Project 2020: Building on the Promise of Home and Community-Based Services Act of 2009

S.330/H.R.684, Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2009 - Discussed legislation which would create a government-operated Medicare prescription drug plan. Provided information on the need for nursing education capacity and the retention of newer and older nurses in the workplace (no bill). S.683/H.R.1670, Community Choice Act - Engaged in discussions about the bill, possible changes to advance bill in health reform and it's provisions to balance Medicaid. Discussed chronic care issues and caregiver assessment in Medicaid. Discussed ways to provide better care coordination to dual eligibles and possible legislation (no bill). S.245/H.R. 468/S.434/H.R.468 Retooling the Health Care Workforce for an Aging America Act and possible amendment, the Empowered at Home Act and the Independence at Home Act - Discussed long-term care and chronic care legislation that AARP endorsed and shared endorsement letters. Discussed co-sponsors of Medicaid HCBS legislation. S.631/H.R.2223, Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act - Support for legislation and amendment on criminal background checks for employees of long-term care providers and specific bill provisions. S. 697/H.R.1721, Class Act - Discussed this bill and versions marked up in committee. Endorsed provisions in HELP and E&C Committee healthcare reform bills. S.1131/H.R.2560 Independence at Home Act - Endorsed and discussed AARP's support for this Medicare care coordination bill; and House Committee amendment and urged co-sponsorship. Discussed healthcare coverage for the 50-64 year old population age rating and closing the doughnut hole. S.1133/H.R. 2580, Empowering Medicare Patient Choices Act - To promote patient decision aids to help people make informed, evidence-based decisions about health care treatment options. H.R. 2773/S 1295, Medicare Transitional Care Act of 2009 - To reduce unnecessary hospital readmissions, improving quality for Medicare beneficiaries, and reducing wasteful spending in Medicare; endorsed committee amendment; worked to incorporate bill and its elements into health reform legislation. S. 960, Medicare Early Access Act of 2009 - To let Americans aged 55-64 who are otherwise without access to grup or public coverage buy into Medicare. H.R. 2700, Prescription Coverage Now Act of 2009 - To assist low-invome individuals in obtaining subsidized prescription drug coverage under the Medicare prescription drug program by expediting the application and qualification process and by revising the resource standards used to determine eligibility for such subsidies, and for other purposes. S. 1185, Medicare Financial Stability for Beneficiaries Act of 2009 - To ensure that low-income beneficiaries have improved access to health care under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. H.R. 2716, Medicare Savings Program Improvement Act of 2009 - To provide financial stability for older Americans and people with disabilities through improvements in the Medicare Savings Program. Advocated for modernizing Medicare funding so that nursing education funds are directed to advanced nurse practice programs to help produce more highly-skilled nurses to care for the Medicare population (no bill). H.R. 3293, Labor, HHS, Education and related agencies Appropriations bill for FY2010-Lobbied for funding for SSA, Older Americans Act programs, Lifespan Respite Care Act, Nursing Education/Workforce Development, National Corporation for Community Service (Kennedy Serve America Act), among other items (no bill numbers). S.750 Caring for an Aging america Act - Lobbied in support of legislation and discussed possible floor amendment.. S.1257/H.R.2852 Project 2020:Building the Promise of Home and Community Based Services Act - Lobbied in support of legislation. Discussed ideas to improve medicare for medicare beneficiaries. (no bill) Discussed Medicare physician payment issues and SGR. Responded to staff inquiry about AARP position on Medicare fraud bill; referred staff to appropriate AARP staff. Discussed idea of an annual physical for Medicare beneficiaries (no bill). S.1009 Medicare Care Transitions Program Act - Discussed provisions of Medicare Care Transitions Program Act. S.975 Seniors and Taxpayers Obligation and Protection Act - Lobbied in support of legislation. Discussed care coordination for dual eligibles and policy ideas to address this (no bill). Discussed proposals to address LTC and HCBS in the context of health care reform. (no bill) S.1150 Advance Planning and Compassionate Care Act - Endorsed advance care planning legislation. S.1263 Senior Navigation and Planning Act legislation - discussed legislation. S.1256 Home and Community Balanced Incentives Act - Discussed inclusion of this legislation in health reform legislation and urged cosponsors, advocated for amendment in committee. H.R. 3631, Medicare Premium Fairness Act - Lobbied to pass legislation to allow premiums for Medicare Part B to remain at 2009 levels for all beneficiaries. H.R. 3200 America's Affordable Health Choices Act/S. 1679, Americas Health Choices Act, America's Healthy Future Act (no Senate bill)- Discussed need for affordable quality healthcare, delivery system reform, ending age discrimination in the health insurance industry, closing the doughnut hole, creating a pathway for generic biologics, allowing and funding states to provide home and community based services, creating a transitional benefit in medicare and expanding the asset limit to qualify for low-income programs in medicare.

Client expense: $5,680,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Energy, Dept of, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Government Accountability Office (GAO), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Vice President of the United States, SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Social Security Administration (SSA), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, White House Office

S.330/H.R.684, Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2009 - Discussed legislation which would create a government-operated Medicare prescription drug plan. Provided information on the need for nursing education capacity and the retention of newer and older nurses in the workplace (no bill). S.683/H.R.1670, Community Choice Act - Engaged in discussions about the bill, possible changes to advance bill in health reform and it's provisions to balance Medicaid. Discussed chronic care issues and caregiver assessment in Medicaid. Discussed ways to provide better care coordination to dual eligibles and possible legislation (no bill). S.245/H.R. 468/S.434/H.R.468 Retooling the Health Care Workforce for an Aging America Act and possible amendment, the Empowered at Home Act and the Independence at Home Act - Discussed long-term care and chronic care legislation that AARP endorsed and shared endorsement letters. Discussed co-sponsors of Medicaid HCBS legislation. S.631/H.R.2223, Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act - Support for legislation and amendment on criminal background checks for employees of long-term care providers and specific bill provisions. S. 697/H.R.1721, Class Act - Discussed this bill and versions marked up in committee. Endorsed provisions in HELP and E&C Committee healthcare reform bills. S.1131/H.R.2560 Independence at Home Act - Endorsed and discussed AARP's support for this Medicare care coordination bill; and House Committee amendment and urged co-sponsorship. Discussed healthcare coverage for the 50-64 year old population age rating and closing the doughnut hole. S.1133/H.R. 2580, Empowering Medicare Patient Choices Act - To promote patient decision aids to help people make informed, evidence-based decisions about health care treatment options. H.R. 2773/S 1295, Medicare Transitional Care Act of 2009 - To reduce unnecessary hospital readmissions, improving quality for Medicare beneficiaries, and reducing wasteful spending in Medicare; endorsed committee amendment; worked to incorporate bill and its elements into health reform legislation. S. 960, Medicare Early Access Act of 2009 - To let Americans aged 55-64 who are otherwise without access to grup or public coverage buy into Medicare. H.R. 2700, Prescription Coverage Now Act of 2009 - To assist low-invome individuals in obtaining subsidized prescription drug coverage under the Medicare prescription drug program by expediting the application and qualification process and by revising the resource standards used to determine eligibility for such subsidies, and for other purposes. S. 1185, Medicare Financial Stability for Beneficiaries Act of 2009 - To ensure that low-income beneficiaries have improved access to health care under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. H.R. 2716, Medicare Savings Program Improvement Act of 2009 - To provide financial stability for older Americans and people with disabilities through improvements in the Medicare Savings Program. Advocated for modernizing Medicare funding so that nursing education funds are directed to advanced nurse practice programs to help produce more highly-skilled nurses to care for the Medicare population (no bill). H.R. 3293, Labor, HHS, Education and related agencies Appropriations bill for FY2010-Lobbied for funding for SSA, Older Americans Act programs, Lifespan Respite Care Act, Nursing Education/Workforce Development, National Corporation for Community Service (Kennedy Serve America Act), among other items (no bill numbers). S.750 Caring for an Aging america Act - Lobbied in support of legislation and discussed possible floor amendment.. S.1257/H.R.2852 Project 2020:Building the Promise of Home and Community Based Services Act - Lobbied in support of legislation. Discussed ideas to improve medicare for medicare beneficiaries. (no bill) Discussed Medicare physician payment issues and SGR. Responded to staff inquiry about AARP position on Medicare fraud bill; referred staff to appropriate AARP staff. Discussed idea of an annual physical for Medicare beneficiaries (no bill). S.1009 Medicare Care Transitions Program Act - Discussed provisions of Medicare Care Transitions Program Act. S.975 Seniors and Taxpayers Obligation and Protection Act - Lobbied in support of legislation. Discussed care coordination for dual eligibles and policy ideas to address this (no bill). Discussed proposals to address LTC and HCBS in the context of health care reform. (no bill) S.1150 Advance Planning and Compassionate Care Act - Endorsed advance care planning legislation. S.1263 Senior Navigation and Planning Act legislation - discussed legislation. S.1256 Home and Community Balanced Incentives Act - Discussed inclusion of this legislation in health reform legislation and urged cosponsors, advocated for amendment in committee. H.R. 3631, Medicare Premium Fairness Act - Lobbied to pass legislation to allow premiums for Medicare Part B to remain at 2009 levels for all beneficiaries. H.R. 3200 America's Affordable Health Choices Act/S. 1679, Americas Health Choices Act, America's Healthy Future Act (no Senate bill)- Discussed need for affordable quality healthcare, delivery system reform, ending age discrimination in the health insurance industry, closing the doughnut hole, creating a pathway for generic biologics, allowing and funding states to provide home and community based services, creating a transitional benefit in medicare and expanding the asset limit to qualify for low-income programs in medicare.

HR 1670/S 638, Community Choice Act, providing for Medicaid coverage of community-based attendant services for nursing-home-eligible elders and people with disabilities - support and advocate for inclusion in health care reform. S 434, Emplowered at Home Act, to enable more elders and people with disabilities to qualify for Medicaid coverage of adult day services and home- and community-based services - support HR 3200, America's Affordable Health Choices Act - advocating against Medicare reimbursement freeze for nursing homes, home health care providers, and hospice. In favor of research and evaluation before bundling of post-acute care is implemented. S 1257/HR 2852, Project 2020-to establish single entry points into the LTSS system and enhance nursing home diversion programs - support HR 3043, Medicare Adult Day Services Act-provides for Medicare coverage of subsitute adult day services - support S 1004/HR 2307, RE-Aligning Care Act, to link eligible seniors suffering from chronic illnesses with a qualified health professional to coordinate their care - for S1131/HR2560, Independence at Home Act, authorizing voluntary chronic care coordination pilot programs for high-cost Medicare beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions - support and favor inclusion in health care reform. HR 2773/S 1295, Medicare Transitional Care Act, providing Medicare coverage of transitional services upon discharge from a hospital - support

Client expense: $116,068 · Firm income: Not reported

S.330/H.R.684, Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2009 - Discussed legislation which would create a government-operated Medicare prescription drug plan. Provided information on the need for nursing education capacity and the retention of newer and older nurses in the workplace (no bill). S.683/H.R.1670, Community Choice Act - Engaged in discussions about the bill and it's provisions to balance Medicaid. Discussed ideas to balance state long-term care systems including enhanced FMAP provisions for Medicaid (no bill). Discussed chronic care issues and caregiver assessment in Medicaid. Provided feedback on Medicare Realigning CARE Act (?) chronic care coordinating HCBS and provided feedback on draft proposals (no bill). Discussed challenges to replication of the PACE program. Discussed lessons learned from PACE that could be applicable to dual eligible SNPs (no bill). Discussed ways to provide better care coordination to dual eligibles and possible legislation. S.647/H.R.7128, Nursing Home Transparency and Quality of Care Improvement Act - Discussed reintroduction of the Nursing Home Transparency and Improvement Act in the House and discussed feedback on the bill's provisions. Also discussed provisions of S.647 Nursing Home Quality of Care and Transparency and Improvement Act (S.647). S.245/H.R. 468/S.434/H.R.468 Retooling the Health Care Workforce for an Aging America Act, the Empowered at Home Act and the Independence at Home Act - Discussed long-term care and chronic care legislation that AARP endorsed and shared endorsement letters. Discussed co-sponsors of Medicaid HCBS legislation. S.631/H.R.2223, Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act - Endorsed legislation on criminal background checks for employees of long-term care providers and specific bill provisions. Discussed system delivery reform in health care reform and logistics for testimony. Submitted delivery system reform testimony and comments to Finance Committee. Discussed health care reform substance and process in Finance and HELP Committees (no bill). Discussed Budget Committee letter on health care reform, shared AARP's position on the budget and health care reform. (no bill) S. 697/H.R.1721, Class Act - Discussed this bill, (next steps, scoring, actual analysis, testimony, markup and AARP position, S.1131/H.R.2560 Independence at Home Act - Discussed AARP's support for Medicare care coordination bill; a Hill briefing, bill reintroduction, and urged co-sponsorship. Discussed healthcare coverage for the 50-64 year old population and scheduled meetings for volunteers to share their coverage stories (no bill). S.1133/H.R. 2580, Empowering Medicare Patient Choices Act - To promote patient decision aids to help people make informed, evidence-based decisions about health care treatment options. H.R. 2773/S 1295, Medicare Transitional Care Act of 2009 - To reduce unnecessary hospital readmissions, improving quality for Medicare beneficiaries, and reducing wasteful spending in Medicare. S. 960, Medicare Early Access Act of 2009 - To let Americans aged 55-64 who are otherwise without access to grup or public coverage buy into Medicare. H.R. 2700, Prescription Coverage Now Act of 2009 - To assist low-invome individuals in obtaining subsidized prescription drug coverage under the Medicare prescription drug program by expediting the application and qualification process and by revising the resource standards used to determine eligibility for such subsidies, and for other purposes. S. 1185, Medicare Financial Stability for Beneficiaries Act of 2009 - To ensure that low-income beneficiaries have improved access to health care under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. H.R. 2716, Medicare Savings Program Improvement Act of 2009 - To provide financial stability for older Americans and people with disabilities through improvements in the Medicare Savings Program. Advocated for modernizing Medicare funding so that nursing education funds are directed to advanced nurse practice programs to help produce more highly-skilled nurses to care for the Medicare population. Labor, HHS, Education and related agencies Appropriations bill for FY2010-Lobbied for funding for SSA, Older Americans Act programs, Lifespan Respite Care Act, Nursing Education/Workforce Development, National Corporation for Community Service (Kennedy Serve America Act), among other items (no bill numbers). S.1004 Re-Aligning CARE Act - Discussed feedback on draft Re-aligning CARE Act and urged Sen. Lincoln to sponsor a bill to establish a transitional care benefit in Medicare. Discussed AARP proposal for a Medicare transitional care benefit (no bill number). Set up meeting with MedPAC staff to discuss Medicare transitional care benefit; meeting subsequently held. S.750 Caring for an Aging america Act - Lobbied in support of legislation. Discussed concerns over HHA regulation which would make it more difficult for state surveyors to share information about their surveys of nursing homes. (no bill) S.1257/H.R.2852 Project 2020:Building the Promise of Home and Community Based Services Act - Lobbied in support of legislation. Discussed ideas to improve medicare for medicare beneficiaries. (no bill) S.975 Seniors and Taxpayers Obligation and Protection Act - Lobbied in support of legislation. Inquired regarding use of Medicaid stimulus funds for an enhanced match in the Money Follows the Person Demonstration Program. Set up meetings to discuss AARP Health Care Reform priorities. Discussed Medicare physician payment issues and SGR. Inquired about information regarding a Medicare waiver and five New England states. Responded to staff inquiry about AARP position on Medicare fraud bill; referred staff to appropriate AARP staff. Discussed idea of an annual physical for Medicare beneficiaries. S.1009 Medicare Care Transitions Program Act - Discussed provisions of Medicare Care Transitions Program Act. Discussed care coordination for dual eligibles and policy ideas to address this. Provided information to help educate family caregivers about benefits under Medicare and Medicaid. (no bill) Discussed proposals to address LTC and HCBS in the context of health care reform. (no bill) S.1150 Advance Planning and Compassionate Care Act - Discussed concerns on draft advance care planning legislation. S.1263 Senior Navigation and Planning Act - Discussed legislation. S.1256 Home and Community Balanced Incentives Act - Discussed inclusion of this legislation in health reform legislation.

HR 1670/S 638, Community Choice Act, providing for Medicaid coverage of community-based attendant services for nursing-home-eligible elders and people with disabilities - support S 434, Emplowered at Home Act, to enable more elders and people with disabilities to qualify for Medicaid coverage of adult day services and home- and community-based services - support HR 43/S 46, Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Act - repeals caps on coverage of therapy - support HR 3200, America's Affordable Health Choices Act - advocating against Medicare reimbursement freeze for nursing homes, home health care providers, and hospice. Against user fees based on nursing home survey deficiencies. In favor of research and evaluation before bundling of post-acute care is implemented. HR 1670/S 683, Community Choice Act, provides for Medicaid coverage of community-based attendant services for nursing-home eligible elders and people with disabilities - support S 434, Empowered at Home Act, to enable more elders and people with disabilities to quality for Medicaid coverage of adult day services and home- and community-based services - support S 1257/HR 2852, Project 2020-to establish single entry points into the LTSS system and enhance nursing home diversion programs - support HR 3043, Medicare Adult Day Services Act-provides for Medicare coverage of subsitute adult day services - support S 1004/HR 2307, RE-Aligning Care Act, to link eligible seniors suffering from chronic illnesses with a qualified health professional to coordinate their care - for S1131/HR2560, Independence at Home Act, authorizing voluntary chronic care coordination pilot programs for high-cost Medicare beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions - support HR 2773/S 1295, Medicare Transitional Care Act, providing Medicare coverage of transitional services upon discharge from a hospital - support