Health Care Reform Bill & The Alzheimer's Association
We haven't talked about this in any detail, but I wondered how our organization (click on the title above to take you to the Alzheimer's site) sees this bill, so I put in a call to my counsellor Suzette, who put me in touch with Kathy Simpson, the Advocacy Manager for our organization (meaning she tells us advocates to contact our congress persons and stay on their butts about AD!)
Because I am dog-tired from trips back and forth to the hospital to be with my SIL, Kathy has graciously allowed me to copy and paste the following. Please read, and tell me what you think, okay?
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Our message to Congress remains clear: Congress must pass health care reform that includes long-term care services and supports this year.
Current Proposals include our asking Congress to:
1. Provide Medicare care coordination services for people with cognitive impairments and their caregivers
2. Pass health care reform this year that includes long-term services and supports for the 5.3 million people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
a. Health care reform must include improved long-term services and supports, such as those found in the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act (CLASS Act) (S. 697/H.R. 1721).
i. The CLASS Act outlines a new nationwide voluntary insurance program that provides support, services and cash payouts for long-term care and provides help for people with Alzheimer’s disease to remain at home.
ii. At any one time, 70% of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are living at home.
b. The Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Act of 2009 (S. 1492/H.R. 3286) calls for Congress to significantly increase funding for Alzheimer’s research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to $2 billion.
i. In addition, it provides much needed support for caregivers and calls for a National Summit on Alzheimer’s.
ii. Co-sponsorship sends signal to the Nation that Congress is determined to overcome the quickly growing Alzheimer’s crisis.
Thank you,
Kathy Simpson
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Update on Betty: She's back on the ventilator, but not necessarily because her condition has worsened. She's going to be getting Mannitol (a drug used to reduce intracranial pressure in the brain caused by the stroke), and she's going to need the support of the vent to take the load off her lungs and heart.
Her doctor told us that this drug only "works" for 3-4 days, and after that it's useless. (He's a bit of a d*ck with the bedside manner, but knows his stuff, so we're okay with him).
So the next few days are going to be crucial, and the family wants me to tell y'all they appreciate the thoughts and prayers, and please continue to think and pray for her, thanks.
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I can't end this entry without thanking everyone for the 88 "hits" on the blog Thursday! [channelling Sally Field] You like me, you really like me! [/channelling Sally Field].
This one's for Betty: (I can't embed because it's been prohibited by request, sorry)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7dlSuqs7P8
Please remember our 4-legged ones!
Thanks as always, and good night!
Bill
Because I am dog-tired from trips back and forth to the hospital to be with my SIL, Kathy has graciously allowed me to copy and paste the following. Please read, and tell me what you think, okay?
==================================================================================
Our message to Congress remains clear: Congress must pass health care reform that includes long-term care services and supports this year.
Current Proposals include our asking Congress to:
1. Provide Medicare care coordination services for people with cognitive impairments and their caregivers
2. Pass health care reform this year that includes long-term services and supports for the 5.3 million people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
a. Health care reform must include improved long-term services and supports, such as those found in the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act (CLASS Act) (S. 697/H.R. 1721).
i. The CLASS Act outlines a new nationwide voluntary insurance program that provides support, services and cash payouts for long-term care and provides help for people with Alzheimer’s disease to remain at home.
ii. At any one time, 70% of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are living at home.
b. The Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Act of 2009 (S. 1492/H.R. 3286) calls for Congress to significantly increase funding for Alzheimer’s research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to $2 billion.
i. In addition, it provides much needed support for caregivers and calls for a National Summit on Alzheimer’s.
ii. Co-sponsorship sends signal to the Nation that Congress is determined to overcome the quickly growing Alzheimer’s crisis.
Thank you,
Kathy Simpson
================================================================================
Update on Betty: She's back on the ventilator, but not necessarily because her condition has worsened. She's going to be getting Mannitol (a drug used to reduce intracranial pressure in the brain caused by the stroke), and she's going to need the support of the vent to take the load off her lungs and heart.
Her doctor told us that this drug only "works" for 3-4 days, and after that it's useless. (He's a bit of a d*ck with the bedside manner, but knows his stuff, so we're okay with him).
So the next few days are going to be crucial, and the family wants me to tell y'all they appreciate the thoughts and prayers, and please continue to think and pray for her, thanks.
===================================================================================
I can't end this entry without thanking everyone for the 88 "hits" on the blog Thursday! [channelling Sally Field] You like me, you really like me! [/channelling Sally Field].
This one's for Betty: (I can't embed because it's been prohibited by request, sorry)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7dlSuqs7P8
Please remember our 4-legged ones!
Thanks as always, and good night!
Bill
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