CAREGIVERS USA NEWS

Vol. I, No. 34
June 30, 2003

PLEASING ALL OF THE PEOPLE ALL OF THE TIME?
Abraham Lincoln, a pretty prominent Republican and a politician of consummate skill, said it couldn't be done but Republicans are hoping that their Medicare prescription drug bill will please all of the people ... at least until the 2004 elections. Key factions include seniors, the drug and healthcare industries and the conservative wing of the GOP. That would take a pretty strong prescription and might qualify as a medical miracle ... but, who knows, it just might happen if the fragile compromise worked out in the House and Senate last week can withstand the brutal lobbying onslaught that the next few weeks will bring.

FRAUD FROM A TO Z
One big fear cited most often is that Medicare fraud will increase when the prescription drug bill becomes law. Maybe so, but it's important to keep track of who commits most of that fraud. It's the drug companies and healthcare providers, not the frail elderly. Take the recent felony case involving AstraZeneca, for example, in which some $40 million was allegedly stolen from the American taxpayer.

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EXTENDED ONCE AGAIN -- THE NEWSLETTER SPECIAL

Because of continued interest and inquiries, our special sale of two exciting and inspirational titles from the Caregivers Resource Library has been extended once again. Many of you have told us you had trouble with our PayPal online ordering system so we have added instructions on how to pay by check.

Get "Spiritual Caregiving" and "The Aging Game" for less than the regular price of the "Aging Game" alone. The overwhelming response to this special offer -- for readers of this newsletter only -- has not extremely gratifying and we are happy to extend it so no one misses out.
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HHS LAUNCHES ROAD SHOW FOR MEDICARE CHOICE
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson sent the government's four top doctors on a cross-country "Better Benefits Tour" last week, proselytizing for the Bush Administration's Medicare prescription drug benefit bill. The Secretary sent Surgeon General Richard Carmona, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Julie Gerberding, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Mark McClellan, and National Institutes of Health Director Elias Zerhouni out to stump for the Administration's program.

HELP FOR CAREGIVERS WHO WORK
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has completed a project that provides the tools and information a caregiver needs when helping an individual with Medicare anticipate, plan for, and act on crucial Medicare decisions. Specific target audience is caregivers who work. Employers are the conduit for information delivery.

VIDEO TO DOCUMENT GREENHOUSE PROJECT
A grant from the Hulda B. and Maurice L. Rothschild Foundation will support production of a video documenting the creation of the Green House Projects, the effort to build more humane living centers for frail elders. The grant will support well-known filmmaker/producer Dale Bell to document the first Green House Project in the nation, now under way in Tupelo, Mississippi. The educational video will be made available to others with interest in developing Green House Projects. A premier is being planned for September 16 in Washington, DC.

BIG INSURERS DOWNGRADED
General Electric Capital Assurance Company, Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company, and Clarica Life Insurance Company were among 54 companies downgraded by Weiss Ratings, Inc., in its recent review of 1,144 life and health insurers. A total of 21 companies, including Healthy Alliance Life Insurance Company, CIGNA Worldwide Insurance Company, and American Community Mutual Insurance Company, won upgrades

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IN FULL BLOOM
The Caregivers-USA.org "Family Tree of Elder Caregiving" elevates community awareness of caregiving and caregiving service providers. Our expanded Web directory makes it easier for caregivers and families to find you! Advertised on our affiliated sites and through the Google AdWords program, more than 150,000 hits per day lead to Caregivers-USA.org. Proceeds help cover the cost of building, maintaining and advertising the database.
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HHS APPROVES NEW YORK PLAN FOR WORKING DISABLED
HHS has approved New York's plan to extend Medicaid benefits to thousands of the state's working disabled who otherwise would not have health care coverage. "With this change, thousands of people with disabilities in New York will no longer have to choose between taking a job and having health care," HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said. With the approval, New York officials expect more than 20,000 people to enroll in the new program over the next five years.

AGENCY WINS AWARD FOR "THOU SHALT HONOR" CAMPAIGN
VERB Communications of Baltimore was awarded First Place for a Public Service Campaign by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Maryland chapter. The award recognized the promotion efforts of a 2002 campaign for the PBS television program And Thou Shalt Honor: Caring for our Aging Parents, Spouses and Friends. The show aired on public television stations nationwide last October.