NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Labor/Management Newsletter
January 2010
LMHCC 10th Annual Meeting
February 12th, 2010
Endorsement of Epic Hearing Health Care
Accessing Low Cost Prescriptions without Prescription Benefits
Endorsement of National ReClaim, Inc.
Pharmaceutical Industry Copayment Programs
Labor/Management Newsletter
August 2009
Average Wholesale Price Update
Evergreen Rx Newsletter
June 2009
While based in Minnesota and with a primary thrust there, the LMHCC is assisting and supporting Coalition growth in other nearby states. This includes the newly formed Labor/Management Health Care Coalition of Wisconsin and the Iowa Health Buyers Alliance. The LMHCC provides its value purchasing options and other services for these organizations.
- Labor/Management Health Care Coalition of Wisconsin
- Consumer Workers Coalition
- Iowa Health Buyers Alliance
- The Minnesota Prescription Coalition
The LMHCC improves Consumer, Worker and Family Advocacy on health care.
The Labor/Management Health Care Coalition of the Upper Midwest played a major leadership role in the formation of an advocacy group called the Consumer Worker Coalition (CWC). In its short history, the CWC has gained traction and already made important contributions to health care reform directions.
The CWC includes a prominent group of organizations working together to assure that Consumer, Worker and Family “voice” is being heard on needed changes in health care. Members include the IUOE Local 49, MAPE, Minnesota AFL-CIO, Minnesota Senior Federation, Take Action Minnesota, University of MN, Labor Education Center, Minnesota Nurses Association and others in Minnesota.
Two major national organizations have encouraged Minnesota’s leadership and are active participants: The National Partnership for Women and Families and Consumers Union (publisher of Consumer Reports).
Initially, the CWC set out to get better Consumer and Worker representation on important health care planning groups. This included enhanced representation on working groups set up by the legislature and Governor to deal with Minnesota Health Reform. “We had to be assertive to get at the planning table and when you see the level of representation of other interests (e.g. doctors, hospitals, health plans, etc.) it is clear more Consumer input is needed. Also, Consumer/Worker representation on such groups requires a supportive constituency and the CWC groups were important backup”, according to Jim Hansen, IUOE Local 49 and LMHCC Co-chair.
Two other areas have been successfully tackled in the CWC’s short tenure. One is assuring improved public reporting of what are called ‘Adverse or Never’ events in hospitals (e.g. foreign body left in surgery; wrong site surgery; preventable falls, procedure on the wrong patient, etc...). Minnesota law requires such reporting through the state Department of Health but the information must be presented in a consumer-friendly manner to be effective.
The other accomplishment has been to elevate the importance of public reporting on hospital acquired infections (HAI). “Many states are far ahead of Minnesota in taking measures to document and further prevent hospital infections”, according to Sean Kenney, a consultant helping with CWC activities. HAI’s raise costs and subject the public to poor quality care yet providers have been aware of these implications for years. “We need to advocate for the public and say – ENOUGH!— more must be done; especially when it is documented such preventive measures as washing hands of health care workers is not being done at rates that are clearly warranted”., according to Kenney.
This past year, Minnesota law makers became aware of the CWC and expressed encouragement for its voice on health matters. “Legislators are approached continually by lobbyists representing health care provider and insurer’s interests. When they saw a developing consumer worker voice, knowledgeable on such matters as Hospital Infection prevention, the Legislators expressed strong support” according to Jennifer Schaubach, Govt. Affairs director for the Minnesota AFL-CIO.
For further information on CWC contact the Co-Chairs or staff listed:
Jim Hansen, IUOE Local 49
Phone: 612-788-9441
Email: jjhansen@local49.org
Sean Kenney, Coalition Development Inc.
Phone: 715-634-5690
Email: jkenney000@centurytel.net
Doug Rubbelke, Labor/Management Healthcare Coalition of the Upper Midwest
Phone: 651-379-2405
Email: drubbelke@lmhcc.org
