On Tuesday, February 9, kidney patients from across the state of Georgia will join Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) – a national, non-profit, patient-led organization representing approximately 1,300 members in Georgia and 22,000 members nationwide – in holding a briefing at the State Capitol, followed by a series of meetings with lawmakers and staff, urging the passage of key legislation this year that would help thousands of Georgia’s kidney failure patients who are struggling to access health insurance for the medical care they need.

The legislation – S.B. 316, sponsored by State Senators Don Thomas (R-Dalton) and Ed Harbison (D-Columbus) – would provide the opportunity for approximately 2,000 Georgia end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and disabled patients under the age of 65 to access Medigap secondary coverage. Under current federal law, all Medicare beneficiaries over the age of 65 are already able to purchase Medigap, which provides them with access to needed medical treatments, including kidney transplant, without cost being a barrier. Patients and kidney care advocates will ask lawmakers to extend the same coverage to Georgia’s ESRD and disabled Medicare beneficiaries under age 65.

If Georgia passes this important legislation, fewer people will be forced to “spend down” their assets to enter the state Medicaid program, resulting in Medicaid savings of up to $20 million over the next five years for Georgia and protecting taxpayers from higher program costs.

A significant majority of U.S. employers believe health care reform, if enacted, would lead to higher costs for both employer-sponsored benefit programs and health care services overall, according to initial results from an employer survey conducted by Towers Watson and the National Business Group on Health. A separate Towers Watson survey of U.S. employees found that a majority of workers think health reform will not only lead to higher costs, but decrease the quality of care and reduce the benefits available to them.

“Although the status of legislative health care reform is currently in limbo, it’s clear that employers and employees alike are concerned over the potential impact reform could have on health costs and their benefit programs,” said Ron Fontanetta, Towers Watson Health and Group Benefits practice leader for Intellectual Capital Development. “While health reform could ultimately provide greater access to health care to more Americans, there is a fair amount of skepticism over whether health reform will be able to curb rising health costs.”

The Towers Watson – National Business Group on Health survey found that nearly three-fourths (71%) of employers believe health reform will increase the overall cost of health care services in the United States, while 69% believe it will increase the cost of their benefit programs. Additionally, more than one-third (35%) say health reform will lead to fewer employers offering subsidized benefits. Nearly half (46%) of employers believe it will decrease employer-sponsored offering of retiree medical benefits, while very few — only 5% — say it will increase, and just 27% of employers say it will cause no change.

“These survey data confirm quantitatively what many people — employers, employees and policy pundits — have been talking about for the past four months. That is, whatever else a health care reform plan might do, it is unlikely to control health care costs, which has everyone worried,” said Helen Darling, President of the National Business Group on Health.

On balance, there are some pluses and some minuses in employers’ views and expectations from health care reform. On the one hand, roughly one-fourth (27%) believe it will lower health care quality and decrease the value of benefits that employers offer, but 39% and 40%, respectively, say it will have no change in these areas. On the other hand, a majority (71%) believe health care reform will increase access to health benefit coverage. In other encouraging outcomes, 34% believe it will increase transparency of provider prices, and 30% say it will increase the transparency of provider quality. Additionally, just over one-third (34%) believe health care reform will increase adoption of total replacement consumer-driven health plans (CDHP) by large employers, while only 9% believe adoption will decrease, and 27% believe there will be no change.

The separate Towers Watson survey of approximately 1,000 workers at midsize and large U.S. companies found similar concerns over health reform. Two-thirds (67%) believe health reform would result in higher benefit costs, while more than one-half (54%) believe it would reduce their available benefits and lower the quality of health care (53%).

This survey also found that 40% of employees would not be comfortable purchasing their own insurance in the reformed markets as an alternative to getting coverage through their employer. The current legislation proposals include a mandate for all individuals to have health insurance coverage, which ultimately could impact employees who currently receive insurance from their employer — if the employer decides to terminate the company plan and pay into the system instead.

“All eyes remain on Congress, and there will likely be trade-offs in whatever final legislation emerges from their negotiation process,” said Steve Raetzman, senior consultant for Towers Watson. “However, with or without health care reform, employers will continue to look for ways to control rising health care costs and provide high-quality health care for their workers and families.”

According to statistics released today by the Minnesota Department of Health, 368 confirmed new cases of HIV were reported in Minnesota during 2009. The 368 new cases are the highest seen in 17 years. The Minnesota AIDS Project, the leading source for HIV information and services in Minnesota, believes that this data underscores its view that HIV prevention and education is at a critical point if we are to stop the increase in new cases.

Because the number of Minnesotans living with HIV continues to rise, and likely will given a greater percentage of the population living with the virus, there is an urgent need to ensure that current information about remaining safe is available to all who may be sexually active, especially those in high-risk communities. One of the primary risks of exposure is the fact that there are likely thousands of people in the state who do not know they are HIV-positive and are at risk for transmitting the virus to others.

“HIV is a preventable disease but we must talk about it to succeed. This younger generation was born sometime between 1986-1995 and became sexually active after the millennium. The message that they heard growing up was that AIDS was not a major problem in America and those living with HIV were living longer “normal” lives with the new medications. While true to some extent, this perception clouds the reality that HIV is at best a life-altering disease of medications and doctor visits for the rest of your life and, at worst, remains deadly.” said Lorraine Teel, executive director of the Minnesota AIDS Project. “We cannot be silent to our young adults about the risks that come along with sex. The fact that many in this age group are testing is a good step and means they’re hearing that message but we need to continue to invest in education to reinforce methods of reducing the risk for HIV to support long-term behavior change.”

Hospitals rated in the top 5% in the nation by HealthGrades have a 29% lower risk-adjusted mortality rate and are improving their clinical quality at a faster pace than other hospitals, according to a new study issued today by HealthGrades, the leading independent healthcare ratings organization. Hospitals rated in the top 5% can be found at www.healthgrades.com.

In addition to having lower risk-adjusted mortality rates, hospitals in the top 5% – designated Distinguished Hospitals for Clinical Excellence by HealthGrades – also had risk-adjusted complication rates that were 9% lower than all other hospitals.

Now in its eighth year, the HealthGrades Annual Hospital Quality and Clinical Excellence study examines patient outcomes at all 5,000 nonfederal hospitals in the country based on 40 million hospitalization records from 2006, 2007 and 2008 obtained from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Participation is not voluntary, and no hospital can opt out of being rated. For each hospital, risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates are evaluated across 26 procedures and diagnoses, from heart attack treatment to valve-replacement surgery to total knee replacement.

“This independent study of mortality and complication rates identifies an elite group of hospitals that are setting the benchmark for outstanding patient outcomes,” said Rick May, M.D., HealthGrades Vice President of Clinical Excellence Research and Consulting and an author of the study. “And what’s extraordinary is that these hospitals are not standing still. In fact, the data show that they are continuing to improve their patient outcomes at a faster rate, reflecting a commitment to quality that stands as a model for all other hospitals.”

The 2010 study of Medicare patients also found:

• Thirty-six states have one or more hospitals in the top 5%. Delaware has the highest percentage of Distinguished Hospitals for Clinical Excellence at 50% of eligible hospitals, followed by Maryland, Minnesota, Florida and Connecticut.
• 150,132 patient deaths among Medicare patients may have been prevented and 13,104 inhospital complications among Medicare patients may have been avoided if all hospitals performed at the level of the top 5% of hospitals.
• The top 5% of hospitals showed greater overall improvement in risk-adjusted mortality from 2006 through 2008, with an average of 13.91% improvement versus 10.41% improvement for all other hospitals.

How could a little-known Republican possibly have won a competitive U.S. Senate race in Massachusetts, the bluest of blue states? A new study by a team of Hoover researchers indicates that the culprit is the unpopularity of health care reform, and it likely means that Democrats will face even greater challenges later this year in less liberal states than Massachusetts.

“While the majority party historically loses seats in midterm elections, the stunning Democratic loss of Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat in Massachusetts signals a midterm Republican rebound of striking proportions,” says Hoover deputy director David W. Brady.

The recent study polled voters in the eleven states most likely to have competitive Senate races in November on their opinions about health care reform and how they might vote in November. The interviews were conducted from January 6 to 11 with 500 registered voters in Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The respondents were selected from a nonpartisan YouGov PollingPoint panel to be representative of the registered voters in each state.

Health care reform is significantly more popular in some of these states than in others, the study shows; where it is unpopular—which includes most states—the Democratic Senate candidates will face uphill battles. Calculated by the relationship between voters’ support for health care reform and the spread between the Democrat and Republican candidates’ vote share, the state-by-state findings indicate that support for health reform varies from a low of 33 percent in North Dakota to a high of 48 percent in Nevada. Democrats trail Republicans in six of the states; three are toss-ups; in two, Democrats have a solid lead.

How is it possible to conclude that the health reform bill itself is to blame and not just that these are more conservative states? First, the study asked voters if they knew how their incumbent senators had voted on the bill passed on Christmas Eve; about two-thirds answered correctly. Even now, long before the Senate campaigns have intensified, voters know where the candidates stand on health care. Second, voters were asked about their preference for Democrat versus Republican candidates in a generic House race. The results indicated that the higher the level of opposition to health reform, the greater the likelihood that the state’s voters supported Republicans.

In the healthcare industry, a proper diet and can help prevent a number of life threatening diseases, however many diets are difficult to stay on due to: taste, cost, etc.  The secret, may be to ’swap’.

Start off the New Year right – with a focus on simple ways to improve the foods you already enjoy. Adding spices and herbs is an easy way to power up your plate, boosting flavor and natural antioxidants of your favorite foods, while making it easier to replace salt, sugar and fats. Try an easy 30 day challenge to help make “super swaps” a healthful habit this year.

“Making simple swaps in your daily routine can make a big difference,” says registered dietitian Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, MA, RD, author of The SuperFoodsRx Diet. “For example, sprinkling 1/4 teaspoon Oregano Leaves into your dishes instead of a 1/4 teaspoon of salt will save you 575 mg of sodium and add as many antioxidants as 1 1/2 cups fresh spinach,” says Dr. Bazilian. “Or, swapping 1 tablespoon brown sugar for 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon in your oatmeal can save 12 grams of sugar, 45 calories and add antioxidants comparable to 1/4 cup raspberries.”

Here are a few more super swaps to get started:

• In place of salt, wake up your taste buds with Herbed Scrambled Eggs. Beat 1/8 teaspoon thyme into 2 eggs before scrambling.
• Give your grilled cheese sandwich a super swap makeover. Instead of pan frying with 1 tablespoon butter, save 100 calories and 11 grams of fat by broiling it open-face, topped with sliced tomato and 1/4 teaspoon oregano for added flavor and antioxidants.
• Skip the mayo, and try mixing 1/2 teaspoon of curry powder into 8 ounces of plain yogurt to use as great spread on a turkey and vegetable pita sandwich.
• Instead of drizzling oil onto baked chicken breasts or roasted vegetables, shake on some herbs – thyme, rosemary and oregano are all great matches – and a squeeze of lemon juice. For every tablespoon of olive oil, you’ll save 120 calories and 14 grams of fat.

Applying the super swap approach is also cost-effective. With each pinch, dash and spoonful, spices and herbs can help boost the antioxidant power of practically everything on the plate for only pennies. In fact, a 1/4 teaspoon of Ground Cinnamon costs only $0.03 and a 1/4 teaspoon of Oregano Leaves adds up to just $0.06.

So you or your patient needs to lose weight, however it seems like working out and dieting do nothing to improve their health.  Maybe the problem could be medical.

The American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP) works with physicians so they’re better prepared to deal with society’s obesity epidemic. Even though people focus on weight loss more in January than any other month, successful weight loss is a year-round long-term initiative that goes far beyond just diet and exercise. The ASBP has highlighted five questions everyone who needs to lose weight should ask their physician.

1. Do I have other conditions that may be keeping me from losing weight?

It is important when you begin any weight loss program that you visit with a bariatric physician who can identify any weight-related conditions that can slow or stop successful weight loss. A bariatric physician will do a complete medical work-up to assess your overall health and metabolic state.

2. Do I have hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the body lacks sufficient thyroid hormone. Since the main purpose of thyroid hormone is to “run the body’s metabolism,” it is understandable that people with this condition usually have a slow metabolism and thus, difficulty losing weight. A bariatric physician can identify a thyroid problem and provide a treatment plan that addresses hormonal and metabolic problems.

3. How are my Vitamin D levels?

Vitamin D levels are almost always low in patients who are overweight. Low Vitamin D levels can cause fatigue, muscle pain, bone pain and an overall feeling of lethargy, making it hard to lose weight.

4. Am I insulin resistant?

Insulin resistance turns off fullness signals to the brain. Typically, the heavier a person is, the more insulin resistant they may be, making them feel less full, causing them to continue to overeat. It is a complex condition that can be treated with the use of medications, exercise and dietary changes. Once it is treated, patients can feel more satiated, leading to more effective weight loss.

5. Am I ready for exercise?

This question may seem obvious, but exercise can be dangerous cardiovascularly in patients who are severely overweight. The heavier a person is, the more prone they are to injury. Often, it makes more sense medically for a patient to lose weight first and implement an exercise program when it is safe to do so, using exercise to maintain weight.

According to Dr. Wendy Scinta, a board certified family physician, a board certified Diplomate of the American Board of Bariatric Medicine (ABBM) and a member of the Board of Trustees of the ASBP, there is a skill set to managing obesity.

“If it were as simple as just eating less, we wouldn’t have an obesity epidemic in this country,” said Dr. Scinta. “Obesity is a medical condition, and it should be treated as such.”

Physician supervision is necessary to detect and treat weight-related medical conditions. A program supervised by a physician who is a member of the ASBP and who has completed specialized training in bariatric medicine, offers a comprehensive and effective approach to maximizing overall health and reversing co-morbidities.

To find a bariatric medical practice near you, visit www.asbp.org and click on the “Find a Physician” link.

How important are wellness programs to companies?  Well, 45% of Americans working at small to medium-sized companies said that they would stay at their jobs longer because of employer-sponsored wellness programs, according to the latest Principal Financial Well-Being Index.

The survey also found that as a result of workplace wellness programs, 40 percent of workers say they are encouraged to work harder and perform better and 26 percent miss fewer days of work by participating in such programs. As in previous years, 51 percent of workers believe wellness programs are very or somewhat successful in reducing health care costs.

The index, which surveys American workers at growing businesses with 10-1,000 employees, is released by the Principal Financial Group and conducted by Harris Interactive. These findings focusing specifically on wellness attitudes and behaviors among American workers were taken from the fourth quarter 2009 Index.

“Wellness programs are clearly a win-win, especially at a time when employers and their employees are more budget conscious,” said Lee Dukes, president of Principal Wellness Company, a subsidiary of the Principal Financial Group. “Employers benefit by retaining top talent, energizing their employees and reducing the number of sick days. Employees benefit from improved physical health, reduced stress in the workplace and the financial benefits of a healthy lifestyle.”

While not all employers offer wellness programs, the survey found nearly half (47 percent) of workers surveyed would participate or do participate in wellness programs to achieve better overall physical health. Other top reasons for participation include:

• Reduced personal health care costs (30 percent)
• Greater chance of living longer and healthier lives (30 percent)
• Receiving employer incentives for participation (28 percent)
• Reduced stress (28 percent).

Fitness Tops Workers’ Wish List as Worries about Changing Health Plans Mount

The survey found most workers are interested in wellness programs that improve their physical fitness, with 27 percent saying they would like in-office fitness facilities, 23 percent citing fitness center discounts and 19 percent expressing interest in weight management programs. For some, these wishes came true last year, as significantly more workers (15 percent) have access to fitness facilities in fourth quarter 2009 compared to 11 percent in fourth quarter 2008.

As workers seek ways to improve their health, they are concerned about potential changes in their health insurance. Significantly more workers, 34 percent, expect their medical plan options to change in 2010 compared with only 23 percent in 2009, the survey found.

“While uncertainty over the future health care system mounts, more Americans are taking charge of their own health by focusing on preventive care and living a healthy lifestyle now to lead a longer, more quality life,” said Dukes.

So what are some of the practical things that the government is doing to help Haiti?  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has activated the National Disaster Medical System and the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. More than 250 personnel are in the process of deploying to Haiti and over 12,000 personnel could possibly assist in the coming days.

“HHS medical personnel from across the country are traveling to Haiti to provide emergency medical care,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “These experts will provide medical care to the injured and will support the public health response on the ground. Additional medical personnel will be deploying to Haiti to help address the critical health issues in the aftermath of the earthquake. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those who are suffering from this terrible disaster.”

The medical teams include doctors, nurses, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, emergency medical and surgical physicians, and other medical personnel from Georgia, California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Florida. An International Medical Surgical Response Team will provide care for severely injured patients and five Disaster Medical Assistance Teams will provide basic medical care. These personnel will be accompanied by 22,000 pounds of medical equipment and supplies.

In addition, experts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will assist with checking the water and food supply.

In odd events early this week, local news aggregator LocalSpur reported that a Doctor’s Without Borders cargo plane that was attempting to give aid to Haiti had to be re-directed to the Dominican Republic and was delayed in landing in Haiti.

Once allowed to land, an inflatible surgical hospital, with an intensive care unit and 100 beds, can be assembled almost immediately from all the supplies contained on the plane. Currently only two fully functional medical theaters are operating in the city, making the situation extremely difficult to help all who need it.

In better news for the fund raising efforts in Haiti, MobileCrunch reported that the Red Cross has raised over $10 million dollars in relief aid from the AT&T text messaging campaign.  These funds will go to help pay for the medical expenses, food and shelter for the tens of thousands put out on the streets by the earthquake last week.