Dear Friend,

In this month's issue of the CLRC Chronicle, you will find:

• What's New at the CLRC!
• CLRC Submits Comments to the California Health Benefits Exchange
• 2012 Cancer Rights Conferences!
• Meeting the CLRC's Professional Panel: Leslie A. Soley

Our 2012 Boston Cancer Rights Conference is May 29!

Register today for our FREE Boston Cancer Rights Conference on May 29!  This conference will bring together cancer patients, survivors, advocates, and navigators, as well as health care professionals and attorneys. It is offered as a pre-conference session of the 2012 Association of Oncology Social Work Conference and has been approved for 5.5 CE credits for social workers through NASW and for 5.5 CEU credits for nurses through ONS.  Don't miss out on this unique educational event! To register, click here.


Spring Forward Chicago! 

On Tuesday, April 17, 2012, the Disability Rights Legal Center (DRLC) hosted its first-ever fundraiser in the Midwest in support of the Cancer Legal Resource Center (CLRC).  The event was a celebration of the legal impact the CLRC has had on the Midwest’s cancer community.  Held at Barn & Company in Chicago, IL, the event drew approximately 40 people and raised over $2,000 through ticket sales and an exciting opportunity drawing.  Paula Pearlman, DRLC Executive Director, was in attendance, along with Midwest Regional Director, Monica Bryant and Administrative Assistant, Sarah Aguirre. A special thanks to all those who donated and attended!

The CLRC Submits Comments to the California Health Benefits Exchange

The California Health Benefit Exchange is an independent public entity within the state government, and its goal is to improve the health of all Californians by assuring their access to affordable, high quality care. It was created in response to the Affordable Care Act’s mission to offer consumers a competitive marketplace where individuals and small businesses can shop for and buy health insurance that is best suited to their needs.
           
In order for health insurance plans to be offered in exchanges like the one set up by the California Health Benefit Exchange, they must cover “essential health benefits.” Coverage of essential health benefits means that coverage is required by insurance companies in at least ten categories: ambulatory patient services; emergency services; hospitalization; maternity and newborn care; mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment; prescription drugs; rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices; laboratory services; preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management; and pediatric services, including oral and vision care. In practice, this also means that health insurance companies can no longer create lifetime dollar limits on spending for these types of services, and with limited exceptions must also phase out any annual dollar limits on these services by 2014.
           
In April, the CLRC submitted comments to the California Health Benefit Exchange Board on suggested improvements to California’s Exchange system. As part of its comments, the CLRC suggested expanding certain “essential health benefit” categories for health plans that participate in California’s Exchange.  For example, the CLRC advocated inclusion of all cancer screening services, not just coverage for certain age groups. The comments pointed out that many young people have a high risk of cancer due to family histories, and it would be highly beneficial for these individuals to receive cancer screening early.  The comments also called for expanded mental health services, especially in instances where there can be mental health related consequences to chronic diseases like cancer, e.g., depression or anxiety. Finally, the comments emphasized the importance of having dental and vision services available to all consumers, particularly for those who have experienced dental and/or vision problems due to cancer treatment. 
          
In addition to its suggestions on expansion of already-existing categories, the CLRC suggested the inclusion of genetic services, such as genetic testing and counseling, as an essential health benefit. This inclusion is in line with the idea that prevention and early detection is key in treating and managing chronic diseases and other serious medical conditions.

2012 Cancer Rights Conferences-- Register Today!

The CLRC's first 2012 Cancer Rights Conference is rapidly approaching.  Register today!

• Boston, MA: May 29th (as a pre-conference session of  the 2012 Association of Oncology Social Work Conference)  To register, click here.

• Chicago, IL: September 7th            To register, click here.

• Central Valley, CA: October 5th     To register, click here.

Our conferences have been approved for 5.5 hours of CLE credit for attorneys in the states of Arkansas, California, Indiana, Nevada, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.  Our Chicago conference has been approved for 5.5 hours of IL MCLE credit.  Other CLE applications are still pending. 

This program is Approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval # 886543579-9899) for SOCIAL WORK continuing education contact hours.

This continuing nursing education activity was approved by the Oncology Nursing Society, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
 

For more information on these upcoming Conferences, please visit www.CancerRightsConference.org

  Meeting the CLRC's Professional Panel: Leslie A. Soley

About the CLRC

The Cancer Legal Resource Center (CLRC) is a national, joint program of the Disability Rights Legal Center and Loyola Law School Los Angeles. The CLRC provides free and confidential information and resources on cancer-related legal issues to cancer survivors, caregivers, healthcare professionals, employers, and others coping with cancer.