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STATE LEGISLATION & POLICY
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1. Florida expands consumer-directed care
Under a newly-approved plan, Florida will allow more consumers to direct their own Medicaid home and community-based care services. Currently, some Florida beneficiaries can participate in this program, which evolved from the federal Cash and Counseling demonstration. The new plan will allow more consumers from all over the state to participate. Consumers and their families will be involved in planning all aspects of service delivery, including hiring and supervising providers. Additional information: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2003pres/20030530b.html
2. Illinois caregiver legislation
A bill by Illinois State Representative Saviano (R-Elmwood Park) has unanimously passed the House and awaits action by the Senate. The Illinois Family Caregiver Act (H.B. 1196) would create a multi-faceted family caregiver support program. The intent of the program is to offer assistance and support to unpaid family caregivers who provide in-home and community care to older individuals. More details: http://housegop.state.il.us/detail_content.asp?id=139
3. Maryland report on HCBS services
A new report by The Lewin Group analyzes Maryland's Medicaid services for older persons in the state. "Older Adults Waiver for Home and Community Based Services" includes several recommendations, such as simplifying and expediting the eligibility and provider enrollment process; promoting accountability; and utilizing local infrastructure. The report also explores the option of creating a single point of entry for beneficiaries. Read the report: http://www.lewin.com/Spotlights/Features/Spotlight_Feature_MDWaiver.htm
4. New Hampshire enacts end-of-life bill
New Hampshire has enacted legislation (H.B. 831) that would create a study commission on end-of-life care. The commission would oversee a broad range of goals, including ways to educate and train caregivers about end-of-life care needs. Further details: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/index/
FEDERAL LEGISLATION & POLICY
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5. Mikulski introduces caregiver tax credit legislation
U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD) has introduced a bill to assist caregivers with the often high costs of caring for a loved one. The Family Caregiver Relief Act of 2003 (S.1214) would provide a tax credit of up to $5,000 to help pay the expenses of families who care for loved ones with chronic care needs. More details: http://mikulski.senate.gov/~mikulski/press/03/06/2003610409.html
6. House bill provides LTCI and caregiver tax benefits
Representative Nancy Johnson (R-CT) has introduced the Long-Term Care and Retirement Security Act of 2003 (H.R. 2096). The legislation would provide a $3,000 tax credit to an individual with long-term care needs or to their caregiver. H.R. 2096 would also allow persons with long-term care insurance (LTCI) to deduct the cost of the premiums. More details: http://thomas.loc.gov
7. CMS Real Choice Systems Change grants
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the availability of funding for the next round of Real Choice Systems Change grants. Funds are available in a variety of categories, including Respite for Adults; Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement in Home and Community-Based Services; and Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Initiative. Grants range from $100,000 to $4.4 million. Additional information: http://cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom/default.asp
8. AoA grants for disability centers
The U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) has announced the availability of funds for aging and disability resource centers. Under the new grant program, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will support state efforts to develop the resource centers to provide long-term care information to consumers. HHS is soliciting proposals from states to create the centers with grants of up to $800,000 for three years. Any state agency is eligible to apply. More information: http://www.aoa.gov/press/news/2003/05_May/052903.asp
9. AoA town hall listening session in Baltimore
The U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) will hold the next "Town Hall Listening Session" on July 16, 2003 at the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. Older people, their families and caregivers and members of the National Aging Services Network are encouraged to participate. The goal of the event is to determine ways to empower older people and their families to make informed decisions about their care options and ways to build on the success of the National Family Caregiver Support Program and the new AoA/CMS Aging and Disability Resource Center grants program. More details: http://www.aoa.gov/press/town_hall_meetings/thm.asp
10. House hearing on consumer direction
The U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health recently held the hearing, "Consumer Directed Services: Improving Medicaid Beneficiaries' Access to Quality Care." The hearing, held June 5, 2003, included testimony on the Cash and Counseling demonstration program, as well as state perspectives on consumer-directed services. View a webcast of the hearing or get more details:
http://energycommerce.house.gov/108/Hearings/
06052003hearing949/hearing.htm
11. Federal recommendations on dementia screening
Sponsored by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has found that evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against routine screening for dementia in older adults. The task force found, however, that primary care clinicians should remain alert to signs of dementia whenever deterioration is suspected based on direct observation, patient report, or concerns raised by family members, friends, or formal care providers. Additional info: http://www.ahrq.gov/news/press/pr2003/dementpr.htm
RESEARCH & REPORTS
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12. New research indicates Americans not clear on LTC coverage
A new study released by the American Society on Aging (ASA) finds that most Americans over the age of 44 view long-term care (LTC) as an important health care issue, yet have done little or nothing to prepare for the often high costs associated with financing a long-term care need. More details on the ASA study: http://www.asaging.org/media/pressrelease.cfm?id=35
13. Caregiving and work report
The National Alliance for Caregiving has made available "The MetLife Study of Sons at Work: Balancing Employment and Eldercare." This study was conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving and Towson University's Center for Productive Aging for the MetLife Mature Market Institute. The report includes information on the typical male caregiver; the differences and similarities of male and female caregivers; and how to manage the effects of caregiving on work. Read the report: http://www.caregiving.org/SonsAtWork.pdf
JOURNAL ARTICLES
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14. Psychosocial interventions for dementia caregivers
The May 2003 edition of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society includes "Meta-Analysis of Psychosocial Interventions for Caregivers of People with Dementia." The authors found that some caregiver interventions both reduce the psychological impact of caregiving, as well as help the person with dementia stay at home longer. Read the abstract:
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1034/j.1600-0579.2003.00210.x/abs/
CONFERENCES, MEDIA & MISCELLANEOUS
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15. New resources on long-term care
The Georgetown University Long-Term Care Financing Project has made available several publications on long-term care. The goal of the project is to elevate discussions of policy initiatives to improve long-term care financing that assures access to needed services. The goals of the project are to pursue analysis designed to stimulate public policy discussion about current long-term care financing and ways to improve it. Download the publications: http://ltc.georgetown.edu/papers.html
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For questions or further information about Family Caregiver Alliance's National Center on Caregiving, contact us at [email protected].
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©2003 Family Caregiver Alliance
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