ACROSS THE STATE

In Nebraska, SCHIP helps needy children

Gov. Heineman impressed by UNMC tour

Omaha to co-sponsor Bi-National Health Week

IN THE NATION

Bush's SCHIP veto triggers sharp reactions

Hagel introduces health care legislation

MEMBER NEWS

The Nebraska Medical Center offers CultureVision

Diabetes health expo scheduled in Fremont

Patient get sback on track at Madonna

Saunders Med Center scraps plan for pharmacy

REGULATION WATCH

President signs bill easing IPPS cuts

TECHNOLOGY

Panels weigh pros, cons of health care estimates

QUALITY

NHA CAH Conference on Quality Oct. 18

WORKFORCE

GM deal is a turning point for health care

EVENTS

Join today - protect hospitals and
keep quality health care in our communities!

NHA letter to the editor: In Nebraska, SCHIP helps needy children

The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), called Kids Connection in Nebraska, is an important and cost-effective program that provides access to health care for many children who do not qualify for Medicaid and do not have insurance because their families cannot afford it or it is not available through their parents’ employers.

This program is funded with federal and state money, with the majority of the cost (more than 70 percent) covered by the federal government. In Nebraska, SCHIP provides coverage to children in households earning up to 185 percent of the federal poverty level, or $38,208 for a family of four. Read the full article.

— Lincoln Journal Star, October 3, 2007.

Gov. Heineman impressed by UNMC tour

Viewing cutting edge radiation therapy treatment methods and listening to the heart beat and breathing pattern of a patient simulator left Gov. Dave Heineman singing the University of Nebraska Medical Center's (UNMC) praises after a tour of the medical center on Sept. 19.

“Awesome. Impressive,” Heineman said when asked about his thoughts on UNMC following the tour. “I’m very glad that we have this capability right here in Nebraska.” While visiting the College of Nursing, the governor heard educator and student perspectives on how patient simulators -- also called standardized patients -- play a vital role in the education of future physicians and nurses. Read more.

Omaha to co-sponsor Bi-National Health Week Oct. 15-20

Millions of Mexican immigrants now rely on the American health system for their daily needs. To accommodate those needs, a host of Omaha health providers and social service agencies are sponsoring the second annual Bi-National Health Week, October 15-20. Various issues are highlighted through a week of education, screenings and fun for the entire family. The collaboration began 17 years ago between Mexico and California, but has spread across America with the growth of immigration. This year, the week is expected to provide health-related interventions to at least 250,000 people in 24 states.

Locally, Bi-National Health Week activities are scheduled in Omaha. Though organizers are targeting low-income and underserved populations regardless of citizenship, all activities and screenings are open to the public. Read more.

Bush's SCHIP veto triggers sharp reactions

President Bush's veto of the House-Senate compromise bill to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) triggered sharp reactions from supporters of the measure. "Hospitals fully support renewing and expanding SCHIP to give even more kids the opportunity for a healthy beginning in life," said Richard Umbdenstock, president and chief executive officer of the American Hospital Association, in a written statement. "We’ve called on hospital leaders to urge their lawmakers to override President Bush’s veto to provide children healthcare they need and deserve."

The bill would have provided an additional $34.7 billion over five years funded by federal tobacco tax money, and it would have extended coverage to about 10 million children. The measure cleared the Senate—but not the House—with enough votes to override a presidential veto. “The president’s veto is a slap in the face to America’s children. For millions of children in working families, it says, ‘No health care for you,’ ” said Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA in a written statement.

— Jennifer Lubell, Modern Healthcare's Daily Dose, October 3, 2007.

Hagel introduces health care legislation

U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) today introduced the Federal Health Care Board Act of 2007. This legislation would create an independent federal government agency, modeled after the Federal Reserve Board, to define and guide the transformation of the nation’s health care system.

“No issue is more important to the future of America than health care. It touches the lives of every person. America’s competitive position in the world will be directly linked to our nation’s capacity to increase access to sustainable, affordable and quality health care for all Americans. It will impact every sector of our economy and consume an increasingly large part of our federal budget,” Hagel said. Read the full article.

— Southwest Nebraska News, September 27, 2007.

The Nebraska Medical Center offers CultureVision

OMAHA, Neb. – The Nebraska Medical Center is the first and only hospital in the state to utilize a unique tool in creating a better understanding of different cultures and their perceptions of healthcare. CultureVision is a web-based product that allows users to access a detailed database of more than 35 ethnicities and religions. “We see CultureVision as an invaluable addition to our overall diversity education efforts,” said Debra Tomek, vice president of human resources at The Nebraska Medical Center. “Our goal is to improve and strengthen diversity and make sure all patients and staff members feel comfortable here.” Read more.

Diabetes health expo scheduled in Fremont

FREMONT, Neb. – Fremont Area Medical Center (FAMC) will host a Diabetes Health Expo on Tuesday, October 30, from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., at FAMC’s Health Park Plaza.

The Expo will include: free health screenings; cooking and exercise demonstrations; medical professionals to answer questions; the latest diabetes-related products; and exhibitors with diabetes product demonstrations and information. The event is for anyone with diabetes, pre-diabetes, or a family history of the condition and anyone with an interest in learning more about diabetes. FAMC’s free Diabetes Health Expo is sponsored by the FAMC Foundation, which has contributed over $10,500 to diabetes education in the Fremont area. For more information, call 402/727-3355.

Wichita native gets life back on track at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital

On June 23, 2007, Cameron and Steven, both from Kansas, joined their friends for a celebratory canoe trip down the Elk River in Noel, Mo. In keeping with tradition, at the halfway point, Cameron dove from a bridge. But this time, something went terribly awry when her head hit a rock. In that instant, her life course changed. “I remember being underwater, realizing I couldn’t move my body. I kept telling myself to hold my breath, so I wouldn’t drown.” Cameron recalled. Her friend, John, quickly realized she wasn’t joking around and went in after her. Steven helped stabilize her body in the water until the helicopter arrived to transport her to Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Mo.

Cameron’s extensive injuries included an incomplete spinal cord injury at levels C2 and C6 and displaced vertebrae. A halo was applied to help straighten her spine and she underwent a nine-hour surgery to fuse her vertebrae. After two weeks in the intensive care unit at Freeman, Cameron was flown to Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital. Read about her story.

Saunders Med Center scraps plan for pharmacy

WAHOO, Neb. — The financial loss of operating its own pharmacy seems to be too hard of a pill to swallow for Saunders Medical Center. On a unanimous vote, the center's board of trustees has reversed its decision to operate a retail pharmacy at the new facility.

The decision came last week after Board President Ron Roman asked for a more detailed discussion of the potential for financial loss on that plan. Chief Financial Officer Annette Stanton said, "I really wanted to make it work, but it just comes at too high of a cost."  Because Saunders Medical Center is a not-for-profit, critical access hospital and over half of its patients are Medicare-eligible, operating a retail pharmacy would significantly decrease cost-reimbursement allocations to the hospital from Medicare. In the best-case scenario, $50,000 per year would be carved out of the center's reimbursement. Read more.

— Lisa Brichacek, The Wahoo Newspaper, October 3, 2007.

President signs bill easing IPPS cuts

President Bush on Saturday signed legislation that prevents the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) from fully implementing $20 billion in prospective payment cuts to hospital inpatient Medicare services over the next five years. The cuts are part of a so-called “behavioral offset” contained in the inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) final rule, which took effect Oct. 1. The legislation (H.R. 3668) reduces the cuts in 2008 and 2009 by half, from 1.2 percent to 0.6 percent and from 1.8 percent to 0.9 percent respectively, but leaves the 2010 cut of 1.8 percent intact. The changes to the prospective cuts will result in a restoration of $2.5 billion over the next two years and $7 billion over the next five years, assuming no additional retrospective adjustments are made. CMS included the behavioral offset to address what the agency claimed would be changes in hospital coding practices resulting from the rule’s refined Medicare-Severity Diagnosis-related Group (DRG) classification system.

— AHA News Now, October 1, 2007.

Panels weigh pros, cons of giving health care estimates

Many Nebraskans visit their doctors or check into the hospital without a clue as to how much their visit — or the procedure or the tests they get — will cost. The Legislature’s Health and Human Services and Banking, Commerce and Insurance committees took a couple of hours last Friday to listen to the benefits and problems associated with health providers and insurers providing cost estimates to consumers.

It’s a hot topic across the country. In March, the Bush administration announced the goal of making more information available to consumers on price and quality of health services, hoping to create more “free-market” principles in health care. Others assert consumers don not purchase chemotherapy in quite the same way they would purchase a Toyota. There’s no Kelley Blue Book for health services. And they wouldn’t select a surgeon in the same way they would a plumber.

"A person needs a trusting relationship with her doctor," said Sen. Gwen Howard of Omaha. "For many people, cost is secondary."

Many hospitals today compete based on aesthetics rather than costs. Sen. Joel Johnson of Kearney, chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee, said even though senators have no pending legislation, they are interested in what’s happening with health care pricing in Nebraska and whether state residents have access to costs.

"Nebraska hospitals recognize the importance of heightening consumers’ awareness and understanding of health care," said Kevin Conway, vice president of health information for the Nebraska Hospital Association, and "the knowledge of pricing and quality is a component of that." State law requires hospitals to make available the charges associated with the 20 most common diagnoses.

"The Nebraska Hospital Association is in the process of developing its own Web site that would enable consumers to review information on hospital charges. But consumers need to know what to expect from other providers, as well as insurance companies," Conway said. “Only when the consumer can make a choice on what is the best value to them based on recommended treatment, expected outcomes and financial implications will we have transparency,” Conway said. Read the full article.

— JoAnne Young, Lincoln Journal star, September 22, 2007.

NHA to host Critical Access Hospital Conference on Quality Oct. 18

The Nebraska Hospital Association invites Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) to a Conference on Quality October 18, 2007, at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center in Kearney, Neb. The theme, "Quality Improvement: Driving Breakthrough Results" includes the feature topics Preventing Harm in CAHs-The Value of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's 5 Million Lives Campaign; Achieving Our Goal of Perfect Care-A Progress Report and a Look Ahead; Quality Health Indicators Multi-State Benchmark Project; as well as the Nebraska Showcase of Quality presentations from Nebraska facilities. There will also be a presentation entitled Reporting Quality Up to the Board. Along with the NHA, the event is co-sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and the Nebraska Rural Health Association. For more information click here or call Monica Seeland, vice president of quality initiatives, at 402/742-8152 or email mseeland@nhanet.org.

GM deal is a turning point for health care

The labor agreement reached by General Motors (GM) Corp. is the most striking example of a bigger trend sweeping U.S. health care: employers renouncing their decades-old role as chief health care buyer. The auto maker’s status in American industry, and the example it sets as one of the biggest U.S. employers, is likely to speed this shift — and drive discussion in the presidential campaign about overhauling the health system. Polls find health care is the top domestic issue for voters, as more Americans are on the hook for getting their own coverage.

Maneuvers such as GM’s are “driving greater insecurity among the middle class, who are employed but feeling like their health care is not secure,” said John Rother, policy director for the seniors group AARP, which favors government action to secure universal health coverage. Read the full article.

— The Wall Street Journal, September 29, 2007.

HHS awards health care facilities partnership program grants

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced program grants to eleven health care partnerships totaling $18.1 million. Selected through a competitive process, each grantee presented a program designed to enhance community and hospital preparedness for public health emergencies.

“The goal of the new program is to develop innovative and creative projects that can be replicated across the country,” said HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response RADM Craig Vanderwagen, M.D., USPHS. “These partnerships will require close coordination among health officials from state, local and private sectors.”

The projects selected to receive grants are focused on: Planning for the surge of patients and its regional impact during major public health emergencies; improving regional public health emergency coordination through innovative approaches; or developing and conducting functional public health emergency exercises to evaluate community and hospital preparedness. Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department in Nebraska received $868,000. Read more.

— Department of Health and Human Services News Release, September 27, 2007.
 

NHA 2007 Annual Convention and Trade Show
October 31-November 2, 2007 – Cornhusker Marriott Hotel, Lincoln, NE
"Pathways: Navigating the Nature of Health Care." The NHA's Annual Convention is the biggest health care event of the year.

End-of-Life Issues Across the Healthcare Continuum
October 10, 2007 – University of Nebraska East Union, Lincoln, NE
The Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Partnership (NHPCP) will hold a workshop for professionals that work in or with hospice, hospitals, home health care, end stage renal disease, developmental disabilities, assisted living, or nursing homes. The workshop will involve reviewing current regulations and best practices specific to end-of-life care in the above areas of healthcare.

Exploring the Challenges for Tax-Exempt Organizations
October 11, 2007 – Omaha, NE
Sponsored by the Omaha Community Foundation and Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP

National Depression Screening Day
October 11, 2007
The American Association of Suicidology, Suicide Prevention Action Network USA, the Suicide Prevention Resource Center and the National Hotline are collaborating to promote National Depression Screening Day. Register now for the event held nationwide on October 11 by going to www.mentalhealthscreening.org.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Interpreting Specialty Workshop
October 15, 17, 22 and 24 – Omaha, NE
Center for Transcultural Learning

National Framework and Preferred Practices for Quality Palliative Care: Raising the Bar
October 16, 2007 – Audioconference
Sponsored by the Center to Advance Palliative Care

York General Health Care Services Breast Cancer Survivor Night Out
October 16, 2007 – York General Hospital

Fall Workers' Compensation Seminar
October 17, 2007 – Great Plains Regional Medical Center, North Platte, NE
October 18, 2007 – Farm Bureau Office, Lincoln, NE

NHA Critical Access Hospital Conference on Quality
October 18, 2007 – Holiday Inn & Convention Center, Kearney, NE
For more information contact Monica Seeland, NHA vice president of quality initiatives, at 402/742-8152 or mseeland@nhanet.org. 

Clinical Spanish Communication
October 18, 2007 – Omaha, NE 
For clinical or administrative health care professionals with intermediate level Spanish speaking skills. Sponsored by the Center for Transcultural Learning

York General Health Care Services Diabetes Fair
November 1, 2007 – York Medical Clinic

Visit the Events page on the NHA Web site for more information on any of the events. If you have an event you would like listed on the NHA Web site, submit it to Heather Bullock, marketing and events coordinator, at hbullock@nhanet.org. 

NHA Newslink is published by the Nebraska Hospital Association, 3255 Salt Creek Circle, Suite 100, Lincoln, NE 68504-4761. Phone 402/742-8140, Fax 402/742-8191. Contact Christy Rasmussen, director of communications, at 402/742-8151, or email, crasmussen@nhanet.org. 

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