Healthcare Good News

A free public service for a better community

Nov 07, 2023

Why Are We Advocates

Because we all deserve to live in a country where we can make the country, and healthcare work for all of us. Comments, suggestions, and research topics greatly appreciated via comment button.

COVID 19 NEWS - Nasal Vaccine

Medical Xpress: Researchers Develop A Nasal Vaccine That Prevents COVID-19 In Preclinical Studies
A team of University of Maryland researchers developed a nasal spray vaccine that delivers the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein into cells of the airway in mice and hamsters, triggering an immune response that significantly reduced infection and spread of COVID-19. The technology can be adapted to induce immunity to other respiratory illnesses, such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. (Cutlip, 11/6)

Women, Infants, & Children (WIC)

The WIC program aims to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care.” About half of America’s babies are served by WIC. Studies have shown that this important program has contributed to fewer premature births, fewer infant deaths, better child nutrition, improved cognitive development, and more. Yet, the WIC program is in danger of running out of funds.

ACTION

Let’s tell our Members of Congress to fully fund this humane, life-saving program. Here is a number to reach every Congressperson and Senator, (202) 224-3121, and here is a sample text. If you want, you can cut and paste the text below into an email. Their email contact is via democracy.io. (Thanks to Chop Wood Carry Water and Rogan’s List)

Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.

I am urging the Congressmember to do everything in his/her power to avert a government shutdown and to fund services without cuts before the continuing resolution expires on November 17th. I don’t want cuts to SNAP, WIC, public education, climate programs, Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid. And I don’t want cuts to the IRS either—that’s counterproductive! If you have to cut anywhere cut our bloated military budget. Thank you.

Healthcare Fraud

I like to remind people that private health insurance companies rarely pursue fraud. It requires them to contact the local police and district attorney. It is far simpler to pay the fraudulent bills and just raise premiums next year to cover the loss.

However, when you cheat the federal government, well that’s another matter. Personally, I think they do a pretty good job and since cheating public insurance is a crime, they are delighted to see justice done.

If we all had Universal Healthcare we could drop the crime rate because the FBI prosecutes instead of just increasing premiums to cover losses.

Here is today’s fraud news - tens of millions in fraudulent Medicare Advantage claims were filed by a former executive at a South Florida Medicare Advantage organization. She was charged for her alleged role in a roughly $53 million fraud scheme, the Department of Justice said. The company involved avoided criminal prosecution by agreeing to repay the $53 million in ill gotten payments.

The DOJ just published how well they did in 2021 prosecuting healthcare fraud. It is here. And here are a few highlights

In FY 2021, about $5 billion was recovered, including $1.9 billion for Medicare. 1689 persons/businesses were prohibited from working with Federal Healthcare, 805 criminal investigations, 559 criminal operations disrupted. You get the picture.

Here is a Department of Justice webpage devoted to healthcare fraud. There you can see the typical types of fraud that people engage in. Double billing, phantom billing for services not performed, multiple bills for the same service and my favorite upcoding. If you check the bottom of the page they have the latest healthcare crime schemes they have busted. It is their everyday job.

Tips for Avoiding Health Care Fraud

Protect your health insurance information. Treat it like a credit card. Don't give it to others to use, and be mindful when using it at the doctor’s office or pharmacy.
Beware of “free” services. If you're asked to provide your health insurance information for a “free” service, the service is probably not free and could be fraudulently charged to your insurance company.
Check your explanation of benefits (EOB) regularly. Make sure the dates, locations, and services billed match what you actually received. If there’s a concern, contact your health insurance provider.

RESOURCES

Healthcare Advocacy (Us)

Website

Our Newsletter resources including reproductive healthcare

Healthcare Advocacy Reading List

Find My Elected Officials

Contact the White House https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

Contact State and Federal Representatives

By phone: (202) 224-3121
By email: democracy.io

Important Healthcare Resources

League of Women Voters Healthcare Reform Toolkit

Organizations to Contact

National Nurses United Medicare4All

Physicians for a National Health Program

One Payer States

Healthcare Now

Reproductive Health

NARAL - Pro Choice America

Charley. chatbot abortion resource - make sure to use a secure incognito browser if you live in a state that has banned abortion

Planned Parenthood

Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline has references about where to procure abortion medications. They also assist women in the process of self managed abortion or miscarriage by phone or text and will respond in an hour. Details and hours of operation at their website.

United State of Women Reproductive health page (bottom of the page) has important resources such as medical support, access to Telehealth, prescriptions by mail, and legal support references.

Practice careful communications - The Digital Defense Fund has a number of tips to keep texts, calls, and internet use private. Here is their site.

If you need financial help with an abortion try abortionfunds.org