A representative of the Obama administration offered vigorous support of the Affordable Care Act, when he spoke at a recent meeting of the Alliance for Retired Americans Florida.
"We're doing a better health care for all Americans," said Anton Gunn, regional director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "Since the adoption of the Affordable Care Act, the state of Florida has received $ 110 million, and 255,000 people have been supported with prescription drugs. Many people do not insurable insurance coverage now."
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a reform of public health insurance coverage increases pre-existing condition and expands access to health insurance to nearly 30 million Americans.
The meeting, held at the South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road in Delray Beach, attended by about 250 people.
Gunn, whose office represents 59 million people living in eight southeastern states, said it is time for the country to invest in Medicare in order to strengthen the program in the long run.
"How do we do? Stop Medicare fraud and waste," he said. "[Palm Beach County] is ground zero for Medicare fraud. We had staff complete a rental office and 68 new agents of the FBI Academy."
Several forum attendees expressed support for a single-payer health care. Among his priorities was the passage of HB 676, which provide coverage for all U.S. residents.
Dorothy Seigel, a retiree from Boynton Beach, said he wanted to urge politicians to local, state and national levels to address health problems. She said she appreciated the opportunity to hear a discussion of the issues.
"This forum addressed definitely my problems," said Siegel, "especially the single-payer Medicare for all [number]. That's the number one priority for me. I passed HB 676."
Added Fort Lauderdale resident Jim Weldon, "single payer is the only way to control Medicare costs."
Joseph Abruzzo, State Representative District 85, echoed the concerns Siegel. He said he had not given up the fight for a Medicare program that covers all residents.
"I will be submitting a bill for universal health care in the Florida House," he said. "One day [the Democrats] to take over the Florida House and a bill like this will happen. I was a little sad we did not get HB 676 passed."
Attendees laud health care reform at Alliance meeting
Top 10 Online Medical Coding & Billing Degree Programs
Now is a great time to pursue a degree in medical billing and coding. According the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the medical coding and billing field is expected to grow at an above average rate over the next several years, with job prospects being extremely good, especially for those with strong computer skills. In 2008 the median annual wage for medical records and health information technicians was $30, 610 (half made less than this, half made more), with the top 10 percent making over $50,000 a year.
There are a number of colleges, universities, and career schools with online medical billing and coding degree and certificate programs available. Because the quality of online degree programs vary widely, we’ve put together this list of what we consider the very best colleges for online medical coding and billing degrees. Our online degree rankings are based on several factors, including school reputation, student satisfaction, peer and instructional quality, and overall affordability. Only fully accredited online colleges and universities were considered.
#1. Drexel University Online
Drexel University’s Medical Billing and Coding Certificate is a six-course, 18 credit online program offered through Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions. The program can be completed in one year. Graduates will be prepared to sit for medical billing and coding certification exams. Tuition is $620 per credit hour.
–> Click here for more information on Drexel University Online
#2. Sullivan University Online
Sullivan University’s Medical Coding Certificate Program is a two-year, 48 credit hour program that can be completed entirely online. Graduates will be prepared to sit for medical billing and coding certification exams. Tuition, including all applicable fees, is $333 per credit hour.
–>Click here for more information on Sullivan University Online
#3. Champlain College Online
Champlain College’s Data Coding and Classification Certificate is a one-year, 21 credit hour online certificate program offered through Champlain’s Continuing Professional Education department. Champlain also offers an online associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in Health Informatics for students looking to deepen their knowledge and further their career prospects in the health informatics field. Tuition for all programs is $540 per credit hour.
–>Click here for more information on Champlain College Online
#4. Virginia College Online
Virginia College Online’s Healthcare Reimbursement Associate’s Degree program is a 96 quarter credit hour online degree program that includes on-the-job training through an externship. Graduates will be prepared to sit for medical billing and coding certification exams. Tuition is $302 per credit hour and includes textbooks.
–>Click here for more information on Virginia College Online
#5. Antonelli College Online
Antonelli College’s Associate of Science in Medical Billing and Coding is a 21-24 month online degree program. Graduates will be prepared to sit for medical billing and coding certification exams. Tuition at Antonelli College starts at $335 per credit hour and includes textbook and a laptop computer.
–>Click here for more information on Antonelli College Online
#6. LA College Online
LA College Online’s Associate of Arts Degree in Health Care Administration with a concentration in Billing and Coding is a 16 month, 60 unit online degree program. Graduates will be prepared to sit for medical billing and coding certification exams. Students are encourage to contact LA College Online for tuition details.
–>Click here for more information on LA College Online
#7. Herzing University Online
Herzing University Online’s online Diploma in Medical Billing and Insurance Coding is a 12-18 month, 48 credit hour program that covers all of the medical billing and coding courses at the core of Herzing’s online Associate of Science in Medical Billing and Coding and online Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management. Graduates of any one of the programs will be prepared to sit for medical billing and coding certification exams. The cost for each of the programs is $425 per credit hour.
–>Click here for more information on Herzing University Online
#8. National American University Online
National American University Online offers an online Diploma in Medical Coding and an Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology. Tuition at National American University starts at $250 per credit hour.
–>Click here for more information on National American University Online
#9. Bryant & Stratton College Online
Bryant & Stratton College Online’s Associate of Applied Science in Medical Reimbursement & Coding can be completed in as little as 20 months. Graduates will be prepared to sit for medical billing and coding certification exams. Online tuition at Bryant & Stratton College starts at $504 per credit hour.
–>Click here for more information on Bryant & Stratton College Online
#10. Grantham University Online
Grantham University Online’s online Associate of Applied Science in Medical Coding is a 64 credit hour degree. Graduates will be prepared to sit for medical billing and coding certification exams. Tuition is $265 per credit hour.
–>Click here for more information on Grantham University Online
Source: http://www.thebestcolleges.org/top-online-medical-coding-billing-degrees/
U.S. grants $28.8 million to community health centers
Obama's government said it will spend $ 28.8 million in grants to create new sites of community health center in 23 U.S. states and Puerto Rico.
The grants, announced Tuesday, are part of $ 11 billion pledged to the centers of new and existing health over the next five years. The money that was promised in the law last year that reviewed the U.S. health system is intended to help pay for new sites where people can receive medical care regardless of ability to pay.
These health centers serve 19.5 million patients, 40 percent of whom are uninsured.
The centers often include clinics in rural and urban areas and treat people who live far from hospitals and the poor, who pay variable rates based on the amount of money they earn. Ethnic and minority groups make up almost two thirds of patients in the centers.
The centers play an important role in public health through the adoption of voltage emergency rooms in major hospitals funded by the state that many people see as a last resort for the uninsured.
"They are paying attention is good or better than the rest of the health system and keep costs down," said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
The $ 28.8 million grant will expand the scope of the centers about 286,000 patients.
Community health centers suffered a blow earlier this year when Congress cut funding by 27.5 percent as part of the agreement on the budget.
Accounting for 2011 cuts funding for the fiscal year exceeds that of last year, rising to U.S. $ 2.5 million, said Health and Human Resources Manager Mary Wakefield.
Of that amount, about $ 1 billion comes from the health reform funding and another $ 1.5 billion regular credit, he said.
The HHS received 810 requests for grants announced Tuesday. Of the 67 winners, 10 applicants plan to establish new community centers, while others plan to add new sites of services to existing centers.
In October 2010, the Obama administration allocated the first $ 727 million to help fix the community health centers across the country. The money should go to 143 centers.
Read more at http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/09/us-community-health-centers-idUSTRE77854A20110809