CAREGIVERS USA NEWS

Vol. I, No. 23
April 14, 2003

CONGRESS ADOPTS BUDGET WITH FUNDS FOR MEDICARE RX
The House and Senate were at odds before and after razor-thin votes to approve a final budget resolution. The measure includes $400 billion for a Medicare prescription drug benefit program and averts House Republicans' attempts to cut spending on Medicaid and other programs.

SOCIAL INSURANCE PRINCIPLE IMPORTANT, GROUP SAYS
The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare was quick to caution Congress about turning Medicare over to private insurers. Medicare's "social insurance principle" is important and must be maintained, the group said. It said there has been "no evidence" that private insurers are stable enough to take over Medicare coverage.

MORE NURSING HOME BANKRUPTCIES
Chapter 11 filings by two more nursing home chains brought expressions of outrage from the American Health Care Association. “These disastrous developments underscore the consequences and human costs associated with the federal government’s egregious implementation of Medicare cuts, and continuing to side-step resolving a reimbursement crisis that grows worse, and more dangerous for the frail, elderly and persons with disabilities in our nation, by the day,” said the association's president.

MEDICARE+COST STUDY MAY HOLD LESSONS FOR MEDICARE REFORM
A study released by the Commonwealth Fund finds that seniors enrolled in Medicare+Choice managed-care plans are paying more for less -- as premiums and co-pays rise and benefits erode. The study may hold valuable lessons for those now trying to "reform" Medicare, the study's authors said.

STUDY: PREMIUMS OUTPACE COSTS
Rising insurance premiums are not only the result of rising health care costs, a study released by the American Hospital Association finds. The study found that premium increases outpaced actual costs and says the decreased competition due to consolidation in the insurance industry and heighted profit targets are big contributors to the price hikes.

NURSING HOME CARE INADEQUATE, U.K. STUDY FINDS
In a study that should sound familiar to Americans, the British Medical Society surveyed U.K. nursing homes and found that patients get too little beneficial medication, too much dangerous medication and not enough coordination of care for chronic conditions.

NEW HANDBOOK FOR STROKE CAREGIVERS
An education and support group for stroke caregivers has published a handbook for those caring for victims of stroke, the leading cause of long-term disability. The guide is based on the shared experiences of stroke caregivers and is available free at the group's Web site.