« 10 things about healthcare stimulus »

Whether you agree with his politics or feel he is up against insurmountable odds with the economy, Barak Obam's goal to improve the delivery of health care to more Americans is noble but not without it's challenges.  He signed the health care stimulus plan in February for $150 billion.

We like Obama's vision to reform   -- however let's take this down into more detail.  Karen Sampson writes an excellent post about 10 things you need to know about the stimulus plan.  She understands this stuff; it's worth checking out.

Based on Karen's 10 points, we have our own take on things.

1. Electronic health records -- Obama wants all health records done electronically.  This would correspond with Walmart's recent news about offering electronic health records, Google Health and Microsoft's Health Vault.  For instance, organizations are still using paper and fax to move records between locations and other organizations.


2. Unemployed -- extend Medicaid for the unemployed.  This also includes the spouses and children under 19 of those unemployed people -- a direct money infusion to those who shouldn't be without coverage.  It will be these unemployed who will be forced to be entrepreneurial and use their expertise for improving the industry.


3. Children -- helping families of low-income children is a terrific idea.  Fittingly, this is funded by a tax increase on cigarettes.  I hope the savings aren't used to buy cigarettes -- that's a vicious circle.


4. Governors -- in charge of how funds are released and setting eligibility requirements for their states.  Great time to be a Governor, I'd say; help your citizens with someone else's money!  Unfortunately, several Governors don't see it that way.  Many are protesting for more discretion on how they use the funds.


5. CORBA -- to help offset costs, up to 65% of CORBA premiums are covered for individuals recently laid-off and still needing an extension to their coverage.


6. Job Training -- want to enter the health care field?  Now's the time, says $120 mil -- used for grants and helping people prepare for a career in health care.


7. Preventive Care -- keep costs under control through prevention and research.  And money will be saved by reducing the need for so many people to be in the system.  Counter-intuitive but surrounded in common sense.


8. Accountability -- how will Congress know funding is helping the economy?  $1.5 mil to the Institute of Medicine is how.  They will provide a national report on effectiveness before July 2009.


9. High tech -- novel idea for the health care industry.  Use technology to facilitate medical care, such as, improve operational efficiency, reduce wait times, exchange records electronically, and telemedicine for rural communities.


10. $150 billion stimulus -- this lists some terrific ways to help people and improve the health care industry.  We hope in six months we aren't writing about how this money was used inappropriately.  There is potential for this, not necessarily because it's government, but mainly because of the large sum of money.  It's just hard to manage that much cash (as I can only imagine).

We look forward to posting about successes in the industry because of the stimulus plan.

Comments

[Diane Shuster]

My husband was laid-off by AIG back in September 2008 and still has not found employment. We did receive the Corbra stimulus for our health insurance, but it will be running out soon. We are with Kaiser and just received the new rates for 2010 and are shocked. They have gone up over $200 a month for my husband and I. Do you know if the Corbra stimulus is going to be renewed? If it isn't we are going to have to change to a different insurance plan that is less expense. I appreciate your comments. Thanks, Diane

[tomhudock]

Diane, sorry to hear about your family's tough times. It can't be easy right now. We've heard several people considering dropping or reducing their health care coverage (although it's not the first option I would choose, if possible). And we've read about the increase in rates from insurance companies lately, which just adds to people's concern about insurance companies making more money.

To answer your question, the Obama administration is 'considering' whether to extend the stimulus. The latest we've heard is they may extend COBRA for possibly as much as 10 years. Legislation before Congress would allow terminated employees age 55 and over to remain on COBRA until Medicare eligibility at age 65. Also, terminated employees who lose their jobs between September 1, 2007 and December 31, 2009 would be eligible to keep COBRA until age 65 regardless of their current age.

Keep in mind this is just proposed law so there is hope.