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Washington Update: Public
Policy and Advocacy
Meredith Ponder
Senior Associate
Matz, Blancato and Associates
June 2, 2014
Introduction
Second session of the 113th Congress halfway done
Sixth year of the Obama presidency
Where do things stand?
With the president: not so much power
Key people are leaving Administration
Headed into lame-duck period
November election and possible changes
Congressional Overview
Started with strong bipartisan activity
Omnibus FY 2014 Appropriations bill, Farm Bill, increase in debt ceiling SGR patch
Only “must do” left: FY 2015 appropriations
Could do:
Permanent fix to SGR
Tax extenders
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act monitor for possible implications for I and R
Might or might not do:
Immigration reform
Older Americans Act
Tweaks to Affordable Care Act
Congressional Overview (cont.)
More not on table than on table
Not on table:
Social Security (chained CPI gone)
Medicare reform (other than SGR)
Medicaid reforms (other than Medicaid expansion in states)
Long term care
Older Americans Act
D.C. still stalled on the OAA reauthorization
3 key bills in play
Farthest along is the Sanders bill (S. 1562)
Awaiting consideration on Senate floor
Stalled by formula changes
Has to be resolved
S.1562 – OAA Amendments of 2013
Strengthens and reauthorizes core programs of the OAA
Updates definitions of “greatest economic and social need”
Addresses economic security
Authorizes new demonstration projects
Increases focus on elder abuse
OAA (cont.)
Related to this bill is H.R. 4122 (Bonamici)
Bonamici bill is a modest but progressive reauthorization which expands on the Sanders bill
Pending; no action scheduled
3rd bill is H.R. 3850 (Gibson, NY) a bipartisan straight reauthorization for five years starting in FY14
No action yet on this either
The existing provisions related to I&R in the current law are maintained in all three bills. Ongoing work to get the AIRS standards recognized in law
Prospects for the OAA?
Appear not good as of today
No one wants to make next move
Everyone is passive
Buzz has to be generated from grassroots
AARP did lobby day with more than 250 visits and had OAA on agenda
Affordable Care Act
Now in its 5th year
Controversial from the start. Will continue to be a defining issue in November
Future of big ticket items such as individual mandate remain unclear
Medicaid expansion key state by state issue
AIRS is a “Champion for Change” of the ACA
Some AIRS interests include navigators program, care transitions and Part D issues
Navigators program: a lot of bang for a little benefit?
Millions spent on the program, but unclear how much it has helped consumers enroll
Still will be a window of opportunity for I&R network
Affordable Care Act
Care transitions (lowering hospital readmissions)
Aging network heavily involved
Renewal of grants under way but programs have had issues meeting metrics
A strong feature of the ACA for seniors is lowering of prescription drug costs in Medicare Part D
Gradual closing of donut hole
Already achieved savings averaging $1300 per senior
Add to that new emphasis on preventive benefits
Will help to bend cost curve for health care
New and emerging issue relates to problems enrolling new Medicaid people and need for information
Long Term Care
Another health issue to consider when discussing ACA
America’s denial issue continues
Effort in Affordable Care Act (CLASS Act) failed
New ideas are developing
Switch emphasis from long term care to long term services and supports
Greater emphasis on home and community based care
Must address financing (public/private)
Elder Justice
Elder abuse is a growing problem
Estimated that 1 in 10 seniors are victims of abuse, neglect and/or exploitation
Federal response is not adequate to say the least
$25 million Elder Justice Initiative proposed in the President’s budget
$13.8 million to enhance APS, including databases and program standards
$11.2 million for research, including screening tools and foundational research
Important first step
Information is the business of what you do, and elder abuse prevention is about people being aware of the problem
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15
White House Conference on Aging
We continue to monitor possible 2015 White House Conference on Aging
Included in President’s budget is $3 million for WHCOA
Very appropriate to do in 2015: 50th anniversaries of Medicare, Medicaid and OAA
Look for opportunities for AIRS to get involved
The Five B’s of Advocacy
Remember the 5 B’s of advocacy
Be Prepared
Be Persistent
Be Persuasive
Be Personable but most of all
Be Engaged!
Action at Home
What can you do as a community? Key component of advocacy
Forums
Phone/email campaigns
Visit local offices
Neighborhood/community awareness
Letters to the editor
Tweeting
Advocacy vs. Lobbying
This is advocacy:
Telling your member of Congress how a federal grant your organization received has helped your constituents
Educating a member of Congress about the effects of a policy on your constituency
Inviting a member of Congress to visit your organization so that he/she may see firsthand how federal funding or a policy affects day-to-day operations and the difference it makes
http://www.ncoa.org/public-policy-action/policy-news/are-nonprofits-allowed-to.html
Conclusions
We are coming up on what will likely be a brutal midterm election
Advocacy before the distraction of the midterms is more crucial than ever, especially on issues like the OAA
Take action at home and if you visit DC to take action there, let us know you’re in town!
