I'm not sure how I feel about this legislation requiring insurance companies not to charge older people or sicker people more in premiums in Connecticut. NY has similar legislation, and it makes health insurance unaffordable for the young. I fear that we will lose insurance companies who currently write insurance in CT. Golden Rule won't write insurance in NY or MA because it can't discriminate in those states. Health insurance for a healthy young person is less than $90/month in CT, but it's close to $1,000 in NY. CT allows high deductible plans; NY doesn't. This legislation may prove to be very costly for many people.
Here is the article about Sustinet Legislation in Connecticut -- from AARP website:
SustiNet Bill Wins Legislative Approval!
Source: AARP.org
One of the highlights of Connecticut’s 2009 regular Legislative Session, which ended at midnight on June 3, was the passage of SustiNet (H.B. 6600), a comprehensive health reform bill, endorsed by AARP, that would provide quality, affordable coverage to all Connecticut residents who need it. The bill, which would be phased in over several years, promises to provide more than 98 percent of state residents with affordable, quality health coverage by 2014.
The legislation passed in the Connecticut House of Representatives on May 20, 2009 by a vote of 107 to 35 and, aided by the advocacy of AARP members and volunteers, it passed the Senate chamber on May 30, 2009 by a vote of 23 to 12. AARP, along with the bill’s creator, the Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut, and dozens of supporting organizations, are urging the Governor to sign this landmark legislation into law. Find out the current status of SustiNet and get the latest Journal News, updates, and information from AARP Connecticut at www.aarp.org/ct.
SustiNet includes a number of provisions that AARP believes are critical to comprehensive health reform, including: the assurance that rates will not be based on age, gender or health status; guaranteed coverage for those with chronic or pre-existing conditions; a comprehensive benefits package; subsidies to make coverage affordable for low-income individuals and families; and the preservation of choice for Connecticut consumers, by allowing those who are happy with their current private coverage to keep it.
AARP Connecticut State President Don Ciosek said, “These are the major building blocks of reform that, together with cost-saving measures such as increased use of Health Information Technology, an emphasis on wellness and prevention, and better coordinated care, will ensure Connecticut continues to be a national leader in the care of its most vulnerable and put our economy back on solid financial footing.”
According to AARP Connecticut State Director Brenda Kelley, “A tremendous amount of work, resources and commitment went into designing SustiNet and we now stand at the apex of a monumental opportunity to reform our health care system, lower costs and provide quality, affordable coverage for all Connecticut residents.”
To learn more about SustiNet, go to www.healthcare4every1.org or www.universalhealthct.org
If you are interested in volunteering with AARP as a legislative advocate, please send us an email at ctaarp@aarp.org or call us toll-free at 1-866-295-7279.
Vetting Service Providers
When we were conducting focus groups among older people in Darien, CT, almost all of our participants said they needed handyman or other services. The respondents said that it was really difficult to find reliable contractors and wished there were a source of trustworthy people. That way, they'd feel more comfortable letting these workers onto their property and into their homes.
That's why virtually all Aging in Place organizations like Aging in Place in Darien and ones following the Beacon Hill Village model provide members with referrals from their list of vetted service providers. I was recently following an online group discussion among the organizations from all over the country as to what they do to vet their service providers. I loved the discussion because it showed that each group was reaching out to others to learn what the best practices are.
The vetting process seems to be quite thorough. The village-model and other senior-serving groups look for referrals from other members or board members, licenses, bonding, insurance and business history. They have standard forms for the businesses to fill out. In some instances, they check criminal backgrounds and driving records. Then, when a member calls for a contractor, most groups give out several names and are careful to tell people to do their own due diligence, such as checking references. The village-model organizations can't really be responsible for the acts of these independent contractors. All they can do is check the basics. But that's a lot more than what older people can get by looking in the Yellow Pages or searching online. (Yes, some older people do go online. I have three friends over 80 who use the Internet regularly.)
When seniors join the village-model or other aging in place groups, they gain a sort of peace of mind. Being able to have access to a source of vetted service providers adds to that peace.
That's why virtually all Aging in Place organizations like Aging in Place in Darien and ones following the Beacon Hill Village model provide members with referrals from their list of vetted service providers. I was recently following an online group discussion among the organizations from all over the country as to what they do to vet their service providers. I loved the discussion because it showed that each group was reaching out to others to learn what the best practices are.
The vetting process seems to be quite thorough. The village-model and other senior-serving groups look for referrals from other members or board members, licenses, bonding, insurance and business history. They have standard forms for the businesses to fill out. In some instances, they check criminal backgrounds and driving records. Then, when a member calls for a contractor, most groups give out several names and are careful to tell people to do their own due diligence, such as checking references. The village-model organizations can't really be responsible for the acts of these independent contractors. All they can do is check the basics. But that's a lot more than what older people can get by looking in the Yellow Pages or searching online. (Yes, some older people do go online. I have three friends over 80 who use the Internet regularly.)
When seniors join the village-model or other aging in place groups, they gain a sort of peace of mind. Being able to have access to a source of vetted service providers adds to that peace.
NY Times Blog on Aging
I just found a great new blog on aging in the online New York Times. It's called "new old age".
Check it out.
http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/
"About The New Old Age
Thanks to the marvels of medical science, our parents are living longer than ever before. Adults over age 80 are the fastest growing segment of the population, and most will spend years dependent on others for the most basic needs. That burden falls to their baby boomer children, 77 million strong, who are flummoxed by the technicalities of eldercare, turned upside down by the changed architecture of their families, struggling to balance work and caregiving, and depleting their own retirement savings in the process. In The New Old Age, we explore this unprecedented intergenerational challenge.
While founding blogger Jane Gross is on leave, at work on a book, we'll be posting contributions from a variety of writers. You can reach the editors at newoldage@nytimes.com."
Check it out.
http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/
Aging in Place Initiative - Livable Communities
Wow! I was so surprised to find the Aging in Place Initiative. (Take a look -- http://www.aginginplaceinitiative.org/) What a great site that has information of all kinds for anyone who wants to know how to create livable communities for all ages -- keeping seniors in the community. Here are some important facts from their site:
| Facts |  |
Population Facts
Housing Facts
Planning and Zoning Facts
Transportation Facts
Health and Supportive Services Facts
Culture and Lifelong Learning Facts
Public Safety Facts
Civic Engagement and Volunteer Opportunities Facts
|
New Network for Village Creators
Want to start your own "Village" to help people stay in their homes for life? Beacon Hill Village is making it easier through a new website built to help grassroots organizations like theirs. Here are a link to the website and their press release:
http://www.vtvnetwork.org/
'Village' Movement Offers Aging Baby Boomers
http://www.vtvnetwork.org/
PRESS RELEASE
05/07/09
CONTACT: Charity Sack, (703) 647-2337
'Village' Movement Offers Aging Baby Boomers
Opportunity to Remain in Their Homes
BOSTON, MA (May 6, 2009) Millions of Americans wrestling with the challenge of aging with independence and remaining in their homes can now create their own “Villages” that will allow them to do just that. The Village to Village Network will be hosting the next Regional Workshop June 15th, 2009 in Denver, CO to provide critical information about this proven model and community-based approach.
The projected growth of the elderly population, which currently includes more than 37 million people age 65 or older in the U.S., highlights the need for more community-based alternatives. The recent economic downturn has impacted older Americans’ income and assets. Retirement savings losses are staggering – currently estimated at roughly $2 trillion. Many older Americans are considering more affordable alternatives to access long term services and supports with a preference to remain within their communities.
‘Villages’ are consumer-driven, non-profits that help people 50 and over stay in their own homes throughout their lives. There are currently 40 open villages and hundreds starting around the country. The Village-to-Village approach establishes membership-driven organizations run by small staffs and volunteers who coordinate affordable services including transportation, in-home medical care, home repairs and other day-to-day needs enabling individuals to receive care at home.
The workshop is designed for community leaders and professionals interested in creating and funding ‘Villages’ in their own communities. Topics to be covered are: How to start a ‘Village’, board development, marketing, strategic partners, providers, fundraising, budgets. Leaders from unique open ‘Villages’ around the country will discuss how they created their own ‘Villages’. Panelist will be leaders from: Capitol Hill Village (Washington DC), Washington Park Cares (Denver, Colorado), Front Desk Florence (Florence Oregon), and Beacon Hill Village (Boston, Massachusetts).
The Village to Village Network Regional Workshop will be June 15th, 2009 in Denver, Colorado from 9:00AM-4:00PM at the Hyatt Denver Convention Center. Registration is available at www.vtvnetwork.org.
###
About Village to Village Network
The Village to Village Network (VtV) is by Villages for Villages. The VtV Network helps communities establish and manage their own “Villages.” The Network is sponsored through a joint partnership between Beacon Hill Village and NCB Capital Impact and was developed in response to requests from Villages nationwide.
About Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill Village is a membership organization in the heart of Boston. Created by a group of long-time Beacon Hill residents as an alternative to moving from their houses to retirement or assisted living communities, it was founded in 2001.
Beacon Hill Village enables a growing and diverse group of Boston residents to stay in their neighborhoods as they age, by organizing and delivering programs and services that allow them to lead safe, healthy productive lives in their own homes. For more information, visit: www.beaconhillvillage.org
About NCB Capital Impact
NCB Capital Impact, the non-profit affiliate of NCB, provides financial services and technical assistance to create more affordable cooperative homeownership, long-term supports innovations, and facilities for health care centers and charter schools. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., NCB Capital Impact has offices in California and New York. To learn more about NCB Capital Impact, and its programs and initiatives in advancing education, affordable housing, health care and long-term care for low- to moderate-income individuals, visit www.ncbcapitalimpact.org or contact Charity Sack at (703) 647-2337.
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