Week of July 21 - In Case You Missed It...TOMF Medical News Roundup
July 28, 2014
In Case You Missed It...
July 21, 2014
Medical Research Hotseat
If you didn't pick up the Tucson Weekly last Thursday there is still plenty of time, especially if you are interested in the goings-on with the firing of Sue Sisley MD. As you recall, her associate professor position was not renewed -- which she alleges is because of her proposed research into whole plant marijuana research for treating post-traumatic stress syndrome.
A well-written article ("Reefer Research Madness") gives Sisley's side. Most delicious? Sisley's photo was misidentified in the article as a photo of UA President Ann Weaver Hart.
Undocumented Influx Not Public Health Threat
A memo assessing the public health impact of the undocumented minors and others -- so much in the local and national headlines -- was shared with TOMF by Jan Lesher, Deputy County Administrator for Medical and Health Services.
Francisco Garcia MD, director of the Pima County Health Department was tasked by county leadership to study any health problems arising from the immigration mess. At the end of a four page report, Dr. Garcia concludes:
"The unaccompanied minors that are sheltered or in transit through Pima County do not constitute a public health threat to this community. This is based on my understanding of the current screening process; the low number of unaccompanied minors in this jurisdiction today; and an understanding of the function and operation of the local contracted shelter facility with regard to medical care, education and restriction of movement of the minors.
"At this time, I have insufficient information to fully assess the extent of the potential public health threat posed by the families in transit; however, I believe the risk is low. This assessment is based on the fact that the individuals involved are undergoing screening by trained 9 border patrol) staff to identify any acute or obvious medical problems, the very low numbers of individuals transiting through the county, and the very transient nature of their stay."
Garcia does note the situation changes often and that the Health Department must continue to monitor. "As always," he concludes, "my sole priority and focus is the health and well-being of the residents of Pima County."
In Case You Missed It...
July 22, 2014
Bring in the Supremes
Today the DC Court of Appeals struck down the subsidies given under the Affordable Care Act to consumers who signed up for plans through marketplace websites in states where the federal government established the exchange.
Arizona residents who received subsidies through the Marketplace here are covered by this ruling. If the ruling stands, Arizona consumers will no longer get help paying premiums for health insurance.
Whether the ruling stands is a real question. Two hours after the DC ruling, federal appeals court in another circuit, Virginia, upheld the subsidies.
When two circuits disagree, it is explained in the Constitution, the US Supreme Court must decide the matter. While the top court does not reconvene until October, individual justices can be appealed to and stay the decisions until the full court can hear the matter this fall.
It will be an interesting decision. We'll find if the clear language of the Affordable Care Act that reads subsidies are available in areas with "exchanges established by the states" is a drafting error or reflects the intent of Congress.
Hopefully the case can be resolved before the new sign-up period begins November 15.
In Case You Missed It...
July 23, 2014
Merger Fever
With the due diligence period beginning for Banner and University of Arizona Health Network the other shoe dropped yesterday with the announcement that Carondelet Health Network was entering into its own due diligence period with Tenet Healthcare Corporation and Dignity Health. Carondelet operates St. Mary's and St. Joseph's hospitals in Tucson, Holy Cross Hospital in Nogales and a specialty and primary care physician network serving southern Arizona.
With this news, the day of the Tucson-based hospitals may be ending, although there is no word on possible Tucson Medical Center moves. As most Tucsonans know, St. Mary's -- founded in 1880 -- is the oldest continuously operated hospital in Arizona.
TOMF was notified by Jim Beckman, president and CEO of Carondelet Health Network via email:
"Dear Carondelet Community Partner,
"I am pleased to share some exciting news with you today. Carondelet and its parent company, Ascension, have entered into a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Tenet Healthcare Corporation to create a joint venture between Tenet, Dignity Health and Ascension that would own and operate Carondelet."
Beckman said there will be a 90-day due diligence period during which no new information will be available.
Tenet which owns six Phoenix area hospitals, including the Arizona Heart Hospital, was in Tucson when it owned Tucson General Hospital for a short time. Dignity flagships in Phoenix are St. Joseph's Hospital and Barrows.
The deal is said to keep Carondelet and its networks of physicians under Catholic sponsorship.
Too Fast
Yesterday we relied on the initial report that the DC circuit was a full eleven-judge panel that ruled against subsidies support in health premiums. It was a three judge panel that ruled 2-1 against the Administration.
Our supposition that the case was headed to the Supreme Court is an error. The Obama administration will request a re-hearing before all eleven judges. If the full panel overturns the decision, the DC circuit will be in agreement with other federal circuits and the US Supreme Court will not be required to hear the case. The Supreme Court may hear the case if petitioned.
We apologize for jumping the gun.
In Case You Missed It...
July 24, 2014
TMC's Take on Mergers
Yesterday we mourned the possible loss of local hospital control and wondered aloud about moves by Tucson Medical Center. Below is the response from TMC CEO Judy Rich and Vice President of Community Benefit Julia Strange in a letter sent to the community.
"If you've seen some of the recent news coverage about potential hospital acquisitions in the Tucson region, you may have wondered whether Tucson Medical Center can continue to thrive in the light of local and national health care trends. As a locally owned and governed nonprofit that has a longstanding relationship with this community, our patients know us and trust the quality of care we deliver.
"Strategic mergers happen for a number of reasons, but one of the big reasons hospitals sell is because they are struggling with profit margins or unable to remain competitive. That is not the case at Tucson Medical Center. Despite the trying economic times nationally that forced many businesses and organizations to make difficult financial choices, Tucson Medical Center has had a positive operating income for the last seven consecutive years.
"Through smart management and the commitment of the 3,300 team members who care for our patients every day, we were able to absorb an unprecedented $53 million in community benefit in 2013, including uncompensated costs for charity, bad debt and AHCCCS patients, as well as outreach and community education. Still we were able to reinvest $250 million into our hospital over the past five years in campus renovation, including a new surgical tower, featuring surgical suites equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, as well as significant capital improvements in pediatric and women's care.
"We welcome new relationships and are supportive of our partners in this industry, and our focus must remain on the job we do here, every day, to take care of patients. We're stable and we're healthy - and we are working hard every day to continue to serve the community. We rely on partners like you to be advocates for a strong local healthcare system for our community.
Sincerely,
Julia and Judy
Got a Good Kid? Keep 'em That Way
The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, who usually need to give lengthy advice about handling rebellious kids experimenting with everything from huffing chemicals to cinnamon eating, came out with a sobering look at good kids who get even better: athletes.
Steroid use is up. Human growth hormone use is up. At least in confidential surveys done last year.
While numbers still hover around 10 percent for high school athletes, that number is double last year -- at least for HGH. Experts warn that because HGH is so expensive, many if most kids are really just taking...who knows?
We all want our children to succeed and look good doing so, but these drugs have serious drawbacks. Motivated competitive athletes want to be the best and have professional dreams; we may have more realistic dreams of college scholarships. Steroids and HGH, and their side-effects, are not dream catchers -- they can be nightmares.
If you have a budding athlete, talk to your pediatrician early about how to discuss performance-enhancing drugs. Learn the odds of getting a Division-I full ride and making professional squads. Save your own dollars and put them in a college fund.
High school athletics have proven life-long benefits. Don't blunt those benefits by turning a blind eye to sudden blossoming of stamina and ripped muscles.
In Case You Missed It...
July 25, 2014
Joys of Newspapers
Now that the Star is making full access to its website more difficult, Sundays with the paper are a little more necessary. One item that always makes us smile is the column from Marilyn Heins MD. Her Parent Tip of the Week is based on her family life across generations and her experience as a long time local pediatrician and UA College of Medicine professor.
Mondays bring Your Health, a full page dedicated medicine and medical stories. Some of it is informational, some entertaining. You'll learn things like where to get a free Hep C test (UAMC, 6th floor; call 621-4372) to how to feed yourself right.
For those who don't enjoy ink-stained fingers, Star medical writer Stephanie Innes has a health blog that you can find at tucson.com, the successor to Azstarnet.