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January 24, 2017
Join National Call-In Day, TODAY, to defend America's Health Coverage
Call 866-426-2631 today to contact your members of Congress. You will be asked to enter your five-digit zip code before being transferred to your representative. Urge Congress to:
Show us your ACA plan: Tell your members that any legislation to repeal the ACA must be accompanied by a meaningful and simultaneous replacement plan that provides equal or improved access to affordable health coverage and care.
Protect Medicaid. Tell your members not to cut Medicaid with block grants or caps. Medicaid helps older adults and people with disabilities stay at home, in their communities—where they want to be. Block grants and caps put access to this care at risk.
Keep the Medicare guarantee. Tell your members to protect Medicare for people today and in the future and to oppose premium support (or vouchers). Past proposals to adopt Medicare vouchers shift higher costs onto seniors and people with disabilities who cannot afford to pay more. Click here for more information.
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Side-by-Side Comparison of Revised and Previous Federal Nursing Regulations Available
Consumer Voice is pleased to provide you with this new resource, Side-by-Side Comparison of Revised & Previous Federal Nursing Home Regulations.
The side-by-side comparison shows each provision of the revised federal nursing home regulations and traces it back to provisions from the previous regulations. With the side-by-side comparison, you will be able to locate which provision in the revised regulations is new or revised. If it is revised, you will be able to see the previous language from which it was revised. Finally, the side-by-side comparison denotes the implementation phase for each provision in the revised regulations.
The side-by-side comparison was created utilizing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) information provided in its Long-Term Care Facilities Crosswalk found in the Federal Register, Vol. 81, No. 192, October 4, 2016 (p. 68825).
For more information about the nursing home requirements and to access summaries of key changes, click here.
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Plans to Convert Medicaid to Block Grant
On Sunday, the President's White House counselor, Kellyanne Conway, confirmed that they have plans to convert Medicaid into a block grant program. Ms. Conway stated, "those who are closest to the people in need will be administering" the program. To read the full New York Times article click here.
By converting Medicaid to a block grant, Congress will have to determine answers to a number of questions. These questions include: (1) how much money each state receives, (2) whether increases are allowed for inflation, increased medical prices, drug and treatment research, and (3) which populations are required to be covered.
Structurally changing Medicaid into a block grant program will present several complexities for long-term care consumers. Some questions to consider will be whether this will result in a net decrease of Medicaid funding. If the funding is decreased, the consumer's ability to stay at home and nursing home coverage ability will be affected.
To read more about converting Medicaid to a block grant, visit our website.
Senate Democrats Hold Forum on Healthcare, Medicare, and Medicaid
Last Thursday, Senate Democrats gathered to hear testimony from Americans about how the ACA, Medicare, and Medicaid affect their health and their lives.
Testimony was heard from five individuals of varying ages and healthcare needs. Two of our very own Leadership Council members, Kathy Bradley and Rita Morris, submitted powerful written testimony as family members of those affected by Medicaid, Medicare, OBRA, and the ACA, for the hearing. In addition, the first witness, Ann Serafin or Michigan, provided testimony on how Medicaid gave her peach of mind by paying for her mother's care in a nursing home.
All of the witnesses discussed at length the value of these programs and testified that without these programs, they would not have been able to receive and afford the care that was necessary.
To watch the hearing, click here.
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Webinar: Introducing the DOJ Elder Justice Website
Date: Thursday, January 26, 2017
Time: 2:00pm EST/ 1:00pm CST/12:00pm MST/ 11:00am PST
Duration: 60 minutes
Register
This webinar will introduce the DOJ Elder Initiative's new website, ElderJustice.gov. This webinar will detail the tools and resources on ElderJustice.gov that support busy elder abuse professionals, including information about elder abuse and where victims and their families can find help, training videos & webinars, an Elder Abuse Resource Roadmap, and much more.
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Spotlight on Educational Resources
The Consumer Voice and the National Ombudsman Resource Center (NORC) have a multitude of resources available online covering a wide range of long-term care topics. Visit the Consumer Voice website and the NORC website to explore all the available resources. Take a look at this week's highlighted resource:
Tips for Using the NORC Website - The NORC website is filled with useful information, resources, news from long-term care ombudsman programs, best practices and interesting stores to support and inform LTCO across the country. Learn how to better navigate the website with these helpful tips.
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In this Issue
Join National Call-In Day to Defend America's Health Coverage
Side-by-Side Comparison of Revised and Previous Federal Nursing Home Regulations Available
Plans to Convert Medicaid to Block Grant
Senate Democrats Hold Forum on Healthcare, Medicare, and Medicaid
Webinar: Introducing DOJ Elder Justice Website
Spotlight on Educational Resources
Combined Federal Campaign
#10552
Thank you for your support!
Calendar of Events
Tuesday, January 24: National Call-In Day to Defend America's Health Coverage
Thursday, January 26: Webinar on Introducing the DOJ Elder Justice Website, 2:00pm, ET
Tuesday, February 7: The Sexual Abuse of Vulnerable Adults in Institutions: Key Findings and Implications for Practice, 2:00pm ET
November 8-11, 2017: Consumer Voice 41st Annual Conference, Arlington, VA
Join the conversation and follow us on social media!
Last Week's Most Popular Post:
Wednesday, January 18:
A report from Disability Rights California outlines the failure of the California Department of Public Health to issue the maximum penalty in the case of deaths of residents.
Last Week's Most Popular Tweet:
Wednesday, January 18:
Report on failure of nursing homes to receive maximum penalty for LTC resident death due to staff misconduct
Long-Term Care Resources & News
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