MEDIA ADVISORY FOR EVENT ON THURSDAY, JUNE 15:
Patients, Doctors, Leading Patient Advocacy Groups Urge Ohio Lawmakers to Protect Patients First in National Health Reform
Legislative Proposals Would Erode Health Protections for Ohioans, Expose them to Increased Costs and Health Risks
CLEVELAND, OH – Patients, doctors, hospitals and several leading national organizations that advocate for better health care are joining together to highlight concerns all Ohioans should have about health reform proposals being discussed in Congress, including the American Health Care Act (AHCA) that passed the U.S. House of Representatives in May. The groups—which include AARP, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, Federation of American Hospitals and March of Dimes— are urging lawmakers to Protect Patients First, and will address shortcomings in four main areas: affordability of insurance, access to essential care, protection for those on Medicaid, and protections for those with employer-sponsored health insurance. This is the first in a series of events that organizers intend to host in states across the country.
Under AHCA, the 1.9 million Ohioans with pre-existing health conditions, such as diabetes, cancer or heart disease, could see their insurance premiums skyrocket. Additionally, the AHCA would cut $839 billion from Medicaid nationally over 10 years, which would have a significant impact on Ohio residents, including 179,000 people age 65 and up, 383,000 people with disabilities, 1.13 million children, and men and women who receive addiction treatment through Medicaid.
WHEN: Thursday, June 15, 2017, 10 a.m.
WHERE: The Global Center for Health Innovation, 1 St. Clair Avenue NE Cleveland, OH 44114
WHO: Many of the organizations involved will have additional patients, volunteers and leadership present in the audience and available to answer questions after the panel concludes.
David O. Barbe, MD, President, American Medical Association
David O. Barbe, MD, MHA, a board-certified family physician from Mountain Grove, Missouri, is the new President of the American Medical Association as of June 14, 2017. He has been a member of the AMA Board of Trustees (BOT) since June 2009.
Laurie Merges-Jett, Volunteer, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
Just two months after Laurie lost her job due to company downsizing, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Thankfully, Ohio had expanded its Medicaid program, and Laurie and her young children had enrolled. If the current health care law had not funded Ohio’s Medicaid expansion, Laurie couldn’t have afforded the mammogram, chemotherapy and treatment that saved her life.
Della Powell, Volunteer, AARP
Ms. Della Powell, 77 is able to live independently on a modest social security income with the help of Medicare and Medicaid in St. Timothy’s Manor in Garfield Heights, Ohio (Greater Cleveland metro). She is a breast cancer survivor and has asthma, both considered pre-existing conditions under the current version of the ACHA. If things were to change with her healthcare coverage, she estimates her prescriptions and medical supplies would be $500 a month and she would not be able to afford her rent, utilities, food or other essentials.
John Corlett, President and Executive Director, Center for Community Solutions
Corlett has served as the President and Executive Director for The Center for Community Solutions since 2014. Corlett’s career has included leadership roles in both the public and private sectors in Ohio. Corlett was the Vice President for government relations and community affairs at The MetroHealth System and prior to that, he served as Ohio’s State Medicaid Director.
Gina Gavlak, Chief Executive Officer, North Coast Health and former National Advocacy Chair, American Diabetes Association
Gina has twenty-five years of experience, dedication and desire to improve access to affordable health care, eliminate health disparities, improve health outcomes and change the trajectory of chronic disease.
Dr. James Misak, Vice Chair of Community and Population Health, the MetroHealth System Department of Family Medicine
Dr. James Misak is vice chair of community and population health in the MetroHealth System Department of Family Medicine. He is co-medical director of the MetroHealth System Population Health Innovation Institute and is the physician lead for quality initiatives in the Institute. He is also co-medical director of the MetroHealth Care Partners Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organization. Dr. Misak is an assistant professor of family medicine in the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. His clinical family medicine practice serves a predominantly Spanish-speaking population in Cleveland.
For more information or to RSVP contact:
Michelle Zimmerman Michelle Shirer
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network AARP Ohio
Phone: 740.525.9577 (cell) Phone: 614.778.2272 (cell)
E-mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
Livestream access via https://www.facebook.com/ACSCANOH/
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