Posts from — November 2009

Senate faces abortion rights rift
Carrie Budoff Brown and Jonathan Allen, Politico.com. November 12, 2009.

Health Care Bill goes to Senate
John Delano, KDKA TV News, November 10, 2009.

The idea of transparency in the health care system is something that is still an abstract idea for most consumers and patients.  For so long, the general public has accepted knowing very little about the care that they are receiving from the health care system.  The demand for comparability and ease of use is something that has been, by and large lacking for so long that consumers don’t know how unaccommodating our current system can be. In general, it’s been so bad for so long that in many cases most consumers don’t even think about it at this point.

Shopping for a car is probably the most fitting analogy.  Just as when buying appliances or other items, the data is out there for people to see before they purchase a car.  Consumers can look at what cars are rated the best values, what ones might die on them 4 years from now, and compare crash safety ratings so they know what models will keep their families safe.  Most people don’t ask themselves, “why can I get online and go to ten different websites to shop for a car, but I don’t know where to start looking if I need to choose a hospital for my pregnancy?”

There needs to be a fundamental shift in the way people view the health care system.  There are resources out there if people want to do research before visiting their doctor or having a surgery. We’ll also be writing about this topic again later in the week so look back for more information.  In the meantime here are some other possible resources folks can get acquainted with before their next visit!

Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council – http://www.phc4.org/ (Great PA specific data, click on “Hospital Performance Report 2008” and follow the directions to compare Pittsburgh area hospitals on a variety of measures).

Hospital Compare – http://www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov (A tool from the Federal Government that allows consumers to compare hospital data based on Medicare ratings.  Click on “Find and Compare Hospitals”to begin searching).

** As you look through these tools you’ll probably begin to realize they aren’t very “user friendly.” This is a major problem that’s decreasing how valuable they are for consumers and something CHC is involved in changing at the national level.  More on this later in the week…**

If you haven’t heard, big news was made in the health care reform world over the weekend.  The U.S. House of Representatives has passed health care reform legislation by a vote of 220-215.  This is a historic moment for health care reform advocates, those who have shouldered the burden of our currently flawed system, and for every American who stands to benefit.

There are a countless number of little, exciting political nuances that took place before we got to the vote that would make for an interesting (and admittedly dorky) conversation.  However, there is something much bigger that was at stake with the passage of HR 3962.

For arguably the first time since the passage of Social Security in 1965, our legislators stood up and said that the health and well being of Americans is of utmost importance.   Even more so than the “well being” of health industry interests.  Our legislators finally said that the wealthiest county in the world can not justify having tens of millions of working Americans not be able to afford quality health insurance.

Although this is the furthest we’ve come in the legislative process to passing meaningful health care reform, the fight is by no means over.  Everyone’s eyes will now turn to the Senate as the Democratic leadership continues the scramble to come up with the “filibuster proof” 60 votes needed to continue.  We’ll continue keeping watch to see if our legislators over come divisive party politics by staying the course and passing health care reform that will help millions of Americans.

So, it’s Friday and that means new films opening (for we Pittsburghers it’s also the start of the Three Rivers Film Festival) and time to go to the movies!

Because I believe in the power of story and because our movies are our modern day storytellers, I am constantly on the watch for films that can be used to instruct and start a conversation. We have compiled and will post very soon our list of films and study guides that highlight issues of persons with disabilities.  Get ready!

Along with “Children of a Lesser God,” “My Left Foot,” “Murder Ball,” and “Canvas” (each a classic) what other films would you add to the list? 

On another note, how are persons with disabilities portrayed in cinema? Why and what does that say in the ongoing efforts to bust stigma? What are films with positive portrayals?

Your help and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Speaking of movies, how are folks finding the rear window captioning feature at the Waterfront?   

Watch for the posting of “Rev Sal’s Cinema Selections” and let us know what you are thinking.