Medicare Care Transitions Program Act of 2009

HR 2858 Medicare QIO Program Reform Act of 2009; 9th Medicare QIO Statement of Work; Medicare Care Transitions Act of 2009 (S. 1009);HR 3962 Affordable Health Care for Americans Act; HR 3590 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Client expense: $80,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

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 - Supported Community First Choice Option version of this legislation in health care reform. S.245/H.R. 468/S.434/H.R.2688, Retooling the Health Care Workforce for an Aging America Act and possible amendments, in healthcare reform, including Family Caregiving provisions. S.113/H.R.2560, Empowered at Home Act and the Independence at Home Act - Discussed long-term care and chronic care legislation that AARP endorsed and including provisions in health reform 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 provisions of CLASS in House and Senate health reform bills and urged inclusion of CLASS in Senate and House HCR legislation. S.1131/H.R.2560 Independence at Home Act - Discussed AARP's support for this Medicare care coordination bill; and urged it's inclusion in health reform legislation. 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 - Discussed legislation that would 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 - Discussed legislation that would reduce unnecessary hospital readmissions, improve quality for Medicare beneficiaries, and reducing wasteful spending in Medicare; 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 - Discussed legislation that would 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 - Discussed legislation that would 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 - Discussed legislation that would 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). S.750 Caring for an Aging America Act - Discussed possible amendment to health reform 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) Discussed Medicare physician payment issues and SGR. (no bill) S. 2128, Prevent Healthcare Fraud Act - Discussed Medicare Fraud. 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 proposals to address LTC and HCBS in the context of health care reform. (no bill) S.1256 Home and Community Balanced Incentives Act - Discussed inclusion of this legislation in health reform legislation and advocated for amendment in Senate healthcare reform legislation. 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, "ending rating by health condition or any proxy," 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, and modifying medicare advantage. S. 2926, Economic Fairness for Seniors Act - Discussed legislation that would allow premiums for Medicare Part B to remain at 2009 levels for all beneficiaries, provide social security beneficiaries with $250 in economic relief in response to the lack of cost of living adjustment for 2010, and convert from the CPI-W to the CPI-E. H.J.Res. 64, Third Continuing Resolution, FY 2010; not enacted - Lobbied for various items to be excepted from lower funding levels during the term of the Continuing Resolution. H.R. 3326, Division B, Defense Appropriations bill for FY 2010 - Lobbied for SNAP participation changes, extension of unemployment benefits and COBRA eligibility, delay in cuts to Medicare physician payments. H.R. 2996, Division B, Interior Appropriations bill lobbied for various items to be excepted from lower funding levels during the term of the Continuing Resolution. House Amendment to Senate Amendment to H.R. 2847 "Jobs for Main Street Act" - Discussed redirection of some TARP funds to extend unemployment insurance and COBRA eligibility and FMAP assistance to state governments. Discussed support for the inclusion of Puerto Rico and the territories in the proposed Health Insurance Exchange, increasing Medicaid funds to Puerto Rico seniors in Medicare Part B. (no bill) Discussed support for the inclusion of Puerto Rico and the territories in the proposed Health Insurance Exchange, increasing Medicaid funds to Puerto Rico and the territories, and the auto-enrollment of Puerto Rico seniors in Medicare Part B. (no bill)

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 - Supported Community First Choice Option version of this legislation in health care reform. S.245/H.R. 468/S.434/H.R.2688, Retooling the Health Care Workforce for an Aging America Act and possible amendments, in healthcare reform, including Family Caregiving provisions. S.113/H.R.2560, Empowered at Home Act and the Independence at Home Act - Discussed long-term care and chronic care legislation that AARP endorsed and including provisions in health reform 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 provisions of CLASS in House and Senate health reform bills and urged inclusion of CLASS in Senate and House HCR legislation. S.1131/H.R.2560 Independence at Home Act - Discussed AARP's support for this Medicare care coordination bill; and urged it's inclusion in health reform legislation. 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 - Discussed legislation that would 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 - Discussed legislation that would reduce unnecessary hospital readmissions, improve quality for Medicare beneficiaries, and reducing wasteful spending in Medicare; 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 - Discussed legislation that would 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 - Discussed legislation that would 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 - Discussed legislation that would 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). S.750 Caring for an Aging America Act - Discussed possible amendment to health reform 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) Discussed Medicare physician payment issues and SGR. (no bill) S. 2128, Prevent Healthcare Fraud Act - Discussed Medicare Fraud. 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 proposals to address LTC and HCBS in the context of health care reform. (no bill) S.1256 Home and Community Balanced Incentives Act - Discussed inclusion of this legislation in health reform legislation and advocated for amendment in Senate healthcare reform legislation. 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, "ending rating by health condition or any proxy," 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, and modifying medicare advantage. S. 2926, Economic Fairness for Seniors Act - Discussed legislation that would allow premiums for Medicare Part B to remain at 2009 levels for all beneficiaries, provide social security beneficiaries with $250 in economic relief in response to the lack of cost of living adjustment for 2010, and convert from the CPI-W to the CPI-E. H.J.Res. 64, Third Continuing Resolution, FY 2010; not enacted - Lobbied for various items to be excepted from lower funding levels during the term of the Continuing Resolution. H.R. 3326, Division B, Defense Appropriations bill for FY 2010 - Lobbied for SNAP participation changes, extension of unemployment benefits and COBRA eligibility, delay in cuts to Medicare physician payments. H.R. 2996, Division B, Interior Appropriations bill lobbied for various items to be excepted from lower funding levels during the term of the Continuing Resolution. House Amendment to Senate Amendment to H.R. 2847 "Jobs for Main Street Act" - Discussed redirection of some TARP funds to extend unemployment insurance and COBRA eligibility and FMAP assistance to state governments. Discussed support for the inclusion of Puerto Rico and the territories in the proposed Health Insurance Exchange, increasing Medicaid funds to Puerto Rico seniors in Medicare Part B. (no bill) Discussed support for the inclusion of Puerto Rico and the territories in the proposed Health Insurance Exchange, increasing Medicaid funds to Puerto Rico and the territories, and the auto-enrollment of Puerto Rico seniors in Medicare Part B. (no bill)

HR 2858 Medicare QIO Program Reform Act of 2009; 9th Medicare QIO Statement of Work; Medicare Care Transitions Act of 2009 (S. 1009)

Client expense: $70,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE

S. 1628/H.R. 3648--Rural Physician Pipeline Act of 2009 (Requested support for the bills) S. 1009: Medicare Care Transitions Program Act of 2009 (Sent letter to Senator Max Baucus requesting language from the bill be incorporated in the final health care reform bill) S. 1239/H.R. 444--340B Program Improvement and Integrity Act of 2009 (Requested support for the bills) H.R. 3200--America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 (Lobbied against cuts to Medicare physician reimbursement rates; requested support from House against amendment to include an Independent Medicare Advisory Committee) H.R. 1715--Protection for Participants in Research Act of 2009 (Worked with House on amendments to bill) H.R. 873--Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2009 (Requested support for bill)

Client expense: $234,199 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

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.

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.

Senate Finance Chairman's Mark - America's Healthy Future Act (Baucus): role of public programs (Title I, Subtitle G), promoting disease prevention and wellness (Title II), linking payment to quality in Medicare (Title III, Subtitle A, Part I), development of new patient care models (Title III, Subtitle A, Part III), Medicare Advantange (Title III, Subtitle C) HR 3200 America's Affordable Health Choices Act (Waxman, Rangel, Miller)- accountable care organizations (Division B, Title III, Sec. 1301), medical homes (Division B, Title III, Section 1302), Medicare Advantage (Division B, Title I, Subtitle D), Special needs plans (Division B, Title I, Subtitle D, Sec. 1176 & 1177) S 1249 (Klobuchar) Medicare Payment Improvement Act of 2009 (entire bill) HR 2844 (Kind) Medicare Payment Improvement Act of 2009 (entire bill) S 1262 (Cantwell) Medical Efficiency and Delivery Improvement of Care Act of 2009 (Title III, Sec 3003) S 1133 (Wyden) Empowering Medicare Patient Choices Act (entire bill) HR 2580 (Blumenauer) Empowering Medicare Patient Choices Act (entire bill) S 1004 (Lincoln) RE-Aligning Care Act (entire bill) HR 2307 (Green) RE-Aligning Care Act (entire bill) S 1131 (Wyden) Independence at Home Act of 2009 (entire bill) HR 2560 (Markey) Independence at Home Act of 2009 (entire bill) S 1009 (Bennet) Medicare Care Transitions Program Act of 2009 (entire bill)

Client expense: $93,696 · Firm income: Not reported

S. 1009, Medicare Care Transitions Program of 2009

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: SENATE

Medicare Quality Improvement Organization Modernization proposed legislation; Medicare QIO 9th Statement of Work (entire document); Medicare Care Transitions Act of 2009 (S. 1009)

Client expense: $80,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, White House Office

Medicare Quality Improvement Organization Modernization proposed legislation; Medicare QIO 9th Statement of Work (entire document); Medicare Care Transitions Act of 2009 (S. 1009)

Client expense: $90,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, White House Office

H.R. 758/S. 353--Pediatric Research Consortia Establishment Act (Requested support for the bills) H.R. 873/S. 487--Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2009 (Requested support for the bills) H.R. 2/S. 275--Childrens Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (Requested support for the bills) S.1239/H.R. 444: 340B Program Improvement and Integrity Act of 2009 (Requested support for the bills) S. 973/H.R. 2251: The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2009 (Requested support for the bills) Advocated for increase in Title VII funding Asked for rescission of Medicare Capital IME Rule Sent letter to request full funding for the National Cord Blood Inventory (NCBI) S. 1009: Medicare Care Transitions Program Act of 2009

Client expense: $272,724 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

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.

Senate Finance Committee Draft Policy Options (Baucus) - transitional care activities, accountable care organizations, Medicare Advantage funding, special needs plans, Medicare FFS payment reform, Medicaid eligibility expansion HR 3200 America's Affordable Health Choices Act (Waxman, Rangel, Miller)- accountable care organizations (Division B, Title III, Sec. 1301), medical homes (Division B, Title III, Section 1302), Medicare Advantage (Division B, Title I, Subtitle D), Special needs plans (Division B, Title I, Subtitle D, Sec. 1176 & 1177) S. 1133 (Wyden) Empowering Medicare Patient Choices Act (entire bill) HR 2580 (Blumenauer) Empowering Medicare Patient Choices Act (entire bill) S 1004 (Lincoln) RE-Aligning Care Act (entire bill) HR 2307 (Green) RE-Aligning Care Act (entire bill) S 1131 (Wyden) Independence at Home Act of 2009 (entire bill) HR 2560 (Markey) Independence at Home Act of 2009 (entire bill) S 1150 (Rockefeller) Advance Planning and Compassionate Care Act of 2009 (entire bill) HR 2911 (Blumenauer) Advance Planning and Compassionate Care Act of 2009 (entire bill) S 1009 (Bennet) Medicare Care Transitions Program Act of 2009 (entire bill)

Client expense: $95,800 · Firm income: Not reported