NC Health Report from the NC Justice Center

NC Health Report from the NC Justice Center
Another short video, dying without coverage, blocking Medicaid cuts


AT THE PROGRESSIVE PULSE:
NC Blue’s Chief Executive paid more than many CEOs at America’s biggest companies: Hard to believe, but non-profit NC Blue’s CEO makes more in annual compensation than the CEOs of Citigroup, Archer Daniels Midland, and many other much bigger for-profit companies.

HEALTH CARE MINUTES VIDEO – JUDGING HEALTH PLANS: In my second short video on health care policy and politics, I present my two-part test anyone can apply to see if a politician's health reform plan actually makes sense or is really just another attempt to hoodwink the public. This week I take a look at the plans of the candidates running for president.

THREE A DAY DIE IN NC BECAUSE THEY LACK HEALTH COVERAGE: Last week the national health advocacy group FamiliesUSA released an analysis on the effect the lack of health insurance has on mortality rates. Rob Schofield over at NC Policy Watch did a great job in a short overview of the study that linked it to other factors in NC also highlighting growing inequality in our state.

ELIMINATING BUSH ADMINISTRATION MEDICAID CUTS: Remember those pesky Medicaid rules implemented last year by the Bush Administration? HAC partner Action for Children drafted a letter to the NC Congressional delegation protesting this plan and detailing its effect on NC kids and families. Yesterday in Washington, Congress moved forward with plans to block these Bush cuts. The bill (H.R. 5613, Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008) blocking the cuts made its way out of committee yesterday and will soon be voted on by the House.

HEALTH ACCESS COALITION HOSTS MEETING WITH PARENTS IN RALEIGH: On Monday, April 21, 2008 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, Nicole Dozier, Health Access Coalition Assistant Project Director, will hold a meeting at the Safety Club, 513 Branch Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. At this meeting with parents, we will discuss eligibility for the state’s affordable health plans and what we can do together to make North Carolina a state where every parent can afford a health plan for his or her child. If you would like to join us, you must RSVP to Nicole Dozier (nicole@ncjustice.org).

REBUTTING THE RIGHT: Jeanne Lambrew at CAP has put together a nice report detailing how so-called high deductible “consumer-directed” health plans result in poorer care and higher costs for most people.

NOTE FOR MEMBERS: HAC has made a donation to the Alliance of AIDS Services-Carolina (AASC), in memory of longtime HAC member and friend Steve Sherman.
___________________________________________________
* Adam blogs on state politics and healthcare at The Progressive Pulse.
* Looking for past NC Health Reports? Check out the NC Health Report Archive.
* Looking for great analysis of what’s happening in Washington regarding health and other policy areas? The respected Center on Budget and Policy Priorities can help. Focused on kids? Try the well-known Georgetown University Center for Children and Families for excellent information. Finally, FamiliesUSA has a State Expansions Resource Center that shows reform progress across the country.
_____________________________________________________
Adam Searing, JD, MPH
adam@ncjustice.org
NC Justice Center's Health Access Coalition
224 S. Dawson St.
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-856-2568