Arizona is the only state to cut health insurance for children and one of just two states to reduce services for low-income families, according to a new report.
Even in the depths of the recession, nearly every state managed to maintain Medicaid coverage in 2010 and in some cases expanded it, thanks largely to additional federal funding, according to the 50-state survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured.
Arizona lawmakers froze the KidsCare health-insurance program, effective Jan. 1, 2010, saving $18 million to help balance last year’s budget. Enrollment has since shrunk almost in half, from 40,000 to an estimated 26,000 as of Oct. 1.
During a conference call with reporters Tuesday, Tricia Brooks, a senior fellow at Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, noted Arizona’s denial of certain organ transplants, two recent deaths and Tiffany Tate, who’s in need of a double-lung transplant. Arizona is the only state to eliminate such coverage.
“Tiffany’s story really underscores the need for stronger, not weaker requirements for states to hold steady... and find solutions that don’t include cutting benefits for low-income people,” Brooks said.
Arizona is one of just seven states that provides Medicaid coverage to childless adults. That coverage is targeted by lawmakers this year to bridge a deficit in the next 18 months.
Read the report at: www.kff.org.
http://tucsoncitizen.com/national-news/2011/01/11/study-arizona-nearly-alone-in-2010-health-care-cuts/
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Coconino County Community Services Department - Emergency Services
Program Coordinator: David Bonnell (dbonnell@coconino.az.gov)
Flagstaff: 2625 N King St (928-679-7425)
Williams:850 W Grant (928-679-7481)
Page: 467 Vista Ave (928-645-3105)
What we offer:
Rent and Mortgage assistance - Eviction prevention (must show 5 day notice or foreclosure papers) and ongoing rental help up to three times under case management. We can not provide assistance for people in subsidized housing
Utility assistance (electric and gas only) - Must show delinquent or shut-off notice.
Propane, firewood - Must show estimate from dealer for propane.
Emergency shelter - Up to one week motel stay when other shelter is not available or circumstances dictate that other options are inappropriate.
Bus tickets - Lifetime limit of 10 day passes distributed on 1st and 15th of each month, must be used for medical appointments or job search.
Clothing and Food Box referrals - Can receive food box every other month from Northern AZ Food Bank or one assist from St. Mary’s Food Bank
Prescription assistance - Must provide proof of prescription cost from Fry’s or North Country pharmacy
Note: amount of assistance is affected by several variables but will generally be a maximum of $600 for rent/mortgage, $400 for utilities, $40 for RX
Who is eligible and how to apply:
Coconino County residents with ID (requirements vary depending on funding source) who have not received similar assistance in the last 12 months. Clients under Case Management may be assisted up to three times within a 12 month period. Applicants must meet income qualifications. In general, we are unable to assist people living on the Reservation as they have their own tribal services. Clients must be able to prove U.S. citizenship
Applicants can call for information or come in 8-5, M-F, and fill out an intake form. Appointments will not be made by phone. Depending on the level of emergency and/or supervisor’s approval, we may be able to provide immediate assistance without an appointment (particularly medical or domestic violence issues).
Note: Assistance is always dependant on availability of funds. As needed we will partner with or refer to other agencies.
Flagstaff: 2625 N King St (928-679-7425)
Williams:850 W Grant (928-679-7481)
Page: 467 Vista Ave (928-645-3105)
What we offer:
Rent and Mortgage assistance - Eviction prevention (must show 5 day notice or foreclosure papers) and ongoing rental help up to three times under case management. We can not provide assistance for people in subsidized housing
Utility assistance (electric and gas only) - Must show delinquent or shut-off notice.
Propane, firewood - Must show estimate from dealer for propane.
Emergency shelter - Up to one week motel stay when other shelter is not available or circumstances dictate that other options are inappropriate.
Bus tickets - Lifetime limit of 10 day passes distributed on 1st and 15th of each month, must be used for medical appointments or job search.
Clothing and Food Box referrals - Can receive food box every other month from Northern AZ Food Bank or one assist from St. Mary’s Food Bank
Prescription assistance - Must provide proof of prescription cost from Fry’s or North Country pharmacy
Note: amount of assistance is affected by several variables but will generally be a maximum of $600 for rent/mortgage, $400 for utilities, $40 for RX
Who is eligible and how to apply:
Coconino County residents with ID (requirements vary depending on funding source) who have not received similar assistance in the last 12 months. Clients under Case Management may be assisted up to three times within a 12 month period. Applicants must meet income qualifications. In general, we are unable to assist people living on the Reservation as they have their own tribal services. Clients must be able to prove U.S. citizenship
Applicants can call for information or come in 8-5, M-F, and fill out an intake form. Appointments will not be made by phone. Depending on the level of emergency and/or supervisor’s approval, we may be able to provide immediate assistance without an appointment (particularly medical or domestic violence issues).
Note: Assistance is always dependant on availability of funds. As needed we will partner with or refer to other agencies.
Monday, January 10, 2011
POSTPONED: Protect Our Health Care Rally on Jan 11th
Due to the tragic shooting event on Saturday, the rally at City Hall in Flagstaff is postponed today. Below is the original post.
From Flagstaff Citizens for Health Care Reform:
Join for a rally to protest the effort to Repeal the Affordable Heath Care Act in Congress:
Protect Our Health Care
City Hall Lawn
January 11th, Tuesday
1:00 PM
The new health reform law is a big step toward covering our nation's uninsured and ending our large health care disparity by adding 32 million more people to health care insurance. It takes a big step toward changing our health care system from one that supports "sick" care to one that promotes "health." And it gives real teeth to ending corruption and fraud in the system by funding federal fraud investigations while promoting and funding systems that help to improve the quality of care. It helps us fight rising costs by giving states grants to fight unreasonable premium increases. It is paid for and helps to decrease the deficit by 230 billion. The health care reforms of ending discrimination against pre-existing conditions, resending health care policies for being sick, and keeping children on existing health care policies until they are 26 are all widely popular - polling as high as 70-80% of the American people supporting these reforms.
Stand on the side of preserving this major step toward health care reform!
Hope to see you there.
Cheryl and Sallie
FCHR
From Flagstaff Citizens for Health Care Reform:
Join for a rally to protest the effort to Repeal the Affordable Heath Care Act in Congress:
Protect Our Health Care
City Hall Lawn
January 11th, Tuesday
1:00 PM
The new health reform law is a big step toward covering our nation's uninsured and ending our large health care disparity by adding 32 million more people to health care insurance. It takes a big step toward changing our health care system from one that supports "sick" care to one that promotes "health." And it gives real teeth to ending corruption and fraud in the system by funding federal fraud investigations while promoting and funding systems that help to improve the quality of care. It helps us fight rising costs by giving states grants to fight unreasonable premium increases. It is paid for and helps to decrease the deficit by 230 billion. The health care reforms of ending discrimination against pre-existing conditions, resending health care policies for being sick, and keeping children on existing health care policies until they are 26 are all widely popular - polling as high as 70-80% of the American people supporting these reforms.
Stand on the side of preserving this major step toward health care reform!
Hope to see you there.
Cheryl and Sallie
FCHR
Friday, January 7, 2011
Free Public Talk on Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
Tuesday, January 116:00 – 8:15 pm at Beacon Unitarian Universalist Church, 510 N Leroux, Flagstaff
Learn practical ways to calm the mind, relax the body and let go of stress!
The Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program (MBSR) is patterned after the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, started in 1979 by Jon Kabat Zinn.
Next Class begins Jan 18th @ Beacon Unitarian Universalist Church, 510 N Leroux, Flagstaff
For more information about the Stress Reduction Program, contact: Susan Patrick @ 863-1379 or Steven Patrick, 600-1195, or email stevenpatrickphd@msn.com
8 Week Stress Reduction Program
Beginning Tuesday, January 18, 2011 6:00 – 8:30 PM
@ Beacon Unitarian Universalist Church, 510 N Leroux, Flagstaff, AZ
What you will learn:
* Practical skills to improve your ability to cope with stressful situations
* Relaxation techniques for increasing your ability to deeply relax
* Techniques to balance and calm the mind
* Methods to cultivate greater awareness of the thoughts, feelings and behaviors that undermine health and self esteem
* Gentle body focused exercises to release tension and strengthen your body
The course includes:
* In class guided mindfulness meditations
* Individually tailored instruction
* Two CD’s with mindfulness exercises for home practice
* Group dialog, exercises and methods to enhance interpersonal communication and awareness in everyday life
* A course workbook
Who will benefit:
MBSR has helped people with tress related concerns including medical
conditions, psychological distress, and for individuals seeking prevention/wellness.
For more information about the Stress Reduction Program, contact: Susan Patrick @ 863-1379 or Steven Patrick, 600-1195, or email stevenpatrickphd@msn.com
@ Beacon Unitarian Universalist Church, 510 N Leroux, Flagstaff, AZ
What you will learn:
* Practical skills to improve your ability to cope with stressful situations
* Relaxation techniques for increasing your ability to deeply relax
* Techniques to balance and calm the mind
* Methods to cultivate greater awareness of the thoughts, feelings and behaviors that undermine health and self esteem
* Gentle body focused exercises to release tension and strengthen your body
The course includes:
* In class guided mindfulness meditations
* Individually tailored instruction
* Two CD’s with mindfulness exercises for home practice
* Group dialog, exercises and methods to enhance interpersonal communication and awareness in everyday life
* A course workbook
Who will benefit:
MBSR has helped people with tress related concerns including medical
conditions, psychological distress, and for individuals seeking prevention/wellness.
For more information about the Stress Reduction Program, contact: Susan Patrick @ 863-1379 or Steven Patrick, 600-1195, or email stevenpatrickphd@msn.com
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Health reform advocates call for supporters to stay vocal: Challenges to law expected to arise
Challenges to the new U.S. health reform law will come from all sides in the next few years, according to health advocates, but the goal of the public health community should be to keep the focus on the need for prevention.
“The next two years are going to be very hard for us in public health,” APHA outgoing President Carmen Nevarez, MD, MPH, told more than 400 attendees of APHA’s November Summit on Health Reform, held at the start of the Association’s 138th Annual Meeting.
“People will be trying to push prevention and prevention funding over into the background,” Nevarez said. “We need to make sure we are able to precisely communicate why this is important for our country.”
The law, known as the Affordable Care Act, will expand coverage to 32 million additional people by 2014, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Full Text: http://thenationshealth.aphapublications.org/content/40/10/1.1.full
“The next two years are going to be very hard for us in public health,” APHA outgoing President Carmen Nevarez, MD, MPH, told more than 400 attendees of APHA’s November Summit on Health Reform, held at the start of the Association’s 138th Annual Meeting.
“People will be trying to push prevention and prevention funding over into the background,” Nevarez said. “We need to make sure we are able to precisely communicate why this is important for our country.”
The law, known as the Affordable Care Act, will expand coverage to 32 million additional people by 2014, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Full Text: http://thenationshealth.aphapublications.org/content/40/10/1.1.full
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
SNOW SHOE HIKE
January 8, 2011
Fort Tuthill County Park
Kick off your New Year with a snow shoe hike with the Friends of Coconino County Parks. We'll meet at 10:00 a.m. at the new kiddie sled hill/snow play area near the north entrance to Fort Tuthill County Park. From there, we will trek to the archery range and explore some of the park's winter-use trails. At the archery range, you can enjoy a warm fire and hot chocolate, and then we'll head back to the snow play area.
Explore Your County Parks!
Friends of Coconino County Parks
PO Box 1633
Flagstaff, Arizona 86002
fccp@rocketmail.com or 928-600-3145
www.friendsofcocoparks.org
Fort Tuthill County Park
Kick off your New Year with a snow shoe hike with the Friends of Coconino County Parks. We'll meet at 10:00 a.m. at the new kiddie sled hill/snow play area near the north entrance to Fort Tuthill County Park. From there, we will trek to the archery range and explore some of the park's winter-use trails. At the archery range, you can enjoy a warm fire and hot chocolate, and then we'll head back to the snow play area.
Explore Your County Parks!
Friends of Coconino County Parks
PO Box 1633
Flagstaff, Arizona 86002
fccp@rocketmail.com or 928-600-3145
www.friendsofcocoparks.org
OPEN: Community Assets Coordinator Position
The Coconino Coalition for Children and Youth is hiring a full-time Community Assets Coordinator to implement Asset-building activities in Coconino County. Please send this announcement out to your listserv and other interested parties. A full job description can be found at www.coconinokids.org under "employment."
Thanks for helping spread the word.
Thanks for helping spread the word.
FREE NACA Parenting Class
Native American parents/caretakers will learn about: • Teen Communication Strategies
• Behavior Management
• Decision-Making Coaching
• Resistance Strategies
• Teen Brain Development
Native Americans for Community Action
2717 N. Steve’s Blvd
Feb. 22, 2011 – April 26, 2011
6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M (Tuesday evenings)
To Reserve Your FREE Seat Contact:
Catherine Esquivel
NACA
2717 N. Steves Blvd, #11
(928) 526-2968 x 17
cesquivel@nacainc.org
Call about availability of day time classes!
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