CAREGIVERS USA NEWS
Vol. I, No. 8
December 23, 2002
CHRONIC CARE CONSUMES HALF OF HEALTH CARE SPENDING
A study by The Johns Hopkins University finds 60 million people with chronic conditions represent more than half of all health care spending today, while the health care system remains oriented towards acute care. "People with multiple chronic conditions are the heaviest users of health care services and need a health system different from what is generally available today," said Gerard Anderson, PhD, national program director of Hopkins' Partnership for Solutions.
http://atsh.org/news/chartbook.html
CAREGIVERS GIVING MORE THAN CARE
A survey by the Medicare Rights Center finds that 21 percent of caregivers spend between five and ten hours each day caring for a relative or friend. Some 52 percent of respondents reported that they sacrifice their own health in order to perform their caregiving duties.
http://atsh.org/news/mrc_study.html
ST. LOUIS CAREGIVER HONORED
When Elizabeth Simmons realized her aging mother needed fulltime care, she quit her high-paying state job and moved into her mother's South St. Louis home. Simmons was honored for her efforts recently by St. Andrew's At-Home Services, a private, non-profit Episcopal-Presbyterian organization. More than two dozen nominations were received.
http://atsh.org/news/simmons.html
SENIORS TO CONSTITUTE 51% OF HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS
A report by Solucient says that in 25 years, U.S. hospitals could annually admit nearly 9.8 million more seniors than current levels, a 78% increase. Seniors are expected to account for the majority of total U.S. hospitalizations by 2027, with 51% of admissions and 59% of all beds, the study finds. The report attributes the growth to demographic factors such as the aging of the baby boom generation, increasing life expectancy and immigration.
http://www.solucient.com
IN-HOME MEDICAID COVERAGE ENDANGERED IN MICHIGAN
Michigan residents with chronic conditions may no longer be able to receive Medicaid coverage for in-home care because of new guidelines being imposed by James Haveman, director of the Michigan Department of Community Health. Haveman's action is based on a decision by Administrative Law Judge Patrick Ketner, who earlier this year ruled that the state did not have to cover in-home care for a disabled man. State officials say that local community mental health boards will still be able to allocate funds for home care if they wish but will not be obligated to do so. The local boards have generally given priority to nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
ARIZONA PLAN EXPANDS MEDICAID TO WORKING DISABLED PERSONS
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson has approved an Arizona plan that allows people with disabilities who return to work to retain their Medicaid coverage -- removing a key barrier and allowing more disabled Arizonans to lead productive lives. "Now, hundreds of people in Arizona will be able to return to work without fear of losing access to medical care for a serious disabling condition," Thompson said.
http://hhs.gov/news/press/2002pres/20021216a.html
NEW HAMPSHIRE PLAN ALLOWS "DIRECTED" SERVICES
HHS also approved a New Hampshire plan to give families with Medicaid-eligible disabled children greater control of the care and services their children receive. This change will make it easier for those children to remain in their own homes. The New Hampshire waiver is the first of its kind under HHS' new "Independence Plus" initiative, which makes it easier for states to apply for waivers that give consumers more control of home- and community-based services through the state's Medicaid program.
http://atsh.org/news/self_direct.html
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NO NEWSLETTER NEXT WEEK
The next Caregivers USA News will be published Jan. 6, 2003. The editors wish you a happy and blessed holiday season.
"Every night a child is born is a holy night."
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Caregivers USA news is published by the Thou Shalt Honor Foundation. The editor is James R. Hood, who can be reached at jhood@thoushalthonor.org
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Copyright © 2002, Thou Shalt Honor Foundation
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