Governor Don Carcieri

As states slash Medicaid spending from their budgets and await an imminent federal bail out, Rhode Island’s governor has come under heavy criticism for seeking to overhaul the state’s Medicaid system through a spending cap.

Last summer, Gov. Don Carcieri applied for federal permission from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to change the state’s program and set a limit on spending. The waiver was approved earlier this month. According to the Boston Globe (“Congressional Democrats fault RI Medicaid plan“), Carcieri reached a deal during the final days of the Bush administration that would set a $12 billion cap on Medicaid spending over five years. Rhode Island is the only state to have taken this action. Continue Reading

U.S. Capitol Building

The House approved an $819 billion stimulus package on Wednesday and the Senate plans to debate their own version next week. New job creation is now on the horizon. In addition, states are likely to  receive a much needed bailout for Medicaid.

According to the New York Times, the stimulus package might be delivered to President Obama’s desk before Congress breaks in mid February. Still, the Times reports (“House Passes Stimulus Plan with No G.O.P. Votes“) that the House and Senate are sharply divided on how to structure $87 billion in Medicaid relief. Continue Reading

Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI)

Along with many economists and advocacy organizations, Rep.  Gwen Moore (D-WI) wants to see women’s poverty placed at the very top of the nation’s agenda. And she has exerted her political power as a U.S. representative to pursue this goal by advocating for the inclusion of women in President Obama’s economic stimulus package.

Moore’s passion for supporting low-income women is not just political but personal — She was a teenaged mother who lived on government assistance. Now she’s fighting to narrow the wage gap and increase post-secondary education for women on welfare. Thanks to a writeup at WomensEnews.org, we caught wind of the comments she delivered at the Democratic National Convention on women and poverty, and we tracked her down this week as she was on her way to cast votes in the House. Continue Reading

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The newest additions to PHI’s National Clearinghouse on the Direct Care Workforce:

Perceived advantages and disadvantages of using agency staff related to care in nursing homes – This article discusses potential reasons for the relationship between agency use and quality of care. Based on results from a survey of nursing home administrators, the study found that more disadvantages than advantages were noted. Continue Reading

Jan 28, 2009 front page

A New York Times editorial titled “Caring for the Caregivers” makes the link between quality care and quality direct-care jobs — calling for improved labor protections in an area that is “one of the fastest growing” but “one of the lowest paid and most exploitable.”

The piece calls home health care “a 21st-century growth industry,” pointing out that, at a time when record layoffs are being reported, the health care sector continues to add jobs — with 32,000 positions added in December 2008 alone.

Referring to federal labor laws that permit home care aides to be exempted from overtime and minimum wage requirements, the editorial says, “It is unconscionable that workers who are entrusted with the care of some of the nation’s most vulnerable citizens are themselves unprotected by basic labor standards.” Continue Reading

Sarah Wells

NCCNHR: The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care has named Sarah F. Wells its new executive director. Wells will oversee the daily operations of the organization, lead fundraising efforts, and continue NCCNHR’s unique role since 1975 as the only national consumer advocacy organization whose sole mission is improving the quality of care and life of the elderly and people with disabilities. Continue Reading