CAREGIVERS USA NEWS
Vol. I, No. 26
May 5, 2003
WILL JUNE BE "MEDICARE MONTH"?
The White House wants June to be the month that Congress revises Medicare and sends legislation to President Bush for his signature. But Democrats caution against holding your breath. The last several Congresses have tried and failed to "reform" Medicare and there's no guarantee this time will be the charm. On one thing most observers agree: the Bush plan to put a $250,000 cap on malpractice pain and suffering awards is dead and likely to remain so.
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HOW SHALL OUR LIVES BE MEASURED?
Caregiving is essentially spiritual. It is ministering to the spirits of our brothers and sisters in their time of great need. Every religion places supreme importance on this holy mission, yet in the daily rush of trying to do more with less, our spiritual fires can sometimes flicker. Reignite your inner flame with the latest title in the & Thou Shalt Honor video library -- Spiritual Caregiving, just released in VHS. See a preview and order your copy now.
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HHS PUBLISHING HOME HEALTH QUALITY DATA
As it did earlier with nursing homes, the Department of Health and Human Services is publishing comparative quality data about home health agencies. The first data set covers eight states, with all 7,000 Medicare-certified home health agencies to be rated later this year. HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson says the data can help consumers and their families choose the best home health agency for their needs.
INTEREST IN ADULT FOSTER CARE GROWING
Although it is presently a small part of the long-term care picture, foster care for chronically ill adults and the elderly is getting a second look as its economic, social and personal benefits are recognized. Recent articles and Senate testimony place the cost of living with a "foster family" at about half that of nursing home care.
MORE ADULT DAY CENTERS NEEDED, STUDY FINDS
A Robert Wood Johnson Fondation survey of adult day care in the United States finds that the current number of adult day centers — 3,407 — falls far short what is needed. It estimates that about 8,520 adult day centers are needed nationwide to meet current demand for services. The survey also found that there is an increase in the frailty of participants in adult day centers and the percentage of dementia clients is increasing.
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HOW MANY LEAVES FALL IN THE FOREST?
We don't know but we do know this - caregiving professionals who list their services in the Caregivers-USA.org "Family Tree of Elder Caregiving" database benefit from more than 100,000 hits per day. Advertised on affiliated sites and through the Google AdWords program, Caregivers-USA.org can help clear the brush from your promotional budget.
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73 RURAL HEALTH PROGRAMS GET HHS GRANTS
HHS has announced nearly $13.8 million in first-year funds for 73 Rural Health Outreach and Network Development grants to strengthen health care systems in rural communities and encourage innovative approaches to rural health care delivery. 53 outreach grants fund coalitions of at least three health-related organizations to stimulate innovation in health care delivery in rural areas. 20 rural health network development grants provide support to rural-based health care organizations to work collaboratively to integrate administrative, clinical, financial or technology-related activities
THE DIRECT APPROACH
A shadowy enterprise called Direct One LLC has been helping itself to money, usually $61.02, from the bank and credit card accounts of consumers, many of them elderly, who generally have no idea how the company got their name and account number. However, a few dogged consumers have connected the dots. Some of them seem to lead to the doorsteps of a certain large bank. Others lead to pop-up ads for everything imaginable. Eventually, Direct One will be nailed. But it will be replaced by others, so the best defense is to carefully check bank and credit card statements promptly and to immediately contest any suspect charges. And, of course, close pop-ups immediately.
DON'T KEEP IT TO YOURSELF
Something on your mind? We'd like to hear about it. We welcome submissions of guest editorials, op-eds, commentaries, innovative ideas ... you name it. We also welcome press releases about what your organization is doing. Don't be shy; if you don't have a press agent, just send us a simple email and tell us what you'd like others in the caregiving field to know. Use our Contact form, email info@caregivers-usa.org or fax us at 800 779-0816.
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