At the statehouse last week during the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee (JMOC), there was discussion between members of the Ohio legislature and the Ohio Department of Medicaid around whether Ohioans that were connected to Medicaid coverage were accessing care. This week’s #MedicaidMonday story came in from a health center patient that took action from an OACHC e-Advocate requesting patient testimonials.
“I have been receiving state funded Healthcare for the last few years and it is a godsend. I have utilized many of the services available through said Healthcare like gynecological visits, mental health services, and general practitioners. I am grateful every day for the ability to have affordable, like honestly affordable, healthcare.”
First, how amazing is our community of advocates? And second, if you haven’t signed up to be an advocate yet, now is your chance! www.ohiochc.org/advocate
Did you know?
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women.
To prevent heart disease and increase awareness of its effects, OACHC is proudly participating in American Heart Month.
Go red for women day
Go red of women day was February 3rd. People were encourage to wear red to help raise awareness to heart disease and stroke in women. According to American Heart Association, "Cardiovascular disease in the U.S. kill approximately one woman every 80 seconds."
You can make healthy changes to lower your risk of developing heart disease. Controlling and preventing risk factors is also important for people who already have heart disease.
To lower your risk of heart disease
- Watch your weight.
- Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.
- Control your cholesterol and blood pressure.
- Lower your sodium intake
- If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
- Get active and eat healthy.
Know the warning signs of heart failure
- Dry hacking cough
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling legs, feet and ankles
- Sudden weight gain
- Abdomen discomfort
- Loss of appetite
- Trouble sleeping
Spot a stroke F.A.S.T.
- F-Face drooping
- A-Arm weakeness
- S-Speech difficulty
- T-Time to call 911
If you or someone you know is experiences signs of a stroke, time is of the essence. Call 911 immediately.
Learn More
As told by a Certified Application Counselor in Southeast Ohio:
“We had a man seek assistance for health insurance. He was referred to us by a local hospital and pharmacy. The man worked construction and was a very independent man. However, he became sick, weak and eventually seriously injured. He was increasingly getting worse over a few months and eventually he experienced difficulty working. The gentleman went to the emergency room on a couple different occasions. He was becoming discouraged, in constant pain, and once he would no longer be able to work he would no longer be able to afford health insurance, his medical bills or living expenses.
However, after meeting with the Certified Application Counselors he confessed all he really needed was to opportunity to have surgery and to be placed on a regular medication regiment. We were able to get this man health insurance assistance through Medicaid while he was reducing his workload and preparing for surgery. Once the man received Medicaid, he was able to become established with a primary care physician, he was able to get the surgery he needed, and he was placed on the medications necessary to become healthy again. Medicaid continued to cover him while he took the necessary leave from work he needed to recover.
After the man made a full recovery from his surgery he was able to return back to work. He was no longer eligible for Medicaid after he returned to work, but he no longer needed the Medicaid health insurance. He was able to get back on his feet and return to the job he loved because Medicaid was there to help him when he needed it the most. He told us he was appreciative, Medicaid was there when he needed it, and he had no idea where he would be without Medicaid.”
Ohio’s Community Health Centers deliver stability for patients in a changing health system. That stability rests on two key pillars: targeted federal investments and a strong Medicaid program. As a direct result of the extension of Medicaid in Ohio, Community Health Centers have:
Invested in more patient capacity through a greater number of locations, expanded hours of operation, and higher staffing levels for clinicians and other personnel
- Been actively serving more and more patients impacted by the Opioid epidemic Expanded health care capacity in areas of the state where access to primary care is lacking
- Created more jobs in areas of desperate need
- Generated more capacity to provide true Patient Centered Medical Homes
- Been actively serving more and more patients impacted by the Opioid epidemic
- Allowed for better patient-to-clinician ratios across all specialties, which shortens wait times and generates a greater range of specialized care offered under one roof, such as oral and behavioral health services that are frequently in short supply in our medically underserved communities
Over the last six years, Ohio’s Medicaid Program has transformed lives. Through integration and efficiency upgrades, services are improving and taxpayers are seeing value. Retaining these important strides will maximize the reforms that have taken place and are underway.
Additionally, as more Ohioans have gained health insurance coverage, Community Health Centers have been the frontline responders in addressing challenges of access to care and emerging public health challenges. Services reach beyond the walls of the exam room to address underlying factors that may cause them, such as poor nutrition, mental health problems, homelessness, unsafe environmental conditions or substance abuse disorders – all while keeping the cost of care low. Health Centers save on average $2,371 (24%) in total spending per Medicaid patient when compared to other providers (American Journal of Public Health) and generate $24B in savings to the health care system every year by efficiently managing and treating chronic disease, keeping people out ERs where care is costlier, and avoiding unnecessary hospitalizations – even among the most economically challenged populations.
As Congress begins this significant work, we specifically ask:
- Work with Community Health Centers on solutions. Health Centers bring a local perspective to national debates. Congress should build on the success of Community Health Centers in any reform effort.
- Support the “two pillars” of the Health Center system of care: sustained investment in the Section 330 Grant Program, and a strong Medicaid program that works for health centers and their patients.
- Do not put Health Center patients’ coverage at risk. Health Centers are concerned about efforts to make changes to insurance coverage without a clear, sustainable plan for continuity of both coverage and access to care for those we serve.
Everyone needs a place to go for care; Health Centers are a local solution to the national challenge of access to primary care.
