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My Journals (19)

 

Getting the right care in the right way at the right time
 
Health Care Quality and Patient Safety 101 seminar empowers patient/doctor relationships
 
 
Are you getting the most out of your health care visit? These days most doctors and other health providers are pressed for time and sometimes it feels like there isn’t time to chat and asking questions.
 
Join AARP, the Oregon Patient Safety Commission and the Oregon Health Care Quality Corporation on Tuesday, July 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to learn useful tools and resources for managing the quality of your own health care, including a patient empowerment presentation by Natanya Alon of the National Partnership for Women & Families.
 
Health Care Quality and Patient Safety 101
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Monarch Hotel and Conference Center
12566 SE 93rd Avenue, Clackams
Right off the I-205 exit at Sunnyside Road/Sunnybrook Blvd.
 
Refreshments and lunch provided along with free admission.
 
Space still available. Please RSVP and register at 1-877-926-8300 (toll free). For more information please call 866-554-5360 or email oraarp@aarp.org.
Added: July 22, 2008
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For Immediate Release

July 15, 2008

Contact:

Sara Wurfel, 503-513-7367 or swurfel@aarp.org

Medicare Override a Victory for America’s Health Care

AARP: “Today’s demonstration of bipartisanship offers promise for our work in the coming years to broadly reform our health care system.”

WASHINGTON, July 15 - AARP CEO Bill Novelli issued the following statement on this evening’s overwhelming votes by the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate to override a White House veto and pass the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act:

“Tonight’s votes for the Medicare bill are a victory, not just for older Americans, but for the future of American health care.  This legislation makes immediate improvements to Medicare, helping people afford their health care and better ensuring access to their doctors. 

“This law also lays the groundwork, in statute and in spirit, for broader health care reform.  By instituting a system of electronic prescribing, this bill will reduce errors and improve efficiency while setting the stage for greater use of health information technology.

“Looking ahead, today’s demonstration of bipartisanship offers promise for our work in the coming years to broadly reform our health care system.  By breaking down partisan divisions and gathering overwhelming support from Republicans and Democrats, this law proved that lawmakers can still set aside their differences and work toward meaningful policy. 

“We thank Congress for listening to their constituents—including more than one million messages from AARP volunteers and activists—and keeping Medicare fair.  We are optimistic that both parties can work together next year to make broad health care reform a reality.”

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Added: July 16, 2008
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For Immediate Release

July 15, 2008                                                                                                       

Contact:
Sara Wurfel, 503-513-7367 or swurfel@aarp.org
   
AARP thanks Congress for keeping Medicare fair, overriding White House veto
Bipartisan bill improves low-income help and boosts quality through national e-prescribing, helps ensure access to doctors
 
SUMMARY: Today the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate voted overwhelmingly to override a White House veto and pass important Medicare legislation. The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act will improve Medicare’s low-income programs, boost health care quality with a system of national e-prescribing, and help ensure the access of patients to their doctors.
 
Oregon
VOTED YES TO PASS MEDICARE BILL
VOTED NO ON MEDICARE BILL
US House
 
 
Blumenauer, Earl
X
 
DeFazio, Peter
X
 
Hooley, Darlene
X
 
Walden, Greg
X
 
Wu, David
X
 
US Senate
 
 
Smith, Gordon
X
 
Wyden, Ron
X
 
** How a legislator votes on issues is only one factor in evaluating his or her legislative performance, which should also include such things as constituency services and committee work.
 
“Today’s vote is a victory for the 44 million Americans – nearly 572,000 of them in Oregon – who depend on Medicare, and we applaud Oregon’s Congressional Delegation for their continued support,” said Jerry Cohen, AARP Oregon State Director. “This bipartisan legislation will help more Oregonians and Americans afford their health care bills while bringing doctors offices and pharmacies into the 21st century with e-prescribing.”
 
AARP has been advocating for several months to ensure that lawmakers keep Medicare fair for the people who depend on it when Congress addresses physician payment cuts. AARP has also been advocating for this bill’s improvements to Medicare, particularly the low-income programs and electronic prescribing.
 
Since launching the “Keep Medicare Fair” initiative in April, AARP’s grassroots volunteers and activists have sent more than 1.2 million messages to Congress and the White House.  As part of this effort, an AARP survey released May 19 found that of adults 50-plus, 81 percent oppose additional increases to Medicare premiums and 66 percent are less likely to vote for a Member of Congress who supports those increases.
 
AARP notified the 110th Congress that it was tracking roll call votes on key legislation important to its 39 million members and reporting the outcomes of these votes back to its members.
 
“We believe people make the right choices when they understand the issues and positions taken by their elected officials. AARP intends to ensure that its members get that information,” Cohen  concluded.
 
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world’s largest-circulation magazine with over 33 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP’s 39 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
 
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Added: July 16, 2008
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July 11, 2008

Contacts:

Washington, DC: Jim Dau or Drew Nannis, 202-434-2560

Oregon: Sara Wurfel, 503-513-7367 or

swurfel@aarp.org

 

 

AARP announces next steps on Medicare bill

Latest nationwide efforts to thank supporters in Congress, call for full enactment

 

Nancy LeaMond, AARP’s Executive Vice President of Social Impact, today announced the Association’s next round of activity to encourage the enactment of the Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008. 

 

After having been passed by both chambers of Congress with veto-proof margins, the bill now sits with the President.  Administration officials have indicated his intention to veto the bill. 

 

"We’re hoping for the best and preparing for everything else," said LeaMond.  "We are not taking any signature or vote for granted.  We’ve come too far in this campaign to let up at the end."

 

Earlier today, AARP and its volunteers began reaching out to the White House encouraging the President’s signature of the bill.  AARP CEO Bill Novelli is sending a letter to the White House asking the President to reconsider his intention to veto given the bill’s strong bipartisan support.  The White House also received more than 45,000 emails on Friday from grassroots volunteers encouraging the President to sign the bill today.

 

AARP is also launching a national effort to thank the overwhelming bipartisan majority of Representatives and Senators who voted to pass the bill and ask them to continue their support in the event of a vote to override a presidential veto. 

 

AARP’s activities early next week will include:

 

AARP’s activities early next week will include:

  • Coordinated visits from constituents to Washington and district offices of the bill’s supporters;
  • A national write-in effort from volunteers to opinion-leaders and news outlets;
  • Ads placed in key outlets encouraging a veto override, if necessary; and
  • Continued grassroots contacts to legislative offices.

 

Since launching its national Keep Medicare Fair campaign in April, AARP volunteers have sent more than 910,000 emails, phone calls, faxes and petition signatures to Congress in support of a bill to improve and protect Medicare.

 

"After months of debate on how to strengthen and protect Medicare, we finally have a bill that would improve low-income, prevention, and mental health programs, and boost health care quality through national e-prescribing," added LeaMond.  "We are confident and hopeful that this bill, which has earned broad bipartisan support, will become law."

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Added: July 11, 2008
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 July 11, 2008

Contact: Sara Wurfel, 503-513-7367 or swurfel@aarp.org

 Too Few Seniors Get Home Care, AARP report finds Medicaid limits access;                                    Oregon leads country in providing home & community-based options, but state’s system needs much shoring up

Even though most older Americans would prefer to receive care at home rather than in nursing homes, many states have been slow to reform their Medicaid programs to make that choice widely available. Instead, most states have done a much better job of using Medicaid dollars to help people with developmental disabilities remain in their homes and communities than to help older people and adults with physical disabilities.

 

Those are among the findings in A Balancing Act: State Long-Term Care Reform, a report released July 11 by the AARP Public Policy Institute. The report is the first ever to examine Medicaid spending specifically for older people and adults with physical disabilities, as distinct from other groups needing long-term care.

 

The study yielded surprising data. “We really didn’t realize how far behind services for older people were, compared to services for people with developmental disabilities,” says Enid Kassner, the institute’s director of independent living and long-term care, and lead author on the report.

 

For years AARP researchers had examined annual data from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services showing the extent to which states were balancing Medicaid dollars between nursing home care and home- and community-based services. It appeared that states were making steady progress toward offering alternatives. “But when we broke out the numbers,” Kassner says, “there were pretty dramatic differences in serving different populations.”

 

Seventy-five percent of Medicaid spending on long-term care for older people and adults with physical disabilities goes to nursing home care. In contrast, most Medicaid dollars for people with developmental disabilities go toward services that can help them live independently.

 

A major barrier to leveling the playing field is Medicaid’s institutional bias. Medicaid is required to provide nursing home care for ailing older adults who are impoverished. The program is not required to provide home- and community-based care, even though it is often less expensive than nursing home care.

 

“This is backwards,” Susan Reinhard, senior vice president of the Public Policy Institute, said in a statement when releasing the report. “People are entitled to more costly nursing home care, but not to care in their homes.”

 

Despite federal rules that hinder states’ ability to balance Medicaid funds between nursing home care and home- and community-based services, a handful of states have succeeded in tipping the scales. In 2006, Alaska, Oregon, Washington and New Mexico spent more than half of their Medicaid long-term care budgets for older people and adults with physical disabilities on services that allow them to live at home or in the community.

 

These successes, Kassner says, “have shown that it can be done. It is not mission impossible. But it really takes a lot of work, and it takes a commitment from state officials. They have to embrace the philosophy that people have the right to control their own care. If the state doesn’t believe that, they’re not going to make it happen.”

 

Nationwide Medicaid spending on home- and community-based services for older people and adults with physical disabilities increased by 65 percent from 2001 to 2006, while Medicaid spending on nursing home care increased 16 percent. But nursing home funding began at higher levels, and the rate of change was not evenly distributed among the states. Indeed, more than half the states boosted funding for nursing home care more than for home-based services. If recent rates of change continue, the nation will not reach a 50-50 spending balance between the two types of care until 2020.

 

Changes in funding are not the only indicator of progress, however, because of differences in cost. The amount of Medicaid dollars that can pay for home care for nearly three people on average can only pay for nursing home care for one.

 

AARP researchers therefore also looked at changes in participant data over a five-year span, from 1999 to 2004. A state might be behind the national average in terms of spending yet may have reduced the number of people in nursing homes while boosting the number receiving in-home care. “We would call that a partial success,” Kassner says.

 

The report includes a two-page profile of every state, with pie charts showing how the state compares to the national average in terms of balancing funds and a table showing changes in participant data. Each profile describes programs and progress within that state.

 

AARP will host an Innovations Roundtable in August, inviting state officials and advocates to use the report and share information on best practices.

 

Because Medicaid is the primary payer for long-term care, how a state uses those funds can affect its long-term care infrastructure. If most of a state’s Medicaid budget goes to nursing home care, the market for entrepreneurs to develop businesses offering in-home care may be inadequate. As a result, even people who pay for long-term care out of their own pockets may have a hard time finding in-home services.

 

On the other hand, among states that have invested in home-based care, several have established a “single point of entry” to the long-term care system, providing one place where state residents can go to get all the information they need about options for care, whether they are eligible for Medicaid or not.

 

The national trend toward apportioning some Medicaid funds for home- and community-based services—which began in the 1980s—got a boost from the U.S. Supreme Court in its 1999 Olmstead decision. The high court rejected the state of Georgia’s appeal to keep two women with mental illness and mental retardation in a state psychiatric hospital long after treatment professionals recommended their transfer to a less restrictive community-based setting.   

 

“Older people don’t want to be in institutions, either,” Kassner says. “AARP will have to ramp up its advocacy to remove the disparity in services for different populations. If we’re not going to fight for this, who will?”

Added: July 11, 2008
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Tips on safe and thrifty use of drugs
   
AARP, Walgreens and community partners co-host events in Salem, July 18, and Springfield, July 25
 
 
It’s easy to get a headache from confusion or concern about mixing medications when there are so many options at the drug store and when it is common practice to see multiple specialist doctors. While that headache may be from worry, it could also easily be an unexpected side effect of a combination of prescribed and over-the-counter medications.
 
“It’s important that we are all knowledgeable about our medicines, so that we can use them safely and appropriately – whether you’re an adult caring for your children or aging parents or a senior taking an active role in your healthcare,” said Bandana Shrestha, AARP Director of Community Outreach. “If we are proactive about managing medications, it can end up saving money and time.”
 
Many easy tips can help consumers be more healthy and aware patients, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s recommendation that two medicines that have the same active ingredients should not be used at the same time.
 
Unintended interactions between drugs are considered a medication error. Medication errors encompass all mistakes involving prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, vitamins, minerals, or herbal supplements. A committee of the National Academies found that medication errors are common at every stage, from prescription and administration of a drug to monitoring of the patient’s response. Many responses or side effects can result from inappropriate combinations or expired products which are no longer fully effective.
 
Event Information:
"Ask about your medication" Personal Medication Review
AARP Oregon, Walgreens and community partners in Marion and Lane Couty will host free personal medication consultations, along with available tips and resources.
 
 
Salem
Date: July 18, 2008
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Location: Salem Senior Center, 1055 Erixon Street NE
Registration: Call today to reserve a space at 877-926-8300 toll-free, though walk-ins are also welcome.
The event will provide refreshments and is open to the public.
 
Springfield
Date: July 25, 2008
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C Street
Registration: Call today to reserve a space at 877-926-8300 toll-free, though walk-ins are also welcome.
The event will provide refreshments and is open to the public.
 
 
For more information about wise use of medication, visit www.aarp.org/health/rx_drugs/ or www.oregon.gov/Pharmacy/Patient_Safety.shtml.
Added: July 10, 2008
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For Immediate Release                                                          
July 10, 2008                                                                                            
 
Contacts:
Washington, DC: Nancy Thompson, 202-434-2667
Oregon: Sara Wurfel, 503-513-7367 or swurfel@aarp.org
 
 
AARP: “Identifying At-Risk Drivers Critical to Making Roads Safe– But Alternatives to Driving Also Key”
 
 
In reaction to driver licensing recommendations issued by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety today, AARP released the following statement from Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond:
 
By 2030, more than 71.5 million people will be age 65+ and drivers 65 and older will represent a quarter of all drivers. With less than a generation to spare, we must build consensus around how to keep the roads safe for everyone. We must empower safe drivers to stay on the road for as long as possible, and we must create options for at-risk drivers so they are free to hang up their keys without losing their mobility.
 
“Investment now in research to develop effective ways to identify at-risk drivers will make the roads safer for everyone as our population ages and we applaud the AAA Foundation for affectively addressing part of the challenge of licensing from a variety of perspectives: health, driving fitness, and family and community involvement. Further, AARP supports AAA’s recommendation for regular, in-person driver license renewal for all.
 
“The closer engagement of the medical community and the expansion of services helping at-risk drivers transition out of driving will make it easier for those who should hang up their keys.
 
“AARP is optimistic that by focusing on the challenges raised by a growing population of older drivers, we will help make roads safer for everyone and for generations to come. Left turn lanes and signals, improved lighting and better signage will reduce driving mistakes and save lives of all ages. Cars themselves are becoming safer and emerging technology will improve their safety even more.  
 
“Finally, we all have a responsibility to monitor our own driving skills and those of our family members, young and old.  As today’s report states, ‘Driving is considered a privilege but mobility is a human right . . . people who cannot drive safely should not be allowed to drive, but there must be good options for them to get around once they stop driving.’”
 
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Added: July 10, 2008
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 9, 2008
 
Contacts:
Washington, DC: Jim Dau or Drew Nannis,202-434-2560
Oregon: Sara Wurfel, 503-513-7367 or swurfel@aarp.org
 
AARP: Senate Does the Right Thing on Medicare Bill Second Time Around
 
Bill Novelli, AARP’s Chief Executive Officer, issued the following statement on today’s vote by the Senate to pass the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008. 
 
“They say that life doesn’t give you second chances.  The Senate got a big one this week, and AARP applauds the bipartisan majority of Senators, including Sens. Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden, who voted to pass a bill that would protect and improve Medicare for the 44 million Americans who depend on it.  This bill would allow people in Medicare to maintain access to their doctors, improve benefits for low-income, prevention, and mental health programs, and boost quality through national e-prescribing. 
 
“Today’s vote – which came less than two weeks after a similar effort fell one vote short – mirrored the broad support with which the House of Representatives earlier passed this bill.  This shows what can happen when leaders in Washington break through partisan gridlock.
 
“We hope the President recognizes the overwhelming bipartisan support that passed this bill in both chambers of Congress and signs it into law.”
 
Added: July 10, 2008
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2008
 
Contacts:
D.C.: Jim Dau or Jordan McNerney, 202-434-2560
Oregon: Sara Wurfel, 503-513-7367 or swurfel@aarp.org
 
 
AARP urges senators to support House-passed Medicare bill
 
WASHINGTON—AARP today announced its endorsement of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008. A statement from David Sloane, AARP’s Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy, follows:
 
“With a deadline fast approaching, AARP strongly urges the Senate to support the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act passed by the House earlier this week. This bill will help people in Medicare by maintaining their access to doctors, implementing electronic prescribing and bolstering Medicare’s low-income programs.
 
“Medicare’s low-income programs have been hindered by an unreasonable asset test, which prevented low-income older Americans with even a meager retirement nest egg from getting help with their health care bills. This bill will raise those asset limits, and it will streamline the application process for those in need of extra help.
 
“The bill will also bring our doctors’ offices and pharmacies into the 21st century by implementing a national system of electronic prescribing. E-prescriptions not only eliminate trips to the pharmacy, but help save lives and money by reducing harmful drug interactions.”
 
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Added: June 25, 2008
Views: 84 | Comments: 0 | Bookmarks: 0

 

 

For Immediate Release
May 21, 2008
 
Contact:
Sara Wurfel, 503-706-4634 or swurfel@aarp.org
 
Oregonians of all ages, political affiliations ready for health care reform, AARP survey finds
 
Health care costs and coverage are a big concern for Oregonians of all ages. It’s also time to make quality health care affordable for all, according to the respondents age 35 and older from across the state surveyed in a recent AARP Oregon poll unveiled today.
 
According to the survey, more than nine in 10 respondents – regardless of political ideology or age – say the state of health care in Oregon is in a state of crisis or has major or minor problems (91 percent). Additionally, 89 percent say that it’s important to reduce the number of residents without health care coverage, and 87 percent agree that that all Oregon residents should have access to affordable, quality health care.
 
“We have strong affirmation that fixing health care is highly important, and that doing so isn’t a matter of age or a Democrat or Republican issue, but an Oregonian issue,” said Jerry Cohen, state director for AARP Oregon, with 526,000 members in the state.
 
Of the 821 respondents, 31 percent considered themselves to be Democrat, 34 percent said they are Republican and 24 percent said they are Independent. Over half said they would be more likely to vote for candidates who support a plan that would provide affordable, quality health care for all Oregon residents.
 
“We found that Oregon is generally reflecting trends across the country,” said Dr. JoAnn Lamphere, National Coordinator of State Health and Long-Term Care for AARP Government Relations and Advocacy in Washington, D.C. “We also saw that Oregonians are very concerned and eager for solutions and change. Oregon is hailed as an innovator and really can be a leader in showing the country how to get health care reform done.”
 
The survey also found that there’s a fairly unique problem for those ages 50 to 64: more concern about accessing health care and having to stay in a current job – what’s been dubbed “job lock” –  to keep and have insurance coverage.
 
Support for various general proposals for enacting health care reform was also gauged in the survey. All results were expressed by a majority of respondents, again regardless of age or political party. Overall:
  • Oregonians agree that employers, federal and state government, as well as individuals (ranging from 68 percent to 75 percent) share responsibility in ensuring coverage.
  •  A majority of respondents (62 percent) believe that employers not providing health insurance coverage should pay a fee so the state can help these uninsured workers buy health insurance at an affordable cost.
  • Likewise, survey respondents support (66 percent) requiring all Oregonians to have health insurance, provided there would be assistance for those who need help paying for it.
AARP commissioned the survey, “Ready for Change: AARP Survey of Oregonians Age 35+ on Health Care Reform,” to assess public and member opinion on health care in Oregon and gauge concerns and support for reform efforts to expand and improve health care coverage.  The telephone survey of 821 Oregon residents ages 35 and older was conducted between Dec. 19, 2007 and Jan. 4, 2008 by FGI Research, Inc.  It has a sampling error of +/- 3.4 percent.
 
For more information or to view the complete survey, please visit www.aarp.org/or or e-mail oraarp@aarp.org.
 
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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Added: May 21, 2008
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