Peach Pulse Archive 2016

HOW WE THINK ABOUT HEALTH

The complex factors that contribute to health

At GHF, we have historically spent much of our time and energy on ‘traditional’ issues in health care – health insurance, access to care, costs to consumers, and health care quality and value. But we all know there’s so much more to health than that. Factors like education, housing, criminal justice and corrections, and transportation all impact our health and well-being. These factors are called social determinants of health.

This year, GHF is launching a new project to bring together stakeholders and advocates from across sectors to identify promising policy initiatives that can address the social determinants of health. Read more about the project here.

ADVANCING HEALTH EQUITY FOR LGBT GEORGIANS

Georgians for a Healthy Future teams up with Georgia Equality and The Health Initiative

Together, we are working to help Georgians who have faced discrimination in health care report it so we can help stop it from happening again. Learn more about this project and initiative here.

If you believe you have been discriminated against, you can file a complaint online with the Office for Civil Rights. Please also tell us about your experience so we can help you navigate the complaint process and identify systemic issues that should be addressed through public policy. Want to stay up-to-date on this project and issues impacting the health care of LGBT Georgians? Let Anna know and we’ll keep you posted!

A WIN FOR GEORGIA HEALTH CARE CONSUMERS

Department of Justice moves to block major health insurance mergers 

Two weeks ago, the DOJ announced they will file suit to block both the Aetna-Humana and Anthem-Cigna health insurance mergers. Earlier this month, GHF released a policy report, Proceed with Caution: Proposed Health Insurance Mergers Could Harm Georgia Consumers, which details Georgia’s current health insurance market and how these mergers could decrease competition and access to care while increasing prices. Read more about what this means and check out Georgia Health News’s coverage as well an interview with GHF Executive Director Cindy Zeldin on WABE’s A Closer Look

A GREAT CONVERSATION!

Thank you to those who joined us for “A Conversation with Author Mike King” 

We had a great time on July 19th with friends and advocates talking with Mike King, author of A Spirt of Charity: Restoring the Bond Between America and Its Public Hospitals! The conversation centered around the past, present, and future of health care in America and in Georgia. You can find pictures from the event here.

ICYMI: CONSUMER HEALTH IMPACT AWARDEES ANNOUNCED!

Please join us in congratulating our four awardees!

We are thrilled to recognize this group of amazing consumer health care advocates! We encourage you to learn more about them, their commitment, and their impact. This year’s celebration will be on September 28th at Park Tavern. We hope you will join us as we honor their dedication and that of advocates across the state. RSVP

JOIN US FOR OUR 2ND ANNUAL ENROLLMENT SUMMIT

August 16, 2016 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Sloppy Floyd Building

Please join us for a half-day summit focusing on opportunities for collaboration between health care advocates, providers, policy experts, community-based nonprofit organizations, and enrollment assisters to better reach our shared goals of improving health care coverage and access to care in Georgia. Confirmed speakers include:

• Dr. Pamela Roshell, Region IV Director, US Department of Health and Human Services
• Dr. Bill Custer, Director of the Center for Health Services Research and Associate Professor, J. Mack Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University
• Heather Bates, Deputy Director, Enrollment Assister Network, Families USA
• Sandy Anh, Associate Research Professor, Georgetown University Center on Health Insurance Reforms

This is a free event. Lunch will be provided. RSVP

ENROLL AMERICA

We are excited to announce that we have been selected to be a part of the Enroll America Get Covered Academy – Leadership Track! The Leadership Track will focus on expanding our knowledge of best practices for outreach, enrollment, and reaching the remaining uninsured. Additionally, GHF will be the only organization in the Academy that is participating in the “train-the-trainer” curriculum. This specialized training will allow GHF staff to be trained on Enroll America’s Get Covered Academy topics and best practices to ultimately impart this knowledge to enrollment assisters throughout the state. Stay tuned for further updates on how we will take advantage of this opportunity and thank you to Enroll America for your support!

IN THE NEWS

A Closer Look
Rose Scott and Jim Burress | WABE

As feds file suit over insurance deals, Georgia postpones hearing
Andy Miller | Georgia Health News

Invest in our state by closing the coverage gap 

Laura Colbert | Georgia Health News