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.