thanks, Patti, was that Medicare benefit for a total of 6 days or 6 days a 
week?

Ray
Rayilyn Brown
Director AZNPF
Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation
[log in to unmask]

--------------------------------------------------
From: "PATTI ZAPF" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 6:15 AM
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Home Health Care Medicare Benefit

> Rayliyn
>
> I didn't know about the benefit either until recently, alan's  neurologist 
> mentioned it for at home health physical therapy.  Our  neurologist and 
> her nurse questioned alan's need and i said he isn't  driving, i'm 
> working, he needs exercise, which is very difficult for  him.  and they 
> understood.
> That made me smile.
>
> PD has it compassionate side, as we both enjoy the warm smile we get  and 
> gentle expression received when someone understands this disease  and 
> knows of it's nasty effects.   These past 16+ years of PD, i have  noticed 
> this compassion amongst many.  The one thing i have not  enjoyed during 
> alan's pd is a person's response to PD of OH, I'M SO  SORRY.  I hate that. 
> I'm like it is what it is and we are moving on.   I know people mean well, 
> really, and are somehow trying to make me  feel better or... they are 
> really deep down, so glad it's us and not  them.  My mind sometimes can be 
> mean.
>
> Anyway, alan and i called medicare and asked what other home health 
> benefits there are.  We were amazed and excited!!!  There are definite 
> time rules on these benefits, but benefit times can be renewed and  there 
> are guidelines that Medicare exactly tells you.
> Call Medicare and ask them about home health care @ 1-800-MEDICARE.
>
> Now we had to find the right certified home health care agency to  bring 
> these benefits to our home.
> We googled home health care for our small town, 30 miles east of  dallas. 
> With these results, we were able to see hhc agency  comparisons of our 
> selected needs and % of patient improvement in  those needs, during a hhc 
> session.  That was great to see and helpful.
>
> We called the HHC agency that had the highest %.  It took talking to 2 
> gals that could have done a better job on answering the phone, but the 
> 3rd was a charm ( she help start this agency) and alan and i felt 
> confident.
>
> The next day our neurologist faxed the doctor order to the this  agency, 
> and that afternoon, a very nice nurse called and scheduled the  initial 
> evaluation of alan's hhc need.  The RN was here the next day,  yesterday, 
> for an hour, and she was a delight and very knowledgeable.   There was 
> that caring compassion again.  It's a gift to be cherised.
>
> i also did due diligence, with the texas dept of aging and they helped  me 
> see on their website, if there were any complaints to this hhc  agency. 
> There were some complaints from 2007, with their other  facility, not the 
> one we were using.  I called the gal i spoke with at  the hhc agency we 
> liked, left a message, and the owner of the agency  called me back to 
> explain the complaints and what they have done to  correct them.  We were 
> satisfied with her response.
>
> Alan will get a home health aide to come every day for 6 days, an hour 
> each time, to help him bath, shave, dress, fix a light meal, and do a  few 
> dishes!!!. sounds too good to be true!  i will be anxious to hear  what 
> actually goes down.  the RN left a folder that each hhc person  will enter 
> their session info into, for us to keep.  alan may keep his  own calender 
> of events.
>
> i am going out of town for 6 days, to visit my folks in chicago area. 
> they are mid 80's and my dad has a syndrome that is affecting his  balance 
> and speech.  i miss them a lot and will savor these days  together.  I 
> will bring some business work with me, so i can reward  myself from this 
> trip, with some money making success:>)  Hoping alan  does really well 
> while i'm  gone.  our son will stay over at night and  the weekend.
>
> It's opening season for deer that weekend and our son will miss out,  but 
> he adores and loves his dad and loves me, and wants to help out:>)  alan 
> and weston have done much deer hunting together thru the  years:>)  it's 
> been a bond builder and yummy!  i got to go one time!   our daughter has 
> fished, but never hunted.  her wonderful husband  we'll be a part changing 
> this,
> i think.
>
> Patti cg 16
>
> ps. hhc could have a lot of abuse to it, but Medicare has some built- in 
> check points every 3 years (if you get good grades or more often if  you 
> get bad reports, and as long as there is enough staff), i figure  more 
> check points in the future.
> The bad apples rock this boat.
> For now, i am not mentioning one word about home health care and 
> reform... i promise!
>
>
>> Patti
>>
>> I didn't know there was a home care Medicare benefit.  I have help  two 
>> days a week which I have always paid for.  Its costly.  For  about a year 
>> I did have a Medicare nurse who came once a month to  check on me.  Then 
>> they stopped it.  It was an experimental program  I found out about at a 
>> AZNPF yearly meeting or a symposium.
>>
>> In my first years of PD in CA I looked into long term care and  learned 
>> then that Medicare would pay for it if you were destitute  and could find 
>> an available bed.  Apparently there are different  levels of assisted 
>> living in nursing homes.  You could go from bad  to worse (after spending 
>> ALL of your own money of course.
>>
>> I have always lived alone and am going to try to stay at home as  long as 
>> I can.  I would be interested in any information you might  have on this 
>> benefit.  I am 73 and have Medicare as my primary and  Anthem Blue 
>> Cross/Blue Shield as my secondary.
>>
>> thanks, Ray
>>
>> Rayilyn Brown
>> Director AZNPF
>> Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation
>> [log in to unmask]
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------
>> From: "PATTI ZAPF" <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 5:02 AM
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Subject: Re: PARKINSON'S AND HEALTH CARE REFORM
>>
>>> Dear Alison:
>>>
>>> the hmo isn't the only option when you are disabled<65.  there are 
>>> medicare advantage ppo's too.  These PPO network's allow you to use  in 
>>> and out of network providers and also include rx drug coverage.   The 
>>> PPO plans have a monthly premium.
>>>
>>> yes,  i agree with you... it is very difficult sorting thru all the 
>>> options on Medicare.
>>> i don't believe many seniors are up to the task, especially those  in 
>>> their 80's
>>> and those without internet.
>>>
>>> Single payor sure sounds simple.
>>> Who ever can figure out what the actual costs will be for  Medicare, 
>>> with all the baby boomers coming on board over the next  few years, 
>>> will win the grand prize.  If all providers were  honest, maybe the 
>>> figure would be easier to figure out.
>>>
>>> Everyone's dilemma...How do you find providers that you believe in?  If 
>>> you live close to the big city, there is no problem finding a 
>>> specialist. who may or may not be a good fit.  When doctors send  you 
>>> for labs or x-rays do you question them why? Do your other  doctors 
>>> duplicate these same procedures?  I have noticed medical  lawsuits, 
>>> insurance executive salaries, and the want for more  income driving 
>>> part of the medical train.
>>>
>>> Two years ago, i signed my husband up for a MA ppo and after one  month 
>>> disenrolled him because i got worried about all those copays  adding 
>>> up, which would cost more then the Part B $135 deductible +  20%.  plus 
>>> the hospital copay was $800 on this PPO plan, so we  decided to gamble 
>>> on just medicare parts a & b for his coverage,  with no supplement and 
>>> he bought a Part D drug plan.  you thought  i would have figured that 
>>> out before enrolling him in the PPO, but  it was an after thought after 
>>> talking with a client that was using  their PPO, that pushed me to 
>>> switch him back to original  medicare.  the Medicare guarantee that 
>>> allows you to try a  Medicare Advantage plan and then switch back to 
>>> original Medicare  if you don't like it, only lasts the first 12 months 
>>> of Advantage  coverage.
>>>
>>> right now our savings are slowly depleting, my income is not  growing 
>>> like i want it to.
>>> it's hard to focus on my job, when caregiving in itself has been a 
>>> full time job.  these last couple months i notice new signs of 
>>> advancing PD symptoms and for the first time i am seeing a mild 
>>> cognitive impairment. i'm exploring extended care options, which  i'm 
>>> just beginning to understand, for down the road needs
>>>
>>> I am also exploring the home health care benefit thru Medicare.  i  am 
>>> going out of town for 6 days next week and our neurologist wrote  a 
>>> prescription for home health care, as alan doesn't drive and  requires 
>>> assistance.  our cost = 0 (benefit thru Part A Medicare).
>>>
>>> an RN comes today to make an evaluation of his needs during his  home 
>>> health care assistance. i am asking for an aid to help him  bath, 
>>> dress, and prepare a light meal.  i am also asking for a  physical 
>>> therapist to come and an RN to check his rx intake.  this  is a huge 
>>> relief.  i office in our home, so alan is used to help  around the 
>>> clock.  Home health will only be a very small portion  of each day and 
>>> I am so thankful for their professional help, plus  i am counting on 
>>> our son to help in the evenings. the isolation  factor is another 
>>> worry.  gosh, getting older is complicated!
>>>
>>> for those PWP without caregivers...  you are amazing and my hat  goes 
>>> off to you.
>>>
>>> in reflection~
>>> i remember the early years of PD when you couldn't tell Alan had  PD... 
>>> we started a local PWP support group that had 3 other PWP  show up to 
>>> our first of 4 meetings.  They were in their 70-80's,  with advanced 
>>> symptoms. That sure scared us both and we dissolved  the group,  because 
>>> at the time, we really didn't want to know the  end of the  story.  I 
>>> also remember our retired neurologist giving  me a big hug  one time and 
>>> said how he wished for me, things would  be different.  i  really didn't 
>>> understand what he was saying, now  i do.  My husband is  the greatest 
>>> guy, full of love and  knowledge.  At this point, he is  not able to 
>>> meet many of my  needs, which i miss. The good news is, i  am remaining 
>>> healthy and  happy:>)
>>>
>>> patti cg 16
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sep 22, 2009, at 5:48 PM, [log in to unmask] wrote:
>>>
>>>> Dear Patti,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thank you for your suggestions.? We've printed them out to look  at 
>>>> more carefully in case we've overlooked anything.? We've met  with 
>>>> representatives from numerous health insurance companies,  phoned? many 
>>>> others, spoke with the health insurance department  and? volunteers 
>>>> "trained" in?comparing the different plans and how  to  find the best 
>>>> options under the circumstances.? Insurance  plans  differ tremendously 
>>>> from state to state and the question  remains as  to why health 
>>>> insurance must be so incredibly  complicated and  "stacked" against the 
>>>> people needing health care  the most.?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thank you for your offer to assist off line.? I may reach out to  you 
>>>> for more information about your perspective on the current  system  and 
>>>> what is currently being discussed.??If you would take  the time  to 
>>>> read the "Open letter to Congressman Phil Hare and  Senator  Richard 
>>>> Durbin; A fundraiser for one does not equal  health care for  all," 
>>>> your comments and insight would be greatly  appreciated in  helping 
>>>> move the debate forward in another venue, www.PassHR676.org ?  focused 
>>>> entirely on health care?reform.?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thank you in advance for visiting?www.PassHR676.org by typing it   into 
>>>> the address bar.??You have to log on and register to write a   comment, 
>>>> but can write your comments anonymously.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Feel free to leave an address for the ListServe so others can  find 
>>>> their way back to?an invaluable resource with?tremendous  insight  from 
>>>> those in the trenches.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thank you.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Alison Landes
>>>>
>>>> [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask]
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: PATTI ZAPF <[log in to unmask]>
>>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>>> Sent: Mon, Sep 21, 2009 7:56 am
>>>> Subject: Re: PARKINSON'S AND HEALTH CARE REFORM
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> hmo's have a $0 plan premium monthly cost, the secondary plan has  a 
>>>> big monthly premium.?
>>>> hmo plans include a rx drug benefit, the secondary plans do not.?
>>>> ?
>>>> hmo doctors need lots of traffic, so they can make some money.?
>>>> all doctors don't graduate at the top of their class and in many 
>>>> cases, hmo doctors can be those doctors who have struggled to 
>>>> graduate.?
>>>> ?
>>>> those just turning 65 and decide to enroll in a secondary plan,  like 
>>>> popular Plan F, will pay over $100 month, more like $130-$150  mo for 
>>>> this secondary plan. Each year this secondary premium will  increase.?
>>>> ?
>>>> on either plan: hmo, secondary plan, or no secondary plan, you  still 
>>>> have to pay Medicare part B premium of at least $96.40  month, unless 
>>>> you qualify for extra help.?
>>>> ?
>>>> Maybe your sister should go back to original medicare and not buy  a 
>>>> secondary plan. This switch is only allowed once during the  first 12 
>>>> months of her hmo enrollment. If she doesn't buy a  secondary plan 
>>>> (too expensive) after the switch back to original  Medicare, she'll 
>>>> pay the part B annual deductible of $135 + 20%  of doctor visit 
>>>> costs., which is usually very small and she gets  to see the doctors 
>>>> she wants. she would still have the part B  $96.40 premium. the 
>>>> drawback is she would have the part A  deductible of $1064, each time 
>>>> she had a hospital stay.?
>>>> ?
>>>> it's hard to determine what the year may bring in medical costs  but 
>>>> if she doesn't require any hospitalization, she could see any  doctor 
>>>> accepting medicare and only be responsible for the part b  $135 
>>>> deductible annually + 20% of the office visit. this has  worked out 
>>>> well for my husband and several medicare clients i  work with.?
>>>> ?
>>>> if she does have a hospital stay, she can work out a monthly  payment 
>>>> arrangement with the hospital with no finance charges  added, but 
>>>> payments must be made on time.?
>>>> ?
>>>> it's all a gamble, but with your hands tied in a hmo, because you 
>>>> have to use network doctors and hospitals only, she could back to 
>>>> original medicare (part a & b) for a year without a supplement  plan 
>>>> and see how it works out. if it doesn't work well, she can  switch to 
>>>> a hmo, ppo, or buy a supplement (AARP offers a  guarantee issue) at 
>>>> open enrollment.?
>>>> ?
>>>> the other draw back is, she would need to buy a rx drug plan.  Plan 
>>>> costs range from $13mo to $100mo. if she goes to  medicare.gov, they 
>>>> have a nifty rx drug calculator that compares  drug costs and monthly 
>>>> plan premiums, with all the plans  available in your state.?
>>>> ?
>>>> call medicare at 1-800-medicare for help with their website and 
>>>> adding your medications, unless you live in Texas, then call me  and  i 
>>>> will help you. 1-800-510-6097.?
>>>> Have ready your drug names, amount you take, and how often you  take 
>>>> them.?
>>>> If you live in Texas, you can fax me your list and we'll  calculate 
>>>> your drug costs for 2010 plans, after October 15, when  new plans  come 
>>>> out. fax me@ 972-771-8455.?
>>>> ?
>>>> the Medicare rx drug calulator shows when you get in the donut  hole, 
>>>> what your monthly costs are, and a way to budget. if her  income is 
>>>> below around $12,000 year she can qualify for  assistance, thru  social 
>>>> security.?
>>>> ?
>>>> i know some of the rx drug plans offer FREE generics. check out  your 
>>>> current rx drug plan and see if this is available. Humana's  Medicare 
>>>> Advantage hmo and ppo plans do offer free generics, thru  their mail 
>>>> order service Right Source. Aetna's do too. Humana and  Aetna have 
>>>> their own drug calculator's that are easy to use on  their websites.?
>>>> ?
>>>> I wish the USA would allow all generics, like entacapone for   COMTAN', 
>>>> which we buy in Canada now, during the donut hole.?
>>>> ?
>>>> patti cg?
>>>> ?
>>>> On Sep 20, 2009, at 3:45 PM, rayilynlee wrote:?
>>>> ?
>>>>> Alison is advocating for HR 676 and her email to me explains how
>>>>> >  PWP, especially young-onset PWP, are impacted by our present
>>>>> health
>>>>> > care system.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> We need HR 676 Medicare for All because we are no longer a  tribal  or 
>>>>>  > farming community where sick people are hopefully  taken care  of by 
>>>>>  > the private sector or kindness of neighbors.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> I do not wish to offend anyone, but don't you think this is > 
>>>>> important enough for us to talk about? If you are not affected,
>>>>> >  just delete.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Ray?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Rayilyn Brown?
>>>>> Director AZNPF?
>>>>> Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation?
>>>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> From: [log in to unmask]
>>>>> Sent: Sunday, September 20, 2009 9:46 AM?
>>>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>>>> Subject: Re: PARKINSON'S AND HEALTH CARE REFORM in Washington?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Hi Ray,?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> If you have to get an email to me quickly, my computer is usually
>>>>> > open to [log in to unmask] . Otherwise, the
>>>>> [log in to unmask] >  is best. My AOL account bounces emails  back 
>>>>> with anything over >  1,000 emails. I'm often at the limit  at the 
>>>>> [log in to unmask]  address.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> My sister, diagnosed in 1998 at age 44, is on an HMO Medicare > 
>>>>> Advantage Plan. Our father, in his 80's, was diagnosed with > 
>>>>> Parkinson's 2 years ago, is on Medicare and a secondary policy.
>>>>> >  Fran has to get referrals to see a specialist each and every
>>>>> time.
>>>>> > The specialists are the doctors that her primary physician
>>>>> refers  her > to. They are not necessarily the doctors we would 
>>>>> choose. >
>>>>> Second opinions from another specialist are few and hard to come by
>>>>> > as the primary physician does the referrals. HMO Medicare
>>>>> Advantage > Plans restrict the hospitals a patient can go to.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Physical therapy; Dad can see anyone he chooses. My sister has to
>>>>> >  go to the physical therapist she is referred to. Often times
>>>>> the > physical therapy center they refer to is owned by the  Medicare 
>>>>>  > Advantage company.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> How many Parkinsonians fall into the "donut" hole and either  have  to 
>>>>>  > rely on the mercy of the drug company to donate  medicine or go  to 
>>>>>  > Canada to buy it less expensively. The drug  companies are  doing > 
>>>>> just fine financially. Pfizer this year  was fined $2.3  billion this 
>>>>>  > year for violations involving  paying physicians  speaking fees for 
>>>>>  > basically "pushing" their  drugs. Drug companies  consider these > 
>>>>> fines the cost of doing  business. Health insurance  and > 
>>>>> pharmaceutical companies are  making a fortune at the expense  of > 
>>>>> people who are fighting for  their health.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> It would be far better for Parkinson's patients if they could see
>>>>> >  the specialists of their choice who would actually spend some
>>>>> time
>>>>> > examining them rather than being bombarded by xrays and MRIs and
>>>>> cat > scans by primary care physicians who find it necessary to 
>>>>> "cover"  > themselves so they won't be sued.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> A Parkinson's patient shouldn't have to fight to see a nutritionist
>>>>> > when they are losing weight and bone mass due to Parkinsons and
>>>>> need > personalized help by someone trained in the field rather   than 
>>>>> being > handed several pages of photocopied materials on  diet,  which 
>>>>> has > happened.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> H.R. 676 is approximately 27 pages in length. H.R.676 details are
>>>>> >  on the Thomas.gov website. It lists sponsors, complete
>>>>> legislation
>>>>> > and summary of legislation at http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/
>>>>> thomas. > I've copied the Summary from the thomas.gov site,  below. 
>>>>> The entire > legislation and sponsors are at the link  above.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF H.R.676?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> HR 676 would institute a single payer health care system by > 
>>>>> expanding a?
>>>>> greatly improved Medicare system to everyone residing in the U. S.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> HR 676 would cover every person for all necessary medical care > 
>>>>> including prescription drugs, hospital, surgical, outpatient > 
>>>>> services, primary and preventive care, emergency services, dental,
>>>>> > mental health, home health, physical therapy, rehabilitation >
>>>>> (including for substance abuse), vision care, hearing services > 
>>>>> including hearing aids, chiropractic, durable medical equipment,
>>>>> > palliative care, and long term care.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> HR 676 ends deductibles and co-payments. HR 676 would save hundreds
>>>>> > of?
>>>>> billions annually by eliminating the high overhead and profits  of 
>>>>> the?
>>>>> private health insurance industry and HMOs.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> In the current Congress, HR 676 has 86 co-sponsors in addition to
>>>>> > Conyers. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced SB 703,
>>>>> a > single payer bill in the Senate.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> HR 676 has been endorsed by 566 union organizations in 49 states
>>>>> > including 134 Central Labor Councils and Area Labor Federations
>>>>> and
>>>>> > 39 state AFL-CIO's (KY, PA, CT, OH, DE, ND, WA, SC, WY, VT, FL,
>>>>> WI, > WV, SD, NC, MO,MN, ME, AR, MD-DC, TX, IA, AZ, TN, OR, GA,  OK, 
>>>>> KS,  > CO, IN, AL, CA, AK, MI,MT, NE, NY, NV & MA?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> It is endorsed by the California Nurses and the California Nurses
>>>>> > Organizing Committee and by 16,000 physicians in Physicians for
>>>>> a > National Health Program (PNHP). It has been endorsed by the 
>>>>> United
>>>>> > States Conference of Mayors.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> COPIED FROM THE THOMAS.GOV SITE;?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> H.R.676?
>>>>> Title: To provide for comprehensive health insurance coverage for
>>>>> >  all United States residents, improved health care delivery,
>>>>> and for
>>>>> > other purposes.?
>>>>> Sponsor: Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14] (introduced 1/26/2009) > 
>>>>> Cosponsors (86)?
>>>>> Latest Major Action: 1/26/2009 Referred to House committee. Status:
>>>>> > Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition
>>>>> to > the Committees on Ways and Means, and Natural Resources, for a
>>>>> > period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each
>>>>> case  for > consideration of such provisions as fall within the
>>>>> jurisdiction > of the committee concerned.?
>>>>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------?
>>>>> SUMMARY AS OF:?
>>>>> 1/26/2009--Introduced.?
>>>>> United States National Health Care Act or the Expanded and Improved
>>>>> > Medicare for All Act - Establishes the United States National
>>>>> Health > Care (USNHC) Program to provide all individuals  residing  in 
>>>>> the > United States and U.S. territories with free  health care  that 
>>>>>  > includes all medically necessary care, such  as primary care  and > 
>>>>> prevention, prescription drugs, emergency  care, long-term  care, > 
>>>>> mental health services, dental services,  and vision care.?
>>>>> Prohibits an institution from participating unless it is a  public  or 
>>>>>  > nonprofit institution. Allows nonprofit health  maintenance > 
>>>>> organizations (HMOs) that deliver care in their own  facilities to > 
>>>>> participate.?
>>>>> Gives patients the freedom to choose from participating physicians
>>>>> > and institutions.?
>>>>> Prohibits a private health insurer from selling health insurance
>>>>> > coverage that duplicates the benefits provided under this Act. 
>>>>> > Allows such insurers to sell benefits that are not medically 
>>>>> > necessary, such as cosmetic surgery benefits.?
>>>>> Sets forth methods to pay institutional providers of care and   health 
>>>>>  > professionals for services. Prohibits financial  incentives  between 
>>>>>  > HMOs and physicians based on utilization.?
>>>>> Establishes the USNHC Trust Fund to finance the Program with   amounts 
>>>>>  > deposited: (1) from existing sources of government   revenues for > 
>>>>> health care; (2) by increasing personal income  taxes  on the top 5% > 
>>>>> income earners; (3) by instituting a  progressive  excise tax on > 
>>>>> payroll and self-employment income;  and (4) by  instituting a small > 
>>>>> tax on stock and bond  transactions. Transfers  and appropriates to > 
>>>>> carry out this Act  amounts that would have  been appropriated for > 
>>>>> federal public  health care programs,  including Medicare, Medicaid, > 
>>>>> and the  State Children's Health  Insurance Program.?
>>>>> Requires the USNHC Program to give first priority in retraining and
>>>>> > job placement and USNHC employment transition benefits to >
>>>>> individuals whose jobs are eliminated due to reduced  administration.?
>>>>> Requires creation of a confidential electronic patient record 
>>>>> system.?
>>>>> Establishes a National Board of Universal Quality and Access to > 
>>>>> provide advice on quality, access, and affordability.?
>>>>> Provides for: (1) the eventual integration of the Indian Health > 
>>>>> Service into the Program; and (2) evaluation of the continued > 
>>>>> independence of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health  programs.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Sincerely,?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Alison Landes?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> -----Original Message-----?
>>>>> From: rayilynlee <[log in to unmask]>?
>>>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>>>> Cc: [log in to unmask]
>>>>> Sent: Sat, Sep 19, 2009 10:17 pm?
>>>>> Subject: Re: PARKINSONS AND HEALTH CARE REFORM in Washington?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Alison?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> You don't have to convince me. What I need to do is find the parts
>>>>> > of HR 676 that would help people with Parkinson's in order to
>>>>> sneak > it into the PIEN. I'm all for Medicare for All, but have  to 
>>>>> find a > way to promote HR 676 on PIEN by connecting it with 
>>>>> Parkinson's > disease. We just came out of a dustup re my  comments 
>>>>> and others > about HR 3200. Some people on the List  can't stand 
>>>>> controversy even > when it affects their health.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> My letter to legislators should call for support of HR 676, right??
>>>>> mainly because the other legislation does not help PWPs??
>>>>> ?
>>>>> I'll go back to to the sites you mention and see if I can take a
>>>>> >  look at HR 676.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Ray?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Rayilyn Brown?
>>>>> Director AZNPF?
>>>>> Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation?
>>>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> From: [log in to unmask]
>>>>> Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 6:57 PM?
>>>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>>>> Cc: [log in to unmask]
>>>>> Subject: Re: PARKINSONS AND HEALTH CARE REFORM in Washington?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Hi Ray,?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Thank you for your reply. H.R. 676, the United States National > 
>>>>> Health Insurance Act, is single--payer, expanded and improved > 
>>>>> Medicare for All. If you log onto the site www.PassHR676.org , I've
>>>>> > attempted to provide background information, bringing folks up
>>>>> to > speed on what has been going on behind the scenes for 3 years
>>>>> that > I've been involved.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> The ABOUT page provides background information and the MULTIMEDIA
>>>>> > page has assortment of videos and articles that reveal the
>>>>> truth > about our health care crisis. Wendell Potter, a former  CIGNA 
>>>>>  > executive, is interviewed by Bill Moyers and has  testified before > 
>>>>> congress about how the health insurance  industry is ripping off > 
>>>>> consumers.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> The average person on the street does not realize the depth of > 
>>>>> deception in that mainstream media wants advertising dollars, Wall
>>>>> > Street wants return on investment for stockholders and our
>>>>> elected > officials reap millions of dollars in campaign 
>>>>> contributions.  > Senator Max Baucus has received over $3million 
>>>>> dollars from the > health insurance industry.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> The health insurance and pharmaceutical industries, special   interest 
>>>>>  > groups and lobbyists are spending close to $2 million   per day to > 
>>>>> defeat health care reform. Executives who are  earning  multi-million 
>>>>>  > dollar salaries and billions in stock  options want  the status 
>>>>> quo.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Young onset patients with Parkinson's and others under the age  of  65 
>>>>>  > were essentially forced onto HMO Medicare Advantage  Plans by  the > 
>>>>> last administration attempting to privatize  Medicare. The  only way > 
>>>>> to get access to Medicare Part D for  prescription drugs  was to get > 
>>>>> onto HMO Medicare Advantage Plan  if you didn't have a  secondary > 
>>>>> policy and had a pre-existing  condition precluding your  getting > 
>>>>> access to a secondary policy.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> HMO Medicare Advantage Plans were paid an extra 14% above what was
>>>>> > paid to regular Medicare. Where Medicare has a 3%
>>>>> administrative > overhead, private insurers have close to 30% 
>>>>> overhead. Watch some  of > the videos. Listen to the videos with 
>>>>> Congressman Anthony
>>>>> Weiner > (D-NY) or Eric Massa (D-NY) or Senator Bernie Sanders  (I- 
>>>>> VT).?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Congressman Phil Hare, who is in former Lane Evan's seat in > 
>>>>> Illinois, is a co-sponsor of H.R. 676. Lane Evans was a sponsor of
>>>>> > H.R. 676. We are fighting a huge uphill battle because the
>>>>> grass > roots, has limited resources in comparison to corporate 
>>>>> America.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> What is really needed is a total, comprehensive overhaul of our > 
>>>>> campaign finance system. There is a link to that on the ACTION > 
>>>>> page. I think the site is www.change-congress.org .?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Do you know that Senator Max Baucus had a total of 13 doctors, > 
>>>>> nurses and patient advocates arrested when they attempted to voice
>>>>> > their objection to the fact that he was leaving single-payer
>>>>> health > care off the table. Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D- IL) 
>>>>> has been > sponsoring this same bill since 2003. There are  now 86 
>>>>> co-sponsors > signed on. Congressman Anthony Weiner  submitted an 
>>>>> amendment to > substitute the language of H.R. 676  (single-payer) 
>>>>> for H.R.3200. > Nancy Pelosi and Waxman asked him  to hold off on  the 
>>>>> vote in the > session right before the August  recess in  exchange for 
>>>>> floor vote in > the full House of  Representatives in  September. Then 
>>>>> all hell broke > lose with  the Tea Party Patriots  and the Town Hall 
>>>>> Meetings in August.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Mainstream Media, especially Fox, covered the Tea Party Express ad
>>>>> > nauseum. They have a super expensive luxury coach bus with 12 >
>>>>> sleeping berths driving cross country. Mad As Hell Doctors, 
>>>>> www.MadAsHellDoctors.com
>>>>> > , are driving cross country in a group owned recreational
>>>>> vehicle, > stoppingin 27 cities nationwide. It has not been  covered 
>>>>> yet on > Mainstream Media. They are supporting single- payer health 
>>>>> care.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> If you know anyone in Illinois, their comments on the website 
>>>>> www.PassHR676.org
>>>>> > in reference to the OPEN LETTER to Rep. Phil Hare and Sen. Dick >
>>>>> Durbin would be very helpful. It talks about the $100,000 > 
>>>>> collection they are taking up for their friend and former   colleague, 
>>>>>  > Lane Evans, who has Parkinson's and Lewy Body   Dementia. His > 
>>>>> expenses in the assisted living facility are  beyond  his reach. H.R. 
>>>>>  > 676 would help with these costs for all  Americans  and we wouldn't 
>>>>>  > have 47 million uninsured. Our  representatives  cannot take up > 
>>>>> collections for themselves and  not own up to the  fact that they are 
>>>>>  > selling out the people  who elected them to  office.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> All single-payer means is that funds would be paid to the   government 
>>>>>  > and they would in turn pay the doctors and medical   providers. We > 
>>>>> would get rid of all insurance companies. They  are  unnecessary. > 
>>>>> They put profits before people, making  profits by  denying care. > 
>>>>> Wendell Potter was an executive with  Cigna for 18  years. He knows > 
>>>>> full well what went on but it  didn't even  register with him until he 
>>>>>  > saw what was going on  with REMOTE  ACCESS MEDICAL one weekend when 
>>>>>  > visiting his  parents in Tennessee.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Look for that video on the MULTIMEDIA page as well. It's all > 
>>>>> there. It's really quite simple. We don't need health insurance
>>>>> >  companies. We need Medicare for All. We would save $400
>>>>> billion >  annually with H.R. 676.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Congressman Anthony Weiner is finally having success getting the
>>>>> > Congressional Budget Office to score H.R. 676. Senator Edward >
>>>>> Kennedy, Senator Paul Wellstone both wanted all Americans to have
>>>>> > access to health care. There's even a video on the site where 
>>>>> > Barack Obama says "If we were starting from scratch, single-
>>>>> payer >  would be the way to go." There are too many of our 
>>>>> representatives
>>>>> > raking in millions of dollars in campaign contributions from
>>>>> the > health insurance and pharmaceutical companies.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Listen to Senator Bernie Sanders video on the MULTIMEDIA page. It's
>>>>> > been a racket. Medicare should be able to negotiate for better >
>>>>> prices on drugs. It's possible to buy drugs from Canada for half of
>>>>> > what they charge in the U.S. Did you see the Michael Moore
>>>>> movie, > SICKO? If not, rent it. Wendell Potter says Michael  Moore 
>>>>> was >
>>>>> right. The insurance companies did what they could to spin it to
>>>>> >  make it sound like he was wrong.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Look at the video and article about T.R. Reid who did the > 
>>>>> documentary for PBS Frontline, "Sick Around the World." They asked
>>>>> > him to do "Sick Around America." When he saw how they edited it,
>>>>> he > was furious as even PBS Frontline altered his message. He 
>>>>> refused  > to have them use his name and he walked out.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Again, the ABOUT page on www.PassHR676.org explains the background.
>>>>> > The MULTIMEDIA page has lots of videos and articles, many of
>>>>> which > one would not readily see on mainstream media. The issue   has 
>>>>> been > confused. First they tried to pass the "Public  Option"  now 
>>>>> they're > moving to "Co-Ops." Both of these are  destined to  fail. We 
>>>>> need > Single-Payer. The powers that be, of  course, like  things the 
>>>>> way  > they are.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Single-payer health care, expanded and improved Medicare for All,
>>>>> > everybody in, nobody out. It is NOT socialized medicine. You
>>>>> can >  see any doctor or go to any hospital you want.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Thanks for your assistance. Let me know if you want more > 
>>>>> clarification.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Sincerely,?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Alison Landes?
>>>>> www.PassHR676.org?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> -----Original Message-----?
>>>>> From: rayilynlee <[log in to unmask]>?
>>>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>>>> Sent: Sat, Sep 19, 2009 3:00 pm?
>>>>> Subject: Re: PARKINSONS AND HEALTH CARE REFORM in Washington?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Alison?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> I will be glad to help you and "push" this on PIEN, but I'm   confused 
>>>>>  > as to what HR 676 is - single payer plan? campaign   finance reform? 
>>>>>  > I favor both but can't begin to attack this  until  I know what I'm 
>>>>>  > talking about. Alison, a way has to be  found to  reduce the size of 
>>>>>  > the letter, even I couldn't digest  it all.  What I got from it was 
>>>>>  > that there has been an effort  to raise  money for Lane Evans, but 
>>>>> the > million+ other Parkies  don't have $  to defray economic 
>>>>> disaster. > But my question is  why do we want HR  676? Is it a single 
>>>>> payer plan > or a campaign  finance reform bill?  I'm pretty skilled 
>>>>> at getting > to the  point when I know what it  is, so let me hear 
>>>>> from you.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Ray?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Rayilyn Brown?
>>>>> Director AZNPF?
>>>>> Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation?
>>>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> From: [log in to unmask]
>>>>> Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 9:11 AM?
>>>>> To: [log in to unmask] ; [log in to unmask] ; > 
>>>>> [log in to unmask] ; [log in to unmask] ; [log in to unmask] ; 
>>>>> [log in to unmask]> ; [log in to unmask] ?
>>>>> Cc: [log in to unmask]
>>>>> Subject: PARKINSONS AND HEALTH CARE REFORM in Washington?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Hello Fellow Advocates,?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> As some of you know, my sister was diagnosed with Parkinson's in
>>>>> >  1998 at age 44. I started Take Charge! Cure Parkinson's in
>>>>> 1999. >  There is a short bio about what I've been working on  since 
>>>>> that  time > on the blog www.PassHR676.org . It is one of  the earlier 
>>>>> entries.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Your input would be most welcome, particularly in regards to the
>>>>> > entry titled "Open Letter to Representative Phil Hare (D-IL)
>>>>> and > Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), fundraising for 'one' does  not 
>>>>> equal
>>>>> > health care for all. If you would spend a few minutes looking >
>>>>> around the site, full information about what is going on behind the
>>>>> > scenes in this debate has been difficult to come by, as you will
>>>>> see.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Please do take the time to register at www.PassHR676.org and  leave  a 
>>>>>  > comment there for Congressman Phil Hare and Senator  Dick  Durbin. > 
>>>>> This is very important in order for us to advance  our  position and > 
>>>>> to be heard. Congressman Phil Hare and  former  Congressman Lane > 
>>>>> Evans are both supporters of H.R. 676.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> If you LOG ON, you can post your comment on the site. Congressman
>>>>> > Phil Hare and Senator Richard Durbin have received the letter
>>>>> at > their office. I've left word that we've invited people in 
>>>>> Illinois
>>>>> > and nationwide to register their comments regarding health care >
>>>>> reform and how patients with Parkinson's are impacted, young onset
>>>>> > patients in particular.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> If not 65, young onset patients would, in most instances, have to
>>>>> > rely on HMO Medicare Advantage Plans, rather than Medicare, as
>>>>> they
>>>>> > would be unable to get a secondary policy for Medicare Part D due
>>>>> to > a "pre-existing" condition.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> The ABOUT section at the website explains the background of the > 
>>>>> reform effort and the MULTIMEDIA has myriad videos and articles   that 
>>>>>  > reveal more of what is going on behind the scenes.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> The overriding issue is that the U.S.A. desperately needs campaign
>>>>> > finance reform in order to serve the people instead of special >
>>>>> interest groups.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> I've sent a copy of this to the ListServe.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Sincerely,?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Alison Landes?
>>>>> Founder & Editor?
>>>>> www.PassHR676.org?
>>>>> Executive Board Member?
>>>>> Floridians for Health Care?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------?
>>>>> To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: 
>>>>> mailto:[log in to unmask]
>>>>> In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn?
>>>>> ?
>>>> ?
>>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------?
>>>> To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: 
>>>> mailto:[log in to unmask]
>>>> In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>> To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: 
>>>> mailto:[log in to unmask]
>>>> In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn
>>>
>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: 
>>> mailto:[log in to unmask]
>>> In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>> To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: 
>> mailto:[log in to unmask]
>> In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: 
> mailto:[log in to unmask]
> In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn 

----------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask]
In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn