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March 7, 2017

Consumer Voice Policy Briefing on Dangers to Long-Term Care Consumers

Join Consumer Voice for a policy briefing this Wednesday, March 8th at 3:00pm ET on "Dangers to Long-Term Care Consumers." Nursing home residents, other long-term care consumers and their families are facing very serious threats right now.  Join Consumer Voice in this special policy briefing to learn about proposed changes to Medicaid that would impact both access to and quality of long-term care and a bill that would severely limit the ability of injured consumers and their families to hold nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other health care providers accountable.  Hear from experts on these issues and what YOU can do.

Presenters:
Eric Carlson, Directing Attorney, Justice in Aging
Julia Duncan/Sarah Rooney, American Association for Justice
Robyn Grant, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, Consumer Voice
                                                              
Space is limited. Register now.

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The House Proposes to Take Away Residents' Rights to Justices; Group Sign-Ons Wanted

Last week, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee passed out of committee a bill that would be extremely harmful to consumers - the so-called “Protecting Access to Care Act of 2017” (H.R. 1215) - which would limit the ability to hold all healthcare providers accountable.  The bill’s sweeping scope covers not only cases involving medical malpractice, but also cases involving unsafe drugs and nursing home abuse and neglect.  We are very concerned about this bill's far-reaching effects for those receiving care in the community and nursing homes.  Consumer Voice created an issue brief on the bill.  For further information, visit the Consumer Voice issue page.

Advocacy is needed right away because the bill is expected to go to the House floor for a vote in the next couple of weeks.
 
If you are part of a state or national group, please take action by signing your organization on to a letter opposing the bill that the Center for Justice and Democracy is circulating. Here is the link to the letter.  Your organization’s signature will help show Congress that a broad group of community, consumer, health, and public interest organizations strongly oppose H.R. 1215. The letter will be sent to the House prior to the floor vote.
 
Groups can sign on by emailing info@theconsumervoice.org and letting us know the name of your organization. If you are a state group, please indicate your state.  Signatures are due COB Thursday, March 9.

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Webinar on Revised Federal Nursing Home Regulations

The Consumer Voice, Justice in Aging, and Center for Medicare Advocacy are continuing to examine the revised federal nursing home regulations the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released on October 4, 2016.  Join us on Wednesday, March 15th at 2:00pm ET for "A Deeper Dive into the Revised Federal Nursing Home Regulations: Part II." In this webinar, we will take a closer look at the following sections of the revised regulations:

  • Admission, Return, and Bedhold
  • Visitation Rights
  • Rehabilitation Services

Join this webinar to hear experts from all three organizations discuss changes in the regulations and their impact on the care delivered to consumers.

Presenters:
Eric Carlson, Directing Attorney, Justice in Aging
Toby Edelman, Senior Policy Attorney, Center for Medicare Advocacy
Robyn Grant, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, Consumer Voice
Lori Smetanka, Executive Director, Consumer Voice

Space is limited. Register now.

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House Republicans Announce ACA Replacement Bill

Yesterday, House Republicans released the replacement plan for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) - the American Health Care Act (AHCA).  The ACA expanded Medicaid to cover more low-income Americans, and while the AHCA will continue coverage expansion, it will "freeze" enrollment in January 2020, at which time states could no longer sign new enrollees up for the program.  The bill would also convert Medicaid to a "per capita cap" system, which could cause older adults to lose important health care services and could put individuals at increased risk of experiencing poor care. Click here for a fact sheet from Justice in Aging on how Medicaid funding caps would harm older adults. 
 
The replacement bill would also change the permissible age variation in health insurance premium rates, allowing insurance plans for older Americans to cost as much as five times as younger Americans, and allowing States flexibility to set their own ratio.
For more information on how repealing the ACA could harm older adults, click here.

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Senator Franken Reintroduces Arbitration Fairness Act

Consumer Voice sent a letter to Senator Al Franken in support of his reintroduction of the Arbitration Fairness Act. Consumer Voice opposes pre-dispute arbitration clauses in nursing home admissions contracts as they prevent residents from obtaining justice in many instances of negligence, abuse or violations of residents' rights. Read the full letter to Senator Franken here.

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Consumer Voice Signs Onto Letter Supporting Funding for Nondefense Discretionary Programs

Consumer Voice has signed onto a letter from NDD United and over 2,000 national, state and local organizations to Congress and the President.  The letter supports adequate funding for "nondefense discretionary" (NDD) programs which support the economy and help Americans lead healthy lives.  The letter urges Congress and the President to protect NDD programs from further cuts and sequestration.  Read the full letter here.

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RTI International Report on Faith-Related Dementia Care Programs

RTI International has created an issue brief - "Faith-Related Programs in Dementia Care, Support and Education." The report focuses on services or initiatives for people with dementia and their caregivers that incorporate aspects of spirituality and religion.  Read the report here.

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Spotlight on 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:

Dementia Care - This issue page from NORC provides reports, resources, ombudsman best practices and information to share with consumers about dementia care.

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In this Issue

Consumer Voice Policy Briefing on Dangers to Long-Term Care Consumers

The House Proposes to Take Away Residents' Rights to Justice; Group Sign-Ons Wanted

Webinar on Revised Federal Nursing Home Regulations

House Republicans Announce ACA Replacement Bill

Senator Franken Reintroduces Arbitration Fairness Act

Consumer Voice Signs Onto Letter Supporting Funding for Nondefense Discretionary Programs

RTI International Report on Faith-Related Dementia Care Programs


Spotlight on Resources


Combined Federal Campaign

#10552

Thank you for your support!


Calendar of Events

Wednesday, March 8: Dangers to Long-Term Care Consumers, 3:00pm ET, Policy briefing from Consumer Voice

Wednesday, March 15: A Deeper Dive into the Revised Federal Nursing Home Regulations - Part II, 2:00pm ET, Webinar from Consumer Voice

November 5-8, 2017: Consumer Voice 41st Annual Conference, Arlington, VA


Join the conversation and follow us on social media!

Last Week's Most Popular Post:

Friday, March 3:
Nursing home resident and advocate Penny Shaw was interviewed in a story from 7News in Massachusetts on sex offenders in nursing homes

Last Week's Most Popular Tweet:

 
Tuesday, February 28
:
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court discussed the validity of arbitration agreements in nursing homes.


Long-Term Care Resources & News



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About The Voice

The Voice is a weekly e-newsletter, published by the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care. If you do not wish to continue receiving this publication, please unsubscribe below. Your contributions and comments are welcome and should be sent to info@theconsumervoice.org. Copyright © 2017.

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Consumer Voice is the leading national voice representing consumers in issues related to long-term care, helping to ensure that consumers are empowered to advocate for themselves. We are a primary source of information and tools for consumers, families, caregivers, advocates and ombudsmen to help ensure quality care for the individual. Consumer Voice's mission is to represent consumers at the national level for quality long-term care, services and supports.


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