SEPTEMBER 17, 2009 DAVID CECERE
CAMBRIDGE HEALTH ALLIANCE

Nearly 45,000 annual deaths are associated with lack of health insurance, according to a new study published online today by the American Journal of Public Health. That figure is about two and a half times higher than an estimate from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in 2002.

 Achieving comprehensive health reform has emerged as a leading priority of the President and Congress. President Obama has outlined eight principles for health reform, seeking to address not only the 45 million people who lack health insurance, but also rising health care costs and lack of quality. In Congress, a number of comprehensive reform proposals have been announced as the debate proceeds over how to overhaul the health care system. This interactive side-by-side compares the leading comprehensive reform proposals across a number of key characteristics and plan components. Included in this side-by-side are proposals for moving toward universal coverage that have been put forward by the President and Members of Congress. In an effort to capture the most important proposals, we have included those that have been formally introduced as legislation as well as those that have been offered as draft proposals or as policy options. It will be regularly updated to reflect changes in the proposals and to incorporate major new proposals as they are announced. This side-by-side offers a summary of the major components of these proposals; detailed descriptions of provisions relating to the Medicare and Medicaidprograms can be found online..

Instructions:
1. Select one or more proposals.
2. Select one or more topics. The Generate Comparison button will appear on the right, just above the proposals. Click for results.
3. Your results will appear with the options to Print the Comparison, or Create a Different Comparison.

Information updated 10/6/09

Download a printable version of the three Congressional authorizing committee proposals (.pdf)
Download a printable side-by-side comparison of all proposals and topics (.pdf) 

Dear Majority Leader Reid, 

On July 6, 2009, our religious denominations and organizations released a statement identifying 

policies in health reform that were necessary to protect and improve health care for the nation’s 

lowest-income families.  While each of our denominations and organizations has additional 

priorities in health reform that we have communicated to Congress, we believe that it is essential 

to speak with a common voice on the needs of lower-income families, so that their interests are 

not lost in the debate. Our religious traditions place a fundamental value of making sure that 

everyone, including the most vulnerable, has access to our nation’s health care table of plenty. 

1.     Inform yourself about the flu from a reliable source, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which studies and tracks the flu, and sets the standard for health departments and other health providers around the country.  This will tell you all about vaccines, healthy habits, and what to do if you do get sick.  Learn more about seasonal flu at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/, and about the 2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.  

2.     Is your church contact list up-to-date?  Do you have a telephone tree for people to check on one another to see if they are well and have needed supplies?

3.     Do you have a Health Committee that meets regularly to discuss the healing ministry of your congregation? 

 CHECKLIST FOR CONGREGATIONS RELATED TO H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) and other Pandemics

1.     Inform yourself about the flu from a reliable source, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which studies and tracks the flu, and sets the standard for health departments and other health providers around the country.  This will tell you all about vaccines, healthy habits, and what to do if you do get sick.  Learn more about seasonal flu at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/, and about the 2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.  

2.     Is your church contact list up-to-date?  Do you have a telephone tree for people to check on one another to see if they are well and have needed supplies?

3.     Do you have a Health Committee that meets regularly to discuss the healing ministry of your congregation? 

 Alarmed by 'rancorous and acrimonious' debates, Governing Board issues a call for civil discourse

New York, September 25, 2009 -- Alarmed by the intensity of angry and sometimes violent language coming out of public meetings on healthcare and other issues, the National Council of Churches Governing Board has called for "civility in public discourse."

The Governing Board issued its open letter, which was initiated by the NCC Health Task Force, during its meetings here September 21 and 22.

Citing God's call in Isaiah 1:18 to "reason together," the NCC letter affirms the value of "vigorous, principled debate" but insists that the arguments "be tempered with a profound sense of the dignity and worth of each person."

 The Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the Department of Health and Human Services is proud to bring to you H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Community & Faith-based Organizations. This guide provides specific action steps that community and faith-based organizations can take to help keep communities healthy during flu season, including: Communicating important information about flu, Supporting vaccination efforts, Linking vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations to vital information and resources, Expanding and adjusting organizational activities to help people stay healthy. You and your organization are crucial leaders and resources in your community, and essential partners in comprehensive state and local flu response. We hope you utilize this guide as you and your community take steps to prepare for, and respond to, flu.   

Situation Update Each week CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes findings of key flu indicators in a report calledFluView. During the week of August 16-22, 2009, a review of these key indictors found that influenza activity is either stable, or is increasing in some areas. Activity appears to be increasing in the Southeast based on influenza-like illness data reported by health care providers. Below is a summary of the most recent key indicators:
Learn More >

On Wednesday, August 19, 2009, 140,000 religious leaders participated in a national call-in joined by President Obama to address health care reform.  Listen to a recording of the call at: 

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/40mins4health/2009/08/19/40-Minutes-for-Health-Reform  

National Council of Churches Health Task Force member Rev. Brenda Girton-Mitchell and Health Policy Intern Anastassia Zinke provide an analysis of the health care reform issue on XM Radio "On with Leon Show."  Listen to their interveiw at

 XM Radio "On with Leon Show" Rev. Brenda Girton-Mitchell, J.D., & Anastassia Zinke provide analysis of the health care issue held on    July 29, 2009.