Waxman to Chair House Energy and Commerce

Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA) prevailed in a 137-122 vote of House Democratic Caucus members to become the Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He replaces Representative John Dingell (D-MI) who had been chairman of the committee that oversees many of the issues important to the aging network including health care reform. Environmental issues are also within the committee's jurisdiction. Congressman Dingell was named chairman emeritus allowing him to retain his office in the capitol and he is expected to become chairman of one of the committee's subcommittees - possibly Energy and Air Quality or Health.

As Chairman Waxman takes over Energy and Commerce, he relinquishes chairmanship of House Oversight and Government Reform. The ranking Democratic member of the committee is Representative Edolphus Towns (D-NY) who has declared his intention to seek the chairmanship. The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is the main investigative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. This committee is important to the aging network because of its jurisdiction to investigate any federal program and any matter with federal policy implications. The Oversight Committee has conducted numerous investigations and hearings into a wide range of topics from the economy to Medicare. As one example of the investigations, in July of this year Medicare Part D plans were found to be unable to obtain significant price reductions for prescription drugs, resulting in billions of dollars in excess taxpayer costs.

Healthy Body Healthy Brain

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention convened the Promoting Cognitive Health Partners Meeting to share new research on ways to reach out to older adults and caregivers to maintain a healthy body and a healthy brain. The research builds on The Healthy Brain Initiative: A National Public Health Road Map to Maintaining Cognitive Health published in 2007. The full report is available at www.cdc.gov/aging/

Researchers shared preliminary information about how diverse groups of older adults view cognitive health and impairment. The results of the inquiry will assist in the crafting of a message intended to inspire older adults to take action to maintain their health – brain and body. Researchers conducted 75 focus groups in 9 locations around the country. The same scripts were used in each setting to provide some uniformity. The presenters noted that different cultures use different terms to describe cognitive health. Common themes emerged including social involvement - being around people, mental attitude - maintain a good outlook, alertness - clear minded, physical activity - staying busy,and spirituality- being active in a faith community.

Findings from the research and implications for the future will be published in the Gerontologist in the spring 2009 edition. Partners at the meeting discussed gaps in efforts to promote good cognitive health including lack of assessment tools, no one trusted source for information, brain health is often not considered when discussing overall health and stigma of a diagnosis of cognitive impairment. Participants discussed options for distributing the findings and taking other appropriate actions. AARP and the Alzheimer's Association are currently aiming messages at baby boomers to take care of one's cognitive health. Participants highlighted that health care professionals, policy makers and aging services providers must also be pursued with the message to include brain health when discussing overall health.

DTV Apply, Buy, Try

At a meeting of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Digital Television (DTV) Consumer Advisory Committee November 14, 2008, consumers were urged to "apply, buy and try" the converter boxes that will be needed after February 17 when all broadcasts will be digital. Representatives of the broadcast industry and consumer groups are part of the committee that has been meeting to develop plans to make the conversion to digital a smooth one.

The campaign has three goals - 1) to make consumers aware of the change, 2) help them to understand what they must do to stay connected, and 3) convince these consumers to take action. Government officials noted that 34.5 million coupons have been mailed to consumers and 14 million have been redeemed. Everyone who qualifies is permitted to obtain two coupons. The data shows that most requests have been for two coupons.

In response to several questions, it was reiterated that:

If a household requests two coupons and does not redeem them before they expire, no replacement coupons are available

Individuals may share their coupons - if they request two and only need one they may share the extra with a neighbor

Hooking up the box properly and scanning the channels has been a complicated process for a significant number of consumers

The FCC has materials for trouble shooting available for consumers who have trouble getting the set up to work

Rule changes now allow 1) residents of institutions licensed by the state including nursing homes to obtain a coupon and 2) consumers with a Post Office Box may now also receive the coupons

Time is running out to get the coupons in time to obtain the equipment. The coupons are sent by standard mail not first class mail (except in Hawaii where the conversion takes place January 15). Standard mail takes 3-14 days.

For those who do not get the coupon in time, the equipment is available for purchase at retail stores; a coupon is not required. It was initially expected that some individuals would buy new digital televisions forgoing the need for the equipment.

The FCC will have staff in each of the six Designated Market Areas (DMA) to meet with local officials and volunteers to reach more consumers to help consumers stay connected. Town hall meetings and other outreach events are planned for each DMA in the days ahead. A speakers bureau is also available through the FCC to talk with groups to reach as many consumers as possible.

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairmanship Challenged

Henry Waxman (D-CA) current Chairman of House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has announced his interest in becoming the Energy and Commerce Chairman. John Dingell (D-MI), current chairman of Energy and Commerce, is not willing to give up the position. The committee has jurisdiction for many of the issues about which the aging network is concerned. Project 2020, health reform, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and more are within the purview of this committee. Other committee chairmanships may change as the House and Senate members prepare for the 111th Congress.

Health Care Reform Proposal

On Wednesday, November 12, Senator Max Baucus, (D-MT), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, unveiled a white paper entitled Call to Action Health Reform 2009 proposing reforms to the national health care system. While public policy makers are concerned about economic problems across the country, the paper notes that national economists concur that health care reform is necessary to sustain our economy, to compete internationally and to address the long-term fiscal challenges we face.

Emphasis is placed on covering all Americans; promoting wellness and prevention; strengthening the role of primary care and chronic disease management; creating payment incentives to improve quality of care; encouraging collaborations among providers to deliver patient centered care; shifting the long-term care focus from institutional care to home and community based care; and exploring tax reforms.

To promote insurance coverage a Health Insurance Exchange would be developed to connect individuals and employers to insurance providers. The plan would prohibit insurers from denying coverage of preexisting conditions, and would offer government subsidies to low-income families to afford coverage. Until the Health Insurance Exchange is operational, temporary options will be available through Medicare and Medicaid. The State Children's Health Insurance Program will continue as an option for covering children.

The paper explains that eliminating waste and fraud, focusing on prevention, and using sophisticated data to identify the most cost-effective therapies will save money in the future. However, the ideas suggested in the document are not cost neutral in the short term. An added benefit to the plan is a healthier nation overall.

Senate Finance Committee staff briefed advocates about the plan, encouraging stakeholders to meet with staff members to help the committtee as it takes the proposal from ideas to reality.

The document is available on the web at http://finance.senate.gov/

Engaging individuals in shaping public policies

Many groups are meeting to assess the opportunities to shape policies in the final days of this Congress and in planning for the 111th Congress and a new administration.

Some examples of engaging advocates
At a meeting today presenters explained their tactics for reaching advocates. One example was a major airline that put considerable energy in a non-partisan "Get Out the Vote" campaign to engage employees in the federal process. The benefit to the airline is that such a campaign helps to build momentum for a federal advocacy effort to implement a new air traffic control system that will be pushed next year.

The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease created a health care awareness campaign that began airing ten days before the election. Again the purpose was not to push one political candidate, rather to raise awareness among voters to ask candidates about their health care positions. You may have seen the add on the Internet, YouTube or on television. It featured Lauren Bacall as well as other actresses. The campaign highlights the differing ways we communicate to get a message across.

Representatives of a public relations firm described how the firm is able to capture data in the public domain and use it to help clients target messages to those who are likely to respond. The firm looks for patterns to predict interest or behavior.

From this meeting, one could see that nurturing constituents in one aspect of public policy shaping (for example in electing public officials) will prepare these constituents for participation throughout the process. In addition, many messaging options are now available to reach those who are willing to help- even options that seem unconventional. Lastly, data may be helpful to the aging network in new and different ways to help us develop the message and carry it forward.