Other Summer News...
Gingrich and Frogue Want to ‘Stop Paying the Crooks’
This summer, CHT released Stop Paying the Crooks: Solutions to End the Fraud That Threatens Your Healthcare, an in-depth look at fraud in America’s healthcare system. CHT estimates that fraud accounts for at least $100 billion a year in all healthcare spending. Given that healthcare costs account for one-seventh of America’s economy, it is imperative to ensure that funding goes to the appropriate people and the appropriate organizations—not crooks seeking to rob taxpayers.
Stop Paying the Crooks, edited by James Frogue with a foreword by Newt Gingrich, is a collaboration of 17 authors who are experts from a variety of fields including healthcare, information technology, the credit card industry and more. CHT hopes to begin a serious national discussion about fraud, the perverse incentives that allow such abuse to flourish, and key strategies to bring these schemes to an end. To learn more about healthcare fraud or to purchase Stop Paying the Crooks, please visit our website.
In conjunction with the book’s release, CHT established the Stop Fraud First campaign. This petition urges Washington policymakers to eliminate fraud in Medicare and Medicaid prior to considering the creation of new taxes, new spending or another government-run healthcare program. To date, the petition has nearly 15,000 signatures. Tell Washington, no new taxes, no new spending, and no new government programs by signing here.
CHT Spreads Message Worldwide
CHT CEO Nancy Desmond Speaks at America's Healthcare Town Hall
- On August 26, Newt Gingrich outlined the principles of a personal health system to the China Health Economics Institute (CHEI), a national research institute under the Ministry of Health in Beijing. Among other things, the mission of the China Health Economics Institute is to conduct policy research on health development and reform and provide policy recommendations for policy-makers.
- On August 9 Nancy Desmond participated in a panel discussion about transforming America’s healthcare system utilizing free market principles before a crowd of 12,000 at Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park. The crowd was part of America’s Health Care Town Hall, perhaps the largest health care town hall to date.
- Jim Frogue continued to promote Stop Paying the Crooks appearing on several radio segments and even television. On July 24, Jim appeared live on The Glenn Beck Show to discuss healthcare fraud.
For a list of CHT's speaking engagements, please visit our website.
Good Enough for Congress
CHT Tells Congressional Leaders to Take a Dose of Their Own Medicine
A government-sponsored public plan has been the most contentious health reform issue of the summer. Proponents of the option believe it provides an alternative allowing Americans to choose between a government-run option and private insurers. Opponents say the introduction of a public plan would lead to the federal takeover of the country’s healthcare system, thereby restricting patient choice, reducing quality and increasing the power of the federal government.
But would Washington lawmakers be willing to enroll themselves in the public plan? Current healthcare legislation exempts Members of Congress from the public plan, allowing them to keep their existing coverage. CHT is calling on all Members of Congress who support a public option to enroll themselves in the plan. If you agree with the nearly 170,000 people who have signed our petition, sign here.
Gingrich, Pawlenty Discuss Health Reform in Minnesota
CHT Founder Newt Gingrich and Governor Tim Pawlenty
CHT, in collaboration with leading Minnesota political leaders, hosted the event, “Creating a 21st Century Intelligent Health System in Minnesota” on July 15 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Two hundred guests, both local and national, attended the event. Attendees included physicians and hospital administrators from Minnesota health systems; board members from leading Minnesota businesses; CHT members and their guests; and, a range of Minnesota political leaders, most notably Governor Tim Pawlenty.
At this pivotal time for both Minnesota and the nation as a whole, Speaker Gingrich, the Center for Health Transformation, and sponsoring members discussed innovated solutions and provided key recommendations to improve the health and well-being of all Minnesotans. To watch individual presentations, view photos, view press coverage and read a full executive summary of the event, please visit our website.
Gingrich Makes Modern Healthcare's ‘100 Most Powerful’ List
Modern Healthcare named CHT Founder Newt Gingrich the 24th Most Powerful Person in Healthcare in August. This marks the seventh years in a row that Gingrich has been recognized on this prestigious list. The annual competition recognizes the men and women considered among the most influential throughout the industry, as chosen by Modern Healthcare readers.
Congratulations to the following CHT members who were also recognized:
# 13. Bill Gates - Chairman, Microsoft Corporation;
# 41. Angela Braly - President and CEO, WellPoint;
# 44. Stephen Hemsley - President and CEO, UnitedHealth Group;
# 47. Richard Umbdenstock - President and CEO, American Hospital Association
# 50. Karen Ignagni - President and CEO, America's Health Insurance Plans;
#71. Sister Mary Jean Ryan - Chairman and CEO, SSM Health Care;
#77. Brent James, M.D. - Chief Quality Officer, Intermountain Healthcare;
#79. Mike McCallister - President and CEO, Humana;
#85. Scott Serota - President and CEO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
Missouri Project Continues to Gather Momentum
Newt Gingrich Speaks at the Delta Dental futureFOCUS 2009 Event
On July 28 and 29, CHT Founder Newt Gingrich and Project Director Julie Eckstein, took a two-day tour of St. Louis, MO, visiting with state and local government leaders, healthcare stakeholders and industry experts involved with CHT's Missouri Project. Day one of Gingrich’s visit included a press conference with Missouri lawmakers who recently passed House Bill 577 which would make available online all provider cost data covered by the MO HealthNet program. The program takes a major step toward decreasing fraud and abuse within the state-run healthcare system.
On July 29, Gingrich visited SSM St. Clare Health Center in Fenton, MO which through new building has combined technology and design to create an innovative and transformational healing environment for patients. Gingrich’s appearance was recorded by Fox 2 News, which broadcast live from SSM St. Clare. During his visit, Gingrich was shown the health system's family-friendly patient suites, emergency services, radiology, bi-plane technology, procedure center, and accommodations for bariatric patients.
In the afternoon, Gingrich gave the keynote speech at the Delta Dental of Missouri’s annual futureFOCUS2009 seminar held at the Ritz-Carlton St. Louis in Clayton. Delta Dental provides dental benefits for employees and families, serving 1,500 companies in Missouri and South Carolina, including more than 1.5 million members. During his speech, Gingrich discussed the importance of wellness and prevention—particularly in terms of oral health. He also discussed the current debate surrounding health reform.
Finally, Gingrich held a town-hall discussion on health reform with Pfizer employees at the company’s headquarters in Chesterfield, MO. To view photos and press coverage from the day’s events, please visit our Missouri Project page.
Gingrich Visits Gundersen Lutheran
On July 30,
Newt Gingrich and
David Merritt toured
Gundersen Lutheran in La Crosse, WI. This full-day visit was an opportunity to see one of the country’s best health systems in action. From the NICU to post- and pre-op wings to in-patient rooms, Gundersen continues to provide some of the highest quality, lowest cost care in the country. During his visit, Gingrich discussed health reform, transformation, and planning for the future with senior leadership, medical staff, and community leaders.
To watch videos, view pictures and read press coverage from the event, please visit our
website.
Follow CHT on Facebook and Twitter!
Don’t forget to follow CHT on Facebook and Twitter to get the most up-to-date information on speeches, events and news articles. You can also view CHT’s most recent videos, including a video introduction of Stop Paying the Crooks, on YouTube.
