Published by the Dallas Observer Blogs: In July, Governor Rick Perry sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius explaining why the state of Texas would not be taking part in the federal government’s plans to expand Medicaid. READ MORE

by Becca Aaronson

Expanding Medicaid is a “smart, affordable and fair” decision for Texas, according to a report issued by Billy Hamilton, a nonpartisan consultant commissioned by Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas and Texas Impact, a statewide interfaith network.

“If politics are set aside, the right decision is obvious,” wrote Hamilton, a former deputy comptroller of public accounts who was once the state’s chief revenue estimator. He argued that for an investment of $15 billion, Texas could draw down $100 billion in federal funds and expand health care coverage to 2 million low-income Texans over 10 years.

One of the most important decisions facing Texas lawmakers in the 83rd legislative session is whether to expand Medicaid to low-income adults, as directed by the federal Affordable Care Act. Despite proclamations from Texas’ Republican leadership — namely Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst — that Texas will not expand Medicaid, local government officials and health care providers across the state are pushing lawmakers to realize the benefits of it.

Hamilton’s report, the most thorough fiscal analysis yet on the impact of the Medicaid expansion on Texas, argues that state spending on the expanded Medicaid program would be offset by dramatic savings and that thousands of jobs would be created to boost the economy. Hamilton also says Texas’ uninsured rate — the highest in the nation — would drop by a quarter. He argues the expansion could save the lives of 5,700 adults and 2,900 children annually.

Hamilton, who was recently chosen to consult the embattled Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas on its fiscal policies, said failing to expand Medicaid “will place low-income individuals, local cities and counties and the entire state health care system at a significant disadvantage going forward.”

In contrast to arguments that the Medicaid expansion would cost Texas too much money, Hamilton finds state spending on the Medicaid expansion could be met “many times over” with existing funds that the state, local jurisdictions and hospitals already spend on unreimbursed charity care for low-income adults. An estimated $1.8 billion in new state revenue generated by the expansion could offset the state’s match for the Medicaid expansion from 2014 to 2017, Hamilton says, adding that an estimated 231,000 jobs, $2.5 billion in local revenue and $67.9 billion in total economic output could be generated by 2016.

Opponents of the Medicaid expansion argue the “one-size-fits-all” federal program fails to meet the state’s needs and that there is no guarantee the federal government will continue funding the program at high levels, leading to uncertainty over the burden to future state budgets.

Perry has compared Medicaid to the Titanic, arguing that the state shouldn’t add more people to a sinking ship. Rather than expand a broken system, opponents of the expansion argue Texas should apply for a block grant from the federal government to create a program unique to Texas.

Hamilton’s report counters these claims, arguing that Texas could build in “an automatic ‘trigger,’ such as Arizona is doing, to reduce Medicaid-optional populations and services should Congress reduce the match rate in the future.” The report also argues that lawmakers in favor of a Medicaid block grant should support the expansion, as the federal government bases block grants on historical funding levels, “so maximizing federal funding now would better position Texas in the event of any future conversion to block grants.”

Check out these Tribune interactives to compare state Medicaid expansions, weigh the effects of expansion on Medicaid caseloads and spending, and visualize the impact the expansion could have on Texas’ uninsured.
 

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at http://www.texastribune.org/2013/01/28/report-politics-aside-expanding-medicaid-smart-cho/.

Published by the Texas Observer: The United States Supreme Court’s upholding of the Affordable Care Act and issues surrounding Medicaid expansion. READ MORE

Methodist Healthcare Ministries partners with Dental School to serve community

January 2013
by Rosanne Fohn
Mission Magazine, UT Health Science Center

Marissa Lopez wanted to have beautiful teeth, so she and her mother began visiting the Ricardo Salinas Dental Clinic. “I learned to brush my teeth two times a day — in the night and in the morning — to floss and rinse my mouth with mouthwash. And now I have pretty teeth,” the smiling youngster said.

The Dental School’s involvement with the Salinas Dental Clinic began in 2003 as a partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas Inc. (MHM) and the city of San Antonio, which owns the Salinas Clinic. There, working under faculty supervision, dental students and pediatric dentistry residents provide dental services to children from all areas of San Antonio. “The need for oral health care is critical,” said Kevin Donly, D.D.S., M.S., professor and chair of developmental dentistry.

The clinic is a centerpiece of the Dental School’s outreach education program. It gives students and residents the opportunity to provide comprehensive care, and to learn about the needs of underserved communities and different ways to deliver care. “In a typical year, we provide about five or six procedures per patient during 5,000 patient visits,” Dr. Donly said. As a sustaining partner, MHM has contributed nearly $1.3 million to the clinic since 2002.

This clinic is just one of several long-term partnerships between the Dental School
and MHM:

• In 2002, MHM and the Dental School began partnering on a school-based prevention program for second graders in the Edgewood Independent School District. MHM’s contributions for the Give Kids a Smile Program includes equipment and supplies valued at nearly $650,000.
• Since 2005, MHM has supported the Dental School’s clinical education programs in Laredo with grants for planning, equipment and program support totaling nearly $1 million.
• MHM also has supported pediatric dental services that students and residents provided at the Frank Bryant Clinic on the Eastside since 2005. Funding through 2012 exceeds $1 million.
• In 2012, MHM began funding a Dental School rotation through San Antonio Christian Dental at Haven for Hope. Funding of $214,088 in 2012 will support 3,000 dental visits.

Kevin C. Moriarty, MHM president and CEO, said, “We firmly believe in the partnership we’ve created with the UT Health Science Center Dental School. We have succeeded because we share the same mission of caring for the least-served in San Antonio and South Texas.”

In all, MHM has provided more than $2.45 million to the Dental School’s outreach education programs in pediatric dentistry, prosthodontics, general dentistry, dental public health and prevention.

Beginning in 1998, MHM also was the driving force in educating the community about the value of fluoride in preventing cavities. As a result, voters approved adding fluoride to the city’s water supply.

In addition to the generous support provided to the Dental School, MHM has been a longtime champion of a multitude of programs throughout the UT Health Science Center including programs in the School of Medicine and School of Nursing.

Bill Dodge, D.D.S., dean ad interim of the Dental School, added, “It would not be an exaggeration to say that together, we have touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, not only through direct patient care, but through all the health care professionals who have received top-notch training from programs and clinics supported by Methodist Healthcare Ministries.”

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By Sarah Acosta
Staff Writer
The Smithville Times

In August, Smithville was presented with their first “Wesley Nurse” – Sharlene Scheler, who says she is fully committed to the health and well-being of this community.

Scheler moved to Smithville to retire with her husband Nelson last June, but when presented with the opportunity by Methodist Health Care Ministries to be Smithville’s first ever Wesley Nurse, she felt a calling.

“When I was first presented with the opportunity to be a Wesley Nurse, I had no idea what it was, but after a lot of research and much deliberation, I knew it was the right path for me,” Scheler said. “I feel blessed every day that I am able to offer this care to those in need.”

The Wesley Nurse Health Ministries program is a faith-based, holistic program committed to serving the community through the promotion of good health and education.

As a returning member of Smithville First United Methodist Church, she was thrilled to not only be a part of the ministry again, but also help others in the process.

Originally from San Antonio, she moved to Smithville 35 years ago when her husband was offered a position to manage Marrs-Jones Funeral Home.
She began working for the Smithville Clinic with Dr. James Thomas, while also commuting to Austin to attend nursing school.

As a mother of two children with aging parents herself, she felt the need to move closer to her family back in San Antonio.

Scheler continued to practice nursing there while also obtaining her second nursing degree, with a focus on infection prevention, from the University of Texas in 1991.

As a Wesley Nurse, Scheler provides free blood sugar and blood pressure screenings, along with diabetes and nutrition programs. She also focuses on cardiac care, medication safety and home safety.

“I am so excited to offer these services to those who really need it,” she said.

Scheler can be found at First United Methodist Church on Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

She provides screening services at Smithville Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels at the rec center and two days a week at Hart’s Chapel.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, she also provides exercise classes at the education building at her church.

In the future, she will also offer blood pressure screenings at Smithville’s Brookshire Brothers.

If you are interested in her services, contact Scheler at 512-237-2632.

“My main goal is to help people help themselves,” she said.

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Wesley Nurse to Offer 15-Week Walking Program in Blanco

Blanco, Texas — Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) recently welcomed Blanco among the communities in South Texas where it offers its signature outreach program – the Wesley Nurse Health Ministries™ (WNHM). WNHM is a holistic health and wellness program committed to serving the least served through education, health promotion and collaboration with the individual and community in achieving improved wellness through self-empowerment. It is currently MHM’s largest outreach program with 80 authorized church sites throughout South Texas.

Kimberley Timpanelli, RN began her tenure as Wesley Nurse at the Blanco United Methodist Church in April, however she is a seasoned healthcare professional. Timpanelli obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences, worked as an Oncology professional for over seven years and has nearly 18 years of experience in the nursing field.

As a new Wesley Nurse site, Timpanelli conducted a Health Needs Assessment of Blanco as a means to design programming and services to fulfill the expressed needs of the community. Concluding this study, Timpanelli found Blanco residents expressed a strong interest in a physical activity program, along with opportunities for spiritual growth.

As a result, Timpanelli introduced a 15-week walking program designed to encourage physical activity and spiritual reflection. The ‘Walk to Bethlehem’ program, adapted from the Episcopal Health Ministries model, also provides participants with a dedicated time to obtain health education and information. “The idea is to complete the total 7,208 miles from Blanco to Bethlehem in time for Christmas. That’s an average of 480 miles per week. My hope is to involve the entire Blanco community,” explains Timpanelli.

A different theme, suggested scripture for reflection, and a health related focus is identified for each week of the program. Additionally, each participant will receive a packet containing the weekly focus, mileage tracking cards, along with additional resources to assist them along their trek. Participants may choose to walk 30-45 minutes with the group that meet Monday through Friday at the Blanco United Methodist Church, or may walk independently. Community miles are tracked on a world map from Blanco, Texas to Bethlehem, Israel – a total of 7,208 miles. The Walk to Bethlehem program began on September, 9, 2012 and will continue into Christmas week.

Ms. Timpanelli’s office is located at the Blanco United Methodist Church (61 Pecan Street). For additional information about the Walk to Bethlehem program, contact Kimberley Timpanelli at (830) 330-4115 or ktimpanelli@mhm.org.

Published by The Houston Chronicle at Chron.com: Belt-tightening in both good and bad times is starving the state’s future, particularly when it comes to health care and education, according to a new coalition that formed to educate lawmakers “as to what Texas people need and want.” READ MORE

Published by the San Antonio Express News: Caroline Fernandez entered the world 12 weeks prematurely, weighing less than a pound. Breathing with the help of a machine, her translucent skin a roadmap of veins, she slept peacefully in her incubator at Methodist Children’s Hospital four weeks later, with no idea of the hard road that lies ahead. READ MORE

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San Antonio, TX – Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM)—the largest private funding source for healthcare services to the uninsured and under-served in South Texas and half owner of the Methodist Healthcare System, is proud to announce the Board of Directors has elected Mr. Scott Bryan to serve as Chair.

Bryan has served on the MHM Board of Directors since 2003, however, he and his family have a long and rich history of service to the organization, beginning with his father, the late Richard “Dick” Bryan who also served as Chair during his service to MHM.

“We are extremely proud to welcome Scott as Chair. I was privileged to serve under Dick Bryan’s leadership, and the example he set for us,” reflects Kevin C. Moriarty, MHM president and chief executive officer. “Like his father, Scott has demonstrated extraordinary leadership. From his role as Treasurer to Senior Vice Chair on the Board, Scott has helped to shape MHM into the organization we are today. Scott’s leadership will be invaluable as we navigate the challenges Texas is sure to face as it struggles to adapt to federal healthcare reform initiatives.”

In addition to serving as Chair, Mr. Bryan serves as an account representative at HOLT CAT San Antonio and is an active member at the Alamo Heights United Methodist Church.

Mr. Bryan thanked Richard “Dick” Gilby for his leadership as the out-going chairman of the board as he accepted the ceremonial gavel during the annual board of directors meeting which took place June 27. “Dick Gilby led this Board and MHM to unprecedented heights. The strength and vitality of this organization is in large part, a product of Dick’s leadership. I am extremely grateful to him and all the members of this board for their service to MHM. I am humbled to assume a position I know my father was proud to fulfill.”

The MHM board of directors also elected new board officers at the June meeting: Darrell Frank Smith elected as senior vice chair; Paula Larson, M.D. of South Texas Pathology Associates elected as vice chair; George Ricks of DOCUmation, Inc. elected as vice chair; Shirley S. Watkins, community volunteer elected as secretary; and Alice H. Gannon of USAA elected as treasurer.

About Methodist Healthcare Ministries

Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM) is a private, faith-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing medical and health-related human services to low-income families and the uninsured in South Texas. The mission of the organization is “Serving Humanity to Honor God,” by improving the physical, mental and spiritual health of those least served in the Southwest Texas Conference area of The United Methodist Church.