Blog – Page 7 – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Grief in the Midst of the Holiday Season: Staying healthy while coping with loss

DW Admin on December 17, 2019

The holidays are a joyful time of the year for many, but it can be a difficult one for others, especially after experiencing loss. Grief can be overwhelming for some people, which not only impacts your emotional health, but it can also impact you physically, according to Dr. Parachur Nivedita, a physician with Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Celina Gonzalez, behavioral health counselor and Dr. Parachur Nivedita, physician, of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Dr. Nivedita said it’s very important to pay close attention to your body during the grieving process. Grief can impact the immune system by weakening it, which can lead to illnesses and infections like colds and the flu, as well as angina (severe chest pain). Those going through grief who are managing chronic illnesses like diabetes or a heart condition, tend to sometimes neglect their health.

“People who are managing an ailment and then faced with a loss can become very ill when they stop taking their medications and seeing their doctor. A person can become so overwhelmed with grief that it can sometimes lead to serious complications, which can be life-threatening if not addressed,” said Dr. Nivedita.

Celina Gonzalez, a behavioral health counselor at Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Dixon Health & Wellness Center, said grief is often caused by a great loss, which can include the death of a loved-one, close friend, animal companion or losing a job, ending a close relationship, divorce and the health deterioration of a family member or your own.

“When depression kicks-in that feeling of helplessness and hopelessness happens. There’s a stress hormone called cortisol and it’s released by the adrenal glands. When cortisol levels go up, your energy decreases which causes tiredness, as well as changes in diet and sleep,” explained Gonzalez. “The reason folks get sick as they grieve, is because they stop taking care of themselves.”

Dr. Nivedita said some people experience body aches, pain or other symptoms that are linked to grief. “When I learn that a patient has lost a loved-one, I will let them know about our grief support group that is available to help to help them cope, as well as counselors who can help them as they face the loss. It’s so important to take care of yourself during a life-changing event like the death of a loved-one.”

Gonzalez said people who are grieving sometimes become isolated. Their lives come to a halt during their season of grief. “They stop socializing with family, friends and co-workers. They stop eating healthy foods — weight loss or weight gain can occur. They sleep too much or not enough. These behavioral changes can impact, not only their emotional health but also their physical well-being.”

Dr. Nivedita said staying on track with your health is vital. “It’s important to keep taking your all of your medications and, if you have scheduled doctors’ appointments, you should keep them and not skip any of them.”

Coping with the Holiday Blues

The holiday season can include plenty of parties and gatherings, but Gonzalez said that it’s perfectly fine to skip them. “You can skip the parties or the invite to drive with friends to see Christmas lights downtown, but don’t stop caring for yourself. Keep track of your health and stay in touch with your circle of friends and family members.”

She said, “Grief can be overwhelming for some, especially when many traditions were created with loved ones who are no longer here. Traditions like making tamales, baking cookies, going shopping, watching favorite Christmas movies, attending plays and musicals — the list goes on. These reminders can sometimes trigger specific memories, causing deeper sadness for those grieving.”

Gonzalez said that it’s important to try and honor the memory of a loved one who has passed away, as part of the grieving and healing process. And, you can also decide what traditions you’d like to keep or create new ones in honor of your loved one.

“When you honor a loved one, it helps bring comfort. You can do this in many ways. You can make an ornament that reflects their personality, plant a tree, visit the cemetery with flowers, or prepare their favorite dish,” she said. “It’s about celebrating them in your own way. Give yourself permission to grieve because what you’re feeling is real. Also, there’s no timeframe for grieving. Everyone is different and should grieve for as long as needed but the key is to not neglect your health.”

If you or someone you know has recently experienced a loss, Gonzalez shares a few things you can do to help get through the season.

Draw from your faith in God to help you work through the healing.
Go for a walk, it’ll help clear your thoughts. And, don’t forget to breathe.
If you are currently taking medications, keep taking them, as directed by your doctor.
If you have scheduled doctor’s appointments, be sure to keep them.
Be patient with yourself by giving yourself permission to grieve.
Talk with someone who understands your loss. Perhaps make an appointment to see a grief counselor.
Join a grief support group. It’ll help connect you with others experiencing similar losses.
Get plenty of rest and drink lots of water to stay hydrated.

Gonzalez said it’s important to reach out to family, friends or a professional counselor, if you’re feeling overwhelmed with grief. But most of all, give yourself the gift of allowing yourself to work through the pain and grief, and construct a new connection with the deceased. And, above all, don’t stop taking care of yourself. Listen to your body. Keep taking your medications and seeing your doctor. And, take one day at a time.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries is dedicated to creating access to healthcare for the uninsured through direct services, community partnerships, and strategic grant-making in 74 counties across South Texas. Guided by its mission of "Serving Humanity to Honor God," the organization’s vision is to be the leader for improving wellness of the least served. The mission also includes Methodist Healthcare Ministries' one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System, the largest healthcare system in South Texas, which creates a unique avenue to ensure that it continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed. For more information, visit www.mhm.org.

The BUILD Health Challenge

DW Admin on December 3, 2019

Maybe it all started with a love of Legos? Or maybe it was Lincoln Logs? Or creating an indoor tent and pillow fort with every clean sheet and pillowcase I could find in my house (sorry Mom!)? In short, the inclination to build things starts in childhood. As adults, we start building in other ways. Beyond construction, we develop systemic plans, and we see opportunities to build and work with intention to expand or increase something – make something bolder. Building something bolder–a perfect way to describe Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ new venture with the BUILD Health Challenge.

Launched in 2015, the BUILD Health Challenge is a visionary funding collaborative designed to support local community partnerships. Its goal is to improve the overall health of local residents experiencing significant obstacles to health and health disparities. BUILD is underwritten by several national funders such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, and W.K. Kellogg Foundation with investments by a select group of regional funders throughout the United States. Methodist Healthcare Ministries is one of those co-investors, bringing the BUILD Health Challenge to South Texas.

BUILD is an acronym for Bold, Upstream, Integrated,Local, and Data-Driven. BUILD focuses on the upstream factors – social, environmental, and economic – also known as the social determinants of health that have the greatest influences on the health of a community. The beauty of BUILD is its boldness; it’s a fundamental shift beyond short-term programmatic work to longer-term systems change such as creating policy that makes a community healthier. Imagine going from building one Lego house to creating an integrated Lego community of nonprofits, hospitals, local mental health authorities, schools, churches, community centers, businesses, and on and on. This is where the challenge portion of BUILD comes into play: how do you address upstream challenges and drive sustainable improvements in community health?

Earlier this year, the BUILD team released a call for applications seeking imaginative and resourceful collaboratives who could design a strategy that adhered to the BUILD principles (bold, upstream, integrated, local, and data-driven), offer novel approaches to improving population health, and work with a health equity lens in all aspects of the project.

[To read more about health equity, please see Tim Barr’s blog “An Introduction to Health Equity” here: : https://news.mhm.org/an-introduction-to-health-equity—part-1/]

After a rigorous two-stage application process, the Hope for Health Collaborative in Kerrville, Texas, was selected as the BUILD grantee for Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ service region. Over the next 2 ½ years (the grant project period) New Hope Counseling Center is leading a collaborative to revitalize the Doyle Community, an historically isolated and segregated African-American and Hispanic neighborhood in Kerrville. Beginning with local policy changes, the Hope for Health Collaborative project is about reconciliation and repairing a century of structural racism. The collaborative plans to address the revitalization of this forgotten neighborhood with a focus on social connection, navigation and resident participation to address their individual and community resources and healthcare needs. This is groundbreaking work that will have population health impact for a community.

As part of a U.S. cohort of designated BUILD projects, New Hope will be on the national stage to share their BUILD story. As a co-investor, Methodist Healthcare Ministries is excited to stand beside some of the country’s most influential foundations to help shape a national conversation about the importance of collaborative funding and what we can build together to improve the health of communities.

To read more about the BUILD Health Challenge, visit www.buildhealthchallenge.org.

Thanksgiving Luncheon 2019

DW Admin on November 27, 2019

On Wednesday, November 27, 2019, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. hosted our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon for the community around our Wesley Health & Wellness Center on the Southwest side of San Antonio. Each year, we provide a tasty and fresh Thanksgiving meal to nearly 500 clients and their families, our neighbors and staff. This annual tradition started back in 2009 and is a fun, festive event that embodies our mission to "Serving Humanity to Honor God."

"Having this opportunity to open our doors and see our patients and clients come in with their family and friends to share a meal together this Thanksgiving really warms our hearts as an organization and is a gratifying example of seeing our mission at work in our community", said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. "As an organization, we are continuously blessed to have such passionate and dedicated team members who are called to do this work and the smile on the faces of the people we serve today, and every day, gives our work more purpose and meaning."

The event is a true team effort and begins weeks in advance with our kitchen staff ordering the food and supplies needed to prepare the feast, which takes days to prepare. Staff from across the organization, including our corporate officers, volunteer in different ways to greet our guests and serve them a warm meal that this year included turkey, ham, corn, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and more.

It remains one of our team members' favorite traditions at Methodist Healthcare Ministries as it allows our patients and clients from all walks of life the opportunity to come together for a special day of thanks, grace and community. Seeing joy on the faces of the families we serve, particularly the children, reminds us of why we do the work we do and fills us all with gratitude.

In the spirit of the holiday, many blessings to you and your families. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

For a video with highlights from our 2018 luncheon, please click here.

Congratulations to Dr. Phillip Brown, DDS

DW Admin on November 8, 2019

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.’s Senior Vice President of Dental Services, Dr. Philip Brown, has been inducted as a Fellow of the International College of Dentists (ICD). Dr. Brown was honored for his extraordinary service and leadership at the ICD’s 85^thAnnual Convocation, held in San Francisco, California, Sept. 6.

Dr. Brown was presented with a membership plaque, a gold lapel pin and gold key symbolic of the fellowship for conspicuous service rendered in the art and science of dentistry, during the convocation.

“I was nominated by a colleague to join the organization. I sent in my application and it was approved by the board and then I was inducted into the group,” said Dr. Brown. “It is an honor to receive this recognition and it is humbling. It was overwhelming and I felt like I was graduating from college, again. It is a big honor for me.”

Dr. Brown was among 350 other dentists from around the world to be inducted into the College this year. The College, with representative chapters in more than 123 countries, has over 11,000 members — including 6,500 in the United States.

The ICD members often participate in mission trips to various countries around the globe to provide critical dental care to the underserved.

“I felt like I really fit in to this organization because that’s what Methodist Healthcare Ministries does — we serve the underserved in our communities. It’s our mission field,” said Brown. “We are doing what medical teams on mission trips do — all day and every day,” he said.

His passion for “treating people, not teeth,” which is his mantra, is the driving force behind his commitment to providing the highest quality of care to the least served in our communities. Dr. Brown’s dedicated work and expertise is the epitome of Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ mission, “Serving Humanity to Honor God.”

He said Methodist Healthcare Ministries is at the forefront of integrated healthcare which provides care to the whole person by utilizing a high degree of collaboration and communication across the organization. The goal is to make connections to systemic ailments including coronary artery disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s, depression, and others, so that a patients’ health needs are better identified and addressed.

“We practice integrated healthcare at Methodist Healthcare Ministries because we invest a lot of our attention to the whole person so that we can provide the best in healthcare to our patients,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons I felt connected to ICD. They too are passionate about bringing wellness to those in need.”

Dr. Brown plans on getting more involved with ICD and hopes to dedicate some of his time to volunteer work. One of his goals is to be part of a mission trip in the future. He said it’s a way for him to give back to others.

He and his brother are both dentists. His brother is in private practice. “We both enjoy working with our hands and we are both artistic,” he said.

When Dr. Brown isn’t leading his dental teams at Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Dixon Health & Wellness Center, Wesley Health & Wellness Center and its two School-Based Health Centers, you can bet he’s somewhere taking photos of whatever captures his eye. His love for photography started in college.

“I take my camera everywhere I go. I like taking photos of my family, as well as places I’ve traveled to,” he said. “One of his most cherished photos is of his parents’ hands. “I was at church with my parents that day and I noticed their hands as they sat together so I decided to capture that image.”

The photo of his parents’ hands is displayed in his office, along with several other images including his travels and family. Aside from photography, he also enjoys scuba diving with his sons.

Dr. Brown and his wife, Elaine, have two sons — Jason, 34, an emergency room physician in Houston, Texas, and Kyle, 29, a firefighter with the San Antonio Fire Department. They also have two grandsons — Braxton and Joshua. His wife, Elaine, is a retired radiologist.

He’s served at Methodist Healthcare Ministries for 24 years. Dr. Brown said serving others and helping improve their lives is a great feeling. “It’s unexplainable. We are not just changing teeth; we are changing lives every day. And, ultimately, we are saving lives. To see a patient, look and feel better is an overwhelming feeling.”

The ICD is the pre-eminent honorary organization of the world’s outstanding dentists involved in “Serving Others.” It is dedicated to the recognition of outstanding professional achievement, meritorious service and the continued progress in the profession of dentistry for the benefit of all humankind.

Improving Access to Water is Critical for the Health of All Texans

DW Admin on October 31, 2019

Having access to clean, potable water, indoor plumbing and a wastewater system is something many Texans take for granted. However, thousands of Texans, mostly living along the Texas-Mexico border in colonias lack these basic amenities. The State of Texas defines a colonia as “a residential area along the Texas–Mexico border that may lack some of the most basic living necessities such as potable water, septic or sewer systems, electricity, paved roads or safe and sanitary housing.”

As President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., I have heard the stories of Texans living along the border who are struggling with access to basic needs, and I’ve witnessed first-hand how the lack of potable water, septic or sewer systems, electricity, paved roads or safe and sanitary housing create barriers to health.

One example is the community of La Presa, a colonia in Webb County near Laredo. La Presa is a community of approximately 300, surrounds a lake at the center of town that is hidden by trees. Most families in this colonia do not have access to potable water and often have to drive to Laredo to pump water for their washing machines, sinks, toilets and tubs. The water isn't clean enough to drink so families must buy water bottles.

It's a tragic situation that many Texans are trying to solve. Webb County is moving forward with a first-ever water dispensary for their community, which is targeted to launch the summer of 2020. And, thanks to a partnership between Texas A&M University’s Colonias Program and the U.S. Department of Defense, the flood-prone road that families in La Presa depend on to get to school and work will be improved. It’s a great step forward, but there are hundreds more communities like La Presa that need help.

According to a study by the Federal Reserve Bank in Dallas, there are nearly 500,000 Texans living in nearly 2,300 colonias. 61.4 percent live at or near the federal poverty rate. 73.1 percent are U.S. citizens. In just six Texas counties along the Texas-Mexico border, 38,000 colonia residents do not have access to clean drinking water.

It bears repeating. Thousands of our fellow Texans are living without the most basic living necessities. No problems of this complexity have silver bullets, but there is a tangible way to stand beside our fellow Texans in pursuit of a solution simply by exercising your right to vote.

At Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., our mission calls us to “Serve Humanity to Honor God.” We fulfill our mission in a number of ways, including through the direct services we provide through our clinical operations and the grant funding we award to nonprofit organizations across South Texas – all sharing our commitment to helping increase access to care for the least served. However, we also seek to play a leading role in shaping the state’s policy agenda through our advocacy efforts.

During the Texas Legislature’s 86^th Legislative Session, our organization, alongside other partners, supported the passage of Senate Bill 2452, which became known as Proposition 2 on the November ballot after being passed by both the Texas House & Senate.

Proposition 2 is a proposed amendment to the Texas Constitution that will allow the Texas Water Development Board to issue general obligation bonds for the Economically Distressed Areas Program (EDAP). EDAP is a program created by the Texas Legislature to assist disadvantaged communities with critical infrastructure projects. The amount of the bonds allowed by Proposition 2 cannot exceed $200 million and would be used to develop water supply and sewer projects in economically depressed areas, such as colonias, of the state.

This is a bill that passed with bipartisan support. However, to become law, it requires approval of the majority of Texas voters this November 5.

What can you do to help? Exercise your right to vote at the ballot box. By voting “Yes” to Proposition 2, you are ensuring that distressed communities across Texas have access to funds that will improve access to clean water.

Early voting started Monday, October 21 and runs through Friday, Nov. 1. Election Day is Tuesday, November 5.

In Texas, we take great pride in being there for one another. Be sure to lend a hand to your fellow Texans and vote “Yes” on proposition 2, so that all Texans can gain access to the clean, potable water we all need to live longer, healthier lives.

Jaime Wesolowski is President and CEO, Methodist Healthcare Ministries.

Delayed Operations

DW Admin on September 20, 2019

UPDATE Friday, Sept. 20 12:30 p.m. Corporate Headquarters Update: CPS Energy has addressed the power outage in the area and our Corporate office is now open. Thank you.

Friday, Sept. 20 7:00 a.m. – PLEASE NOTE: Our Corporate office will open at a delayed time today due to a power outage in the area. CPS Energy is attempting to restore power, but no concrete time estimate is available at the moment. All other facilities will be open as usual. Thank you.

Legislative Update, September 18

DW Admin on September 18, 2019

In this issue:

State Updates

End of Session Wrap Up
Policy Work Continues During the Legislative Interim
We Remain Thankful to the Work and Contributions Made by All

86th Legislative Session Summary Reports

Upcoming Hearings

Upcoming Events

View our 2019 Legislative Agenda

Advocacy

Bill Tracking

Research

2018 State of Texas Children: The Road to a Brighter Future

___________________________________________________________________________________________

State Updates

End of Session Wrap Up

The 140-day Texas legislative session came to a close over the May 27 Memorial Day holiday with Governor Greg Abbott and legislative leaders celebrating significant victories related to school finance and property tax reform. Before swinging the final gavel, lawmakers fulfilled their constitutional duty and passed a balanced budget allocating $250.7 billion for the 2020-2021 biennium, a 16 percent increase over the 2018-2019 budget. Included in the final budget is $84.4 billion for health and human services programs, up just 1 percent from the previous biennium. As has been the custom in past sessions, lawmakers included a $900 million cut to the state Medicaid program through a cost containment rider in the state budget bill. The state’s health care services agency will direct the program reductions over the next two years to achieve these savings.

A total of 7,324 bills were filed this legislative session, with 1,373 bills ultimately becoming law. In a rare move from previous governors, Governor Abbott signed the two-year budget into law without any line-item vetoes.

Working alongside lawmakers and state health advocates over the five-month session, Methodist Healthcare Ministries weighed in on more than 200 new state laws, helping deliver on a number of regional priorities important to families in our 74-county service area. Despite healthcare receiving little attention this legislative session, there were a number of notable accomplishments related to access to care, mental health and women’s and children’s health. Highlights of key bills include:

Access to Care
- Reducing transportation barriers to health care treatment by allow ridesharing companies to provide nonmedical transportation services under Medicaid. (HB 1576)
- Preventing cancer by raising the statewide minimum age to purchase all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, from 18 to 21 years of age (exempts military). (SB 21)
- Continuing to support cancer prevention & research initiatives by passing a constitutional amendment which will ask voters on the Nov. 5 ballot for the authority to issue another $3 billion in bonds for the continuation of the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). (HB 39 and HJR 12)
- Incentivizing the purchase of fruits and vegetables by creating a SNAP pilot program and studying existing incentive programs throughout the state. (SB 1834)
- Creating greater flexibility and efficiency for local hospital districts allowing them to better serve uninsured Texans by creating local healthcare provider participation funds programs (LPPFs) in Bexar County and Nueces County. (SB 1545 and SB 2315)
Behavioral Health
- Securing $190.3 million to begin construction on a new San Antonio State Hospital, a 300-bed campus that will improve care for those living in South Texas with behavioral health needs. (SB 500)
- Improving mental health capacity in rural areas through regional coordination between local mental health authorities (LMHAs), requiring them to develop mental health service development plans. (HB 633)
- Increasing access to intensive home-based and community-based mental health services for children enrolled in Medicaid by giving managed care organizations flexibility to provide more cost-effective and evidence-based services as deemed medically appropriate. (SB 1177)
- Improving school safety and mental health promotion by allocating $100 million to create a Child Mental Health Consortium that will leverage the expertise of health-related educational institutions to improve the child mental health care system in Texas and increase access to child psychiatry through telemedicine, and by allocating $100M to create a School Safety Allotment to assist with school safety and security training, prevention and treatment programs related to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and suicide prevention in school. (SB 11)
- Increasing the capacity of school districts and school personnel to support mental health and the healthy development of students by establishing training, policy and planning requirements, use of trauma-informed practices, social and emotional skill development, and comprehensive suicide prevention. (HB 18)
Women and Children’s Health
- Improving access to maternal health care services by creating a pilot program that will allow children to ride with their pregnant or postpartum mothers to their medical appointments under the Medicaid Transportation Program. (HB 25)
- Improving maternal and newborn health for women and children with a drug dependency by expanding the Texas AIM program for hospitals to include bundles for maternal opioid abuse disorder. (SB 436)
- Increasing access to healthcare services after a women’s 60-day Medicaid for Pregnant Women coverage expires by notifying them of their eligibility for the Healthy Texas Women (HTW) program. (SB 2132)
- Improving access to postpartum services by developing a limited postpartum care service package for women enrolled in HTW for up to 12 months postpartum (SB 750), and creating a 5-year strategic plan to improve access to postpartum screenings, treatment and support. (HB 253)
- Helping children stay active and healthy by updating existing nutrition and active play minimum standards at daycare centers & registered family homes to align with recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics. (SB 952)

Policy Work Continues During the Legislative Interim

Without a doubt, there was little political will this session to address comprehensive health care for our state’s low-income families. Notably, Texas continues to have the highest number of uninsured adults and children in the country, with little talk of a permanent fix or a backup plan to protect patients if Texas succeeds in repealing the Affordable Care Act. Identifying sound proposals that aim to secure healthcare coverage for the millions of uninsured Texans remains a top priority for Methodist Healthcare Ministries as we continue to advocate on behalf of the underserved in our 74-county service region.

We Remain Thankful to the Work and Contributions Made by All

Methodist Healthcare Ministries extends a heartfelt thank you to all of our hardworking elected officials in the Texas Legislature, especially our 10 Senate and 44 House members representing MHM’s 74-county service region. We appreciate allowing us the countless office visits made with lawmakers and Capitol staff, as well as their public endorsement of legislation and policies drafted to improve the health of Texas families. Our efforts were greatly strengthened and expertly led by our funded health care advocacy partners, including The Center for Public Policy Priorities, Children’s Defense Fund, Council for a Strong America, Healthy Futures of Texas, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, National Alliance on Mental Illness – Texas, National Association of Social Workers – Texas, Texas Impact, Texas Doctors for Social Responsibility, Texas Pediatric Society, Texans Care for Children and The Immunization Partnership.

86th Legislative Session Summary Reports

Below are links to additional excellent summaries by our advocacy partners.

· Center for Public Policy Priorities

· National Association of Social Workers – Texas

· Texas Coalition for Healthy Minds

· Texas Pediatric Society

· Texas Hospital Association

· Texans Care for Children

· Texas Impact (Blog)

Upcoming Hearings

Posted Agendas for House Committees
Posted Agendas for Senate Committees

Upcoming Events

Sept. 19-20: Center for Public Policy Priorities & Texas Association of Community Health Plans – Texas State of Enrollment Conference (San Antonio)

Sept. 26-27: Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute – Engage & Excel Conference (Austin)

Sept. 26-28: The Texas Tribune – TribFestival (Austin)

Oct. 3-4: Health Literacy Collaborative – TX Health Literacy Conference (San Antonio)

Nov. 8-9: NAMI Texas – Road to Resilience Conference (Houston)

For more information on health care research, policy or advocacy, please contact Chris Yanas at cyanas@mhm.org.

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Notice of Closure

DW Admin on August 22, 2019

Thursday, Aug. 22 8:00 p.m. – PLEASE NOTE: Our San Antonio area clinics, Dixon Health & Wellness Center, Dixon Health & Wellness Center and School Based Health Centers will be closed during regular business hours on Thursday, August 22, 2019 for monthly staff training. Our Wesley Health & Wellness Center will be reopen from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for our regular extended business hours. Operations will resume as usual on Friday, August 23. This notice does not affect the pharmacy, which will operate on its regular schedule.

What I have seen and learned through a tour of our service region.

DW Admin on August 6, 2019

It's been a little over ten months since I joined Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., as President & CEO. It has been an incredible experience so far and I am constantly excited and impressed by the team members and partners I’ve been blessed to meet along the way. One of the first commitments I made when joining the organization was to tour our service area in my first year on the job; it’s a commitment I am making progress on. Thus far, I have visited the Rio Grande Valley, the Las Misiones region, the Laredo/Border region, the Concho Valley, and most recently, the Crossroads region. Each visit has presented me with an opportunity to see firsthand the great work our team members do and to understand the many different "Whys" that makes our organization so special.

During my visits, I've been blessed with opportunities to meet with some of our partners too and see their operations, I am inspired by their collective efforts to improve the health of their communities. From talking about diabetes education with Proyecto Juan Diego in Brownsville, to Integrated Behavioral Health at Mercy Ministries of Laredo or the challenges of addressing mental health with West Texas Counseling & Guidance in San Angelo, I am in awe of their commitment and exceptional performance (while stretching resources as far as they can go.) I have seen how the partners funded by Methodist Healthcare Ministries value and appreciate our support and make every effort to leverage those dollars into increasing access to care for patients in the communities they serve. They do as much as they can, in all the ways they can, as long as they can. It is truly inspiring.

Most importantly, on each visit I get to meet with our own team. Wesley Nurses, School Based Health Center Staff, Get FIT program staff, and community counselors, community health workers, parenting program staff and more all working diligently in their communities. I value the time we have spent together, oftentimes over a meal where I can hear their personal "why" and examples of how their work brings our mission to life. I also draw a lot of joy from seeing some of our programs in action, such as the Get FIT sites I toured in Santa Rosa, where I saw the types of programming and activities we promote to keep children actively learning everything from dance, to archery, playing sports and planting in a greenhouse. I even get to have a little fun!

All along the way, I am not only learning about how we have supported our programs and partners in the past, but also finding new ways to be of assistance in the moment. For example, I learned one of our partners was interested in having a representative from an area hospital serve on their board. One phone call later, I was able to connect that organization to leadership from a local hospital, so they could continue that discussion. Also, in touring our School Based Health Center in Schertz, I learned that one of the functions we serve is providing no-cost or low-cost vaccines to students. As I serve as the Chair for both the American Cancer Society's South Texas Area Board and their South Region Cabinet, I knew that increasing access to human papillomavirus (HPV) immunizations is an important issue facing school communities. I challenged our team to increase our immunization rates and they responded to that call in a big way. Through collaboration with the San Antonio American Cancer Society, and partnership with H-E-B Pharmacy and the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City I.S.D., we hosted an immunization drive where we provided the HPV vaccine at a local middle school—ninety percent of the kids who participated received the HPV immunization. The immunizations offered to the kids are more than just immunizations needed for school—it’s cancer prevention and I am so proud that we can make such a profound difference in their lives. These are just two examples of ways in which these tours of service have helped to give me a greater sense for ways to support our partners and the patients we serve.

In the coming months, I will complete my promised tour of our service area by visiting the Hill Country region, the Coastal Bend area, and the Capital-area. I get a great deal of knowledge and experience from these visits. I know that as I continue to grow and learn in this position, I will get a better sense of the impact our programs and services have on the communities we serve, as well as how we can better support our team members and partners in their daily efforts to help us fulfill our mission of Serving Humanity to Honor God.

Treating mind, body and spirit: Integrated partnerships support whole-person care

DW Admin on June 11, 2019

Diabetes and depression occur together in the same person, but in American healthcare, they’re treated separately: The brain and the body get healthcare in different buildings, by different doctors, with different billing systems and different health records.

It's confusing, inefficient treatment. It’s also expensive, time-consuming, and if it’s hard for practitioners to navigate, imagine how the patient feels.

Wouldn’t it be better to treat related health conditions together, in a single office visit?

For a growing number of healthcare practices, the solution is Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) – clinics with a combination of primary care and mental/behavioral health services in a single setting, and in many cases, in the same exam room. For example, IBH can help patients with chronic and mental illnesses like diabetes and depression, which often occur together.

Integrating care in vulnerable communities

Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ commitment to whole-person wellness for low-income, uninsured populations, is advanced through its investments in IBH models of care, through work with South Texas partner organizations and in providing direct services to our own clinical patients in San Antonio.

A key component of Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ advancement of IBH is Sí Texas: Social Innovation for a Healthy South Texas. The project began in 2014 to help organizations in 12 counties test, improve and grow IBH services. From 2014 to 2019, a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) has made up to $20 million available for the Sí Texas initiative to implement, study and scale IBH in clinics serving vulnerable communities along the Texas border. The federal funds were matched 2:1 through partnerships with Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation and other Texas philanthropies.

“All types of providers have long recognized the importance of treating the whole person to achieve better outcomes for the patient.” says Jennifer Knoulton, vice president of regional operations. She explains that the challenges are about improving and aligning fragmented systems of care so integration can thrive.

Treating mind, body and spirit

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is one of eight organizations selected for partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries to participate in the Sí Texas project. “IBH puts the brain back in the body,” says Dr. Deepu George, assistant professor of clinical family & community medicine at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) School of Medicine. “It creates health care that’s better at treating the whole person, mind, body and spirit.”

Meanwhile, in San Antonio, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has been working toward integration in its own Wesley Health & Wellness Center and Dixon Health & Wellness Center since 2016.

“Our team-based IBH model allows each team members’ skills to be used at the highest levels,” says Dr. Edward Dick, vice president of integrated health services. “We’re finding higher satisfaction for both our providers and patients in our clinics; we’re also finding that once providers have practiced in a successful IBH program, they wonder why they haven’t been able to work this way in the past. It’s a compelling return on investment.”

Filling gaps, building evidence

In the last decade, widespread evidence has shown that IBH works for patients and providers; however, the research was incomplete for vulnerable populations and local realities. Through the Sí Texas project, South Texas communities are producing specific information about how IBH can work for low-income, uninsured, Hispanic patients in Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs). Throughout 2019, nine research studies that are part of the Sí Texas project are being posted on the CNCS Evidence Exchange and on MHM.org. These studies establish effective, evidence-based models and practices ready to be adopted by other organizations, in communities with similar challenges.

Want to know more about IBH?

If you’re curious about the cost and health impact of Integrated Behavioral Health, here are some helpful online resources:

In Texas

Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute (MMHPI) is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization with a focus on mental health resources and services, and policies that impact healthcare implementation and access in Texas.

Hogg Foundation for Mental Health – as part of The University of Texas system, the Hogg Foundation advocates for mental health solutions that go beyond clinical settings into communities.

National Resources

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a national resource for integrated health information.

Well Being Trust is a national foundation that seeks to improve mental, social and spiritual health through a sense of community well-being.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is a federal agency with programs that address health issues related to geographic and economic vulnerability, much like the communities served by the Sí Texas project. The site’s data warehouse allows you to search by state and county for demographic information, existing healthcare programs and workforce information, and more.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a federal agency that administers a wide range of healthcare-related programs and services, as well as regulations and laws governing healthcare. It administers and tracks community access to services and assistance.

Legislative Update, May 20

DW Admin on May 20, 2019

In this issue:

On Their Way to the Governor’s Desk
Legislature Approves Extension of Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas
House Extends Health Care Coverage for Medicaid Mothers
Bill Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences Moves Forward
Bill Promotes Best Practices for Physical Activity in Schools
Senate Passes Medical Transportation Pilot Program for New Mothers

Upcoming Hearings for the week of May 20

Upcoming Events

View our 2019 Legislative Agenda

Advocacy

Bill Tracking

Research

2018 State of Texas Children: The Road to a Brighter Future

___________________________________________________________________________________________

State Updates

On Their Way to the Governor’s Desk

With a little more than a week left in the 86^th Legislative Session, bills are making their way to the Governor’s desk for his signature. Here are just a few that impact the delivery of health care for the communities we serve.

HB 125 – Prohibits the state from publishing the home address of licensed mental health professionals online.

HB 2225 – requires birthing facilities to inform parents of deaf and hard of hearing infants about public resources available to them, including early childhood intervention (ECI) services.

SB 999 – develops a state plan to identify best practices related to the awareness, treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease.

SB 1142 – allows the Travis County Healthcare District (Central Health) to employ physicians to better provide medical care for indigent and needy residents.

SB 1378 – requires institutions of higher education planning to increase enrollment to medical degree programs to submit a specific plan to increase the number of corresponding first-year residency positions.

SB 2132 – provides women auto-enrolled into the state’s Healthy Texas Women (HTW) program with information about the program and a list of health care providers in the woman's geographic area.

Legislature Approves Extension of Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas

Approximately half of all cancers can be prevented through evidence-based prevention intervention services. Established in 2009, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) provides an infrastructure that supports and enhances the networks delivering cancer prevention services and conducting groundbreaking research throughout the state. On May 10, the Texas Senate passed House Bill 39 and House Joint Resolution 12 which will extend the CPRIT program and ask voters to amend the Texas Constitution to authorize $3 billion in general obligation bonds.

CPRITs investment in prevention grants makes it possible for the state to fully capitalize on its longstanding investment in Texas’ fight against cancer. Since 2010, CPRIT grantees have provided nearly 251,000 prevention vaccinations, 230,000 tobacco cessation services and 1,300,000 screening and diagnostics for breast, cervical, HPV-related, liver and colorectal cancers. Additionally, CPRIT has invested nearly 11 percent of its research portfolio – twice the national average – toward more than 150 cancer research projects aimed at improving survival rates and preventing children and adolescents from developing cancer. Methodist Healthcare Ministries worked with the American Cancer Society this legislative session to secure the reauthorization of CPRIT and ensure Texans receive lifesaving prevention clinical services and expedite innovation in childhood cancer research.

House Extends Health Care Coverage for Medicaid Mothers

The 2018 Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force Biennial Report found that 56 percent of maternal deaths between 2012 and 2015 occurred after 60 days postpartum. The most common contributing factor to maternal mortality included underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, due to the lack of access to quality care during the year after pregnancy and throughout the interconception period. On May 10, the Texas House voted 87-43 to pass House Bill 744 by Representative Toni Rose, which adopts the Task Force’s number one recommendation – to extend access to health care coverage from 60 days to 12 months following delivery.

The current 60-day postpartum coverage provided by maternal Medicaid does not allow women time to secure postpartum outpatient care and ensure access to interconception care services. Enabling eligible women to access and maintain continuous healthcare coverage is essential to help women identify and address health issues early on. HB 744 aims at improving the health of women, facilitate continuity of care, enable effective care transitions and promote safe birth spacing. Methodist Healthcare Ministries supports extending Medicaid coverage for women up to 12 months postpartum to ensure continuity of care, allowing women to receive treatment services for conditions such as substance use, diabetes and hypertension. House Bill 744 moves to the Senate where it awaits referral to committee and further action.

Bill Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences Moves Forward

Texas ranks 30th in the nation for the number of children who have experienced two or more childhood traumas. Experiencing multiple stressful or traumatic events during childhood, known as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), have shown to have profound effects on an individual’s cognitive, social and biological development. With nearly 24 percent of Texas children having experienced multiple ACEs, the Texas House voted 131-14 in favor of House Bill 4183 by Representative Tan Parker (R- Flower Mound), directing the state to develop a five-year strategic plan to address the social, health and economic impacts of adverse childhood experiences.

Studies have found that as the number of ACEs increases so do the risks of poor physical health, mental health and behavioral health outcomes. Using a public health framework, HB 4183 develops a strategic plan that identifies best practices and promotes the development of early intervention and prevention strategies to mitigate the impact of ACEs. Methodist Health Ministries supports empowering struggling families, promoting safe relationships and environments and building resiliency in children and families. On Wednesday, May 15, HB 4183 was heard by the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services and was left pending, awaiting further action.

Bill Promotes Best Practices for Physical Activity in Schools

Texas has the seventh-highest obesity rate in the country for youths between the ages of 10 and 17, with more than 600,000 youths considered obese. Children who are overweight or obese are five times more likely to be overweight or obese as adults and have an increased likelihood of developing chronic diseases, including diabetes and heart disease. On May 9, the Senate Committee on Education heard House Bill 455 by Representative Alma Allen (D-Houston), which provides guidance to school districts on adequate recess time while maximizing the effectiveness of outdoor physical activity.

Daily recess is shown to have health, social and academic benefits for students. Currently, the state does not provide school districts with specific guidance as to the best-practices for constructive physical activity and outdoor play time. HB 455 directs the Texas School Health Advisory Committee to develop age-appropriate model recess policies that encourage constructive outdoor play time. Methodist Healthcare Ministries provided written testimony to the Senate Education Committee in support of preventing obesity early in a child’s life to improve their health and productivity into adulthood. The bill was left pending in committee and awaits further action.

Senate Passes Medical Transportation Pilot Program for New Mothers

For many mothers in rural and urban areas, transportation to medical appointments is a significant barrier resulting in forgone health care or missed appointments. Missed appointments delay care which is associated with disrupted patient care, increased medical costs and increased emergency room visits. On Thursday, May 16, the Texas Senate voted overwhelmingly in support of House Bill 25 by Representative Mary Gonzalez (D-Clint), which creates a pilot program allowing pregnant and postpartum women to ride with their children to their pregnancy-related medical appointments under the Medicaid medical transportation program.

Currently, state and federal funds are not allowed to be used to transport a person who is not a Medicaid beneficiary to a medical appointment. This results in mothers having to travel without their children if they are going to a prenatal or postpartum appointment. HB 25 would allow health plans to leverage existing partnerships with ridesharing services to arrange for transportation for mothers and their children. The pilot program seeks to determine if the program reduces pregnancy-related complications, improves access to medical care and decreases missed appointments. Methodist Healthcare Ministries supported HB 25 as it worked through the House and Senate committee process. The bill, as amended in the Senate, heads back to the House for concurrence.

Upcoming Hearings for the week of May 20

Posted Agendas for House Committees
Posted Agendas for Senate Committees

Upcoming Events

Monday, May 27 – Last day of the 86th Legislative Session (Sine Die)

For more information on health care research, policy or advocacy, please contact Chris Yanas at cyanas@mhm.org.

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Legislative Update, May 9

DW Admin on May 9, 2019

In this issue:

State Trauma Program Funding Bill Moves Forward
House Tackles Property Tax Reform
Bexar County House Freshman Ray Lopez Files Bills Protecting Vulnerable Youths
Adequate Physical Activity Key to Future of National Security

Upcoming Hearings for the week of May 6

View our 2019 Legislative Agenda

Advocacy

Bill Tracking

Research

2018 State of Texas Children: The Road to a Brighter Future

___________________________________________________________________________________________

State Updates

State Trauma Program Funding Bill Moves Forward

Every four minutes someone in Texas is faced with an unexpected traumatic injury – annually resulting in over 130,000 trauma hospitalizations and costing designated trauma centers nearly $300 million in unreimbursed trauma care services. To help offset the unreimbursed costs and sustain the state’s trauma care system, the Texas Legislature created the Driver Responsibility Program (DRP) in 2003. Over the course of the 16-year program, however, the DRP has received growing opposition for its impact on low-income drivers and families. On May 1, Representative John Zerwas (R-Fulshear) laid out House Bill 2048 for consideration on the House floor, which repeals the DRP and proposes a new funding source for the state’s entire trauma care system.

The current DRP levies fines and surcharges over a three-year period for reckless driving and moving violations such as DWIs ($1,000 a year), driving without an insurance or valid ID ($250 a year) and driving with an expired license ($100 a year). When Texans are unable to pay the DRP fines, their driver’s licenses are revoked, resulting in more than 1.4 million drivers losing their licenses since the inception of the program. HB 2048 proposes reinstating revoked driver’s licenses due to unpaid fines, repealing the program, and replacing the funding using three different mechanisms: increasing state traffic fines from $30 to $50, imposing a $4 fee on auto insurance policies, and raising the fees for DWI to $3,000, $4,500, and $6,000 for subsequent convictions, respectively. The bill was amended on the House floor, including the addition of a provision that increases the amounts allocated to Emergency Medical Services and the Regional Advisory Councils by 2 percent and 1 percent, respectively.

House Bill 2048 received broad support from health care stakeholders, including the Texas Hospital Association, Texas Sheriff’s Association, HCA Healthcare, CHRISTUS Healthcare, University Health System, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance and the San Antonio Police Department. HB 2048 was voted out by the House on a vote of 143-0 and sent to the Senate where it awaits to be referred to committee. Methodist Healthcare Ministries supports the passage of HB 2048 and its efforts to develop a sustainable and equitable funding stream for the state’s trauma care system.

House Tackles Property Tax Reform

Property tax and education reform bills have been the top policy issues of the 2019 legislative session. Legislators have routinely heard from constituents who have voiced concerns with rising property taxes, and confusing tax systems. On April 30, the Texas House debated Senate Bill 2, sponsored in the House by Representative Dustin Burrow (R-Lubbock), who stressed to House members that the intent of SB 2 is to make the tax process more transparent, though the bill does not aim to lower property tax rates.

The House approved Senate Bill 2 by a vote of 107-40, with 20 members of the Democratic party voting in favor of the bill. As passed, the bill requires cities, counties and emergency service districts to hold an election to raise property tax revenue above 3.5 percent from the previous year, matching the version passed by the Senate last week. Both versions also allow taxing units to include indigent health care costs into their revenue growth calculations, although with slightly different mechanisms. Efforts to add amendments that would exclude flood risk mitigation, public safety expenses and economic development expenditures from the revenue growth calculations were voted down.

State leadership applauded the bill’s passage, despite strong opposition from cities and counties. Local government officials fear the unintended consequences of the reform will restrict both short term and long term growth needs without providing meaningful tax relief for its residents. Senate Bill 2 has moved to conference committee where conferees will negotiate final terms.

Bexar County House Freshman Ray Lopez Files Bills Protecting Vulnerable Youths

Newly sworn-in House member, Representative Ray Lopez (D-San Antonio), was given the opportunity to debate his bill, House Bill 4753, last week in the House Committee on International Relations and Economic Development. The bill calls for a study to examine the growing cost of child care affecting hard-working families throughout the state. Lopez, a former member of the San Antonio City Council, won a special election runoff to replace former state Representative Justin Rodriguez, who gave up his seat to accept an appointment as Bexar County Commissioner.

Lopez shared with committee members that some families are forced to spend up to 30 percent of their annual income on child care, much higher than the 7 percent level recommended by financial analysts. The disparity, disproportionately affecting single-family households with low incomes, recognizes that children of parents with limited incomes consequently lack access to child care resources. Representative Lopez stressed that investing in child care was the first step toward ensuring a child’s success and healthy development. HB 4753 was left pending in committee, where it will likely remain due to legislative session deadlines.

Representative Lopez also introduced House Bill 4757 which looks to improve access to healthcare coverage for youths in foster care. Under current law, youths aging out of foster care have access to state healthcare coverage until the age of 26, however many lose their coverage after they age out due to the difficult renewal processes and application forms that must be submitted annually. HB 4757 would streamline the redetermination process and create an auto-renewal process for youths after leaving state conservatorship to prevent any disruption in services, treatment or medication. Methodist Healthcare Ministries supports Representative Lopez’s initiative to protect the underserved and ensure access to healthcare coverage for all vulnerable populations.

Adequate Physical Activity Key to Future of National Security

Nearly 33 percent of youths in Texas are too overweight to serve in the military, and obesity is one of the leading reasons why 73 percent of young adults in Texas are ineligible to serve in the military. On May 1, Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ advocacy partners, Mission: Readiness and the Partnership for a Healthy Texas, held a press conference highlighting the importance of increasing physical activity in schools to curb the obesity epidemic. Senator Campbell (R-San Antonio) and Senator Kirk Watson (D-Austin) noted in their comments that this was a national security concern and both supported the implementation of obesity prevention strategies, such as the passage of Senate Bill 364 to ensure recess policies are adopted in all schools.

Dr. Deanna Hoelscher, Regional Dean of the UTHealth School of Public Health at Austin, explained that childhood obesity is estimated to cost an additional $12,900 in medical care per overweight child, placing a significant burden on the healthcare system. Retired U.S. Army Major General Rick Noriega added that engaging in meaningful recess and physical activity in schools would ensure Texas develops a healthy workforce and strong military. With the obesity rate of fourth-grade students in Texas currently 44 percent higher than the national average, the time to act is now.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries remains a staunch advocate in preventing childhood obesity. It supports an upstream approach which includes supporting the Partnership for a Healthy Texas’ Senate Bill 1834, which creates a pilot program to incentivize the purchasing of healthy foods for individuals using SNAP benefits and Senate Bill 952, which creates standards for nutrition, physical activity and screen time in licensed child care facilities. Both bills have passed the Senate and are waiting to be heard in the House Committee on Human Services.

Upcoming Hearings for the week of May 6

Posted Agendas for House Committees
Posted Agendas for Senate Committees

For more information on health care research, policy or advocacy, please contact Chris Yanas at cyanas@mhm.org.

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