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March 21, 2017

KFF Issue Brief on Medicaid Per Capita Cap's Effects on Low-Income People on Medicare

The Kaiser Family Foundation released an issue brief - "What Could a Medicaid Per Capita Cap Mean for Low-Income People on Medicare?" The issue brief reviews how changes to Medicaid spending, as proposed in the American Health Care Act (AHCA), could affect low-income people on Mediare because Medicaid helps cover Medicare's premiums and cost-sharing, and pays for services not covered by Medicare, such as nursing home care. Under a block grant or per capita cap model for Medicaid, federal Medicaid spending increases at a specific growth rate, no matter the actual rise in Medicaid spending in a state.  If Medicaid spending rises more quickly than the federal contributions increase, potentially 11 million elderly and disabled people on Medicare would be affected.  Read the brief for more information.

The US House of Representatives proposal to change the Medicaid program into a per capita caps system may be voted on as early as this Thursday, March 23.  Please contact your members of Congress NOW and urge them to vote against per capita caps.  For more information on the importance of preserving Medicaid, click here.

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Ombudsmen: Register for Two Webinars on the LTCOP Rule

Ombudsmen: join us for a webinar series that will discuss the application of the LTCOP Rule in daily Ombudsman program advocacy and management. These two webinars will share resources and training materials for Ombudsman program representatives on the topics of complaint investigations and abuse reporting and individual conflicts of interest.

Presenters include Louise Ryan, Ombudsman Program Specialist, Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs, AoA/ACL; a regional/local Ombudsman program representative; and NORC staff.
Attendees will be able to use the training and program management examples in training and supervising Ombudsman program representatives (staff and volunteers).

March 29, 2017 3:00 - 4:15 pm ET
"LTCOP Rule: Supporting Person-Centered Advocacy - Complaint Investigations and Abuse Reporting"

April 25, 2017 3:00 - 4:15 pm ET
"LTCOP Rule: Identifying and Addressing Individual Conflicts of Interest”

Register now!

NOTE: You only have to register once for the series in order to attend both webinars and receive reminders. If you have any questions, please contact ombudcenter@theconsumervoice.org.

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AHRQ Releases Toolkit to Reduce Urinary Tract Infections in Long-Term Care

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) released a Toolkit to Reduce CAUTI and Other HAIs in Long-Term Care Facilities.  Consumer Voice was a partner on this project. The toolkit is based on the experiences of 450 nursing homes that participated in the AHRQ Safety Program for Long-Term Care: Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs)/Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs).  The toolkit combines clinical interventions and best practices for infection prevention with behavior change elements that promote leadership involvement, improvement in safety culture, teamwork, and communication, and sustainability. Its user-friendly educational modules, guides, and tools can help facilities advance from the "what to do" to the "how to do it.”  They include: Using the Comprehensive Long-Term Care Safety Toolkit; Senior Leader Engagement; Staff Empowerment; Teamwork and Communication; Resident and Family Engagement; Sustainability; Indwelling Urinary Catheter Use and Care; and Urine Culturing and Antibiotic Stewardship.  Access the toolkit here.

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CMS Releases Update on Social Security Removal Initiative

The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015 requires that Social Security Numbers (SSN) are removed from all Medicare cards by April 2019.  A new Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) will replace the SSN for Medicare transactions like billing, eligibility status, and claim status.  CMS has released new information regarding the SSN Removal Initiative in preparation.  Read more here.

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ACL Holding Webinar on HCBS Quality

Join the Administration for Community Living (ACL) for a webinar on Wednesday, April 5th at 2:00pm ET entitled "What is ACL's Interest in HCBS Quality?"  The webinar is the first in a series which is intended to provide information on the development of measures for home- and community-based services (HCBS) quality and to provide a platform to share developments and collaborate on efforts.  The webinar will cover ACL's work on HCBS quality measures and their progress and a question and answer session on HCBS quality.  Register here.

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New Article on Future Directions in Supported Decision-Making

A new publication is available on "Future Directions in Supported Decision-Making."  The article, published in the National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making, looks at the theoretical foundations of supported decision-making and the emerging research in the United States and Australia.  The article looks at how changes and advancements in supported decision-making have the potential to transform disability services and laws.  Read the article 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:

Basics of Individualized Quality Care - This fact sheet from the Consumer Voice provides information on individualized care plans and how to achieve quality of life for nursing home residents.

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In this Issue

KFF Issue Brief on Medicaid Per Capita Cap's Effects on Low-Income People on Medicare

Ombudsmen: Register for Two Webinars on the LTCOP Rule

AHRQ Releases Toolkit to Reduce Urinary Tract Infections in Long-Term Care

CMS Releases Update on Social Security Removal Initiative

ACL Holding Webinar on HCBS Quality

New Article on Future Directions of Supported Decision-Making


Spotlight on Resources


Combined Federal Campaign

#10552

Thank you for your support!


Save the Date:

Consumer Voice 41st Annual Conference

November 5-8, 2017

Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel

Arlington, Virginia


Calendar of Events

Wednesday, March 29: LTCOP Rule: Supporting Person-Centered Advocacy - Complaint Investigations and Abuse, 3:00pm ET, Part I of webinar series from NORC

Wednesday, April 5: What is ACL's Interest in HCBS Quality?, 2:00pm ET, Webinar from the Administration for Community Living

Tuesday, April 25: LTCOP Rule: Identifying and Addressing Individual Conflicts of Interest, 3:00pm ET, Part II of webinar series from NORC (Note: You only need to register once in order to attend both webinars.)

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


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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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