2 1

TMA Students Monthly Health Policy Newsletter

Issue #1, March 2012

HIGH YIELD HEALTH POLICY

A Rapid Review Newsletter to help turn BS policy into BRS: Policy

A New Policy Prescription

NATIONAL ISSUES

GME Funding
Graduate Medical Education (GME) is the government funding for residency programs after medical school. Washington policy-makers have GME Funding is on the chopping block to decrease the national deficit. Find out more here: http://bit.ly/ork9Za
By Bryant Arnold (2011)

Medicare Cuts
As of Feb. 20, lawmakers have struck a tentative agreement that would prevent a proposed 27% Medicare pay cut from taking effect March 1 and keeping physician pay rates stable until the end of 2012. However, without other action the cut is expected to be near 32% for 2013. Find out more here: http://nyti.ms/pHuWWn

Welcome to the first issue of High Yield Health Policy, brought to you by the AMA/TMA Medical Student Section of TTUHSC! We have 3 major goals for this monthly newsletter: 1) To answer the health policy questions that medical students are too afraid to ask, 2) To help educate and mobilize students in order to participate in the political process,

3) To provide updates on current health debates and ways to get involved. We will strive to deliver articles, blurbs, and other information in a nonpartisan way. As future physicians, we all have a vested interest in the future of the healthcare field and hopefully this will serve as a welcomed stepping stone to engaging in shaping the future of health policy. Thanks for reading! - Your AMA / TMA MSS Officers

Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber. - Plato

Upcoming Events
March 16 Lubbock Board of Health meeting @ Health Department (12:30 pm) March 30 National Doctors Day April 3 Original Texas GOP Primary date (delayed due to redistricting dispute -- more info at http://txredistricting.org/)

Any views expressed in this newsletter do not represent the opinions of TMA; our goal is only to inform, educate, and mobilize students for civic engagement

TMA Students Monthly Health Policy Newsletter

Issue #1, March 2012

Policy Questions Answered

1) What is Health Care Reform? The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) aka Obamacare - was written into law in 2010. Many components do not take effect until 2013 or 2014. Some of the (many) aspects include: Insurance companies can no longer reject patients based on preexisting conditions Kids able to stay on parents insurance until age 26 No copay/deductible allowed on preventative services on new insurance policies (now) and eventually all policies (2018) 0.9% tax on individuals >$200,000 income (2013) Individual mandate Individuals must have insurance or pay a penalty (2014) *Challenged by Florida to be unconstitutional. Will be heard by Supreme Court starting March 26. $2000 per employee tax on companies not offering health insurance (2014) Imposes pharmaceutical, health insurance company and medical device excise tax (2014) The Congressional Budget Office says the Act will reduce the deficit by $143 billion. Other health economists suggest it will increase deficient by $562-$700 billion. Found out more here: http://bit.ly/z2H4Ew

LOCAL ISSUES

Lubbock Health Department Timeline

Aug 19, 2011 At the monthly Board of Health (BoH) meeting, the city manager proposed outsourcing health department services (vaccinations, STD clinic, and data surveillance) to local non-profits. This was, in part, due to the maintenance expense of the current large Health Department building. Oct 27, 2011 A petition to Save the Health Department, with over 6000 signatures, was presented to the City Council, which voted to keep the Health Dept running services for the next budget year. Ongoing The search for a new Health Dept building is under way as is an attempt to create a city-council joint health department. Other funding sources are also being sought out.
Sign up for TMA at https://www.texmed.org/RegisterUserOptions.aspx

2) What is Medicaid / Medicare? Medicare and Medicaid are government-funded health insurance programs. Medicaid Supports low-income individuals (defined by the state). Half-funded by state; state funding matched by federal government. Known for low reimbursement rates. Medicare Supports individuals over the age of 65 (or end-stage renal disease). Covers about half of all medical costs. 4 parts (A, B, C, D) that cover hospital bills, physicians bills, allows private plans, and cover prescription drugs, respectively. Total Medicare spending is projected to increase from $523 billion (2010) to $932 billion by 2020, mostly due to rising health care costs. Find out more at: http://bit.ly/XCaxc

CHART OF THE MONTH:

Next Issue
Find out about ACOs, the upcoming residency fair, regular updates to health policy issues and more answers to your policy questions!

Comments? Questions?
Wed love to know if you like the idea of the newsletter or think that it sucks. Send us your feedback to tma.ttuhsc@gmail.com!