April 2, 2008

CARIE Policy Update and Meeting Announcement

Quote of the Month
"Never let the fear of striking out get in your way." - Babe Ruth

CARIE Moved!
CARIE moved on March 2nd to the 15th Floor of the Land Title Building at 100 S. Broad Street in Philadelphia. When visiting CARIE at our new location, it will be best to enter the building entrance off of Chestnut Street next to the FYE store. (Just ignore the signs that instruct you to use the Broad St. entrance.) The Chestnut Street elevators will take you directly across from our entrance. If you enter the building on Broad St., take the elevators to the 15th Floor, follow the hall to the left and continue on the path until you reach the other set of elevators where you will find our entrance. 

Medicare Trustees Report
The Medicare Board of Trustees issued their annual report that includes another warning about Medicare Part A, the Medicare Hospital Insurance (HI) Fund.  Medicare Part A is projected to be depleted by 2019. The 2008 Medicare Trustees Report (242 pages, PDF) includes the same conclusions as the 2007 report.  From 2008 through 2017, the Medicare HI Fund is projected to decrease from $326 billion to $96 billion which is well below the recommended minimum level of one year’s expenditures. The Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) Fund that includes Medicare Parts B and D is projected to be adequately financed for the next 10 years.  In 2007, there were 44.1 million Medicare beneficiaries with total expenditures of $432 billion.  For a summary of the report, read the National Academy of Social Insurance's brief, Medicare Finances: Findings of the 2008 Trustees Report.   

Social Security
The Social Security Board of Trustees also issued their annual report about the Social Security Trust Fund that includes the 2008 projections for the system over the next 75 years. According to the 2008 Annual Report of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Federal Disability Insurance Trust Funds (235 pages, PDF), "at the end of 2007, almost 50 million people were receiving benefits: 34 million retired workers and their dependents, 6 million survivors of deceased workers, and 9 million disabled workers and their dependents. During the year an estimated 163 million people had earnings covered by Social Security and paid payroll taxes. Total benefits paid in 2007 were $585 billion. Income was $785 billion, and assets held in special issue U.S. Treasury securities grew to $2.2 trillion."  The 2008 Trustees Report shows an unexpected improvement in the projected long term financial status of the Social Security program compared to last year, a change that is primarily the result of the methodology used for projecting immigration.  The National Academy of Social Insurance summarized the report in their brief, Social Security Finances: Findings of the 2008 Trustees Report.

The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College also posted a new brief, Social Security's Financial Outlook: The 2008 Report in Perspective.

While Social Security is best known as a benefit for older adults, it also provides life and disability insurance for young families, according to another brief by the National Academy of Social Insurance, Children’s Stake in Social Security.   

Economic Stimulus and Older Adults
Congress passed H.R. 5140, the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 that will provide tax rebates to individuals whose annual adjusted gross income is below $75,000 and married couples whose adjusted gross income is less than $150,000. Due to income limits in the law, Americans with higher incomes will not be entitled to receive a rebate. Under the legislation individuals will receive a one time payment of up to $600 for individuals and $1,200 for married couples, with an additional $300 per child.

Even if they don’t pay federal income taxes, older adults who received a minimum of $3,000 in Social Security, Veterans' benefits and/or Railroad Retirement benefits in 2007 are eligible for the $300 rebates. (Supplemental Security Income (SSI) does not count towards the $3000 minimum, so SSI recipients must have at least $3000 in income from other sources to qualify for the stimulus payment.) However, to get a rebate, a tax return must be filed for 2007. The IRS will calculate the amount of the rebate based on the tax return. The rebate checks will not be subject to income tax. AARP and the National Council on Aging (NCOA) launched a user-friendly online tool to help with the economic stimulus payment application process particularly for those who do not typically file income tax returns.

Receiving a rebate does not affect eligibility for Medicaid, SSI, food stamps, the Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy (LIS) or any other federal benefit. The Social Security Administration has provided instructions stating that the rebates do not count as income for determining eligibility and will not count as a resource or asset for 60 days following the month it’s received. Residents of long term care facilities are encouraged to submit tax returns since the rebates won’t affect eligibility for Medicaid. The National Long Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center has an “Economic Stimulus Information and Resources” webpage that includes many useful resources to help residents obtain rebates.

In terms of eligibility for state benefits, Tom Snedden, director of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging’s Bureau of Pharmaceutical Assistance, clarified that any money received by PACE/PACENET beneficiaries or applicants under the federal economic stimulus package will be treated as a rebate for the purposes of determining eligibility and therefore will not be counted as income. He added to keep encouraging people to apply for the rebate.

Older adults are being warned against the potential for fraud and identity theft and, as always, should never give out their Social Security numbers, bank account numbers or any personal information in response to unsolicited offers to help get their rebate checks.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has launched an Economic Stimulus Payments Information Center that includes detailed information, frequently asked questions, an economic stimulus calculator to help determine the amount of a rebate, and a payment schedule so people know when to expect their stimulus payment. 

Pennsylvania State Plan on Aging
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) is required by both federal and state laws to develop a “State Plan on Aging.” As part of the process, a series of town meetings was recently held throughout the Commonwealth to receive stakeholder input into the 2008-2012 State Plan on Aging.  CARIE submitted comments to the PDA for this stage of the state planning process.  PDA will compile the public input and information it receives from local area agency on aging plans into a draft plan that is expected to be posted on PDA’s website in mid-May. A series of public hearings will then be held about the draft plan and PDA expects to submit a final plan to the Administration on Aging by August 1, 2008. There are three public hearings regarding the draft plan tentatively scheduled so far including: West Mifflin on June 3, Pleasant Gap on June 4, and Philadelphia on June 6. More information about the public hearings and how to submit comments will be posted on PDA’s website along with the draft plan.

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

• The Federal Interagency Forum on Aging Related Statistics released an updated chartbook, “Older Americans 2008: Key Indicators of Well-Being.”  The 38 indicators are categorized into five broad topic areas: population, economics, health status, health risks, and behaviors and health care with a one-time special feature on health literacy. There are a limited number of hard copies that may be obtained at no charge while supplies last by calling 1-866-441-6247 or by sending an e-mail to nchsquery@cdc.gov. 
• The National Association of State Units on Aging issued a report, “More Can Be Done: Involvement of Older Consumers in the Design, Implementation and Oversight of Home and Community Based Services” that examines the role of older participants in planning, developing and overseeing home and community-based programs. 
• The Kaiser Family Foundation’s Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured has published two new reports examining Medicaid’s role in providing consumer directed personal assistance services in four states – California, Colorado, New York and Virginia.  “Consumer Direction of Personal Assistance Services in Medicaid: A Review of Four State Programs” and “Consumer Direction of Personal Assistance Services Programs in Medicaid: Insights from Enrollees in Four States” are now posted online. 
• The Department of Health and Human Services has posted a report outlining characteristics of Medicaid nursing home residents entitled: “Medicaid-Financed Nursing Home Services: Characteristics of People Served and Their Patterns of Care, 2001-2002.”  
• The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has released a 2007 State Snapshots Web tool that tracks states' progress toward reaching government-set health goals for 2010. This tool is part of the AHRQ’s 2007 National Healthcare Quality & Disparities reports. 
• The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform issued a report: “The Administration's Medicaid Regulations: State-By-State Impacts” as well as other related documents.
• The RAND Corporation issued a research brief: "Modeling the Health and Medical Care Spending of the Future Elderly."
• The Urban Institute released a one page fact sheet "Older Americans' Reliance on Assets."
• The Congressional Research Service recently issued two reports: “Medicaid Financing” and “Impact of Rising Energy Costs on Older Americans.”   
• The Long Term Care Pharmacy Alliance posted a report: "Medicare Part D Plan Formularies Vary Greatly for Dually-Eligible Nursing Home Residents in
  2008."  
• CMS issued a press release "Medicare to Save Average of 26% for Some Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies in Selected Areas."  
• According to America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the overall number of Medigap policyholders remained steady between 2004 and 2006 and most Medicare beneficiaries (about 40 percent) with standard Medigap plans purchased Plan F during this time. AHIP’s Medigap market analysis is posted online. 
• OMB Watch launched a web-based Regulatory Resource Center that features both an Advocacy Center and a Policy Library providing educational resources for those interested in the federal regulatory process. 
• Google launched Google For Non-Profits to help non-profits “learn how to use free Google tools to promote your work, raise money, and operate more efficiently.” 
• The Pennsylvania Health Care Quality Alliance started a new website that has quality reports comparing performance and outcomes of all 162 primary acute care hospitals in Pennsylvania.  
• The 2006-07 Governor’s Report on State Performance is now posted online.  The report describes major objectives as well as achievements for fiscal year 2006-07 for 25 Pennsylvania state agencies such as the Department of Public Welfare. Key performance measures are also included.
• Pennsylvania is now part of the “Own Your Future Campaign.”  There is a resource guide for Pennsylvania posted online.
• The Pennsylvania Department of Aging issued a new Aging Technical Assistance Bulletin, “PDA Waiver vs. Department of Public Welfare (DPW) Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) Funds/Medical Assistance (MA) Fee for Service Funds.”  
• AARP issued a research report: "Opinions of Pennsylvanians Age 50+ on Health Care Reform."
• An AP article, “Welfare Secretary Vows PA Won’t Lag on Care Home Inspections,” is posted online.  

More CARIE News
As friends of CARIE, you are invited to join us at a fundraiser on Wednesday, April 16th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm with our special guests Dick and Carol Vermeil. The event includes a silent auction, cocktails, and a light buffet, and will take place at the Independence Foundation, Offices at the Bellevue, Suite 1101, 200 S. Broad St. in Philadelphia. Tickets are $45 per person, payable by check to "CARIE" or by paying securely online. This event promises to be a very enjoyable evening and a great way to support CARIE's work. Please RSVP to Cathy Schiman by April 9 with your name and that of your guest, if any.

Here is just a sampling of our exciting items up for bid: A WEEK IN AN ITALIAN COUNTRY VILLA (Click here to view the Villa.) - In the heart of Tuscany lies a beautiful, enchanting country villa with 5 cozy bedrooms that sleeps 10. Enjoy swimming in the sunny pool, tennis on the private court, or simply strolling the 40 picturesque acres surrounding the house. Perfectly situated for day trips to Florence, Sienna or Pisa; a baseball autographed by 2006 NL MVP and Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard; two VIP tickets to The Colbert Report; dinner for two with Dick and Carol Vermeil at a charming farmhouse in Chester County; roundtrip airfare for 2 to anywhere on Southwest Airlines' routes; and a 4-person tour package of Washington, DC including VIP tours and reservations at the Senators Only Dining Room donated by Senator Arlen Specter. 

Just for Fun
This month’s quote and “Just for Fun” feature pays homage to spring. With the beginning of baseball season and warmer weather, the signs of spring are here. The crocuses are beginning to burst through the earth with their colorful heads, the forsythia are displaying their vibrant leaves of yellow, and the cherry blossoms will soon be in full bloom. The National Park Service has installed a cherry blossom webcam in our nation’s capitol so you can view this wonder of nature from your computer. The Washington Post has posted a gallery of photographs for fans of these trees. If you can’t travel to Washington or don’t like huge crowds, Philadelphia also sponsors a cherry blossom festival. This year it will be held from April 5 through 19. In the spring of 2007, 1,000 cherry trees were planted in Philadelphia’s Fairmont Park to supplement the 1,600 trees donated by the Japanese government in 1926. Click here for a copy of the events brochure for Philadelphia.

April Legislative Committee Meeting Announcement
The Dorothy S. Washburn Legislative Committee meeting will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 on April 3, 2008 at CARIE. Click here for the agenda. Please feel welcome to join us at our new meeting location.  Although I'm delayed once again in sending the CARIE Connection, hopefully you'll find the March edition better late than never!  As always, don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Thanks,
Kathy