tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56463630823270019102024-03-13T08:39:27.539-07:00Elder Law, Drug and Device Laws and Insurance LawsThis blog is written by Mr. Steven C. Schurr, Esq. and focuses on health care law matters that pertain to food and drug law, regulatory compliance, privacy rights, insurance coverage, state and federal disability coverage, patient advocacy issues, and mental health coverage and treatment.Steven C Schurrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11752830000301822628noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646363082327001910.post-42733220864399399552020-04-01T09:11:00.001-07:002020-04-01T12:22:31.282-07:00Hospitals Participating in Drug Trial for COVID-19 Across the US<div class="_5pbx userContent _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-testid="post_message" id="js_4">
Here is the official government website for a nationwide trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of various novel therapeutic agents in hospitalized adults with COVID-19: <br />
<br />
<a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="hover" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fclinicaltrials.gov%2Fct2%2Fshow%2FNCT04280705%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0k45ztd57KZgb3wXli90iZNe2TywO_3WQbFyqF6sUdxhm9s2QvnwVWQC4&h=AT0Q3lliEOicLGPoHotbP5JnojXgzlsZj5GSOtadjBgGi89oUPDLSnsz6OiOqoaxVYlY_BV5ofgf4UDDf5gfBHcxSAYjioVuI7b4jyBmUF4y8LhHeAidVu33X7f23K8epB2TmwRlr1zBmP71FpyW5t8DXMgFJrJzQg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04280705</a><br />
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Here are the study site locations across the us:<br />
United States, Alabama<br />
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine - Infectious Disease Recruiting<br />
Birmingham, Alabama, United States, 35233<br />
United States, California<br />
University of California San Diego Health - Jacobs Medical Center Recruiting<br />
La Jolla, California, United States, 29037<br />
University of California Los Angeles Medical Center - Westwood Clinic Recruiting<br />
Los Angeles, California, United States, 90095<br />
University of California Irvine Medical Center - Infectious Disease Recruiting<br />
Orange, California, United States, 92868-3298<br />
VA Palo Alto Health Care System - Infectious Diseases Recruiting<br />
Palo Alto, California, United States, 94304-1207<br />
Stanford University - Stanford Hospital and Clinics - Pediatrics - Infectious Diseases Recruiting<br />
Palo Alto, California, United States, 94304-1503<br />
University of California Davis Medical Center - Internal Medicine - Infectious Disease Recruiting<br />
Sacramento, California, United States, 95817-1460<br />
Naval Medical Center San Diego - Infectious Disease Clinic Not yet recruiting<br />
San Diego, California, United States, 92314<br />
University of California San Francisco - Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital - Division of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Infectious Disease, and Global Medicine Recruiting<br />
San Francisco, California, United States, 94110-2859<br />
United States, Colorado<br />
Denver Health Division of Hospital Medicine - Main Campus Recruiting<br />
Denver, Colorado, United States, 80204<br />
United States, Georgia<br />
Emory Vaccine Center - The Hope Clinic Recruiting<br />
Decatur, Georgia, United States, 30030-1705<br />
United States, Illinois<br />
Northwestern Hospital - Infectious Disease Recruiting<br />
Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60611-2908<br />
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine - Division of Infectious Diseases Not yet recruiting<br />
Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60612<br />
United States, Maryland<br />
University of Maryland School of Medicine - Center for Vaccine Development - Baltimore Not yet recruiting<br />
Annapolis, Maryland, United States, 21401-1527<br />
Johns Hopkins Hospital - Medicine - Infectious Diseases Not yet recruiting<br />
Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21287-0005<br />
National Institutes of Health - Clinical Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Laboratory Of Immunoregulation, Clinical Research Section Recruiting<br />
Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892-1504<br />
Walter Reed Army Institute of Research - Clinical Trials Center Not yet recruiting<br />
Silver Spring, Maryland, United States, 20910-7500<br />
United States, Massachusetts<br />
Massachusetts General Hospital - Infectious Diseases Recruiting<br />
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02114-2621<br />
United States, Minnesota<br />
University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview - Infectious Diseases and International Medicine Recruiting<br />
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55455-0341<br />
United States, Missouri<br />
Saint Louis University - Center for Vaccine Development Recruiting<br />
Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, 63104-1015<br />
United States, Nebraska<br />
University of Nebraska Medical Center - Infectious Diseases Recruiting<br />
Omaha, Nebraska, United States, 68198-5400<br />
United States, New York<br />
Montefiore Medical Center - Infectious Diseases Recruiting<br />
Bronx, New York, United States, 10467-2401<br />
New York University School of Medicine - Langone Medical Center - Microbiology - Parasitology Not yet recruiting<br />
New York, New York, United States, 10016-6402<br />
University of Rochester Medical Center - Vaccine Research Unit Not yet recruiting<br />
Rochester, New York, United States, 14642<br />
United States, North Carolina<br />
Duke Human Vaccine Institute - Duke Vaccine and Trials Unit Recruiting<br />
Durham, North Carolina, United States, 27704<br />
United States, Pennsylvania<br />
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania - Infectious Diseases Recruiting<br />
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104-4238<br />
United States, Tennessee<br />
Vanderbilt University Medical Center - Infectious Diseases Recruiting<br />
Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37232-0011<br />
United States, Texas<br />
Brooke Army Medical Center Not yet recruiting<br />
Fort Sam Houston, Texas, United States, 78234<br />
University of Texas Medical Branch - Division of Infectious Disease Recruiting<br />
Galveston, Texas, United States, 77555-0435<br />
Baylor College of Medicine - Molecular Virology and Microbiology Recruiting<br />
Houston, Texas, United States, 77030-3411<br />
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio - Infectious Diseases Not yet recruiting<br />
San Antonio, Texas, United States, 78229-3901<br />
United States, Virginia<br />
Naval Medical Center Portsmouth - Infectious Disease Division Not yet recruiting<br />
Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, 23708<br />
United States, Washington<br />
EvergreenHealth Infectious Disease Service Recruiting<br />
Kirkland, Washington, United States, 98034<br />
The University of Washington - Virology Research Clinic Recruiting<br />
Seattle, Washington, United States, 98104-2433<br />
Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center Recruiting<br />
Spokane, Washington, United States, 99204<br />
Madigan Army Medical Center - Infectious Disease Clinic Not yet recruiting<br />
Tacoma, Washington, United States, 98431<br />
Japan<br />
National Center for Global Health and Medicine Hospital - Disease Control and Prevention Center Recruiting<br />
Tokyo, Japan, 162-8655<br />
Korea, Republic of<br />
Seoul National University Bundang Hospital - Division of Infectious Diseases Recruiting<br />
Bundang-gu Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea, Republic of, 13620<br />
Seoul National University Hospital Recruiting<br />
Seoul, Jongno-gu, Korea, Republic of, 03080<br />
Singapore<br />
National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) Recruiting<br />
Singapor<br />
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Steven C Schurrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11752830000301822628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646363082327001910.post-47005622896196411742020-03-23T20:05:00.002-07:002020-03-23T20:05:56.879-07:00COVID-19 Stay At Home Order - State of Illinois<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_5e7978123361d5803606267">
Under the order, dry cleaners, laundromats, any business that sells equipment/materials needed to work at home, computer stores, law offices, payroll services, hardware stores, cabbies, Uber, and of course grocers, pharmacies and carry-out/delivery restaurants may stay open. <br />
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If you keep your office open, for example, you must provide 1.) six foot distances, 2.) hand sanitizer and disenfectant, 3.) separate operating hours for vulnerable populations, and 4.) posting online<span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show"> if you are open and how best to reach the facility and contact by phone or remotely.</span><br />
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Individuals can go outside for:<br />
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Health and safety: seeking emergency services, obtaining medical supplies or medication or visiting a health care professional<br />
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For necessary supplies and services: obtaining groceries and food, household consumer products, supplies they need to work from home, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operation of residences<br />
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For outdoor activity: walking, hiking, running or biking – including going to public parks and open outdoor recreation areas, except for playgrounds<br />
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For certain types of work: Providing essential products and services at Essential Businesses or Operations or otherwise carrying out activities specifically permitted in the order, including <br />
<br />
Minimum Basic Operations<br />
To take care of others: Caring for or transporting a family member, friend or pet in another household</div>
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Steven C Schurrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11752830000301822628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646363082327001910.post-14882202043481181642018-12-15T06:09:00.003-08:002018-12-15T06:15:40.638-08:00What Is the Effect of the Recent Court Decision in Texas That Ruled the Entire Affordable Care Act is Unconsitutional?<div style="text-align: justify;">
There is no immediate effect to yesterday's court ruling. You can still enroll in health care plans on the exchange through the end of today and any plan that you enroll in will be in effect for all of next year. But there could be long term effects and the decision once again throws uncertainty into the health care insurance industry, which is an industry that does not fare well under, or appreciate, uncertainly.</div>
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Technically, that court ruling only effects the federal district in Texas where the court resides and the judge did not order cessation of the law even in that district. However, the case will be appealed first to the appeals court and then almost certainly to the Supreme Court of the United States where there is a possibility that the Supreme Court could uphold the ruling and invalidate the entire law nationwide.</div>
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Such a ruling would be devastating because it would invalidate unrelated portions of the law that have nothing to do with the insurance mandate, such as the expansion of Medicaid and Medicare reforms, and remove protections for pre-existing conditions.</div>
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There are two prongs to the court's ruling. First, the judge ruled that the law can no longer be upheld as a constitutional tax because Republicans removed the tax penalty in 2017. In 2012, the Supreme Court upheld the law as an acceptable use of Congress's power to tax.</div>
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Second the judge ruled that if the insurance mandate part of the law is unconstitutional, the entire law must be unconstitutional because the insurance mandate is a critical component of the law.</div>
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However, the entire law is so massive and comprehensive I do not agree that the individual mandate is critical to many of the unrelated provisions of the law which have little to do with insurance coverage. In addition, there are other parts of the law that do pertain to health care coverage, such as the expansion of Medicaid for the states, that are not affected by the individual mandate. I do not agree that the entire law should be declared unconstitutional.</div>
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Regardless, if the individual mandate is ultimately declared unconstitutional nationwide, this will cause all sorts of problems for the insurance industry and many people will lose their coverage either under their insurance plans or Medicaid.</div>
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The bottom line as usual is that you get what you vote for. If you live in one of these states and ultimately lose you health care as a result of this decision, you have your government to thank: Plaintiffs are the States of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Governor Paul LePage of Maine (the “State Plaintiffs”), and individuals Neill Hurley and John Nantz (the “Individual Plaintiffs” and, collectively with the State Plaintiffs, “Plaintiffs”). If you live in one of these states, your Republican Attorney General filed this suit specifically in an attempt to achieve this result.</div>
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Also, if you voted for a Republican congressman or senator and they voted to repeal the tax penalty of the Affordable Care Act, this was an intended consequence.</div>
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The chances of a Democrat Congress, a Republican Senate and the President agreeing upon a fix to this problem is very slim indeed.</div>
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Below is some of the critical text of the decision:</div>
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Texas District Court: Repeal of Penalty Renders Individual Mandate Unconstitutional -- Entire ACA Ruled Invalid (PDF)</div>
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55 pages. "Plaintiffs allege that, following passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA), the Individual Mandate in the [ACA] is unconstitutional. They say it is no longer fairly readable as an exercise of Congress's Tax Power.... The Supreme Court's reasoning in [NFIB v. Sebelius] ... compels the conclusion that the Individual Mandate may no longer be upheld under the Tax Power. And because the Individual Mandate continues to mandate the purchase of health insurance, it remains unsustainable under the Interstate Commerce Clause -- as the Supreme Court already held....</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Congress stated many times unequivocally -- through enacted text signed by the President -- that the Individual Mandate is 'essential' to the ACA.... All nine Justices to review the ACA acknowledged this text and Congress's manifest intent to establish the Individual Mandate as the ACA's 'essential' provision.... Because rewriting the ACA without its 'essential' feature is beyond the power of an Article III court, the Court thus adheres to Congress's textually expressed intent and binding Supreme Court precedent to find the Individual Mandate is inseverable from the ACA's remaining provisions....</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Under the law as it now stands, the Individual Mandate no longer 'triggers a tax' beginning in 2019. So long as the shared-responsibility payment is zero, the saving construction articulated in NFIB is inapplicable and the Individual Mandate cannot be upheld under Congress's Tax Power....</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"The Court today finds the Individual Mandate is no longer fairly readable as an exercise of Congress's Tax Power and continues to be unsustainable under Congress's Interstate Commerce Power. The Court therefore finds the Individual Mandate, unmoored from a tax, is unconstitutional and GRANTS Plaintiffs' claim for declaratory relief ...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"All told, Congress stated three separate times that the Individual Mandate is essential to the ACA. That is once, twice, three times and plainly. It also stated the absence of the Individual Mandate would 'undercut' its 'regulation of the health insurance market.' Thirteen different times, Congress explained how the Individual Mandate stood as the keystone of the ACA. And six times, Congress explained it was not just the Individual Mandate, but the Individual Mandate 'together with the other provisions' that allowed the ACA to function as Congress intended....On the unambiguous enacted text alone, the Court finds the Individual Mandate is inseverable from the Act to which it is essential....</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"For the reasons stated above, the Court grants Plaintiffs partial summary judgment and declares the Individual Mandate, 26 U.S.C. Section 5000A(a), UNCONSTITUTIONAL. Further, the Court declares the remaining provisions of the ACA, Pub. L. 111-148, are INSEVERABLE and therefore INVALID. The Court GRANTS Plaintiffs' claim for declaratory relief[.]"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
[Texas v. U.S., No. 18-167 (N.D. Tex. Dec. 14, 2018)]</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Steven C Schurrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11752830000301822628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646363082327001910.post-82549384303489330262018-11-03T08:24:00.002-07:002018-11-05T14:55:26.068-08:00How To Vote If You are In a Health Care Facility During Election TimeCan you still vote if you are stuck in a hospital or a health care facility around election time? In Illinois and Indiana, yes.<br />
<br />
<u>ILLINOIS</u><br />
<br />
In Illinois, the following instructions are given by the state board of elections:<br />
<br />
THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS MUST BE MET: <br />
<br />
1. Voter must obtain an Application for Ballot for Qualified Voter Admitted to Hospital, Nursing Home or Rehabilitation Center . The application can be obtained from the election authority (county clerk or board of election commissioners, depending on where the voter is registered to vote). <br />
<br />
2. Voter must complete his/her application and his/her physician must complete and sign the Ce rtificate of Attending Physician section of the application.<br />
<br />
3. After the form is completed and signed by the voter and his/her physician, a registered voter from the voter’s precinct or any legal relative can then hand deliver the application to the election authority’s office.<br />
<br />
4. After signing an affidavit, the precinct voter or legal relative may personally hand deliver the ballot to the voter at the health care facility he/she has been admitted to. <br />
<br />
5. Once the voter receives the ballot, he/she will vote the ballot in secret and complete the certification on the ballot return envelope.<br />
<br />
6. After depositing his/her voted ballot in the return envelope, the voter will securely seal the envelope, and give the envelope to the precinct voter or to the legal relative. The ballot must be delivered back to the election authority before 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. <br />
<br />
Assistance is the actual casting of votes for a voter in accordance with the voter’s wishes. Assistance can be given by a friend or relative, but cannot be given by an officer or agent of the voter’s employer or the voter’s union. A candidate whose name appears on the ballot is also prohibited from assisting a physically incapacitated voter unless the candidate is the spouse, parent, child, brother, or sister of the incapacitated voter. This would prohibit precinct committeemen from giving assistance in a primary election. If assistance is given, the name and address of the person giving assistance must be provided on the certification envelope. <br />
<br />
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Steven/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/IE/8MYUBQOO/hospital2.pdf">file:///C:/Users/Steven/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/IE/8MYUBQOO/hospital2.pdf</a><br />
<br />
<u>Indiana</u><br />
<u></u><br />
You may vote by absentee ballot In Indiana if:<br />
<ul>
<li>You have a specific, reasonable expectation that you will be absent from the county on Election Day during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open (6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.).</li>
<li><strong>You have a disability</strong>.</li>
<li>You are at least 65 years of age.</li>
<li>You will have official election duties outside of your voting precinct.</li>
<li>You are scheduled to work at your regular place of employment during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.</li>
<li>You are prevented from voting due to the unavailability of transportation to the polls.</li>
<li><strong>You will be confined due to illness or injury or you will be caring for an individual confined due to illness or injury during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.</strong></li>
<li>You are prevented from voting because of a religious discipline or religious holiday during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open.</li>
<li>You are a participant in the state’s address confidentiality program.</li>
<li>You are a serious sex offender as defined in Indiana Code 35-42-4-14(a).</li>
<li>You are a member of the military or a public safety officer.</li>
</ul>
Per Indiana law, a disabled person or one who is unable to read or write English may request assistance in the voting booth:<br />
<br />
"<a href="https://1.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=L&originatingContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&pubNum=1000009&refType=IU&originatingDoc=I8b843f90603611e7a96698a49c8d00ec&cite=INS3-11-9-2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Sec. 2">Sec. 2</a> . (a) A voter who:<br />
<div class="subsection">
<div start-indent="6pt">
(1) is a voter with disabilities; or</div>
</div>
<div class="subsection">
<div start-indent="6pt">
(2) is unable to read or write English;</div>
</div>
may request assistance in voting before entering the voting booth and designate a person (other than the voter's employer, an officer of the voter's union, or an agent of the voter's employer or union) to assist the voter in voting at an election, as required by <span class="cite"><a href="https://1.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=L&originatingContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&pubNum=1000546&refType=LQ&originatingDoc=I8b8466a0603611e7a96698a49c8d00ec&cite=52USCAS10508" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="52 U.S.C. 10508">52 U.S.C. 10508</a> </span>.<br />
<div class="subsection">
(b) The person designated must execute a sworn affidavit on a form provided by the absentee voter board or the precinct election board stating that, to the best of the designated person's knowledge, the voter:<br />
<div class="subsection">
<div start-indent="6pt">
(1) is a voter with disabilities or is unable to read or write English; and</div>
</div>
<div class="subsection">
<div start-indent="6pt">
(2) has requested the designated person to assist the voter in voting under this section.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="subsection">
(c) The person designated may then accompany the voter into the voting booth and assist the voter in marking the voter's paper ballot or ballot card or in registering the voter's vote on the electronic voting system. IC 3-11-9-2.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.in.gov/sos/elections/">https://www.in.gov/sos/elections/</a></div>
<br />Steven C Schurrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11752830000301822628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646363082327001910.post-79632057702071887362017-04-30T07:59:00.001-07:002017-05-01T16:14:26.162-07:00MacArthur Amendment to the Federal Healthcare LawBelow is the congressional link to the recent proposed Amendment related to healthcare reform. It is only a draft document at the present. There has been no official action on the bill.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #006d21;">docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20170424/<strong>MacArthur Amendment</strong>.pdf</span><br />
<span style="color: #006d21;"></span><br />
<a h="ID=SERP,5116.1" href="http://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20170424/MacArthur%20Amendment%20Summary.pdf"><span style="color: #001ba0;"><strong><span style="font-family: "segoe ui semibold";">Amendment</span></strong> to H.R. 1628 Offered by Mr. <strong><span style="font-family: "segoe ui semibold";">MacArthur</span></strong></span></a><br />
<span style="color: #006d21;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The eight page amendment would allow a particular state to request waivers to 1.) charge the elderly more for premiums, 2.) to consider pre-existing conditions when offering plans, and 3.) to offer plans that do not cover all of the Affordable Care Act's Essential Benefits. The Essential Health Benefits are:<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em>Essential Health Benefits.</em> A qualified health plan must provide the following: ambulatory (“one-day”) patient services, emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, “mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment”, prescription drugs, rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices, laboratory services, preventive and wellness and chronic disease management, and pediatric services including oral and vision care. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A state's application for a waiver would be approved by default if, among other things, it declares:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"(B) The application specifies how the approval of such application will provide for one 2 or more of the following: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
(i) Reducing average premiums for 4 health insurance coverage in the State. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
(ii) Increasing enrollment in health 6 insurance coverage in the State. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
(iii) Stabilizing the market for health 8 insurance coverage in the State. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
(iv) Stabilizing premiums for individuals with pre-existing conditions.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
(v) Increasing the choice of health plans in the State."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On major problem that I see is that any specification in the application for the waiver as to how the granting of the waiver would accomplish any of the above five goals would be pure conjecture and would not be evidence based. Hence I view the above requirements for approval of the waiver as merely an ostensible (stating or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so) justification for its application. In practical effect, if a state requests a waiver, they will receive it, at least under the current administration.</div>
Steven C Schurrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11752830000301822628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646363082327001910.post-82247287444001314602017-04-06T11:47:00.002-07:002017-04-06T11:51:21.927-07:00Answers to FAQs Re: Obamacare, Prepared for Congressional Staff<div data-block="true" data-editor="ctbk5" data-offset-key="6hg2d-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6hg2d-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="6hg2d-0-0"><span data-text="true">Below is a link to FAQ regarding the Affordable Care Act. 35 pages. "This report provides resources to help congressional staff respond to
constituents' frequently asked questions about the law. The report lists
selected resources regarding consumers, employers, and other stakeholders, with
a focus on federal sources. It also lists CRS reports that summarize the ACA's
provisions." </span></span><br />
<div data-block="true" data-editor="ctbk5" data-offset-key="6hg2d-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="6hg2d-0-0"><span data-text="true"></span></span> </div>
</div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6hg2d-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="6hg2d-0-0"><span data-text="true"><a href="https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R43215.pdf">https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R43215.pdf</a></span></span></div>
</div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="ctbk5" data-offset-key="bjbdj-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bjbdj-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="bjbdj-0-0"><span data-text="true"></span></span> </div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bjbdj-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="bjbdj-0-0"><span data-text="true">Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act</span></span></div>
</div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="ctbk5" data-offset-key="ejdf4-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ejdf4-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="ejdf4-0-0"><span data-text="true">(ACA): Resources for Frequently Asked</span></span></div>
</div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="ctbk5" data-offset-key="57fnm-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="57fnm-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="57fnm-0-0"><span data-text="true">Questions by Angela Napili, Senior Research Librarian, Congressional Research Service</span></span></div>
</div>
Steven C Schurrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11752830000301822628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646363082327001910.post-38036959017584693472017-02-15T13:28:00.001-08:002017-02-15T13:49:55.471-08:00Would Selling Health Insurance Across State Lines Reduce Our Health Insurance Premiums?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">Health insurance and insurance in
general has traditionally been regulated by the individual states.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Companies are licensed by the state to sell
insurance, and insurance laws and requirements are different in each
state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">Republicans, including Donald
Trump, have often advocated allowing insurance to be sold nationwide, i.e., across
state lines, to increase competition and therefore reduce rates, as part of
their efforts to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would this have the desired effect?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">Currently, 21% of enrollees in
states using the federal exchange have only one participating insurer for
2017.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is hardly a competitive
marketplace and is viewed by many as one of the failures of the Affordable Care
Act (ACA).</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Insurance rates are determined by
actuaries. An actuary is a business professional who deals with the measurement and management of risk and uncertainty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The
American Academy of Actuaries has released a February 2017 Issue Brief to
address the issue of selling health insurance across state lines. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><em>As you are about to find out, selling health
insurance across state lines is not as simple as it sounds.</em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In their brief, the actuaries arrive at three
key points:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">1.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“<u>Allowing
insurers to sell coverage across state lines has limited potential for premium
savings, as premiums would continue to reflect local health care costs</u>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>An individual living in a high-cost area
would not necessarily enjoy lower premiums by purchasing coverage from an
insurer licensed in a low-cost state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Per the actuaries, premiums will reflect local health costs, regardless
of where the coverage is purchased. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">2.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>“Out-of-state
insurers would have difficulty developing provider networks and negotiating
provider or payment discounts</u>.” </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
order for insurers to sell across state lines, they would first have to develop
provider networks via reimbursement agreements with local hospitals and
physicians, or buy into an existing network.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unless the out-of-state insurers were able to accomplish large
enrollment, they would have little leverage in negotiating with providers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), who
limit out-of-network coverage, would have even more difficulty operating in
other states.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">3.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“<u>Unintended
consequences could result if states are given more flexibility regarding
benefit requirements or issue and rating rules.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Adverse selection would occur, threatening the viability of insurers
licensed in states with more restrictive requirements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ability of high risk individuals to
obtain coverage could be compromised as a result</u>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>The actuaries say that the establishment
and regulation of state-level consumer protection laws is often ignored during discussions
of selling insurance across state lines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These laws vary from state to state as to whether they require minimal network
adequacy or, for example, if they require an appeal processes for denied
services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only would this be
terribly confusing, it would be difficult for state regulators to regulate
out-of-state provider networks.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">For a health
insurance market to be sustainable, competing insurers must all operate under
the same rules, according to the actuaries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Allowing an insurer licensed in their home state to sell insurance in
another state under their home state rules would violate that principal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Per the actuaries, “The ACA harmonized many
of the rules applying to the individual and small group markets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although states have mandated benefits to
varying degrees, the ACA’s essential health benefit requirements narrowed the
differences in covered benefits across states.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Also, the actuarial requirements for the platinum, gold, silver and
bronze tiers of the ACA set a “floor” for plan coverage. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">Finally, the ACA
harmonized issue and rating rules, which previously varied from state to
state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Medical underwriting is now prohibited
by the ACA, which means insurers can no longer deny coverage or charge higher
premiums to individuals based upon their health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ACA also limited the extent that premiums
could be adjusted due to an applicant’s age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">If the ACA is
repealed but not replaced, or these rules are abolished or relaxed, and as a result the states
are allowed more flexibility, insurers licensed to operate in a state that
permits less generous coverage would attract the healthier residents of other
states.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Premiums for insurance licensed
in states with more comprehensive benefit requirements would increase as a result,
and individuals with health problems could find it more difficult to obtain
coverage.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">In conclusion, if rules governing
insurance are consistent across state lines (like they are now with the ACA)
premium reductions would be minimal because they would continue to reflect
local health care costs, no matter where the insurer is located.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If rules governing insurance vary from state
to state, insurers based in states with more restrictive requirements would be
at a disadvantage compared to insurers based in states with less restrictive
requirements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Regardless, regulatory authority and consumer protection laws would
need to be very clearly defined.</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is a link to the American Academy of Actuaries' brief, entitled, "Selling Insurance Across State Lines": </span><a href="http://www.actuary.org/content/selling-insurance-across-state-lines-0"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.actuary.org/content/selling-insurance-across-state-lines-0</span></a></span></div>
Steven C Schurrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11752830000301822628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646363082327001910.post-58740148359604295782017-02-15T08:33:00.000-08:002017-02-15T08:33:26.850-08:00Senators Propose Importation of Less Expensive Pharmaceuticals from Canada If US Prices Rise<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #5a5a5a; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 16px/16px Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Several Senators call for the allowance of importation of expensive medications from Canada under certain circumstances. This has been expressed in a letter to the new Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tom Price. Attached is the letter from Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John McCain (R-AZ) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN): <a href="http://www.grassley.senate.gov/sites/default/files/constituents/20170214%20Secretary%20Price%20reimportation%20letter.pdf">http://www.grassley.senate.gov/sites/default/files/constituents/20170214%20Secretary%20Price%20reimportation%20letter.pdf</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #5a5a5a; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 16px/16px Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #5a5a5a; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 16px/16px Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">"Those circumstances are: If a drug is off patent or no longer marketed in the US by the innovator company that initially developed that drug; if there are “significant and unexplained increases in price”; if no direct competitor drug is currently marketed and the introduction of such a competitor will lower prices for taxpayers and consumers; or if the drug is produced in another country by a brand name manufacturer or by a “well-known generic manufacturer that commonly sells pharmaceutical products in the US.” - Zachary Brennan, Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #5a5a5a; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 16px/16px Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #5a5a5a; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 16px/16px Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #5a5a5a; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 16px/16px Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">The unknown receipt of counterfeit drugs from illegitimate destinations can be a problem if ordered from a Canadian Pharmacy but this can be avoided by proper screening and vetting of the approved pharmacies. I am in favor of this policy if it can be implemented properly.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #5a5a5a; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 16px/16px Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #5a5a5a; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 16px/16px Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">See the attached newsletter from the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPs):</span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #5a5a5a; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 16px/16px Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
<a href="http://www.raps.org/Regulatory-Focus/News/2017/02/14/26832/Senators-Call-on-HHS-to-Allow-Canadian-Drug-Imports-if-Prices-Spike/">http://www.raps.org/Regulatory-Focus/News/2017/02/14/26832/Senators-Call-on-HHS-to-Allow-Canadian-Drug-Imports-if-Prices-Spike/</a><br />
<br />
Steven C Schurrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11752830000301822628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646363082327001910.post-41791132275315698292017-01-27T06:16:00.000-08:002017-01-27T06:16:15.623-08:00What is the Current Legal Status of the Affordable Care Act?<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_588b55de14df91f03668287">
This linked article explains, without the hype, what the true legal status of the Affordable Care Act is right now:<br />
<br />
"A popular meme suggests that the Senate voted to eliminate virtually all of the provisions of the ACA, including the ability to obtain insurance in spite of pre-existing conditions, the requirement to cover adult children up to the age of 26, etc. This is not the case.<br />
....<br />
<span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><div class="text_exposed_show">
It is clear that President Trump, and the majority of Republicans in Congress, want to pass some sort of repeal of the ACA as quickly as possible. However, neither the resolution passed by Congress nor the Executive Order makes any changes in current law. Many of the provisions of the ACA would be difficult or impossible for Republicans to repeal without Democratic support. And with only a narrow majority in the Senate, it is not even clear that the votes are there for repeal before a replacement plan can be developed. Thus, for now, employers should continue to assume that they will need to comply with the ACA mandates"<br />
<br />
.<a href="http://benefitsattorney.com/whats-happening-with-the-affordable-care-act/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://benefitsattorney.com/whats-happening-with-the-affor…/</a></div>
</div>
Steven C Schurrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11752830000301822628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646363082327001910.post-59049688758589738182017-01-20T18:35:00.000-08:002017-02-15T13:44:14.729-08:00DO AMERICANS DESERVE TO HAVE HEALTH CARE?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">My answer is a resounding “NO!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prior to this recent fall 2016 local and
presidential election, I was one of those naïve idealists who actually believed that everyone
in America deserved health care. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had
three reasons:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">1.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, it is necessary to maintain your
health, which falls under our inalienable right to “life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness” guaranteed to us in the Declaration of Independence; <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">2.) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second, it is in everyone’s economic best
interest to have broad health care coverage, both from a micro and macro
viewpoint; and <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">3.) Third, we
are the richest county in the world, and if other much poorer countries like
Cuba can afford to provide health care to all its citizens, we certainly should
be able to as well, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">if we make it a priority</i></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">WHY I CHANGED MY MIND<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The phrase “if we make it a
priority” is the caveat that changed my mind about the answer to the question
above.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can tell from the
results of the recent election that receiving good health care and possessing good
health insurance for ourselves, our families and our fellow Americans is not a
priority for the majority of Americans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most
Americans put one or more other issues <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">way
ahead</i> of having access to health care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can’t cite and don’t even know all of the issues that were given a
higher priority, but examples are issues such as fear of a transgender in the
restroom (even though they have been there for years and we just haven’t known
it), fear of a gay married couple living next door, fear of having their guns
taken away (which was never going to happen), the importance of making a
protest vote or no vote at all to prove a political point, zealous concern
about the environment, change for change’s sake without a clue as to whether
the alternative would be better, dislike of a particular candidate, dislike of President Obama and anything even remotely associated with him, hatred of
minorities and foreigners, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>fear of big
government in general, not to mention just an overall apathy or too little concern
to bother to vote. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of these non-healthcare
issues seem trivial to me when compared to the threat to the physical and
financial welfare of an individual and his/her family that result from having
an accident or becoming ill without health insurance. Obviously, most Americans do not agree with me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About the only issue that veers close to the
importance of insurance coverage in its immediate effect on the health and quality of
life of us and our loved ones is the fear of a terrorist attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The terrorist threat is frightening and is very
real, but it is much less likely statistically to afflict any one individual versus
the chances of becoming ill from any variety of diseases or accidents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another competitive possible threat is harm due to crime such
as in the more violent neighborhoods in Chicago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But even the survivor of a terrorist attack
or a random crime will need good medical care and mental health care after the
attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let's remember how we let down our first responders to 911 who later became ill as a result of their heroic efforts. Let's also remember the many domestic shootings that have occurred because the shooter could not get adequate mental health care. And let us also not forget that we will all get old and frail if we are lucky, no matter what we do or believe.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">DO WE DESERVE HEALTH CARE BECAUSE IT IS PART OF OUR INALIENABLE
RIGHT TO LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS?<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">Is it necessary to maintain your
personal health and the health of your friends and loved ones to achieve “life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
think everyone would agree that maintaining your personal health is necessary
to maintain one’s life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the sick
are often happy (God bless them), it is easier to be cheerful when one has good
health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve never met anyone who has
ever said they would rather be sick than healthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is also easier to pursue other personal
and professional goals if you are in good health versus battling a physical or
mental affliction.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">So, in the United States, is it
necessary to have health care insurance to maintain this good health?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In America, I would say “yes” due to the way
our health care system is structured and financed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some people may argue that you can get free
care at the emergency room if you don’t have insurance, so why pay premiums?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has been true in the past but the health
care received in the ER is more like a bandage than a fix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are provisions in the Affordable Care
Act designed to encourage hospitals to perform post-discharge follow-up for
hospitalized patients and to financially punish hospitals when they fail to do
so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A person needs routine medical
evaluations, preventive medicine, pharmaceuticals and diagnostic procedures to remain healthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And don’t forget about hip and knee
replacements!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You won’t die without these,
our ancestors lived without them, but they certainly can improve your quality
of life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">The real reason that I think
health insurance is necessary in America to maintain good health is that EVEN
THE RICHEST AMERICANS POSSESS HEALTH INSURANCE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(On my trips to the Mayo or Cleveland Clinic I often see rich foreign leaders
staying at the hotels and paying out of pocket for their US care.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet the wealthy in the US buy health
insurance even though they could easily afford to pay for their own. They
purchase it because it helps them maintain financial stability and shifts the
financial risk to the insurance companies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If it were such a trivial matter, the wealthy would not bother. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wealthy individuals have the extra benefit
that if they do not like the treatment offered to them by the insurance
company, they can buy their own if necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
why we don’t see Congress giving up their health care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pay for their health care while they take
ours away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">If I were to ask you, do you
accept the premise that we have an inalienable right to “life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness” as stated in the Declaration of Independence, most
Americans would answer “yes” without even giving it a thought. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An argument can be made that all Americans
are entitled to health insurance because they need health insurance to have
access to health care, and they need access to health care to remain
healthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An “inalienable” right is a
right which cannot be taken away or given away by the possessor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ironically, that is exactly what the repeal
of the Affordable Care Act will do, take away an inalienable right from many
Americans, most of whom knew they were taking that risk when they made their
votes in the 2016 election.</i></b> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>DO WE DESERVE HEALTH CARE BECAUSE IT IS IN THE ECONOMIC INTERESTS OF
EVERYONE?</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">Prior to the Affordable Care Act,
many talented company employees with a pre-existing condition, such as a cancer
diagnosis within the past five years, or a chronic incurable condition such as
diabetes, were afraid and/or unable to move to a better job because they were
dependent on their current employer for their insurance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they jumped to a better job, their new
employer’s insurer could declare their pre-existing condition uninsurable. As a result they
would be without insurance, and quite frankly, it just wasn’t worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This holds back the economy on a micro level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Likewise, those employees
that were thinking of striking out on their own and starting their own business
found it difficult, if not impossible, due to the availability of insurance and
its cost. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How often has a politician
told you it is the small businesses that drive the economy? This economic
benefit on a personal level is not a priority to most Americans, as I have
stated above.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">At a macro level, uninsured people
increase overall health care costs because they wait until they are seriously
ill to get treatment and go to the Emergency Room to get their care, which is
much more expensive than a routine visit to a neighborhood clinic. A healthy citizen is more likely to be a productive citizen. Addicts who cannot receive treatment will remain addicts. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, health care costs gobble up a
large portion of our Gross Domestic Product compared to other countries. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a macroeconomics level, this is a complex
issue that few understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I can
guarantee you there will always be a market and a demand for health care
because it is not a luxury item.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will
not go away, and it will always be the elephant in the room when analyzing the
competitiveness of our economy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">DO WE DESERVE HEALTH CARE BECAUSE AMERICA CAN AFFORD IT?<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This argument is raised the most
frequently, and its rejection is the most puzzling to me</i>.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It is the strongest evidence I have that we,
individually and collectively, as Americans, do not value and/or prioritize
access to health care.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think
of a Latin phrase I learned in law school, “res ipsa loquitur”, which means "The
thing speaks for itself”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mere fact
that we are the richest country in the world yet many of our citizens are not
covered is really all you need to know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And the recent fact that many citizens voted against the recent enhancement of health
insurance coverage in the 2016 election, even when it may have been against their own
personal interest to do so, confirms my point.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">NO, WE DON’T DESERVE TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE AND WE DESERVE IT EVEN
LESS NOW, SO PLEASE STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT THE REPEAL OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE
ACT UNLESS YOU PERSONALY VOTED TO RETAIN IT!<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">I used to believe in health
care for everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I no longer do
because this recent vote was a repudiation of expanded health care coverage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Politicians were very clear during the
election where they stood in regards to the upcoming repeal of the Affordable Care Act.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope the
people that are complaining at the personal level, and on social and traditional
media, voted in this past election to keep America insured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If so, I feel sorry for you and I wish you
the best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you did not vote to retain expanded coverage, but now complain, shame on you.
You are getting what you deserve, which very well may be nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Steven C Schurrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11752830000301822628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646363082327001910.post-65875905692501449322017-01-16T13:13:00.002-08:002017-02-17T17:27:49.411-08:00Is it Safe to Use Imported Drugs from Canada?<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Senate recently voted against an Amendment that would have allowed " the importation of safe and affordable prescription drugs by American pharmacists, wholesalers, and individuals with a valid prescription from a provider licensed to practice in the United States". The amendment was proposed because the same, exact chemical medications purchased from outside the country can be far less expensive than their identical counterparts sold in the US. In many instances, the comparative drugs are even made at the same FDA-approved facility, which may or may not be in the United States. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While this Amendment sounds like a good idea and sounds very simple (we all know that pharmaceutical prices are way too high in the US), it is not that straightforward to guarantee that medications you may purchase from a Canadian pharmacy, for example, are exactly the same, just as safe, and just as effective, as their US-purchased counterparts. In addition, even if they are, there are certain legal issues that arise. Just because you purchase a medication from a Canadian pharmacy, that does not guarantee that the drug is authentic or of the same quality as its US-purchased counterpart. Such imported drugs that appear to be from Canada may actually have been manufactured in places like India or Turkey. There have been instances where individuals have been criminally convicted for importing drugs into the US, including cancer drugs, that have been counterfeit and/or dangerous in their own right. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Furthermore, even if an imported drug is chemically identical to its US counterpart, the imported drug's product labeling, which includes directions for use and important warnings about side effects, would be different from the current product labeling that is approved for use by the FDA. Such labeling may not even be in the same language, may not even be readable to the US purchaser, and may not include the FDA's latest warnings or instructions. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Finally, even if the US-sold and the imported drug are chemically the same, yet the labelling of the imported drug is not the FDA-approved version, the imported drug is considered "misbranded" under US drug law, which means its importation is technically illegal, except for very narrow exceptions. To ensure these imported medications are "safe" is not that easy, and to declare their importation as legal, is not that simple.</div>
Steven C Schurrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11752830000301822628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646363082327001910.post-81274268428254785292017-01-10T09:35:00.001-08:002017-01-10T09:50:45.374-08:00Illinois Health Insurance - Increase in Contraceptive Coverage Starting 2017<div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>While it lasts, many women in Illinois now have easier access, more options, and no out-of-pocket costs for birth control.</strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Illinois House Bill 5576 took effect at the start of the new year, expanding access to birth control in Illinois beyond the requirements of the Affordable Care Act.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>The new bill requires all brands and types of pills to be covered without cost sharing. </strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>It does not mandate coverage of abortions.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The law only applies to those who are under the umbrella of the Illinois Department of Insurance, so it does not apply to women insured through their employer or self-insured</span>.</strong> </span> <a href="http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=099-0672" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: #168dd9; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 18px/31.5px Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.07px; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0.4px;">P.A. 99-0672<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></a></div>
Steven C Schurrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11752830000301822628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646363082327001910.post-54078645673919065232017-01-09T05:43:00.003-08:002017-01-09T09:12:39.953-08:00Illinois Health Care Workers Get a Second ChancePrior health care workers in Illinois with a past felony conviction can now seek to get a license issued or restored. The procedure is to petition the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which is required to consider three issues: 1.) the seriousness of the offense, 2.) how long ago it happened and 3.) whether there was professional disciplinary action against the practitioner. If you have been convicted of a sex crime you are ineligible for a health care license. P.A. 99-0886.Steven C Schurrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11752830000301822628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646363082327001910.post-68046767474451208142017-01-05T09:41:00.000-08:002017-01-05T09:43:20.230-08:00Revision to the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act and Court InjunctionThis 40-year old Illinois law has been updated to require medical providers who have ethical or religious objections to certain procedures, such as providing abortions or contraception, and therefore choose to decline to offer them, to now offer to their patients information on any treatment options they will not perform. This law technically goes into effect January 1, 2017. However it cannot presently be enforced because a Winnebago County Circuit Court Judge issued a preliminary injunction on December 20, 2016 preventing the state from enforcing the law against providers during the duration of an ongoing lawsuit that was filed last year. The judge ruled that the anti-abortion providers who sued had "raised a fair question" on whether the law violates "their right to be free from government-compelled speech". For a copy of the court's injunction, see <a href="http://www.adfmedia.org/files/OrderGrantingPrelimInjunction.pdf"><span style="color: #cc6611;"><em>Pregnancy Care Center of Rockford, Inc. v. Rauner</em></span></a><em>,</em> (IL Cir. Ct., Dec. 20, 2016). For a copy of the amended law, the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act, view <a href="http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=099-0690" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: #168dd9; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 18px/31.5px Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.07px; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0.4px;">P.A. 99-0690.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></a>Steven C Schurrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11752830000301822628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646363082327001910.post-76208406808222077922017-01-04T14:44:00.000-08:002017-01-04T14:44:36.822-08:00OBAMACARE: Repeal AND REPLACE?The new Republican congress took its first steps today to repeal <em>and replace</em> the Affordable Care Act. But will they really repeal all of the law, or only portions, and if so what happens? When will the repeal take effect? And if they do repeal, will they really replace it with anything at all, let alone something that works better? Will President-Elect Trump keep his promise to replace it with something "terrific"? Do any of them really know what they are going to do? <br />
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Any answers that I could provide right now would be pure conjecture, but I will have plenty to say when the details become known in the very near future. Stay tuned! SteveSteven C Schurrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11752830000301822628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646363082327001910.post-75623967152302145032015-02-18T17:58:00.003-08:002015-02-18T17:59:31.446-08:00Measles and Vaccination Lawsuits<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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<strong><u>Can I sue someone if my child contracts measles from a child whose parents refused to vaccinate their child?</u></strong></div>
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This would be a difficult lawsuit to win because you would have to prove that the parent was negligent in their decision not to immunize their child, while an exemption for religious or medical reasons is allowed per state law. Second, you would have to prove that your child contracted the measles directly from the unvaccinated child (i.e., proximate cause) which would be difficult. </div>
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Steven C Schurrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11752830000301822628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646363082327001910.post-52510729654715977752015-02-09T08:09:00.001-08:002015-02-09T08:10:50.679-08:00Measles and Vaccines in IllinoisShould you vaccinate your children for measles?<br />
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Both Indiana and Illinois grant and exemption for the requirement to vaccinate due to medical or religious reasons. Otherwise, you are required to get your children vaccinated.<br />
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Fifteen years ago, the federal Center for Disease Control declared measles eradicated in the United States. We know now that is not true.<br />
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<u><strong>ILLINOIS</strong></u><br />
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As you have probably heard, we have an outbreak of measles in Illinois. In Chicago, only 88.8% of adolescents have received the vaccine. In the state as a whole, the vaccination rate is 93.5%</div>
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The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has issued guidelines to help school administrators determine if a request for an immunization exemption should be allowed and whether medical exemption should be referred to the Illinois Depart of Public Health (IDPH). <a href="http://www.isbe.net/research/pdfs/Immunization_gdlines_med_rel.pdf">http://www.isbe.net/research/pdfs/Immunization_gdlines_med_rel.pdf</a></div>
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<b>Section 665.510 Objection of Parent or Legal Guardian</b> </div>
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<i>Parents or legal guardians who object to health, dental or eye examinations or any part thereof, or to immunizations,</i> or to vision and hearing screening tests,<i> on religious grounds shall not be required to submit their children or wards to the examinations or immunizations to which they so object if such parents or legal guardians present to the appropriate local school authority a signed statement of objection, detailing the grounds for the objection. </i>(Section 27-8.1(8) of the School Code) The objection must set forth the specific religious belief that conflicts with the examination, immunization or other medical intervention. The religious objection may be personal and need not be directed by the tenets of an established religious organization. General philosophical or moral reluctance to allow physical examinations, eye examinations, immunizations, vision and hearing screening, or dental examinations will not provide a sufficient basis for an exception to statutory requirements. The local school authority is responsible for determining whether the written statement constitutes a valid religious objection. The local school authority shall inform the parent or legal guardian of measles outbreak control exclusion procedures in accordance with the Department's rules, Control of Communicable Diseases Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code 690) at the time the objection is presented. </div>
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Questions regarding religious objections to vaccinations in Illinois should be directed to ISBE Specialized Instruction, Nutrition and Wellness Division, School Health, at 312-814-5560.</div>
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Questions regarding medical exemptions for vaccinations in Illinois should be directed to the IDPH at 217-785-1455.<br />
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For more information on immunizations from the Illinois Department of Public Health: <a href="http://www.idph.state.il.us/about/shots.htm">http://www.idph.state.il.us/about/shots.htm</a></div>
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Steven C Schurrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11752830000301822628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646363082327001910.post-15639540278804301852015-02-08T14:12:00.000-08:002015-02-08T14:12:25.327-08:00Measles and Vaccines in IndianaShould you vaccinate your children for measles?<br />
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Both Indiana and Illinois grant and exemption for the requirement to vaccinate due to medical or religious reasons. Otherwise, you are required to get your children vaccinated.<br />
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Fifteen years ago, the federal Center for Disease Control declared measles eradicated in the United States. We know now that is not true.<br />
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<u><strong>INDIANA</strong></u><br />
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Presently, there have been no outbreaks of measles in the state of Indiana.<br />
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Per Dr. Joan Duwve, chief medical consultant with the <a alt="http://www.in.gov/isdh" href="http://www.in.gov/isdh" title="http://www.in.gov/isdh">Indiana State Department of Health</a>. "Only one case of measles constitutes an outbreak for that disease here in the state of Indiana."<br />
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The measles virus is incredibly hardy, is airborne and can be passed on before an infected person becomes symptomatic. If an infected person is in a room with 100 unvaccinated people, 90 of them will become ill, Duwve has said.<br />
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About 0.81 percent, or 493, of all Indiana sixth-graders and 0.74 percent, or 456, of all kindergartners had a religious exemption in the 2013-14 school year, according to state statistics. That same year 4,455 kindergarten students did not have the MMR vaccine, which includes protection against measles, meaning only 92.7 percent of the grade was fully vaccinated.<br />
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Indiana requires parents to submit exemptions annually, ensuring that they remain firm in their commitment not to vaccinate their children.<br />
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Currently, the state's immunization registry does not necessarily include children who are home-schooled or younger than school age, unless a provider or school opts to enter the records.<br />
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Because some Amish don't believe in vaccination and there's a strong anti-vaccination movement in southern Michigan, there are pockets with low vaccination rates in Northern Indiana, Duwve said. These areas have seen outbreaks of another preventable disease, pertussis, or whooping cough, in recent years.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">VACCINATION</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">EXEMPTION</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">PURSUANT</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">TO</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt;">INDIANA</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt;">CODE</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt;">§</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">20-34-3-2 Religious objections <o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="IC20-34-3-2"></a> Sec. 2. (a) Except as otherwise provided, a student may not be required to undergo any testing, examination, immunization, or treatment required under this chapter or IC 20-34-4 when the child's parent objects on religious grounds. A religious objection does not exempt a child from any testing, examination, immunization, or treatment required under this chapter or IC 20-34-4 unless the objection is:<br />
(1) made in writing;<br />
(2) signed by the child's parent; and<br />
(3) delivered to the child's teacher or to the individual who might order a test, an exam, an immunization, or a treatment absent the objection.</div>
Steven C Schurrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11752830000301822628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646363082327001910.post-52593750742305074662015-02-06T07:44:00.000-08:002015-02-08T09:21:28.639-08:00Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act"Legislation designed to help combat suicide by U.S. military veterans passed in the Senate 99-0 on Tuesday, setting the stage for it soon to become federal law.<br />
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Approval of the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act was lauded by veterans and suicide prevention groups as a victory that will save lives. The legislation is named after a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and later took his own life in 2011."<br />
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<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/02/03/clay-hunt-veterans-suicide-prevention-act-passes-in-senate-will-head-to-white-house/">http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/02/03/clay-hunt-veterans-suicide-prevention-act-passes-in-senate-will-head-to-white-house/</a><br />
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"An estimated 22 veterans commit suicide each day, adding up to more than 8,000 deaths each year. Klobuchar is an original cosponsor of the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act, which will help expand access to mental health services for veterans by establishing a loan repayment program to help the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recruit more psychiatric specialists, enhancing resources for veterans transitioning to civilian life, and improving the VA's ability to address traumatic brain injuries. Congressman Tim Walz (D-MN) led the bill in the House."<br />
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<a href="http://www.brainerddispatch.com/news/politics/3670882-veterans-suicide-prevention-measure-important-step-toward-ending-vet-suicide">http://www.brainerddispatch.com/news/politics/3670882-veterans-suicide-prevention-measure-important-step-toward-ending-vet-suicide</a><br />
<br />Steven C Schurrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11752830000301822628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646363082327001910.post-24394491324450247062015-02-06T07:41:00.001-08:002015-02-06T07:41:23.180-08:00Enrollment Deadline Under the Affordable Care ActFebruary 15, 2015 is the last day to enroll in a health care plan. You can receive help at <a href="http://www.healthcare.gov/">www.healthcare.gov</a> or in Illinois a getcoveredillinois.comSteven C Schurrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11752830000301822628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646363082327001910.post-80356004099887253322014-11-01T08:43:00.000-07:002014-11-01T08:43:50.113-07:00Have you recently lost your Illinois Medicaid Coverage due to a software glitch?This is a serious message from my Law Office to citizens of Cook County on Medicaid or County Care. If you have received a letter informing you that your Medicaid benefits end, effective today, November 1, 2014 because you did not submit a Medical Renewal Form but, in fact, you posted a completed redetermination form in a timely manner online at www.medredes.hfs.illinois.gov per the instructions on the form and website, please contact my office. It appears that the website and software vendor lost completed Medical Renewal Forms that were posted online prior to the submission deadline. We are trying to determine how widespread this is and to prevent harm to anyone due to improper loss of coverage. Thank you. -Steve Schurr
Steven C Schurrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11752830000301822628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646363082327001910.post-46591498859502881902014-10-21T06:44:00.000-07:002014-10-21T06:45:11.550-07:00The First Ebola Patient in the USMany of you have been wondering just how much we are in danger of Ebola outbreak and just exactly how did we do in handling the first case in the United States. I was very disappointed and alarmed to see Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, an affluent and well-funded Hospital in Dallas, send the first Ebola patient home with free antibiotics diagnosed with a sinus infection, even though they knew that the patient had come from Liberia. The danger, of course, was that he would infect numerous individuals over the few days he was home rather than hospitalized. For example, Dallas was scrambling to find the homeless man that rode in the ambulance to the hospital with Mr. Duncan upon his return. They found him and he is disease free but there could have been a different outcome. It will be up to the lawyers and perhaps a jury to determine if the delay in diagnosis and treatment resulted in Mr. Duncan's death. Fortunately, we know now that his family was not infected. This is common treatment of uninsured individuals in the United States. The Dallas hospital has received much poor publicity and has had to temporarily close their Emergency Room, which is now reopened but unpopular. Many potential patients are refusing to go their which has resulted in a loss of revenue. If you had a choice, would you go to a hospital that has allowed their staff to become infected with Ebola when you could to somewhere else? The economic loss to the hospital and its parent company, Texas Health, is a good thing for the rest of us, because this will motivate administrators of hospitals all over the country to be certain they are prepared for an Ebola patient walking in their door. The Affordable Care Act fines hospitals that have readmissions due to misdiagnosis or lack of follow-up, and this hospital had been fined in the past. The amount of the fine, evidently, did not act as a deterrent for this hospital. Hopefully, the economic fallout for a misdiagnosis or a transmission to staff will provide the motivation. If not for the failure of the hospital to protect its staff, we would be Ebola free in the US right now. Under CDC guidelines in place at the time of his admission, the department of health would have been notified. Under Dallas County regulations in effect at the time, Mr. Duncan would have been sent home due to the misdiagnosis of a sinus infection and the lack of awareness that the pregnant woman that he assisted in Liberia had Ebola. The CDC is tightening its guidelines and I hope the County of Dallas will do the same.
Steven C Schurrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11752830000301822628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646363082327001910.post-82933976293506004862012-11-21T11:29:00.000-08:002012-11-21T11:29:00.922-08:00Obamacare RegulationsThree key sets of regulations needed to implement the Affordable Care Act have been issued.
Insurers, consumer groups and the public have 30 days to weigh in with comments on two of the proposed rules {essential benefits and premiums) and will have until Jan. 25 for the third, which outlines how employers can structure wellness programs that offer discounts to workers who participate. The contents of the laws which authorize these regulations are summarized in my October 23, 2012 blog "Contents of Obamacare - Part 2".
Here is a good article from Kaiser that summarizes the proposed regs:
http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2012/November/20/administration-releases-new-rules-for-health-law.aspx?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+khn+%28All+Kaiser+Health+News%29
Steven C Schurrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11752830000301822628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646363082327001910.post-17890890864603873552012-11-08T18:28:00.002-08:002012-11-21T14:44:47.597-08:00Contents of Obamacare - Part 11- Elders<i>The Elder Justice Act.</i>This law, among other things, establishes forensic centers to determine elder abuse, neglect and exploitation. “Elder” is defined “an individual who is 60 years old or older!”. The law offers grants to the states to promote “adult protective services.” There will be a study on the usefulness of a “nurses aide registry”. (Each year, 5000,000 to 5,000,000 elders are abused, neglgected, or explited. Last year, financial exploitation robbed seniors of $2.9 billion dollars, per a MetLife Mature Market Institute study. 77 million baby boomers are now approaching retirment and old age. In Illinois, Financial exploitation is the most common type of elder abuse in Illinois.
<i>Improving Access to Innovative Medical Therapies.</i> The law allows for FDA approval of “biosimilar” biologics, which are analogous to generic drugs, which are less expensive than proprietary drugs. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is charged with implementing an abbreviated pathway to the market for biosimilars. A “biologic” is a “virus, therapeutic serum, toxin, antitoxin, vaccine, blood, blood component or derivative, allergenic product or analogous product, or arsphenamine or derivative of arsphenamine (or any other trivalent organic arsenic compound), applicable to the prevention, treatment, or cure of a disease or condition of human beings.”
NEXT: FUNDING FOR OBAMACARE
Steven C Schurrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11752830000301822628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646363082327001910.post-13431133465910724912012-11-04T07:18:00.000-08:002012-11-05T07:32:57.388-08:00Contents of Obamacare -Part 10 - Fast Food and Dental Care<i>Prevention of Chronic Disease and Promotion of Public Health:</i> The law authorizes a “National Prevention, Health Promotion and Public Health Council, headed by the Surgeon General. The committee includes the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Agriculture and Education, Federal Trade Commission, Transportation, Labor, Homeland Security, environmental Protection Agency, Office of National Drug Control Policy, and others. The purpose of the committee is to promote coordination among the federal agencies for the promotion of health-care related goals.
The law also creates an <i>“Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion, and Integrative and Public Health.”</i> The purpose of the committee is to establish policy and program recommendations on life-style based chronic disease and management.
<i>School-based health centers.</i> The law provides grants to schools to establish these centers.
<i>Oral care.</i> Not much is said about oral disease (dental care) in regards to health reform. The beloved state of Illinois recently cut adult dental care for Medicaid recipients, except for tooth extractions and emergency care. Indiana provides adult dental services under Medicaid under limited circumstances. The federal Affordable Health Care Act (”Obamacare”) doesn’t say much about dental care either. It approves a few grants to study the problem and intends to publish related studies.
<i>The New “Wellness” visit under Medicare </i>includes the following: determination of medical history, a list of current health care providers and medications, determination of cognitive impairments, determination of a screening schedule, a list of personal risk factors for disease, and counseling as how to reduce the risk.
The law then goes into particular details as to how funding under Medicare for mammograms, and immunizations.
<i>Fast-Food Restaurants:</i> There is now a federal definition of a “food restaurant chain”: it is one that is part of a chain “with 20 or more locations doing business under the same name… and offering for sale substantially the same menu items”. These “chains” must now include caloric information on their menus. Federal regulations shall ensue as to standard menu items that come in different flavors, varieties, or combinations, but which are listed as a single menu item, such as soft drinks, ice cream, pizza, doughnuts, or children’s combination meals.
The law goes on to strengthens public health surveillance systems through grants, including pain management and research and childhood obesity.
Steven C Schurrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11752830000301822628noreply@blogger.com0