MPA LLC kick-off of Affordable Health Care Act Briefings/Discussions, September 19, 2012

TURNING SOUR LEMONS into Sparkling Lemonade
A Pleasant and Innovative surprise . . .
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MILWAUKEE (MPA) Milwaukee Professionals Association LLC kick-off of the four (4) AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE briefings/discussions for 2012 was held on Wednesday, September 19, 2012. The briefing was re-ordered and “taken-on-the-road”.

When the audience-of-expectation failed to appear, Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, made a call to Worthington Hortman, Executive Director, Bethesda Senior Center, asked if she could bring the briefing/discussion to the seniors present at that time. He agreed.

Caucus
Glass then asked the guest presenters to caucus for a quick update that included a bizarre surprise. She asked the presenters:

• Milwaukee County Supervisor Willie Johnson, Jr. – 13th District
• Lori Obluck - Regional Health Promotion Director, Arthritis Foundation
• Attorney Laura Brown, the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance
• Meagan Wolfe, Voter Services Specialist, Government of Accountability Board, and
• Ester Hubbard, IT Imaging Entrepreneur,

if they would agree to a caravan to a nearby neighborhood senior center to present a shortened version of today’s event. They immediately agreed.

Caravan to Senior Center

The caravan consisted of 5 cars. The group traveled 2 miles; Prince Hall Grand Lodge, 600 W. Walnut to Bethesda Senior Center, 2845 W. Fond du Lac Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53206.   Mr. Andy Crowley - Volunteer, extended hospitality to the center.

The presenters of the first Affordable Healthcare Act and Voting 101 series were immediately seated and the presentations were shared.  The original timeframe for the event was:  9:30am - 11:45am.

Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, Milwaukee Professionals Association greeted the seniors and set the stage for the presentations on:

• The Real Paul Ryan (Health Care) -- Supervisor Willie Johnson, Jr., District 13
• In Memoriam - Pamela Robbins -- Lori Obluck, Arthritis Foundation
• Affordable Health Care Law -- Attorney Laura Brown, WI Office of Commissioner of Insurance
• Voting 101 Series - Meagan Wolfe, WI Government of Accountability Board.

CEO Glass also provided assistance for handouts and sharing specific pages as points-of-reference as the speakers spoke.  Glass has a long history in leadership, advocacy, business development, strategic planning and education attainment in the Amani Neighborhood - one of the 18 Neighborhood Strategic Planning Coordinating areas.

Supervisor Johnson, Jr. led the briefing/discussion with an article taken from from the Shepherd Express, September 5, 2012, regarding the disingenuous manner of which U.S. Congressman Ryan has presented the so-called facts about the health act.

The fact-checkers have constantly found his statements to be unreliable and misrepresenting the truth.

Click The Real Paul Ryan.

Attorney Laura Brown, WI Office of Commissioner of Insurance, shared particulars relative to the process of the Affordable Health Care Act.  She shared examples for better understanding of the health care insurance option regarding chronic and special illnesses.

Laura Brown is an attorney with the State of Wisconsin, Office of the Commissioner of Insurance.  Since January of 2011, she has been responsible for providing legal support to develop the Wisconsin, federally qualified insurance rate review program and providing legal counsel on Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) health care exchange and insurance reforms.  

Meagan Wolfe, Voter Services Specialist - Government of Accountability Board, gave packet information about the voting and upcoming election process.  She went through the packet and shared key points; i.e., self- introduction with address announcement, signing up for receiving absentee ballots each election and addressing some of the rumors.

The Government Accountability Board created the Voting 101 speaker series to help Wisconsin voters learn what they need to know for the November General Election.  The G.A.B. is partnering with local election officials, community organizations, and elected officials to identify voter groups who are interested in hosting a “Voting 101: Back to Basics” event.

The Government Accountability Board (G.A.B.) is responsible for administration and enforcement of campaign finance, elections, ethics and lobbying laws in Wisconsin.  The G.A.B. is made up of six non-partisan, former judges and is supported by an agency of non-partisan staff members. 

In Memoriam

Each of the briefings/discussions will highlight a local health care provider and/or patient as part of the human element of the Affordable Health Care Act. The first recognition was to a lady known by many in the Milwaukee area as a care provider and fitness advocate. Her name is Pamela Robbins.

Lori Obluck, Regional Health Promotion Director, Arthritis Foundation, a very dear friend of Pam Robbins agreed to share a tribute to her - It included an inspiring poem that spoke to Pam's positive outlook on life.  

She also spoke of how infectious her spirit was and how the Arthritis Foundation took a liking to her.  So much that they sent her to a conference in California; and, put her on the cover of their August magazine.

Obluck took the opportunity to share with the seniors tips of exercise while in a resting position - circling feet and finger motions for arthritis.

Ms. Robbins founded a fitness program at the Clinton Rose Senior Center. She was also a member of the Clinton Rose Roselettes, a square dancing group. She performed in June, 2012 during Juneteenth Day.

Robbins was also an outstanding volunteer with many community organizations such as the American Cancer Society, National Kidney Foundation, Sister’s Network, American Heart Association, Black Women’s Network, Elder Health program, Sojourner Truth House, Arthritis Foundation and the Clinton Rose Senior Center and many others.

MORE

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Pamela Robbins passed earlier this year. She was a Bachelor of Science graduate of Cardinal Stritch College. Her field of endeavor:   Nursing.  She was a Registered Nurse for over 30 years. 
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Thank you
The September 19, 2012 audience, seniors of Bethesda Senior Center were pleased with the information spoken and shared through handouts and business cards of  the speakers.

Mrs. Flossie Grant, a member of the Bethesda Seniors attending the briefing on September 19, 2012 gave her personal endorsement of the presentation by saying,
"I thank you for coming.”

NEW IDEA
As a result of how things happened on this kick-off, CEO Glass has changed the format of sharing for the other three (3) briefings for this year. The next two will be “On-the-Road” - and at several sites at once.

They will be called, MPA LLC Affordable Health Care Host and Learn briefings/discussions. Sites will be contacted for sharing information at-their-site, about the Affordable Health Care Act, and the specifics of Voting (until November 6, 2012).

"I am continually amazed by what can happen if one choses to think 'positive' and go the EXTRA MILE.  This time it was changing Sour lemons to Sparkling Lemonade by visiting the Seniors of Bethesda Senior Center on Fond du Lac in Milwaukee", said CEO Glass

October 24, 2012
The next MPA LLC AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE briefing/discussion is:
October 24, 2012. 

We will focus on IT/Information Technology. 
More to come on Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Theme:  IT/Information Technology in the Affordable Health Care market and how students, employment and entrepreneurship play a part.

Stay tuned.