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 | February 2010 Nurses Notes The Vital Aging Network held a conference, Health Care Reform in Minnesota- The Impact on Older Adults on January 12, 2010. A team of experts were able to dissect the Senate and House Bills to help us understand what is actually in each bill. They seem confident that a compromise bill will be passed by early February. Some important facts gleaned from the conference include: While no one will be completely satisfied with the final version of the Bill, it will contain very important, positive changes that will impact the lives of Americans. A final version of the bill will include a provision so that people with pre existing conditions can’t be denied insurance coverage The final version of the bill will include a process for eliminating the “donut hole” from the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage. Both senate and house versions of the health care reform bills include a very important CLASS act (Community Living Assistance Services and Support Act). In essence, this is a Long Term Care Act for anyone over 18 years of age. The Details: · National Voluntary Insurance Plan · Monthly premiums (an average of $123/month) with a 5 year vesting period · The average daily benefit is $75 per day · Enrollment will begin in 2011 · Payouts begin 2016 The reason this is such an important act: · Older adults want to stay in their own homes (rather than assisted living or nursing homes) · They haven’t planned for how they will finance bringing services into the home. · A third of older adults polled believe Medicare covers long term care and it doesn’t · An older adult must become impoverished (spend their assets) to qualify for Medical Assistance · Only 7% of older adults have long term care insurance Two examples to help explain this new act: A 35 year old is in a serious motorcycle accident requiring a long time stay at a rehabilitation center. He can tap in to his CLASS money to pay for his rehab. If a 74 year old woman begins paying premiums in 2011, beginning in 2016, she will have $30,000 per month available for her care in her home or in a facility. When a person dies, the money from his or her account can go to a spouse or other family member. All of the presenters think this act will be in the final bill. For a side by side comparison to the Senate and House Health Care Reform Bills go to: http://www.kff.org/healthreform/sidebyside.cfm I also have copies available in the Parish Nurse pamphlet rack.
February 14, 21, 28, 2010 at 9:30AM 1 in 6 adults and almost 1 in 10 children suffer from a diagnosable mental illness. Yet, for many, the stigma associated with the illness, can be as great a challenge as the disease itself. Join us for a 3 part series in Hot Topics where we will discuss misconceptions, tackle bias, and explore how faith communities can address the stigma of mental illness. (See Adult Education page for topics). | |||||
