October 26, 2007

Friday, October 26, 2007

(Alliance for Retired Americans)

SCHIP Passes the House Again
On Thursday, the House voted 265-142 to pass H.R. 3963, a revised version of H.R. 976, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization. Like the original version, vetoed by the President on October 3rd, H.R. 3963 continues to provide health care coverage for 10 million American children, but it did not secure a veto-proof majority of votes. The revised bill contains provisions that are designed to ensure that 1) the focus would be on enrolling low-income children in SCHIP first; 2) SCHIP would not cover illegal immigrants; 3) SCHIP coverage of adults would be phased out faster; and 4) children leaving private insurance for SCHIP would be minimized. A Senate vote on the new bill could take place as early as next week. However, the White House has already said that it will veto the new bill as well. “This bill addresses all of the concerns of those who opposed the previous bill, H.R. 976,” said Edward Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance. “Unfortunately for opponents of this legislation, who are afraid that voting against it makes them appear heartless, this issue is not going away anytime soon.”

Senate, House Introduce Bill with a Medicare-run Drug Benefit
Legislation to give consumers a Medicare-run drug option was introduced on Tuesday by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Representatives Marion Berry (D-AR) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL). The Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act, S. 2219 in the Senate and H.R. 3932 in the House, would utilize price negotiation and the best evidence about the safety and effectiveness of drugs to give older adults and people with disabilities the choice of a stable, consistent and affordable drug coverage plan. The bill was written with the knowledge that it costs private insurers 9.8 percent of the drug benefit's total cost to administer the program, yet it costs Medicare only 1.7 percent of the total costs to administer hospital and outpatient coverage. Also on Tuesday, America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) held a rally in Washington, D.C. in support of Medicare Advantage’s private insurers. “AHIP is on the wrong side of subsidies for insurance companies. They can hold as many rallies as they want, but the Medicare-run drug option will be proven the superior choice,” said George J. Kourpias, President of the Alliance.

Big Drug Companies Try to Hide the Truth with Slick Television Ads
On the heels of recent drug recalls, accusations of political influence and outrage over high prescription drug prices, the pharmaceutical industry has begun a campaign to bolster its image. An article in The Hill details a “Healthcare Campfire with Billy Tauzin,” a recent effort by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the major lobbying group for big drug companies. Launched last month as part of a campaign that also includes several websites and weekly radio shows, the half-hour television program is hosted by Billy Tauzin, a former Republican congressman from Louisiana and the head of PhRMA since 2005. Though they are paid advertisements, the episodes are promoted as public affairs programs and feature interview segments with guests such as talk show host Montel Williams and former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow. Reports on drug research and other various health topics are narrated by ex-professional broadcasters and produced to look like local news, the result of over $1 million spent on a high-tech studio and control room that could be found at a television station. PhRMA aims for the show to be nationally broadcast by the end of 2008. At the same time, Prescription Access Litigation (PAL), a national coalition of groups - including the Alliance – that challenges illegal and costly tactics by the pharmaceutical industry, called for increased enforcement by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) against misleading prescription drug direct-to-consumer advertisements. The call was part of comments offered to the FDA regarding its proposed study of on-screen images appearing while the risks and side effects of drugs are read during advertisements, and whether they change how viewers understand drug safety information. “Savvy Seniors won't be fooled by these slick infomercials,” said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance.

Fires Don’t Stop California Alliance’s Conventioneers
Over 200 members of the California Alliance braved wildfires to elect two new community-based vice presidents at their state convention in San Diego on Sunday and Monday: Kathy Piccagli from the Older Women’s League and Jack Roberts from the Democratic Club of Central Orange County. Members also installed one at-large vice president – Carolyn Negrete, from Health Care for All. Several labor vice presidents were appointed by their union: Willie Gholar, Service Employees International Union; Andy Barnes, International Association of Machinists; Bill Price, United Food and Commercial Workers; Judy Katz, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; Karen Connor, Teamsters; Paul Rich, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; and Max Turchen, California State Employees Association. In addition, Dawn Bronsema was elected Secretary. Edward Coyle spoke at the convention. Special thanks to the Handlery Hotel for taking in many evacuees at reduced rates, bending the rules during the fires to allow pets, and making room for as many people as they could!

Alliance Web Site Poll Shows Fear, Concern Regarding Promised Benefits
The final results are in from the last Alliance web site poll, “Are you concerned that your retiree health care and pension benefits will not always be delivered as expected?” Of 774 web visitors responding, 83% are concerned. Only 8% are confident that they will receive what they have been promised, while 9% said that their employer did not promise those benefits. Go to www.retiredamericans.org to take part in the new poll, “Do you think it is important for older Americans to voice support for SCHIP?”

$18,000 in VA Assistance Not Being Received by All Who Could Benefit
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the “under-used” Aid and Attendance Benefit could pay a couple up to $18,000 per year for assistance with out-of-pocket medical costs for Veterans and their spouses or widows. Find information about the benefit from Aging with Grace, LLC, a geriatric care management company, at www.agingwithgrace.net/bios.htm, by calling them at 800-626-9440, or by looking at all VA Pension benefits at www.vba.va.gov.