholders.

 We’ll be posting even more resources throughout August and September, so be sure to visit the National Rural Health Day website on a regular basis.