Policy Update

New California Legislature Sworn In; Health Care Among Priorities

As the legislature returns to Sacramento, along with a few new members, the issue of health care looms large. Ranking Democrats have cited health care reform as a legislative priority, and Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said last month that one of his goals is to extend health care coverage to all 6.7 million uninsured California residents.

But some of the governor's fellow Republicans could impede this goal, and there is disagreement even among Democrats about how best to reform the system. Top Republicans have voiced opposition to a plan the governor is considering to mandate employer contributions to health care. And Democrats are divided over whether to push for a new universal health care system or retain something like the present system. The Assembly and Senate will reconvene on January 3, 2007 for the new session; caregivers will be watching. Read More

Congress Passes Lifespan Respite Care Act

The House of Representatives and the Senate both passed the Lifespan Respite Care Act (H.R. 3248, S. 1283) by a voice vote during the first week of December. If signed into law by President Bush, the bill will award grants to state agencies and organizations that administer programs under the Older Americans Act to develop lifespan respite care at the state and local level. The budget, however, is limited.

Respite care is a crucial aspect of caregiver support, because it allows caregivers time off while providing quality care and social interaction for loved ones. If enacted, the bill would also provide respite care services for family caregivers caring for children or adults; train and recruit respite care workers and volunteers; provide information to caregivers about available respite or support services; and assist caregivers in gaining access to such services. Read More

Poll Examines Health Care Priorities Among Electorate

A new poll conducted by Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard School of Public Health finds widespread, bi-partisan support for many issues likely to be taken up by the incoming Congress. Among these are drug price renegotiation, providing health care for uninsured children, and re-importing prescription drugs from Canada. Reforming stem-cell research is also an important issue for voters, and over half of them favor broader federal funding for it, but on this issue Americans are more sharply divided over partisan lines: 67 percent of Democrats and 61 percent of independents favor increased funding, compared to only 37 percent of Republicans.

But there is one issue that could prevent health care from becoming an important topic of national debate as we enter the new year: Iraq. The poll shows that the war in Iraq is by far the most important topic Americans would like to see their elected officials address next year, and increasing concern and attention on that situation could easily pre-empt discussion of domestic issues such as the economy and health care. Drew Altman, president and CEO of Kaiser Family Foundation made a similar point in commenting on the poll: "Health care is well positioned to emerge as a top national issue in 2008 and beyond, but only if the situation in Iraq stabilizes and presidential candidates spark a national discussion about health reform." Read More

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