How Obamacare worked out in Utah

Only 357 Utahns signed up for insurance on healthcare.gov last October, the first month the website opened for business. Thousands more seeking insurance were derailed by online errors and long waits. You couldn’t buy Obamacare insurance even if you wanted to.

Fast forward to the end of March and Utah’s enrollment total reached 84,601.

How did it happen?

First, healthcare.gov got a major overhaul in December. Second, many Utahns got free help from trained enrollment experts, including the navigator program created to support underserved communities.

One of those navigator teams was Take Care Utah (TCU), a state-wide consumer assistance network organized by the Utah Health Policy Project (UHPP), United Way of Salt Lake 2-1-1 and the Association for Utah Community Health (AUCH).

By answering basic questions, speaking to community groups, and arranging one-on-one appointments, TCU’s navigators helped tens of thousands of Utahns understand and access their new insurance options.

They helped people like Amanda, whose brain tumor had made her uninsurable.

And Denise, a working, single mom who wanted to stay healthy for her daughter.

And Jeff, who just launched his own business.

Sometimes it took days to troubleshoot tricky applications and sign people up. But TCU’s hard work and success is reflected in Utah’s final enrollment total, and the many steps that made it possible.

Read entire article at: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/opinion/57978499-82/utah-health-insurance-community.html.csp

Narrow networks: A balancing act

A new report shows that the narrow networks offered in many health marketplace plans have helped keep premiums low for consumers. At the same time, limits on in-network providers can place the health and finances of some people at risk. Researchers at Georgetown University and the Urban Institute recommend a three-pronged approach to balance access to care with affordability, including: limits on the time and distance one must travel for care, transparency that allows for plan comparisons, and improved monitoring and accountability. Learn how plan networks can lead to quality care at a lower cost >

CDC Funding Opportunities

Three more community prevention grant opportunities have been posted by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) (five thus far).  One more obesity-related funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is expected this week.  All relevant information on the grants is accessible through the following link.  Note the different dates and times for potential applicant conference calls. 

• Diabetes Prevention - State and Local Public Health Actions to Prevent Obesity, Diabetes, and Heart Disease and Stroke, financed by the Prevention and Public Health Fund.  A total of 18-22 awards are available, totaling $280 million over four years, with an average annual award of $3 million.  "Funds will be used to support environmental and system approaches to promote health, support and reinforce healthful behaviors, and build support for lifestyle improvements... and also support health system interventions and community-clinical linkages that focus on the general population and priority populations."  No letters of intent required, and applications are due by July 22nd.  An informational conference call is scheduled for Thursday, May 29th, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. (EDT).  Call-in number: 1-877-784-3233, passcode: 9833862. 

• A Comprehensive Approach to Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country, also financed by the Prevention Fund.  Approximately 24 awards are available for a five year program with two types of awards averaging $325,000 and $850,000 annually.  "The primary purpose of this funding is to establish or strengthen and broaden the reach and impact of effective chronic disease prevention programs that improve the health of tribal members and communities... {through} a combination of policy and environmental approaches, community clinical linkages and health system interventions.  No letters of intent required, and applications are due by July 23rd.  An informational conference call is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28th,  2:00 - 3:30 p.m. (EDT).  Call-in number: 1-800-779-8307, passcode: 3508689.  

• Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH), financed in part by the Prevention Fund.  Funding is available for the three year initiative for 15-20 basic implementation (average annual award $400,000) and 30-40 comprehensive implementation (average annual award $800,000) grants.  Funds will be used to strengthen "existing capacity to implement locally tailored evidence- and practice-based, policy, systems, and environmental improvements in priority populations experiencing disparities in chronic diseases and associated risk factors."  Letters of intent are due on June 6th and applications on July 22nd.  An informational conference call is scheduled for Friday, May 30th, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. (EDT).  Call-in number: 1-877-918-9241, passcode: 5073952. {note - this is updated call-in information, changed from the FOA}   

• Partnerships to Improve Community Health (PICH), included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014.  The program will provide $50 million/year through 30 to 40 cooperative agreements for three years through "evidence- and practice-based strategies to create or strengthen healthy environments that make it easier for people to make healthy choices and take charge of their health.  Grantees will include governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations and projects will serve  large cities and urban counties, small cities and counties, American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages."  Annual awards will range from $100,000 to $4 million a year.  Letters of Intent are due on June 5thand applications on July 22nd.  An informational conference call is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28th, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. (EDT). Call-in number: 888-324-7573, passcode: 5878439. 

• National Implementation and Dissemination for Chronic Disease Prevention, providing $10 million/year for three years "to support four to eight national organizations and their chapters/affiliates in building and strengthening community infrastructure to implement population-based strategies to improve the health of communities."  Two types of projects will be funded: community capacity building and implementation awards, aimed at supporting locally driven planning and action among selected chapters/affiliates; and dissemination and training awards, aimed at providing tools and trainings to support funded chapters/affiliates and their community coalitions in improving local policies, systems, and environments."  Letters of Intent are due on June 5th and applications onJuly 22nd.  An informational conference call is scheduled for Friday, May 30th, 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. (EDT).  Call-in number: 888-955-8965, passcode: 9658383.

Utah’s Primary Care Network (PCN) will open enrollment for all adults on June 2

Utah’s Primary Care Network (PCN) will open enrollment for all adults on June 2.  PCN will continue accepting applications until further notice.

PCN is a primary preventive health coverage plan for uninsured adults.  Benefits include primary care physician services, prescriptions, dental services, eye exams, birth control, and general preventive services.

For more information or to apply, call 1-888-222-2542 or visit www.health.utah.gov/pcn.

25th Anniversary Juneteenth Festival

Next month is 25th Annual Statewide Juneteenth Freedom & Heritage Festival, being held on June 13-15, 2014 at Weber State University, in Ogden.  The theme for this special tribute is "Nyansapo, Honoring the Wisdom of our Elders". 

Juneteenth is the oldest celebration marking the end of slavery in the US, having its origins in Galveston, Texas.  Two years following the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by president Lincoln, Army General Gordon Granger and his troops were dispatched to the area to find Blacks still enslaved.  He issued General Order #3, thereby granting freedom to the slaves.  A huge celebration broke out, on that day, June 19, 1865 and continues through today.  

Juneteenth is a recognized state holiday and/or observance in all but eight states in the United States with Utah being one that hasn't joined the movement to date.  We have requested that Governor Herbert, sign an Executive Order, to recognize Juneteenth Day in Utah in commemoration of our 25th Anniversary celebration.

Juneteenth provides an opportunity for all to come together and not only celebrate our history and heritage, but to share valuable information with our community.  We invite you to participate by having a vending or information booth, serve as a volunteer, or invest financially, to help make this Silver Anniversary a Success! 

Enjoy local and national performing artist representing numerous genres, ethnic cuisine, film festival with discussions, health & wellness pavilion, Mr. & Ms. Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant, youth and adult activities and competitions, art display, theatrical presentation, "I Am Jane", Father's Day Gospel Tribute, FAFSA completion and financial aid workshops, to name a few.  

Contact Betty Sawyer at 801-644-1402 or email bettysawyer@weber.edu, State GEAR UP Partnership Weber State University - Davis for more information.

ACA's First Open Enrollment Period: Why Did Some People Enroll and Not Others?

A new survey conducted by PerryUndem Research/Communication and funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The California Endowment, provides fresh insights into why some individuals enrolled in health coverage during the Affordable Care Act’s first open enrollment period and why some individuals did not.

The survey, conducted April 10-28, 2014, among 671 newly enrolled individuals and 853 who remained uninsured, is the first in-depth examination of these populations and explores their attitudes, knowledge, and experiences with enrollment, costs, and health coverage.

Key Findings

• There was a high demand for health insurance during the Affordable Care Act’s first open enrollment period. Those who enrolled were willing to put time and effort into the process.
• Those who enrolled had more information. For example, the newly enrolled were more than twice as likely to know about the availability of financial help to lowand moderate-income people than those who did not enroll (56% vs. 26%).
• Individuals enrolled for many reasons, particularly the law/fine. As many as 40% indicate they might not have enrolled without the mandate. Other important motivations: being able to see a doctor and avoid big medical bills.
• Many newly enrolled individuals felt enrolling was easy – but others faced difficulties. While 69% of the newly enrolled thought enrolling was “easy,” some of those who tried but did not enroll successfully found it confusing.
• Three-quarters (74%) of the newly enrolled feel confident they can afford their premiums. They are also more than four times as likely to say their plans have enough doctors than not (56% vs. 13%).
• Healthy people enrolled. The self-reported health status of those who enrolled and those who did not was similar.
• Most of those who did not enroll (61%) wanted coverage. They wanted to enroll but could not find anything or say things got in the way of enrolling. Fifteen percent did not even know they could enroll. Only 15% did not want coverage.
• Affordability concerns kept many away. The top reason why some people did not even look for coverage was the perception that they could not afford insurance.
• Latinos and young adults (18-29) lagged behind in knowledge but wanted coverage. Latinos particularly valued in-person enrollment assistance. Young adults were more motivated by the fine than others.
• More than eight in ten of the uninsured (84%) may be open to enrolling next time. Only 14% say they will not look for coverage.

To read the entire report visit Enroll America  http://www.enrollamerica.org/resources/public-education/why-did-some-people-enroll-and-not-others/

Job opportunity: bilingual case manager targeting farmworkers

Bi-Lingual Case Manager-assist Migrant & Seasonal Farmworkers with education, training, and employment services.

Job Requirements:
Must care about people and be willing to do whatever it takes to help, bilingual Spanish/English, computer literate, Work a Flexible Work Schedule (sometimes days, mostly evenings, sometimes weekends, and up to 11 multiple-day trips per year, and long distance driving 2 to 4 days per week ), Work well with a variety of people, complete tasks as assigned, follow rules and regulations, meet deadlines, follow directions, good organizational skills. Pass a background screening. Good Driving History. Must have your own car, and be over 21 to meet insurance requirements.

Tasks:
Outreach, recruitment, fill out long applications, record keeping, teach people in English and Spanish and with translators in other languages and coordinate services with agencies, employers, farmers, and Farmworkers.

Desired:
Farmworker experience and knowledge, general office skills, patient, flexible, dependable, people-person, detail oriented, self motivated, compassionate, good presentation skills, able to learn quickly & work without supervision. You can get paid to make people's lives better, and every day that you go to work, you have the opportunity to make a difference.

This is a $13 temporary position with potential for transition into full-time, permanent, benefitted employment for the right person.

Send resume, cover letter and 3 references to:
Futures Through Training, Inc. attention Corrie
1140 East 36th Street, Suite 150
Ogden, Utah 84403.

No Phone Calls Please.
Must be received by noon on 6/27/2014