Community Catalyst

Despite the undeniable link between oral health and overall well-being, current essential health benefits standards fail to include adult dental coverage.

Teeth are essential. Yet, why aren’t they treated as such? Dental care isn't just about keeping your smile bright – it's essential for maintaining a healthy body and mind. Poor oral health has been linked to various chronic and acute conditions, such as:

❤️ Cardiovascular diseases
🫁 Respiratory diseases
🧠 Mental health issues
🤰 Pregnancy complications

Our recent poll shows 83% of surveyed voters support making dental care an essential health benefit.

Want to join us? Sign the petition and urge the Biden administration to make adult dental care an essential health benefit >> https://commcat.io/3xtcaLu

Our recent poll with demonstrates strong bipartisan support for the Biden administration to ban the promotion of predatory deferred interest credit cards in medical settings – including emergency rooms, hospitals, dental and doctor’s offices.

These medical debt traps are misleading and often leave patients in needless .

ICYMI — Last month, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and President Joe Biden proposed a new rule that would eliminate medical debt from credit scores.

When medical debt shows up on credit scores, it can make it harder for individuals to secure housing, transportation, and employment, making financial struggles even worse.

As our Senior Director of Policy and Strategy, Mona Shah explains to Verywell, “There is a direct impact on health because people might be scared or nervous to seek out health care because they’re worried about the fact that if they end up with more medical debt, it’ll just hurt their credit scores and credit ratings even further.”

Medical debt is a crisis affecting millions of people in our country, with over 100 million adults in the U.S. reporting having some sort of medical debt. This rule could help millions of people avoid damage to their credit simply for getting needed medical care.

Medical Debt May Soon Be Wiped From Your Credit Report The federal government proposed a rule last week that would stop medical debt from being factored into credit scores. Officials said medical bills are frequently inaccurate and medical debt is not a good predictor of whether someone will repay a loan.

ICYMI: Los Angeles County announced that it will forgive millions of dollars of , along with tackling some of the root causes of this growing crisis.

The new initiative includes efforts to hold hospitals accountable for offering financial assistance and charity care, as well as tracking hospital debt collection practices, which can put even more financial strain on patients.

“We don’t want to ever deny that relief, but we really need to focus on preventing medical debt from happening in the first place,” said Mona Shah, our Senior Director of Policy & Strategy.

Read more in KFF Health News >>

Los Angeles County Approves Medical Debt Relief for Residents - KFF Health News The most populous county in the U.S. is buying up and retiring millions of dollars in residents’ medical debt as part of its plan to tackle a $2.9 billion burden. But some health experts worry the initiative could incentivize hospitals to pursue debtors rather than boost financial assistance to pa...

A new Congressional Budget Office report reveals a worrying forecast: the number of uninsured people in our country is set to rise over the next decade, hitting 8.9% by 2034. This is a significant jump from the historic low of 7.2% we saw in 2023.

The good news is, we've seen success with enhanced Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTCs). These credits, part of the American Rescue Plan Act and extended by the Inflation Reduction Act, have been game-changers in making health insurance more accessible and affordable.

To prevent millions from losing access to affordable health care, Congress must act to extend these enhanced tax credits beyond 2025. Learn more in this blog by our Senior Director of Policy and Strategy, Mona Shah.

CBO report is a call to action for Congress  - Community Catalyst An explosive new Congressional Budget Office report, released last week, should be a call to action for Congress to act and protect health care access for

BREAKING: Today, the Supreme Court overturned a landmark 40-year-old decision that gave federal agencies regulatory power.

This decision has significant and far-reaching implications for people’s health and the many programs and protections that make the difference for access to basic health care, including cancer screenings and treatment, emergency care, maternal health, gender-affirming care, contraception and abortion.

“There can be no mistake that this decision is a part of a larger, coordinated effort to take away people’s health, rights, and freedoms,” said Mona Shah, our Senior Director of Policy & Strategy. Read our statement below. https://communitycatalyst.org/news/community-catalyst-on-supreme-courts-chevron-ruling/

Community Catalyst on Supreme Court’s “Chevron” Ruling - Community Catalyst “There can be no mistake that this decision is a part of a larger, coordinated effort to take away people's health, rights, and freedoms.” Today, in

Recently, President Joe Biden announced that he is taking steps to ensure no longer unfairly lowers credit scores.

Our recent poll with HIT Strategies shows 75% of voters support this proposal; and 55% of voters say it will have an impact on easing their living expenses.

This action would provide relief to millions. We are grateful the Biden administration is listening, and we will continue to fight for the additional medical debt protections people need.

How will this news impact you or someone you know? Record a short video and share your reaction >> https://pulse.ly/5flyo8lnpe

Did you know that one in six people in the U.S. care for, and provide daily living assistance to someone living with a chronic health problem or disability?

Caregivers often juggle multiple responsibilities, from managing medical care to providing basic living assistance. However, despite their vital contributions, caregivers often face significant challenges that can go unrecognized and unaddressed by the health care system.

Have you or someone you know provided extended care and assistance for another person? We want to hear from you! Record a short video and share with us what knowledge or resources you found to be helpful in this role. https://commcat.io/3xnIejS

It’s imperative that the health care system responds to the needs of caregivers. Supported by Administration for Community Living and led by Community Catalyst, our new "Amplifying the Power of Family Caregiver Voices Project” will work with partners across nine states to ensure that our health care system is more supportive, responsive to, and inclusive of, caregivers in diverse communities across the country.

Think back to a time when you were providing care and encountered a challenge, how did you overcome it? Reflecting on your caregiving journey, share a moment when you encountered, and successfully overcame, a caregiving challenge or obstacle. What helped? What didn’t? 

Improving access to dental care is crucial for overall health equity. Routine care, like exams, fillings, and emergency dental services; provided through dental therapy, can fill that gap.

The American Dental Therapy Association is ushering in a workforce of dental therapists who are making a significant impact, especially in rural and tribal communities. With a gap spanning 58 million people, the profession offers the option to reduce wait times and provide culturally sensitive and responsive care.

What is Dental Therapy and why is the American Dental Association pushing against it? Dental Therapy could be one solution for improving oral care in underserved rural communities. What new momentum is there for dental therapy, and why is the American Dental Association pushing back?

BREAKING: An appeals court has ruled that no-cost preventive services are protected for now. As we wait on the next legal steps, preventive care with no co-pays and no deductibles means for you >>

How do you feel about losing access to life-saving preventative care? On March 30, 2023 a U.S. District Court judge struck down a major provision in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that provides no-cost preventive care for a range of services. What difference will it make in your life to pay for life-saving preventative care? Will you still elect to receive preventative...

Angela worries that providers have “found a new reason to dismiss her concerns — her medical diagnosis of long covid.” She is not alone.

How can we make sure that our health system is supporting Angela and others like her?

Long COVID patients in communities of color “need to be heard and believed,” writes Sheree Keitt, Director of our Vaccine Equity and Access Program, in a Washington Post Letter to the Editor. “Their stories should be at the center of research, policy and practice solutions.”

Read more >> https://bit.ly/3VTg5L2

In communities of color, long-covid patients are tired of being sick and neglected It has been four years since coronavirus infections began burdening people with lingering symptoms often dismissed by medical providers.

After two hospitals abruptly closed in Wisconsin’s Chippewa Valley earlier this year, advocates are calling for more oversight to protect patients, workers and the community.

When hospitals close, people have to scramble to make new arrangements for care.

More oversight could also protect communities from high prices, which can lead to .

“We have the most expensive health care system in the world,” said Robert Kraig, executive director of our partners Citizen Action of Wisconsin. “It’s driving massive amounts of medical debt.”

Read more >>

From soaring medical debt to abrupt hospital closures, consumer advocates see a healthcare sector in need of oversight Hospitals have less price transparency and are more likely to drop certain types of lower-margin care, critics say, compared to when they were treated similar to utilities.

Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics provide lifesaving mental health and substance use services.

We celebrate the announcement from President Joe Biden and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that 10 new states have been accepted into the Demonstration Program, which aims to provide coordinated community mental health care.

Learn more >> https://bit.ly/3z42asx

Taking care of our teeth and gums is essential for our overall health and economic well-being. Today we have joined over 100 organizations asking Congress to make adult dental coverage an essential health benefit all insurance plans must cover.

Studies have repeatedly shown the undeniable links between the health of our teeth and gums and numerous chronic and acute conditions, such as heart and lung diseases, mental health issues, and even complications during pregnancy. Furthermore, the state of our oral health has significant consequences for our economic well-being, with poor dental health leading to missed opportunities at school and work.

Despite this clear connection, adult dental services are often treated as separate from general health insurance, leaving many without access to the care they need.

It is time for policymakers to recognize the critical importance of adult dental coverage and take decisive action to include it as an essential health benefit. Our recent poll underscores the overwhelming public support for this initiative, with an impressive 83% of voters in favor of making dental care an essential health benefit.

Want to join us? Sign the petition and urge the Biden administration to make adult dental care an essential health benefit >> https://pulse.ly/pg5eckrt2l

ICYMI: A new proposed rule from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) would ban from your credit score.

“We've heard stories of individuals who couldn't get jobs because their medical debt was impacting their credit score and they had low credit,” said Mona Shah, our Senior Director of Policy & Strategy. “This is a really big deal.”

No one chooses to get sick and go into debt – we’re grateful President Biden is taking action to help people dealing with the devastating consequences of medical debt. Read more in NPR from Noam Levey >> https://bit.ly/45neiks

✍️ Sign the Petition. Tell the Biden administration: Nobody chooses to get sick and getting medical care shouldn't impact my credit score >> https://commcat.io/4bQLCTx

act.communitycatalyst.org

Big news –

We are thrilled to announce our 2024-2025 cohort of Restuccia Health Justice Fellows. 🎉

Taller Salud, Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese, and Be Inc. Collective, will participate in the leadership development program as they continue to push for bold, equity-centered changes to the health system.

The Fellowship concentrates on advancing leadership development and teamwork, organizational transformation, powerful partnerships that may not have otherwise occurred, and professional and personal growth centered in race equity and health justice.

Past Fellows have:

✅ Launched an immigrant health academy
✅ Expanded their board, leadership, and partnerships
✅ Developed overall capacity, including relationships with the media

Join us in celebrating and uplifting this incredible and diverse cohort of Fellows. 👏👏

To learn more about this year’s cohort, check out our new blog.

Get to Know Community Catalyst’s 2024-25 Restuccia Health Justice Fellows - Community Catalyst The new cohort represents a diverse group of organizations and individuals working to reshape the health system to be more reflective and responsive to

NEW: Following today’s announcement that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) would move to eliminate medical debt from credit reports, the Biden administration released a fact sheet highlighting additional scrutiny the IRS will give to nonprofit hospitals to ensure they’re meeting their community benefit obligations.

“There is a segment of non-profit hospitals receiving billions in tax breaks and prioritizing cashflow and profits instead over community health and wellness,” explains Mona Shah, Senior Director of Policy & Strategy at Community Catalyst.

Non-profit hospitals are part of a larger crisis. If they paid their “fair share” — the value of their community investments compared to the value of their tax breaks — 18 million people could be free from medical debt.

We need policymakers to hold these hospitals accountable.

Learn more >>

Community Catalyst Joins Biden-Harris Administration in Promoting Federal and State Actions to Address Non-Profit Hospitals’ Role in the Medical Debt Crisis - Community Catalyst Boston, MA – Today, following the announcement that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau would move to eliminate medical debt from credit reports, the

BREAKING NEWS: The Biden administration just proposed a new rule to prevent medical debt from impacting people’s credit scores.

Unlike other forms of consumer debt, is often incurred unexpectedly due to illness or injury, and even those with health insurance can face high out-of-pocket costs.

Including medical debt in credit scores can make it harder for individuals to secure housing, transportation, and employment, making financial struggles even worse. In fact, our new poll shows 75% of voters support this proposal and 55% of voters say removing medical debt from credit scores would ease their living expenses.

This rule could help millions of people avoid damage to their credit simply for getting needed medical care. We are grateful to President Joe Biden and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for taking steps in the right direction to address the medical debt crisis.

Did you know the unchecked power of private equity investments in our health system is also a leading driver in the medical debt crisis?

For far too long, private equity firms have been quietly infiltrating and taking control of our health care system. From physician and dental practices, to hospital systems and nursing homes, these shadowy entities have dramatically increased their reach and influence.

These firms often resort to reducing staff, lowering the quality of services, and imposing refusal policies motivated by their bottom line. As a result, our communities are left with understaffed and underequipped health care facilities, leading to poorer health outcomes and a staggering amount of medical debt for countless individuals and families.

Has your community been impacted by private equity? We want to hear from you. 💬 Take a minute to record a short video and share what changes to the quality of care you have seen. >>

If your community has been impacted by private equity, what changes to the quality of care or types of services offered have you seen? Private equity, which is designed to generate profit, has dramatically increased its reach into the U.S. health system — buying up physician practices, hospital systems, nursing homes, and dental practices. These firms' priorities are cutting costs and boosting profits.  In addition to r...

The movement to end corporate greed in our health care system is growing. We’ve joined Private Equity Stakeholder Project, Americans for Financial Reform, and more than 90 organizations in asking President Joe Biden to take swift action to reign in the harmful influence of private equity and consolidation in the US health care system.

When shadowy private equity firms acquire hospitals, clinics, and medical practices, their primary goal is to maximize profits as quickly as possible.

The consequences on the community can be severe. Patients may face longer wait times, receive substandard care, face aggressive billing and collections practices, or be unable to access the vital services they need — simply because they weren’t deemed “profitable” enough.

We need a health care system that prioritizes people, not corporate greed.

Add your name >> https://commcat.io/3VpVHRx

The Biden administration just finalized a rule that would empower states to include adult dental insurance as part of their Affordable Care Act plans.

“The Biden rule is pretty monumental because it could pave the way for more robust dental coverage,” explains Colin Reusch, director of policy at Community Catalyst, to USA TODAY.

According to a survey by CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, a staggering 69 million U.S. adults lacked dental insurance or access to routine oral health care last year.

Neglecting dental care can lead to severe infections, chronic pain, and even life-threatening conditions. But even with insurance, dental services present the highest financial burden of any health care service. Many individuals avoid going to the dentist in fear that they might end up with .

"A dental infection can kill you," shares Nicole Sutton, who couldn't afford to go to the dentist even when she had a massive infection and grueling pain from a cracked tooth. "Yes, there's pain, but it can also really impact your health."

State leaders should embrace this opportunity to expand access to adult dental coverage. Dental health is part of overall health.

Read more below.

Imagine if the government offered dental care. New federal rule could make that a reality. Millions of Americans can't afford or get routine dental care. A Biden rule will let states cover adult dental care under the Affordable Care Act.

Are non-profit hospitals in Wisconsin living up to their promise of community benefit?

Data from Lown Institute found that Wisconsin hospitals had a fair share deficit of $717 million in 2021 – meaning the state’s non-profit hospitals received $717 million more in tax breaks than they spent on charity care or discounted care for community members.

Too many non-profit hospitals put profits over people and aggressively pursue payment from patients who can’t afford to pay – this can lead to crushing .

“Medical debt continues to be a huge barrier for many patients, especially those who are low-income, disabled, or members of other marginalized groups,” said Tim Hennigan, a staff attorney with our partners ABC for Health, Inc.

Non-profit hospitals should be helping Wisconsinites – not harming them.

💡 Read more in UpNorthNews >> https://bit.ly/4bsFS24

Millions of people have lost Medicaid coverage during the , the process of states redetermining eligibility after the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE).

People with disabilities who use home and community-based services to help them live independently are losing coverage with little warning – and often by mistake.

Jacqueline in Florida abruptly lost coverage due to a procedural error and had to go without her home health aide for 11 days.

“It’s just so much to worry about,” Jacqueline said. “This is a health care system that’s supposed to help.”

These coverage losses are preventable – no one should have to worry about suddenly losing the care they want and need.

Hear from our partners at Florida Health Justice Project who are working to help people impacted by Medicaid unwind >> https://bit.ly/4dIhKdc

Health care accessibility, provider shortages, food deserts, poor transportation, and inconsistent Internet are just a few of the health care challenges that are impacting rural communities across the country.

Over two million people who are dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, live in rural communities — how can we improve health outcomes for these individuals?

This Tuesday, join Brandon Wilson, the Senior Director of Health Innovation, Public Health, and Equity at Community Catalyst, Diana Jackson and Amy Lynn Buterbaugh from Geisinger in a webinar to explore the health and social disparities impacting dually eligible individuals living in rural areas and provide innovative, evidence-based strategies health plans can employ to address them.

Register >> https://www.resourcesforintegratedcare.com/2024_ric_webinar_improving_health_equity_for_dually_eligible_enrollees_in_rural_areas/

More than 12 million people in the United States qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. Most of these dually-eligible individuals are older adults — who face costly, hard to access, and difficult to navigate care, due to insufficient coordination between these two systems.

Navigating the complexities of Medicare and Medicaid can feel like a maze for many and the process can be overwhelming.

There's a pressing need for improved integration of these crucial programs. Community Catalyst is proud to be a member of the Medicare-Medicaid Integration Alliance, advocating for solutions prioritizing seamless and integrated health care. Join us in championing these efforts!

Learn more below.

Medicare-Medicaid Integration Alliance | Better care for people who are dual eligible Improving Care For People Enrolled inMedicare and Medicaid Contact Us Poor coordination between Medicare and Medicaid results in care that’s often:  Too Expensive  Hard to Access  Difficult to Navigate Many people find navigating the healthcare system challenging, but it is more difficult...

We’re grateful to our partners Care4Mississippi for their work advocating for this legislative session.

Mississippi missed an opportunity to expand affordable coverage to thousands of residents, but we will continue to work together to – because all Mississippians should have access to health care.

We know the fight is far from over, but we aren't going anywhere! Positive change takes work and dedication.

"Community Catalyst is proud to support the CARE Act, a huge step forward in ensuring addiction is treated as a health issue and not a criminal one," said Emily Stewart, executive director of Community Catalyst in a press release for Senator Elizabeth Warren.

The Comprehensive Addiction Resources Emergency (CARE) Act would pour resources into community-based initiatives, expanding access to crucial services like health care, social support, overdose prevention, and harm reduction programs.

The CARE Act will help save lives and pave the way for a more effective response to substance use disorders.

Warren, Baldwin, Raskin, Kuster, Trone, Pettersen, 86 Lawmakers Reintroduce Landmark Bill to Combat Substance Use Epidemic | U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts The Official U.S. Senate website of Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts

Oral health is a vital part of overall health – yet nearly 70 million adults in the U.S. don’t have dental insurance.

Even with insurance, dental services present the highest financial burden of any health care service. This can lead to burdensome .

The Biden administration has recently taken a step to expand access to dental care by finalizing a rule allowing states to include adult dental services as an essential health benefit (EHB) – and now it’s time for states to act.

“This new rule holds the potential to make dental coverage available to millions of people who do not have it,” write our senior policy analyst Kasey Wilson, policy analyst Michael Matson, and Melissa Burroughs at CareQuest Institute for Oral Health.

📝 Read more in Health Affairs >>

New ACA Policy Expands Access To Dental Care. Now, States Need To Act | Health Affairs Forefront In April 2024, the Biden Administration finalized a new rule allowing states to include adult dental services in the list of designated essential health benefits required to be covered by most health plans under the ACA.