IHPC appoints new board Chair
The Integrated Healthcare Policy Consortium has announced that Board Chair Sheila Quinn has decided to retire from that role, and Len Wisneski
has been appointed IHPC's new Board Chair. Quinn has guided the organization since its inception.
In commenting on his new role, Len said,“...IHPC is in a pivotal position to affect legislation to assist in providing a level playing field for all licensed healthcare
providers and access for consumers to the range of healthcare approaches that they want."
Click here to read the press release. (this is a .pdf file)
An expert panel discussion on Comparative Effectiveness Research needs convened by Center for Medical Technology Policy and The Institute for Integrative Health.
The NIH National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has begun to develop its next 5-year strategic plan. This will be the first issued under Josephine Briggs, MD, NCCAM’s director since early 2007. On September 10, 2009, past and present members of NCCAM’s advisory council participated in an initial Strategic Planning Workshop.
Janet Kahn, PhD, executive director of IHPC, and a massage researcher who is former member of the NCCAM advisory council, participated in the planning session and was interviewed for a column on Integrative Practitioner about the opportunities within a landmark process like this.
Read the article here
While the media and public have been absorbed in watching the Senate debate its health care reform bill, 47 members of the US House of Representatives joined forces in writing a letter to Speaker Pelosi. These bold members asked that Pelosi ensure the final health care reform bill protects patients’ right to choose their provider and ensures health care providers, like Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) providers, are not discriminated against by health insurance plans. This action is vitally important to all of us who care about patient access to complementary and integrative health services.
Read the letter here (this is a .pdf file)
Our ability to create change and influence policymakers is only as robust as our network. IHPC has developed a dynamic tool to make it quick and easy for you to have an impact on policy that affects integrated health care.
Check out the current action here
Join the action network here
US Senator Bernie Sanders (Ind.-VT) and the Integrated Healthcare Policy Consortium (IHPC) have placed "licensed complementary and alternative medicine providers and integrative health practitioners" in the Kennedy-HELP bill's definition of health professionals. This is not the only mention of "complementary and alternative medicine," or "integrative care" or "integrative practitioners" in the bill however. The Samueli Institute's vice president Brian Thiel guides us to other mentions in the Kennedy-HELP draft legislation. These are in sections the establish a "wellness council" and on the medical home. Small steps, maybe; but signs of prospective integration into US healthcare policy.
Read the full article here
IHPC and Samueli Institute Collaborate on Wellness Initiative for the Nation (WIN)
Since April 2008 the Samueli Institute and IHPC's Federal Policy Committee have collaborated on a plan to bring prevention and integration to the forefront of America's health care reform efforts. The result if the Wellness Initiative for the Nation (WIN).
Click here to read the current iteration of this document.
NCBTMB Joins IHPC's Partners for Health
The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) has become a founding member of IHPC's Partners for Health. In recognition of their commitment, Donna Feeley, immediate past chair of NCBTMB has joined the IHPC Board of Directors.
Click here for more on Partners for Health
Click here for more on NCBTMB
Disparity Reducing Advances Project holds series of Foresight Briefings
Disparity Reducing Advances Project, of which IHPC is a member, holds series of Foresight Briefings on the Hill calling policymakers' attention to this important issue.
Click here for DRA Website to learn more
IHPC Executive Director Presents at Institute of Medicine Summit on Integrative Medicine and the Health of the Public
The Institute of Medicine has joined with the Bravewell Collaborative in holding a 3-day Summit on Integrative Medicine and the Health of the Public. Janet Kahn, PhD, IHPC's Executive Director will present on Friday 2/27, as part of an Economics panel. IHPC has been working hard to bring the economics of integrated health care to the public consciousness. While many think of integrated health care as a luxury, or added expense, we know it has potential for great cost savings. To learn more about the Summit, click here.
The Senate Committee on Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP) holds important hearings in preparation for Health Care Reform.
With the coming of the Obama administration, and the potential for real and progressive health care reform, Congress has been busy. See below for links to important hearings that you might want to track.
http://help.senate.gov/Hearings/2009_02_23/2009_02_23.html
http://help.senate.gov/Hearings/2009_02_17/2009_02_17.html
IHPC Co-Hosts Networking Reception for Health Policy Community
More details to follow soon.
IHPC Endorses Concurrent Resolution 406
In September 2008, the IHPC Board of Directors formally endorsed Resolution 406 encouraging Congress to bring wellness to the forefront of health care reform efforts. Resolution 406 was initiated by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
To view the Resolution click here.
To learn more about AANP click here.
Announcing IHPC's Partners for Health Program
What happens when hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals speak with one voice?
Click here to read more!
IHPC Tells Congress to Stop the FDA from Restricting Women's Access to Estriol, and stresses the Importance of Consumer Education!
Click here to read more!
IHPC Teams with Institute for Alternative Futures on Disparity Reducing Advances Project.
IHPC recently joined the Disparity Reducing Advances Project to ensure widespread access to Complementary, Alternative and Integrated health care in rural and underserved communities.
Click here to read more!