Bobath Childrens Therapy Centre Wales based in Cardiff is this year celebrating 25 years of providing specialist therapy to children in Wales who have cerebral palsy. To mark this momentous occasion, the registered charity are this year making each of their annual fundraising events bigger and better than ever before, with some extra events added in to the mix to really mark such a special occasion. One of their recent fundraising events on St Davids Day was an evening with Chris Coleman OBE, the Welsh football manager took part in a Q&A with guests, hosted by journalist and presenter Frances Donavan. Cerebral palsy is the most common childrens disability in the world today, there are an estimated 1,800 children in Wales with cerebral palsy, of this number over 570 are registered with the charity. Cerebral palsy is a permanent disorder of posture and movement resulting from brain damage occurring in a baby or young child. Bobath therapy is a framework for analysis and treatment, informed by up-to-date research and knowledge, assessing, analysing and providing appropriate treatment to individuals with cerebral palsy. The expertise of the three disciplines, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy are combined to help each … Continue reading →

Jim Siegel The Columbus Dispatch @phrontpage Facing a wave of opposition from medical professionals and families caring for the states sickest children, House Republicans plan to strip from the budget proposed changes to the Bureau of Children with Medical Handicaps. As part of his two-year, $66.9 billion budget, Gov. John Kasich proposed eliminating the bureau, slashing income eligibility in half for babies born after July 1, and shifting the program into Medicaid managed care. The bureau screens providers, assuring a broad network of experienced and available specialists, said Dr. Jim Duffee, who testified to lawmakers on behalf of the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Medicaid managed care plans do not have a similar provider network and cannot guarantee continuous care by qualified specialists, he said. The bureau pays for medicine, treatment and services not covered by insurance for more than 41,000 children with conditions such as cystic fibrosis, epilepsy and cerebral palsy. Duffee said it is well positioned to fill a gap when confused and anguished parents are told their child has a serious developmental disorder. The cumbersome preauthorization process of Medicaid managed care often serves to delay or even deny timely, appropriate evaluation or treatment. The … Continue reading →

Obamacares 10 essential health benefits cover basic services such as vaccines and pediatric visits Joe Raedle / Getty Images, file Heres a rundown of what they are: Most Americans get their health insurance through an employer, and most employer-sponsored plans offer most of these benefits as a matter of course. Fewer than 10 percent of Americans buy health insurance on the individual market and thats the market covered by the ACAs essential benefits. Pre-Obamacare, insurance companies could offer very cheap policies that either did not cover many conditions, or that charged a very high deductible or co-pay for such claims. Advocates for keeping in the essential health benefits clause say its the only way to make health insurance manageable and fair. Health insurance is confusing enough as is, writes Jeanne Lambrew, who worked on health reform under Obama and who is now at the Century Foundation. Rolling back benefit standards and allowing insurers to make coverage decisions would add to that confusion. And it would put millions of Americans at risk for having a health insurance card but remaining under-insured. House Speaker Paul Ryan said its about choice and lowering costs. Instead of imposing arrogant and paternalistic mandates, it would … Continue reading →