Allies in Action

Get California Covered!

September 21, 2010

The California Endowment launches “GetCoveredCA” to explain how to get the most out of health reform.

Health Care Reform and You: The Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How

September 21, 2010

On September 21, 2010 the Kaiser Family Foundation released an educational animated short explaining the gaps in health care coverage and what reform will mean for families and businesses nationwide.

Call with President Obama and PICO leaders

September 21, 2010

On September 21, 2010, during a conference call with PICO leaders and people of faith, President Obama and HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius reminded the public about the prevention benefits and insurance regulations of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that go into effect on September 23rd.

Berwick Takes Aim: Affordable Care in His Sights

September 15, 2010

At the 2010 Legislative Conference the American College of Cardiology (ACC) welcomed the new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Donald Berwick, M.D. who outlined three goals for CMS.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, What’s the Future of Health Care’s Haul?

September 15, 2010

Jack Lewin’s recent post in the American College of Cardiology (ACC) blog highlighted the importance of considering cost impacts due to the implementation of health reform in the coming years.

Educating Skittish Small Businesses

September 8, 2010

Small businesses are having a difficult time obtaining guidance and understanding how the ACA directly affects them. In response, Small Business Majority has highlighted resources to help inform small business owners.

Transparency in Clinical Health Outcomes: The CABG Report Card

September 7, 2010

On September 7, 2010, Consumer Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports, teamed up with Society of Thoracic Surgeons to publish consumer report cards on Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) procedures.  This collaboration opens the door to accessible health information for patients and their families, providers, and sets a measurable form of accountability. The report card scores performance based on clinical outcomes and process measures, giving 1-3 stars, (1-lowest, 3-highest). Health care advocates are hoping that this type of reporting will launch a new culture of transparency reporting.

SB 3653: Cost Cutting or Politics as Usual?

August 11, 2010

In his August 9, 2010 Huffington Post blog, Larry McNeely argues that recently proposed Senate Bill 3653, which would strip the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) of the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), has dire fiscal consequences for the nation’s rising health care costs.

Aug 8 – Aug 14: National Health Center Week

August 9, 2010

On the heels of signing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) which sets aside $11 billion for the expansion of community health centers, President Obama officially proclaimed the week of August 8, 2010 – August 14 2010 “National Health Center Week.”

Reducing Disparities Requires More Than Just a Law

July 27, 2010

In a report released by the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, Ignatius Bau offers an analysis of the potential benefits of health reform, specifically those related to reducing health care disparities. Bau concludes his analysis by describing the complexities of making these potential benefits a reality.