CAREGIVERS USA NEWS

Vol. I, No. 38
July 28, 2003

LITTLE PROGRESS IN MEDICARE TALKS
The conference committee trying to reconcile differing versions of the Medicare bills passed by the House and Senate made little progress last week. House members left town for the August recess, to be followed by the Senate this week. Conferees instructed their staffs to continue working through the dog days, but there is a growing recognition that the bills differ greatly, reflecting "a classic dispute between the two great philosophies of the country," as one conferee put it. Many veteran Hill-watchers are predicting the committee will fail to reach agreement.

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ON THE MEDICARE FRONT ...
Other Medicare developments this week:

• HHS Sees "Substantial Savings" in Rx Costs. Uninsured seniors might cut prescription costs in half under the proposed legislation, Secretary Tommy G. Thompson reports.
• Pharmas Supporting Rx Benefit ... Sort Of. Among the cautious supporters of a Medicare Rx benefit are the pharmaceutical companies.
• Union Retirees Group Opposes Both Medicare Rx Bills. The Alliance for Retired Americans says both bills privatize Mediare, promises big push over Congress' summer recess.
• Private Employers Cutting Back Health Benefits to Retirees. Employer coverage is a less dependable source of coverage for new retirees, and the problem is likely to get worse, study finds.
• Doctors Sick About Medicare Fees. Geriatricians are lobbying Congress to moderate a fee reduction.

DRUG REIMPORT BILL PASSES THE HOUSE
In an emotional display of independence, the House defied party leaders, the White House and the drug industry, voting to allow the reimportation of drugs from Canada and Europe. The measure faces a doubtful future in the Senate, where more than half the Senators have said they oppose it. The FDA says it could not ensure the safety of imported drugs under the measure.

CBO: REIMPORTATION WOULDN'T REDUCE COSTS
The Congressional Budget Office threw cold water on the drug reimportation bill. It said the measure "probably would not produce substantial savings to the federal government" because brand-name pharmaceutical companies "are unlikely to increase their sales in Canada enough to permit a significant share of their United States market to be imported from Canada."

SPRY FOUNDATION SCHEDULES CONFERENCE
The SPRY Foundation, and 30 government agencies and nonprofit organizations are jointly hosting "Computer-Based Technology and Caregiving for Older Adults," this coming October 2-3, at the Natcher Conference Center for the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. The conference will feature 40 national experts in computer-based technology, caregiving services, health care research, and public policy. It will provide a first-hand opportunity to learn about the latest developments in the field, including a demonstration of the National Library of Medicine's new "Talking Web" for older adults' and caregivers' health information. August 27 is the early bird registration deadline. For detailed information, go to www.spry.org or call 202/216-8353.

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END-OF-LIFE BOOKLET OFFERED
"I'm not afraid of dying. I just don't want to be there when it happens." Along with inspirational quotes from philosophers and poets, this Woody Allen quote helps readers of a resource booklet address their mixed feelings about dying. The 62-page booklet, End of Life: Information and Decisions to Consider Before Death, is a project of the Baraboo-Dells Area (WI) End of Life Care Coalition as a first step "to build a shared language about death and dying." Information about the booklet and coalition are available from Rev. William Beers, Hospital Chaplain, St. Clare Hospital Pastoral Services, Baraboo, WI. Telephone 608-356-1511.

WERE YOU THERE?
Some very big anniversaries are coming up -- Brown vs. Board of Education, the March on Washington, passage of the Civil Rights Act, to name just a few. The great leap forward in racial justice and equity that occurred during the 1950s, 60s and 70s was truly a community effort. It resulted from the actions, big and small, of millions of Americans of all ages, races and stations in life. We are helping to collect the memories of those who marched, sat in, sued, reported and spoke out. If you played a part, however modest, please let us hear from you.