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NRC Federal Policy UpdateAnd Advocacy Refresher
November 3, 2011, Glendale, AZ
What’s New in the 112th Congress
November 3, 2011
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Headlines from the 112th Congress Lifespan Respite Reauthorization Bill
Introduced
National Family Caregiver and OAA Programs Expire
Implementation of Health Care Reform
CLASS Program Suspended by HHS
Funding Debacle
November 3, 2011
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What is Lifespan Respite?
Coordinated systems of accessible, community-based respite services for all family caregivers regardless of age or special need.
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RespiteCoalition
Perspective from the Outside
Respite Providers
Public Awareness
Quality Assurance
Crisis Care
ConsumerDirection
Links to Prevention
Services
Training
Community based
Orgs.
ChildHealthWelfare
DisabilityServices
Medicaid
AgingADRC
Human Services
Inside
Health-MentalHealth
LifespanRespiteSystem
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House Lifespan Respite Reauthorization
Introduced by Reps. Langevin (D-RI) and McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) on October 26 (HR 3266)
No changes to current law. Reflect comments received from AoA.
Extends program for five years and Authorizes $50 million from FY 12- FY16
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November 3, 2011
Senate Lifespan Respite Reauthorization
No Senate Champion
NRC Submitted Statement Signed by 35 National Organizations to Senate HELP Committee in support of expedited action
http://www.archrespite.org/images/HELP_Staff_Statement_Sept_9_2011.pdf
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National Family CaregiverSupport Program (NFCSP) Primarily helps persons any age who serve as
unpaid caregivers for persons sixty or older
Other eligible family caregivers include:
• Those providing care for individuals with Alzheimer’s and related disorders, regardless of age;
• Grandparents and relative caregivers(not parents) 55 and older providing care to children under age 18 or to adults age 18-59, with disabilities.
• Tribal Organizations can set a lower age than 60 for members to be considered as elders eligible for services.
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NFCSP Reauthorization
Title III E of the Older Americans Act. All OAA programs expired Sept. 30, 2011
Senate HELP Committee held Listening Sessions on Caregiver Provisions. NRC Comments:
• http://www.archrespite.org/images/docs/OAA_HELP_Statement.pdf
Expand eligibility to older parents who have adult children with disabilities living at home
Senate’s goal is to approve a bill by the end of this session. House future less certain.
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Caregiver Assessments
Strengthening Services for America’s Seniors Act drafted by Senator Kohl, chair of Senate Special Committee on Aging; Senator Mikulski, Chair of Subcommittee on Children and Families in HELP
Would establish voluntary state program to assess family caregiver’s need for services (e.g., counseling, respite care).
Requires states to provide referrals that may be available from local, state and private-sector programs.
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Funding Debacle
• FY 12 Budget??
• Senate Committee approves bill that level funds lifespan respite and NFCSP
• House bill draft released but no committee action – same levels as Senate
• CR Probable Outcome
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Super Committee
Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, a bipartisan group tasked with finding at least $1.2 trillion in budget cuts, is nearing its deadline of November 23.
If they don’t reach agreement, automatic cuts occur in FY 13
FCA and NRC draft joint letter urging Super Committee to preserve programs important to family caregivers
• http://www.archrespite.org/images/Letter_to_Super_Committee_10.14.11.pdf November 3, 2011
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NRC joins hundreds of groups in news ad calling on Congress to save Medicaid from Super Committee cuts.
November 3, 2011
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Affordable Care Act (ACA) Implementation
ACA mentions “caregiver” 46 times and “family caregiver” 11 times. Law includes:
Training for direct care workers
Community First Choice Option
Funding for Aging and Disability Resource Centers
CLASS Program
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HHS Suspends CLASS
National voluntary program to finance long-term services and supports
HHS establishes CLASS office in AoA under the jurisdiction of Assistant Sec. Greenlee
Both House and Senate eliminate funding for CLASS in pending FY 12 funding bills
HHS decides CLASS does not have potential to be solvent and shuts it down.
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Important Resources
National Respite Coalition Legislative Alerts, Talking Points, Funding News
Family Caregiver Alliance Innovations Clearinghouse tracks federal and state legislation
• http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=2324&chcategory=43&group=Federal+Legislation&subgroup=112th+Congress+%282011-2012%29&from=2011&to=2012
Family Caregiving 2010 Year in Review (March 2011)
• http://caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content/pdfs/2010-Caregiver-Guide.pdf
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Health Care Reform Resources AARP’s Health Reform Law Creates New
Opportunities to Better Recognize and Support Family Caregivers
• http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/ppi/ltc/fs239.pdf
ARCH’S Building Blocks for Lifespan Respite has good summary of ACA health care reform provisions important to respite.
• http://www.archrespite.org/images/docs/Lifespan_Summit_Docs/Building_Blocks_for_Lifespan_Respite.pdf
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How Can We Help Nationally?
November 3, 201118
Lifespan Respite Care ActNext Steps Urge your US House Member to
Cosponsor HR 3266, Lifespan Respite Reauthorization
Urge Senators to introduce bill with no changes to current law.
Urge both House and Senate to act quickly to reauthorize the program.
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Super Committee Recommendations Urge Congress not to cut
important entitlements such as Medicaid long-term services and supports, Medicare and discretionary programs that support family caregivers. http://www.deficitreduction.gov/public/House
Ways and Means Human Resources Subcommittee held a hearing last week on the children’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program
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Advocacy Refresher
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Factors That Influence Elected Officials: Grassroots
Elected officials pay attention to the people who elect them, but only if those people know how to use their “Power of Constituency”
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Overcoming the Fear Factor
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Legislators are People Too
First thing to remember: Policy makers won’t think you are rude for stating what you want, and may think it odd if you don’t. Part of their job is to be asked and part of your job is to ask.
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Effectiveness of Contacts
Most effective are face-to-face visits
Next -- Visits to sites or programs with personal stories
Still highly effective, even if only as many as ten are received:
Phone Calls with appropriate staff
Letters
EmailsNovember 3, 2011
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How Should You Ask?
Know Your Facts
Know Why Issue is Relevant
Make it Your Own Message
Be Positive
The Five Minute Rule
Use Personal Stories!!!
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Ideas for an Ongoing Relationship
Ask members to… Meet in the district Visit a site/event Write an article Demonstrate ongoing
support through:
Letters
Votes
Legislation
You should…
Attend fundraisers
Give recognition awards
Thank your lawmakers
Train and organize your grassroots
Keep track of important data about your community
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Help is Available
For latest legislative news, talking points, and fact sheets visit National Respite Coalition
• http://www.archrespite.org/national-respite-coalition
See General Guidance on Contacting Congress
• http://www.archrespite.org/national-respite-coalition/legislative-alerts#AdvocacyVisit
Use NRC’s Advocacy Tip Sheet for Face to Face Meetings
• http://www.archrespite.org/images/ARCH/Advocacy_Tip_Sheet_for_Face.pdf
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For More Information
Jill Kagan, MPHProgram Director Annandale, VA703-256-2084 [email protected]
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November 3, 2011
