Seniors in Medicare Advantage Receive Higher Quality Care, New Reports Show

TT Note: And this is the plan the current health care reform bill will cut? What's wrong with this picture?

/PRNewswire/ -- Seniors in Medicare Advantage spent fewer days in a hospital, were subject to fewer hospital re-admissions, and were less likely to have "potentially avoidable" admissions, for common conditions ranging from uncontrolled diabetes to dehydration, according to a new analysis of publicly available AHRQ data released today by America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP).

The new study echoes the findings of an earlier analysis of AHIP member data showing that seniors in Medicare health plans can receive higher quality care compared to fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare.

"Medicare Advantage plans coordinate care, help seniors manage chronic conditions, and focus on prevention to help seniors stay healthy in the first place," said Karen Ignagni, President and CEO of AHIP.

Instead of focusing almost exclusively on treating beneficiaries when they are sick, Medicare Advantage plans place a strong emphasis on preventive health care services that detect diseases at an early stage and disease management programs for seniors with chronic illnesses to help them keep their conditions under control. These programs are working to help keep patients out of the hospital and avoid potentially harmful complications.

The new study analyzed statewide datasets on hospital admissions in California and Nevada compiled by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The unique data in these states allows for direct comparisons of utilization rates among enrollees in Medicare Advantage plans and in FFS Medicare. These comparisons were adjusted for health status using the Medicare risk score process for age, sex, and 70 Hierarchical Condition Categories that are used as a basis for Medicare risk adjustment. Key findings from the report include:

-- Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in California spent 30 percent fewer
days in the hospitals than patients with FFS Medicare, and in Nevada,
seniors in Medicare Advantage plans spent 23 percent fewer days in the
hospital.
-- Medicare Advantage enrollees were re-admitted to the hospital in the
same quarter for the same condition 15 percent less often in
California and 33 percent less often in Nevada compared to FFS
Medicare.
-- In both California and Nevada, seniors in Medicare Advantage were 6
percent less likely than seniors in FFS Medicare to be admitted to the
hospital for conditions described by AHRQ as "potentially avoidable,"
such as dehydration, urinary tract infection, or uncontrolled
diabetes.

The new analysis follows a previous AHIP study comparing utilization rates among patients in eight Medicare health plans compared to seniors in FFS Medicare. This study among seniors with certain chronic conditions in California and Nevada also found that:

-- Medicare Advantage beneficiaries spent an average of 18 percent fewer
days in the hospital than seniors in FFS Medicare.
-- Seniors in Medicare Advantage had an average of 27 percent fewer
visits to the emergency room than those seniors in traditional
Medicare.
-- Seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage health plans also experienced a
42 percent lower rate of hospital re-admissions than those seniors in
FFS Medicare.
-- Avoidable admissions to the hospital were 13 percent lower among
seniors in Medicare Advantage plans than those in traditional
Medicare.

Policymakers and stakeholders recognize that reducing preventable hospital admissions and readmissions are important steps towards improving the quality and safety of patient care and helping to put our health care system on a more sustainable path. These studies demonstrate that the programs Medicare Advantage plans have implemented provide a model for how this can be accomplished.

The health care reform proposals currently being considered in Congress include significant cuts to the Medicare Advantage program that would risk the health security of millions of seniors across the country. Seniors would face higher premiums, reduced benefits, and, in some parts of the country, would lose access to their Medicare Advantage plan altogether.

"The entire Medicare program, including Medicare Advantage, should be carefully evaluated as part of comprehensive health care reform. However, seniors in Medicare Advantage should not be forced to fund a disproportionate share of the costs to reform the health care system," said Ignagni.

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Misleading the Public on Health Care with Spoken Words

TT Note: Perhaps the public and Congress should read the bill. Then, we would know when someone is trying to mislead us with eloquent words. Listening to the words last night makes one wonder what bill has he seen? Certainly, it's one that no one else has!

President Obama Misleads Public on Health Care for Illegal Aliens; Illegal Aliens Would Benefit Under H.R. 3200

/PRNewswire/ -- "The reforms I'm proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally," President Obama said in a carefully worded statement to a Joint Session of Congress and the American public last night. The problem, notes the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), is that the health care reforms proposed in H.R. 3200, America's Affordable Health Care Act of 2009, clearly would benefit illegal aliens.

"Perhaps the reforms that President Obama advocates would not cover illegal aliens, but those are not the reforms currently under consideration by Congress," commented Dan Stein, president of FAIR. "H.R. 3200, the legislation that the House will be voting on, would allow illegal aliens to benefit from the government-financed public option, and includes no verification provisions to prevent illegal aliens from receiving taxpayer subsidies to purchase private health insurance."

President Obama's assertion that illegal alien would not be covered under AAHCA is directly contradicted by an August 25 report, Treatment of Noncitizens in H.R. 3200, issued by the Congressional Research Service. The nonpartisan research arm of Congress concluded, "H.R. 3200 does not contain any restrictions on noncitizens - whether legally or illegal present, or in the United States temporarily or permanently - participating in the [Health Insurance] Exchange."

Once in the Exchange, participants are free to enroll in the government run health insurance program. This public option, established under H.R. 3200, would be heavily or entirely subsidized by the American taxpayers. While illegal aliens are barred from receiving "affordability credits" to help pay for private insurance, CRS noted the absence of any mechanism in the bill to verify citizenship or legal residency.

"There is no reason why the controversy over whether illegal aliens will be eligible for massive health care subsidies should persist," said Stein. "The president, congressional leaders, and the public all agree they should not. The authors of H.R. 3200 can easily remove the ambiguities from the House bill, and Senate leaders can include specific language barring illegal aliens from all nonemergency benefits in the bill that is being written in that chamber.

"President Obama himself can also play an important role in seeing to it that his wishes are carried out by publicly urging leaders of both houses to include clear, unambiguous language in their legislation that would preclude illegal aliens from coverage under his health care reform proposal," Stein continued. "FAIR stands ready to work with the White House and congressional leaders to develop legislative language that would make sure that President Obama's pledge to the American people is fulfilled."

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Revolt Against Career Politicians in the US Congress Begins Today

/PRNewswire/ -- The American Revolution of 2010 unveiled its web site two days ago, providing the Nation with a viable means to dramatically change the US Congress. With the current uproar over Congress' handling of health care proposals, their timing could not be better. Their unique strategy has a real potential to lure literally millions of Americans who are frustrated with the career politicians currently occupying the halls of Congress to join their revolt.

Based upon a concept of voluntary accreditation of candidates seeking public office, the strategy incorporates mandatory standards for candidates that focus on ethics, disclosure, conduct, term limits and other requirements that many have been clamoring for. Coupled with an evolving five-year plan to move the Nation forward, this grassroots initiative might very well evolve as the consolidation point of numerous other grassroots political initiatives, obviously enhancing the chances of Congress actually being transformed.

A thorough examination of this non-partisan approach reveals no major or even minor flaws. Other than the career politicians they are targeting, and those few who still have a favorable opinion of Congress, this initiative will be very appealing. Confident in their concept, the American Revolution of 2010, LLC promises that if a more feasible, viable, and achievable plan emerges that will enable the American people to take back control of their Nation from the career politicians they will turn over all of the company's financial assets to the organization spearheading that initiative, offer its full endorsement of that initiative, and promote the support of that initiative through their web site. In addition, their founder has pledged he will make a $50,000 donation to that organization from his personal savings should such a superior plan emerge.

Don't look for either to occur. If the American people really want to wrestle control from the career politicians, this concept appears to be the means to do so. This common sense concept leaves the reader thinking "Why didn't someone think of this sooner? This is a more perfect form of a representative democracy."

Discussing the unique concept of accreditation of political candidates will likely prove to be an irresistible topic for many of the political talk shows. Given the percentage of voters possessing a low opinion of Congress, look for this initiative to quickly gather momentum.

Web site visitors should plan to spend an hour or so of their time fully exploring the site to glean a full appreciation of the comprehensive strategy. The site is at: http://the-american-revolution-of-2010.com/ .

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Rep. Tsongas Has Her Choice of Health Care, but What about the Little People?

TT Note: Members of Congress have their choice of health care. Does Rep. Tsongas really think the current health care reform bill will increase the choices for Americans? Does she really think the current health care reform bill will strengthen private health care?

Hmmm. Government exchange provision will provide any private insurance company? Gee, that's not what the White House said.

Yes. The system needs reworking-- but not by government mandates of an one payer system.




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Political News You Can Use

Partnership for Prevention: CDC Report Shows Compelling Need for FDA Regulation of Tobacco

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new report on the cigarette brand preferences of middle and high school students demonstrates the need for Congress to give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the power to regulate tobacco, Partnership for Prevention Interim President Corinne G. Husten, MD, MPH, said today.

"It's no accident that the most-advertised brand of cigarettes in history is also the favorite brand of high school and middle school students," Husten said. "Congress must move quickly to introduce and pass legislation giving FDA the authority to curtail advertising and promotional practices that appeal to underage youth."

The survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that Marlboro - the most heavily advertised brand of cigarettes - was the brand "usually smoked" by 52.3 percent of high school students and 43.3 percent of middle school students who regularly smoke. Cumulatively, the three most heavily advertised brands - Marlboro, Newport and Camel - were preferred by 78.2 percent of middle school smokers and 86.5 percent of high school smokers. Marlboro is manufactured by Altria, while Newport is made by Lorillard and Camel is sold by R.J. Reynolds.

"Altria and R.J. Reynolds must accept responsibility for their actions and end their advertising practices that appeal to children," Husten said. "Giving the FDA the power to regulate tobacco marketing would be a huge step to address one of the greatest public health threats facing American youth."

Husten said the report also underscored the need for increased funding for mass-media campaigns to counteract tobacco-industry marketing.

"Altria funds a campaign it claims is intended to discourage youth smoking," she said. "But data have shown that such campaigns by the tobacco industry actually increase youth tobacco use."

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A Marketplace Free From Government Interference

(NAPSI)-While the U.S. must fight any number of battles in order to protect its people and its shores, the nation is currently involved in one where the two sides can't even agree on the rules.

It's all part of competing in a free marketplace. On a world stage, countries develop products for export, and other countries shop around and find the best price and supply to fit their national needs. And if one producing country can find a way to lower its prices, it can gain an important advantage.

That's the way it should work. But when it comes to steel-which the U.S. imports and exports-America is presently locking horns with China. That's because the Chinese government subsidizes the nation's steel companies, creating unfair advantage in an otherwise free marketplace. By covering some of the manufacturing costs, the Chinese government enables its stainless steel producers to charge less for its products.

What does this mean for American manufacturers? Consider that the total U.S. consumption of specialty steel decreased 11.5 percent between June 2007 and June 2008, but the percentage of foreign steel-known as the import penetration-actually increased from 35.6 percent to 39.9 percent. At the same time, U.S. steel exports dropped.

The primary increase stems from the importation of stainless steel sheet/strip, which has jumped 13.4 percent despite the fact that the nation's total consumption went down.

"Stainless steel imports of sheet and strip products continue to surge, even in the midst of a 10 percent decline in U.S. consumption," said Doug Kittenbrink, chairman of the Specialty Steel Industry of North America. "Currency manipulation and other subsidies are enabling Asian competitors to unfairly target our markets. We strongly believe it is time for the U.S. Congress to address the issue of China currency manipulation."

Many Americans concerned about the country's economy-as well as their own-are calling on the new Congress to enact legislation to help level the playing field for the nation's steel manufacturers. You can reach your senators at www.senate.gov and your representatives at www.house.gov. For additional information, visit www.ssina.com.

Steel may be considered the fabric of America, but much of it is coming from overseas.

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