June 2012 Issue

On the Hill

Celebrating a Victory for Consumer Assistance

Earlier this month, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that it will provide nearly $30 million in additional funding for states to apply for Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) grants.
On the Issues

Affordable Care Act Offers Path to Health Equity

Half of the uninsured people in America are people of color, and too often people of color face barriers to receiving care. Such health disparities drive up costs for the entire health care system because lack of access to care exacerbates health problems and increases the incidence of chronic health conditions, which are more expensive to treat.
Spotlight Event

The Dual Agenda: Better Care and Lower Cost? Convening in Washington D.C.

Senior, disability and Medicaid advocates from across the country joined innovative providers, health policy experts, policymakers, funders and Community Catalyst staff for our convening on the "dual eligibles" demonstration projects. Pictured (L to R): Melanie Bella, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Ilene Henshaw, AARP; Alan Weil, NASHP; Tim Engelhardt, CMS; Renée Markus Hodin, Community Catalyst; Dennis G. Heaphy, Disability Policy Consortium & DAAHR

On the Issues

New Opportunities for Addressing Substance Use Disorders

The passage of the Affordable Care Act has opened new doors in addressing health needs that affect millions of Americans. One such issue is substance use disorders, which includes alcohol and drug addiction and related mental health issues.
On the Horizon

In Medicine, There's No Such Thing as a (Conflict) Free Lunch

A few years ago it wasn't uncommon to see drug reps armed with lunch platters or pizzas roaming hospital hallways or lingering in physician offices. While drug companies still employ this tactic to market brand-name drugs - along with fancy dinners, gifts, drug samples, consulting contracts, and subsidized continuing medical education and conferences - today these practices are increasingly being challenged and limited.
On the Record

Comprehensive Dental Reform Act of 2012

David Jordan, Dental Access Project director, spoke at Senator Bernie Sanders' (I-VT) press conference announcing the Senator’s Comprehensive Dental Reform Act of 2012. The bill is a major step toward coordinated, culturally competent community based dental care, and Community Catalyst was honored to be among the speakers.

O N   T H E   W I R E

Michael Miller, director of strategic policy, explained to MSN Health and Fitness the far-reaching impact striking down the Affordable Care Act would have on patients and on the health care system.

Jessica Curtis, Hospital Accountability Project director, was quoted extensively in a Charlotte Observer series on medical debt and collection processes in North Carolina hospitals and across the country. Curtis also told The Portland Press Herald community benefits, including free care, vary greatly across communities.

Michael Miller, explained to The Boston Globe how the Affordable Care Act benefits Massachusetts, and what's at stake for the state as the Supreme Court reviews the law.

Christine Barber, a senior policy analyst, explained to the LA Times options a small business owner has for buying insurance on the individual market and new benefits the Affordable Care Act gives small business owners.

Community Catalyst is a non-profit organization recognized as tax-exempt by the IRS under section 501(c)(3). We appreciate your support!

Media Contact

Jack Cardinal
Deputy Director of Communications
617-275-2923 
jcardinal@communitycatalyst.org

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