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STATE LEGISLATION & POLICY
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1. Massachusetts "Caring Commonwealth" proposal
Massachusetts State Senator Richard Moore has introduced a proposal to address the lack of "a comprehensive consensus-based health care policy" in the state. Included in the "Caring Commonwealth" 10 goal plan is a proposal to provide support for caregivers and an aging with dignity initiative. More information: http://www.caringcommonwealth.com
2. Washington state changes Medicaid asset limit
According to the Seattle times, Washington state has reduced the amount of assets married persons can have while still qualifying for Medicaid. Beginning August 1, 2003 a healthy spouse will be permitted to keep no more than $40,000 in addition to a home, car and certain other necessities. Currently, spouses are allowed to keep $90,660 in assets. Under current regulations the ailing spouse is allowed to keep $2,000, which will not be affected by the policy shift. More details on the change: http://www.leg.wa.gov/senate/scs/2003SpecialSessionWrap.pdf
FEDERAL LEGISLATION & POLICY
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3. Sens. Grassley, Graham introduce long-term care bill
Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Senator Bob Graham (D-FL) have reintroduced the Long-Term Care and Retirement Security Act of 2003 (S. 1335). The legislation's many provisions include a $3,000 tax credit for caregivers or persons with long-term care needs, as well as an above the line deduction for the purchase of long-term care insurance. A House companion bill (H.R. 2096) has been introduced by Representatives Earl Pomery and Nancy Johnson. Bill details:
http://finance.senate.gov/press/Gpress/2003/prg070203.pdf
4. GAO report on Medicaid HCBS waivers
The General Accounting Office (GAO) has released a report examining Medicaid Home and Community-Based Service (HCBS) waivers. In the report, GAO recommends that CMS better ensure that state quality assurance efforts and that federal oversight of HCBS waivers be strengthened. To view the report:
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-03-576
5. NFCSP funding update
The July 1, 2003 edition of Caregiving PolicyDigest listed the Senate Appropriations Committee total approved funding for the National Family Caregiver Support Program as $149 million, approximately $6 million less than in fiscal year 2003. The $149 million does not include funds earmarked for the Native American Caregiver Support Program. This means that total committee approved funds are $155.2 million, the same funding as in fiscal year 2003. More details: http://www.appropriations.senate.gov/releases/record.cfm?id=205574
6. AoA funds available
The U.S. Administration on Aging has announced the availability of funds in a variety of areas including: the Eldercare Locator Program and the National Aging Information & Referral Support Center; Health Disparities among Minority Elderly Individuals - Technical Assistance Centers; and Nutrition, Physical Activity and Aging -- National Resource Center. Additional information: http://www.aoa.gov/doingbus/fundopp/announcements/PA1-2-A.doc
RESEARCH & REPORTS
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7. Caregiving and immune system functioning
Researchers at Ohio State University have made headway in determining the link between chronic stress and immune system functions. In their study, researchers found that severe chronic stress can accelerate the production of a chemical pathway associated with the onset of a variety of age-related diseases and conditions. The results are consistent with premature aging of the immune response. The study appears in the June 30, 2003 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. More details on the study:
http://www.med.ohio-state.edu/news/articleprint.cfm?ID=1347
8. NCSL report on long-term care
The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) has released Budgeting for Long-Term Care: Spending Limited Dollars More Wisely. The report details how states are managing to do more with less and examines the challenges of rising costs for nursing home care, prescription drugs and other health services required by the elderly and persons with disabilities. To order, contact NCSL's Publications Department at 303/364-7700 or by e-mail at books@ncsl.org
JOURNAL ARTICLES
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9. Cancer and caregiving
"The Psychological Impact of Cancer On Patients' Partners and Other Key Relatives. A Review" appears in the July 2003 edition of the European Journal of Cancer. According to the abstract, "the review discusses why . . . [caregivers] fail to take advantage of interventions designed to help them and those who participate derive only limited psychological benefits. View the abstract: http://www.medicinedirect.com/journal/journal?sdid=5024
10. Caregivers and existential concerns
The April 2003 edition of the Journal of Palliative Medicine includes "Existential Concerns of Families of Late-Stage Dementia Patients: Questions of Freedom, Choices, Isolation, Death, and Meaning." In the abstract, the authors highlight, "the importance of not only seeing the physical and psychosocial caregiver aspects, but also the existential ones that emerge when confronting impending death. Staff need to be more aware of existential issues in order to support families also in existential crisis." Read the abstract: http://www.liebertpub.com/jpm/default1.asp
11. Administering medication and caregiver strain
The June 2003 edition of The Gerontologist includes "Development of the Family Caregiver Medication Administration Hassles Scale." The focus of this research is to develop and test a measure of "hassle" when family caregivers administer medication. The authors conclude that, "caregiver medication administration hassles represent a complex, multidimensional construct that warrants consideration in studies of contemporary family caregiver stress, strain, and burden." More info: http://gerontologist.gerontologyjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/43/3/360
CONFERENCES, MEDIA & MISCELLANEOUS
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12. State health policy conference
The National Academy for State Health Policy will hold their 16th annual conference August 3 - 5, 2003 in Portland Oregon. Sessions will address long-term care, Medicaid, single point-of-entry in community-based care and other policy issues. Conference details: http://www.nashp.org/Files/nashp2003.pdf
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For questions or further information about Family Caregiver Alliance's National Center on Caregiving, contact us at PolicyDigest@caregiver.org.
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Caregiving PolicyDigest is a publication of the National Center on Caregiving, a program of Family Caregiver Alliance. The Digest is funded by the Archstone Foundation.
©2003 Family Caregiver Alliance
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