According to the latest Commonwealth Fund comparison of the US Healthcare system, the US scored either last or second to last in each major category. The competition this year was from: Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The US finished last overall, and practically last in each major criteria test.

Julie Rovner, from NPR News had this to say about the test, “To come up with the rankings, researchers surveyed both doctors and patients. The criteria comprised quality, access, efficiency, equity, whether people in each country lived long and productive lives, and how much each country spent per person on care.” She continues with her perspective of the results, “About the only good news for America, said Commonwealth Fund President Karen Davis, who was also the study’s lead author, is that the new health law could put the U.S. on a path towards improvement.”

One in five men ages 18-64 – about 21.2 million –are uninsured, compared with 17.2 million women in the same age group. This gap in coverage is consistent across various demographic groups.

The group most likely to lack health insurance is younger, unmarried men—but men are less likely to have health insurance than women at every age range.

Married men lack health insurance in greater numbers than married women before the age of 65, with 18.4 percent of married men between the ages of 26 and 34 lacking insurance.

“This disparity in health insurance between men and women is a serious problem for families,” said Dr. Heidi Hartmann, President of IWPR. “With so many men lacking health insurance, I can think of no greater gift for fathers this year than the security of knowing that they will have coverage in case of illness. Men are often bread-winners for their families, and family members often depend on them for access to health insurance.”

The data show that men stand to gain the most from health-insurance reform, with 4 million more men than women ages 18 to 64 uninsured in the United States across age and marital status.

View the Fact Sheet here: http://www.iwpr.org/pdf/A142.pdf

“We are heading into the week when our first tax-free $250 donut hole rebate checks will be mailed out to Medicare beneficiaries who have fallen into the coverage gap. Accordingly, we are especially concerned about fraud and increased activity by criminals seeking to defraud seniors – and we are seeking your help to stop it,” said Secretary Sebelius and Attorney General Holder in the letter. “Building on our record of aggressive action, we will use the new tools and resources provided by the Affordable Care Act to further crack down on fraud.”

In the letter, the Secretary and Attorney General outline education and outreach efforts where state attorneys general could make a big difference. These include efforts to cut the cut the improper payment rate, which tracks fraud, waste and abuse in the Medicare Fee for Service program, in half by 2012; a series of regional fraud prevention summits around the country over the next few months; regular health care fraud task force meetings to facilitate the exchange of information with partners in the public and private sector, and to help coordinate anti-fraud effort; HHS’s plans to double the size of the Senior Medicare Patrol and to put more boots on the ground in the fight against Medicare fraud; and a new educational media campaign this summer to educate Medicare beneficiaries about how to protect themselves against fraud.

The full letter follows.

June 8, 2010

Dear Attorney General:

It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to speak with you and your staff a few weeks ago. We wanted to send you a letter summarizing our discussions and following up with some suggestions of ways we can work together to protect the American people from health care fraud.

In the two months since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, we have made substantial progress on providing better choices for consumers, tackling health care costs, and holding insurance companies accountable. But while we have been hard at work, scam artists and criminals continue to profit from misinformation about the Affordable Care Act.

Since early April, we have heard increasing reports about seniors being asked to provide their Social Security numbers in order to receive a “donut hole” check under the new law, raising concerns about potential identity theft scams. We have fielded consumer complaints about phony insurance policies, and our Senior Medicare Patrols have been receiving a growing number of calls from people across the country reporting potential fraud schemes.

We are heading into the week when our first tax-free $250 donut hole rebate checks will be mailed out to Medicare beneficiaries who have fallen into the coverage gap. Accordingly, we are especially concerned about fraud and increased activity by criminals seeking to defraud seniors – and we are seeking your help to stop it.

The President has asked us to reach out to you and to other federal, state, and local law enforcement officials across the country to mount a substantial outreach campaign to educate seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries about how to prevent scams and fraud. Some important components of these outreach and education efforts, where you and your staff could make a big difference, are described below.

First, the President has directed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to cut the improper payment rate, which tracks fraud, waste and abuse in the Medicare Fee for Service program, in half by 2012.

Second, following on the National Health Care Fraud Summit we co-hosted in Washington earlier this year, the President has asked both our Departments to convene a series of regional fraud prevention summits around the country over the next few months. The first summit will take place in Miami on July 16. Other summits will follow in, for example, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Detroit, Boston, New York, and Philadelphia.

These summits will bring together top federal and state officials; representatives of federal, state, and local law enforcement; representatives of our agencies; the health care provider community, such as hospitals and doctors; local businesses; the Senior Medicare Patrol; caregivers; and seniors, for a day of panels and training sessions. Your expertise and experience will be instrumental to the success of these events.

Third, at the Attorney General’s request, the Acting Deputy Attorney General has sent a memo to every United States Attorney in the country asking them to convene regular health care fraud task force meetings to facilitate the exchange of information with partners in the public and private sector, and to help coordinate anti-fraud efforts. Most of these meetings will be held quarterly, with some exceptions for smaller districts. All 93 U.S. Attorneys have been asked to put a plan into place and schedule their first meeting by August 16, 2010. We hope that you and your office will take part in these regular exchanges on effective fraud fighting strategies.

Fourth, HHS will be doubling the size of the Senior Medicare Patrol and putting more boots on the ground in the fight against Medicare fraud. Since 1997, HHS and its Administration on Aging have funded Senior Medicare Patrol projects to recruit and train retired professionals and other senior citizens about how to recognize and report instances or patterns of health care fraud. Close to three million Medicare beneficiaries have been educated since the start of the program, and more than one million one-on-one counseling sessions have taken place with seniors or their caregivers. Currently, the Senior Medicare Patrol program funds projects in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Fifth, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, in conjunction with the Administration on Aging, will be launching an educational media campaign this summer to educate Medicare beneficiaries about the importance of staying vigilant with their personal Medicare information and getting the facts out about the new law so that scam artists are not able to prey on seniors.

The more we can educate the American people about fraud prevention, the better chance we have to protect taxpayer dollars and the Medicare trust fund. The Affordable Care Act also contains some important new tools and resources that will directly help law enforcement officials crack down on fraud.

As you are well aware, fraud schemes have plagued public and private health care plans for decades. Fraudsters have been stealing billions of dollars a year from Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurers. A year ago, our Departments joined forces to combat fraud in federal health programs. Through the establishment of the Health Care Fraud Prevention Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), we have expanded special anti-fraud Medicare Fraud Strike Forces into seven cities, developed sophisticated new techniques of fraud prevention data analysis, and redirected program integrity resources to fraud hot spots.

Building on our record of aggressive action, we will use the new tools and resources provided by the Affordable Care Act to further crack down on fraud. These include new criminal and civil penalties, enhanced information technology to track and prevent fraud in the first place, and new authorities to prevent bad actors from billing Medicare and Medicaid. HHS has already issued the first set of fraud prevention regulations required under the new health law. These regulations strengthen provider enrollment requirements to ensure we have the ability to better identify, screen, and audit providers and claims.

As we do our part in Washington, we want to work closely with you and other state officials to fight fraud. In that vein, the Affordable Care Act also strengthens state officials’ ability to detect and root out Medicaid fraud. For example, the law provides new access to Medicaid data for the Secretary of HHS that will help both states and the Administration to coordinate anti-fraud activities and gives states greater incentives and flexibility in identifying and collecting Medicaid overpayments. It also helps to promote enhanced information technology to track and prevent fraud, including predictive modeling techniques that can identify abusive or fraudulent billing patterns, audits, and a shared provider database for pre-enrollment screening and post-enrollment anomaly monitoring.

Securing health care coverage, affordability, and choices for Americans requires hard work and vigilance. We stand ready to serve as a resource and partner for you as we work together to fight fraud, implement the provisions of the new health reform law, and strengthen our health care system.

Sincerely,
Eric Holder
Kathleen Sebelius
Attorney General
Secretary of Health and Human Services

Specifically, the poll found that during the time people were awaiting their Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, they relied on the following resources for support:

The low reliance on personal savings may be in part because most people are not financially prepared to have their employment interrupted, even briefly. For example, studies have found that more than 60 percent of workers live paycheck to paycheck, and the U.S. Department of Commerce reports that the personal savings rate in March was just 2.7 percent of after-tax income.

So, what can someone do to ease the financial risks if they are one of the millions of people who must stop working each year because of a serious health condition?

“First, have hope because there are things you can do to take control,” said Paul Gada, personal finance director for the Allsup Disability Life Planning Center.

According to Gada, seeking help is essential. “Many people are afraid and overwhelmed. Asking for help is a sign of strength and being your own best advocate can help you feel more in control.”

Among the first steps people with serious health conditions or their caregivers should take quickly are:

• Create a financial plan. The plan should focus on establishing a budget and making certain you are spending down your assets in the least harmful way. Generally, this means using your savings or other resources before withdrawing from retirement accounts that could trigger a penalty or using high interest rate credit, which will have you paying off interest for years.

  “Sometimes it is unavoidable to use these higher cost resources, but before doing so people should actively pursue other types of public or private assistance that may be available to them,” said Gada.

• Contact your mortgage company or landlord. As part of this, identify housing assistance programs. For example, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has programs to assist with mortgage modifications, as well as rental assistance that can lower housing costs drastically. However, there are waiting lists, so it’s important to sign up as soon as possible.

  “People are often reluctant to reach out to their mortgage company or their landlord, they start missing payments, and the foreclosure or eviction process starts before they finally explain the situation,” says Gada. “By that time, it may be too late.”

• Seek assistance with utilities, food and other necessities. Conserve your resources by finding assistance to help you cope. There are hundreds of federal, local and private resources available in most communities. These can range from neighborhood food pantries to federally funded programs, such as Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Local phone companies provide reduced-rate support for home phone service. Associations such as the American Cancer Society and the National Family Caregiver Association also offer guidance.

  Many more people indicate they are considering assistance than are actually securing this assistance, according to the Allsup Disability Finance poll. Specifically, respondents reported that they had considered or attempted to get assistance from many types of programs, including:

“These findings indicate that people may not understand the various programs that are available and how to apply, or they may not meet the income thresholds initially for programs with these requirements, but could later on as they spend down their assets,” said Gada. “It can be overwhelming and people too often give up. Unfortunately, this can take an even greater toll on their finances as they turn to credit cards or retirement savings because they don’t understand what programs are available to assist them.”

Allsup offers information and links to many of these resources on its website.

• Secure healthcare coverage. Continuing medical treatment is vital. Among the options are COBRA through your former employer, a spouse’s plan or other private coverage, such as through the health insurance exchanges being established as part of the healthcare legislation enacted earlier this year. Compare plans closely to make sure you are getting the coverage needed and that you understand the costs. Additionally, if you must take expensive prescription drugs, check if the pharmaceutical company offers a prescription-drug assistance program.
• Pursue income sources, including SSDI. If you have paid into the Social Security Disability Insurance program, you may be eligible for benefits. If you are eligible, it’s essential to apply quickly as it can take up to two years or more to be approved. Gada advises seeking help with your SSDI application to speed the process. For example, people with disabilities represented by Allsup are significantly more likely to receive SSDI benefits at the initial level.

“It’s heartbreaking to hear of people with serious illnesses and disabilities unable to work and struggling month after month to pay for food or medical costs until they’re financially wiped out,” Gada said. “It shouldn’t be that way. There are steps people can take, but they need to ask for help and know how to get it.”

“This successful experiment holds promise for treating clot-induced strokes in humans,” says study lead author Daniel C. Morris, M.D., senior staff physician in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Henry Ford Hospital. “Neurorestorative therapy is the next frontier in the treatment of stroke.”

He will present the findings June 3 at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine in Phoenix.

Dr. Morris explains that the researchers added the synthetic peptide Thymosin beta 4 to a group of drug treatments – including statins – used for neurorestorative therapy to activate repair mechanisms which mimic cellular changes that occur in the early stages of brain development.

This research follows an earlier study, reported by the same team in March, which found that Thymosin beta 4 improved neurological function after stroke in adult rats by increasing the formation of protective myelin around nerve fibers in brain cells.

These experiments conclude that the peptide repairs and regenerates stroke-injured brain tissue.

The results of the first study also were similar to other research using the peptide to regenerate damaged heart, corneal tissue and wound repair.

In the latest study, adult rats were dosed with Thymosin beta 4 one day after they were subjected to a blockage in the cerebral artery, then given four more doses, once every three days. Rats treated only with saline were used as a control group.

After eight weeks, the Thymosin beta 4 group showed significant overall improvement compared to the control group.

The researchers concluded that the peptide improved blood vessel density as well as promoted a certain type of immature brain cells called oligodendrocyte progenitor cells to differentiate into mature oligodendrocytes, which produces myelin to protect axons in nerve cells.

In addition to Dr. Morris, the Henry Ford research team included Michael Chopp, Ph.D.; Li Zhang, M.D.; and Zheng Gang Zhang.

Thymosin beta 4 is produced by RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals.

The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health.

According to the study, patients undergoing bariatric surgery at hospitals rated with 5 stars by HealthGrades experienced, on average, 43% fewer complications and 10% less time in the hospitals than patients at average hospitals.

“Bariatric surgery has been proven to reduce caloric intake and control obesity, but the HealthGrades study demonstrates that where patients have this type of surgery matters – a great deal,” said Rick May, M.D., a vice president with HealthGrades and a co-author of the study. “There is a subset of U.S. hospitals whose patients, the data show, routinely have fewer complications and leave the hospital earlier.”

Hospitals receiving a 5-star rating in bariatric surgery have complication rates that are, to a statistically significant degree, lower than expected based on their patient population. Hospitals receiving a 3-star rating performed as expected, and those receiving a 1-star rating have complication rates that are higher than expected to a statistically significant degree. Hospitals with patient outcomes in the top 10% in the nation received the 2010/2011 HealthGrades Bariatric Surgery Excellence Award™.

The study found that:

• Patients having bariatric surgery at 5-star rated hospitals are 42.66% less likely to experience inhospital complications than patients at 3-star rated programs, and 66.55% less likely compared to 1-star rated programs.
• Five-star rated hospitals had an average case volume of 646 surgeries performed over three years, while 1-star rated hospitals averaged 384 cases.
• While inhospital mortality is generally an uncommon complication, patients had, on average, a four times higher risk of dying if they had a bariatric surgery performed at 1-star rated hospitals compared to 5-star rated hospitals.
• If all bariatric programs from 2006 through 2008 had performed at the level of 5-star rated hospitals, 5,046 patients could have potentially avoided a major inhospital complication across the 19 states studied.
• Patients having surgery at 5-star rated hospitals spent, on average, less time in the hospital (2.00 days) compared to patients treated in 3-star rated hospitals (2.21 days), and almost a half a day less than patients having surgery in 1-star rated hospitals (2.48 days).
• Bariatric Centers of Excellence (COE) programs were more likely to receive a 5-star rating than non-COE programs (25.6% of COE programs were 5-star rated while only 10.9% of non-COE programs received a 5-star rating).

Other findings from HealthGrades study include:

• Over the three years studied, 2006, 2007 and 2008, the number of bariatric surgeries in the 19 states analyzed increased 16%.
• In 2006, less-invasive laparoscopic procedures represented 83.18% of all procedures, and by 2008 they represented 88.93% of all bariatric procedures. On average, laparoscopic procedures had a complication rate of 5.49%, while gastric bypass procedures had a complication rate of 11.64%, and malabsorptive procedures had a complication rate of 7.01%.
• Of the 19 states studied, 63.33% of all procedures were performed in five states: California, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania and Florida.
• Overall, bariatric surgery patients were charged, on average, $38,254 for a laparoscopic procedure, while the average charge for an open procedure (e.g., gastric bypass or malabsorptive) was $38,323.
• Of all patients, 6.57% paid for their surgery out-of-pocket (self-pay) and did not utilize any type of insurance. There was a 5.42% decrease in the number of self-pay patients from 2006 through 2008.

Bariatric surgery is recognized as an effective treatment for obesity, especially in those patients noted to have extreme obesity, also referred to as “morbid obesity.” Morbid obesity carries an extensive risk of life-threatening complications such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. Morbid obesity affects approximately 4.7% of the U.S. population, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

The recent study compared the most current data available on inmates and hospitals and estimated the odds of mentally ill Californians ending up in jail rather than receiving treatment in a medical facility are 3.2 to 1.

“Jails and prisons are not created to be de facto psychiatric hospitals and the situation is getting worse in California,” said Carla Jacobs, of the California Treatment Advocacy Coalition, “Some of our most in need citizens are suffering from both the state’s fiscal crisis and the effects of failed mental health public policies.”

As a result of cost-cutting efforts, many California counties have simply eliminated large numbers of hospital beds formally dedicated to mentally ill patients. In the past year, Sacramento County closed 50 acute care psychiatric beds. Three years ago San Francisco General Hospital had 87 acute care psychiatric beds; now it has 42. Orange County’s UCI Medical Center shut down 19 acute care psychiatric beds in the past year.

“This increasing hospital bed shortage affects everyone,” said John Rouse, M.D., a San Francisco emergency psychiatrist, “Untreated mental illness is overburdening medical and emergency rooms, endangering both mentally ill individuals and those with other medical disorders. Hospital emergency rooms are filled with untreated mentally ill patients who simply have nowhere else to go.”

According to the California Hospital Association, 25 of California’s 58 counties have no acute care adult in-patient psychiatric beds at all. The Association estimates the number of acute care psychiatric hospital beds declined by nearly 800 beds between the years 2005 and 2007 alone.

“California can solve its bed shortage crisis if it has the political will to do so,” said Randall Hagar, Government Affairs Director of the California Psychiatric Association, “In 2002, the California Legislature passed one of the nation’s most forwarding thinking statues – Laura’s Law — to provide its severely mentally ill citizens community care to stop the revolving door of hospitalization and jailings.” Laura’s Law provides for assisted outpatient treatment that can act as a safety net by enhancing community-based services as acute care psychiatric hospital beds are reduced.

“Assisted Outpatient Treatment could reduce the use of hospital emergency rooms,” said Jacobs. “But so far, only two Boards of Supervisors among California’s 58 counties have passed a resolution to use it in their counties. If Laura’s Law is not implemented, more mentally ill people will be arrested and jailed; people will stack up in emergency rooms and remain untreated in the back bedrooms of family homes.”

Compounding the issue was the fact that doctors have spoken to less than one in 10 women ages 40+ (9%) about breast density. The low awareness of breast density and the fact that doctors are not talking to patients about its link to increased cancer risk is particularly troublesome to breast cancer survivor turned advocate Nancy M. Cappello, Ph.D., founder of Are You Dense, (www.areyoudense.org), a non-profit organization dedicated to informing the public about dense breast tissue.

“Prior to finding out I had advanced breast cancer, I had annual mammograms, I ate healthy and exercised, and didn’t have a first-degree relative with breast cancer. But I didn’t have all the information I needed,” said Cappello. “What I didn’t know was that I have dense breast tissue and like two-thirds of pre-menopausal women and one quarter of post menopausal women, I have a much lower chance of having breast cancer detected by a mammogram. The survey underscores the need for women to have more information about their risk and what they can do to find cancer at its earliest stage when it is most treatable.”

The national survey of 599 adult women ages 40 and older was conducted online from April 28-30, 2010, by Harris Interactive^®, a global market research and consulting firm. It was commissioned by U-Systems, the leader in developing automated breast ultrasound systems and the sponsor of the SOMO•INSIGHT study, a nationwide multi-center clinical study designed to evaluate whether digital mammography in combination with the Automated Breast Ultrasound System is more accurate than a routine screening mammogram alone in detecting breast cancer in women with dense breast tissue.

A growing body of research demonstrates a strong link between breast density and increased cancer risk of 4-6 times. One study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (356:227-236), showed 35 percent of breast cancer goes undetected by mammography in women with dense breasts as density masks appearance of tumors. Since both dense breast tissue and cancer appear white on a mammogram, it is difficult to detect cancer when there is a lot of dense breast tissue. Analogous to looking for a specific cloud in a cloudy sky, as breast density goes up, the accuracy of the mammogram goes down.

Rachel Brem, MD, SOMO•INSIGHT principal investigator, and professor of radiology, Breast Imaging and Interventional Center, The George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates in Washington, DC, agrees that while breast density is a major health issue, there is good news out there as well.

“Mammography is an effective modality for screening for breast cancer, and women aged 40 and above should have annual screening mammograms. However in women with dense breasts, the breast density can obscure a cancer. This is particularly problematic as women with dense breasts have an increased risk of breast cancer. Therefore, we need additional approaches to improving breast cancer detection in women with dense breasts.

“Several studies have shown that for women with dense breast tissue, supplementing mammograms with ultrasound can increase detection from 48 to 97 percent. While ultrasound is a proven tool throughout the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, it has not typically been used during the screening process. Establishing a solid scientific basis for the use of breast ultrasound as a cancer screening tool in certain populations, like women with dense breasts, is one of the primary reasons we’re conducting the SOMO•INSIGHT study,” added Dr. Brem.

When asked whether they would consider having an ultrasound exam or other additional imaging testing if they had increased breast density, nearly one-third (32%) of women ages 40+ indicated they would. Despite the fact that only five percent of women ages 40+ knew their own breast density prior to the survey, a significant number indicated that it is important for women over 40 to know their breast density (26%) and want to know their own breast density (23%).

To help women learn more about breast density and gather information for conversations about their breast health with their doctors, U-Systems also announced the launch of a dedicated web site for the SOMO•INSIGHT Study. Offering detailed information on the study, participation guidelines and an online eligibility quiz, the SOMO•INSIGHT web page also provides detailed background on breast density and Automated Breast Ultrasound. For more information and a list of participating clinical sites, call 866-364-6777 or visit http://www.somoinsightstudy.org.

The donations expand the reach of the GE Developing Health program, a 3-year, $25 million commitment that provides grant funding and GE employee engagement to selected health centers across the United States. The grant announced today in Houston is the largest grant to date for the Developing Health Program.

“GE recognizes there is a critical need in the U.S. healthcare system and the Developing Health program seeks to help fill the gap in access to quality care for underserved communities,” said Bob Corcoran, president of the GE Foundation. “Our partnership with these Houston health centers is a great example of the positive impact that can be made by combining funding with GE’s volunteer support.”

The four Houston medical centers are:

• El Centro de Corazon (Eastwood clinic)
• Good Neighbor Health Care (Heights Blvd. location)
• Spring Branch Community Health Center (Hillendahl location)
• Two Legacy Community Health Services (Southwest and Westheimer)

Each of the five health centers will receive $250,000, in two installments over two years. Grant funds will be used by each health center to increase access to primary care; specific grant programs will be identified through a collaborative dialogue between the health center leadership and community stakeholders. Houston is the third city to receive grants through the GE Foundation’s Developing Health initiative after New York City and Milwaukee. It is also the largest grant to date under the program, which will eventually extend to 10 cities across the United States.

“Houston is the fourth largest metropolitan area in the country. By partnering with these clinics to increase access to primary care we can help more people get the care they need when they need it,” said Mike Barber, VP, GE healthymagination. “This program and the volunteers supporting it are a living example of GE’s healthymagination strategy to help change the world’s approach to healthcare by touching more lives and improving quality of care.”

In addition to the grants themselves, the program announced today includes volunteering from area GE employees drawing on their business management skills. Complementing the financial donation, this unique approach ensures that the health centers also benefit from GE’s expertise including process improvement and business management based on the needs of clinic.

“We are honored to be recognized by GE for this funding and the supporting volunteers, which will allow us to increase access and improve our services for the more than 33,000 patients and almost 130,000 visits we have annually,” said Legacy Community Health Services executive Katy Caldwell. “Legacy Community Health Services offers a comprehensive range of services aimed at removing barriers, reducing health disparities, and improving health and the quality of life in the community.”

Developing Health is a partnership between GE Corporate Citizenship and GE Corporate Diversity Council teams that designed and launched the program in October 2009.

“GE recognizes that a diverse, healthy workforce and community is critical for a company to thrive in today’s competitive environment,” said Deborah Elam, VP and Chief Diversity Officer, GE. “Through Developing Health, GE’s Diversity Council aims to help underserved communities of all cultures across the US gain access to quality primary healthcare.”

Under the program guidelines, the GE Foundation will provide grants to the selected health centers. Grant recipients were selected based on criteria that include, but are not limited to, need, community impact, leadership, and willingness to partner with GE volunteers, transparency and accountability. The GE Foundation will not accept unsolicited requests for support.

With the Centers for Disease Control reporting that autism affects one out of every 110 children in the U.S., these Guidelines provide clear, consistent recommendations designed to facilitate the critical first steps toward treatment.

“Research shows that early diagnosis and treatment results in improved quality of life for most children with autism. The Guidelines focus on getting to those interventions faster through more consistent protocols for screening, diagnosis and assessment,” explains Bill Thompson, president of the Thompson Foundation for Autism. The foundation sponsored the Missouri Autism Guidelines Initiative along with the Division of Developmental Disabilities of Missouri Department of Mental Health.

The Guidelines combine current research, clinical experience and knowledge of Missouri practice in one document. It includes case examples and a series of easily referenced best practice recommendations. Georgina Peacock, M.D., M.P.H., of the Centers for Disease Control, notes, “It is essential for all those working or living with children with ASD to have access to thorough, comprehensive information, which these Guidelines provide. Children with ASD and their families will definitely benefit from this information and thoughtful collaboration.”

“The Guidelines keep the child and the family at the center of every step toward intervention,” says Bernard Simons, director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities. “The Guidelines respect and value the role of families in effective care and recognize that every person with autism is different and requires individualized supports, services and intervention. Community collaboration is key – that means clinicians, educators and service providers working hand in hand with families.”

Marilyn Cox, Cape Girardeau, Mo., is the parent of a son diagnosed with ASD in the mid 1980s. She served on the Missouri Autism Guidelines Initiative, a group of 42 professionals and parents. “I have seen much progress in the diagnosis of autism. However, this document in the hands of parents can serve as a road map for seeing the red flags, seeking diagnosis and being directed to expedient treatment. It is a fact that early intervention is the answer to the most effective treatment.”

The Guidelines can be downloaded at no cost at www.autismguidelines.dmh.mo.gov.