See MichUHCAN Member Sister Mary Ellen Howard in action here!
4th Annual MichUHCAN Annual Health Care Heroes Dinner a Success!
T. R. Reid gave a great talk and we could have gone on all night with terrific questions!
His recent PBS Frontline program "Sick Around the World" has been one of the most discussed programs related to healthcare. Watch it online here.
"The Healing of America. A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care." Is T.R.’s forthcoming book (August 2009 release) on the comparative analysis of America’s healthcare system vs. other developed and emerging nations.
Michigan Reform Initiatives
MichUHCAN commends Rep. Marc Corriveau and Speaker Andy Dillon, both democrats and Senator Tom George and Majority Leader Mike Bishop, both republicans for their leadership in addressing Michigan's health care crisis. Together their 14 bills make great strides toward establishing a single plan that would cover over 500,000 Michiganians.
Both Bills:
Provide health insurance for Michigan residents up to 200% of poverty with subsidies for up to 300% of poverty
Are funded primarily through assessments on insurance companies and medicaid dollars
Ban revocation, increased premium, or non-renewal of a policy based on medical condition
Limit exclusions for pre-existing conditions to 6 months
Reimburse health insurance companies for medical claims over $25,000 on any one individual
Provide for a benefit package that includes inpatient and outpatient care and wellness incentives
Have public oversight functions - House, Office of Insurance Regulation and the Senate, Michigan Department of Community Health
The House Bills:
Require insurers to sell their products to all Michigan residents (who have lived here over 6 months)
Allow increase in premiums based only on age and geography
Have provisions for bulking buying of prescription drugs and will enable anyone in Michigan without prescription drug coverage to buy medications at reduced cost
Mandate that insurers pay a fixed percentage of their income on medical claims (medical loss ratio)
The Senate Bills:
Allow increase in premiums based on age, geography, smoking and obesity.
Add an additional funding stream through Michigan hospitals.
MichUHCAN has been and continues to be an active participant in the process. Meeting with legislators, serving on work groups and attending hearings. The Board has reviewed the legislation. Here is our a position paper.
Michigan Take a Front Seat in National Health Care Reform Advocacy
MichUHCAN has teamed up with other organizations - Citizen Action, Gamaliel Michigan, Health Care for America Now, Organizing for America and others to coordinate an effective campaign to promote reform on the national level. We are working together to make sure our representatives in Washington know that we expect comprehensive health care reform in 2009. We're getting busy all across Michigan!
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