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"Our system has been broken for too long and must be reformed," said LizHelms, founder of the coalition and president/CEO of the TMJ and OrofacialPain Society of America (TOPS). "The participating organizations of the CCCCare working to ensure that any health care reform proposal being consideredmeets the needs of individuals with chronic conditions."
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The Coalition's current focus is on the Governor's five key principles ofreform:
Chronic care and patient advocacy groups have been a part of theGovernor's health care reform plan since last year. The CCCC realized howvaluable and essential its views were to the success of health reform anddecided to form a coalition to push for key items in the debate.
"It is key for policy makers to recognize that spending a little more upfront on comprehensive prevention and management of chronic conditions willresult in long term savings to our entire healthcare system," says KarenVicari, Executive Director of the Alliance for Better Medicine. "Successfulprevention strategies rely on individualized healthcare which takes intoconsideration factors such as age, race and co-occurring disorders, not costalone."
*Chronic conditions represent the highest cost of health care dollars withthe greatest potential of preventability. For example, with a team approachto proper Diabetes management significant results occurred. Annual averageinsurance claims decreased by $2,704 per patient in the first follow-up yearand by $6,502 per patient in the fifth follow-up year. Payers realizedsignificant reductions in overall, annual direct medical costs -- with savingsranging from $1,622 to $3,356 per patient. Employees reported a greaterquality of life and greater success in managing their diabetes and absenteeismwas cut by more than half -- from 12.6 days to 6.2 days a year.
Ashville Project, North Carolina
Together the coalition represents over 16 million Californians withchronic conditions including provider organizations and policy groups. TheCalifornia Chronic Care Coalition's mission is to improve the health caresystem where all Californians can access comprehensive, affordable, qualityhealth care. We do this by educating and collaborating with all branches ofgovernment and key stakeholders to re-design a system of care that includesaccess to quality health care, including wellness and prevention coverage.-- Comprehensive prevention policies to fight chronic conditions -- Every Californian is guaranteed they can buy health insurance -- Provides coverage for all and requires every California to have insurance that is affordable. -- Increases Medi-Cal reimbursements to doctors and hospitals -- Promotes contribution from all sectors
SOURCE California Chronic Care Coalition
