Medicaid expansion will hopefully lower the cost of health premiums and decrease the number of ER visits.
Gov, Rick Snyder believes that the proposed Medicaid expansion will a have a greater impact that just low-income residents.
(Related: Pending Benefits Legislation, Part 1)
“We’re talking about helping Michiganders. We’re talking about people with a real need,” he said. “We’re also talking about ourselves. What’s the problem? Today we have a broken system.”
Snyder engaged an audience of mostly doctors and nurses Livonia, urging them to contact their senators and support Medicaid expansion. It was one of the many stops Snyder made at health care facilities in the last week to garner support for the bill, which was stopped in the Senate.
(Related: Pending Benefits Legislation, Part 2)
“This is something that I thought was critical enough to get out on the road and engage the general public,” he said. “Too often, we can let a few people dominate a discussion. The issue we have in front of us is we have a problem with politics.”
Part of the Affordable Care Act, the expansion allows states to expand Medicaid to 133 percent of poverty starting in 2014. It would make available full federal financing for those eligible for Medicaid starting in 2014 through 2016, and would go down in financing until 2020, where 90 percent of financing will continue from the federal government.
(Related: Caregiver Burnout)
The expansion was approved by the House last month, 76-31, with both Democrats and Republicans voting “yes.” However, the Senate did not take up the bill before the summer recess, which Snyder criticized.
A work group of six senators will meet sometime this summer to discuss the legislation. In a release, Richardville said he does not consider the issue dead and plans to review it.
“A comprehensive plan for a healthy Michigan is critical to the well-being of our population and our state,” he said. “I look forward to reviewing their suggestions and sharing that information with my fellow legislators, the Governor and the Speaker (Jase Bolger, R-Marshall).”
Snyder believes approving the expansion in Michigan is imperative to help save money for hospitals, doctors and patients.
He said a number of people who cannot afford health care will go to a hospital emergency room, which isn’t the proper place for people with the common cold or other treatable ailments.
“Does anyone know anyone that likes going to the emergency room? The answer is no,” he said. “We like the people that are working there because they’re angels, they’re taking care of us.
“It’s a really important place, but it’s not a place for primary care.”
Snyder has toured several hospitals in the state, including Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. An online forum on the issue was scheduled to be broadcast Monday evening at Schoolcraft College.
David Spivey, CEO of St. Mary Mercy Hospital, said the hospital, as well as the St. Joseph Mercy Health System and Trinity Health all support the expansion.
“Medicaid expansion is really about three things in the state: to expand access to over 500,000 Michigan residents, the slow increase in health care premiums for employers, as well as to really steward our state resources and our tax dollars,” he said.
Read more: http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20130701/NEWS10/307010032/Snyder-Medicaid-expansion-bill-will-benefit-all-state
Christopher J. Berry is an elder law attorney Dedicated to helping seniors, veterans and their families navigate the long-term care maze. To learn more visit http://www.michiganelderlawattorney.com/ or call 248.481.4000
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Caregiver burnout is a serious threat that can be avoided.
Caregivers often experience burnout when they have responsibility of taking care of someone who has a debilitating illness or condition and is experiences physical or emotional problems as a result.
A number people take care of a loved one at home in addition to a career or school. Caregiver burnout is often revealed in the form of insomnia, headaches, fatigue, and exhaustion. And while taking care of a loved is an important job, taking care of oneself cannot be overlooked.
(Related: Governor Rick Snyder campaigns for a “Healthy Michigan”)
There a number of things to consider doing to avoid emotional and physical burnout.
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By setting aside time for yourself, you will be able to better take care of those around you.
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Taking good care of oneself can mean doing things like practicing meditation once in a while or getting regular physical exercise.
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Both of those things can relieve the stress and frustration that people who take care of others sometimes experience.
(Related: Pending Benefits Legislation, Part 1)
Below are some of the most common signs of caregiver burnout so you will be able to identify them and help yourself immediately.
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Feelings of depression, loneliness, or hopelessness are fairly common with people who devote themselves entirely to taking care of a family member or someone who is close to them. Oftentimes therapy can be of help, because you will have an outlet for your emotions. Talking to another person about what you are feeling will help.
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When someone begins to withdraw from friends and society in general, this can be a sign that energy is depleted. Spending so much time taking care of someone else can drain you and make you lose enthusiasm. This can also lead to a decrease in regular activities that you once enjoyed. Even increased thoughts about death are common among people who start to get discouraged taking care of someone else.
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Guilt can be part of this problem. Thinking that you don’t have the right to be frustrated or stressed may be the reason why you smile even when overwhelmed. It also causes one to become extremely irritable and react irrationally to small things.
(Related: Pending Benefits Legislation, Part 2)
Accumulation of this stressful burden can result in a number of emotional and physical problems which can pose a major threat. It is imperative to maintain a healthy diet and keep your daily priorities in order to remain physically and emotionally healthy. Lastly, a strong support system can go a long way helping you avoid caregiver burnout.
Christopher J. Berry is an elder law lawyer in Michigan Dedicated to helping seniors, veterans and their families navigate the long-term care maze. To learn more visit http://www.michiganelderlawattorney.com/ or call 248.481.4000
The post Caregiver Burnout first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>
Snyder says the goal is to help people.
Governor Rick Snyder discussed his “Healthy Michigan” Medicaid expansion program Monday evening at a high-tech town hall meeting.
(Related: Pending Benefits Legislation, Part 1)
Snyder was connected from his press briefing room in Lansing to a number of other locations around the state by video and audio feeds. He answered questions from all of the different locations.
Currently, Snyder says we are funding the Emergency room visits of those without coverage through our increased insurance fees. He believes it would save money to send them to doctors opposed to the Emergency room.
Patriot Radio’s “Trucker Randy” Bishop asked why he didn’t opt out of Obamacare, like other states have done. The governor replied because that will leave people without healthcare and at the mercy of emergency rooms.
(Related: Pending Benefits Legislation, Part 2)
Snyder says the goal is to help people.
State Senate leaders plan hearings on the issue on Wednesday.
Christopher J. Berry is a Michigan elder law attorney Dedicated to helping seniors, veterans and their families navigate the long-term care maze. To learn more visit http://www.michiganelderlawattorney.com/ or call 248.481.4000
The post Governor Rick Snyder campaigns for a “Healthy Michigan” first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>