November 2, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Heidi Moore Heidi.Moore@kidshealthcarega.org 678-357-8200 Martin Smith Marty.Smith@kidshealthcarega.org 912-577-5062 Survey Shows CMOs and Medicaid Changes Hurting Children's Access to Health Care ATLANTA (Nov. 2, 2006) - A recent survey conducted by the Healthcare for Kids Rally Committee finds that Georgia children covered by Medicaid and PeachCare are being denied access to essential therapy services due to increases in bureaucratic paperwork and waiting lines. The survey is the Healthcare for Kids Rally's grass roots campaign efforts to raise awareness about the Medicaid Crisis in Georgia prior to the November 7 elections. Summary of Findings In recent news reports, the Governor's office and the Department of Community Health defended prior authorization requirements for therapy services as being aligned with private health plan practices. The survey study indicates otherwise. More than 75 percent of the medical professionals surveyed said children under their care missed therapy sessions during the month of September due to bureaucratic delays and inappropriate denials of care by the CMOs and the Georgia Department of Community Health. Furthermore, only 22 percent of the providers reported having waiting lists for children covered under private insurance plans where close to 40 percent of providers have waiting lists for children covered by Medicaid. "I work for an outpatient hospital therapy program. We had to cancel all Katie Beckett and SSI kids [children who are covered by Medicaid because they meet the federal requirements for disability] for a week to do the paperwork necessary for PA [prior authorizations]," wrote one survey respondent. The survey also found that more than 50 percent of therapy professionals said they would not accept new patients whose health coverage is provided through a CMO. "I am a small business owner. After doing the math of the time I have spent on paperwork, I am making less than minimum wage. If I go out of business, it would put 12 therapists out of a job. We serve a rural area and if I go out of business, there will be no one to serve these patients," wrote another survey respondent. "This survey study clearly shows that cuts in services and increases in bureaucratic paperwork are having a detrimental impact on the lives of children in Georgia," said Heidi Moore, a lead organizer for the Healthcare for Kids Rally. "Georgia's taxpayers need to know that their tax dollars are being wasted on paper pushing and not being spent on the very people for whom these programs are intended to help: our children." Methodology A web-based methodology was used for this study, using a statewide panel of occupational, speech and physical therapy providers. The survey was conducted from October 10th to October 23rd to assess what impact changes in the Medicaid and PeachCare programs have had on Georgia children's access to greatly needed medical care. More than 140 professionals completed the survey, representing 57 of 164 Georgia counties. The month-long voter education effort will culminate with The Healthcare for Kids Rally at the state capitol on Saturday, November 4th at 9:30am to demonstrate the serious concerns parents and health care professionals are having with the bureaucratic hassles being constructed by state government. More specific statistics from this survey can be seen by clicking here ************************************ October 16, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: Heidi Moore Heidi.Moore@kidshealthcarega.org 678-357-8200 Marty Smith Marty.Smith@kidshealthcarega.org 912-996-1710 Healthcare for Kids Rally Planned to Culminate Month Long Voter Education Effort on Children’s Health Care Issues ATLANTA (Oct. 16, 2006) – Concerned parents, healthcare providers, families and children will culminate a month-long voter education effort on Georgia’s Medicaid crisis with a peaceful, fun-filled “Healthcare for Kids Rally” at the state capitol on Saturday, November 4th at 9:30 a.m., just in time for election day. During the Rally, families, patients, providers and concerned voters will assemble to educate and seek real solutions from gubernatorial candidates to the current healthcare crisis including: • Eligibility of all children in state health care programs: PeachCare for Kids, Babies Can’t Wait, Children’s Disability Waivers (including the Katie Beckett Waiver), and Medicaid • Full adherence to the Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis & Treatment (EPSDT) Federal Requirements • Granting children access to medicine, doctors, therapy, provider networks, durable medical equipment/medically necessary supplies • Transitional health care for those in the 18-21 age group • Rectifying the burdensome application, appeal and claims process in all areas of the system The Rally will provide entertainment for children, including a puppet show and ”touch a fire truck” display, and will feature speakers who will talk about the urgent need for Medicaid reform in the state. Children are welcome and encouraged to attend. “We have a real crisis on our hands here in the state of Georgia. Because of recent changes to Medicaid in Georgia, children with disabilities and children from low income families are being left without healthcare coverage and access to vital healthcare services they desperately need,” said Heidi Moore, Healthcare for Kids Rally coordinator. “While the changes may work on paper, the reality is that children are being denied access and their families are having a very difficult time finding providers that will accept Medicaid because of the red tape involved in obtaining permission to treat these children. It shouldn’t be this way. We need to encourage our state leaders toward fiscal responsibility instead of putting up with inefficiency. It’s time for us to stand up and encourage positive change in the system on behalf of our kids.” Seeking Stances from Gubernatorial Candidates Even with increasing media attention on the Medicaid crisis, so far all three gubernatorial candidates have been largely silent on the issue. Moore has been busy reaching out to candidates asking them to address concerns and provide real solutions to the Medicaid crisis. Moore sent each candidate a questionnaire asking them for their views on Medicaid and invited each of them to attend the Rally and hear first-hand how important Medicaid is to Georgia’s children and their families. Responses from the candidates will be shared with concerned parents and healthcare providers to help them in their voting decisions. For more information on the Healthcare for Kids Rally and how you can help with this issue, visit www.kidshealthcarega.org. mailto:Heidi.Moore@kidshealthcarega.org?subject=Therapy%20Survey%20Press%20Inquirymailto:Marty.Smith@kidshealthcarega.org?subject=Therapy%20Survey%20Press%20Inquiryhttp://www.kidshealthcarega.org/files/therapy_survey.pdfmailto:Heidi.Moore@kidshealthcarega.org?subject=Rally%20Press%20Inquirymailto:Marty.Smith@kidshealthcarega.org?subject=Rally%20Press%20Inquiryhttp://www.kidshealthcarega.orgshapeimage_2_link_0shapeimage_2_link_1shapeimage_2_link_2shapeimage_2_link_3shapeimage_2_link_4shapeimage_2_link_5
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