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September 2010
In this Issue:
NEW MEDIA:
PUBLICATIONS:
- Families USA’s new series of state-based fact sheets, How Health Reform Helps Communities of Color discusses how provisions in the Affordable Care Act—both those for the general public and those specifically designed to eliminate health disparities—help communities of color in each state. These reports are being released through October 6, 2010.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention created Best Tools for Measuring the Health of Communities, which examines alternative ways to increase the adoption of policies and programs that improve health. The series of essays from researchers looks closely at how these alternative methods may improve health in targeted populations, like racial and ethnic minorities and young adults.
- The Commonwealth Fund recently released Starting on the Path to aHigh Performance Health System: Analysis of the Payment and System Reform Provisions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. This publication analyzes the provisions in the new law that will affect providers' financial incentives, the organization and delivery of health care services, investment in prevention and population health, and the capacity to achieve the best health care and health outcomes for all. The study finds that financial incentives will create better access and quality of health care for communities of color, and investments in prevention and population health will help assist in understanding and alleviating health disparities.
- Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) recently published Health Reform and Communities of Color: Implications for Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. This issue brief examines the key provisions of the 2010 health reform law that will expand health coverage and improve access to care for people of color. It also looks at some of the other provisions that will likely have either a direct or indirect impact on health disparities.
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Johann’s Amendment Defeated
Senator Mike Johann (R-NE) filed an amendment to the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act (H.R. 5297) that would unravel key provisions of the Affordable Care Act. It would have eliminated vital funding for prevention services and public health in order to get rid of a requirement in the Affordable Care Act that businesses report to the IRS all purchases in excess of $600. Businesses would have to report payments for goods and services, including payments to corporations. This reporting requirement is an attempt to remedy tax fraud and under-reporting of income by corporations who are receiving payments from small businesses so the IRS has a better idea of where corporations are under-reporting income. The enactment of the Johann’s amendment would have resulted in higher health insurance premiums and an increase in the uninsured. In addition, the prevention funds that the Johann’s amendment would have eliminated would otherwise be used for a wide range of public health activities, including obesity prevention, tobacco cessation, elimination of health disparities, better nutrition, additional training for primary care workers, health screenings and immunizations. All of these services play a vital role in reducing the incidence of chronic illness and infectious disease and containing overall health care costs. On September 14, the Johann’s amendment was defeated with a vote 46-52.
HHS Launches First of Its Kind Consumer-Focused Website in Spanish
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launched cuidadodesalud.gov, the first website in Spanish of its kind to help consumers take control of their health care by connecting them to new information and resources that will help them access quality, affordable health care coverage.
HHS Awards $100 Million for Public Health and Prevention Grants
The Affordable Care Act’s Prevention and Public Health Fund grants will support state and community efforts to fight obesity; increase HIV testing; promote tobacco quit lines; expand mental health and substance abuse programs; and track, monitor, and respond to disease outbreaks in various populations, particularly communities of color.
HHS Awards $31 Million for Prevention and Wellness Projects
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced $31 million for awards to communities and a state health department to support public health efforts to reduce obesity and smoking, increase physical activity and improve nutrition. Click here for more information.
HHS Awards more than $14 Million to Support Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will distribute funds to support programs that help promote more informed health decisions and options that best fit an individual patient's needs and preferences. Patient-centered outcomes research involves developing, implementing, and testing strategies to increase the adoption and dissemination of interventions based on patient-centered outcomes research among racial and ethnic minority populations. Click here for more information.
Activities in the Field
Indiana Minority Health Coalition
The Indiana Minority Health Coalition (IMHC) was founded in 1992. The coalition is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for racial and ethnic minorities through education, advocacy, and quality health services. The group is formed by local affiliates that use a collective voice to vocalize minority health concerns in Indiana. Through their broad-based network of affiliate agencies, the coalition conducts research and training and works to develop policy that positively affects health and health services for communities of color.
The Indiana Minority Health Coalition is present in 29 counties across Indiana that represents 85 percent of the minority population in the state. The Indiana Minority Health Coalition has a funder relationship with each of its affiliates. The coalition contracts affiliates throughout the state to help improve the health care quality of communities of color in Indiana on a local level. Each affiliate addresses the health needs of racial and ethnic minorities in their particular county. For instance, the Lake County Minority Health Coalition focuses on access to care by providing coverage to kids and families. The American Indian Center in Indiana works to promote health literacy amongst the American Indian population throughout the state. Other affiliates tackle health problems, like obesity, chronic disease, and infant mortality. The Indiana Minority Health Coalition also addresses the prevalence and affect of HIV/AIDS in their state through an annual statewide conference. Furthermore, the coalition subcontracts with groups to provide correctional medical services for prisoners.
This organization addresses health disparities on multiple levels, and the coalition understands the significance of the Affordable Care Act, particularly the emphasis the act places upon health care disparities. The Indiana Minority Health Coalition brings in experts on the Affordable Care Act to brief the Indiana Minority Health Coalition and the local affiliates about the effect health reform will have on people of color. The Indiana Minority Health Coalition’s briefings are designed to prepare the coalition to assist with effective implementation of key provisions in the Affordable Care Act that address health disparities in Indiana.
For more information on the Indiana Minority Health Coalition, please contact the organization at (317)-926-4011.
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- DCPA’s 13th Annual Meeting—Eyes on the Prize: The Road to Health Equity
October 7, 2010
Kellogg Conference Center at Galludet University, 800 Florida Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002
Sponsor: District of Columbia Primary Care Associates
For more information and to register click here.
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15th Conference on the Health Care of the Chinese in North America October 8 – 10, 2010 Millennium Biltmore Hotel, 506 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Sponsor: Chinese American Medical Association of Southern California For more information and to register click here.
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National Conference Series on Quality Health Care for Culturally Diverse PopulationsOctober 18 –21, 2010 Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace, 202 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 Sponsor: DiversityRxFor more information and to register click here.
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We’d like to hear from you!
If you would like to see your organization or event highlighted in a future edition of our newsletter, please send us a brief description of your organization and its activities, as well as your contact information. We also welcome guest authors for the Activities in the Field section of the newsletter. This section provides members of the minority health field with the opportunity to share their experiences and insights with other advocates. Please send all correspondence to: minorityhealth@familiesusa.org.
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