Dancing with My Disabilities!

Title: Dancing with My Disabilities! I had my shoulder and both hips replaced, and I am changing things up a bit on this blog! I began belly dancing in 2010! Yes, you read that correctly!! I am going to be blogging about my experience as a woman with several joint diseases and conditions who had her shoulder and both hips replaced who now belly dances, dances hip hop, performs, teaches dance to children of all ages and abilities, teaches belly dance fitness classes to adult women, teaches chair belly dance movement classes to people with mobility issues and disabilities, and takes a Pure Barre class as well! I still have pain, but I want to blog about how I have fun too! Please read Chronically Mommy (chronicallymommy.blogspot.com) for info on health/pain and being a mom to a 13-year-old son. I have avascular necrosis in my shoulders, hips, and knees, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondylitis, Sjogren's, fibromyalgia, hEDS, POTS, MCAS, vascular/ocular/hemiplegic migraines, pseudotumor cerebri, trigeminal neuralgia, occipital neuralgia, endometriosis, and chronic shingles. I found out that I have autoimmune arthritis in my cervical spine and a bulging disk in my lumbar spine. Fourteen years ago, my spine orthopedic surgeon told me I had a small amount of inflammatory arthritis in my SI joint. The question was if the spinal involvement was due to Psoriatic Spondylitis, which is a more severe form of Psoriatic Arthritis or is it a new diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis? Now, they have an updated term, Axial Spondylitis, which fits my symptoms and diagnostic proof. Whatever the diagnosis, the treatment will remain the same. I had my left hip replaced in 2003; my right shoulder replaced in March of 2010. I gave my right arm to be ambidextrous! LOL! Lastly, I had my right hip replaced on May 10th, 2012, and I began belly dancing two years prior to my right hip replacement surgery. Yes that's correct! I began belly dancing in 2010, just after my shoulder replacement, before my son was born. I performed for the first time in 2012, five days prior to my right hip replacement surgery. Pain is still another part of my life. It is just a question of when, where, and how much, but I would like to use this blog to write about my experience as a woman with several joint diseases and conditions who had both hips and a shoulder replaced and now spends her free time dancing, teaching, and performing! I began dancing with a troupe in February of 2014, Seshambeh Dance Company. I now take a Pure Barre class on Monday mornings, teach ballet, tap, and creative movement on Monday evenings to children of all ages and abilities, take a hip hop class with all adult women on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, teach a belly dance fitness class on Thursdays to all adult women, and teach a chair belly dance movement class to people with mobility issues and disabilities as often as I possibly can. Join me in my journey! At times, I take 16 to 20 pills a day. I give myself an injection each week on Fridays for my autoimmune/autoinflammatory arthritis diseases. Just when one thing is doing better, something else goes downhill! My attitude, however, is always going uphill! I am 49 years old, have been married for 24 years, and my husband and I adopted Mick in Dec. of 2010! I have a lot on my plate right now, but I take it one moment at a time. I believe that God will never give me more than I can handle. However, I do need to learn to ask for help sometimes instead of always doing it by myself!

Blog Title: Dancing with My Disablities!

Formerly Now Read My HIPS, and before that, I Already Gave My Right Arm to Be Ambidextrous.
Help, I need somebody,
Help, not just anybody,
Help, you know I need someone, help.

When I was younger, so much younger than today,
I never needed anybody's help in any way.
But now these days are gone, I'm not so self assured,
Now I find I've changed my mind and opened up the doors.

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being round.
Help me, get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please, please help me.

And now my life has changed in oh so many ways,
My independence seems to vanish in the haze.
But every now and then I feel so insecure,
I know that I just need you like I've never done before.

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being round.
Help me, get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please, please help me.

When I was younger, so much younger than today,
I never needed anybody's help in any way.
But now these daya are gone, I'm not so self assured,
Now I find I've changed my mind and opened up the doors.

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being round.
Help me, get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please, please help me, help me, help me, oh.

Dancing with My Disabilities

Dancing with My Disabilities
Asmara "Beautiful Butterfly"

Blog with Integrity

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Thursday, August 23, 2012

A Call to Action if you take a Specialty biologic medication!

A Call to Action if you take a Specialty biologic medication!
ARxC is seeking patient stories from individuals in Georgia who are taking Specialty Tier medications, either injectable or infused biologics, and having difficulty paying the monthly cost, as set by their health plan. They also want to hear from patients about how this growing trend of increasing patient cost will affect their quality of life. If you, or someone you know, takes an injectable or IV drug to control your disease please contact Dorothy at dlg@wisdomofwellnessproject.com or call 404-633-5843. They need your stories to share with legislators and press/media to help us get legislation to ensure your access to these drugs and make them affordable. For more details go to ARxC's Specialty Tier website, review the ARxC and Arthritis Foundation Specialty Tier Story Appeal.
I have copied and pasted all the information from their website (http://advocatesforresponsiblecare.org/Specialty_Tiers.html) to make it easiest for you to attain all the information as quickly as possible and to submit your story. Please take the time to submit your story. This is a Call to Action! It is very important! Please read and write your story. Thank you very much for your time!
Take a stand to ensure full access to specialty drugs
In recent years, health care insurers have developed Specialty Tiers, otherwise known as Tier IV, V, and VI, a new classification of specialty drugs that requires health insurance beneficiaries to pay 20 - 35% of the cost of the drug. This approach is markedly different from traditional drug tiers with transparent and fixed co-payments, ranging from a Tier I generic at $10, to a Tier II preferred brand at $30, and a Tier III brand name drug at $50.   Most commonly health insurance companies use this new classification for infused or injected drugs prescribed and administered to patients with acute and chronic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), AIDS/HIV, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, immune disorders, hepatitis, anemia, and certain types of cancer.  

On September 13, 2011 a group of 17 voluntary health agencies attended a briefing hosted and facilitated by ARxC and Georgia Bio to learn how Specialty Tiers was impacting Georgia. 
Committed to ensure full access to quality care for their members, all 17 voluntary health agencies formed the Specialty Tiers Coalition to inform legislators of the dangers of Specialty Tiers cost-shifting and to take steps to address the issue. 
The Specialty Tiers Coalition has written a letter to Georgia's Pharmacy Caucus asking for their support to stop this cost-shifting and discriminatory practice that make these life-saving, life-enhancing medications cost-prohibitive for patients.

A Call to Action for all Georgians was launched by Coalition members this year to gather stories from patients taking Specialty Tier medications and having difficulty paying the monthly cost of their drugs, as set by their health plan. The Coalition is also eager to hear from patients and their families how this growing trend is affecting their quality of life.

The Specialty Tiers Coalition is also collaborating with patient advocacy groups across the country to support the passing of the Patient Access to Critical Therapies Act (PACTA), legislation sponsored by Rep. David McKinley (R-WV) that serves to address the restrictions Specialty Tiers impose on access to quality care for the acute and chronically ill, and H.R. 361, proposed legislation sponsored by Rep. Hank Johnson to stop Specialty Tier cost-shifting for Medicare beneficiaries.

The Coalition will continue its efforts to ask for legislation that will allow all Georgians to have full access to their medications without imposing drug tiers based on expense or disease categories.

Please see the Specialty Tier Coalition publications below for more information on the Coalition's activities.
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Respond to this CALL TO ACTION. Stop the increase in cost of specialty tier drugs.
1. Know the facts. Read the Specialty Tiers Coalition of Georgia's fact sheet "Specialty Tiers: What do they mean for Georgia?" to know the facts about specialty tiers and how they restrict access to medication for patients with chronic diseases.

2. Share your story. Tell the Georgia community how the increase in the cost of your medication due to Specialty Tiers classification has impacted you or your loved ones. Share your story on the Specialty Tiers Story Submission webpage or email your story directly to ARxC at
dlg@wisdomofwellnessproject.com. If you have any questions or concerns please contact ARxC directly.
Unsure what to say in your story? Read Heidi's Story for an example of how specialty tiers could affect Heidi's ability to manage her Rheumatoid Arthritis.
3. Call on your representatives. Contact your members of congress and ask them to support the Patient Access to Critical Therapies Act (PACTA). Please fill out and mail or email a copy of the Promoting Affordable Access to Care Petition or go directly to the ACR Legislative Action Center to take action on this critical issue today.  

4. Support our efforts. Help to mobilize the Georgia-wide effort by donating to ARxC. Go to our donation page to make your tax-deductible contribution today.
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The Specialty Tiers Coalition of Georgia appreciates the American College of Rheumatology’s efforts in securing legislative responsibility to this vital issue. The Coalition also acknowledges the National Arthritis Foundation’s commitment to seeking a solution to this excessive cost-shifting barrier to affordable access to biologics and infused medications for arthritis and all patients suffering from chronic diseases.
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 ARxC and the Specialty Tier Coalition supports Representative Hank Johnson and his Medicare legislation on specialty tiers. 

Ask your federal representative to vote in favor of Representative Johnson's legislation to end the rise in cost of medications for the chronically ill.   

More information available at:

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Specialty Tier Coalition and ARxC Publications:
Additional resources:







CALL TO ACTION: Share your story of how an increase in the cost of co-payments for specialty tier drugs would impact you and your access to the specialty tier drugs that you rely on. Go to  Specialty Tiers Story Submission to submit your story.

 

We are the Advocates for Responsible Care
The Advocates for Responsible Care empower individuals to achieve their maximum wellness with a strong voice as health care advocates, effectively reducing cultural incompetency and health care delivery disparity. 

                        
We are a 501(c)3 advocacy organization that offers services to inform the public, especially the patients, of all health care advocacy issues. We advocate on behalf of ensuring full access to medical care for all Georgians.
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Specialty Tier Call to Action

The Advocates for Responsible Care and Arthritis Foundation, SE Region have initiated a Call to Action for all Georgians. We are seeking patient stories from individuals who are taking Specialty Tier medications, and having difficulty paying the monthly cost, as set by their health plan.  We also want to hear from patients about how this growing trend of increasing patient cost will affect their quality of life. For more details go to ARxC's Specialty Tier website, review the ARxC and Arthritis Foundation Specialty Tier Story Appeal or go directly to Specialty Tier Story Submission to share your story.

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ARxC Advocacy Priorities 

Advancing Health Care Reform in Georgia
In 2014 every American will be required to have health insurance as a commitment to the health and well-being of their community. ARxC is leading efforts to ensure the new health insurance options made available to Georgians meet the benefit and service needs of the people. In support of the Affordable Care Act, ARxC is working with Georgians to develop a best practice health insurance model. Read more

Specialty Tiers 
ARxC is leading an initiative in partnership with Georgia Bio, the Arthritis Foundation, and 15 other health care organizations to stop high co-payments/co-insurance for Specialty Tier medications in Georgia. Read more

Dialysis Crisis or (en español) Diálisis Crisis
ARxC organized in August 2009 when Grady Hospital closed the only dialysis center providing care to uninsured End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients in Georgia. Over the years, ARxC has fought through the court system and led negotiations with Grady Hospital and dialysis companies to ensure the immigrant patients in Atlanta continue to receive the dialysis treatments they need to survive. Read more/Leer más.

S.T.A.R.S.
ARxC provides a women's division that serves as a dynamic community of advocates that brings awareness and takes action on all wellness issues. Read more
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Stay Engaged

To remain updated on ARxC developments visit our facebook group page Advocates for Responsible Care or subscribe to receive the ARxC newsletter and advocacy updates through the Contact Us page.

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ARxC Newsletter Updates:



ARxC Press Releases:

 

Board of Directors



Dorothy Leone-Glasser, Executive Director 
dlg@wisdomofwellnesssproject.com  404-633-5843
  
Hon. Lindsay Jones, Ex Officio, Legal Consultant
lrjones@emory.edu 

Haley Stolp, Program Development Director
haley.stolp@gmail.com

Ira Katz, Corporate Networking and Events
ipkatz@yahoo.com

The Advocates for Responsible Care empowers individuals to achieve their maximum wellness with a strong voice as health care advocates effectively reducing cultural incompetency and health care delivery disparity.
 www.advocatesforresponsiblecare.org
www.dialysiscrisis.webs.com

1434 Brook Valley Lane NE
Atlanta,GA 30324
                                                                           
TEL: 404-633-5843
FAX: 404-321-5952


Who we are
     

 The  Advocates for Responsible Care is a non-profit organization that functions as an alliance of health care professionals, patient advocates, and human rights specialists dedicated to the cause of reducing cultural incompetency and health care delivery disparity.

Board of Directors


Dorothy Leone-Glasser, RN, HCC
President 
dlg@wisdomofwellnessproject.com  
Dorothy Leone-Glasser, RPN, HHC, has lived with systemic lupus for over thirty-five years.  As a result, she has overcome two forms of cancer, disabling arthritis, kidney failure, a coma, heart attack, and two strokes.  During this time she graduated from a wheelchair to crutches to ultimately walking with her own two feet.  Between the ages of 20 and 37, Dorothy received three death sentences imposed by her doctors.  Today she is not only alive, but she is living well and paving the way to the future of wellness as President and CEO of the Advocates for Responsible Care (ARxC), a non-profit wellness and advocacy organization.
As Dorothy drove her wheelchair, she also drove her career.  Dorothy’s philosophy, “Illness lives in the mind, plays out in the body, and comes to a place of peace in the spirit of wellness” was the compelling energy behind her success.            

She earned degrees in counseling, nursing, and theology to master the art of the mind, body, and spirit connection.  Although this holistic approach to healthcare is popular today, for many years Dorothy has been a leader in its implementation through her private practice in counseling and public speaking.  Empowering others with her personal philosophy and raising a strong voice of advocacy, Dorothy has taught countless others how to “live wise and live well.” 

As she simultaneously conquered her personal challenges and enlightened individuals with chronic illness, Dorothy also designed and delivered the life-style engineering technology tools that her patients need to apply her lessons. One of these is a comprehensive integrated wellness and stress management program so aptly called, “The Coping Program®.”  This program won Dorothy the Outstanding Patient-Community Service Program Award by the National Arthritis Foundation in 1990.  In 1993, the Arthritis Foundation presented her with the Dorothy Day Humanitarian Award for pioneering this program.  Finally, in 1998, when the Arthritis Foundation was celebrating its 50th year Anniversary, it awarded her the honor of being one of only 50 selected Heroes Living with Arthritis and appointed her one of three ambassadors representing all of the heroes nationwide.
Dorothy is a hero among us.  Not only for what she has endured and overcome, but also for what she has consistently and generously given to others over the years.  She is a twenty-nine year member of the Board of Directors at the Arthritis Foundation. She currently serves as the Advocacy and Disparities populations Chair on the Leadership Council for the SE Region of AF. Dorothy provides advocacy consulting to numerous organizations, societies and patient groups. She facilitates an ongoing patient group ARxC STARS that empowers its members to promote wellness and prevention practices along with being active healthcare advocates. She has published countless materials educating patients about harmonizing the mind, body and spirit.  Dorothy is frequently seen and heard on TV, radio, and print media. She promotes using nutraceuticals as part of a complete wellness plan.

After completing her degrees from City University in New York, Dorothy completed a three-year internship in Chronic Illness and Family Counseling from Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital in New York.  She is also ordained and certified with a ministry degree in Comparative Religions, in the order of St. Francis.  Dorothy resides in Atlanta, Georgia where she founded the Wisdom of Wellness Project, LLC. She is now founder and the CEO of the Advocates for Responsible Care (ARxC) a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization.


On July 22, 2005, Dorothy was asked to speak to a crowd of 4,200 citizens, legislators, and community and civic leaders, at the Atlanta Civic Center, in Atlanta, GA, with President George W. Bush.  They discussed the new Medicare Modernization Act and Dorothy’s experiences and insights educating people on the new Medicare benefits and enrollment for Part D prescription drug coverage.

Once a full time wellness counselor, Dorothy is now a motivational speaker, author, media personality, and resilient healthcare advocate. She regularly holds seminars on Manifesting Wellness, The Wisdom of Stress Reduction, and Advocacy: Mission Possible, Strengthening Support and Advocacy Groups and The Wisdom of Internal and Environmental Health. She testifies before congressional committees and local government Boards on health care advocacy issues and has been recognized by the National Association of Professional Women.
Along with her ARxC Program Director, Dorothy is currently writing an Advocacy and Medical Insurance Wellness Guide. Components of ARxC’s Georgia Wellness Initiative will be part of the prevention and wellness incentives in a new best practice template for health  insurance; ARxC Medical Insurance Collective for Georgia. ARxC is conducting a Health Plan Survey on line to assess what Georgians need and want from their health insurance plan.



The Advocates for Responsible Care have always been actively involved in advocating for full access to medications and medical care with an emphasis on reducing health disparities.  In 2011, ARxC, with Georgia Bio, took the lead to organize the Specialty Tiers Coalition of Georgia consisting of 18 health organizations, who will assist in implementing legislation that will end the dangerous cost-shifting practice of patients paying prohibitive out of pocket amounts for their life-saving prescription drugs.

As the representative of the patients of the Grady Dialysis Crisis, ARxC directs negotiations of their long term treatments and working toward a permanent solution to their care.  In December 2010, Dorothy received the Mundo Hispanico Award, Amigo de los Hispanos, for her work in advocating for dialysis patients who were in jeopardy of dying without dialysis treatment.

ARxC continues to lead the call to action for Specialty Tiers Legislation and a best practice template for a Health Insurance collective for Georgia.
Philosophy: Illness lives in the mind, plays out in the body and comes to a place of peace in your spirit where wellness survives.




Mission: To empower individuals to achieve their maximum wellness with a strong voice as health care advocates effectively reducing cultural incompetency and health care delivery disparity.           


Click here for Dorothy's full biography.




Hon. Lindsay Jones
Ex Officio, Legal Consultant


Judge Lindsay R.M. Jones earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota in 1988 and a JD from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1991. He currently serves as the associate director for the Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution at Emory School of Law and oversees the program administration for the Kessler-Edison Program for Trial Techniques.  In addition Prof. Jones teaches a fall and spring semester public interest workshop entitled "Access to Justice." Prior to coming to Emory in the fall of 2006, Jones was engaged in a private law practice focusing on civil rights and was at the University of Minnesota Law School, where he was a senior fellow with the Institute on Race & Poverty and taught in the areas of ethics and access to justice as an adjunct professor of law. 
Jones previously served as an assistant attorney general for the State of Minnesota, in which capacity he served as a member of a civil rights advisory committee to the Minnesota Attorney General. He also served as the former deputy director and director of advocacy for the Legal Aid Society of North Carolina. As a trial and appellate litigator in private practice, he has appeared before federal and state courts in several states, including the Eighth, Ninth and Eleventh U.S. Appellate Circuits. 
In addition to serving as the Center's associate director and as an adjunct professor of law, Judge Jones serves as a Municipal Court Judge for the City of Decatur, Georgia, and as an Associate Magistrate Judge for DeKalb County, Georgia.

Haley Stolp, MPH
Program Development Director 
Haley earned her Masters in Public Health in Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, with a certificate in Socio-Contextual Determinants of Health, from Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. Dedicated to the mission of achieving health equity, Haley has served as an ARxC patient advocate since ARxC was established in 2009. She has served as a volunteer Board Member since 2010.
In August 2010, Haley was recognized as one of three Emerging Health Leaders at the National Summit of Clinicians for Healthcare Justice for her commitment to health justice and her contribution in advancing ARxC's effort to extend dialysis treatment for undocumented Atlanta residents (see Grady Dialysis Crisis). Upon her graduation from Rollins School of Public Health in 2011, Haley was the recipient of the James W. Alley Award for  "Outstanding Service to Disadvantaged Populations" as a result of her commitment to help marginalized and under-served communities.
Haley’s dedication to advocate on behalf of all people with inadequate access to quality health care has been the cornerstone of her career path. In 2006, Haley travelled abroad to Ghana where she volunteered as a health educator with the UNHCR to reduce transmission of malaria. Following the completion of her B.S. in Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, Haley worked as a Staff Research Associate in Dr. Susan Fisher's lab at the University of California, San Francisco before moving to Atlanta, Georgia and becoming engaged in the Grady Dialysis Crisis. Throughout her schooling at Rollins School of Public Health, Haley served as an integral administrator and consultant for all ARxC public health advocacy initiatives.

Haley is currently working as a public health research fellow to improve access and utilization of preventive services for populations disproportionately burdened by HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and Viral Hepatitis.

Grounded in her mission to dissolve health disparities and promote health equity, Haley's career interests are focused on working with Native organizations to address the epidemic of alcoholism and adolescent suicide that disproportionately plagues tribal communities.

  


Ira Paul Katz

Director of Corporate Networking, Events
ipkatz@yahoo.com

After attending the University of Baltimore, where he was elected student senator, Ira joined VISTA upon graduation. Working with, and sponsored by the American Postal Workers Union, Ira developed a plan and coordinated the renovation of several senior citizens homes in Atlanta. Using volunteers from schools, religious organizations, prison inmates and others, he coordinated a grass roots effort with Project MOVE to accomplish necessary home repairs. These repairs saved the owners from being displaced due to code violations. After VISTA, Ira attended Columbia Southern School of Law. In addition, Ira obtained a Real Estate license.

For several years, Ira has enjoyed staying active in current issues and events and  has worked on a professional level with several state agencies, utilities and businesses. Working closing with the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Ira was instrumental in relocating several manufacturing companies to the Atlanta metro area. He has also worked with other major companies and corporations in other states to assist in their relocation and industry centered needs. He is well known for offering a comprehensive, enthusiastic and committed service to all his clients.


Ira has an extensive associate’s base in Atlanta, and its surrounding areas, of buyers, investors, venders, fellow brokers and associates, business and community contacts. He has worked well with DeKalb County officials for re-zoning, allowing for high quality renovated homes for moderate income citizens. Also being an investor, he understands the dynamics of working with small and large business groups. He has the talent and experience to resolve matters before problems emerge. He remains loyal to the client’s satisfaction and outcomes of any transaction and negotiation.

For Ira, working for and with ARxC is personal. His father died of End Stage Renal Failure after receiving dialysis treatment for many years. Ira brings his passion and ability to work with different groups to the foray of the Advocates for Responsible Care. He has opened his home and heart to the patients and families of the Dialysis Crisis; always ready to help. Once again, he has been influential in by bringing knowledgeable and interested members to the table to assist ARxC’s new development of a best practice model for healthcare insurance. As a Board Member of ARxC, his shared excitement and enthusiasm of a realistic vision for this organization is welcomed.


ARxC Projects 
Health Reform in Georgia - To advance health reform in Georgia, ARxC is developing a best-practice model of health insurance for Georgia residents. We are currently leading a community needs assessment to identify what Georgia residents want included in their health insurance plans and the role that they are willing to play as stakeholders in their health insurance plans. This data will help to inform the development of the model.

Specialty Tiers - As part of the Specialty Tiers Coalition, ARxC is advocating to end the cost-shifting of specialty tiers drugs to the patient.

Dialysis Crisis - Since it's establishment in 2009, ARxC has been continuously fighting to find ongoing dialysis treatments for Grady Hospital's uninsured and undocumented patients .

Diálisis Crisis (En español) - Desde su creación en 2009, ARxC no ha dejado de luchar para encontrar los tratamientos de diálisis para pacientes no asegurados y indocumentados originarios de Grady Hospital y con enfermedad renal en etapa terminal.


S.T.A.R.S. - ARxC provides a women's division that serves as a dynamic community of advocates that brings awareness and takes action on all wellness issues.

Advocacy Action









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CALL TO ACTION: EXPAND MEDICAID IN GEORGIA
July 16, 2012

The Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act (PPACA) state level components will benefit all Georgians. One is a Medicaid expansion that will benefit over 600,000 Georgia residents, and the other is a free-market insurance exchange for competitively-priced private insurance plans. Governor Deal and his administration oppose this act when they need to demonstrate health care leadership by implementing these beneficial reforms. The citizens of Georgia cannot be at a disadvantage for their wellness and care.

Make it clear to the entire country that Georgia cares about the wellness of its residents and sign on to tell the Governor to fully implement the state-level components of the PPACA now.

ARxC has already added our name, Please add yours.
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CALL TO ACTION ON SPECIALTY TIERS
March 16, 2012
Rep. David McKinley (R-WV) is currently seeking congressional co-sponsorship for the Patient Access to Critical Therapies Act (PACTA), legislation to address the restrictions Specialty Tiers impose on access to quality care for acute and chronically ill patients (for more information see the March 16, 2012 Advocacy Update from the Specialty Tiers Coalition of Georgia).
 
ARxC and The Specialty Tiers Coalition of Georgia ask you to contact your members of congress and ask them to support this important legislation. Please go to http://www.rheumatology.org/advocacy/actioncenter.asp to take action on this critical issue.
 _________________________________________________

Empowering the Patient Seminar

Host a seminar on patient empowerment led by ARxC President, Dorothy Leone-Glasser. 
  • Learn about the role of patients in the changing health care environment 
  • Learn what you and your community can do to ensure and protect full access to health care items and services
  • Learn how you can get involved in the Specialty Tier Coalition's effort to end specialty tier discrimination 

For more information about the "Empowering the Patient" seminar please contact  ARxC President, Dorothy Leone-Glasser, RN, HCC, or Ayana Charleston, the Southeast Region Arthritis Foundation Program Services Director at  404-237-4454.
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CALL TO ACTION to stop the increase in cost of specialty tier drugs.

1. Know the facts. Read the Specialty Tiers Coalition of Georgia's fact sheet "Specialty Tiers: What do they mean to Georgia?" to know the facts about specialty tiers and how they restrict access to medication for patients with chronic diseases.
2. Share your story. Tell the Georgia community how the increase in the cost of medication due to the specialty tier classification has impacted you or your loved ones. Share your story on the Specialty Tiers Story Submission webpage or email your story directly to ARxC at
dlg@wisdomofwellnessproject.com. If you have any questions or concerns please contact ARxC at 404-633-5843.
For an example of how specialty tiers may affect Heidi's ability to manage her Rheumatoid Arthritis read Heidi's Story.
3. Call on your representatives. Contact your members of congress and ask them to support this important legislation. Please go to http://www.rheumatology.org/advocacy/actioncenter.asp to take action on this critical issue.
4. Support our efforts. Help to mobilize the Georgia-wide effort by donating to ARxC. Go to our donation page to make your tax-deductible contribution today. 
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Individually we make a difference, together we make change

Listen to an interview with Dorothy Leone-Glasser on the Real Talk blogtalkradio.com show with Joyce and Jennifer by joyceandjennifer. The theme of the show is patient advocacy and Dorothy discuses the role that ARxC has taken to "empower individuals to achieve their maximum wellness."                                                                                                


_________________________________________________

By Seth Ginsberg
lohud.com

Engage in the discussion on how to hold Congress accountable to the health care needs of Americans.
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Release of the Atlanta Regional Health Care Guide: Resources for the Uninsured

On August 9, 2011 ARxC attended a presentation of the ‘Pfizer Helpful Answers Guide for Georgia’ at City Hall with Mayor Kassim Reed, his staff, Dr. David Satcher (16th Surgeon General) from Morehouse College, The Black Nurses Association, The Hispanic Nurses Association, Pfizer Government Affairs Director and other community leaders. The new Atlanta Regional Health Care Guide is a comprehensive listing of all health care resources for the uninsured and under-insured in Georgia. You can access the guide online in English and Spanish.  We also have hard copies of the guide available. Please contact us if you'd like a printed copy.
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Support legislation to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB)

The potential consequences from the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) are numerous. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) should have the IPAB eliminated from its plan because of the potential consequences it would have on senior citizens’ healthcare program - Medicare.
IPAB will be making decisions about payment policy in Medicare that will determine whether millions of seniors have access to the care they need. The panel could therefore potentially reduce payments to providers and access to innovative therapies, thus limiting patient access. Seniors are already finding it difficult to find doctors that will take Medicare patients due to previous cuts made to physician’s payments. This situation will be exacerbated with any proposed cuts. 
The following letters to Congressman Scott and Congressman Johnson outline ARxC's stance on this issue:
Letter to Congressman Scott
Letter to Congressman Johnson
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Update on the Specialty Tiers Crisis

A recent blog posted in Health Affairs highlights the results of the Avalere study which proved to identify the need to abandon the specialty tiers practice and establish sensible cost-sharing for Medicare Cancer patients. 

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MYTH by Dr. Henry Kahn, Physicians for a National Health Program, Georgia

The doctors of this country will never go along with so much government involvement in health care. They’ll all quit, and our health care will be worse off than before.

Read Dr. Kahn's full article by clicking here. To learn more about the Physicians for a National Health Program go to www.pnhp.org.

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Seniors face Medicare cost barrier for cancer meds

An Associated Press article, released June 13, exposes the injustice of making cancer meds exclusionary by increasing the cost of co-pays for multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and hepatitis C and anti-cancer drugs.

Read the entire article by clicking here.

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Update on Piedmont Hall Closing - Grady Backs Down
ARxC was informed that, despite evidence that Grady was taking the initial steps to close the clinic, Grady decided not to close Piedmont Hall. It remains unknown what Grady's intentions are for Piedmont Hall, but at this time it has been made clear that the clinic will not be closed. Nonetheless, ARxC will continue to monitor the Grady Health System closely to ensure that they continue to provide quality health care services to the indigent patients of Georgia.
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Co-sponsor the DREAM Act by clicking here.
The DREAM Act seeks to give immigrant students with good moral character who have lived in the U.S. for at least five years -- and came here before turning sixteen -- the chance to earn legal status after earning a high school degree and completing two years of college or military service in good standing.To learn more about the bill and how you can get involved in promoting the legislation please go to www.dreamact.info or sign the petition directly by Co-sponsoring the DREAM Act.
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Join ARxC in the fight to preserve safety net primary care clinics in Atlanta

ARxC continues to take a stand against the closing of primary care clinics in Atlanta, Georgia.

Safety net primary care clinics include community health centers, school-based health centers, rural health clinics, local health departments, and other primary clinics that provide critically needed primary care services (i.e. vaccinations, screenings, and wellness check ups) to low-income and medically under-served residents.

Ensure that the clinics in your community stay open. Tell your government officials and community leaders why these clinics must remain viable sources of care in your community.

To learn more about ARxC's efforts to preserve the safety net primary care clinics in Atlanta go to Advocacy Events.
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What do you want from your health insurance?

Tell ARxC what the best health insurance plan looks like to you.

Go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NQ88GSM and taking the ARxC Health Plan Survey©.

The purpose of the survey is to find out what residents of Georgia want included in their health insurance so that the people of Georgia have a voice in the development of the state-based health insurance plans that will become available in 2014.

The survey responses will be compiled in a report which will be made available to Georgia's elected officials so that they may make informed decisions on what health insurance options will be made available to Georgia citizens.

ARxC will also advocate in favor of a consumer-centered health insurance plan that meets the needs of Georgia citizens and promotes health and wellbeing as a means to address the health disparity due to class, race, and ethnicity in Georgia.

You must be at least 18 years of age and a legal resident of Georgia to take the survey.

It is your choice to participate. There are no risks or immediate benefits to taking the survey.

Further details about the survey can be found online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NQ88GSM.

Please help us develop the best practice model of health insurance for Georgians by taking our survey today at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NQ88GSM.

Thank you.
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CALL TO ACTION!

ARxC Press Release to Grady Health System
(Please click this link to read ARxC's press release on the Grady Health System (GHS) closing of two primary care clinics.)

Help us hold Grady Hospital to their mission of providing health care to Georgia residents.

Grady plans to close the South DeKalb and Otis W. Smith Health Centers without addressing the concerns of the community and community leaders. We stand with our County Commissioners to insist that Grady Health System uphold their mission to serve the indigent patients of Georgia and stop plans to close the clinics.
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Grady to Close Clinics Without Addressing the Concerns of the Community

Two articles were recently published by the AJC that highlight Grady's decision to close two primary care clinics in the Atlanta area:

- March 7, 2011 - Hospital authority: Grady should justify clinic closures
- March 3, 2011 - Grady to close clinics, increase prescription drug copays (Gallery: Grady cuts discussed at emergency meeting)
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"Healthy Wealthy and Wise" by Jerry "Pops" Barnes RN, BSN

Click the link above to read an article by Jerry "Pops" Barnes that provides health education to help you make healthy lifestyle changes and become better informed about your health care decisions.

Jerry “Pops” Barnes writes a weekly health column for the Columbus Times. Mr. Barnes also serves as Councilman for District # 1 in Columbus, Georgia. Mr. Barnes has served as a health educator and devoted patient advocate.
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The Honorable John Lewis at the National Civil Rights Access to Justice at Emory School of Law


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GHLF Press Release

ARxC has championed preserving the doctor-patient relationship by alerting consumers to illegal drug switching by health insurance providers or other parties. This drug switching of brand-name drugs is done without the prescribing doctor's permission. The switch occurs by the insurance provider in order to save money; leaving the doctor uninformed and threatening the safety of patient care. Please read the Press Release Advocacy Alert by our partners, The Global Healthy Living Foundation and visit them at www.failfirsthurts.org. Please pass this alert onto your family, friends and physicians.

Please click the link above or click here to read the Global Health Living Foundation Press Release.
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Please donate to help Patricia's fight to stay alive!

ARxC is currently collecting funds to sustain dialysis treatment for Patricia, a former Grady dialysis patient. Patricia needs our financial support to pay for her vital treatments. If she does not receive her Dialysis treatments she will die in two (2) to three (3) weeks. Click here to read Patricia's story.

Help us to keep Patricia alive and to renew our faith in the care of each other by going to our Donate webpage and making a contribution today.
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Medicare's Free Screenings Let Older Adults Get a Jump on Diabetes

Did you know that a significant number of Georgia’s older adults are at risk for diabetes?  Among the Medicare population ages 65 or older living in Georgia, it is estimated that more than 150,000 have undiagnosed diabetes and more than 450,000 have pre-diabetes, most of whom are undiagnosed.  If left undiagnosed and untreated, diabetes can lead to higher chances of additional serious health conditions including heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure or amputations.

In Atlanta, former Atlanta Hawks forward and Basketball Hall-of-Fame Dominique Wilkins and the Medicare Diabetes Screening Project (MDSP) are teaming up with city officials, senior centers, churches and other community-based organizations on “Get a Jump on Diabetes,” a campaign to promote use of Medicare’s free diabetes screenings and the importance of prevention. 
ARxC is a local partner of Medicare Diabetes Screening Project.  To learn more about Medicare’s free screening benefit ask your doctor or health care provider and visit www.screenfordiabetes.org.
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Health Insurance Plan Selection

Many Georgia workers and their families are getting ready to consider their health insurance options for next year. It’s the annual open enrollment period, during which important decisions about health care will be made that will affect millions of Georgians.

Unfortunately, sometimes these decisions often are made quickly and with little examination of the health plan’s details. A recent survey conducted for MetLife found that three out of four workers will spend no more time than they did last year on a health plan selection; only 13 percent will spend more time.
Take the time to review your health plan. The open enrollment periods provide the time, the resources and the accessibility workers need to choose wisely.
What should you look for when selecting a health insurance plan? Please click the link below to review ARxC's advice on how to select a health insurance plan.

ARxC 2010 Annual Open Enrollment Alert 
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Check Your Medications

As a patient advocacy organization, ARxC receives  many calls and e-mail asking questions about prescription drugs, substituting medications and problems with prescription compliance by the Insurance Provider and Pharmacists.

The attached documents are tools for you to utilize
to ensure that you receive exactly the medication specified by your physician

Check Your Medications __________________________________________

Patient Rights

ARxC feels it is critical that all people in the United States become familiar with the American Patient Bill of Rights. Please review the following document to ensure your rights as a patient are upheld.

Patient Bill of Rights

Advocacy Events and Partners


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ARxC's New Partner in Patient Advocacy: The International Medical Clinic

The International Medical Clinic (IMC) is a unique, patient-centered multi-specialty community medical clinic in the Atlanta area providing patient access for everyone. IMC is a one-of-a-kind affordable medical center, speaking 14 languages and featuring 11 medical specialties. The IMC medical staff spotlights outstanding customer service and patient-satisfied outcomes.  Realizing the need for patient access to medical care I Atlanta and its surrounding communities, IMC treats all patients from lower income, middle income to upper middle income households who are uninsured, under- insured or those who have an exceptionally high insurance deductible. Our patients are American, Hispanic, Caribbean, Brazilian, Korean, Russian, African, as well as from many other places. 

The mission of IMC is to provide affordable access to medical care while improving the health of its community.

For more information please watch this short interview of the IMC , Medical Director, Dr. Mel Colon.

International Medical Clinic
5979 Buford Highway
Doraville, Georgia 30340

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2012 Latino Health Summit

ARxC was proud to attend the 2012 Latino Health Summit. The event served as an opportunity for ARxC to engage with other community leaders to address the health and wellness needs of the Latino/Hispanic populations in the US. 

As a participant at the event, ARxC exchanged ideas with health care advocates, academic scholars, government officials, and other experts in Latino health. Health topics addressed at the event included cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, maternal and child health, and behavioral health.  
Dr. Karen Andes, Assistant Professor of Global Health at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health, presented on the  2012 Georgia Latino Health Report, a comprehensive report that synthesizes data on the health status and outcomes of Georgia Hispanics, at the event. The report highlights alarming disparities in health and access to health care endured by Hispanic populations in Georgia.

For more details about the event see the 2012 Latino Health Summit Program.
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2012 Arthritis Walk

Thank you to all who came out to support the ARxC Wisdom Walkers and Heidi, this year's Arthritis Foundation adult honoree and our own STAR advocate, at the 2012 Arthritis Walk.

We collected over 350 petitions at the event in support of the Patient Access to Treatment Act (PATA) and a number of people volunteered to share with us how specialty tiers has or may impact them or their loved ones. This fight to protect patient's full access to their medications is more important than ever given that more adults and children are being diagnosed with one of the 100 forms of arthritis everyday. You can show your support for PATA by filling out and sending us the Promoting Affordable Access to Care Petition or by reaching out to your representatives directly through the ACR Legislative Action Center.

Thank you to all who helped us reach our fundraising goal for the Walk. For all of those that would still like to make a donation to the Arthritis Foundation, there's still time. Go to our ARxC Wisdom Walkers webpage to make a donation today.

Thank you to all who made the Arthritis Walk a success. We all had a great time visiting with folks, collecting petitions, and getting physically active to help prevent, control, and find a cure for Arthritis.
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Global Humanitarian Summit

ARxC attended the 2012 Global Humanitarian Summit in April 2012 to stay informed on advocacy efforts that are being led in Georgia, in the United States, and throughout the world.

To read about the speakers and exhibitors at the event go to the Global Humanitarian Summit website.  
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Empowering the Patient Seminar

Thank you to those that attended the "Empowering the Patient" seminar on March 10, 2012. We were pleased to see from the event evaluation that you all found the event to provide valuable information and tools to help you play a more active role in ensuring your own health and well-being. Please go to our photo gallery to see images from the event.
ARxC plans to hold more events like this one in the future. If you or your organization would like to host an event please contact ARxC directly.
For more information about the "Empowering the Patient" seminar please contact  ARxC President, Dorothy Leone-Glasser, RN, HCC, or Ayana Charleston, the Southeast Region Arthritis Foundation Program Services Director at  404-237-4454.
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ARxC Co-Sponsors the Baby Expo

ARxC co-sponsored the Baby Expo with El Nuevo Georgia on November 12, 2011, at the Atlanta Eagles Sports Center on Buford Hwy in Atlanta. The multicultural event was focused on providing new and expecting mothers with information 

and resources to promote the health and wellness of mothers and their babies. 

Thank you to all who came out for the event. We enjoyed visiting with you and providing you with information on clinics to access in the Atlanta area. We hope you received valuable information and enjoyed the event activities. 

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ARxC Appeals to the Fulton Board of Commissioners to Keep the Grady Health System Accountable      
While ARxC continues to work towards finding a solution for the Grady dialysis patients, we continue to hold Grady Hospital accountable for serving the indigent residents of Fulton and Dekalb counties (see Letter of Support to Commissioner Emma Darnell).

ARxC will continue to work towards keeping the Grady Health System accountable and if they cannot be, to take action and insist to the Fulton and DeKalb Boards that their funding to operate these clinics  cease. For the welfare of the patients who use these clinics and to reduce the financial burden on taxpayers, we support the clinic funding that GHS would receive to instead  go to establishing a National Health Clinic for Georgia or a Community Health Center or partner with an existing Community Health Center to take over operations of the Otis Smith and South DeKalb clinics.

For further details please read the statement that Dorothy Leone-Glasser presented to the Fulton County Board of Commissioners on April 25, 2011 by clicking this link: April 25, 2011 Statement to the Fulton County Board of Commissioners.

You can also read an article published by the Atlanta Progressive News by clicking this link: Grady Plans to Close Community Clinics, Fulton Opposes Closures.
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ARxC Protests the Closing of the Grady Health
System Primary Care Clinics

As advocates for all patients of Georgia, ARxC works to hold Grady Hospital accountable to their mission statement of providing medical care to the public. Please read the April 3, 2011 Press Release to become better informed about ARxC’s approach to ensure that all patients have access to the care they need.

Commissioner Emma Darnell of Fulton County, a long time partner with ARxC, has spearheaded the effort to hold the Grady Health System accountable to their targeted population. In aCommissioner Darnell's Letter to ARxC, Commissioner Darnell strongly supports ARxC’s demonstrations and efforts to protest the rights of the poor and underserved. To learn more about Commissioner Darnell’s record in upholding access to health care for Georgia’s indigent please go to her webpage.

Advocates for Responsible Care
1434 Brook Valley Lane NE
Atlanta, GA 30324

phone: 404-633-5843
fax: 404-321-5952


Please Donate
ARxC relies entirely upon private donations for the continuation of our services. Your donations will go far to help ARxC's fight to ensure all people have access to health care.

Thank you for your generosity.

There are three ways to make your tax-deductible donation to ARxC.

1) Send your check or money order directly to ARxC at

ARxC
1434 Brook Valley Lane
Atlanta, GA 30324

2) Donate online with a credit card by clicking the "donate" button on their website.
3) Directly deposit your donation to the Rosa Lira Memorial Fund at any Wells Fargo bank. 


Thank you for your generosity.
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2012

2012
Performance 5 days before my Hip Replacement Surgery!

2012

2012
Performance 5 Days Prior to my Hip Replacement Surgery.

Belly Dance

Belly Dance
Before the Performance 5/6/12
Watch live streaming video from arthritisfoundation at livestream.com