Los Angeles Business Journal’s Post

The narrative around Obamacare co-ops has often been one of failure, but a recent article by POLITICO paints a different picture. Morrison, the former Montana insurance commissioner, states, "The co-ops did not fail at all. The co-ops were killed." In fact, a study by the NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF STATE HEALTH COOPERATIVES found that in the 23 states with co-op plans, premiums were 8.4% lower on average in the first year compared to states without co-ops. Take Maine Community Health Options, for example. After a financial collapse in 2015, it worked closely with state regulators to renegotiate contracts and cut costs, ultimately staying afloat. Wisconsin's Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative faced a similar crisis but managed to secure a $30 million payment, ensuring its survival. Mountain Health received an $8 million "surplus note" from St. Luke's Health System in Boise, which was crucial for its continuity. These co-ops demonstrate that with strategic planning, external support, and a bit of good fortune, they can not only survive but contribute positively to the healthcare market. #Healthcare #Obamacare #CoOps #Resilience #Adaptability https://lnkd.in/gfm76gx3

As health care costs continue to surge, employers and workers have felt a hefty strain on their finances. #HealthCareCosts have ballooned 20% in 5 years 🎈Private sector interventions have provided some relief, but have fallen short in providing true affordability. Read this article from Milbank Memorial Fund, featuring Andrea Caballero, and share your thoughts! #AffordableHealthCare #PublicPrivateSolutions #HealthCareCosts https://ow.ly/m9PA50PYjHz

It’s not surprising that #UniversalHealthCoverageDay and #HumanRightsDay are observed so close together. After all, they are inextricably linked. Health is a human right. When I reflect on the importance of health as a human right, I think about the patients I’ve met or the stories I’ve heard about how getting access to care changed their life — or even saved their life. I think about people like Yenny, whose son was born prematurely in a hospital two hours from her home in El Salvador. After 40 days, she brought her son home to a remote part of the country. Because she had access to La Clínica Integral de Atención Familiar, Americares nearby clinic, she could receive diagnoses for her son, including a buildup of fluid around his brain, and get him the follow-up care he would need for years to come — from a neurologist and orthopedist to an ophthalmologist and speech therapist. Without access to that clinic, Yenny would have trouble getting her son to the appointments he needs, and the specialists would likely be too far away or too expensive. It’s because of people like Yenny that I’ve spent my career focused on health and human rights. No one should have to struggle to receive comprehensive, quality and lifesaving medical care. Access to health care shouldn't depend on who you are, how much money you make or where you live. But for too many, this is not the reality. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that as of 2021 around 4.5 billion people — over half of the world’s population — weren't fully covered by essential health services. Here in the US, many of those who have access to health care with insurance are often underinsured, meaning much of the care they need still ends up out of reach. This why access to free and affordable health services is at the core of our work at Americares. Across the US, we support nearly 1,000 free and charitable clinics and community health centers that are a lifeline for people without insurance. At our clinics in Colombia, El Salvador, India and Connecticut, we reach into communities with warmth and quality of care, and we support health centers and communities around the world to do the same, in times of crisis and every day. #UniversalHealthCoverage means all people, including so many like Yenny, have access to the full range of quality health services they need without financial hardship — including disease prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care. The right to health goes beyond health care, encompassing factors like water, sanitation, nutrition, climate, conflict and natural disasters. Having the opportunity for good health is the pathway to so many things, including education, stronger communities, economic stability and more. As we mark these two deeply intertwined days, there’s no doubt we have more work to do to ensure health is a human right. But together, we can make it a reality. #HealthEquity #Americares #PublicHealth #UniversalHealthcare #HealthInsurance

Exciting news! Oregon is now able to offer free health care coverage to people up to 200% of the poverty level through a new benefit called Oregon Health Plan (OHP) Bridge. An estimated 100,000 people are anticipated to eventually qualify for the new program. The new plan will stop the “churn” that often happens when people with lower incomes move on and off coverage as they are forced to choose between paying for healthcare coverage and paying for basic necessities like food and housing. Oregon is only the third state in the nation to establish this Basic Health Plan. We are proving again that we can maximize federal dollars to help eliminate health inequities in our state.

Tarrant County/Fort Worth folks - correct any misunderstandings I might have in this situation: Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is the government body that dictates where/how government money can be spent for patients with Medicaid (STAR and CHIP). They do this by contracting with "health plans" that provide health insurance coverage to some of our most vulnerable residents. Some of these "health plans" are branches of large insurance companies (i.e. Aetna) and some of these "health plans" are affiliated with large hospital systems (i.e. Cook Children's Health Plan). HHSC has recently stated that they will no longer contract with some "health plans" and will contract with others - they stated they will no longer contract with Cook Children's Health Plan. What effect will that have? Does that mean that patients/families who currently have Cook Children's Health Plan will no longer be eligible to receive health care at Cook Children's? Can patients/families with that plan just switch to another "health plan"? Is that an option? Appreciate any insight. Here is one of the recent articles on this confusing topic. Thank you David Moreno and the Fort Worth Report.

Prevention is not sexy, but it works. But we need to invest in it so that it's reliable. I have seen much ground lost in the ups and downs of funding for health care, and it is stressful to not know how much something will cost, particularly if you don't need it urgent. Difficult decisions, that should be easy. Preserving health is cheaper in the long run than trying to restore health. #healthequity #healthcare #EVMS #virginia #funding https://lnkd.in/gCnMHez4

Every year, employers must decide whether to renew their employer-sponsored health insurance plans or find a new plan. Usually, that means a choice between steep renewal increases or venturing into the unknown. So how do you choose whether to stick with tried and true or try something new? The answer comes down to strategic advance planning.    Join us on 9/6, 10 am EST, for a free webinar where we will walk you through best practices for getting the most out of your upcoming renewal—from establishing benefits purchasing committees, timelines, and roles and responsibilities to uncovering an alternative plan design that will blow your mind. Register today! https://bit.ly/3OPZa8H   Nonstop Administration & Insurance Services #employeebenefits Center for Nonprofit Advancement #nonprofit #openenrollment

In their new Forefront article, Basim Khan and Sara Rosenbaum of Neighborhood Health, the Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health, and The George Washington University argue that, as community health centers are awaiting congressional action on the Community Health Center Fund, it is worth a closer look at just how important this grant support is. "It is true, of course, that health centers are deeply involved in caring for publicly insured Americans, including those enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid and covered through subsidized Marketplace plans, and most derive the majority of their operating revenue from insurance payments. But it is the federal grant that enables community health centers everywhere to carry out their core mission: to serve their communities without regard to patients’ insurance coverage or ability to pay. Grants remain an indispensable part of health center funding, because of the large number of uninsured patients who receive care and the many types of health services, such as adult vision and dental care, that remain uncovered, even for insured patients. Grants enable health centers to make critical investments in new sites, expanded staffing, and new services—investments that health care providers serving more affluent and privately insured patients finance through commercial insurance payments, direct patient payments, and private investment." Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/3tmp6R0

🛡️ Navigating Common Problems in Senior Living Facilities 🛡️ Transitioning to a senior living facility can bring unexpected challenges. This insightful article by Elaine K. Howley explores seven common issues and provides practical solutions: Financial Challenges: Plan early and explore financial tools like long-term care insurance. Care Concerns: Ask about staffing ratios and maintain open communication with caregivers. Medication Mismanagement: Monitor your loved one’s medications and address any concerns promptly. Unhappiness with Placement: Encourage involvement in activities and consider a geriatric care manager for guidance. Wandering and Elopement: Work with staff to ensure safety and consider memory care if needed. Conflicts: Mediate disputes with staff or other residents and seek alternative caregivers if necessary. Changing Care Needs: Plan for future health changes and save accordingly. Read more to better understand and manage these challenges. 💡👵👴 #SeniorLiving #ElderCare #AgingWell #HealthTips #eldercare #eldercareprofessionals #assistedlivingfacilites #seniorcare #seniorlivingcommunity #LynkVentures #AssistedLivingMiami #HealthAndWellness #elderlycare #seniorcitizens *Lynk Ventures is a Miami-Dade based senior living, health care, and real estate company founded by Frank Mena in 2005. Learn more at https://lynkventures.com/ https://lnkd.in/eBJPKNUH

Even though Massachusetts has highly regarded hospitals and health systems, hospital capacity is a concern, especially with Steward Health Care's financial troubles. Given the complexities of #healthcarepolicy, hospitals have struggled to communicate how lower reimbursement for Medicaid, as well as significant labor, equipment, and drug costs create high financial expenditures that the public often doesn't notice with insurance absorbing some of these costs. If some of Steward's hospitals in Massachusetts do close, it will be vital for nearby hospitals to work with the communities impacted. This includes community organizations to help explain to affected patients what their options are to continue receiving health services. #HealthCommunications #HealthPolicy #Healthcare https://lnkd.in/eEYNZ8xx