HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THE UNINSURED: The Health Insurance Risk-Sharing Plan (HIRSP)

Guest: Amie Goldman, CEO, Wisconsin HIRSP Authority

Over 525,000 non-elderly Wisconsin residents are without health insurance. Most of these people have been denied insurance due to pre-existing medical conditions or have lost their employer-sponsored coverage.

The Health Insurance Risk-Sharing Plan was created in 1979 to help insure these Wisconsin residents who were not able to obtain insurance. Now the HIRSP Authority has received $73 million from the federal government as part of Health Care Reform to expand affordable and comprehensive coverage to Wisconsin residents who are currently uninsured because of a pre-existing medical condition or not eligible for employer-sponsored coverage.

There are several plans to choose from, priced according to age and the deductible you choose. The full coverage includes prescription drugs, medical tests, preventive care and hospitalization. If you are currently uninsured or know someone who is, contact the HIRSP Authority. Professional are available to help determine eligibility and which is the best plan for you.

You can check eligibility and access application materials at www.HIRSP.org, or call 1-800-828-4777.

HEALTH CARE REFORM VS. THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY

Guest: Wendell Potter, author DEADLY SPIN (An Insurance Company Insider Speaks Out on How Corporate PR Is Killing Health Care and Deceiving Americans)

In 2009, Wendell Potter made national headlines when he testified before a Senate panel on health care reform. This was after he walked away as head of corporate communications for CIGNA because he could no longer abide the routine practices of the insurance industry. In his book, Deadly Spin, he describes from an insider's perspective how insurance companies manipulate consumers and politicians to protect their profits.

As a former journalist and investigative reporter and now Senior Fellow on Health Care at the Center for Media and Democracy, Wendell Potter discusses on this program - the history of health care, the health insurance industry and their campaign of disinformation, and how this impacts health care reform.

Follow Wendell Potter at WendellPotter.com

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: AN ON-GOING PUZZLE

Guests: Colleen Hayes, Ph.D., UW researcher
Shelley Peterman Schwartz, living with MS

Wisconsin has one of the highest incidences of MS in the United States - one in 500. Multiple Sclerosis is a progressive disease for which no cure has yet been found. UW professor Colleen Hayes shares her research on Vitamin D's role in MS. Shelley Peterman Schwartz describes the path her life has taken since her MS diagnosis over 30 years ago.

For more information, go to www.wisMS.org, or call 800-242-3358 (toll free in Wisconsin)

BRAIN FITNESS FOR MEMORY IMPAIRMENT

Guests: Jody Curley, Alzheimer's & Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin
Jean Bachhuber, Oak Park Place

As growing numbers of people are being diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and early stage Alzheimer's, there is a new focus on maximizing their mental capabilities and quality of life. One of the most innovative programs in our area is the Alzheimer Alliance's Meeting of the Minds, headed by Jody Curley. Each supportive group combines cognitive, creative, and psychosocial challenges with the physical movements of walking and Tai Chi. Jean Bachhuber works to provide a stimulating lifestyle for those who reside in the Memory Loss residence at Oak Park Place. Learn more about how local resources are creating better todays for people with memory impairment.

For information on the Alzheimer Alliance's Wine & Roses Festival, Saturday evening, April 9th at Nakoma Country Club, call 608-232-3400 or go to www.alzwisc.org.

HOMELESS ANIMALS FIND REFUGE AT DANE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY

Guest: Gayle Viney, Public Relations Coordinator

DCHS It's not just about the animals. It's how the breadth of programs at Dane County Humane Society matches the stream of homeless animals under its roof with people from all segments of society. And all are better for it. From bringing unconditional joy to the elderly and infirmed to providing refuge for pets living in a domestic abuse environment, the Humane Society makes it happen. The best moments are when the 4-legged residents are put into the arms of their forever home. Put a smile on your face. Learn about the innovative programs at DCHS.

For more information go to: www.giveshelter.org

MARCH FOR MEALS

Guests: Julie Hitt, R.N., Home Health United, Mgr., Homemaker Companion
Linda Lane, Registered Dietitician, COO, Independent Living, Inc.
Michael Baer, 17-year ILI Meals on Wheels volunteer

With a drum roll from the UW Marching Band, the community celebrates the MEALS ON WHEELS program in March that delivers daily meals to elderly and disabled individuals throughout Madison and surrounding communities. Thanks to Home Health United (noon meals) and Independent Living (evening meals), volunteers deliver nutritious meals, friendly greetings, and safety checks to those unable to shop or cook for themselves.

For information on Independent Living's MAD ROLLIN' WHEELS fundraiser on March 24th and Home Health United's 40th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION on March 31st plus everything you want to know about MEALS ON WHEELS, go to www.homehealthunited.org. Call 608-276-7598, or www.indepenliving.com. Call 608-204-0923.

PORCHLIGHT: SHEDDING LIGHT ON HOMELESSNESS

GUESTS: Steve Schooler, Executive Director, Porchlight
Diane Ballweg, Chair, Madison Cares Capital Campaign

Who cares about the homeless? Porchlight does and is tackling the chronic issue of homelessness and mental illness with renewed vigor. Porchlight is our community's link to the homeless, providing emergency shelter, food, employment services, counseling and affordable transitional and permanent housing to homeless people in the Dane County area. The needs are great, and no one knows better than Steve Schooler and Diane Ballweg who are working to raise awareness and money to build a facility to provide affordable housing and professional case management for the area homeless. They share their story on this program.

For more information, go to: www.porchlightinc.org, or call 608-257-2534

MANAGING THE PAIN

Guest: Kim Litwack, PhD, RN Nurse Practitioner with Advanced Pain Management

Pain is one of the most frequent complaints encountered by healthcare professionals. Almost 35% of Americans suffer from chronic pain and almost 50 million people are partially or totally disabled by it. Sadly, many people live with pain not knowing that innovative treatments to manage pain are continuing to emerge. Kim Litwack discusses some of the most common causes of pain and describes the individual approaches to managing pain that are now available.

For more information on pain management, go to www.apmhealth.com

MENDING A BROKEN HEART

Guest: Amish Raval, MD, Interventional Cardiologist, UW Health

Having a broken heart, as in cardiovascular disease, is the #1 killer in the United States of both men and women. Much progress has been made in treating the many forms of this disease, and the lifestyle choices we make - diet, exercise, not smoking - have a big impact on preventing heart disease. For those patients who have advanced disease with no further options, revolutionary new treatments using stem cells, genes, and growth factors are being researched to treat their chronic angina, congestive heart failure, heart attacks, and peripheral artery disease.

On this program, Dr. Amish Raval discusses what we know about the management of cardiovascular disease and his research using regenerative medicine to find new options for patients with advanced heart and vascular disease.For more information, contact The Options Clinic, Dept. of Cardiology at UW Health: (608) 262-2290

ADDRESSING MENTAL ILLNESS AS A BRAIN DISEASE (Part 2 of a series on Mental Illness)

GUESTS: Nancy Abraham
Dylan Abraham

When Nancy Abraham's son, Dylan, was diagnosed with schizophrenia 37 years ago, Nancy had no where to turn for help or support. So she began creating a support group that would envelope all the others in her same situation. Her organizational efforts began in Dane County, extended to the state of Wisconsin and then led Nancy to become one of the co-founders of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Nancy talks about how society views mental illness today and the changes in perception and treatment that are so critically needed.

For more information, contact NAMI at www.NAMI.org, or call the Dane County office, 608-249-7188. For immediate help, call the Crisis Line, 280-2600.