June 6, 2007

CARIE Policy Update and Meeting Announcement

Quote of the Month
“Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.” – Abraham Lincoln

Elder Justice Act
On March 29th, the Elder Justice Act was reintroduced in both the House and Senate. This bill is very comprehensive in its strategy to address elder abuse in that it combines law enforcement, public health, and a social service approach to study, detect, treat, prosecute, and prevent elder abuse, neglect and exploitation. Please click here to learn more about the Elder Justice Act and how you may help ensure its passage.

Help Advocate for Increased Older Americans Act (OAA) Funding
The following is an advocacy request from the National Council on Aging’s (NCOA) Support Our Seniors (SOS) campaign:
“June is a crucial month in the Support Our Seniors campaign for increased Older Americans Act (OAA) funding, with action expected in both the House and Senate. That’s why NCOA has set up a toll-free telephone number for grassroots advocates to call their members of Congress next week.
We are urging everyone to make calls to Congress using the toll-free number on June 5, 6 or 7. Here are the steps to take:
1. Call 866-OAA-2184 (866-622-2184) and ask for your representative or senator by name. Call only those who represent you in Congress.
2. When you are transferred to the office, ask for the staff person who handles appropriations. If that person is not available, leave a voice mail or speak to the receptionist.
3. Urge your lawmaker to:
• Work for a 10 percent increase in funding for all OAA programs.
• Work for sufficient start-up funding for all new OAA programs.
4. Mention one or two of the talking points below or briefly say something about your own experience with OAA programs and funding shortfalls.
5. Make a total of three calls—one each to your representative and two senators.

Here are some suggested talking points:
• The OAA is the backbone of services to America’s aging population. These programs help preserve the health and independence of our nation’s seniors, enabling them to remain in their own homes longer.
• OAA funding has been virtually frozen since 2002, causing a serious erosion in purchasing power. If funding since 2002 had simply kept pace with inflation and the increasing number of seniors, it would be more than $400 million higher this year. Rising gas prices also have hurt programs like Meals on Wheels.
• Spending money on OAA programs saves taxpayers’ money because it cuts Medicaid and Medicare expenditures by reducing premature nursing home placements, averting malnutrition, and controlling chronic health conditions.
Please feel free to forward this information to others. If you have questions, please contact Robert Tiller at 202-479-6658. Additional information about the campaign—including a new action alert and sample letter to Congress—is available on the campaign Web site.”

Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs Program
CARIE issued a press release and held a press conference about its partnership with the Consumer Reports Best Buy Drug program on June 1, 2007. This collaboration with Consumer Reports is to get free, unbiased information on the effectiveness, safety and cost of prescription drugs into the hands of Pennsylvania residents concerned about spiraling drug costs. The statewide effort is designed to counter the relentless drug industry marketing that promotes the latest medicines, but not necessarily those which are the most effective or affordable, and to help give seniors, low-income residents, the uninsured and others better access to information about cost-effective medications. At the press conference, CARIE’s Executive Director Diane Menio was joined by Pennsylvania Department of Aging Secretary Nora Dowd Eisenhower and Tom Snedden, Director of the Prescription Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE) Program in Pennsylvania as well as Bill Benson, Director of Outreach, Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs and Gail Shearer, Director Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs. Both ABC and CBS local news broadcasts covered the story.

Information about this program is free and downloadable by visiting the Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs’ website or contacting Lynn Heitz at CARIE. Lynn is also available to provide presentations to senior groups about the program. 

Hearing Held for the 20th Anniversary of the Nursing Home Reform Act
On May 2, 2007 the Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing entitled: “The Nursing Home Reform Act Turns Twenty: What has Been Accomplished and What Challenges Remain?” The Center for Medicare Advocacy prepared a summary of the hearing that includes relevant links. NCCNHR has posted information about the Nursing Home Reform Act as well as links to the information presented at the hearing. CARIE also submitted a written statement for the record.

PA Receives "Money Follows the Person" Grant
Pennsylvania is among 13 states receiving federal money over the next 5 years to support Medicaid long term care programs that will help states shift their bias from nursing home care towards a system that offers more home and community-based care. Pennsylvania plans to transition 2,600 residents over the next 5 years utilizing this grant money. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette describes Pennsylvania’s plans.  CMS also issued a press release.  

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

• The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) and other partners have developed a toolkit, “A Blueprint for Action: Developing a Livable Community for All Ages” and are planning a series of workshops across the country.
• The Commonwealth Fund issued the reports, “Improving the Medicare Part D Program for the Most Vulnerable Beneficiaries" and “Coordination Between Formal Providers and Informal Caregivers.” 
• The Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing has produced free web-based case studies related to geriatric health assessments. Click on “Cases” and “Appendixes” found on the left at the Geriatrics and the Advanced Practice Curriculum section of their website.
• The Administration on Aging has released its Strategic Action Plan FY 2007-2012.
• View a short video, "The Sandwich Generation," about one family’s experience with caregiving for both their aging parent and young children. 
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched a new web page and e-newsletter about consumer health information.
• An article from the National Care Planning Network provides a good overview of veterans long term care benefits.
• CARIE presented testimony at PCA’s public hearing, “Meeting the Needs of Philadelphia’s Elderly” on June 4, 2007.
• Governor Rendell’s interview for an article, “A Governor on the Challenges of Health Care.” that features information about his proposed Prescription for Pennsylvania. 
• Search for affordable accessible housing in Pennsylvania at the Pennsylvania Affordable Apartment Locator (PAL).
• On Tuesday, May 29, 2007, the Joint State Government Commission issued a report to the Pennsylvania Legislature, “Report on Guardianship Law in Pennsylvania”.

June Meeting Announcement
Please click here for the agenda for the Committee’s June 7th meeting. Please feel welcome to join us. As always, don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Kathy