Policy Update

California Lawmakers Brace for Aging Boom

The number of California seniors will double by 2020. The spike, caused by the aging baby boomer population, has lawmakers scrambling for a plan. The major concern is the strain the glut of older Californians will put on the healthcare system. Medi-Cal, California's version of Medicaid, already consumes ten percent of the state's budget at it's $10 billion-a-year price tag. And by 2015, the cost of the program is estimated to be $50 billion, largely as a result of aging baby boomers.

California legislators, in coalition with a number of senior-advocacy groups, are expected to introduce legislation next year that will revamp California's approach to elder care. Doubtless, the specifics of this ambitious undertaking will prove controversial, but lawmakers on both sides of the aisle can at least agree on one thing: Something needs to be done. Read More

U.S. Customs to End Seizures of Medications from Canada

As of October 9, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials ceased their seizures of prescription drugs sent by mail to U.S. residents from Canadian pharmacies. Customs officials have seized thousands of packages since they increased enforcement of federal laws that prohibit the re-importation of medications from abroad. U.S.-manufactured medications are typically cheaper in Canada.

The relaxing of enforcement was prompted by outcry from lawmakers and the public who are concerned about the affordability of essential medications. The issue provoked a controversy last year over the dangers of counterfeit medications and border security. Customs officials now say they will only do occasional random testing for counterfeit prescription drugs and medications with ineffective ingredients. Read More

States Receive Federal Grants to Help Care Receivers Stay in the Community

Last month, Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt awarded nearly $20 million in grants to California, Kansas, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Virginia, with the goal of developing community-living programs for people with disabilities or long-term illnesses.

The "Real Choice Systems Change Grants for Community Living" program has allowed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to award $237 million to 50 states, Guam, and the District of Colombia since 2001 with the goal of transforming the Medicaid program away from the institutional, nursing-home model and toward home care within the community. Congress has approved new funding for the program for 2006. Read More

Millions Are Uninsured in the Golden State

Caergivers often lose their health insurance when they quit their jobs to provide care. Turns out they're not alone. According to a new study by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, one in five Californians are without health coverage. That comes out to about 6.5 million uninsured people in the state. The study also notes that although the percentage of adult Californians who received coverage through their employers was up slightly in 2005 (56.2 percent, compared to 55.1 percent in 2003), it is expected to hold steady or decrease in the future as more employers reduce benefits in the face of rising costs.

The researchers have come out in support of Proposition 86, the state ballot measure that would increase taxes on cigarettes in California in order to fund health programs, noting that the additional funding would provide insurance to as many as 400,000 uninsured children. Read More

Assembly Committee Recommends Increased Benefits for Caregivers

The California State Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care recently issued an aging agenda that may have important implications for family caregivers. Among other things, Building an Aging Agenda for the 21st Century recommends: (1) increasing the public's awareness of California's Paid Family Leave law, as well as expanding its implementation by broadening the definition of family to include all family caregivers and those who provide chronic care in addition to episodic care; (2) increasing caregiver supports by developing and expanding information tools and fully funding caregiver resources and service programs; and (3) addressing caregiver diversity by ensuring support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender caregivers, grandparents caring for grandchildren, and those caring for people with Alzheimer's disease. Read More

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