| Story of the Week |
(GRANTS) Older Americans to Benefit from Upcoming $400M Comparative Effectiveness Research Projects
The Department of Health & Human Services will soon begin soliciting grant applications in connection with new Comparative Effectiveness Research projects, a significant number of which will focus on the healthcarde needs of older Americans, sources tell Aging News Alert. Exactly how big a deal is this? The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act appropriates $400 million to the HHS Secretary for support of CER. The Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality will be the designated point of contact for management of the funds. Login to see complete story
01/07/2010 12:27 PM
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| Best Practices |
(AGING SERVICES) Long-Standing Program Finds New Successes, Broadens Fundraising Efforts
Elders in Action, a Portland, OR-based nonprofit with more than 30 years of experience in addressing the needs of seniors, is finding new success in its efforts to increase public awareness about issues important to seniors. The organization is now engaged in a concerted campaign to engage a broader demographic. Login to see complete story
01/06/2010 10:32 AM
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| Capitol Hill |
(SENATE) National Housing Trust Fund Faces Tough Scrutiny By Conservatives
Senate Republicans are lining up to oppose a $1 billion-plus infusion to the new National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF), and they appear to be picking up support from moderate Democrats who are wary about how the appropriation will be handled. Trust money under the 2008 law will be divided by HUD among state housing agencies which then will distribute it to local housing authorities to dole out to eligible community groups -- including those serving the housing needs of the elderly -- and low-income housing developers. Login to see complete story
01/04/2010 5:38 PM
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| Federal Agencies |
(AHRQ) Uncle Same Needs You: Nominations Sought for Health Care Stakeholders Group
If you're seriously concerned about issues important to older Americans -- such as access to quality healthcare, payments to Medicare and Medicaid, prescription drug costs, etc. -- here's your chance to get involved in a federally-backed effort to address those concerns. The Department of Health & Human Services' Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ) is inviting nominations from interested organizations and knowledgeable individuals for two-year membership in the Effective Health Care Stakeholders Group, a federally authorized consultative body -- some 20 members in all -- that works with the government to improve healthcare delivery. Login to see complete story
01/07/2010 1:36 PM
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| Funding Opportunities |
(GRANTS) Alzheimer's Foundation Offers Multiple Opportunities
If your organization provides services to victims of Alzheimer's disease, their families and/or caregivers, you ought to investigate several upcoming funding opportunities sponsored by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America. The foundation is now accepting applications for several programs this spring. Login to see complete story
01/07/2010 12:57 PM
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(GRANTS) Amgen Foundation Focuses on Healthcare Quality, Patient Access
The Amgen Foundation, the giving arm of the biotechnology company, provides more than $20 million each year for priorities that include healthcare improvement/patient access, and resources for communities where it has operations. There are no deadlines for applciations, but the foundation's board of directors meets quarterly to make grant decisions. Login to see complete story
01/04/2010 12:36 PM
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(GRANTS) Center for Technology & Aging Awards First-Ever Technology Diffusion Grants
The Oakland, CA- based Center for Technology & Aging (CTA) has awarded grants to five organizations for projects aimed at improving medication use in older adults with chronic health conditions. The five grants total $477,000 and range from $92,000 to $100,000. The grantees are supplementing grant funding with a total of more than $520,000 in matching funds. Login to see complete story
01/06/2010 09:25 AM
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(GRANTS) Grantee Will Research Health IT & Community-Based Care
The Department of Health & Human Services' Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality is seeking applicants for its "Active Aging: Supporting Individuals and Enhancing Community-based Care through Health Information Technology" progtram. Eligibility is extended to state and local governments; tribal governments and organizations; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. AHRQ plans to award one $2 million grant each year for up to five years. The deadline for letters of intent is Feb. 25. The applicatrion deadline is March 25. Login to see complete story
01/05/2010 12:26 PM
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(NEW FUNDING) Congress Allocates $50 Million for Social Innovation Fund, Cuts Funding Elsewhere
Nonprofit organizations providing services to seniors likely will see more federal funding this year through the new Social Innovation Fund, which will offer $50 million in a series of competitive grants to an estimated five to seven intermediary organizations. Annual awards, which will extend for five years, are expected to be in the range of $5 million to $10 million, but must be matched 1:1 in cash. Login to see complete story
01/04/2010 2:08 PM
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| Healthcare Reform |
(SENATE) Inclusion of CLASS Act Language in Healthcare Reform Seen Probable
A senior Democratic staffer for the Senate Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions (HELP) Committee, says passage of healthcare reform legislation containing Community Living Assistance Services & Supports (CLASS) language is a virtual certainty. Constance Garner, majority policy director for the HELP Committee, tells Aging News Alert that a successfully reconciled House and Senate healthcare reform bill will be enacted early this year, despite controversy that continues swirling around the measure. Login to see complete story
01/06/2010 2:31 PM
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| Housing |
(SECTION 202) Aid to Senior Housing Gets a Boost
Following a campaign by AARP to persuade Congress to enhance the Sec. 202 program, lawmakers approve an 8% increase in the appropriations for the only affordable housing program dedicated solely to seniors. AARP claims that 10 eligible seniors are on the waiting list for every available unit of Sec. 202 housing. Login to see complete story
01/08/2010 12:05 PM
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| Medicare/Medicaid |
(FEE-FOR-SERVICES) Annual Medicare Healthcare Provider Satisfaction Survey Now Underway
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched the fifth annual healthcare provider satisfaction survey of the Medicare fee-for-service contractors that process and pay more than $370 billion in Medicare claims each year. The Medicare Contractor Provider Satisfaction Survey (MCPSS) offers Medicare FFS providers an opportunity to give CMS feedback on their satisfaction, attitudes, perceptions, and opinions about the services provided by their respective contractor. Login to see complete story
01/05/2010 4:22 PM
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| Nursing Homes |
(END-OF-LIFE) Few Nursing Homes Participate in End-of-Life Programs, Study Finds
Although 25% of all deaths in America occur in nursing homes, fewer than 20% of homes participate in end-of-life care (EoL) programs, finds a report from the Institute for the Future of Aging Services (IFAS), the research arm of the American Association of Homes & Services for the Aging (AAHSA). The IFAS report is an analysis of data from the 2004 National Nursing Home Survey, which includes data representing America's 16,000 nursing homes. Login to see complete story
01/07/2010 2:20 PM
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(GAO) Serious Deficiencies in Nursing Facilities Understated; Problem Could Worsen
In numerous reports over the past decade, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found that the federal nursing home survey process describes deficiencies as less serious than they actually are. The result of this understatement is either that no enforcement occurs at all or less significant remedies are imposed than the deficiencies actually warrant. Login to see complete story
01/07/2010 5:40 PM
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(LONG-TERM CARE) Want to Improve Quality of Care? Try a 'Culture Change'
Of the many ways to improve quality in long-term care for seniors in nursing homes, the organizational "culture change" movement may be an important factor in addressing the issue, says an expert in the field. Mary Jane Koren, assistant vice president for the Picker/Commonwealth Quality of Care for Frail Elders Program and long-time advocate of culture change, underscores the need for nursing homes as part of a "continuum of care." Login to see complete story
01/08/2010 5 PM
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| Research and Reports |
(HEALTHCARE COSTS) Report Finds Historically Low Rate of Growth; Health Spending Grows Faster Than Overall Economy
Nominal health spending in the United States grew 4.4% in 2008, to $2.3 trillion or $7,681 per person. This was the slowest rate of growth since the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services started officially tracking expenditures in 1960. Despite slower growth, however, health care spending continued to outpace overall nominal economic growth, which grew by 2.6% in 2008 as measured by the Gross Domestic Product. Login to see complete story
01/05/2010 11:31 AM
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| Retirement |
(SURVEY) Satisfaction Running High among Participants of 401(k) and Similar Retirement Plans
Despite the 2007-2009 extreme stock market volatility, plan holders of 401(k) and similar retirement accounts are very satisfied with them, and a relatively small percentage stopped contributing to them or took any form of withdrawal from January-September 2009, finds a just-released survey by the Investment Company Institute. Login to see complete story
01/08/2010 4:25 PM
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| Services |
(CANINE AIDS) Applications Open for Canine Companions
Funded by private contributions and grants, Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) is a nonprofit that provides -- at no charge -- trained assistance dogs and ongoing support for people with disabilities and the facilities that provide services for them. Login to see complete story
01/06/2010 2:39 PM
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