Georgia Legislators Mull Health Care Fees

By Shannon McCaffrey
Associated Press
Athens Banner-Herald
January 22, 2010

ATLANTA - Facing a massive gap in Medicaid funding, Georgia's top health official urged state legislators Thursday to raise taxes on hospitals and health care plans.

The state is staring down a $506 million shortfall in Medicaid funds for the fiscal year that begins July 1, according to state Health Commissioner Rhonda Medows.

The recession has caused enrollment in the health program for the needy to soar. Medicaid rolls for low-income residents have jumped 7.7 percent since June to more than 1 million people.

Meanwhile, hundreds of millions of dollars in federal stimulus money is about to dry up.

The state has few options. To participate in Medicaid, it must provide services to the aged, blind and disabled and to low-income children. And because Georgia accepted stimulus cash from Washington, it cannot cut back eligibility on optional programs such as dental coverage and prescription drugs, Medows said.

"We are in a box," Medows told a joint budget panel of state legislators Thursday. "I cannot find $506 million to fill that hole through cuts, program reductions, layoffs."

Gov. Sonny Perdue has put forward a proposal that would charge hospitals and health insurance plans a 1.6 percent fee on their total revenues.

Perdue has been careful to label it a fee, but Medows on Thursday called it a tax - a word that's not popular in the Republican-led Georgia General Assembly.

It's the second year Perdue has pushed the proposal, which would leverage additional federal matching dollars. Last year the plan died amid opposition from conservative Republicans. But federal money also came to the rescue.

This year, unless Congress approves another infusion of federal cash, Georgia will be left to fend for itself.

State Rep. Mickey Channell, R-Greensboro, who oversees health spending on the House Appropriations Committee, said legislators are looking at possible alternatives to Perdue's so-called bed tax.

"The need for additional revenue is real," Channell said. "Our options are all pretty painful." Channell did not elaborate on potential alternatives, but one idea raised in the past was to increase the tax on tobacco products.

Federal and state governments share the costs for Medicaid, the health program for needy residents, and Medicaid spending accounts for 9.8 percent of all state general revenue spending in Georgia.

The recession is straining social service programs at the same time state coffers are running dry.

State Human Services Commissioner B.J. Walker told the legislative budget panel Thursday that in the past two years, Georgia has seen a 39 percent jump in demand for social services programs such as Medicaid, food stamps and welfare.

Originally published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Friday, January 22, 2010

http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/012210/gen_553013236.shtml

© 2010 OnlineAthens • Athens Banner-Herald • Morris Digital Works

AGING & END OF LIFE WEBINAR SERIES

Sponsored By AAIDD – AUCD – The Arc of the US - ANCOR – AAIDD Gerontology Division - RRTC on Aging & DD at the University of Illinois at Chicago

No Registration Fees – You Pay Your Ordinary Long Distance Telephone Charges

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/835020752

Date: Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Time: 1:00 - 2:00 pm Eastern Time

Moderator: Elizabeth A. Perkins, PhD, President AAIDD Gerontology Division

Topic: DEMENTIA AMONG ADULTS with DOWN SYNDROME: Individual Differences in Risk and Progression

Speaker: Wayne Silverman, PhD., Director of Intellectual Disabilities Research, Department of Behavioral Psychology, Kennedy Krieger Institute (KKI) and Associate Director of the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center at KKI and Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Silverman and his colleagues have been studying effects of aging and Alzheimer’s disease on adults with intellectual disability, especially adults with Down syndrome, for over 20 years. Dr. Silverman is an AAIDD Fellow and a past Board member, as well as the immediate past President of The Academy on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Webinar Description: This presentation will provide an overview of currently available information on progression of dementia among adults with Down syndrome. General background material will be presented regarding the connection between Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease, and findings from a large ongoing research program will be presented with an emphasis on individual differences in age of onset of dementia (i.e., risk) and rate of symptom progression.

Additional findings regarding the effectiveness of “cognitive enhancing” medications will also be discussed, as will evidence supporting possible strategies for delaying declines in cognitive and functional abilities in vulnerable individuals.

Target Audience: Anyone interested in dementia and aging with intellectual disability, but especially anyone interested in planning services for elderly individuals with intellectual disability.

FUTURE WEBINARS - MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

3rd Wednesday of the Month
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time

February 17th, 2010: Principles of Medical Ethics in Health Care Provision
Speaker: Michael Henderson, M.D. University of Rochester, Strong Medical Center
Moderator: Renee Pietrangelo, Executive Director ANCOR

March 17th, 2010: Self Advocates Speak Speaker: Pending
Moderator: Pending

April 21st, 2010: End of Life through a Cultural Lens
Speaker: Tawara D. Goode, MA, Director, National Center for Cultural Competence and Associate Director, Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development; Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University Medical Center.

Microsoft Snags Sentillion

Combination of the two systems will streamline access to medical information

by Lalee Sadighi
December 10,2009

Microsoft on Thursday said it has agreed to acquire health care IT company Sentillion for an undisclosed sum.

Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft has made a number of moves in the health care IT industry in 2009, including a deal with the American Medical Association that gives physicians access to patent records through Microsoft's HealthVault, an online application that allows users to store their medical information.

“Combining Sentillion’s products with Microsoft Amalga Unified Intelligence System (UIS) will make it easier for healthcare professionals to deliver better patient care by streamlining access to multiple IT applications and patient data,” the company said in a statement.

Sentillion, a privately held company located in Andover, Massachusetts, supplies software to health care professionals that integrate various types of clinical, business, and personal productivity applications, regardless of whether they are Web-based or Windows-based.

Sentillion’s software is used in more than 1,000 hospitals, according to the software giant.

Unified with its own Amalga UIS, Microsoft hopes to offer an integrated technology that can help health care providers access patient data from multiple sources.

The sale to Microsoft marks an exit for Sentillion backers Newbury Ventures, Polaris Venture Partners, Split Rock Partners, Merril Lynch Ventures, Wall Street Technology Partners, Intersouth Partners, and First Consulting Group.

Microsoft is not the only company showing interest in IT health care. Google, Intel, and Oracle are some of the other contender in the growing health care IT market.

In 2008, Google launched Google Health, its own online resource for storing personal health information and sending data to doctors and other contacts. It also partnered with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in a program that would allow Medicare recipients to enter their Medicare claims into Google Health.

In July, Intel announced that it would install more connectivity options in its Intel Health Guide, a device that allows patients to record their health history and connect with a physician or health care provider. The company also announced that it would invest $250 million over the next five years to further develop health care IT technologies.

As for Oracle, it has developed the Oracle Healthcare Acquisition Corp., whose principal activity is to be in the business of health care industry through acquisitions, mergers, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchases, and other business combinations.

http://www.redherring.com/Home/26253
RedHerring © 2009

Parents, Health Care Providers Push for Change in Wisconsin Autism Proposal

Channel 27 WKOW-TV ABC affiliate, Madison, WI
Dec 02, 2009

MADISON (WKOW) -- Parents and health care providers made their case on what should be included in the state's proposed autism coverage.

The proposal would require insurance coverage of autism spectrum disorders in Wisconsin.

At a hearing Wednesday, people like Dave Moore, asked to consider changes including requiring companies that offer self insured insurance plans to cover autism.

"I understand that this is suppose to protect the smaller companies that insure a handful or two dozen people, but the larger companies that insure hundreds if not thousands should be equally obligated to share the costs of covering our kids," he said.

Wisconsin's Office of the Commissioner of Insurance will be taking comments until mid December.

http://www.wkowtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=11611158

Channel 27 WKOW-TV ABC affiliate, Madison, WI
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2009 WorldNow and WKOW. All Rights Reserved.

Princeton Family Thankful For Transportation

Arezow Doost
PRINCETON
(CBS 11 / TXA 21)

A North Texas family in desperate need of a handicap van got their wish Saturday.

The family from the Collin County town of Princeton will no longer have to cram their disabled little boy in a minivan, and it's all thanks to a non-profit organization.

It's an used 1999 dodge van with 57,000 miles on it.

For the Hicks it's what they've been desperately praying for."It's in great shape!" says Danielle Hicks. "This is going to change the lives of our entire family."

Especially the life of her son Ashley. The 9-year-old has cerebral palsy and dystonia, a movement disorder.

CBS 11 first told the family's story back in August. They showed us the challenges behind getting their son to the doctor in their minivan.

The family heard about the group Free Charity Cars and applied immediately.All summer long they waited for someone to donate a handicap equipped to the non-profit which gives away donated cars to struggling families.

Then in October, they got the call the day before Ashley was set to have brain surgery."The day of his surgery my little red minivan blew up" remembers Danielle.

The family is hoping to sell the minivan and donate the money to Free Charity Cars.

As they look forward to getting used to their new ride, "We can go places as a family where before we didn't."

They say it's already changed their lives."We have been planning trips to the zoo, but I think our first trip will be to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History."

Dallas / Fort Worth Local News
Arezow Doost PRINCETON (CBS 11 /TXA 21)

http://cbs11tv.com/local/ashley.hicks.free.2.1327049.html
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Job Cuts Planned at State Center Due to Cuts in Budget

Shelley Ridenour and Steve Zimmerman
Pauls Valley Daily Democrat
November21, 2009

The papers weren’t pink, but the message was as clear as any pink slip — jobs will be cut at the Southern Oklahoma Resource Center in Pauls Valley.

Last week, 163 SORC employees were given letters asking them to consider quitting their jobs in an effort to reduce staff at the state-run institution.

Employees were offered a “voluntary out benefit,” SORC Director Jeff Livingston said.

State officials say they need to cut 93 positions at SORC, but identified 163 employees to make the offer to, in hopes that 93 will take them up, avoiding any future layoffs.

The staff reduction comes as all state agencies have been directed to cut their budgets because of declining oil and gas revenue to the state.

In the end, at SORC that means staffing will be reduced from 387 today to 294 employees by early 2010.

Employees targeted at SORC were offered a buyout package that includes 18 months of insurance for the employee only, not family members; a half week’s pay for each year worked at the center not to exceed $5,000; and pay for accumulated vacation leave.

Employees have 45 days to accept or decline the offer, according to Jim Nicholson. Nicholson is the director of the developmental disabilities services division of the Oklahoma Human Resources Management Division.

Employees mail their response letters back to Nicholson’s department, which then returns information to Livingston.

It’s a first-come, first-served arrangement and the first 93 people to say “yes,” get the package, Livingston said.

The offer was made to employees only in certain areas at the Pauls Valley center. There are no plans to cut direct health care positions, he said.

“Most of the positions that are being cut are non-health care related positions,” Livingston said.

Meetings were held at SORC to explain the cutbacks, Livingston said.

Despite their anxiety about the cutbacks, his employees did him proud in the meetings, Livingston said.“I sent each of them letters applauding them on their professionalism,” he said.

“This is a very challenging time for our employees and they have shown a great understanding and attitude about the cutbacks.”

The buyouts could be attractive to some employees, the two directors say.“This is a good opportunity for some staff, particularly those near retirement,” Nicholson said. “We understand this is a very personal decision.”

The OKDHS developmental disabilities services division serves about 10,000 Oklahomans with intellectual and developmental disabilities through a variety of community-based programs and two resource centers. The 2009-2010 division budget is $236 million.Currently, 148 clients live at the SORC.

http://www.paulsvalleydailydemocrat.com/local/local_story_325135448.html

Associated Press content © 2009.

State Survey Finds That Office for the Aging Services Help Frail Elderly to Live in Their Homes; 52% of Family Caregivers Couldn't Go On W/O Support

by New York State Office for the Aging

ALBANY, NY (11/24/2009)-New York Office for the Aging today released three new reports indicating that services which provide support to New York family and friends who provide daily care for a loved one enable those receiving care to live independently in their homes and communities and avoid institutionalization. Thirty Eight percent of the caregivers surveyed reported that, without caregiver support, their care receivers would end up in nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

In total, fifty-two percent of the caregivers surveyed reported that their care receivers would not be able to continue to live in the same home if services by local offices for the aging had not been provided, according to one report developed by the NYS Office for the Aging. Significantly, the survey found that Caregivers in New York's aging services network system are providing significant amounts of care, higher than the amount of care reported by caregivers in national studies. For example, caregivers served in New York caregiver support programs report spending an average of 62.6 hours a week providing care. This is considerably higher than the national average of 21 hours estimated in a recent AARP report (2008), which includes caregivers of all ages and all disabilities.

Michael Burgess, Director of the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) said: "These reports confirm the valuable role that family, friends and neighbors play in providing needed health care and long term care services to New Yorkers of all ages." He continued: "With health care and long-term care costs escalating; the growth of the older population and those persons with disabilities; and workforce shortages in home-based personal home care, caregivers are playing an even more critical role in helping people needing assistance to maintain their independence and live in their homes and communities of choice."

Informal caregivers are recognized as the bedrock of community care, providing between 75% and 80% of the daily assistance needed by frail older New Yorkers. In NYS, this care has been valued at more than $25 billion each year by AARP. There are over 2.2 million caregivers in NYS and at any one time during the year, over 3.1 million caregivers who provide help with daily needs.

Director Burgess noted: "The informal caregivers' value to their loved ones, their communities and the state is unmistakable. It is vitally important that we do all we can to support these unpaid caregivers in communities across the state so that they can continue to care for their loved ones."

A typical caregiver in the New York aging network services system is a 64-year-old female, who has either a high school or some college education, spends more than 20 hours a week providing care to her mother and spends an average of 5.7 years providing care to care recipients.
The average age of care recipients in NYSOFA caregiver programs is 82.5. With advanced age, the care recipients are more likely to have health problems and be limited in daily activities of living. They also have a higher probability of entering into a nursing home. One of the reports identifies gaps in caregiver services.

"As we enter Thanksgiving week, and the month of November being Family Caregivers Month, it is an opportune time to thank the thousands of unpaid caregivers across the state for providing care to family members, friends, neighbors and other loved ones, who might otherwise not be able to remain in their homes if not for the care and assistance provided by these caregivers," Burgess said.

The care provided by unpaid caregivers in New York State, if paid for at the current market rate, is valued at $25 billion per year. It is also estimated that caregivers save over $12 billion per year in Medicaid program costs. Businesses are also affected by issues faced by caregivers as almost six in ten caregivers (59%) either work or have worked while providing care. The loss to the economy when a caregiver leaves or loses their job, or fails to work to their full potential is significant. Nationally these losses are estimated to cost businesses $33.6 billion a year, according to a MetLife study.

The New York State Family Caregiver Council's mission is to provide guidance, advice, and recommendations that will enable the state to develop policies and programs that support caregiving for friends, family, or community members of all ages and all levels of ability. The Council reviewed data from the cited surveys to help form recommendations that are part of a full report submitted to the NYSOFA. The Council includes caregivers across the age and care spectrum, community advocates, academic experts in caregiving issues, and New York State government agencies.

NYSOFA advocates for the over 3.2 million New Yorkers who are 60 years of age and older, including at all levels of government and the private sector, with the cooperation of concerned organizations and older persons. In addition, NYSOFA administers federally funded programs under the Older Americans Act and a variety of state-funded programs which serve the elderly.

The reports are as follows:
1) New York State Office for the Aging. (2009). Sustaining Informal Caregivers: New York State Caregiver Support Programs Participants Survey: Report of Findings on the Aging Services Network. New York State Office for the Aging: Albany, NY.
2) New York State Family Caregiver Council. (2009). Supporting and Strengthening Caregivers in New York State: New York State Family Caregiver Council Report. New York State Office for the Aging: Albany, NY.
3) Caprio, T., Katz, P, Karuza, J, and Rehse, D. (2009). New York State Caregiver Services Survey: NY Connects Local Long Term Care Councils' Assessment of Community Caregiver Support Services. Report to the New York State Family Caregiver Council. Finger Lakes Geriatric Education Center of Upstate New York: University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY.

To read or download the reports visit NYSOFA's web site at www.aging.ny.gov.
http://readme.readmedia.com/Giving-Thanks-to-NY-Caregivers/987799
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