January 31, 2007

CARIE Policy Update and Meeting Announcement

Quote of the Month
“People who love the law or good sausage should never watch either being made.” – German Chancellor Otto von Bismark

Pennsylvania 2007-2008 Session Information
Will Pennsylvania’s new legislative session demonstrate signs of reform, “sausage making,” or perhaps a combination of the two? Only time will tell. The session began with one of the largest freshman class in many years, while the nomination of the new Speaker of the House typified old backroom deals. Please click here to read an article that includes information about new posts and appointments, Committee Chairs, and budget information.

Prescription for Pennsylvania
On January 17, 2007, Governor Rendell released a comprehensive health care plan for Pennsylvania. Among the goals of the plan is to decrease the number of uninsured Pennsylvanians as well as increase access to health care services. Rendell’s proposal goes beyond other state health initiatives by trying to reduce the cost of health care, promote preventative health care, and improve the quality of care. The Office of Health Care Reform has more detailed information about “Prescription for Pennsylvania.”  Both the Pennsylvania Health Law Project and the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center have good summaries about the plan. (Please click on the agency name to access their information.)

IRS Announces Long Distance Excise Tax Refund
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is offering a one-time refund to all telephone customers who paid excise tax on long-distance service after Feb. 28, 2003, and before Aug. 1, 2006. This refund could be beneficial for your low income clients.  The refund is the result of recent federal court rulings that the 3-percent tax is no longer applicable to long-distance service as it is billed today. Individuals can request the refund on their regular tax returns. If they don’t have to file a tax return, they can use a newly created form to request their refunds. In addition, the IRS is providing a fast and simple option for any long-distance customer by offering a standard refund amount, between $30 and $60, based on the number of exemptions they claim. Refunds can be requested using Forms 1040, 1040A, 1040 EZ or 1040 NR, or by using new Form 1040EZ-T. These forms can be downloaded at IRS.gov or can be obtained by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM. Long-distance telephone customers for whom it is more advantageous to request a refund using the actual amount of tax paid may do so by filling out Form 8913 and attaching it to their tax returns or Form 1040EZ-Ts.

Many post offices and local libraries will also have these forms available. For additional information about the telephone excise tax refund, including Form 1040 EZ-T, visit IRS.gov.

Just the Links.....
The following are links to potential resources or documents of interest:

• The 110th United States Congress session began on January 4, 2007 and ends January 3, 2009. Click here for a listing of current members as well as leadership for both the House and Senate.   
• The Congressional Research Service has released a report to Congress, “The Older Americans Act: Programs, Funding and 2006 Reauthorization.”
• The National Health Law Program has released a guide, “Medicaid for New Attorneys,” providing a useful overview of the Medicaid program. (Click on "PDF")
• Newseum features the front pages of over 450 newspapers from across the United States and the world. There are over 15 papers featured from Pennsylvania. There are also links to the newspapers’ home pages that may be found by clicking on the “front page” of the newspaper of interest.
• CMS has released an updated Medstat report, “Profile of Pennsylvania: A Model for Assessing a State Long-Term Care System” and “Technical Assistance Guide to Assessing a State Long-Term Care System.”
  
• DPW has released “OMAP 2005/2006 Annual Report.” OMAP is the Office of Medical Assistance Programs.
• On January 29, Act 169 became effective in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Medical Society has released, “Advance Health Care Directives and Health Care Decision-Making for Incompetent Patients: A guide to Act 169 of 2006 for physicians and other health care providers” and “Quick Facts on Act 169 (Advance Directives).”  (Click first item under "Site Highlights.")
• On January 24, Philly.com launched a new “Ask Sen. Casey” feature. Submit a question or read the most recent questions and answers.
• Pennsylvania’s Office of Victim Services has posted the “2007 Victim Services Program Referral Handbook” on its website.

CARIE News
I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know that Deb Sterne will be leaving CARIE this spring. Deb is our CARIE LINE Coordinator and has been an integral part of CARIE for eight years. As those of you who have had the opportunity to work with Deb know, she is a gifted and dedicated professional so it will be very difficult to see her go. CARIE now faces the challenge of recruiting her successor and could use your help in identifying qualified candidates. Please post or share the CARIE LINE Coordinator position description. Anything you can do to help us locate another dynamic advocate to join our team will be most appreciated.

CARIE Connection Archives
Looking for a resource or article previously posted in CARIE Connection? Archives of past editions of CARIE Connection are now available in the “News” section of CARIE’s website. 

February Meeting
Please click here for a copy of CARIE’s Dorothy S. Washburn Legislative Committee’s February 1st meeting agenda.  Please feel welcome to join us. Please take note of our snow policy. If the Philadelphia public schools are closed or delayed in opening due to inclement weather, the Legislative meeting is cancelled! As always, don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Hope your year has gotten off to a good start.
Thanks,
Kathy