EVERY VOTE COUNTS!
Showing posts with label Healthcare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Healthcare. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
TODAY IS ELECTION DAY! GET OUT AND VOTE
DNEC is not endorsing any candidate, however we offer the following information so that you can make an informed choice. In September, the Ohio Legal Rights Service prepared a side-by-side comparison of the Presidential candidates' positions on disability-related issues.
EVERY VOTE COUNTS!
EVERY VOTE COUNTS!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
FLU SHOTS FOR VETERANS
For those of you who get your flu shots at the VA, they are starting to give them on October 9th in West Haven. 8:30 am till 4pm, in the lobby in Bld. 2. No appointment is necessary, but you must be enrolled in the VA Connecticut Healthcare system, and ID is required.
The same requirement applies If you receive care at the Newington VA, they will start on October 16th and be administered from 8am till 11am on the 16th, 18th, 23rd, 25th, Nov. 1st, 6th, and 13th.
If you go to the clinics in Danbury, New London, Stamford, Windham, Winsted, or Waterbury you may call for an appointment, or get it when you go for your regular visit.
DON'T FORGET TO GO AND GET YOURS!!!!!
Stay well,
Ron
Ron Rusko
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Department of Connecticut
The same requirement applies If you receive care at the Newington VA, they will start on October 16th and be administered from 8am till 11am on the 16th, 18th, 23rd, 25th, Nov. 1st, 6th, and 13th.
If you go to the clinics in Danbury, New London, Stamford, Windham, Winsted, or Waterbury you may call for an appointment, or get it when you go for your regular visit.
DON'T FORGET TO GO AND GET YOURS!!!!!
Stay well,
Ron
Ron Rusko
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Department of Connecticut
Monday, October 6, 2008
Mental Health Parity Legislation Heads to the President’s Desk for Signature
Mental Health Parity Legislation Heads to the President’s Desk for Signature: Congratulations, Advocates!
Today we are one step closer to ending discrimination based on mental illness. Advocates have worked countless years to achieve this victory, and we applaud you! Congratulations on this historic day.
Your phone calls, email, faxes to and meetings with Members of Congress paid off. Congress included Mental Health Parity in their economic bailout package that is on its way to the President’s desk for signature! NCIL worked in coalition with Mental Health America and the Mental Health Liaison Group to enact this critical legislation. Below is a summary by MHA:
Bill Broadly Outlaws Health Insurance Discrimination; Recognizes Importance of Mental Health to Overall Health
Contact: Steve Vetzner, (703) 797-2588-Office or (202) 744-6341-Cell or svetzner@mentalhealthamerica.net
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (October 3, 2008) — Mental Health America today hailed as “a great civil rights victory” the approval of mental health parity legislation that will broadly outlaw health insurance discrimination against Americans with mental health and substance-use conditions in employer-sponsored health plans.
The legislation, which recognizes the importance of mental health to overall health, bans employers and insurers from imposing stricter limits on coverage for mental health and substance-use conditions than those set for other health problems. It will provide parity for 82 million Americans covered by self-insured plans and another 31 million in plans that are subject to state regulation.
It is estimated that roughly 67 percent of adults and 80 percent of children requiring mental health services do not receive help, in large part because of discriminatory insurance practices
Mental Health America, which has worked for years to pass mental health parity, applauded Senators Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) and Representatives Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) and Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.), as well as Senate and House leadership key committee chairmen for championing the legislation and their long-standing commitment to ending this civil rights inequity. This victory also owes much to tireless champions such as Rosalyn Carter, David Wellstone and tens of thousands of Americans who have pressed for this historic reform.
“This is a historic day and a great civil rights victory for millions of Americans who have been unable to access mental health treatment,” said David Shern, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mental Health America. “With approval of this bill, we will tear down the walls of stigma and discrimination and the open the doors to the power and promise of treatment and recovery. It recognizes that mental health disorders are every bit as debilitating, and just as treatable, as cancer and diabetes.
“With economic problems making it even harder for Americans to afford treatment and driving up rates of depression and family difficulties, passage of this law is even more important.”
The legislation, called the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, builds on the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the recent approval of Medicare legislation that reduces discriminatory co-payments for mental health services. Dr. Shern said the law’s approval should spur further action to improve mental healthcare.
“This law sends a powerful message that we as a nation must address mental health conditions with the same urgency as other health problems,” he said. “We must continue to enact policies that embrace that principle.”
The legislation applies to group health plans of 51 or more employees. The bill takes the following steps:
Today we are one step closer to ending discrimination based on mental illness. Advocates have worked countless years to achieve this victory, and we applaud you! Congratulations on this historic day.
Your phone calls, email, faxes to and meetings with Members of Congress paid off. Congress included Mental Health Parity in their economic bailout package that is on its way to the President’s desk for signature! NCIL worked in coalition with Mental Health America and the Mental Health Liaison Group to enact this critical legislation. Below is a summary by MHA:
Mental Health America Hails Approval of Federal Parity Legislation
Bill Broadly Outlaws Health Insurance Discrimination; Recognizes Importance of Mental Health to Overall Health
Contact: Steve Vetzner, (703) 797-2588-Office or (202) 744-6341-Cell or svetzner@mentalhealthamerica.net
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (October 3, 2008) — Mental Health America today hailed as “a great civil rights victory” the approval of mental health parity legislation that will broadly outlaw health insurance discrimination against Americans with mental health and substance-use conditions in employer-sponsored health plans.
The legislation, which recognizes the importance of mental health to overall health, bans employers and insurers from imposing stricter limits on coverage for mental health and substance-use conditions than those set for other health problems. It will provide parity for 82 million Americans covered by self-insured plans and another 31 million in plans that are subject to state regulation.
It is estimated that roughly 67 percent of adults and 80 percent of children requiring mental health services do not receive help, in large part because of discriminatory insurance practices
Mental Health America, which has worked for years to pass mental health parity, applauded Senators Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) and Representatives Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) and Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.), as well as Senate and House leadership key committee chairmen for championing the legislation and their long-standing commitment to ending this civil rights inequity. This victory also owes much to tireless champions such as Rosalyn Carter, David Wellstone and tens of thousands of Americans who have pressed for this historic reform.
“This is a historic day and a great civil rights victory for millions of Americans who have been unable to access mental health treatment,” said David Shern, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mental Health America. “With approval of this bill, we will tear down the walls of stigma and discrimination and the open the doors to the power and promise of treatment and recovery. It recognizes that mental health disorders are every bit as debilitating, and just as treatable, as cancer and diabetes.
“With economic problems making it even harder for Americans to afford treatment and driving up rates of depression and family difficulties, passage of this law is even more important.”
The legislation, called the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, builds on the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the recent approval of Medicare legislation that reduces discriminatory co-payments for mental health services. Dr. Shern said the law’s approval should spur further action to improve mental healthcare.
“This law sends a powerful message that we as a nation must address mental health conditions with the same urgency as other health problems,” he said. “We must continue to enact policies that embrace that principle.”
The legislation applies to group health plans of 51 or more employees. The bill takes the following steps:
- There is no requirement as to what conditions must be covered. But when a mental health or substance-use condition is covered, it must be at parity with medical coverage (except to the extent that a state parity law requires broader coverage). Specifically, it prohibits group health plans that offer coverage for any mental health or substance-use conditions from imposing treatment limitations and financial requirements on those benefits that are stricter than for medical and surgical benefits.
- If a plan offers out-of-network benefits for medical or surgical care, it must also offer out-of-network coverage for mental health and addiction treatment and provide services at parity.
- Strong state parity and consumer protection laws are preserved while extending parity protection to 82 million more people who are not protected by state laws and 31 million in plans that are subject to state regulation.
State parity laws vary widely from state to state (for a map of state laws, visit www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/parity/states).
The legislation also establishes an important oversight mechanism to determine if insurers are discriminating against certain conditions or failing to cover some treatments.
In 2007, Mental Health America helped mount a nationwide tour that galvanized support for mental health parity. Led by Reps. Kennedy and Ramstad, the series of town hall meetings heard testimony from Americans living with mental illnesses, business leaders who have benefited from workplace mental health programs, experts on mental health and addiction, and administrators of programs that bear the huge cost of untreated mental illness.
For fact sheets on the legislation and more information, go to http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/parity
CT Association of Centers for Independent Living
151 New Park Ave. Suite 106
Hartford, CT 06106-2191
860-656-0430 Voice
860-656-0486 Fax
860-656-2353 TDD
Monday, July 28, 2008
New Charter Oak Health Insurance Plan
The new Charter Oak Health Plan began taking applications on July 1st with coverage to begin in September.
Premiums per person vary between $75 and $279/month with an annual cap on services of $100,000, in addition to the lifetime $1 million cap. Annual deductibles range from $150 to $900 (and up to $1,750 for families) and above that amount, consumers will have to pay 10% of inpatient hospital bills and 20% of outpatient surgery and medical tests. There will also be co-pays on office visits and prescriptions drugs, and there is a $4,000 annual cap on durable medical equipment.
The three participating health plans are Community Health Network, Aetna Better Health and AmeriChoice (UnitedHealth Plan). Charter Oak covers hospital care, doctor or clinic visits, X rays and lab tests, prescriptions, and some mental health and substance abuse treatment. There is no pre-existing condition exclusion and subsidies in premiums and deductibles are based on income.
While Charter Oak is an important new option for CT's uninsured, it may not be right for everyone. As with all insurance, consumers need to do their homework.
Charter Oak may not be right for consumers who:
- Have insurance now - (with some exceptions, you may not be eligible if you've had insurance in the last six months)
- Don't have money in the bank available for health costs ($900 deductibles plus 10% of hospitals stays can get very expensive)
- Have high prescription needs (prescriptions are limited to $7,500/year)
- Need to see a specific doctor (the provider panel is likely to be very limited)
- Need dental or vision care (they are not covered)
- Need mental health or substance abuse treatment (coverage is limited and high cost sharing applies to certain services)
Consumers who want more information or to sign up can go to http://www.charteroakhealthplan.com/ or call 1-877-77CTOAK
(1-877-772-8625).This information is taken from the CT Alliance for Basic Human Needs (CABHN) June/July 2008 Newsletter and the CT Health Policy Project website http://www.cthealthpolicy.org/
Thank you,
Alicia Woodsby, MSW
Public Policy Director
NAMI-CT
Toll Free Hotline for Info about Charter Oak Health Plan
From the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities
In Hartford (Phone 860-297-4369, TDD 860-566-2102, Fax 860-566-8714):
The Governor announced that a new toll free hotline, 1-877-77-CTOAK (1-877-772-8625), has been set up for the public to get more information about Charter Oak [health plan]. The line will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. More information and applications can be found at www.charteroakhealthplan.com
A copy of the complete text of the proposed regulations is available at no cost upon request from the Office of Legal Counsel, Regulations and Administrative Hearings, Dept. of Social Services, 25 Sigourney Street,
Hartford, CT, 06106, E-mail Patricial.Pion@ct.gov
A public hearing will be held on Wednesday, July 30 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Dept. of Social Services, 25 Sigourney Street, Hartford.
Written comments will be accepted until August 15, 2008. Please refer to Regulation Control Number
08-08/EA when submitting written comments.
Comments should be sent to:
Department of Social Services
Office of Legal Counsel, Regulations and Administrative Hearings
25 Sigourney Street
Hartford, CT 06106
ATTENTION: BRENDA PARRELLA
In Hartford (Phone 860-297-4369, TDD 860-566-2102, Fax 860-566-8714):
The Governor announced that a new toll free hotline, 1-877-77-CTOAK (1-877-772-8625), has been set up for the public to get more information about Charter Oak [health plan]. The line will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. More information and applications can be found at www.charteroakhealthplan.com
A copy of the complete text of the proposed regulations is available at no cost upon request from the Office of Legal Counsel, Regulations and Administrative Hearings, Dept. of Social Services, 25 Sigourney Street,
Hartford, CT, 06106, E-mail Patricial.Pion@ct.gov
A public hearing will be held on Wednesday, July 30 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Dept. of Social Services, 25 Sigourney Street, Hartford.
Written comments will be accepted until August 15, 2008. Please refer to Regulation Control Number
08-08/EA when submitting written comments.
Comments should be sent to:
Department of Social Services
Office of Legal Counsel, Regulations and Administrative Hearings
25 Sigourney Street
Hartford, CT 06106
ATTENTION: BRENDA PARRELLA
Monday, July 21, 2008
Charter Oak Health Plan
Governor M. Jodi Rell today said that public interest in Connecticut’s new Charter Oak Health Plan continues to grow, telling a news conference at the Community Health Center in Middletown that the state has received more than 10,000 calls and 3,000 applications received since the plan opened to the public on July 1.
For more information, please visit http://www.ct.gov/governorrell/cwp/view.asp?A=3293&Q=419638
For more information, please visit http://www.ct.gov/governorrell/cwp/view.asp?A=3293&Q=419638
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Recent VA News Releases
To view and download VA news releases, please visit the following
Internet address:
http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel
VA Begins Next Phase of Combat Vet Outreach
Calls to Ill or Injured Veterans Completed
WASHINGTON (May 30, 2008) -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today it has completed making calls to veterans potentially identified as being ill or injured from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF-OIF), and will immediately begin targeting over 500,000 OEF-OIF veterans who have been discharged from active duty but have not contacted VA for health care.
"We promised to reach out to every OEF and OIF veteran to let them know we are here for them -- and we are making real progress in doing so," said Dr. James B. Peake, Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
A contractor-operated "Combat Veteran Call Center" is making the initial calls on behalf of VA. All potentially sick or injured veterans on VA's list received an offer to appoint a care manager to work with them if they do not have one already. VA care managers ensure veterans receive appropriate care and know about their VA benefits.
In the new phase, beginning today, veterans who have not accessed health care from VA will be called and informed of the benefits and services available to them. Additionally, military personnel received information about VA benefits when they left active duty, and the Department had sent every veteran a letter with this information after their discharge.
For five years after their discharge from the military, these combat veterans have special access to VA health care, including screening for signs of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. VA personnel have been deployed to the military's major medical centers to assist wounded service members and their families during the transition to civilian lives.
"VA is focused on getting these veterans the help they need and deserve," said Secretary Peake. "I expect these calls to make a real difference in many veterans' lives."
Internet address:
http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel
VA Begins Next Phase of Combat Vet Outreach
Calls to Ill or Injured Veterans Completed
WASHINGTON (May 30, 2008) -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today it has completed making calls to veterans potentially identified as being ill or injured from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF-OIF), and will immediately begin targeting over 500,000 OEF-OIF veterans who have been discharged from active duty but have not contacted VA for health care.
"We promised to reach out to every OEF and OIF veteran to let them know we are here for them -- and we are making real progress in doing so," said Dr. James B. Peake, Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
A contractor-operated "Combat Veteran Call Center" is making the initial calls on behalf of VA. All potentially sick or injured veterans on VA's list received an offer to appoint a care manager to work with them if they do not have one already. VA care managers ensure veterans receive appropriate care and know about their VA benefits.
In the new phase, beginning today, veterans who have not accessed health care from VA will be called and informed of the benefits and services available to them. Additionally, military personnel received information about VA benefits when they left active duty, and the Department had sent every veteran a letter with this information after their discharge.
For five years after their discharge from the military, these combat veterans have special access to VA health care, including screening for signs of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. VA personnel have been deployed to the military's major medical centers to assist wounded service members and their families during the transition to civilian lives.
"VA is focused on getting these veterans the help they need and deserve," said Secretary Peake. "I expect these calls to make a real difference in many veterans' lives."
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