Policy Update

With State Budget Approved, California Lawmakers Return Focus to Health Care Reform

After a 52-day budget deadlock, the California Senate approved a $145 billion budget for fiscal year 2007-08 after two Republican senators provided the necessary votes. Senate Republicans had been holding out since July for deeper spending cuts and other demands but decided to back the budget following several concessions, including a promise by Governor Schwarzenegger to use his line-item veto authority to cut $700 million and eliminate an operating deficit. The governor's proposed cuts are expected to include a $300 million reduction in health care programs for low-income residents. Gov. Schwarzenegger is expected to sign the new budget before the end of the week.

The end of the budget stalemate allows state lawmakers to return to negotiations on other issues, including health care reform. This is currently high on the political agenda, as many Californians are dissatisfied with the state's health care system. Findings from a new field poll of California's likely voters show that a growing majority of voters (69%) express dissatisfaction with the way the health care system is working in the state. The new poll shows that 36 percent of California voters now favor replacing the current employer-based system with one operated by the state up, 12 percent since December. Meanwhile, the number of voters who want to make reforms within the framework of the current system has dropped from 52 percent in December to 33 percent in August. For more information on health care reform in California, visit CalHealthReform.org Read More

Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease Announces New Study Group

In July, the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease announced the formation of an Alzheimer's Disease Study Group, a new panel intended to advance the cause of Alzheimer's prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Made up of health policy experts, the group will evaluate current efforts in the United States to combat the disease and recommend new strategies for addressing identified shortcomings. There are currently 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease and this number is expected to increase to as many as 16 million by 2050. A report to the Congressional Alzheimer's Task Force is expected in the spring of 2008.

The Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease was created in 1999 to focus national attention on Alzheimer's disease and the health crisis it presents. The goals of the task force are to educate and focus attention on Alzheimer's disease; to encourage increased research funding for the discovery of treatments and a possible cure; and to foster open bipartisan discussion about public policy solutions to help meet the long-term care needs of people suffering from the disease. The task force currently includes 23 U.S. Senators and 171 members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Co-chairs of the task force include Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Susan Collins (R-ME), and Representatives Ed Markey (D-MA) and Chris Smith (R-NJ). Read More

New Issue Brief Discusses Consumer-Directed Home and Community Services for Adults with Dementia

A new issue brief from the Alzheimer's Association, entitled "Consumer Directed Home and Community Services for Adults with Dementia," describes the provisions of consumer-directed, home- and community-based programs that serve older adults with dementia in eleven states. Among the provisions described are those related to determining whether a participant needs assistance with managing services, meeting family caregiver needs, and quality assurance.

The brief also provides policy recommendations for states considering expansion or implementation of consumer-directed programs that serve dementia families. A strong recommendation is made for states to evaluate a family caregiver's needs when that family member makes it possible for the person with dementia to stay at home or in the community and then connect the family caregiver with available supportive services. Read More

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