Healthcare

Chair – Ms. Melissa Saladonis, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Co-Chair – Mr. Jon Fishpaw, Catholic/Mercy Healthcare Partners

The Health Care Committee provides policy direction to the Chamber on issues related to health, surfaces ideas for health related service that the Chamber may be able to provide to its members, and works to introduce the concept of best practices in both the health and wellness arena.

If interested in joining the Health Care Committee, please email Jason Kershner, jkershner@cincinnatichamber.com.

Committee Dates:

9:00 a.m. at the Chamber - February 9, April 13, June 15, August 10, October 12, December 14

Key Issues:
Federal Health Care Reform Legislation
Prevention & Wellness
Extension of enhanced Medicaid match benefits (FMAP)
Hospital Assessment Fee

3rd Quarter Update:
The Tristate Workplace Wellness Collaborative presented to the Committee. The Committee discussed holding a forum, directed toward a broader Chamber membership, regarding the PPACA.  It was determined that another arm of the Chamber does this, therefore, the Committee will not.

Craig Osterhues (GE Health) presented to the Committee on the Greater Cincinnati Health Care Project that GE is spearheading.  This project is a result of General Electric CEO Jeffrey Immelt’s address to the Chamber’s CEO Roundtable Kickoff in February. Health Leader Informational Gathering took place in March. Community Health Care Summit took place in May.  The summary of this Summit is available upon request.

By August, the GE Health Steering Committee will develop a master plan, garner resources to support existing initiatives, and initiate work where gaps exist.

Full report delivered to the community during the Health Improvement Collaborative Annual Dinner in November.

The Committee reviewed Ohio HB 497 (Hospital Assessments).  It is consistent with the Chamber’s position on HB 1.  However, there is not much political support for this legislation.  Therefore, the Committee will monitor this bill to see if it gains momentum.

The Committee reviewed the City’s resolution regarding the Hamilton County/City of Cincinnati Joint Commission on Health Care Delivery and Care to the Uninsured and Underinsured and will continue to monitor its progress.

Chamber staff presented to the Middle Market Advisory Board on July 22.  This presentation was on behalf of the Health Care Committee and GE Health.

2nd Quarter Update:
The February 16th meeting was a conference call due to the inclement weather.  As part of this meeting the Committee discussed potentially holding one or two health care related forums in 2010.  The purpose of these forums would be to help businesses better understand the heath care system and how to use it efficiently.  Additionally, it would allow the opportunity for the Committee to reach a broader Chamber membership.
The multiple topics suggested for these forums have been narrowed down to the three listed below:

1)  Federal Health Care Reform - Congress continues to debate this critical issue and the impact on the business community would be major.  This forum would be an opportunity to continue and increase the Chamber's efforts to keep members educated and informed on this evolving issue.
2)  The Changing Health System Environment in Cincinnati - It is important that Cincinnati businesses understand how the changing health systems impact them.  This would be an opportunity to educate Chamber members on these systems and how the changes affect business.
3)  How to Use the System Efficiently and Effectively - The purpose of this forum would be to help businesses learn how to lower out of pocket expenses, take advantage of quality initiatives, understand changes in Health Information Technology and encourage participation in prevention and wellness initiatives.

With the recent passage of the health care reform legislation, the Committee will be partnering with the Chamber’s Programs Department to hold a health care reform program on the impact from the legislation to businesses.  This will likely take place in May, 2010.

The Committee will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, April 13th.  The Tristate Workplace Wellness Collaborative will be giving a 30 minute presentation.  This group of large and small employers (all business types) is coordinating the work of the Governor's Healthy Ohio business council locally, as well as hoping to be the umbrella organization for the region's workplace effort.  The Committee will also discuss planning for the May forum.

Additionally, a summary on the major employer elements in the health care overhaul legislation was sent to all Chamber members on April 1, 2010.

1st Quarter Update:
As the health care reform debate goes on in Washington, the committee has continued to educate, inform, and update Chamber members regarding the health care reform legislation.  As part of that effort, the Chamber hosted Congressman Steve Driehaus for a Health Care forum at which he provided insight on both the House and Senate bills and how he sees them shaping up through efforts to reconcile the two bills.

Additionally, the committee is also looking at a number of health related bills at the State level, including: HB 8 – Autism Coverage, HB 81 – Diabetes Coverage, HB 331 – Medicaid Employer Information, SB 34 – Group Health Insurance.

At the February 16th meeting, the committee discussed hosting health care related forums throughout the coming year.

Beginning in February, the committee meets at 9:00 a.m. on the second Tuesday of every other month.  Full schedule below:
February 16th, April 13th, June 15th, August 10th, October 12th, December 14th.