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Important Info on Access to Home and Community-Based Services

New AARP Report Finds Older Americans Have Limited Access to Home and Community-Based Services under Medicaid

In Nevada, 68 percent of Medicaid LTC funds for older people spent on nursing homes

WASHINGTON—A new report by AARP’s Public Policy Institute finds mixed results and promising signs among state government efforts to balance long-term care (LTC) options under Medicaid. Unfortunately, according to the report, only four states spent more than 50 percent of their Medicaid LTC dollars for older people providing home and community based services (HCBS). In Nevada, 68 percent of Medicaid LTC dollars for older people and adults with physical disabilities who have limited financial resources are steered to nursing homes.

The report, A Balancing Act: State Long-Term Care Reform, is the first to examine Medicaid spending on long-term care for older people and adults with physical disabilities, separate from other LTC users such as people with mental retardation/developmental disabilities (MR/DD).

Nationally, 75 percent of Medicaid LTC spending for older people and adults with physical disabilities pays for institutional care in nursing homes. In contrast, states have done a much better job balancing Medicaid LTC for people with MR/DD, spending just 39 percent on institutional care. The majority of funds now support people in home and community-based settings.

“We recognize the success state Medicaid programs are having providing home and community based services to people with mental retardation/developmental disabilities,” said Nevada State Director Carla Sloan.“It proves that balancing long-term care is doable and should be used as a model to help states provide home and community based services for older adults.”

During the recent special legislative session to deal with the budget shortfall, AARP Nevada fought to protect the home and community based services offered in the state by keeping the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement from being securitized. The funds from the tobacco settlement are the backbone of the home and community based service network. These are the services that help people live in their communities. If these services are eliminated then thousands of Nevadans may face having to go to a nursing home.

Also highlighted in the report are best practices from states that are making progress balancing LTC options. Alaska, Oregon, Washington and New Mexico spent more than 50 percent of their Medicaid LTC budget for older people and adults with physical disabilities in 2006 on HCBS. These states embraced a philosophy of delivering services in a way that allowed older people the greatest independence. The ability of some states to accomplish substantial reforms for older people and adults with physical disabilities – as well as increased HCBS options for MR/DD – demonstrates that obstacles to balancing LTC options can be overcome.

The report examines Medicaid LTC funding because it is the primary payer for LTC in the country. “This underscores the need for better government and private sector financing options for long-term care. Americans have few options to plan and pay for their long-term care. Balancing Medicaid LTC options will require a commitment from our state officials and cooperation from federal authorities. HCBS can be both cost-effective and responsive to the preferences of older people and adults with disabilities,” said Sloan.

The new report includes state rankings and can be found at: http://www.aarp.org/research/longtermcare/programfunding/2008_10_ltc.html.

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.

Added: July 11, 2008
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Senate Does the Right Thing on Medicare Bill Second Time Around

WASHINGTON—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 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.”

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 34 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to daily 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.

Added: July 10, 2008
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Nevada Must Protect Tobacco Settlement Funds

Selling Off Tobacco Settlement Money Short-sighted

Loss would impact up to $1 million in Federal matching funds

(Las Vegas, Nev) Selling or “Securitizing” the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, an estimated $1.2 billion dollars the state is to receive over the next 17 years, has been proposed as a way to dig out of the financial hole the state finds itself in. We would get $600 - $700 million in cash now, less than half the full settlement. We would also forego federal matching dollars in excess of $1 million per year and any interest that might accrue on unused funds.

The tobacco settlement money provides services for Nevada’s most vulnerable populations—prescription drug coverage of the Nevada’s senior and disabled populations, family caregiver support programs, Alzheimer’s respite care, and home and community based service grants are just a few of the programs supported.

“When you find your self in a hole you need to stop digging,” said Barry Gold, Director of Government Relations for AARP’s Nevada State Office. “Selling the Tobacco MSA will devastate the senior services across the state and create a bottomless hole for senior services so deep we will never get out of it.”

Services provided by the tobacco funds include Senior Rx and Disability Rx –which offers assistance paying for medicines of over 6,950 disabled and low income seniors across the state are invaluable to those who are living at the margin. Without this assistance frail elderly and the disabled would be forced to pay much more in out-of-pocket expenses. Many simply would not be able to afford the medicine they need.

Tens of thousands of Nevadans are living at home with the help of services provided by local agencies due to the Independent Living Grants program funded by the Tobacco settlement. These services are designed to keep people living in their communities as independently as possible and to prevent the need to move into institutions. Staying in your community is where people want to be – and costs the state and taxpayers much less than living in an institution.

Added: July 7, 2008
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Ensign Votes to Block Medicare Bill

NEVADA STATE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION AND AARP CRITICIZE SENATOR ENSIGN FOR BLOCKING BILL

TO PROTECT ACCESS TO DOCTORS AND IMPROVE MEDICARE

Asking for Nevdans to Call on Senator Ensign to Reconsider and Support Bill that Stops Cuts to Doctors and Keeps Medicare Fair

[Las Vegas, Nev] -- Gridlock has paralyzed the U.S. Senate, derailing a critical bipartisan bill that would have stopped a 10 percent cut to doctors who treat Medicare patients, kept Medicare premiums fair, and made significant improvements to a program that 44 million Americans depend on.

Last week, Senator Ensign joined a minority of Senators in voting to block legislation that would have helped people on Medicare maintain access to their doctors, keep premiums fair and improve benefits for the most vulnerable while boosting health care quality through national e-prescribing. The Senate vote on the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (H.R. 6331), which passed by a bipartisan landslide in the House of Representatives, was purposely scheduled for June 26 so it would become law before the cuts to doctor payments were to go into effect on July 1.

"We are deeply troubled that Senator Ensign voted to block a bill with bipartisan support that would have preserved patients’ access to their doctors and improved Medicare for the 44 million Americans who depend on it,” said AARP State Director Carla Sloan. “For the sake of older Americans, people with disabilities and military families, we urge Senator Ensign to listen to his constituents and reconsider his vote when the bill comes up again after the congressional recess.”

In addition to preventing a 10 percent cut to payments to doctors, the Medicare bill would have: helped keep premiums fair; strengthened protections for lower income beneficiaries; improved Medicare’s coverage of preventive services, and made Medicare more efficient through electronic prescribing. The Senate is currently scheduled to reconsider H.R. 6331 immediately following the July 4th recess.

“Because of Senator Ensign’s vote, the Senate went home for July 4 recess leaving care for our nation’s seniors, disabled individuals, and military families hanging in the balance,” said Larry Mattheis, executive director for the Nevada State Medical Association. “We call on Senator Ensign to reconsider his vote and return to Washington to do what’s right – vote to ensure patient access to care and improve health security for 44 million Americans.”

Throughout the debate on Medicare legislation, AARP and Nevada State Medical Association have engaged their members in the fight to keep Medicare fair and protect access to doctors. Hundreds of thousands of AARP supporters, including nearly 7,800 people in Nevada, called and emailed Congress, signed petitions, wrote letters to their local papers, and participated in Keep Medicare Fair events around the country over the last several weeks. In addition, more than 41,000 patients and physicians called Congress in June through the AMA grassroots hotline, and the AMA is airing new radio and television ads that urge opponents of H.R. 6331 to put patients’ access to care before insurance profits by voting for the bill as soon as they return to Washington from their holiday recess.

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Added: July 7, 2008
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Nevada senior services at risk to balance budget

Save Services for Seniors!

Nevada’s Special Legislative Session may slash senior services across the state and force people into nursing homes if they cannot get help to stay in their homes. We all know “there's no place like home.”

There is a proposal to sell the Tobacco Settlement. The Tobacco Settlement funds the backbone of services for older adults across Nevada. If they are sold help cover the deficit, Nevada could lose over a MILLION DOLLARS a year in Federal funds and services that help seniors stay in their homes will be cut.

You Can Help

Tell Governor Gibbons and your Legislators NOT to sell the Tobacco Funds. Call immediately – the Special Session begins Friday June 27. Selling our Tobacco Funds is a BAD IDEA.

Phone:

1-800-992-0973 can connect you to Governor Gibbons and to your State Legislators.

Email:

Governor: www.gov.state.nv.us

Legislators: www.leg.state.nv.us

Tell Governor Gibbons, your State Senator, and your Assemblyman NOT to sell the Tobacco Funds. SAVE SENIOR SERVICES because “there's no place like home.”

Added: June 26, 2008
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Nevada's Clark High School Receives $10,000 Award from AARP

AARP Donates More Than $1 Million to Public Schools

In Nevada, Clark High School’s Challenge Program Receives a $10,000 Award

(Las Vegas, NV) In celebration of AARP’s 50th Anniversary and to recognize the outstanding educational achievements in public high schools throughout the nation, AARP today announced the winner of Nevada’s Ethel Percy Andrus Legacy Award.

Clark High School’s Challenge Program, an inner-city, teacher-led program providing students in average-level classes with a community of support for honors-level courses, has won the Legacy Award and received $10,000 for their innovative approach to learning. The program has been in place for four years. Of the 22 students who started the Challenge program as freshmen, 100 percent graduated and 90 percent are attending post-secondary education after graduating last year. This year’s starting class boasts more than 150 students.

“The Challenge Program gave me the tools and support I needed to overcome language barriers and make the difficult decision to retake classes I had already taken in the Philippines,” said Ryan Ordinario. “CCSD wouldn’t accept all of the high school credits from my former school, so I was forced to retake a number of classes. The Challenge Program really helped me get through what could have been a very difficult time.”

Public high schools in cities designated as focal points of AARP’s 50th anniversary celebrations were eligible to compete for the $100,000 awards. In addition, public high schools in all U.S. states and territories were eligible to compete for $10,000 awards honoring innovative programs. In total, AARP received nearly 1,000 applications from public schools throughout the nation and granted an Innovation Award to one public high school in every US state including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia.

AARP has donated more than $1 million to support educational programs across the country which have demonstrated a commitment to connect generations and foster greater civic engagement among students and their communities.

AARP was founded 50 years ago by Ethel Percy Andrus, a retired teacher and principal from California. “Dr. Andrus was a champion for all generations who believed, as we do today, that the generations are connected by a strong commitment to values, community and service,” said AARP CEO Bill Novelli. “These awards not only pay tribute to the legacy of Dr. Andrus, but also underscore our continued intergenerational commitment to recognize and encourage educational achievements in communities throughout the nation. Congratulations to all of the winning schools.”

Additional information about AARP’s 50th Anniversary is available at www.AARP.org and on http://www.aarp.org/aarp/50thAnniversary/.

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: May 2, 2008
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Forclosure Prevention Seminar-Reno, May 9

Washoe County Senior Services

Senior Law Project

Presents as part of our celebration of

Older Americans Month

A Seminar on Foreclosure Prevention

with

Guest Speaker

Catherine Cortez Masto

Nevada Attorney General

Introduction by Washoe County Commissioner Kitty Jung

Come join us on May 9th, 2008

9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Reno Senior Center

Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto will lead a two-hour program discussing foreclosure prevention. Other presenters including housing counselors and lenders, will describe the ABC’s of the foreclosure process and explore strategies to resolve what may appear to be impossible circumstances. Evolving standards for loan modifications and the rights of renters in foreclosed property will also be discussed.

Additional Guest Speakers:

Jill Perry - Consumer Credit Affiliates

Sheila Walthers - Mortgage Lending Division

Nancy Hamilton- Wells Fargo Mortgage

And others

For additional information contact 328-2592

Added: May 2, 2008
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AARP Day at Reno Sr. Center, May 8 -- Join Us

AARP 50^th Anniversary Celebration

and

Day of Service Event

Thursday

May 8, 2008

9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Reno Senior Center

1155 E. 9th Street

Join us for AARP Day at the Reno Senior Center, Thursday, May 8, which is AARP’s annual Day of Service and part of AARP’s 50^th Anniversary Celebration.

There will be an exhibitors’ fair, a series of presentations on becoming

involved in representative government, a luncheon, and an opportunity to learn from a local pharmacist about managing your prescription medications.

Since AARP turns 50 this year, we’re celebrating as we reflect on our 50 years of service to all Americans while looking forward to the next 50 years. So . . . of course, cake will be provided.

Day’s Activities

9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Exhibitors’ Fair & Ongoing Presentations

9:30–10:30 a.m.

AAUW & AARP Presentations on Citizen Activism and

How to Get Involved

10:30–11:30 a.m.

Issues That Matter—Presentation by AARP with

community legislators

11:30 a.m.

Divided We Fail Luncheon Presentation (lunch is available at a nominal cost-be sure you make reservations . . . see below)

1:00 p.m.

Conversation with Your Local Pharmacist

RSVP for the luncheon only by calling toll free

1-877-926-8300. There’s no need to RSVP for the rest of the

event activities.

Questions about the event? Call the AARP

Nevada state office at 1-866-389-5652

Added: April 25, 2008
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Teams are forming now for the Las Vegas Heart Walk

2008- Start! Las Vegas Heart Walk- presented by the Valley Health System

WHAT: More than 5,000 people are expected to attend the 2008 Heart Walk, a fundraising event for the American Heart Association. Teams of families and companies in Las Vegas will collect donations and participate in the 5K walk. A significant portion of the proceeds will fund biomedical research and education programs, and further the outreach efforts of the American Heart Association in Nevada. There is no registration fee to participate in the event, though participants are encouraged to raise at least $100. Walkers who raise more than $100 are eligible to receive a complimentary Heart Walk t-shirt and other prizes.

WHERE: Mountain’s Edge Master Planned Community

Exploration Park – Blue Diamond & Buffalo

WHEN: Saturday, October 11, 2008

Registration opens at 8:00 a.m., warm up will begin at 8:45 a.m.

The Walk starts at 9:00 a.m. Food, entertainment, Kids Zone, and fun fair will take place

throughout the Walk. There will also be numerous Educational Pavilions relating to the

Healthier Generation (Children’s Heart Information), Heart Disease, Stroke, Go Red for

Women, and Survivors.

WHY: Heart disease remains Nevada’s #1 killer, out of every 3 deaths in Nevada, 1 is

attributable to heart disease or stroke. Cardiovascular disease & stroke are, respectively,

the number one and number three causes of death in the United States, claiming more

than 1 million lives each year, which is 1 death every 33 seconds. Out of every 2.5

deaths, 1 is attributable to heart disease and stroke. Many of these deaths are preventable

through simple lifestyle changes such as dietary adjustments, smoking cessation and

regular exercise, combined with healthy monitoring by a physician.

HOW: Numerous sponsorship opportunities exist for community organizations. Registration is free for families and companies that are forming walk teams. For more information or to obtain a registration form please call (702) 367-1366 or visit www.lasvegasheartwalk.org

CONTACT: Lynleigh Johns

Director of Business Development- Heart Walk

Lynleigh.Johns@Heart.org

American Heart Association

(702) 367-1366

Added: April 23, 2008
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Medicaid Safety Net Protected by U.S. House

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 23, 2008

Contact:

Deborah Moore

702-938-3237 desk/702-496-8135 mobile

AARP Thanks Shelley Berkley for Supporting Bill to Protect People In Medicaid

Association urges Senators Reid and Ensign to quickly pass companion bill

and send measure to President

April 23, 2008—AARP thanks the supporters and cosponsors of the Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008, which passed today in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill prevents massive increases in costs for people in Medicaid by stopping harmful cuts proposed by the administration.

“Today’s vote is a victory for all Nevadans who rely on Medicaid as the safety net of our health care system,” said Nevada State Director Carla Sloan. “With 47 million Americans already uninsured, our country and our state cannot afford to make it any harder for our most vulnerable to pay for their health care.”

AARP thanks Shelley Berkley, the member of the Nevada’s delegation who cosponsored the bill and provided critical support in gaining unanimous passage of this legislation first in the Energy & Commerce committee and today in the full House.

In Nevada, state Medicaid director Chuck Duarte said that the proposed rules would cost the state more than $62 million.

While AARP supports smart policies to stop fraud, waste and abuse in Medicaid, the cuts proposed by the administration threaten the integrity of the program and shift unreasonable costs to the people in Medicaid and the states.

“We’re proud that U.S. Representative Shelley Berkley recognized the harm the administration’s proposals would have done to people in Nevada’s Medicaid program, and we thank her for acting swiftly and with such wide, bipartisan support to stop these cuts,” said Sloan. “We now urge Senator Ensign, and of course Senator Reid, to vote to protect Medicaid as the Senate considers this measure.”

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: April 23, 2008
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My Journals (74)