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.