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“What makes a better system of care better?”

“What makes a better system of care better?”

If we’re going to consider, develop and implement “better” models of pastoral counseling, health related services, education, training, prevention and promotion we need broader definitions of …?

Consider:

• “Product” - more than just medical care – what?
• “Place”  - in the community – where?
• “Provider”  - more than doctors and nurses - with whom?

 Fill in the blanks. What are your creative, innovative thoughts and ideas?    What are you developing?    Write a comment.    Where does AAPC fit in?    Where do you?  

Click this link for a stimulating read

http://www.ssireview.org/articles/entry/realigning_health_with_care  

Hope to hear from you,

Doug Ronsheim

www.aapc.org

Accountability and Affordability: Faith Communities Respond

Colleagues, As we move through this week following the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Affordable Care Act we are aware that this is an initial and essential step in the provision of access to “affordable care” for the all residents of our communities. In the coming year the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC) will continue its working affiliations with other professional organizations and various faith community partners to move this vision ahead. In the end this will provide you with potential relationships and resources that will enhance your capacity to ensure the availability of emotional, spiritual and physical well being for your clients and constituents.

This link will take you to a press statement from “Faithful Reform in Healthcare”. AAPC along with other signees have been working on this initiative since 2008. Many thanks are due Rev. Linda Walling and Rev. Cynthia Abrams for their leadership.

 http://www.faithfulreform.org/storage/frhc/ACA_Supreme_Court/press%20statement_scotus_062812.pdf

Doug Ronsheim, Executive Director AAPC

Health Equity: An Investment in Life

Health equity is emerging as an important term and theory to understand what is necessary not for only health reform but for health itself. This site (http://www.unnaturalcauses.org/resources.php) offers a wealth of excellent information and resources. The primary factors that shape the health of Americans are not medical treatments or lifestyle choices but rather the living conditions they experience.

 Access to healthcare is one determining factor for health but a larger determinant is one’s zip code.

 

Very shortly, the Supreme Court will be ruling on the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. As we wait for this decision, Florida v. Sebelius offers a short primer on what's at stake in this case, including the arguments pro and con for each provision before the Supreme Court.  To read more click here.

 

Regardless of the outcome the fractions and factions will remain as an aspect of the Presidential campaign. What is worse is the impact on many Americans with less than adequate health access and services.

 

Much of the debate related to the Affordable Care Act centers on the constitutionality of the “individual mandate” that will require one to purchase health insurance.  In reality, many individuals are already mandated for illness and early death. Click here to view a promo for an excellent documentary and resource for discussions and the class room. http://www.unnaturalcauses.org

 

 Epidemiologist Sir Michael Marmot states, "Real people have problems with their lives as well as with their organs. Those social problems affect their organs. In order to improve public health, we need to improve society." He goes on to ask, “How do we understand the causes of the causes?” In essence how do we ask new questions?

 

For example:

Conventional question: How can we promote healthy behavior?

Health equity question: How can we target dangerous conditions and reorganize …policies to ensure healthy spaces and places?

 

Conventional: How can individuals protect themselves against health disparities?

Health equity: What kinds of community organizing and alliance building are necessary

to protect communities?  (http://www.ok.gov/health/documents/What%20is%20Health%20Equity.pdf, cited June 11, 2012)

 

What questions might you come up with and how might we together begin to find the answers? Please respond by creating and sending your questions behind the questions.

 

Doug Ronsheim, AAPC Executive Director

Health Wanted

Health Wanted: Working Together on Behalf of Others

A little over a week ago AAPC held its Annual Conference in Leesburg, VA. It was highlighted by leadership meetings, challenging and inspiring plenary presentations, informative workshops, “community construction” with Legos and a venue which precipitated, around the clock, interaction as we asked one another for directions.

Prior to the Conference, leadership of AAPC gathered for two days of meetings. The intent was to do our year long planning together rather than separately. During a morning session individual meetings were held in order to develop year long “work plans”.

Drs. Harlene Anderson and Ronald Manderscheid, our plenary speakers, were equally gifted and knowledgeable as they asked us to consider what has informed and brought us to our present models of practice and care. They challenged us regarding what “resources” within oneself, between and among others are needed to enhance the well being of   individuals, families and communities.

The workshops which followed complemented the theme of the conference, Construction and Collaboration: Pathways to the Future. As we move ahead, AAPC is intentionally plotting the direction it is traveling. Sometimes the signs we see are not always clear or the GPS will not keep quiet. Invariably it’s beneficial to ask for assistance and directions. Soon you will be receiving an e-survey that will ask for your help and creative ideas. In the meantime send your comment regarding the direction you think AAPC should be traveling, one reason for the trip and no more than three “directions” on how to get there. If you have a completed MapQuest this will be most appreciated.

Future postings will inform you of what our travels might entail, possible destinations, scenic overlooks and with whom we are traveling. Your help, as we work for the health of our clients and communities, is requested and wanted. Thanks for all that you are and do.

Doug Ronsheim, AAPC Executive Director

  www.aapc.org

 

“Healthcare Reform: More Than a Legal Case”

On March 26-28, the U.S. Supreme Court heard a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. President Obama’s health care package was signed into law, March 23, 2010. Now, others have made their case before the Supreme Court regarding the healthcare reform law’s requirement that Americans buy insurance or pay a tax penalty.

Unfortunately, the ongoing necessity for healthcare reform may be lost or drowned out in the verbiage of the legal debate. Do the development and implementation of models of care have to wait until a final legal decision is made? The high court plans to rule in June but it has the legal option to delay a decision until at least 2014. Although this has received little attention in the public sphere, the justices may consider it.

But why should we as care providers and advocates wait! The case has already been made that individuals, families and communities are in need of creative care now.  There is great awareness that counseling, treatment, prevention, promotion, recovery, spiritual and health related models are being developed by individuals, organizations, communities and most likely you, at this very moment.

What are the challenges and opportunities in your work? What case do you make for the care you are providing? What aspect of care are you addressing? With whom are you doing it? What sustains you? What differences are being made? How is it funded? Let us and others know. Thanks for caring.

 FAQ, regarding the possible legal proceedings of the Supreme Court.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/faq-the-supreme-court-and-health-reform/2012/03/12/gIQAiEqR7R_blog.html

Douglas M. Ronsheim, D. Min.

Executive Director of AAPC