Vaya Health’s Post

Last week, on a CEO Boot Camp coaching call, we discussed why building relationships with lawmakers—at the local, state, or federal level—is crucial for the future of your health center and the communities it serves. FQHCs are highly regulated by the federal government and receive federal funding to serve people who do not have health insurance, are low-income, or live in underserved areas. Federal funding is critical to the financial sustainability of health centers that serve many uninsured people. Thankfully, health center funding has historically had bipartisan support (thank you to our many congresswomen and men!) and is allocated in Congress' budget annually. However, health center funding may only sometimes be a priority to Congress, and if they don't know about your excellent work, the funding may not be at the top of their minds. Building relationships with them through their local or health policy staff is so important. 👉 Here's How to Take Action: ✅Contact the staff and invite them to your health center. Invite your Congress members to visit your health center when they are home on break. Tell them many facts about your services to the people in their states or districts. ✅ Provide information about the patient population you serve, including Veterans, the uninsured, Medicaid and Medicare recipients, and people below the federal poverty level. ✅Local and state lawmakers are also essential to the health center's success, so schedule meetings with county and city commissioners and state legislators. Give them tours of your sites and the facts you created for your Congress members. These relationships will go a long way in asking them to support important bills during the legislative session. You'll be better positioned to apply for state and local grants. Elected officials aren't usually healthcare experts, but you can still teach them about the vital work your health center accomplishes in your community. Start building those relationships today and see the future benefits it brings to your health center! #healthcenter #fqhc #healthcareadvocacy #communityhealth #federalfunding #lawmakersupport #publichealth #healthcareaccess #medicaid #medicare #veteranhealthcare #underservedcommunities #chc

The Role of Financial Advocacy in Health Equity 1. Access to Care: Financial advocates help patients find and utilize resources to afford necessary medical treatments, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to receiving care. 2. Insurance Navigation: Understanding insurance policies can be overwhelming. Advocates assist patients in maximizing their benefits and reducing out-of-pocket expenses. 3. Preventing Medical Debt: By proactively managing medical bills and negotiating with healthcare providers, financial advocates help prevent the accumulation of medical debt, which can be a significant burden for many families. 4. Connecting to Resources: Advocates connect patients with community resources, such as transportation services, housing assistance, and nutritional programs, which are vital for overall well-being. Our Commitment to Health Equity Qualify Health is dedicated to making healthcare accessible and affordable for all. Our financial advocates are trained to understand the unique challenges faced by underserved communities and to provide tailored support to overcome these obstacles . Join Us in Making a Difference Visit us to know more: https://lnkd.in/dR2C4cMJ For Service call: + 1 864 650 6400 or, info@qualify.health #HealthEquity #FinancialAdvocacy #HealthcareForAll #PatientSupport #AffordableHealthcare #EndHealthDisparities #HealthJustice #AccessToCare #QualifyHealth #MedicalDebtRelief #InsuranceHelp #CommunityHealth #HealthcareAdvocacy #EquitableHealthcare

RIP OFF: Big health insurers overcharge taxpayers a whopping $140 billion dollars *a year* to administer Medicare Advantage plans (more than the U.S. has spent on defense aid to Ukraine since 2022 and ~3x what the U.S. spent on foster care in 2023.) Here’s the thing: Whether you’re in a Medicare Advantage plan or not; whether you're Medicare age or not; your tax dollars are still going into the coffers of big health insurers like Humana, UnitedHealth and Aetna. As we celebrate Medicare’s 59th birthday on July 30th, it’s important to remember that Medicare Advantage is neither Medicare nor an advantage. It is a scam promoted by big health insurers hiding behind the name of a trusted program… Medicare! Read more at HEALTH CARE un-covered: https://lnkd.in/eHSHg4cy

Taking "Advantage" of the Medicare name by insurance companies started in 1997 when the Balanced Budget Act created Medicare+Choice (Part C). It's been a downhill slide for patients ever since as non-profit insurers decided to go for profits and have consolidated into humongous companies with increasing clout. MA plans are morphing into killers as corporations have become laser focused on profits and all the new ways they can think of to squeeze more from people who are being ruined financially. But they're just going by the SCOTUS rulings that put profits for shareholders ahead of community and employees. (MoveToAmend.org) The solution is what many other countries have already done for decades, implemented some form of #MedicareForAll #M4A #HR3421/#S1655. https://lnkd.in/gUC8f5mZ

We can do better, and I know how! Medicare Advantage benefits the insurance companies who amplify disease burden yet deny access to care. The beneficiaries of Medicare Advantage are shareholders and middlemen .........not the seniors who need affordable, accessible healthcare.

Expand Coverage: access to health insurance Medicaid expansion, subsidies, and public options. Improve Primary Care: Boost primary care availability in underserved areas via tele incentives, and telehealth. Cultural Competency: Train providers in cultural competence for better patient-provider communication. Community Health: Invest in programs addressing social determinants like housing, nutrition, and education. Health Education: Enhance public health education on prevention and resources. Policy Advocacy: Support policies addressing income inequality and healthcare reform. Data Collection: Collect data to identify and target disparities. Partnerships: Collaborate with agencies, healthcare organizations, and community groups.

Medicaid Fast Facts from National Health Law Program: 1. Medicaid represents $1 out of every $6 spent on health care in the U.S. and is the major source of financing for states to provide health coverage and long-term services and supports for low-income people.  2. Medicaid covers health services for 41 million children, nearly half of all children in the U.S. 3. Medicaid is the largest single payer of pregnancy-related services, financing 42% of all U. S. births. 4. Medicaid is a lifeline for nearly half of the 14 million children with special health care needs in the U.S. 5. Medicaid provides health coverage to nearly 17 million people with disabilities and older adults.  6. Medicaid covers 23% of adults with mental health conditions and 21% of adults with substance use disorder (SUD), a combined estimate of 13.9 million people. Learn more about NHeLP's #MedicaidAwarenessMonth on their website here: https://lnkd.in/efsjBbvz

Mississippi is making significant strides toward health equity, as highlighted by Vangela M. Wade, president and CEO of the Mississippi Center For Justice, in a recent op-ed. Despite the state’s dire health outcomes due to inaccessible care and coverage, there is hope on the horizon. This year, both the state House and Senate made serious attempts to expand Medicaid coverage, potentially benefiting 123,000 Mississippians caught in the coverage gap. While the expansion has yet to succeed, the progress and continued advocacy efforts promise better health outcomes and a brighter future for all Mississippians. https://wkkf.co/asfe

We recommend to avoid “skinny” plans: short-term health plans, health care sharing ministries (HCSMs), and other forms of non-ACA-compliant coverage. These products (often widely advertised) won’t offer the benefits you need and may leave you exposed to high out-of-pocket costs for care. To get the coverage you need, look for plans that meet ACA standards. Start your insurance search at healthcare.gov. Remember, you may be eligible for tax credits to help you pay your premiums if you buy a plan on the ACA marketplace. To learn more visit: https://bit.ly/3R8s3xC #Advocacy #BleedingDisorders #HealthCare

In this national cross-sectional study of privately insured US families, inflation-adjusted health care spending increased from 2007 to 2019, largely owing to increasing contributions to premiums. https://ja.ma/4cfDOdZ