Policy Issue: Focusing on social needs care in Nevada health systems (urban/rural)
Research national level impact--then narrow it down to state of NV
Investigate ACA Funding in NV; our financial picture
Extent of social needs including the following:
What does that look like for patients?
Food insecurity
Social isolation—mental health
Housing instability
Covid-19
Transportation
Where is the network of the capture points for social needs support in the state of NV?
Emergency Department physicians; primary care physicians (intervention-element of stability)
Currently, medical students are doing the social needs screenings
Software Chaos: Hospitals in Las Vegas (e.g., UMC & Dignity) all use different software programs
What about funding? Where do the funds from the federal government go? What about private insurers?
Policy Area: Improving insurance coverage education for impoverished children in Clark County, NV
Is it a knowledge or resource problem? It’s a knowledge problem
GAPS:
Health insurance: What is the actual process?
How is NV using their allocated funds?
Actual cost of insurance plans?
Are there other government options besides CHIPS or Medicaid?
African Americans, minorities, or all children?
What do you do if you are undocumented in Southern NV?
What is the uninsured population? Both: Adults/kids?
Why was it so successful earlier? Stopped/went south in 2018. Is it a communication/campaign strategy?
What’s causing it? Resource issue? Lack of Education? What is the disconnect?
Bruner’s question: What’s the status quo in NV? What about the undocumented kids?
Toni Arcadipane PPY 731/781
Policy Issue: High long-term care costs for those 65 & over; lower/lower middle income; information & statistics
Status Quo: Las Vegas; NV; 50 states; need to know; revisit Medicaid policy on LTC; 5 year lookback period; dive into Medicaid rules
# of seniors in long-term care; how many are Medicaid;
Private pays; Long-term care insurance; alternatives to financing long term care
Impact on an individuals--single vs. married
What about national level? What other states are doing?
Federal level; Affordable Care Act; Medicare Advantage Plans
Need national statistics: LTC; skilled nursing; nursing homes; assisted living; adult daycare; group homes; in-home healthcare
Trends/costs of the above
What organizations (such as AARP) are lobbying?
Current legislative actions
GOAL: Financing Alternatives—Look at Other States;
2-3 years Long Term Care….short survival rate;
What are options? Medical crises?
Topic: Rural NV Cancer Patients
What is the status quo of cancer in rural NV?
Rural vs. urban environments
Proving significance of NV rural cancer issues: Need to understand Demographic/Geographic region
Is the population growing? Do they need additional services?
Increasing healthcare NV rural cancer treatment; looking at NV cancer statistics; # of diagnoses; tumor site; survivor/death statistics
NV Cancer Registry
Information Needed:
Number of healthcare facilities; hospitals; private centers; rural vs. urban; # of providers—specialties; in providing cancer treatments
Investigate various categories that the rural cancer patients may be facing:
Socioeconomic status: Able to afford treatment; education; Employment: complicated hours; not enough pay; insurance coverage
Transportation services; rural/urban/look at public / private; American Cancer Society; Disabled Veterans organizations; How many patients utilize travel services?
Culture/language barriers
Expenses associated w/cancer treatment: social services--cancer/radiation/housing expenses/
**Specific policies –funds/state of NV—Can Medicaid/can provide some funds/assistance?
Investigate existing organizations/nonprofits/NV Cancer Coalition/Rural Health Council
1. Transportation Services (public/private and the extent that rural patients have access to it)
2. Employment Rates of rural NV Cancer Patients (Do they work or don't work during treatment)
3. Socioeconomic status of rural NV Cancer Patients (Income/personal funds)
4. Insurance status of rural NV Cancer Patients (insured/uninsured)
5. Distance to Cancer Treatment (Distance to closest hospital/treatment facility from their rural residence)
Focus Area: Obesity/firefighters; Narrowing: Physical health/well-being of firefighters
Obesity focus/standards: Shortened lifespan; Heart issues/diabetes; Body fat percentage/BMI; Mental health/depression
What is the current status quo on wellness for Las Vegas, NV firefighters?
Obesity: mental & physical
Knees/hips/back; CCMI (Insurance company that takes care of on the job injuries [OJI])
Costs are going up
PTSD/Depression: Is there a correlation?
Health/Fitness Exercise/lower body fat--to combat obesity/prevent injuries City of LV Fire & Rescue
Although average age of firefighters have decreased by 5 years--they have more obesity/health issues & injuries
Information Needed
Digging into overall wellness programs; outside physical standards/overall causes/medical issues/psychological issues of firefighters & obesity
Information for a cost-benefit analysis