Complementary and Alternative Medical Association of Vermont www.CAMaVT.org A grassroots organization promoting heath and prosperity “We all know there’s huge savings in preventative care” “Vermont is too small to fail” Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin

The grassroots Complementary and Alternative Medical Association of Vermont (www.CAMaVT.org) invites you and all interested to join us working together to achieve our mutual goals.  Together we can turn our failed health care system right side up by keeping Vermonters healthy through wellness and healing, preventing the birth of disease and the integration of Alternative and Conventional health care service.

CAMaVT is growing rapidly over the last two months.  There are two dozen who have offered their support and/or expressed their desire to attend our meetings.  They include conventional and alternative health practitioners representing a dozen healing modalities.  About half have been able to attend our Seeking Common Ground meetings.

We decided at the April 1 meeting that we will now focus on action items and meet on 2nd and 4th Mondays.  See minutes of the meeting.  You can see a list of possibilities in the ambitious proposed agenda for the April 1 .

  CAMaVT Action Meeting
Monday April 22,  7 PM to 8:30 PM

 Vizuri Health Center
205 Cornerstone Drive
Williston, VT 05495

 vizurihealth.com/
Click here for driving directions.
802-999-1651

 RSVP or Register to connect by phone ThomasHall@CAMaVT.org

  We invite you to submit your suggestions to be included in the next meeting’s agenda. For example I suggest that we approach the House Health Care Committee and the Green Mountain Care Board to:

1) Offer our assistance and support in achieving the goal of Act 48 to improve the health and prosperity of all Vermonters

2) Suggest solutions to our future health care system

3) Give testimony on health insurance coverage of evidence-based prevention utilizing the most appropriate conventional and complementary therapies and services. 

The approaches we will present are projected to lower costs by keeping Vermonters healthy through wellness and prevention programs and the integration of Complementary, Alternative and Conventional health care services.

Unfortunately due to technical difficulties I was unable to connect the April 4^th meeting to the conference call until 7:10 PM  and was unable to record the meeting.  I think the bugs have been worked out for the next meeting.

To RSVP, submit your suggestions or obtain instructions on connecting to the meeting by conference call and how to access archived meetings contact ThomasHall@CAMaVT.org or 802-999-1651.

In Health
Thomas

CAMaVT MEETING MINUTES
Seeking Common Ground
APRIL 1, 2013

Attendees:
Thomas Hall, Martha Loving, Bill Schenck, Megan Waite and Sallie Mack

Thomas Hall  moderated and presented a proposed  agenda.

 Introductions and background of attendees:

Martha Loving; Art Therapist
Megan Waite; PT and health coach
Bill Schenck: Chiropractor
Sallie Mack; Homeopath, Lyme and tick borne illness specialist
Thomas Hall; MS Nutrition and Biochemistry, Co-founder of CAMaVT and Mountain Care Board Advisory Committee Member.

 The meeting was casual and conversations were varied

• Lyme Bill and other health care issues facing us. 
• Dr. Schenck shared with us the difficulty his practice had with BCBS of VT as he built a multidisciplinary practice.
• Had a brief update on Act 48 that created the GMCB and the road map to Vermont’s single payer system.
• What and who constitutes the Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB). The Board consists of:  Anya Rader Wallack, Al Gobeille, Con Hogan, Allen Ramsey MD, Karen Hein MD.
• GMCB Wellness and Primary Prevention Group

 It became obvious that there are many issues to tackle and we need a strategy to accomplish our goals.  Thomas suggested that as an “action item”, we contact his contact the GMCB and the House and Senate Health Care committees to set up meetings to offer our assistance in achieving the goals of Act 48 and to discuss our proposed solutions and the bills that we support.

 Next meeting, TBA, will focus on “action items”.

Respectfully submitted,
Sallie Mack

 Seeking Common Ground
April 1, 2013
Proposed Agenda

1) Adopt the revise agenda

2) Volunteer for taking notes and/or minutes

3) Decide if meeting will be recorded and archived.  If so for public playback or password protected.

4) Short self-introductions.

5) General discussion of topics of interest

6) Action items some suggestions:

a) Growing our group

b) Initiatives

i) Networking/developing friendly relationships

1) Administration

2) Green Mountain Car Board

3) Legislature

4) Individuals

5) Organizations and associations

ii) Support Legislative Bills

1) H.0487     An act relating to chiropractic coverage in Medicaid

2) S.209 An act relating to naturopathic physicians

3) H.12, Insurance cover evidence-based prevention

4) See attached list of health related bills

5) GMO labeling

6) Ones we would like to introduce.

iii) Public support

iv) Press/media

7) Future Meetings

a) Frequency

b) Best day of the week, time and day of the month

c)Next one

Together we can turn our failed health care system right side up.

A conference call has been set up for those who cannot make the April 1 meeting in person. E-mail me for instructions for connecting to the conference call. If agreed upon the conference call could be recorded for call-in replay for those who have the access code.

Please send me the topic you would like to discuss at our April 1 meeting “Seeking Common Ground“. I will summarize them for the agenda.

Seeking Common Ground
Monday, April 1, 7 PM to 8:30 PM
South Burlington Community Library, 540 Dorset Street
RSVP requested but not required.

Health Care Professionals and Citizens Unite to Prevent the Birth of Disease- March 4, 2013 meeting report (more)

          How to pay for single-payer? -With savings from prevention.   Vermont House bill H.12 requires insurance coverage of evidence-based prevention services. Cut Healthy costs in half by keeping people health. (more)

See you there- bring a friend.

Thomas Hall
802-999-1651
ThomasHall@CAMaVT.org
www.CAMaVT.org

 Health Care Professionals and Citizens
Unite to Prevent the Birth of Disease

We ask all to join us in reducing medical costs
by keeping people healthy.

          People in the health care and healing communities are working to improve the health and prosperity of all Vermonters via prevention and integration of conventional, complementary and alternative medicine. 

Seven were able to attend our March 4, 2013 meeting out of the thirteen who responded to the notice: Opportunities to testify about Prevention before the House Health Care Committee and the Green Mountain Care Board. (www.camavt.org/?p=300). 

           We are striving to have representation from all approaches to health which so far includes:

           1) Chiropractic, 2) Acupuncture, 3) Massage Therapy, 4) Naturopathic medicine, 5) Allopathic Medicine, 4) Homeopathy, 5) Ayurveda, 6) Yoga, 7) Meditation, 8) Nutrition, 9) Social Work, 10) Nursing, 11) Public Health, with citizens, professionals, organizations, associations and nonprofits involved.

 Seeking Common Ground
Monday, April 1, 7 PM to 8:30 PM
South Burlington Community Library, 540 Dorset Street
RSVP requested but not required.
Love to see you there.

           A conference call has been set up for those who cannot make the meeting in person.  E-mail me for instructions.

          Meetings are being scheduled around the state.  Please help us organize one in your area.

           To RSVP, for more information or become a member please contact Thomas Hall, 802-999-1651, ThomasHall@CAMaVT.org, www.CAMaVT.org

           How to pay for single-payer? -With savings from prevention.   Vermont House bill H.12 requires insurance coverage of evidence-based prevention services. Cut Healthy costs in half by keeping people health. (more)

           Please forward to all who might be interested.

A wellness and primary prevention parable
by Thomas Hall

“Water the root and enjoy the fruit”

Maharishi Maharshi Yogi

A Silly Young Farmer loved one plant more than the rest. One day his little tree was wilting and had some brown leaves. He tried watering the dry leaves. Nothing happened. He was so sad. He thought “I fixed my tractor; I will work hard and fix my little friend no matter how much money it takes.”

He hired a Brown Leaf Specialist. The specialist rubbed the brown leaves with expensive green medicated lotion. The leaves looked better at first but then they shriveled. Our Silly Young Farmer now needed a Shriveling Leaf Expert to stretch them back into shape with little frames. The heavy frames made the branches bend down to the ground. A Branch Support Consultant came with boards and ropes to hold up the drooping branches.

Everyone was sweating to keep up with the browning leaves. A Tree Surgeon brought flowers from another plant, which had been run over by the tractor. He cut off the diseased flowers from the sickly plant and put the borrowed flowers in their place. Fallen Fruit Stitchers came to sew the ill fruit back on.

His most beloved little friend grew steadily worse, and could no longer keep the bugs away. A bug man brought spray to kill the bugs, but the spray also poisoned his weakened plant. Nothing worked. He had spent all of his money. He was tired from the hard effort. He did not know what to do.

A Wise Old Farmer came by and said. “Living things are born knowing how to grow and keep healthy. They are not machines. We cannot repair them. They know best how to mend themselves. But we can help them prevent disease before it starts.

Our little famer now knew why his hard labor and money had not helped his little friend. He asked, “How can I help it?”

“You can help if you know about things hidden deep inside your plant. You do not see the colorless sap on the outside, even though it is everywhere inside.”

“Tell me about colorless sap”

“Colorless sap makes the green leaves, brown stems and yellow petals that you see. Sap starts from the water, soil, and roots hidden under the ground

The Young Farmer now understood the old saying “Water the root and enjoy the fruit”. Health comes from understanding, nourishing and satisfying fundamental needs. He was no longer silly. He took his bucket and joyfully watered the roots of his thirsty tree. It recovered, grew and became healthy and happy. His friend thanked him by giving delicious fruit.

He never wasted money and hard work again trying to patch up ailing plants. He now gives them what they need before they get sick. Nourishing also worked to keep the farmer, his family and his friends healthy.

The Young Farmer grew up to be a healthy, wealthy and Wise Old Farmer.

Please join us in improving the
Health and Prosperity of All Vermonters

 The grassroots Complementary and Alternative Medical Association of Vermont (www.CAMaVT.org) invites you and all interested to come together to explore our common ground and plan how we can work together to achieve our mutual goals.  We would like to hear your ideas and suggestions. 

Seeking our Common Ground
Monday, March 4, 7 PM to 8:30 PM
South Burlington Community Library
540 Dorset Street, South Burlington, VT 05403
Click here for Directions
RSVP requested but not required

So far we have created two opportunities:

1. We have been asked to suggest members of the CAM community to present their modality to the Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB).  Board members Con Hogan and Karen Hein MD are especially interested in Wellness and Primary Prevention. (http://gmcboard.vermont.gov/)
2. We are recruiting CAM representatives to testify before the Vermont House Health Care Committee about the health promoting and disease preventing aspects of their modality including.

 House Bill H.12 is a step towards the total integration of complementary, conventional and alternative medicine where the best combination of coordinated services is customized for each individual.  This bill requires health insurance plans to provide coverage for all evidence-based health care services that improve health and reduce medical expenses (www.tinyurl.com/PreventionSavings2).

 To RSVP, for more information or to discuss the possibility of testifying please contact email or call Thomas Hall- ThomasHall@CAMaVT.org,   802-999-1651

 Please share this invitation with your friends and colleagues.  We are looking forward to seeing you.

To improve the health and prosperity of Vermonters

We have a real opportunity to improve the health of Vermonters. Two Green Mountain Care Board ⁽²⁾ (GMCB) members are informally collecting suggestions on wellness, primary prevention and health care processes and interventions that often extend beyond the existing health care system.  I will forward your suggestions to them.

I volunteer with the grassroots Complementary and Alternate Medical Association of Vermont ⁽¹⁾ (CAMaVT) to improve the health and prosperity of Vermonters by bringing together parties with solutions and those who could possibly implement them. I have been videotaping ⁽³⁾ and making public comments at GMCB meetings, introducing the board to the CAM community ⁽¹⁾ and been appointed to the GMCB General Advisory Committee ⁽²⁾.

Vermont is leading the nation in comprehensive health care reform.  Act 48 created the independent five member GMCB appointed by the Governor to design and oversee Vermont’s evidence-based and prevention-oriented heath care system. Its goals are to 1) moderate costs and 2) improve health.

Please send me your written suggestions and/or share this with others that you think might be interested. They request a description in no more than a total of 2 pages including answers to the four questions below below to the extent that you are able. It would be best if you could respond by June 25 but later would still be useful.

1. 1. What are your reasons (and upon what data or evidence is it based) for suggesting that your approach can improve the health of Vermonters?
2. 2. How could your approach be integrated into a more coordinated system?  How would it work?
3. 3. Can you estimate the annual cost of your program per person? Where would the savings from your program be realized?
4. 4. How would you coordinate with traditional primary care providers and specialists?

I welcome your interest.  Please contact me for more information or to discuss your suggestions.

1) Thomas Hall, Cofounder and President
Complementary and Alternative Medical Association of Vermont,
A grassroots organization
161 Austin Dr. 38, Burlington VT 05401
802-999-1651
ThomasHall@CAMaVT.org
www.CAMaVT.org
2) Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) Advisory Committee. http://gmcboard.vermont.gov/advisory_groups
3) CAMaVT-TV, View GMCB meeting videos: http://gmcboard.vermont.gov/meetings/video
4) Vermont Integrated Health Care Committee (VIHCC),
A grassroots group assisting the GMCB improve the health and prosperity of all
5) Vermont Vedic Health – Thomas’ Blog www.VermontVedicHealth.org
6) House bill H.64, Cut Health costs in half by keeping people healthy (http://tinyurl.com/PreventionSavings)

Vermont’s health care reform bill H.202, Green Mountain Care, is moving us in the right direction.  We can create an even healthier Vermont through three additional steps:

• Become aware of new knowledge  and proven solutions that prevent disease from arising.
• Use the excellent structure of the Green Mountain Care Board to integrate scientifically verified conventional, complementary and alternative medicine.
• Do less to accomplish more: Better health and prosperity are the
  results of a universal and unified health system
  that can effectively promote health and reduce health care costs.  Adding proven, evidence-based programs
  that are well documented to both reduce medical costs and improve health
  gives Vermont
  the advantage of both.

Today we can take three simple,
powerful and practical evidence-based actions in parallel with H.202.  Each simultaneously will improve Health and reduce medical expenses: There is abundant scientific evidence that health care
costs can drastically be reduced by promoting health and keeping people
healthy.

• Pass the one sentence House Bill H.64 requiring insurance coverage of
  evidence-based disease prevention and
  health promotion that reduces medical expenses.  Healthy people reduce
  total costs. We can do it now without waiting for
  other reforms to take effect.
• Amend H.202/S.57 to include Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) representation on the Green Mountain Care Board Nominating Committee. This would open the flood gates of new knowledge and field-tested preventative solution into mainstream medicine.  Vermonters have been voting for alternatives with their feet.  They pay for CAM out of pocket in addition to paying for conventional insurance.
• Include the one-sentence bill H.64 in S.57.

Currently health insurance does not cover prevention-oriented interventions because a diagnosis is required for reimbursement, and there can’t be diagnoses unless a disease is serious enough to show a symptom to
diagnose.  Why wait to be sick when we already know how to be healthy?

“Vermont Holistic Health Care Reform &
Complementary and Alternative Medicine” (http://www.PetitionOnline.com/CAM38) is an on-line petition to the Vermont Senate, House and Governor Shumlin.  The
petition’s purpose is to reverse rising health expenditures and improve the health of all Vermonters.

A Holistic Approach

Our health care
crisis and financial crisis will only be resolved when we turn our medical system right-side up by fundamentally changing our thinking.  Einstein said that the thinking that got us into this situation is not the thinking to get us out.

That means updating our medical model with new scientific knowledge and recent discoveries, especially those of physics which are changing our worldview, and restore Hippocrates’ teachings:

• Health promotion and disease prevention are primary and disease management secondary
• First do no harm

A universal and unified health system has three components: financial, delivery and true prevention.  Green
Mountain Care addresses most issues around financing and the delivery of services but neglects the power of true disease prevention i.e. prevent disease from arising.

• H.202 addresses:

  Universal coverage, single payer, adequate compensation for primary care
  physicians, efficient and cost-effective system of administration and
  replace fee-for-service with outcome based payment

• We should add:
  • more Investment in public health (which historically has provided the largest improvement in health)
  • Integrate the best of conventional, alternative and complementary medicine.
  • True Prevention: Prevent disease before it arises in the first place through evidence-based techniques.  Healthy people are more productive, enjoy life more, utilize health care less and therefore reduce total health care costs.

Systems tend to be self perpetuating with solutions to problems beyond their paradigm.  Meaningful change typically comes from the outside. CAM offers new knowledge and techniques that address problems, often with less or no negative side effects, that conventional medicine calls chronic disease i.e. having no known cure.

For questions and more information e-mail Thomas Hall ThomasHall@alum.mit.edu, visit my
blog www.VermontVedicHeath.org and/or read NEWKNOWLEDGE FOR NEW RESULTS: A Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Skyrocketing Medical Costs by Robert E. Herron (Sample pages)

Complementary and Alternative Medical Association of Vermont
802-999-1651
info@CAMaVT.org
www.CAMaVT.org