News and Events

Weekly News (February 7 - February 11)

New Effort Launched to Help Veterans with Disabilities Live Independently at Home (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Jan. 7, 2011)
There’s a new effort to help veterans stay out of nursing homes and live independently at home.

Group creates lifelong networks for people with disabilities (The Record, Jan. 28, 2011)
There are local organizations that help families build a caring community around a family member with a disability. They meet regularly to discuss any issues and help the family plan for the future.

Feds Reach Americans with Disabilities Act Settlement With H&R Block (Consumer Affairs, Feb. 1, 2011)
The DOJ has reached a settlement with H&R Block. The settlement requires H&R Block to provide sign language for people who can’t hear.

Mayoral election to impact city’s disabled community (ABC News, Feb. 6, 2011)
Twenty percent of people in Chicago have a disability.  As the mayoral election draws near, people with disabilities could have an impact.

More disabled travelers complaining about airlines (The Seattle Times, Feb. 4, 2011)
More and more people with disabilities are complaining that airlines are violating their rights.

Weekly News (January 24 - January 28)

CDC In The Dark About Health Of Americans With Disabilities (Disability Scoop, Jan. 14, 2011)
In a new report, the CDC said too little is known about the health-related experiences of Americans with disabilities.

Travelocity makes website accessible to blind (BizReport, Jan. 18, 2011)
Travelocity has committed to making its website fully accessible to people who are blind. The changes take effect July 1st.

Technology Improves Seniors Ability to Live Independently (Emax Health, Jan. 18, 2011)
Read about new technologies that help seniors live independently longer…

Americans With Disabilities Use Internet Less, Survey Indicates (Pew Internet, Jan. 21, 2011)
According to new study by Pew, people with disabilities use the Internet less than people without disabilities.

Related article: For the disabled, just getting online is a struggle

Feud Over Best Setting for the Disabled (The Wall Street Journal, Jan. 24, 2011)
The Justice Department is suing an Arkansas company over its housing for people with disabilities, claiming the residents aren’t allowed to move around as much as they should. The suit is stirring the debate over housing for people with disabilities in big institutions versus small group homes.

Disabled Passions
Check out Disables Passions—a free online dating and social networking site for people with disabilities.

Weekly News (January 3 - January 7)

A New Nursing Home Population: The Young (NPR, Dec. 9, 2010)
Young people are going into nursing homes at a high rate.  In fact, people ages 31-64 make up 14% of the nursing home population – up 10% from 10 years ago. Unfortunately the data doesn’t say why. Read about one young woman’s fight to receive her care in-home, rather than in a nursing home.

Youth In Nursing Homes Seek Alternative Care (NPR, Dec. 9, 2010)
More than 6,000 young people under the age of 21 are living in nursing homes. And thousands more are in their early 20s.  Read about one young man’s battle to leave a nursing home.

Study To Tackle Obesity Epidemic Among People With Disabilities (Disability Scoop, Dec. 16, 2010)
A new study is underway to determine why obesity is common among young people with disabilities, and what the ramifications are.

United Airlines Settles EEOC Disability Discrimination Suit (Trading Markets, Dec. 21, 2010)
United Airlines is settling a federal lawsuit alleging it violated the ADA by refusing to allow employees with disabilities work reduced hourly schedules.

Father’s App Lets Disabled Son ‘Speak’ Thru iPad (ABC News, Dec. 24, 2010)
Read how one father, who has a son with disabilities, can now communicate with him thanks to an iPad application.

Many with developmental disabilities ‘trapped’ in nursing homes, lawsuit contends (Star-Telegram, Dec. 20, 2010)
In Texas, a class action lawsuit has been filed against the state claiming people with disabilities are “trapped” in nursing homes providing inadequate care.

Jewel-Osco pays $3.2M to settle discrimination complaint (Naperville Sun, Jan. 6, 2011)
Jewel-Osco is paying $3M to settle a federal discrimination lawsuit alleging the company had a policy and practice of firing people with disabilities at the end of medical leaves.

Weekly News (December 13 - December 17)

Law Will Proceed, Administration Says (New York Times, Dec. 13)
A court decision striking down a central provision of the new health care law will not disrupt efforts to carry it out, even though the ruling could increase confusion and embolden critics, Obama administration officials and employers said Monday.

Fate of law probably up to high court (Washington Post, Dec. 14)
Perhaps the only issue on which opponents and supporters of the health-care law can agree is that its fate will probably be decided by the Supreme Court.

Americans’ Opinions Of Health Law Shifts - Just A Little (Kaiser Health News, Dec. 13)
Nine months after the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, Americans remain just as divided over the federal health care overhaul as they were in the weeks immediately following its passage, a tracking poll released Monday by the Kaiser Family Foundation suggests.

Few Seniors Have Long-Term Care Insurance (Kaiser Health News, Dec. 14)
People don’t like to think about what will happen if they become too ill or infirm to manage on their own.

Analysis: Soda tax may reduce weight, raise revenue (USA Today, Dec. 13)
Millions of people would lose about a pound or more a year if large taxes were tacked onto regular soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages such as sport drinks and fruit drinks, a new analysis shows.

Presidential Proclamation—International Day of Persons with Disabilities
(White House Press Release, Dec. 3)
The White House issued a press release honoring the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to making sure people with disabilities are treated equally.

Home Care Might Be Cheaper, But States Still Fear It (NPR, Dec. 2)
Many states resist programs that allow seniors and people with disabilities to get their long-term care at home instead of nursing homes, fearing it will cost more.  Yet studies show home care is actually more cost effective.

Care At Home: A New Civil Right (NPR, Dec. 2)
By law, seniors and people with disabilities can choose to receive in-home care rather than live in nursing homes.  Yet NPR found some people aren’t getting the choice to stay at home.

Upcoming Webinar: Advancing Integrated Models for Dual Eligibles: New Innovations and Opportunities

Tuesday, December 14, 2010, 2:00-3:30 pm, ET

More than ever, state and federal policymakers are keenly focusing on meaningful ways to significantly improve care and control costs for people who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. The duals are among the nation’s most chronically ill and costliest patients, accounting for roughly 46 percent of all spending within Medicaid and 24 percent within Medicare. Yet, most of the nation’s more than nine million duals receive fragmented and poorly coordinated care.
 
Through ongoing support from The Commonwealth Fund, the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) has helped many state innovators develop and implement new strategies to provide higher-quality and more cost-effective care for duals. This 90-minute webinar will highlight state progress from across the country and will showcase innovative approaches being pursued in two states. A representative from the new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Federal Coordinated Health Care Office will outline  opportunities to help states achieve meaningful integration and better care for people who are dually eligible
 
Learn more and register

Weekly News (November 29 - December 3)

Government wants to update ADA for cyberspace (Associated Press, Nov. 20)
The federal government wants to expand the ADA by updating it to cyberspace.  Ideas include requiring 911 centers to send and receive text messages, and requiring websites be programmed to speak to people who can’t see.

CLASS Act is federal program for long-term care insurance (USA Today, Nov. 21)
If you can’t afford long-term insurance, you may soon be able to contribute to a less-costly federal program – CLASS, which was part of the health reform law.

California caretakers help elderly, disabled stay in their homes (Redding.com, Nov. 18)
In California, there’s a state-funded program that allows people with disabilities to get help with daily tasks, therefore allowing them to stay at home instead of moving into an assisted-living home.

TSA: Pat-Downs A Must For Some With Disabilities (Disability Scoop, Nov. 23)
The Transportation Security Administration has warned that some people with disabilities (those with wheelchairs, walkers, etc.) will have to undergo “alternate screening techniques including pat-downs,” because they are ineligible for body scanners.

Hawaii’s long-term care program lauded by group (The Associated Press, Nov. 26)
Hawaii’s long-term care program is being hailed as a “true pioneer” in how it’s delivering care to low-income residents and people with disabilities.

Sit-skiers cruise into West Yellowstone for adaptive ski clinic (West Yellowstone News, Nov. 28)
Sit-skiing is becoming popular with people with disabilities.  It’s giving them a chance to participate in this popular winter sport.

Upcoming Webinar: Roadmap for Long-Term Supports and Services: State Innovations and Opportunities

Monday, November 22, 2010, 2:00-3:30 pm, ET

Close to 95 percent of Medicaid beneficiaries needing long-term supports and services (LTSS) are in unmanaged, fee-for-service programs, including a disproportionate number in institutions versus consumer-preferred home- and community-based options. Overhauling the delivery of Medicaid LTSS offers significant opportunities to improve health care quality, control costs, and enhance quality of life for millions of Americans. Particularly now, the Affordable Care Act offers new incentives for states to improve LTSS delivery.

Through support from The SCAN Foundation, the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) will soon be releasing a set of Profiles of State Innovation Roadmaps that synthesize lessons from state LTSS pioneers across the country. This 90-minute webinar will summarize critical considerations for LTSS program design and highlight innovative activities in two states. A representative from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will outline how states can maximize federal opportunities to build higher-quality and more cost-effective LTSS programs.

Learn more and register.

Weekly News (November 8 - November 12)

Traveling for disabled improves, but hurdles remain (MSNBC, Nov. 4, 2010)
Airline travel for people with disabilities is improving, but some obstacles remain.  Learn what those obstacles are and how you can better prepare for them.

Job Prospects Fall Short For Americans With Disabilities (Disability Scoop, Nov. 5, 2010)
More than 150,000 new jobs were created in October, but people with disabilities aren’t seeing them.

Weekly News (November 1 - November 5)

$2M. Grant Will Help People with Disabilities Study Science (Purdue University, Oct. 25, 2010)
Purdue University recently received a $2 million grant, which it will use to create an Institute for Accessible Science for students with disabilities.  The school says it recognizes that bright minds are prevented from studying the sciences, because labs aren’t designed for wheelchair access and hands-on experience.

Income at Risk: Quarterly Unemployment Rate for People with Disabilities Climbs along with SSDI Claims, Reports Allsup (San Francisco Chronicle, Oct. 26, 2010)
The unemployment rate for people with disabilities was at its highest level during the third quarter of 2010 – 67% higher than the unemployment rate for people without disabilities.

Ashford University Educates Students With Disabilities in Cyberspace (PR Newswire, Oct. 26, 2010)
Ashford University is educating students with disabilities on the Web, making it easier for many to earn associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

White House urges more hiring of people with disabilities (Federal Times, Oct. 27, 2010)
The Obama administration is pushing federal agencies to hire more people with disabilities, and the campaigns to show them how to do it are underway. The goal is to double the number of people with disabilities in the federal workforce.  Currently there are 105,000.

IPad Opens World to a Disabled Boy (The New York Times, Oct. 29, 2010)
Read how the iPad is helping a boy with severe disabilities.

Weekly News (October 18 - October 22)

Tennessee’s bold leap in care for the aged and disabled (Stateline, October 12, 2010)
Tennessee has lagged behind the rest of the country when it comes to a health care system for the elderly and people with disabilities.  But the state has seen big changes in recent years.  One of the more important – a broad range of long-term care solutions.

Studies Highlight High Medicare Costs For People In Nursing Homes (Kaiser Health News, October 12, 2010)
People on Medicare who live in long-term care facilities account for an excessive and preventable portion of Medicare spending because of high rates of hospitalization, ER visits and skilled nursing care, according to new reports by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

‘Humiliated’ Man Told He’s Too Disabled to Fly (Associated Press, October 16, 2010)
A man with cerebral palsy said he was humiliated when he was kicked off a flight for being too disabled to fly alone.

Budget Shortfall Forces Big Cuts for Disabled (The Texas Tribune, October 12, 2010)
With tight budgets, many states are cutting back on Medicaid programs for people with disabilities…

• In Texas, it’s estimated 13,000 will not receive Medicaid waiver services in private homes, group homes or community settings.

Medicaid among Wisconsin’s fastest-rising costs (Journal Sentinel, October 11, 2010)

• In Wisconsin, Medicaid is one of the state’s fastest-rising costs.  It’s asking for $675 million just to “keep up.”

Politics endangers health care of 656,000 (The State, October 11, 2010)

• In South Carolina, more than 656, 000 people could lose access to their doctors and prescription drugs.

Weekly News (October 11 - October 15)

Campaign for Disability Employment “I Can” PSA (What Can You Do?, September 18, 2010)
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month.  A new PSA called “I Can” has been released to encourage employers to hire people with disabilities.

Obama signs technology access bill for disabled (Associated Press, October 9, 2010)
President Obama signed legislation that gives people with disabilities greater access to TV, the Internet and smart phones. Among other things, the law requires captions for online TV programs and easier access to the Internet on smart phones.

Disabled Still Get Cool Reception in U.S. Workplace (U.S. News and World Report, October 8, 2010)
Many companies say that hiring people with disabilities is important, but few actually do it, according to a new survey.

HUD to provide $33 million to fund housing assistance to persons w/disabilities (Examiner.com, October 2, 2010)
The U.S. Housing and Urban Development is providing $33 million to help non-elderly people with disabilities access affordable housing.

Researchers Develop Autism Phone App (GPB News, October 5, 2010)
Researchers are developing a mobile phone application for people with autism and developmental disabilities that will help them communicate and live more independently.

Project HealthDesign-Rethinking the Power and Potential of Personal Health Records (The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, September 23, 2010)
Many trends—including a gradual shift from employer-financed to consumer-paid health care, the social and economic costs of chronic conditions and increasing consumer awareness of personal health promotion—suggest that, in the future, people will be called on to take a more active role in their health and health care. Informed observers see personal health records as part of the solution to this challenge. As a result, in 2006, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) launched Project HealthDesign: Rethinking the Power and Potential of Personal Health Records to stimulate innovation in personal health information technology.

Changing Minds About Elder Care - the Green House Project

Radical change and skilled nursing facility may not be two phrases you would normally couple but the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Vulnerable Populations grantee, the Green House Project, might change your mind.

The Green House Project is a radical change in skilled nursing facility models. Unlike traditional senior care institutions, the Green House model creates small, intentional communities for groups of elders and staff to focus on living full and vibrant lives. In fact, research shows that elders in Green House homes have an improved quality of life and less prevalence of depression. Interested in learning more about how you can bring the Green House Project to your community?

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Green House Project invite you to attend a 90-minute informational webinar on October 15, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. EST/ 12:00 p.m. CST / 10:00 a.m. PST.

Click here to learn more.

Weekly News (October 4 - October 8)

Government releases funding to help older adults navigate long-term care (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, September 28, 2010)
The federal government released $68 million in grant money to help seniors and people with disabilities better understand their options for long-term care.  Among other things, the money will be used to help patients transition from nursing homes to home care.

Personal Care Assistance cuts leave many disabled people without help (Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, September 29, 2010)
Minnesota made cuts to its “Personal Care Assistance” (PCA) program to save money.  The PCA aids people with disabilities who need help grooming, dressing, bathing, etc.  But with the new cuts, roughly 3,000 people will no longer be eligible for the program.

Bill would increase technology access for people with disabilities (The Hill.com, September 29, 2010)
Last week the House approved a bill that would make it easier for people who can’t hear or see have access to TV, the Internet and smartphones.  President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law.

New Study Reveals Lack of Characters With Disabilities on Television (Shoot, September 29, 2010)
According to a new report, TV shows with characters with disabilities represent only 1% of all regular characters. And those characters represent a disproportionate view of reality – all are white and most are male.

ADA update enters debate over FM chips (The Hill.com, October 1, 2010)
Some trade groups are asking Congress to mandate FM chips in every cell phone.  They say it would bring people with disabilities one step closer to equality and independence.

Weekly News (September 27 - October 1)

Depression in the workplace: don’t ask, don’t tell? (CNN, September 20, 2010)
Depression is protected by the ADA.  But to be protected by the law, you must disclose your disability to your employer.  And many people are reluctant to do that, because of the stigma attached to depression. Read about the struggles people with depression face…

Help for Long-Term Care Costs (The Wall Street Journal, September 19, 2010)
The CLASS Act, part of the Affordable Care Act, was designed to help people plan ahead for when they’re disabled or need assistance.  The goal is to allow them to live independently as long as possible. But some question if this new benefit will make much difference.

New Law Mandates Polling Places Be Accessible to Disabled Voters (WNYC News, September 20, 2010)
New York has a new law on the books that requires all polling sties to be fully accessible for people with disabilities by 2012.

Yoga instructor redefines ability and disability (Hampton Roads.com, September 22, 2010)
Paralyzed at the age of 13, one man is now a leading expert on mind-body transformation for people with disabilities.

Congress changes intellectual disability wording (Associated Press, September 23, 2010)
Congress passed legislation that eliminates “mental retardation” from federal laws.

Disabled children could access Medicaid (The Fort Morgan Times, September 24, 2010)
Colorado is changing some Medicaid rules regarding children with disabilities.  Under the new rules, families with children with disabilities will have easier access to Medicaid.

Weekly News (September 20 - September 24)

Remote Control: A Blind Man Goes Sailing With Help From Afar (The Wall Street Journal, September 14, 2010)
Meet a man who is blind and uses technology that enables him to sail his boat.  While impressive enough, this sailing experiment is also part of a bigger plan.  He wants to offer technology that will help people who are blind perform everyday tasks, from reading expiration dates on food labels to crossing streets.

iPhone applications are helping people with disabilities communicate better than ever.  For example, one app helps people with speech disabilities by providing natural sounding text-to-speech voices. And there are many more…
Helpful iPhone Apps (The Rotunda, September 15, 2010)
iPhone App Unlocks World of Communication for People with Disabilities (Gimundo, February 9, 2010)
iPhone Apps for Disability and Vision Impairments, (Disabled World, September 20, 2010)

Travelers with disabilities face obstacles at airports (USA Today, September 15, 2010)
In a recent survey, 80% of people with disabilities said they face obstacles at airports and with airline employees. Some groups are working together to push airports to be more accessible.

Suits by disabled raise questions on litigation law (Los Angeles Times, September 18, 2010)
A California state law was supposed to reduce the number of inappropriate claims under the ADA. But some small businesses – facing litigation – say the law isn’t working. For example, one small restaurant was sued for not having a grab bar in the restroom.  Attorney watchdog groups say this is abuse of the ADA.

Deadline Looms for New ADA Law Compliance (Aquatics International, September 2010)
Swimming pools are now required to meet accessibility standards, thanks to the ADA. Larger pools must now have lifts or sloped entries.  Facilities with pools have 18 months to comply, or face fines, lawsuits, and complaints filed against them with the Department of Justice.

Brain injury not seen as disability (Globe Gazette, September 11, 2010)
In Iowa, brain injuries are not seen as a disability, meaning few services are available to those who suffer brain injuries because the funding isn’t available. Read one family’s story…

N.Y. awards $109 million in IT grants (Modern Healthcare, September 2010)
The state of New York awarded $109 million in health information technology grants to promote medical homes to hospitals and other healthcare organizations.  The grants will focus on coordination of mental health, long-term care and home healthcare.

Individuals with disabilities face health-care crisis (Tennessee Voices, September 13, 2010)
In Tennessee, 60% of people with disabilities are unemployed, which means they likely rely on Medicaid for healthcare. This article briefly explores ideas that could boost employment – and therefore employer-sponsored healthcare - among people with disabilities.

UA Project Trains People with Disabilities for Competitive Work (UA News, September 14, 2010)
A University of Arizona project is training people with developmental disabilities to compete for jobs.

Weekly News (September 13 - September 17)

Facebook, Social Networks Opening Doors For People With Disabilities (Disability Scoop, September 7, 2010)
More people with disabilities are using social networking sites, like Facebook and Twitter. Communicating via the Web boosts the self-esteem of people who can feel lonely and isolated.

Research shows unemployment programs lacking for people with disabilities (PhysOrg.com, September 8, 2010)
Two federal programs that are supposed to help people find jobs are failing people with disabilities, according to a new study.

Assessing The Needs Of Disabled Medicare Beneficiaries (Kaiser Health News, September 8, 2010)
Eight million Medicare disability beneficiaries face greater challenges than seniors on Medicare, according to a new study.  Policy makers admit they need more information about people with disabilities and the challenges they face.

Social Security’s Disabled Adult Child Program: A Key Option Often Below The Radar (Kaiser Health News, September 6, 2010)
When paying into Social Security, you know you’re earning benefits towards retirement. But you are also buying into “the largest life insurance and disability policy most Americans ever own.”

FEMA: Special Needs Require Special Preparation (7th Space Interactive, September 8, 2010)
FEMA is encouraging people with disabilities to be prepared for natural disasters. It’s essential to have electrical backup for medical devises that use electricity, extra supplies of contacts and hearing aids, plus more…

The new face of housing discrimination (Milwaukee News Buzz, September 7, 2010)
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, people with disabilities are facing housing discrimination, according to the state’s Fair Housing Council.

Cane-Fu teaches elderly and those with disabilities the art of self-defense (WKTV, September 7, 2010)
According to the Justice Department, non-fatal violent crimes against people with disabilities occur 1 ½ times more frequently than against people without disabilities. So black belts in New Hartford, New York, are teaching people with disabilities a new form of self-defense: Cane-Fu. Watch Cane-Fu in action…

Educators use technology to help kids with disabilities learn (The Daily Iowan, September 8, 2010)
Teachers in Iowa are using new technologies to help children with disabilities learn. Imagine an infrared mouse for people who don’t have control of their hands, or using your voice to control a computer.

Living Together, Aging Together (The New York Times, September 9, 2010)
Many seniors are opting to live in “cohousing” developments, where private homes are combined with community spaces (such as libraries, kitchens and laundry rooms).  These developments allow seniors to age in place.

Weekly News (September 6 - September 10)

New program eases travel for disabled passengers (ABC7 News, August 29, 2010)
Chicago is striving to be the most accessible city in the world, and it’s now tackling its airports. On the agenda: increasing accessible features, requiring sensitivity training for employees, and providing “stickers” for people with disabilities to wear so airport employees can easily spot people with disabilities and offer assistance.

Surf lessons open new vistas for disabled kids (The Associated Press, August 29. 2010)
How did some kids with disabilities spend their summer?  At surf camps!  From New York to California to Hawaii, surf camps are empowering kids with disabilities and giving them a surge in confidence.

AirTran fined $500,000 for violating DOT rules for disabled passengers (Star-Telegram, August 30, 2010)
AirTran was recently fined $500,000 for violating government rules related to people with disabilities.  The Department of Transportation said the airline was not providing boarding assistance and was not adequately responding to complaints from passengers.  Up to $200,000 of the fine will be used to improve AirTran’s service to people with disabilities.

Helping Seniors Grow Old At Home, Safely (NPR, August 31, 2010)
Most older people don’t live in nursing homes, they grow old in their own homes. And there are new services and technologies that make that much easier. Sensor and motion monitors, video cameras, etc., help us keep an eye on the elderly at home.

How the Americans with Disabilities Act impacts business decisions (Smart Business, September 2010)
It can be tough for business owners or managers to know right from wrong when hiring and managing people with disabilities. And on the flip side, employees with disabilities should know their rights, as well.

Information on the Americans with Disabilities Act (Examiner, August 31, 2010)
As the Americans with Disabilities Act marks its 20th anniversary, amendments to the ADA took effect in January 2009. Learn what those amendments mean…

Advocates for disabled rally against proposed state cuts (The Statesman, September 1, 2010)
In Texas, people with disabilities are protesting cuts to state health and human services that they saying would be “devastating.”  Some of the proposed cuts: services to people with traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries, and services to people with mental health problems.

Disabled and Unemployed: Did ADA and 99-Week Unemployment Help or Hurt? (World News Heard Now, September 2, 2010)
Statistics on people with disabilities and unemployment continue to emerge: People most likely to be unemployed are men with disabilities ages 21-59 and women with disabilities ages 21-39.

Election hotline available for people with disabilities (Leesville Daily Leader, August 27, 2010)
People with disabilities can face barriers when it comes to voting.  Lawsuits were filed in New Orleans because polling places were not accessible.  An election hotline has been established to be sure people with disabilities can cast their vote.

Weekly News (August 30 - September 3)

Disabled Face Sharply Higher Jobless Rate (The Wall Street Journal, August 26, 2010)
A new report by the Labor Department shows the unemployment rate for people with disabilities was 14.5% last year, compared to 9% for those without disabilities.  And the numbers aren’t improving this year.

New statistics on disabled workers (The Washington Post, August 27, 2010)
Just as President Obama pledged the federal government will hire more people with disabilities, The Bureau of Labor Statistics released new employment numbers for people with disabilities within the public sector.

Groups Press Congress To End Patients’ Wait For Medicare (Kaiser Health News, August 27, 2010)
Under federal rules, most people with disabilities who are younger than 65 aren’t eligible for Medicare until more than two years after they quality for Social Security disability income.  Groups are pushing Congress to eliminate the waiting period.

Disasters especially tough on people with disabilities, mental disorders (EurekAlert!, August 23, 2010)
Natural disasters are especially difficult for people with disabilities.  A study of Hurricane Katrina two years after the storm found survivors with disabilities were less likely to own homes than survivors without disabilities. Click here for just one example.

Red Cross project helps elderly and disabled prepare for emergencies (Gulf Live.com, August 28, 2010)
Local chapters of the Red Cross along the Gulf Coast are encouraging seniors and people with disabilities to be prepared for emergency situations. Local non-profits are distributing emergency supplies and planning instructions.

Aging At Home: Helping Seniors Stay Put (NPR, August 24, 2010)
As baby boomers are about to turn 65, homebuilders have come up with a new building concept – it’s called universal design.  That means houses are designed so owners can continue living in them as they grow old, even if they develop physical limitations. The homes contain wide doorways, ramps instead of steps, and kitchen shelves that pull out like drawers.

Grants for Disabled People in Illinois (eHow, August 25, 2010)
Illinois has developed grants to help people with disabilities maintain their independence.  The grants are for housing, services and education.

Medical decision-making for people with disabilities (WHYY, August 26, 2010)
The Pennsylvania state supreme court recently ruled that doctors are required to provide life sustaining care for patients who have intellectual disabilities.

Verizon Awards $55,000 to Nonprofits That Use Technology to Help Individuals With Disabilities (PR Newswire, August 24, 2010)
Verizon awarded $55,000 to five Massachusetts non-profits that use technology to help people with disabilities. The company said it’s committed to improving access to information and services for people with disabilities.

Weekly News (August 23 - August 27)

The Americans with Disabilities Act: 20 Years Later (AARP Prime Time Radio, August 10, 2010)
On AARP Prime Time Radio, Lex Frieden, one of the authors of the ADA, discusses what the ADA has accomplished and what work remains.

More disabled workers file discrimination claims in 2009 (USA TODAY, August 20, 2010)
More people with disabilities are filing discrimination claims against their employers. Nearly 21,500 claims were filed last year, largely due to a new amendment to the ADA which broadens the definition of what it means to be disabled.

New Plans For Uninsured Off To Slow Start (Kaiser Health News, August 19, 2010)
A new federally subsidized program for uninsured people with health problems is off to a slow start…few people are signing up.  Some say while the program is better than anything in the private market, it still may be unaffordable to many people.

State pushing for tougher caregiver standards (San Francisco Chronicle, August 19, 2010)
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is attempting to bar anyone who’s been convicted of a felony (and some misdemeanors) from providing in-home care to 430,000 low-income Californians and people with disabilities.

N.J. updates terms for people with disabilities (philly.com, August 17, 2010)
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed a new law making it illegal to use offensive references to people with disabilities.  The law also encourages “person-first” language, such as saying “people with disabilities” rather than “disabled people.”

New Department of Justice’s ADA regulations narrow definition of service animals (Ann Arbor.com, August 23, 2010)
The Department of Justice has narrowed the definition of service animals…only dogs qualify.

Weekly News Wrap-up (August 16 - August 20)

Coming soon: Expansion of home-based Medicaid services (The Hill, August 9, 2010)
Beginning October 1st, state Medicaid programs will have leeway to expand home- and community-based services, while also extending eligibility to higher income people.

2010 Kessler Foundation/National Organization on Disability (NOD) Survey of Americans With Disabilities
A new survey of people with disabilities finds many are unemployed, living in poverty and lack Internet access.

Genachowski: FCC is ‘setting stage’ for cell phones to meet hearing aid standards (The Hill, August 9, 2010)
The FCC is taking steps to make technology more accessible to people with hearing disabilities.  It’s requiring that cell phones be hearing aid compatible.

Microsoft’s “Accessibility” Website
Microsoft is making its products easier to see, hear and use.

How iPads are Helping People with Disabilities (Pad Gadget, August 9, 2010)
Apple’s iPad is helping people with visual disabilities. The iPad has several features geared at making the device more accessible, such as VoiceOver (which reads what’s on the screen) and Zoom (which provides a screen magnifier to view smaller items).

College Web Pages Are ‘Widely Inaccessible’ to People With Disabilities (The Chronicle of Higher Education, August 12, 2010)
A new study found that more college websites require the use of a mouse to navigate their sites.

Younger Patients Benefit Less From Medicare (Modern Medicine, August 12, 2010)
According to a new report, younger people with disabilities have more trouble affording health care through Medicare than those 65 and older.

Bill seeks to make electronics accessible to blind, deaf (The Washington Post, August 17, 2010)
Proposed legislation would make electronics more accessible to people with disabilities. It would require captions for TV content that appears online, and cell phones would be required to contain speech software that calls out phone numbers and cues users on how to surf the Internet.

Consumer Confidence Peaks, Dips, and Rebounds Over the Past Year
New data suggest that Americans have had a remarkably even-keeled attitude towards their health care over the past year, despite the turmoil of debate that preceded and followed the passage of health care reform legislation.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Care Consumer Confidence Index (RWJF Index) fluctuated only moderately over the past year, ranging from 95.8 to 104.4. An analysis of the past year’s data reveals that while consumer confidence spiked the month after reform, it quickly returned to baseline numbers and proceeded to level out.

Interestingly, two groups who received significant attention during the health reform debate—seniors, and those who already have health insurance—saw relatively minimal fluctuation over the past year, both maintaining high levels of confidence in their health care. Even in April, the month after Congress passed the Affordable Care Act, neither seniors nor the insured suffered a dramatic dip in confidence. Uninsured Americans continued to have the lowest levels of confidence, and while it spiked in April, their confidence returned in May to near where it had been for most of the year.

The RWJF Index is a monthly survey that evaluates consumer confidence in American health care. It is created by the University of Minnesota’s State Health Access Data Assistance Center (SHADAC) using data collected as part of the Surveys of Consumers, conducted by the Survey Research Center at the University of Michigan.

Weekly News Wrap-up (August 2 - August 6)

Low-Income Minorities With Disabilities See Services Disparity (NPR News, August 2, 2010)
Are there greater challenges for minorities with disabilities? Many argue that minorities living in poorer communities don’t reap the benefits of the ADA.

Did the Americans With Disabilities Act Hurt Some People With Disabilities? (Newsweek, August 5, 2010)
Has the ADA hurt some people? Employment for people with disabilities hasn’t improved, and some blame it on the ADA.

Progress for people with disabilities – but not everywhere (Market Watch, August 5, 2010)
The unemployment rate for people with disabilities has not improved. President Obama is trying to help – he issued an executive order to increase the number of people with disabilities employed by the federal government.

Recession-battered states cut funding for the disabled (USA TODAY, August 6, 2010)
At least 17 states plan to – or already have - cut funding for people with disabilities.  The cuts include home care aides and grants to agencies that help people with disabilities live independently.

Florida Continues To Improve Opportunities For Persons With Disabilities (Gov Monitor, August 6, 2010)
Florida continues to improve opportunities for people with disabilities.  This year alone the state passed two laws crucial to Floridians with disabilities.

Report: Hawaii ranks highly in pay for disabled (Bloomberg Businessweek, August 6, 2010)
Hawaii is one of the most successful states in helping people with disabilities find well-paying jobs.

ADA Impact Survey

UTHEALTH INDEPENDENT LIVING CHAMPION - Approximately 20 years after helping craft the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) professor Lex Frieden conducted an online survey demonstrating the impact of the legislation in the disability community.

Americans with Disabilities Act turns 20, Online survey sheds insight on legislation’s impact

Impact of the ADA in American Communities

Weekly News Wrap-Up (July 5 - July 9)

Researchers Tackle Electronic Health Record Technology to Improve Long-Term Care Coordination, Patient Outcomes (McKnights Long-Term Care and Assisted Living, July 9, 2010)
A team of researchers at the University of Missouri is working to refine electronic health record (EHR) technology.  The goal is to increase its efficiency and cost-saving benefits for long-term care.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (June 21 - July 2)

New Coverage for Uninsured People in Poor Health (The Associated Press, June 30, 2010)
The Obama administration is launching a special coverage program for uninsured Americans with medical problems this week, the most ambitious early investment of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul.

States to Suffer Under Weight of Continued Long-Term Care Spending, Consulting Firm Find (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and Assisted Living, June 23, 2010)
A new report highlights the potential detrimental impact of long-term care commitments on state budgets.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (May 31 - June 4)

The New Long-Term Care Entitlement (National Center for Policy Analysis, June 3, 2010)
Among the provisions of the recently enacted health law is a new federal program for long-term care.  A variation of a proposal the Urban Institute dubbed “Medicare Part E,” proponents say it is a sound insurance program paid for by the premiums of voluntary participants - claims that were once also made about Medicare.

Baby Boomers May Need to Find New, Innovative Care Networks, Report Finds (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and Assisted Living, June 2, 2010)
As death rates continue to fall, baby boomers will have to develop non-traditional caregiver networks, or pay for long-term care facility care, according to a new report.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (May 24 - May 28)

Three States Fail to House Disabled in Most Appropriate Settings, DOJ Argues (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and Assisted Living, May 27, 2010)
Justice Department court briefs filed in Florida, Illinois and New Jersey allege that the states have failed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision, which deals with the rights of the disabled.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (May 17 - May 21)

Long-Term Care Pharmacists to Share Solutions (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and Assisted Living, May 21, 2010)
Top professionals in long-term care medication management will meet Wednesday for a three-day conference that will explore the implications of healthcare reform and also provide educational, networking and commerce opportunities.

Most of the $115 Billion in Newly Reported Discretionary Spending Represents Existing Healthcare Reform Spending, CBO Clarifies (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and Assisted Living, May 17, 2010)
The Congressional Budget Office on Wednesday released clarification of its analysis showing that $115 billion in discretionary spending will result from the healthcare reform law.  Most of that spending is for existing programs, according to CBO.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (May 10 - May 15)

House Presses for Extension of State Medicaid Assistance (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and Assisted Living, May 14, 2010)
A narrow majority of members of the House of Representatives is urging House leaders to extend a temporary increase in the federal medical assistance percentage, which helps fund nursing homes and other Medicaid programs.

Sebelius, Holder:  New Health Reform Law Will Help Prevent Medical Fraud (Kaiser Health News, May 13, 2010)
Obama administration officials, touting $2.5 billion recovered from Medicare overpayments and fraud, immediately turned to talk of how health reform could ensure bigger successes in the future.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (May 3 - May 7)

Federal Government to Release $220 Million in Healthcare IT Stimulus Grants, Biden, Sebelius Announce (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and Assisted Living, May 6, 2010)
Vice President Joe Biden and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius this week disclosed that $220 million in stimulus grants for pilot programs will be disbursed to test healthcare IT systems.

New Healthcare Law Might Make Your Doctor More Informed, Efficient, Responsive (The Washington Post, May 4, 2010)
In many respects, American doctors today labor much the way their counterparts did 50 years ago.  The new healthcare law aims to change most of that.

Parsing the New Law on Long-Term Care (The New York Times, May 3, 2010)
Call it Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s final bequest.  The Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act, or Class Act, the first national plan to help the great majority of Americans who have no insurance for long-term care, became law in March.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (April 26 - April 30)

States Decide on Running New Pools for Insurance (The New York Times, April 29, 2010)
The fight over the new health care law shifted Thursday to the states, as some governors claimed federal money to run a new insurance pool for people with serious medical problems, while officials in other states said they would not operate the program.

Nursing Home Costs Rising Faster Than Home-Care Costs, Report Finds (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and Assisted Living, April 28, 2010)
The cost of receiving long-term care services at home is increasing, but not nearly as rapidly as the cost of nursing home or assisted living services, according to findings of the 2010 Cost of Care Survey from Genworth Financial.

With Expanded Coverage for the Poor, Fears of a Big Headache (The New York Times, April 26, 2010)
Of all the changes wrought by the new health care law, none is more sweeping than the transformation of Medicaid - from the government’s health insurance plan for poor families into a much wider program for millions of the poorest Americans who cannot afford insurance on their own.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (April 19 - April 23)

Report Says Health Care Will Cover More, Cost More (The Associated Press, April 23, 2010)
President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul law is getting a mixed verdict in the first comprehensive look by neutral experts:  More Americans will be covered, but costs are also going up.

Despite Federal Help, States Struggle to Move People Out of Nursing Homes (Kaiser Health News, April 22, 2010)
Richard Hasselbach and Deborah Kadlec met in a nursing home and dreamed of a life together outside its walls.  Their health conditions made living on their own a challenge.

Senate Bill Sets a Plan to Regulate Premiums (The New York Times, April 20, 2010)
Fearing that health insurance premiums may shoot up in the next few years, Senate Democrats laid a foundation on Tuesday for federal regulation of rates, four weeks after President Obama signed a law intended to rein in soaring health costs.

Use of Managed Care for Long-Term Care Could Save $140 Billion, Insurance Report Finds (McKnights Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, April 19, 2010)
Modernizing long-term care and other Medicaid-funded programs could yield hundreds of billions of dollars in government savings over the next 10 years, according to a new report from UnitedHealth Group.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (April 12 - April 16)

Low-Cost Coverage in Obama Health Plan not for all (The Associated Press, April 16, 2010)
It’s an eagerly awaited early benefit of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul: affordable coverage for Americans with medical problems who can’t get a private insurer to even take a look.

Obama Signs Legislation Delaying Medicare Physician Pay Cut (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and Assisted Living, April 16, 2010)
President Obama Thursday night signed a bill that postpones a scheduled 21.2% cut in Medicare physician pay and extends the COBRA unemployment insurance benefit until June 1.  He made it law just hours after the legislation cleared both houses of Congress.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (April 5 - April 9)

For Many, Health Law Offers a Chance for Preventive Care (The New York Times, April 9, 2010)
A primary goal of the health care overhaul was to provide insurance for more people, namely those who could not afford coverage and those with pre-existing conditions for whom insurance was too costly.

Health Reforms to be Clear, Transparent: Sebelius (Reuters, April 7, 2010)
U.S. health officials aim to move swiftly and clearly to implement newly enacted healthcare reforms, health secretary Kathleen Sebelius said on Tuesday in remarks aimed at selling Americans on the benefits of the controversial changes.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (March 29 - April 2)

Healthcare Reform Law Includes Information Technology Funding for Long-Term Care (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and Assisted Living, March 29, 2010)
Long-term care facilities could be receiving funding for health information technology initiatives under the recently passed healthcare reform law, according to reports.

Options Expand for Affordable Long-Term Care (The New York Times, March 29, 2010)
More than most 41-year-olds, Elizabeth Priaulx thinks about her eventual need for long-term care.  A lawyer in Washington, she has coped well with cerebral palsy since childhood, but has lately developed painful arthritis as a consequence of the disease.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (March 22 - March 26)

A Look at Details of the Health Care Overhaul Law (The Associated Press, March 26, 2010)
Some features of the health care overhaul bill President Barack Obama has signed, as modified by a package of changes passed Thursday by the House and Senate.

Retirees Face Average of $250,000 in Medical Bills During Retirement (McKnights Long-Term Care News and Assisted Living, March 26, 2010)
Married seniors planning to retire this year may face $250,000 in medical bills over the course of their retirement.  That does not include long-term care or nursing home costs, according to a study by Fidelity Investments.

Final Votes in Congress Cap Battle on Health Bill (The New York Times, March 25, 2010)
Congress on Thursday gave final approval to a package of changes to the Democrats’ sweeping health care overhaul, capping a bitter partisan battle over the most far-reaching social legislation in nearly half a century.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (March 15 - March 19)

A Look at the Health Care Overhaul Bill (The Associated Press, March 19, 2010)
Congressional Democrats have released a final version of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul bill in advance of a House vote planned for Sunday. 

House Passes Another Bill Extending Therapy Caps Exceptions Process, Delaying Physician Pay Cut (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and Assisted Living, March 19, 2010)
The House this week voted to extend the therapy caps exceptions process and delay a 21.2% Medicare physician pay cut through April 30.

Fine-Tuning Led to Health Bill’s $940 Billion Price Tag (The New York Times, March 18, 2010)
Love it or hate it, one thing that is indisputable about the Democrats’ big health care legislation is that the cost figures are going to come out right where President Obama said he wanted them.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (March 8 - March 12)

Democrats Pare Differences Over Health OverHaul (The Associated Press, March 12, 2010)
President Barack Obama is postponing his long-scheduled Asian trip for a few days to make a final push for passage of historic legislation reinventing the health care system.

Obama Targets Medicare, Medicaid Waste (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and Assisted Living, March 12, 2010)
President Obama on Wednesday instructed the heads of all executive departments and agencies to increase their use of “Payment Recapture Audits” to reduce the amount of improper Medicare, Medicaid and other similar payments.

Shift Long-Term Care Payment Responsibility From Medicaid to Medicare, Research Group Suggests (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and Assisted Living, March 8, 2010)
In order to better coordinate care for nursing home residents who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, responsibility for long-term care nursing facility services should be shifted from Medicaid to Medicare, suggests a recently released policy brief from research group Mathematica.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (March 1 - March 5)

Obama Takes Health Care Deadline to Democrats (The New York Times, March 4, 2010)
President Obama, beginning a full-court press for his health care overhaul, met Thursday with his insurance industry executives and House Democrats as party leaders on Capitol Hill struggled to figure out whether they could meet the president’s timetable for enacting legislation within a few weeks.

Obama Outlines Final Health Care Plan, Urges Congress to Act (CNN, March 4, 2010)
President Obama outlined his final version of a health care bill Wednesday and urged Congress to bring the plan to a conclusive vote within the next few weeks.

AHCA, Alliance Slam MedPAC for Skilled Nursing Pay Freeze Recommendation; Providers Call for End to Therapy Caps (McKnights Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, March 4, 2010)
This year’s recommendations from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission don’t take into account the worsening situation facing state Medicaid programs, and could prove harmful to senior care if adopted by Congress, long-term care groups warned Wednesday.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (February 22 - February 26)

Long-Term Care Provisions Remain in new White House Reform Bill (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, February 24, 2010)
The new White House healthcare reform proposal released this week contains a number of provisions holding significant interest to long-term care professionals - in addition to the ballyhooed Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act.

Medical Insurers Slam Proposed Supervision (The Wall Street Journal, February 23, 2010)
The Obama administration’s proposal to create a federal body to oversee insurance premiums drew fire Monday from insurers, which contended it would do little to contain spending and could ruin some companies.

Obama’s Health Bill Plan Largely Follows Senate Version (The New York Times, February 22, 2010)
President Obama on Monday issued his own blueprint for a health care overhaul, challenged Republicans to come forward with their ideas and laid the groundwork for an aggressive parliamentary maneuver to pass the legislation using only Democratic votes if this week brings no progress toward a bipartisan solution.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (February 15 - February 19)

States Spend More on Medicaid than Expected so far this Fiscal Year, Kaiser Report Finds (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, February 19, 2010) 
The economic downturn has negatively affected nearly every state budget and Medicaid program, according to a new report from the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured.

Providers Flood Washington to Meet, Push Long-Term Care Agenda on Congress (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, February 19, 2010)
The American Association of Homes & Services for the Aging (AAHSA) will hold its annual spring meeting and congressional fly-in Monday through Wednesday in Washington.  Nonprofit facility owners and operators from around the country will lobby members of Congress in person and also take part in an exposition, a variety of educational sessions and a leadership summit.

Many Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals Deliver Poor Quality of Care, Newspaper Reports (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, February 16, 2010)
Long-term acute care hospitals have expanded rapidly in the last 25 years, but statistics show many of them provide substandard care, according to a recent article in The New York Times. 

Weekly News Wrap-Up (December 21 - December 25)

Two-Month Freeze for Medicare Physician Pay Included In New Spending Bill (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, December 23, 2009)
President Obama on Monday signed into law a fiscal 2010 Defense Department spending bill that contains a temporary freeze for Medicare physician pay, as well as Medicare eligibility guidelines. A 21% pay cut for Medicare physicians had been set to take effect on Jan. 1, but the new law will delay that cut until Feb. 28.

GAO Highlights Obstacles, Benefits of Nursing Home Temporary Management Sanctions (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, December 22, 2009)
Temporary management sanctions for troubled nursing homes can be an effective approach to improving quality in the short term, but more should be done to provide guidance for implementing the sanction, and to ensure long-term quality improvements, according to a new government report.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (December 14 - December 18)

HHS To Release $27 Million To Fight Chronic Disease Among Older Adult (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, December 17, 2009)
The Department of Health and Human Services is disbursing $27 million in stimulus package funds to bolster care and prevention of chronic conditions among the elderly through the HHS’ Administration on Aging (AoA), it said Wednesday.

Medicare Plan Collapses As Senate Struggles For Compromise On Reform (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, December 16, 2009)
A proposal to expand Medicare enrollment to adults aged 55 and older fell apart barely a week after it was first introduced in the Senate healthcare reform debate. That has been one compromise as Democrats work to pass the bill before the Christmas deadline.

Senate Nears Vote on Healthcare Reform Bill (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, December 15, 2009)
Senators need to reach an agreement on their healthcare reform bill possibly by today to pass a bill before Christmas. Supporters of the long-term care insurance provision have been working fiercely to secure its inclusion in the bill.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (December 7 - December 11)

HHS Finalizes FMAP Matching Rates for Medicaid Programs (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, December 11, 2009)
The Department of Health and Human Services on Monday finalized the adjusted federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) matching rates for state Medicaid programs for the third and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2009.

One-Third of American Adults Provide Care, New Report Find (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, December 10, 2009)
There are more informal caregivers in the U.S. than ever before. Nearly one-third of the population provides some level of care, according to a new study.

Democratic Negotiators Agree to Abandon Public Option (The Wall Street Journal, December 9, 2009)
A group of Senate Democrats have tentatively agreed to drop a proposed government-run insurance option and instead expand Medicare coverage to include people ages 55 to 64 who have difficulty getting insurance. The 10-member negotiating panel was appointed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., in an effort to resolve the long-running debate over the public option.

CLASS ACT Clears Hurdle In Senate Healthcare Bill Debate (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, December 7, 2009)
An attempt to kill off the Community Living Assistance Supports and Services (CLASS) Act was thwarted Friday.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (November 30 - December 04)

CBO: CLASS Act Could Eventually Contribute to Deficit (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, December 1, 2009)
The Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act, which appears in House and Senate healthcare reform legislation, could wind up adding tens of billions of dollars to the federal deficit, according to a Nov. 25 analysis from the Congressional Budget Office.

Senate Set to Begin Debate This Week on Healthcare Reform Bill (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, November 30, 2009)
Fresh from its Thanksgiving break, the Senate is scheduled to pick up its debate over healthcare reform on Tuesday. Some provisions affecting senior care providers are similar to those in the House bill and some are different.

National Family Caregivers Association Sponsors Free Teleclass and Webinar for Family Caregivers (National Family Caregiver Association (NFCA), November 2009)
National Family Caregivers Month is proclaimed every November as a time to thank, support, educate and empower all those providing care to loved ones with chronic ailments, disabilities, or frailties of old age.

The NAB Co-Convenes “Long Term Services and Supports in Health Reform Solutions Summit (2009)”
The NAB joined George Mason University Long-Term Care Educational Foundation and Amerigroup Public Policy Institute at the Capitol Hill Visitor Center in Washington D.C. to provide a forum for key Congressional staff, policy analysts and LTSS experts to review the role and relevance of LTSS in health reform, synthesize health reform proposals with LTSS principles, experience and evidence, and discuss how major strategies for broad-based health reform can include LTSS for seniors and people with disabilities.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (November 23 - November 27)

Department of Health and Human Services to Offer $80 Million in Information Technology Grants (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, November 25, 2009)
The Department of Health and Human Services Tuesday disclosed that it will provide $80 million in grants to help develop and strengthen the health information technology workforce.

Senate to Debate Healthcare Bill, Elder Abuse Gains Attention (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, November 24, 2009)
The U.S. Senate over the weekend narrowly approved a motion to begin debate on its version of healthcare reform. The legislation includes a significant expansion of the Elder Justice Act and other provisions affecting seniors and long-term care.

Senate Votes to Begin Debate (The Washington Post, November 23, 2009)
The Senate voted 60-39 to begin debate on a mammoth overhaul of the health care system. Almost as soon as the votes were counted, Democratic leaders went to work on a round of negotiations to keep the measure alive. They know they need all of their 60 votes to overcome a potential Republican filibuster. Several centrist Democrats said some changes must be made if they are to support the measure on the final vote. “We can only see the finish line,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. “We have not yet crossed it.”

Healthcare Information Technology Has Not Saved Facilities Money, Report Says (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, November 23, 2009)
Despite claims of significant cost savings, so far implementation of healthcare information technology “hasn’t saved a dime,” according to a new report from researchers at Harvard Medical School.

National Family Caregivers Association Sponsors Free Teleclass and Webinar for Family Caregivers (National Family Caregiver Association (NFCA), November 2009)
National Family Caregivers Month is proclaimed every November as a time to thank, support, educate and empower all those providing care to loved ones with chronic ailments, disabilities, or frailties of old age.

The NAB Co-Convenes “Long Term Services and Supports in Health Reform Solutions Summit (2009)”
The NAB joined George Mason University Long-Term Care Educational Foundation and Amerigroup Public Policy Institute at the Capitol Hill Visitor Center in Washington D.C. to provide a forum for key Congressional staff, policy analysts and LTSS experts to review the role and relevance of LTSS in health reform, synthesize health reform proposals with LTSS principles, experience and evidence, and discuss how major strategies for broad-based health reform can include LTSS for seniors and people with disabilities.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (November 16 - November 20)

Long-Term Care Advocates Applaud Provisions in Senate Healthcare Reform Bill (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, November 20, 2009)
The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging gave kudos to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and others for including the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act in the newly introduced Senate healthcare reform bill.

Long-Term Care Providers Can Influence Healthcare Reform, Edward Kennedy Jr. Tells Association (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, November 19, 2009)
“Legislators really need to hear from people working in the [long-term care] industry,” Edward M. Kennedy Jr., son of the late senator, told a crowd at the 60th annual meeting of the Massachusetts Senior Care Association on Tuesday.

CapitalSource to Sell Its Interest in 143 Nursing Homes (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, November 18, 2009)
Commercial lending company CapitalSource said Tuesday that it will sell off its long-term care interests to Omega Healthcare Investors in a deal valued at roughly $860 million.

White House Rejects Claims That Proposed Medicare Cuts Would Hurt Care for Seniors (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, November 17, 2009)
A recent report has rekindled some of the controversy surrounding proposed cuts to Medicare under current healthcare reform proposals. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Saturday released an analysis that suggests nursing homes and hospitals would no longer accept Medicare patients if healthcare reform passes.

State Budgets Unlikely to Recover Until ‘Late in the Next Decade,’ Governors Say (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, November 16, 2009)
The recession has seriously bruised states over the last year and they will continue to face fiscal difficulties, according to reports released last week by the National Governors Association and the National Association of State Budget Officers.

National Family Caregivers Association Sponsors Free Teleclass and Webinar for Family Caregivers (National Family Caregiver Association (NFCA), November 2009)
National Family Caregivers Month is proclaimed every November as a time to thank, support, educate and empower all those providing care to loved ones with chronic ailments, disabilities, or frailties of old age.

The NAB Co-Convenes “Long Term Services and Supports in Health Reform Solutions Summit (2009)”
The NAB joined George Mason University Long-Term Care Educational Foundation and Amerigroup Public Policy Institute at the Capitol Hill Visitor Center in Washington D.C. to provide a forum for key Congressional staff, policy analysts and LTSS experts to review the role and relevance of LTSS in health reform, synthesize health reform proposals with LTSS principles, experience and evidence, and discuss how major strategies for broad-based health reform can include LTSS for seniors and people with disabilities.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (November 9-November 13)

Report Lowers Estimated Number of U.S. Continuing Care Retirement Communities (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, November 13, 2009)
The number of U.S. continuing care retirement communities-often estimated at around 2,500-is actually fewer than 1,900, according to a new analysis by Ziegler Capital Markets.

National Family Caregivers Association Sponsors Free Teleclass and Webinar for Family Caregivers (National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA), November 12, 2009)
National Family Caregivers Month is proclaimed every November as a time to thank, support, educate and empower all those providing care to loved ones with chronic ailments, disabilities, or frailties of old age.

CLASS Act Would Not Increase Federal Deficit, AAHSA’s Manard Asserts (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, November 12, 2009)
Barbara Manard, vice president of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, Wednesday countered criticism that the CLASS Act would contribute to the federal deficit.

House Reform Bill Would Significantly Alter Medicare Payment Policy, Report Finds (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, November 11, 2009)
Under the House healthcare reform package, Medicare payments to skilled nursing facilities would grow slowly, according to a Congressional Research Service report released the day before the bill’s passage.

Minnix Expects Senate to Include CLASS Act in Healthcare Reform Bill (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, November 10, 2009)
The president and CEO of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging feels confident that the CLASS Act will make it into a final healthcare reform bill.

House Passes Massive Healthcare Reform Bill with CLASS Act In It (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, November 9, 2009)
The House late Saturday passed its comprehensive healthcare reform bill by a vote of 220-215.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (November 2 - November 6)

House Sets Healthcare Vote for Saturday; AAHSA Applauds Inclusion of CLASS Act (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, November 6, 2009)
The U.S House of Representatives has scheduled a vote on its comprehensive healthcare reform bill for Saturday evening. As lawmakers fine-tune the legislative language, outside groups, including the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, continue to weigh in on the debate.

‘Red Flags’ Rules Delayed Again as Senate Debates Exemptions Bill (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, November 3, 2009)
The Federal Trade Commission has postponed the implementation date for the “red flags” rules from Nov 1, 2009, to June 1, 2010. This marks the fourth time the FTC has had to change the date.

The National Advisory Board (NAB) was Invited to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Annual Summit to Present “Declaration for Independence” and Discuss State Long Term Services and Supports Programs
Four members of the NAB told an audience of legislators from across the country that the NAB’s Call to Action to transform our health care system to address long term services and supports was about people, not programs. Len Kirschner, Rob Sweezy, Jane Woods and Chuck Graham spoke to the National Conference of State Legislators on a panel entitled “Transforming the Systems of Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities.” The panel was moderated by Senator Renee Unterman (GA) who also serves as the Chair of NCSLs Human Services and Welfare Committee.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (October 26 - October 30)

House Adopts CLASS Act; “Red Flags” Rule Bill Stalls In Senate Committee (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, October 30, 2009)
The House of Representatives has decided to include the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act, a voluntary long-term care insurance program, in its healthcare reform bill.

GAO: Elderly, Disabled Voters Still Confront Access Problems (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, October 29, 2009)
The Department of Justice should do more to ensure that elderly and disabled individuals have voting access, a recently released report found.

House Mulls Adding CLASS Act to Healthcare Reform Bill (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, October 28, 2009)
Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives are strongly considering adding the CLASS Act to their version of healthcare reform.

The National Advisory Board (NAB) was Invited to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Annual Summit to Present “Declaration for Independence” and Discuss State Long Term Services and Supports Programs
Four members of the NAB told an audience of legislators from across the country that the NAB’s Call to Action to transform our health care system to address long term services and supports was about people, not programs. Len Kirschner, Rob Sweezy, Jane Woods and Chuck Graham spoke to the National Conference of State Legislators on a panel entitled “Transforming the Systems of Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities.” The panel was moderated by Senator Renee Unterman (GA) who also serves as the Chair of NCSLs Human Services and Welfare Committee.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (October 19 - October 23)

Nebraska Supreme Court Rules For Plaintiff In Nursing Home Arbitration Case (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, October 23, 2009)
The son of a nursing home resident who allegedly was injured because of negligence did not have the authority to sign a voluntary arbitration agreement on her behalf. As a result, he was not bound by the arbitration agreement, according to a recent state Supreme Court ruling.

House Passes Bill Exempting Certain Healthcare Facilities From “Red Flags” Rule (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, October 22, 2009)
The U.S. House of Representatives this week voted unanimously—400-0—to pass legislation that would exempt certain healthcare facilities from the “red flags” rule.

Disabled Medicaid Beneficiaries Often Have Psychiatric Illness, Multiple Chronic Conditions, Study Finds (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, October 21, 2009)
Nearly half of all Medicaid beneficiaries with disabilities also have psychiatric illness. They also increasingly are being diagnosed and treated for multiple comorbidities, according to a report released Tuesday by the Center for Health Care Strategy.

The National Advisory Board (NAB) was Invited to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Annual Summit to Present “Declaration for Independence” and Discuss State Long Term Services and Supports Programs
Four members of the NAB told an audience of legislators from across the country that the NAB’s Call to Action to transform our health care system to address long term services and supports was about people, not programs. Len Kirschner, Rob Sweezy, Jane Woods and Chuck Graham spoke to the National Conference of State Legislators on a panel entitled “Transforming the Systems of Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities.” The panel was moderated by Senator Renee Unterman (GA) who also serves as the Chair of NCSLs Human Services and Welfare Committee.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (October 12 - October 16)

Researchers Question End-of-Life Practices at Nursing Homes (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, October 16, 2009)
Kidney dialysis treatments near the end of life might do more harm than good and aggressive care for individuals with advanced dementia may be well-intentioned but misdirected efforts, results from a pair of new studies suggest.

Community Clinics Poised for Major Health Care Role (The Associated Press, October 14, 2009)
Tax-funded community clinics, which have seen unprecedented demand in the past year, are poised to take on a major role in caring for millions more patients if health care reforms are enacted. “There is going to be a wave of chronically ill people,” said one clinic director. “We’re well positioned to care for them.”

Senate Finance Committee Passes Pivotal Healthcare Reform Bill (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, October 14, 2009)
The Senate Finance Committee voted 14-9 Tuesday to pass America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009. The committee’s approval marks a critical turning point for Congress in its attempt to pass comprehensive healthcare reform.

The National Advisory Board (NAB) was Invited to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Annual Summit to Present “Declaration for Independence” and Discuss State Long Term Services and Supports Programs
Four members of the NAB told an audience of legislators from across the country that the NAB’s Call to Action to transform our health care system to address long term services and supports was about people, not programs. Len Kirschner, Rob Sweezy, Jane Woods and Chuck Graham spoke to the National Conference of State Legislators on a panel entitled “Transforming the Systems of Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities.” The panel was moderated by Senator Renee Unterman (GA) who also serves as the Chair of NCSLs Human Services and Welfare Committee.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (October 5 - October 9)

Senate Finance Committee Set to Vote on Healthcare Reform Bill (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, October 9, 2009)
The Senate Finance Committee is planning to vote on its healthcare reform measure Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said. He made the announcement after the Congressional Budget Office released findings that the proposal is estimated to cost $829 billion over 10 years.

AHRQ: Fall-Related Injuries Land 1 in 10 Seniors in Emergency Room (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, October 8, 2009)
Injurious falls among elderly adults accounted for 1 in 10 emergency department visits among those 65 and older in 2006, according to a new report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Medicaid Spending for Home- and Community-Based Care Soars, Report Finds (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, October 7)
Medicaid spending for home- and community-based services (HCBS) skyrocketed by 81.5% between fiscal years 2001 and 2007, according to a report released Tuesday by the National Center for Assisted Living. Meanwhile, spending on nursing homes grew by a modest 9.8% during that time.

Nursing Homes Facing Major Challenges to Medicaid, Medicare, Yarwood Says (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, October 6, 2009)
Bruce Yarwood, president and CEO of the American Health Care Association, Monday likened the problems facing long-term care to a “tsunami.”

CDC Recommends Pneumonia Vaccine and Flu Vaccine For Seniors This Year (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, October 5, 2009)
Seniors aged 65 and older should consider getting vaccinated against pneumonia as well as the seasonal influenza strain, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend in a new report.

The National Advisory Board (NAB) was Invited to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Annual Summit to Present “Declaration for Independence” and Discuss State Long Term Services and Supports Programs
Four members of the NAB told an audience of legislators from across the country that the NAB’s Call to Action to transform our health care system to address long term services and supports was about people, not programs. Len Kirschner, Rob Sweezy, Jane Woods and Chuck Graham spoke to the National Conference of State Legislators on a panel entitled “Transforming the Systems of Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities.” The panel was moderated by Senator Renee Unterman (GA) who also serves as the Chair of NCSLs Human Services and Welfare Committee.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (September 21 - September 25)

Long-Term Care Providers Find Silver Linings Among Healthcare Reform Proposals (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, September 24, 2009)
After two days and more than 560 proposed amendments, adjustments to the Senate Finance Committee healthcare proposal are still a long way from being completed, but long-term care providers have found at least a few plums among them.

CLASS Act Might Be Left Out of Final Healthcare Reform Bill (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, September 22, 2009)
The future of the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act, which many observers see as a potentially powerful boon to long-term care, is increasingly uncertain. Many in the reform debate appear less than enthusiastic about the measure, according to a recent report.

The National Advisory Board (NAB) was Invited to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Annual Summit to Present “Declaration for Independence” and Discuss State Long Term Services and Supports Programs
Four members of the NAB told an audience of legislators from across the country that the NAB’s Call to Action to transform our health care system to address long term services and supports was about people, not programs. Len Kirschner, Rob Sweezy, Jane Woods and Chuck Graham spoke to the National Conference of State Legislators on a panel entitled “Transforming the Systems of Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities.” The panel was moderated by Senator Renee Unterman (GA) who also serves as the Chair of NCSLs Human Services and Welfare Committee.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (September 14 - September 18)

Senate Aging Committee to Hold Panel Discussion on Impact of Healthcare Reform on Seniors (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, September 16, 2009)
The Senate Special Committee on Aging will host a discussion and briefing Thursday about the potential effects of healthcare reform on seniors.

Finance Committee Chairman Works to Gather Bipartisan Support for Reform Bill (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, September 15, 2009)
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) is pushing this week to gain support for a healthcare reform bill. One of the legislation’s provisions is to trim the market-basket update for nursing homes.

The National Advisory Board (NAB) was Invited to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Annual Summit to Present “Declaration for Independence” and Discuss State Long Term Services and Supports Programs
Four members of the NAB told an audience of legislators from across the country that the NAB’s Call to Action to transform our health care system to address long term services and supports was about people, not programs. Len Kirschner, Rob Sweezy, Jane Woods and Chuck Graham spoke to the National Conference of State Legislators on a panel entitled “Transforming the Systems of Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities.” The panel was moderated by Senator Renee Unterman (GA) who also serves as the Chair of NCSLs Human Services and Welfare Committee.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (September 7 - September 11)

Most Hospice Services in Nursing Homes Fail to Meet Medicare Requirements, OIG Finds (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, September 11, 2009)
A growing number of Medicare beneficiaries are receiving hospice care in nursing facilities. But most of these services do not meet Medicare requirements. That is according to two reports from the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services.

As Obama Addresses Congress Tonight, Long-Term Care Continues to Weigh In On Healthcare Reform (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, September 9, 2009)
Long-term care providers are likely to tune in tonight as President Barack Obama speaks about healthcare reform to a joint session of Congress.

Hospitals, Cities Set Example With Better Care for Less (MSNBC/The Associated Press, September 7, 2009)
Cities and health systems that provide better patient care for less money are being touted as examples for national health care reform. Geisinger Health System in Pennsylvania, for example, offers patients a flat fee for bypass surgery and a 90-day warranty; while in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a clinic opened by two competing hospitals reduced side effects and hospitalizations of patients who use blood thinners.

The National Advisory Board (NAB) was Invited to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Annual Summit to Present “Declaration for Independence” and Discuss State Long Term Services and Supports Programs
Four members of the NAB told an audience of legislators from across the country that the NAB’s Call to Action to transform our health care system to address long term services and supports was about people, not programs. Len Kirschner, Rob Sweezy, Jane Woods and Chuck Graham spoke to the National Conference of State Legislators on a panel entitled “Transforming the Systems of Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities.” The panel was moderated by Senator Renee Unterman (GA) who also serves as the Chair of NCSLs Human Services and Welfare Committee.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (August 31 - September 4)

Database of Disciplined Nurses Still Off-Limits to Nursing Homes and Hospitals (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, September 4, 2009)
The Department of Health and Human Services over the years has kept hidden from nursing homes and hospitals a database of nurses and other healthcare workers who have been disciplined by state licensing boards, according to a radio news outlet.

As Recess Winds Down, Congress Readies for Healthcare Reform Battle (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, September 2, 2009)
Congress is preparing to return to Washington D.C. after an eventful August recess. Democrats and Republicans are looking to ramp up efforts at passing, or, in some cases, derailing healthcare reform.

The National Advisory Board (NAB) was Invited to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Annual Summit to Present “Declaration for Independence” and Discuss State Long Term Services and Supports Programs
Four members of the NAB told an audience of legislators from across the country that the NAB’s Call to Action to transform our health care system to address long term services and supports was about people, not programs. Len Kirschner, Rob Sweezy, Jane Woods and Chuck Graham spoke to the National Conference of State Legislators on a panel entitled “Transforming the Systems of Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities.” The panel was moderated by Senator Renee Unterman (GA) who also serves as the Chair of NCSLs Human Services and Welfare Committee.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (August 24 - August 28)

Long-Term Care Association Mourns Death of Kennedy (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, August 27, 2009)
Among those honoring the memory of Sen. Edward Kennedy, who died late Tuesday, was the long-term care community.

Half of Americans Could Catch Swine Flu, Healthcare Workers Still Reluctant to Get Vaccinated (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, August 26, 2009)
Slightly less than half the population of the United States could become infected with the H1N1 flu this fall and winter, according to a presidential panel. That trails findings that healthcare workers are still hesitant about receiving the H1N1 vaccine.

New CMS Rule to Eliminate Section of MDS, Revise RUGs (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, August 25, 2009)
A controversial new rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid rule will recalibrate Medicare case mixes under the Resource Utilization Group (RUG) system. Specifically, it will eliminate a section of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) and change the RUG classification process for short-stay residents.

The National Advisory Board (NAB) was Invited to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Annual Summit to Present “Declaration for Independence” and Discuss State Long Term Services and Supports Programs
Four members of the NAB told an audience of legislators from across the country that the NAB’s Call to Action to transform our health care system to address long term services and supports was about people, not programs. Len Kirschner, Rob Sweezy, Jane Woods and Chuck Graham spoke to the National Conference of State Legislators on a panel entitled “Transforming the Systems of Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities.” The panel was moderated by Senator Renee Unterman (GA) who also serves as the Chair of NCSLs Human Services and Welfare Committee.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (August 17 - August 21)

Proposed Cuts Would Reduce Nursing Home Medicare Payments by $44 Billion Over 10 Years, AHCA Finds (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, August 21, 2009)
A House healthcare reform bill and a new government regulation together would cut Medicare payments to nursing homes by $44 billion over 10 years. That is according to a new analysis by the American Health Care Association.

U.S. Life Expectancy Rises to New Record in 2007 (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, August 20, 2009)
Life expectancy in the United States reached a new high in 2007, according to preliminary data released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meanwhile, the mortality rate fell for the eighth straight year.

H1N1 Vaccine to be Available in the Fall, CDC Says (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, August 17, 2009)
Shipment of the vaccine for the H1N1 virus will begin in mid-October, according to a recently released “planning Q&A” from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Administration of the vaccine is expected to begin in the fall, the agency said.

The National Advisory Board (NAB) was Invited to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Annual Summit to Present “Declaration for Independence” and Discuss State Long Term Services and Supports Programs
Four members of the NAB told an audience of legislators from across the country that the NAB’s Call to Action to transform our health care system to address long term services and supports was about people, not programs. Len Kirschner, Rob Sweezy, Jane Woods and Chuck Graham spoke to the National Conference of State Legislators on a panel entitled “Transforming the Systems of Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities.” The panel was moderated by Senator Renee Unterman (GA) who also serves as the Chair of NCSLs Human Services and Welfare Committee.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (August 10 - August 14)

New Congressional Report Lends Credibility to End-of-Life Provision in House Reform Bill (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, August 14, 2009)
A report released this week has found that end-of-life planning and discussions both improves quality of life near death and is associated with less aggressive and less costly care.

Obama Addresses Rumors About Healthcare Reform, Accuses Opponents of Using Scare Tactics (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, August 12, 2009)
President Barack Obama attempted to clear up misconceptions about healthcare reform in a town hall meeting Tuesday. One rumor he addressed is that reform would create government death panels that would “pull the plug on grandma.”

Obama, AARP Begin Push to Win Seniors’ Support for Reform (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, August 11, 2009)
Proposed cuts to Medicare and misinformation about advance care planning in legislation have raised concerns among seniors over healthcare reform. Now the Obama administration is facing an uphill battle to win over this reluctant group of voters, recent news articles say.

Martinez to Resign, Tennessee Senator Likely to Become Ranking Member of Aging Committee (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, August 10, 2009)
Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL), who is ranking member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, disclosed on Friday that he stepping down as senator.

The National Advisory Board (NAB) was Invited to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Annual Summit to Present “Declaration for Independence” and Discuss State Long Term Services and Supports Programs
Four members of the NAB told an audience of legislators from across the country that the NAB’s Call to Action to transform our health care system to address long term services and supports was about people, not programs. Len Kirschner, Rob Sweezy, Jane Woods and Chuck Graham spoke to the National Conference of State Legislators on a panel entitled “Transforming the Systems of Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities.” The panel was moderated by Senator Renee Unterman (GA) who also serves as the Chair of NCSLs Human Services and Welfare Committee.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (August 3 - August 7)

Senate Committee Close to Bipartisan Health Reform Deal (The Washington Post, August 6, 2009)
The Senate Finance Committee is closer to reaching bipartisan agreement on a health care reform bill that eventually would give 94% of Americans health coverage. The legislation trims $100 billion from the expected trillion-dollar cost over the next 10 years, expands Medicaid, requires changes from health insurers and drops the idea of a public insurance option. It also would, for the first time, tax health care benefits in the most generous insurance plans.

Schwarzenegger Tells Congress That States Can’t Afford Proposal to Expand Medicaid Program (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, August 5, 2009)
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) sent a letter to federal lawmakers deriding a certain Medicaid provision in healthcare reform legislation. He also praised some newly proposed congressional long-term care financing models.

Long-Term Care Associations to Battle Medicare Cuts During Congressional Recess (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, August 4, 2009)
Congress may take a recess this month, but the long-term care community isn’t planning on it. Instead, the associations will be working to urge lawmakers not to cut millions in Medicare payments from nursing homes as part of healthcare reform.

Senate to Hold Off on Healthcare Bill Mark-Up Until After Summer Recess (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, August 3, 2009)
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) has made it clear that his committee would not finish deliberation on its healthcare reform proposal before the summer recess begins this Friday.

The National Advisory Board (NAB) was Invited to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Annual Summit to Present “Declaration for Independence” and Discuss State Long Term Services and Supports Programs
Four members of the NAB told an audience of legislators from across the country that the NAB’s Call to Action to transform our health care system to address long term services and supports was about people, not programs. Len Kirschner, Rob Sweezy, Jane Woods and Chuck Graham spoke to the National Conference of State Legislators on a panel entitled “Transforming the Systems of Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities.” The panel was moderated by Senator Renee Unterman (GA) who also serves as the Chair of NCSLs Human Services and Welfare Committee.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (July 27 - July 31)

States May Suffer in Long Run With Cuts to Services for Elderly, News Accounts Suggest (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, July 31, 2009)
In an effort to overcome budget deficits for the new fiscal year, many states have reduced Medicaid spending on services for low-income seniors. And that could have negative long-term implications, according to news reports.

Obama Talks Healthcare Reform with Seniors at AARP Town Hall Meeting (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, July 29, 2009)
President Barack Obama Tuesday fielded questions about healthcare reform at a tele-town hall meeting sponsored by AARP, a powerful seniors advocacy group. He discussed living wills, Medicare Part D, and when he can expect his own AARP card.

Some Healthcare Groups, Lawmakers Slam Proposal for New Agency Governing Medicare Rates (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, July 28, 2009)
President Obama has proposed creating a new executive agency, the Independent Medicare Advisory Council, to set Medicare payment updates. So far, that idea is meeting strong resistance from the healthcare community, according to recent reports.

House Leadership Considers Bypassing Committee to Speed Vote on Healthcare Reform Bill (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, July 27, 2009)
House leaders are keeping all options on the table on a healthcare reform vote as the Aug. 7 congressional recess date nears. Among the possibilities is their bypassing the Energy and Commerce Committee and sending their healthcare reform package straight to a floor vote.

The National Advisory Board (NAB) was Invited to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Annual Summit to Present “Declaration for Independence” and Discuss State Long Term Services and Supports Programs
Four members of the NAB told an audience of legislators from across the country that the NAB’s Call to Action to transform our health care system to address long term services and supports was about people, not programs. Len Kirschner, Rob Sweezy, Jane Woods and Chuck Graham spoke to the National Conference of State Legislators on a panel entitled “Transforming the Systems of Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities.” The panel was moderated by Senator Renee Unterman (GA) who also serves as the Chair of NCSLs Human Services and Welfare Committee.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (July 20 - July 24)

The National Advisory Board (NAB) was Invited to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Annual Summit to Present “Declaration for Independence” and Discuss State Long Term Services and Supports Programs (July 24, 2009)
Four members of the NAB told an audience of legislators from across the country that the NAB’s Call to Action to transform our health care system to address long term services and supports was about people, not programs. Len Kirschner, Rob Sweezy, Jane Woods and Chuck Graham spoke to the National Conference of State Legislators on a panel entitled “Transforming the Systems of Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities.” The panel was moderated by Senator Renee Unterman (GA) who also serves as the Chair of NCSLs Human Services and Welfare Committee.

House, Senate Leaders Back Away From August Deadline for Healthcare Reform (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, July 24, 2009)
President Barack Obama’s August deadline for healthcare reform was always an ambitious goal. Ultimately, it is proving a little too difficult to achieve as legislators on the Hill Thursday said they plan to regroup after the upcoming recess.

White House backs Medicare Cost-Cutting Mechanism, Centrists Say (The Wall Street Journal, July 22, 2009)
Democratic centrists said they secured a verbal commitment from the White House to support a proposal that would give the executive branch power to implement Medicare spending cuts based on the recommendation of independent experts. They said the White House also verbally agreed to include the measure in the House health care bill.

Healthcare Reform Could Hurt State Medicaid Programs, Governors Say (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, July 21, 2009)
Democratic and Republican governors may not see eye to eye on many issues, but they have similar opinions on one issue: healthcare reform. Efforts to reform the system won’t do enough to curb spending and could wind up costing the states billions of dollars they don’t have, they believe.

Daschle: Nursing Home Administrators Should Organize Politically to Boost Awareness of Long-Term Care (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, July 23, 2009)
Congress needs to better understand the role of long-term care in healthcare reform, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle said at a healthcare quality summit in Washington on Monday.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (July 13-July 17)

From MedPAC to IMAC: Obama Would Hand Medicare Pay Rate Decisions to New Independent Council (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, July 17, 2009)
The Obama administration has begun the process of shifting control over Medicare rate adjustments for nursing homes, hospice and other providers away from Congress and toward a new, five-member independent executive agency, according to recent reports.

Senate HELP Committee Passes Kennedy Bill; Providers Worry About Companion House Plan (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, July 16, 2009)
As fallout from the House healthcare reform plan continued to rain down Wednesday, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee passed its own reform proposal.

U.S. House Healthcare Reform Bill Formally Unveiled (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, July 15, 2009)
The U.S. House of Representatives officially released its version of healthcare reform legislation Tuesday. And, as requested by President Obama, the reform package should come to a vote by the August recess, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (July 6- July 10)

Letter asks House Chairmen to Remove Proposed Skilled Nursing Cuts from Healthcare Reform Bill (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, July 9, 2009)
A draft of House healthcare reform legislation is set to slice $44.9 billion in nursing home funding over the next decade, according to a group of senior care advocates. The coalition sent a letter to powerful House leaders urging them to reconsider such cuts.

Sebelius Praises CLASS Act (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living)
The Senate proposal to create a national long-term care disability insurance program Tuesday gained the key support of President Obama and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

Pharmacy Pits House Against Senate in Debate Over Coverage of Dual Eligibles (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, July 7, 2009)
Dual-eligible seniors are caught in a Capitol Hill cross fire over a pledge from the pharmaceutical industry to reduce costs by $80 billion, according to reports from Washington.

Hospital Groups to Contribute $155B for Health Care Reform (The Washington Post, July 7, 2009)
Three hospital groups, including the American Hospital Association, agreed to provide $155 billion over the next decade to help cover the cost of health insurance reform under a new deal with Obama administration officials and the Senate Finance Committee, two industry sources revealed.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (June 29- July 3)

Supreme court ruling cited in argument for removing mentally ill from nursing homes (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, July 1, 2009)
A 10-year-old Supreme Court ruling is being dusted off to make the case for taking the mentally ill out of nursing homes and supporting them in the community and at home.

CBO: Disability insurance program proposal would save $59 billion over 10 years (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, June 29, 2009)
The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that a legislative proposal for a disability insurance program would save $59 billion between 2010 and 2019. Also, if implemented, this program would lead to savings of $2.5 billion for the Medicaid program over that period, the public-sector think tank said late last week.

Archives

Weekly News Wrap-Up (June 22- June 26)

Senate Aging Committee Hearing Focuses on Hurricane, Disaster Preparedness in Nursing Home (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, June 25, 2009)
The Senate Special Committee on Aging met Wednesday to address the importance of emergency and disaster planning and the need for improved coordination between policy makers and long-term care providers.

Congress to Hold Off on Long-Term Care Reform, Financial Web Site Report (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, June 24, 2009)
Congress continues to wrestle with healthcare reform. Meanwhile, a Web site for financial advisers reports that legislators are likely to steer clear of long-term care reform because of the potential cost of universal healthcare and other general healthcare reform challenges.

CMS Nursing Home Guidance Focuses on Resident Quality of Life, Environment and Choice (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, June 22, 2009)
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Friday issued new guidance for nursing home surveyors emphasizing the importance of resident quality of life and homelike environments.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (June 15-June 19)

Blog: Congress Airs Concerns on Long-Term Care Insurance (New York Times, June 16, 2009)
As many as 7 million Americans have long-term care insurance policies, and many states confronting burgeoning deficits are urging consumers to buy this type of insurance as a way to protect Medicaid budgets.

Obama Opens the Door for Drastic New Medicare, Medicaid Cuts for Nursing Homes (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, June 16, 2009)
Frayed nerves were showing in the provider community Monday after President Obama announced his intentions Saturday to cut $313 billion more from Medicare and Medicaid over the next 10 years. The proposed new cuts are in addition to the $635 billion in Medicare and Medicaid spending reductions already included in the president’s FY 2010 budget, and include billions in potential payment reductions.

Cantwell-Kohl Bill Would Create Incentives for States to Increase Home- and Community-Based Services at the Expense of Nursing Homes (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, June 15, 2009)
A newly proposed bill would reform long-term care by offering more Medicaid money to states for home- and community-based healthcare programs.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (June 8-June 12)

Acting Surgeon General Stresses Falls Reduction as Part of ‘Healthy Homes’ Program (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, June 12, 2009)
Acting Surgeon General Steven K. Galson, M.D., said this week he will make prevention of senior falls one of the top priorities of his new program, “The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Promote Healthy Homes.”

Number of Nursing Home Beds, Residents Decreasing, Report Finds (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, June 11, 2009)
The number of both nursing home beds and nursing home residents in the United States declined between 1999 and 2004, according to the recently released results of the National Nursing Home Survey: 2004 Overview.

Kennedy Unveils Sweeping Healthcare Reform Bill with Long-term Care Provisions (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, June 10, 2009)
Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) on Tuesday released a massive healthcare reform bill that includes long-awaited provisions for long-term care services and supports.

Decision Makers Differ on How To Mend Broken Health System (The Washington Post, June 9, 2009)
Nowhere else in the world is so much money spent with such poor results.

Amid Healthcare Reform Frenzy, AAHSA Continues Push for Long-term Care Reform (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, June 9, 2009)
Despite concerns that potential healthcare reform legislation will exclude a long-term care piece, the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging is keeping the pressure on lawmakers to consider providers’ needs.

Nortel Clinic Showcases Health Care Technology in Action (The Dallas Morning News, June 8, 2009)
Nortel Networks has set up a prototype medical clinic in Richardson, Texas, to showcase how hospitals and health care providers can use technology to treat patients more effectively and operate more efficiently. Nortel builds on already accepted technologies, such as Wi-Fi, cell phones and RFID. For example, Nortel has built an electronic notification system for hospitals that allows physicians to sign off on patient discharges more quickly.

Protecting the Value of Long-Term Care Insurance (The Hill, June 8, 2009)
Recently, the Special Committee on Aging examined the long-term care insurance industry. One of the current limitations this industry faces is how to manage the high cost of long-term care.

Weekly News Wrap-Up (June 1-June 5)

Nursing Home Lobbyists Urge Lawmakers for Change but Don’t Expect Long-Term Care Reform (McKnight’s Long Term Care News & Assisted Living, June 5, 2009)
Hundreds of nursing home owners and operators blitzed Congressional buildings in Washington on Wednesday, pressing lawmakers for better Medicare payments, a halt to post-acute payment bundling system talk and other improvements. But one thing they weren’t expecting to make much progress on was long-term care reform.

Obama Supports Requiring Health Insurance for all (The Washington Post, June 4, 2009)
President Barack Obama, in a letter to Sens. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and Max Baucus, D-Mont., supported the idea of requiring everyone to have health insurance, if such a plan included a “hardship waiver” for small businesses and low-income people. Obama also said he “strongly” believes in having a public-plan option for health care coverage, alongside private plans.

Health Insurers Balk at Some Change (The New York Times, June 3, 2009)
The insurance industry says it wholeheartedly embraces a health care overhaul, promising Congress and the president that it will make it much easier for individuals to buy insurance on their own.

New Insurance Proposal Would Help Pay for Nursing Home Stays for Disabled (McKnight’s Long Term Care News & Assisted Living, June 3, 2009)
A provision in Sen. Ted Kennedy’s (D-MA) healthcare overhaul proposal would automatically enroll workers in a disability-insurance program. This would help pay for nursing home costs for the disabled before Medicaid payments kick in, according to recent reports.

Obama Urges Quick Action on Insurance (New York Times, June 2, 2009)
President Obama on Tuesday affirmed his support for the creation of a government-sponsored health insurance plan, but he acknowledged that such a plan would sharply reduce the chances for Republican support of legislation to overhaul the health care system, Democratic senators said.

CMS Pilot to Test Incentives for Nursing Home Care (The Wall Street Journal, June 1, 2009)
The CMS this summer will launch a pilot program to see if incentives can improve the care provided by nursing homes, with a focus on improvements in nurse staffing and preventable hospitalizations. The agency also has posted information online about nursing home rankings, based on government inspection results, quality measures and staffing information.

Health Groups Detail Ways to Lower Costs (Houston Chronicle/The Associated Press, June 1, 2009)
Several health industry groups, including AHIP and the American Medical Association, presented proposals that could help the Obama administration reduce medical costs over 10 years. Efficient use of medical services, better chronic-disease management, and administrative and business developments are key areas for savings, the groups said.

View Video From The National Day of Dialogue, May 21, 2009

Our National Day of Dialogue on May 21, 2009 was a successful start to the need for more discussion on long term care and independent living options.  To view the full video and submit your own comments and questions,visit:

• English Version
• Spanish Version

You may also view an abbreviated summary of the full video here:

What about long-term care?

Howard Gleckman, USA Today

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Forgotten in today's health care reform debate: The frail elderly and the disabled, who need a little help, not just high-tech medicine.

PRESS RELEASE 5/5/09: National Advisory Board Issues ‘Declaration for Independence’

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America's healthcare and long-term services need to undergo a radical, modern transformation to meet the needs of today's seniors and people with disabilities, according to a report released today by a 15-member private, national advisory board.

The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Improve the Health and Wellness of Persons with Disabilities

Office of the Surgeon General, January, 2008

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The Surgeon General is the nation’s top public health officer. The President of the United States appoints the Surgeon General to help protect and promote the health of the nation.

America’s Regional Demographics in the ‘00s Decade

The Brookings Institute, November 2006

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In the first decade of the 21st Century, it is becoming clear that America's demography will become far more multifaceted than we have known in the past. Two of the main demographic engines, propelling these changes, are discussed in this report: first, we examine the rise in America's senior population, which will be propelled by the beginning wave of aging Baby Boomers; and second, the rise of new minorities, Hispanics and Asians, that is propelled by the huge, recent immigration to the United States.

Advancing Self-Sufficiency for Medicaid Beneficiaries

Meeting the Challenges of the Olmstead Mandate, Rutgers, March 2008

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As states move forward with multiple strategies to support community living for all individuals with disabilities and to promote the principles of person-centered planning, these additional tools and strategies provide complimentary opportunities to accelerate the achievement of inclusive outcomes. With states becoming more advanced with the development of person directed budgets, there are additional opportunities to connect to supports outside of Medicaid funding that provide additional value in the pursuit of an individual's preferences and choices. The blending and braiding of these asset-building opportunities--with the benefits of Money Follows the Person and individual control and direction of person-centered budgets--will bring states closer to the true meaning and intent of the Olmstead decision.

http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/1986/toward.htm

By the National Council on Disability, February 1986

The National Council on the Handicapped is charged by statute with reviewing Federal laws and programs affecting persons with disabilities and assessing the extent to which they "provide incentives or disincentives to the establishment of community-based services for handicapped individuals, promote the full integration of such individuals in the community, in schools, and in the workplace, and contribute to the independence and dignity of such individuals."

A Balancing Act: State Long Term Care Reform

AARP Public Policy Institute, July 2008

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This AARP Public Policy Institute research paper examines the extent to which states have balanced the delivery of Medicaid-funded long-term care (LTC) services and supports to people in their homes (or in more home-like settings in their communities) and in institutions. What is unique about this report is its primary focus on older people and adults with physical disabilities separate from other LTC populations, such as people with developmental disabilities. The paper explores what states have been able to accomplish under current Medicaid law and addresses the impact that federal policies have on the states' ability to balance service delivery.

Building on the Ticket

Ticket to Work Final Report to the President and Congress, December 2007

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The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act (the Act) was signed into law on December 17, 1999. The overwhelming bipartisan support of the legislation demonstrated the evolution of thinking and attitudes about the interest in and capacity of people with disabilities to work, contribute to our nation's economy, and reduce their reliance on public benefits. Congress made clear its intent "to redesign government programs to help individuals with disabilities return to work," which "may result in significant savings and extend the life of the Social Security Trust Fund."

The State of 21st Century Financial Incentives for Americans with Disabilities

National Council on Disability, August 11, 2008

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This report introduces a new vocabulary as a way to define financial incentives, track their major outcome and impact, and apply this methodology to the study of a number of key incentives. It also provides research findings from a review of the literature in six selected domains: education, employment, transportation, health care and long-term services and supports, income maintenance and asset development, and housing. In addition, this report analyzes research on promising state innovations and introduces a new framework based on four case studies presented with a cost-benefit analysis. The report comprises five chapters.

Creating Livable Communities

National Council on Disability, October 31, 2006

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Creating Livable Communities presents six strategies or policy levers, gleaned from the two previous research reports, that can be implemented on the federal and local levels to promote collaboration and coordination and support livable community objectives. Each of these strategies is illustrated by actual promising practices at both the federal and state levels that can be adapted and replicated elsewhere. It should be noted that these general policy levers and specific illustrative examples were selected from a vast array of actions that can be taken to address the various elements of community livability.

Frameworks of Integrated Care for the Elderly: A Systematic Review

CPRN Research Report, April 2008

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This literature review found promising indications that some models of integrated health and social care for the elderly can result in improved outcomes, client satisfaction and/or cost savings or cost-effectiveness. A substantial and growing body of knowledge is developing about the features of projects that are successful in achieving at least one or more outcome measures. Four frameworks were located; some are more detailed than others and some, more comprehensive in their scope. Notwithstanding their differences, there is congruence across the frameworks in most of their key elements. Among the key elements of these frameworks and in the literature in general are four types of interventions that must be structured in ways that are supportive of each other (Kodner, 2006).

This is the Story of the Most Fearless Entrepreneur Ever: The Human Brain

John Hockenberry

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When you think disability, think zeitgeist. I'm serious. We live at a time when the disabled are on the leading edge of a broader societal trend toward the use of assistive technology. With the advent of miniature wireless tech, electronic gadgets have stepped up their invasion of the body, and our concept of what it means and even looks like to be human is wide open to debate. Humanity's specs are back on the drawing board, thanks to some unlikely designers, and the disabled have a serious advantage in this conversation. They've been using technology in collaborative, intimate ways for years - to move, to communicate, to interact with the world.