HEART to Release Field Research Survey

Showing Strong Voter Support for a ‘Smart’

California Health Benefit Exchange

Young people and minorities — groups essential to averting adverse selection — strongly endorse team-care options to drive down costs, improve medical outcomes and expand access to care

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (March 21, 2012) — A survey conducted by the Field Research Corporation reveals that California voters strongly support the elements of a “smart” state Health Benefit Exchange that would employ market forces and provide “team” care options to drive down costs, improve medical outcomes and expand access to care.

“Nearly three in four California voters expressed interest in making health plans available based on a physician-led personal health team approach to care,” said Mark DiCamillo, senior vice president of Field Research Corporation, who conducted the survey.

DiCamillo will release details of the survey of 1,003 California voters during a press conference at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 22, in Room 100 of the Legislative Office Building, 1020 N St., Sacramento. Click here for the survey results, which are embargoed until 11 a.m. on March 22.

Click here to read more on today's press conference.

Interview with Liz Helms, Chair of the CCCC on Capitol Public Radio:

Fail First Health insurers require chronic pain patients to try and fail on more than two pain medications before he or she can access the pain medication prescribed by his or her physician.

But legislation introduced by Marin assembly member Jared Huffman seeks to end step therapy. Joining us to discuss the benefits of step therapy and the merits of this legislation are Patrick Johnston, CEO of the California Association of Health Plans, and Liz Helms, the CEO of California Chronic Care Coalition -a supporter of Huffman's bill.

Listen to Segment C

The Public Health Grand Rounds is a monthly webcast created to foster discussion on major public health issues. Each session focuses on key challenges related to a specific health topic, and explores cutting-edge scientific evidence and potential impact of different interventions. The Grand Rounds sessions also highlight how CDC and its partners are already addressing these challenges and discuss the recommendations for future research and practice. Please click below to view video.

Preventing 1 Million Heart Attacks and Strokes by 2017: the Million Hearts Initiative

In the Spotlight:

CCCC Steering Committee OP-ED

Medi-Cal Cuts Threaten to Explode Chronic Disease Challenge

By Bill Remak

MARIN INDEPENDENT JOURNAL Marin Voice: Posted on 04 January 2012

IF FAMILIES, patients and especially the chronically ill in California had adequate access to quality, affordable, preventive health care, the California Chronic Care Coalition may not need to exist at all. To read the full article:

http://www.marinij.com/opinion/ci_19649174

The National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association hails the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) "Report on Pain"

To read the full IOM report, click here

To read highlights of the report, click here

We Can Do Better — The California Chronic Care Coalition is leading the way to secure a healthy California. Learn how you can help.

“Chronic disease is the public health challenge of the 21st century. Reforming California’s health care system will require a paradigm shift from ‘crisis centered care’ to ‘prevention centered care.”

-Liz Helms, CCCC Chair

california chronic care coalition for chronic conditions

Welcome to the
California Chronic Care Website

Chronic disease is the public health challenge
of the 21st Century

*The definition for a chronic illness is one lasting 3 months or more.* (U.S. National Center for Health Statistics) 75% of our health care spending is on people with chronic conditions.3 These persistent conditions — the nation’s leading causes of death and disability — leave in their wake deaths that could have been prevented, lifelong disability, compromised quality of life, and burgeoning health care costs. The facts are arresting: 7 out of 10 deaths among Americans each year are from chronic diseases.4 In 2005, 133 million Americans — almost 1 out of every 2 adults — had at least one chronic illness.5 About one-fourth of people with chronic conditions have one or more daily activity limitations.3 Health disparities in chronic disease incidence and mortality are widespread among members of racial and ethnic minority populations. For example, heart disease death rates are higher among African Americans than whites,4 and diabetes rates are substantially higher among American Indians and Alaska Natives than whites.6 Mental illnesses and chronic diseases are closely related. Chronic diseases can exacerbate symptoms of depression, and depressive disorders can themselves lead to chronic diseases.7

The definition for a chronic illness is one lasting 3 months or more. (U.S. National Center for Health Statistics)

75% of our health care spending is on people with chronic conditions.3 These persistent conditions — the nation’s leading causes of death and disability — leave in their wake deaths that could have been prevented, lifelong disability, compromised quality of life, and burgeoning health care costs. The facts are arresting:

7 out of 10 deaths among Americans each year are from chronic diseases.4
In 2005, 133 million Americans — almost 1 out of every 2 adults — had at least one chronic illness.5
About one-fourth of people with chronic conditions have one or more daily activity limitations.3
Health disparities in chronic disease incidence and mortality are widespread among members of racial and ethnic minority populations. For example, heart disease death rates are higher among African Americans than whites,4 and diabetes rates are substantially higher among American Indians and Alaska Natives than whites.6
Mental illnesses and chronic diseases are closely related. Chronic diseases can exacerbate symptoms of depression, and depressive disorders can themselves lead to chronic diseases.7

The Power of Prevention and Wellness — keep people healthier longer.

Although chronic diseases are among the most common and costly of all health problems, they are also among the most preventable. Chronic disease prevention, to be most effective, must occur in multiple sectors and across individuals’ entire life spans. Prevention encompasses health promotion activities that encourage healthy living and limit the initial onset of chronic diseases. Prevention also embraces early detection efforts, such as screening at-risk populations, as well as strategies for appropriate management of existing diseases and related complications.

People with chronic illnesses or conditions have unique needs, which California’s healthcare financing and delivery systems must more effectively address. With hospital costs accounting for the bulk of healthcare spending in California, one goal of health reform must be to improve the health of Californians with chronic illnesses and conditions, thus reducing hospitalizations, nursing home placement, and associated costs.

Statistics:

Number of people with a chronic conditions in California is: More than 16 million
Almost half of all people with chronic conditions have multiple chronic conditions
25% of people with a chronic condition have some type of activity limitation
46.2% of the population has at least one chronic condition, and this number is projected to increase
Women are more likely than men to have chronic conditions

Health Care Quality Varies.

See How Your Health Plan Measures Up.

See the 2012 Edition of the

Health Care Quality Report Card

Guiding you to better health care.

Building a Healthy California Beginning with YOU! Go to "Take Action"

Are you uninsured with a pre-existing medical condition? There is a new health insurance plan for you. For more information on California’s Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) go to: "In The Spotlight".