each Medicare home health care session is 60 days.

if the patient shows signs of improvement at the end of 60 days, the  
home health care benefit can be renewed.  if no signs of improvement,  
Medicare views this as maintenance and will not pay another 60 day  
benefit.


On Sep 25, 2009, at 9:40 PM, rayilynlee wrote:

> 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?
>>>>>> ?
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