The KFF Youtoons Obamacare Video + more

http://kff.org/health-reform/video/youtoons-obamacare-video/
A very well done video on the major provisions of the Affordable Care Act that are about to go into effect.

http://health.younginvincibles.org/video-contest/ A cool video and contest to promote the Affordable Care Act.

Here is the Maryland Health Exchange website
http://www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/   
You can get information now at 855-642-8572. You can start enrolling as of 10/1 up to 3/31/14.  The program is effective as of 1/1/13.  

I have just learned of a program called Primary Adult Care Program. It is designed for individuals with annual incomes below $12,500 or for families below a comparable level.  Those who join will be switched into the Medicaid program in 2014.  See https://mmcp.dhmh.maryland.gov/mpac/SitePages/Home.aspx 

Coming Soon: Key Parts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) - Program Held on 6/20; Plus additional material

This blog entry contain material from last Thursday's program on the Affordable Care Act as well as a link to a revamped USHHS site. 

1) Program Slides

a) Carolyn Quattrocki, Director, Governor's Office of Health Care Reform

http://tinyurl.com/l6kox4l

b) Dourakine Rosarion, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services

http://tinyurl.com/p8uhzeg

Montgomery County HHS is serving as the connector program for Montgomery and Prince George's Counties.

They are hiring navigators and assisters via the following company. athenaconsultingllc.com

2) The U.S. Department of health and Human Services (HHS) has revamped their website to make it easy for any individual, family or business to get initial information as to what categories of insurance options are available to them.  

See https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-answers/#step-1

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Here is material from the program flyer for the event

Greater Silver Spring Democratic Club

Coming Soon: Key Parts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

In 2014, exciting new parts of the ACA go into effect.  These include the Medicaid expansion, tax credits to make health coverage more affordable, and the opening of Maryland Health Connection (our insurance marketplace). Enrollment can start on October 1st - learn about opportunities to help obtain these benefits.

Date:  Thursday, June 20, 2013

Time:  7:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Place:  Eastern Middle School Cafeteria (Use silver doors from rear parking lot)

300 University Blvd. East, Silver Spring, MD, 20901

Key Speakers:

Carolyn Quattrocki, Director, Governor's Office of Health Care Reform

Dourakine Rosarion, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services

For more information about the Affordable Care Act, see http://www.mdhealthcarereform.org/storage/pdfs-and-docs/2013ACAFAQ.pdf

Cosponsors

Maryland Health Care for All

Maryland Women’s Coalition for Health Care Reform

CHEER (Community Health and Empowerment through Education and Research)

Casa de Maryland

Montgomery County Young Democrats

Woman's Democratic Club

Health Reform and the Benefits to Small Businesses

This infographic from the Commonwealth Fund is very useful in explaining how small businesses benefit from the Affordable Care Act.

The ACA and Women's Health Quiz

http://smtp01.kff.org/t/36889/433146/43034/0/

This is a challenging quiz.  I only got 6 of 10 right. 

Hot spotters update; Wide variations in hospital prices; Obamacare implementation

1) The Hot Spotters Sequel: Population Health Heroes

http://t.co/0ya5wywUWw

Last year I reported on Atul Gawande's article in the New Yorker about Hot spotters.  That article is one of the most widely acclaimed.  This article provides an important addition to that story.  

 Here is my review of his article

http://healthreformaction.blogspot.com/2011/02/hot-spotters-by-atul-gawande-in-new.html  

And a subsequent review of a talk he gave

http://healthreformaction.blogspot.com/2011/04/cap-talk-by-atul-gawande-42911-reducing.html 

2) Wide variations in hospital prices

http://smtp01.kaiserhealthnews.org/t/36859/430110/43029/0/  

Kaiser health News provides a link to a number of newspaper articles that discuss the wide variations in hospital prices. 

 3) ACA 101: What You Need to Know

http://www.allhealth.org/briefing_detail.asp?bi=281

The Alliance for Health Reform held a session on 4/26 which gave an overview of the Administrations plans for implementing Obamacare.  Looks like a lot of good plans, but concerned that there is much to be done that might not get done.  

Consumers lack knowledge of Obamacare - A Critical Issue

Here are key sources on this issue, an important upcoming event, an a request for help.  

1) Worries Mount About Enrolling Consumers In Federally Run Insurance Exchanges.

http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2013/April/08/health-insurance-exchanges-marketing.aspx

Few consumers know what they'll need to do to sign up for the new health insurance marketplaces. Advocates worry about this.

2) Poll : 3 years later Americans still don't understand health law

http://capsules.kaiserhealthnews.org/index.php/2013/03/poll-three-years-later-americans-still-dont-understand-health-law/

3)  How Will Consumers Navigate New Health Care Options?

Kaiser Family Foundation is hosting a session on 4/18 at thier offices in D.C. See the following for details 

 http://4182013.eventbrite.com/#

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So this is one of the major issues facing Obamacare this coming year as we gear up to implementing the major provisions of the bill .I have been asked to provide advise to some key folks dealing with this issue. So I welcome suggestions on

o   Issues to address
o   Persons and organizations to consult
o   Literature to review
o   Any work done on focus groups

Re focus groups, my understanding is that many consumers do not know many of the key facts and myths re Obamacare.  For instance, many still think there are death panels.  When you explain the bill, consumers get it.  So what is needed to bridge the gap.  Does anyone know focus group work that has been done. 

Talk of Medicare Changes Could Open Way to Budget Pact

Talk of Medicare Changes Could Open Way to Budget Pact

http://tinyurl.com/cxqht3x


This appears to be a major change proposed by the administration, which Obama first made in 2011.  This is a very significant change and appears from the article to be gaining much traction recently.  While the proposal makes a lot of sense, I am concerned that the increase in the deductible for physician office visits and related part B services will be a significant increase to many beneficiaries.  This could discourage the use of such services.  I hope a way is figured out to reduce the proposed increase for such services.  The overall concept of combining parts A and B seems very appropriate.  What do you think?