Legislative News from NAHC Report

November 2009

• Members of Congress Decry Cuts to Home Health in Health Care Reform Bills (NR 11/5/09)
• LTC Worker Background Check Legislation Included in Health Care Reform Packages (NR 11/5/09)
• House Looks to Extend Federal Medicaid Support in Health Reform Bill (NR 11/3/09)
• House Health Reform Plan Delays Hospice Budget Neutrality Adjustment Factor's Phase-Out (NR 11/2/09)

October 2009

• House Leaders Release Merged Health Care Reform Legislation (NR 10/29/09)
• NAHC Members Bring Message to Congress on 4th Lobby Day (NR 10/28/09)
• Can't Make it Here in Person? Participate in Oct. 27 D.C. Lobby Day Virtually (NR 10/23/09)
• Join Us for NAHC's 4th 'March on Washington' Lobby Day Tuesday, Oct. 27 (NR 10/21/09)
• TAKE ACTION: Mark Your Calendars for Oct. 27, NAHC's 4th March on Washington (NR 10/14/09)
• NAHC Participates in Rally Urging Inclusion of the CLASS Act and Improvements in Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services in Health Care Reform (NR 10/13/09)
• Finance Committee Passes Health Reform Legislation (NR 10/13/09)
• Finance Committee Vote Delayed While Attempts to Merge with HELP Bill Underway (NR 10/6/09)
• Baucus' Proposal Includes Study of Home Health Add-on for Chronically Ill, Low-Income, Underserved Beneficiaries (NR 10/1/09)

September 2009

• Congressman Butterfield Visits Greene Regional Home Health Patient (NR 9/30/09)
• Senate Finance Committee Accepts Wyden Amendment for Three-year Hospice Demonstration Program (NR 9/28/09)
• Senate Finance Committee Resumes Health Care Markup; Leadership Hints at Floor Action by Columbus Day (NR 9/28/09)
• Senior Groups Send Letter to House Leadership Expressing Concerns About Health Care Reform Legislation (NR 9/24/09)
• Braley Amendment Reducing Home Health Cuts Introduced in Energy and Commerce Markup of Health Care Reform Legislation (NR 9/24/09)
• Senators Praise Home Health During Finance Committee Markup (NR 9/23/09)
• Examining Employer Provisions in Health Reform Proposals: What Do They Mean for Businesses? (NR 9/21/09)
• Home Health, Hospice-Related Amendments on Tap for Senate Finance Health Reform Bill (NR 9/21/09)
• Kerry to Sponsor Rebasing Amendment in Senate Finance Bill (NR 9/18/09)
• House of Representatives Recognizes Importance of Senior Caregivers, Home Care (NR 9/17/09)
• Baucus Releases Chairman's Mark of Health Reform Legislation (NR 9/17/09)
• Home Care Cuts Would 'Punish the Competent,' Cost Jobs, Ignore Needs of Seniors and Disabled, Rep. Kissell Argues (NR 9/15/09)
• Congress Members Voice Support for Home Care and Hospice in Kickoff of NAHC D.C. Lobby Day (NR 9/15/09)
• Obama Vows to Protect Medicare Benefits for Seniors in Speech (NR 9/10/09)
• Finance Committee Chairman Circulates 'Framework' for Health Care Reform (NR 9/9/09)
• Congressional Recess Grassroots Action Campaign Mobilizes Opposition to Home Health Cuts (NR 9/8/09)
• Rep. Arcuri: Home Care Is Direction in Which Nation Needs to Be Headed (NR 9/2/09)

August 2009

• NAHC Endorses a Nationwide Campaign to Collect One Million Signatures for Home Care (NR 8/20/09)
• Key Congressional Leader in Health Reform to Deliver Keynote at NAHC's 28th Annual Meeting in Los Angeles (NR 8/20/09)
• Closer Look: Sen. Kennedy's Home and Community Based Long-Term Care Bill Incorporated in Health Care Reform Proposals (NR 8/17/09)
• Mark Your Calendars for Sept. 15: NAHC to Host Unprecedented Third 'March on Washington' for 2009 (NR 8/14/09)
• Health Reform Debate Highlights Need for Better Information on End-of-Life Care (NR 8/14/09)
• Advance Care Planning Consult in Health Reform Would Be Optional (NR 8/13/09)
• HOSPICE ACTION ALERT: Advocacy Over the August Recess (NR 8/13/09)
• Grassroots in Action: MD Senator Calls Home Care a 'Winner' that Saves Money (NR 8/12/09)
• Home Care Community Urged to Ramp Up Grassroots Campaign Over August Recess to Stop Home Health Cuts (NR 8/10/09)
• Telehealth and Telehomecare Provisions in Health Care Reform Legislation (NR 8/7/09)
• NAHC Launches Special Grassroots Campaign Over August Congressional Recess (NR 8/6/09)
• NAHC Strategy: An Array of Ideas to Find Alternate Savings, Reduce Proposed Cuts (NR 8/5/09)
• Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen G. Sebelius Announces U.S. Signing of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (NR 8/4/09)
• House Energy and Commerce Committee Members Weigh in Against Home Health Cuts in Health Reform (NR 8/3/09)

July 2009

• CMS Issues Proposed Home Health Services Rate Rule for 2010 (NR 7/31/09)
• Action Alert: House Ways and Means Bill Includes Hospice BNAF Moratorium (NR 7/29/09)
• Lawmakers, Stakeholders Speak Out Against Independent Medicare Advisory Council (NR 7/28/09)
• Home Health Payments Only 4.5% of Medicare Spending But Slated for 11.4% of Cuts in House Proposal (NR 7/23/09)
• House Energy & Commerce Committee Includes CLASS Act as Part of Larger House Health Care Reform Bill (NR 7/21/09)
• 'Pay or Play' Employer Mandates in Health Reform Spark Divisions (NR 7/17/09)
• Senate HELP Committee Passes Health Care Reform Bill (NR 7/15/09)
• House Bill Contains Deep, Indiscriminate Cuts to Home Health Providers (NR 7/14/09)
• Obama Endorses CLASS Act Inclusion in HELP Committee Bill (NR 7/8/09)
• Providers Sound Off on Bundling During House Hearing (NR 7/2/09)
• New NAHC LAN Message Addresses Recent House Proposal Cutting Home Health Payments (NR 7/1/09)

June 2009

• Senior and Disability Advocates Urge House to Include Long Term Care in Reform Legislation (NR 6/30/09)
• Senate HELP Committee to Continue Health Reform Markup After Recess (NR 6/30/09)
• Forty-Four Senators Send Letter to Obama Urging BNAF Restoration to Medicare Hospice Index (NR 6/30/09)
• FITT Act Introduced in the House (NR 6/29/09)
• Senators Send 'Dear Colleague' Letter Opposing Home Health Cuts (NR 6/26/09)
• Senators Introduce Legislation to Mitigate Medicare Costs and Reduce Hospitalizations (NR 6/24/09)
• ACTION ALERT: Oppose Home Health Cuts NOW! (NR 6/24/09)
• Side-By-Side Congressional Health Reform Legislation Comparison Tool Offered Online (NR 6/23/09)
• House Shows Opening Hand on Tri-Committee Health Reform Proposal (NR 6/19/09)
• Obama Proposes $313 Billion in Additional Medicare/Medicaid Provider Cuts (NR 6/18/09)
• Sen. Warner Introduces Legislation Enhancing Senior Health Care Choices (NR 6/16/09)
• Urge Senators to Sign-On to Block Home Health Cuts Today! (NR 6/16/09)
• Senators Push to Extend Federal Wage Laws to Home Health Care (NR 6/15/09)
• Home Care Representatives Meet With Sen. Charles Grassley, Key Player in Health Reform (NR 6/15/09)
• House Democrats Say Health Care is a Constitutional Right (NR 6/10/09)
• Senate Democrats Look to Include Long-Term Care in Health Care Reform (NR 6/9/09)
• Obama/Congress Seek to Make MedPAC an Independent Executive Agency Similar to the Federal Reserve (NR 6/8/09)
• More Senators/Representatives Speak Out to Oppose Home Health Cuts (NR 6/4/09)
• Senate Bill Introduced to Preserve Access to Medicare Home Health Services in Rural Areas (NR 6/2/09)
• Kennedy Bill Tackles Rehospitalizations, Chronic Care Management, and Long-Term Services and Supports (NR 6/1/09)

May 2009

• Kennedy Promises Elderly/Disabled Independence at Home in Health Reform Bill (NR 5/29/09)
• Senate Bill Looks to Tap Census Info to Gauge Need for Long-Term Care Services (NR 5/28/09)
• Comprehensive End-of-Life Care Legislation Introduced in Senate (NR 5/27/09)
• Senate Bill Introduced to Preserve Access to Medicare Home Health Services in Rural Areas (NR 5/26/09)
• 171 House Members Send Letter to Obama to Restore Hospice BNAF (NR 5/21/09)
• Sebelius Speaks Out on Home Health Aides Story (NR 5/19/09)
• Senate Leaders Release Health Care Reform Financing Options; Paper Includes Options Affecting Home Health and Hospice (NR 5/18/09)
• 169 House Members Sign On to Restore Hospice BNAF (NR 5/18/09)
• Senate Finance Committee Coverage Options Offer Expansion of Home and Community Based Services Under Medicaid (NR 5/14/09)
• Nurses Urge Lawmakers Help Us Choose Home; Senate Paper Weighs LTC Medicaid Options (NR 5/14/09)
• In Celebration of National Nurses Week, Nurses from All 50 States to Speak out on the Need for Home Care (NR 5/13/09)
• NAHC Chronic Care Management Summit: Promoting What Works, Working to Change What Doesn't (NR 5/12/09)
• Final Push for Co-Signers of House Letter to President Seeking Permanent Restoration of Hospice BNAF (NR 5/12/09)
• Study on the Value of Medicare Home Health Services Released by Noted Health Care Think Tank (NR 5/11/09)
• Obama Budget Details Billions in Spending Reductions through Changes to Medicare (NR 5/11/09)
• More Lawmakers Sign On to Letter Opposing Home Health Cuts (NR 5/7/09)
• Senators/Experts Tout Savings, Benefits of Home Care in Roundtable Discussion (NR 5/6/09)
• Major House Legislation Introduced to Expand Access to Remote Monitoring, Telehealth (NR 5/1/09)

April 2009

• Congress Approves $3.5 Trillion Budget Resolution with No Cuts to Home Care (NR 4/30/09)
• US Senate Co-signers Sought for Hospice BNAF Restoration Letter to Obama (NR 4/30/09)
• Sebelius Sworn in as HHS Secretary (4/29/09)
• Senate Finance Committee Releases Health Care System Reform Options (NR 4/29/09)
• Senate Panel Weighs Health Care Delivery System Reform (NR 4/23/09)
• CMS Proposes Eliminating 75% of Hospice BNAF in FY 2010 (NR 4/22/09)
• Senate Committee Votes Favorably on Sebelius Nomination to Head HHS (NR 4/21/09)
• Baucus, Kennedy Pledge Early June Markup of Health Reform Legislation (NR 4/20/09)
• Approaching the 50,000 Mark in Messages Sent to Congress to Block Home Health Cuts (NR 4/16/09)
• Bush's Press Secretary, Obama Campaign Official, Political Journalists Discuss Prospects for Health Care Reform (NR 4/14/09)
• White House Office of Health Reform Established (NR 4/13/09)
• Nearly 42,000 Have Asked Lawmakers to Help Us Choose Home! (NR 4/9/09)
• AARP Discusses Report on Chronically Ill in Health Care Reform (NR 4/8/09)
• Recent Bill Supports Training and Workforce Development for Home Health Nursing (NR 4/7/09)
• CAHSAH's Chair Attends President Obama's Health Care Reform Forum (NR 4/7/09)
• Senate/House Circulate 'Dear Colleague' Letters to Block Home Health Cuts (NR 4/6/09)
• House/Senate Pass Budget Resolutions, No Home Health/Hospice Cuts But Fight Continues (NR 4/3/09)
• Congressional Co-signers Sought for Hospice BNAF Restoration Letter to Obama (NR 4/2/09)
• Sebelius Voices Commitment to Home and Community Based Care (NR 4/2/09)
• Home Care Moves Toward the Standardization Process for HIT (NR 4/1/09)

March 2009

• House/Senate Panels Vote Out Budget Resolutions With No Home Health or Hospice Cuts (NR 3/26/09)
• NAHC Report FLASH: No Home Health Cuts in Budget Committees' Marks (NR 3/25/09)
• Senate Heroes Thank the Heroes of Home Care & Hospice Marching on Washington (NR 3/25/09)
• RI Gov. Carcieri Praises Home Health Care & Hospice (NR 3/20/09)
• Case-Mix Creep Lawsuit Moves Forward (NR 3/19/09)
• Regional Health Summits Kick Off in Michigan; CMS Finalizes Changes to OASIS Assessment Tool; HealthInsight Project (NR 3/18/09)
• GAO Blasts CMS for Lax Enforcement (NR 3/17/09)
• House Panel Hears from MedPAC on Provider Payment Recommendations (NR 3/17/09)
• Sen. Mike Crapo Announces Opposition to $13 Billion in Home Health Budget Cuts (NR 3/16/09)
• McGovern Urges House Members to Join House Home Health Working Group (NR 3/16/09)
• AARP Convenes Home Care Background Check Roundtable (NR 3/13/09)
• NAHC Meets With House Speaker to Discuss Home Care Priorities (NR 3/12/09)
• NAHC Meets With MedPAC Officials (NR 3/12/09)
• Members of Congress Introduce Legislation Making It Easier to Form Unions (NR 3/11/09)
• Sen. Lincoln Questions OMB Home Health Budget Cuts, Reliance on CMS Case Mix Data (NR 3/10/09)
• Halamandaris Represented Home Care and Hospice at White House Health Summit (NR 3/6/09)
• NAHC's Strategic Plan to Ensure Home Care Included in Health Reform, Prevent Medicare Cuts (NR 3/5/09)
• Senate Panel Calls for Addressing LTC in Health Care Reform (NR 3/4/09)
• NAHC President Halamandaris Invited to President Obama's Historic Health Forum (NR 3/4/09)
• NAHC Poised to Fight Proposed Cuts to Medicare Home Health (NR 3/2/09)

February 2009

• Obama Budget Sets Ambitious Goals: Providing Health Care for All Americans and Cutting the Growing Budget Deficit in Half by 2013 (NR 2/26/09)
• FITT Act Reintroduced to Expand Use of Telehealth (NR 2/25/09)
• Obama Vows Comprehensive Health Reform This Year in Speech to Congress (NR 2/25/09)
• Senators Signal Move on Training LTC Workforce (NR 2/24/09)
• NAHC Members Educate House Staffers in Nation's Capitol (NR 2/20/09)
• NAHC Members Set Priorities for Congress at Strategic Planning Congress (NR 2/19/09)
• NAHC Speakers Participate in House Health Care Briefing (NR 2/18/09)
• HIT Funds in Stimulus Bill: Could PHRs Offer Key to Interoperability? (NR 2/13/09)
• Provision Blocking Hospice Cuts Included in Stimulus Package (NR 2/11/09)
• Examining Stimulus Package's Grant and Loan Funds for HIT Infrastructure (NR 2/10/09)
• Medicare Advantage Plans Boost Premiums as President Obama and Congress Look to Restrict Them (NR 2/9/09)
• Senate Votes to End Debate on Economic Stimulus Package Clearing the Way for Passage (NR 2/9/09)
• Velázquez Introduces 'Choice Act' to Help Small Businesses Provide Coverage (NR 2/6/09)
• NAHC Joins Other National End-of-Life Care Organizations to Seek Delay of Hospice BNAF Elimination (NR 2/5/09)
• Economic Stimulus Bill Amendments Readied to Reinstate Home Health Rural Add-On, Restore Hospice Budget Neutrality Adjustment (NR 2/4/09)
• Senate, House Stimulus Bills Include HIT Grant Funds (NR 2/3/09)
• State-by-State Impact Analysis of Stimulus FMAP Assistance (NR 2/2/09)

January 2009

• VHA Care Coordination/Home Telehealth Program Shows Promise for the Cost Effective Management of Chronic Conditions at Home (NR 1/30/09)
• Why Have CMS Disease Management Demonstrations Met with Limited Success? (NR 1/29/09)
• Obama, Reid Signal Plans to Reduce MA Federal Funding (NR 1/27/09)
• Senators Offer Promising Amendments to Finance Committee Stimulus Bill (NR 1/27/09)
• Sen. Dole, NAHC Counsel, Pushes for Rural Add-on, Blocking Hospice Cuts in Senate Stimulus Package (NR 1/23/09)
• Napolitano Confirmed as Homeland Security Secretary (NR 1/22/09)
• House Ways and Means Stimulus Bill Would Block Hospice Payment Cuts (NR 1/21/09)
• House Stimulus Proposal Contains Key Health Care Elements (NR 1/21/09)
• Senators Nelson, Carper and Menendez Get Coveted Spots on the Finance Committee (NR 1/14/09)
• Smooth Confirmation Expected for Clinton as Secretary of State (NR 1/14/09)
• New Congress Expected to Support Adoption of Health Information Technologies (NR 1/13/09)
• CBO Budget Options Report Proposes Medicaid Adjustments (NR 1/13/09)
• NAHC Joins Other National End-of-Life Organizations in Consensus Response to MedPAC (NR 1/9/09)
• MedPAC Votes on 2010 Home Health Home Recommendations to Congress (NR 1/9/09)
• Daschle Pledges Support for Long-Term Care, Family Caregivers (NR 1/8/09)
• Home and Community-Based Care Helps Control Long-Term Care Costs, Researchers Find (NR 1/8/09)
• Shields, Dentzer to Offer Political Wisdom at NAHC's March on Washington (NR 1/5/09)

December 2008

• Time to Set Home Care and Hospice Priorities for 2009 Legislative, Regulatory Action (NR 12/23/08)
• CCD Calls on Obama Transition Team to Help Increase FMAP (NR 12/23/08)
• Mark Heaney Wins Run-Off Election for Home Care Aide Seat on NAHC Board (NR 12/22/08)
• State Health Safety Net Programs Suffering Recession Cuts Nationwide (NR 12/18/08)
• SC Home Health & Hospice Programs Gutted in '09 Budget Proposals (NR 12/18/08)
• GAO: MA Plans Reaped $1.3 Billion More in Profits Than Expected (NR 12/17/08)
• Senate Bill Seeks to Expand Education and Training of Health Care Workforce (NR 12/16/08)
• Daschle Goes Grassroots on Health Reform, Calls for Ideas from All Americans (NR 12/16/08)
• Time to Set Home Care and Hospice Priorities for 2009 Legislative, Regulatory Action (NR 12/12/08)
• Have Your Say: NAHC, HAA Invite Input on 2009 Regulatory, Legislative Agendas (NR 12/11/08)
• MedPAC Mulls Market-Basket Freeze or Reduction for HHAs in 2010 (NR 12/5/08)
• Governors, States Call on Congress for FMAP Increase in Economic Stimulus (NR 12/3/08)

November 2008

• Op-Eds, Events Nationwide Help Raise Awareness of Home Care and Hospice Issues, Caregivers' Needs (NR 11/26/08)
• Hospice Lawsuit Rejected by Federal Court (NR 11/25/08)
• Reforming Health Care Crucial to Economy, Baucus Says (NR 11/21/08)
• Obama Taps Daschle to Head HHS (NR 11/20/08)
• Certain Forms of Chronic Disease Management More Effective, Produce Predictable Savings, Study Finds (NR 11/18/08)
• LCAO Seeks FMAP Increase as Part of Lame-Duck Session Stimulus Bill (NR 11/18/08)
• What's on American's Minds, and What Motivated Them at the Polls? (NR 11/13/08)
• Report: Obama Health System Reform Plan Comes with $75 Billion Price Tag (NR 11/13/08)
• Baucus Delivers Call to Action on Health Care Reform (NR 11/12/08)
• SCHIP, Physician Reimbursement, Health IT High on List for Congressional Attention Regarding Health Care, Stark Says (NR 11/11/08)
• MedPAC to Propose Restructuring Medicare Hospice Benefit Reimbursement (NR 11/10/08)
• Hospice Membership Organizations Meet on Future of Medicare Hospice (NR 11/6/08)
• Obama Wins Stunning Election Victory (NR 11/5/08)
• Home Health Alliance To Help Shape Vision of Health Care's Future (NR 11/4/08)
• NAHC's Case Mix Creep Lawsuit: Q&A (NR 11/3/08)

October 2008

• CMS to Kick Off Medical Home Demonstration Project in December (NR 10/30/2008)
• Congress Hopeful on Stimulus Package Boost to FMAP (NR 10/30/2008)
• Obama Salutes Homecare and Hospice (NR 10/26/2008)
• CMS: Medicaid Spending Projected to Rise Much Faster Than the Economy (NR 10/24/2008)
• NAHC Encourages Contacting Congress through NAHC LAN (NR 10/24/2008)
• A New Focus on Home Care as Patient, Caregiver, Provider Partner in Chronic Disease Management (NR 10/22/2008)
• Chronic Disease Care 2.0: A New Model with Patients at Its Core, Home Care Front and Center (NR 10/21/2008)
• NAHC Files Lawsuit Challenging Case-Mix Creep Adjustment (NR 10/21/2008)
• President Clinton Speaks of Hope and Opportunity Despite Economic Hardship (NR 10/14/2008)
• CMS Issues Final Rule for Medicaid Personal Assistance Services Program NAHC (NR 10/9/2008)
• Legislative Update: Congress Recesses for Elections, May Return for Lame Duck Session (NR 10/8/2008)
• Congress Attaches Mental Health Parity Measure to Bailout Package (NR 10/8/2008)
• McCain Medicare/Medicaid Changes Focus of Media Attention (NR 10/7/2008)
• Support Growing on Capitol Hill for Including Care Management in Medicare (NR 10/6/2008)
• Senators Seek to Fix ‘Broken’ Health Insurance Market (NR 10/3/2008)
• Action Alert: Senators Introduce Another Bill That Would Block Hospice Regulatory Cuts (NR 10/01/2008)

September 2008

• Former President Bill Clinton to Keynote NAHC 27 th Annual Meeting & Exposition in Fort Lauderdale, Monday October 13, 2008 (NR 9/29/2008)
• Sens. Rockefeller, Snowe Urge Leadership to Include FMAP Increase in Stimulus Package (NR 9/26/2008)
• Sen. Susan Collins Urges Congress to Block Hospice Cuts (NR 9/26/2008)
• ACTION ALERT UPDATE: 40 More Lawmakers Support Blocking Hospice Payment Cuts (NR 9/24/2008)
• Senate Passes Falls Safety Awareness Day Bill (NR 9/23/2008)
• President Bill Clinton Confirmed as Keynote Speaker for NAHC’s Annual Meeting (NR 9/22/2008)
• D.C. Symposium Stresses LTC in Health Care Reform Efforts (NR 9/19/2008))
• Coalition Urges Congress to Pass Health Information Technology Bill (NR 9/18/2008)
• Senate Finance Committee Conducts Hearing on Health Care Quality (NR 9/17/2008)
• ACTION ALERT: Urge Congress to Block Hospice Payment Cuts (NR 9/16/2008)
• Sen. Grassley Seeks Review of Home Health Medicare Claim Error Rate (NR 9/15/2008)
• Action Alert: House and Senate Bills to Prohibit Scheduled Hospice Medicare Payment Cuts (NR 9/12/2008)
• Majority of Private Long-Term Care Claims Disbursements Go toward Home Care (NR 9/9/2008)
• ACTION ALERT: Congress Returns From August Recess For Short Session Before Election (NR 9/8/2008)
• NAHC Joins Other Advocates to Increase FMAP, Takes Fight to Hill (NR 9/8/2008)
• Republican Platform Seeks to Modernize Long-Term Care Options (NR 9/2/2008)
• Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin Named as McCain’s VP (9/2/2008)

August 2008

• Bill Focuses on Helping Americans Who Suffer From Severe Pain (NR 8/22/08)
• Sen. Roberts Receives KHCA Home Health Hero Award (NR 8/21/08)
• Democratic Platform Stresses Importance of Home and Community Based Care (NR 8/21/08)
• Value-Based Purchasing Model in Medicare Once Again Raised (NR 8/15/08)
• LCAO Releases Roadmap for Medicare (NR 8/12/2008)
• Congress Adjourns for August Recess; NAHC Members Asked to Thank Members of Congress for Preserving the Home Health and Hospice Inflation Updates and Urge Further Action on Home Health and Hospice Priorities (NR 8/5/2008)
• Stabenow Speaks to Plight of Soaring Fuel Costs on Home Health Care (NR 8/4/2008)
• Hospice Payment Rates to Increase by Net 2.5 Percentage Points Effective October 1 (NR 8/4/2008)
• CMS Issues Final Hospice Rules on Wage Index, Market Basket for Fiscal Year 2009 (NR 8/1/2008)

July 2008

• House Bill to Allow More Caregivers to Certify Home Health Plans of Care (NR 7/31/08)
• Celebrating Medicare on its 43 rd Birthday (NR 7/28/08)
• Halamandaris Cites Progress in “The Last Great Civil Rights Battle” (NR 7/25/08)
• For Home Care and Hospice, a Look at What’s to Be with the Changes in D.C. (NR 7/21/08)
• How the Recently Passed Medicare Bill Affects You (NR 7/21/08)
• House Panel to Weigh Temporarily Increasing FMAP (NR 7/18/08)
• CMS Provides Initial Guidance on Implementation of New Medicare Law (NR 7/17/08)
• AARP Report: Seniors Have Limited Access to Home-Based LTC Services (NR 7/16/08)
• President George Bush Vetoes Medicare Bill (NR 7/15/08)
• Stabenow Notes NAHC Mileage Study in Congressional Record (NR 7/15/08)
• NAHC Recommends Against Any Reduction, Phase-Out of Hospice Wage Index Budget Neutrality Adjustment (NR 7/14/08)
• Clarification: DME Bidding Program in Medicare Bill (NR 7/10/08)
• Home Health Services Save Money, Massachusetts Finds (NR 7/9/08)
• Senate Dems Win on Medicare Procedural Vote: Bill en Route to White House (NR 7/9/08)
• Media Play of NAHC Mileage Study Continues (NR 7/8/2008)
• CMS to Delay Physician Payment Processing, Move Ahead with DMEPOS Bidding (NR 7/2/2008)

June 2008

• NPR’s Marketplace Features NAHC Mileage Study and Home Health Industry Struggles with Ever-Increasing Gas Prices (NR 6/30/2008)
• Senate Minority Blocks Action on Medicare Physician Fix; Discussions to Resume Post-July 4 (NR 6/27/2008)
• NAHC Study: Fuel Costs Threaten Care for Homebound Seniors and Disabled (NR 6/24/2008)
• House Passes Medicare Bill with Physician Payment Fix, MA Plan Cuts (NR 6/24/2008)
• HCTAA/NAHC Urge Members to Tell Congress to Preserve Health TI Funding (NR 6/20/2008)
• Baucus Signals Intent to Get Medicare Bill Passed by July 1 (NR 6/18/2008)
• MedPAC Finds Hospice Reimbursement Adequate (NR 6/16/2008)
• Senate Finance Leaders Look to Further Negotiation as Medicare Bill Stalls (NR 6/13/2008)
• Lawmakers Look to Delay DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program (NR 6/12/2008)
• Letter to House Leadership Urges Preservation of the Hospice Wage Index (NR 6/11/2008)
• Finance Ranking Republican Bill Includes Reinstatement of Rural Add On (NR 6/11/2008)
• Finance Chair Files Medicare Bill, Republican Alternative to be Issued Soon (NR 6/9/2008)
• Medicare Impasse Yields Partisan Bills in Senate (NR 6/6/2008)
• ACTION ALER T DEADLINE TODAY: Enact One Year Moratorium on Medicare Hospice Cuts (NR 6/5/2008)
• NAHC Legislative Call to Action: Senate Poised to Consider Medicare Legislation (NR 6/3/2008)
• Advocates for Family Caregivers Discuss Technology Benefits With Lawmakers (NR 6/2/2008)

May 2008

• Congress Begins Memorial Day Recess, Medicare Bill Expected on Senate Floor in Early June (NR 5/23/08)
• Action Alert: Enact One Year Moratorium on Medicare Hospice Cuts (NR 5/21/08)
• Urgent: Take NAHC's Home Care & Hospice Mileage Survey Today (NR 5/21/08)
• Bill Would Train Neighbors to Provide Medicaid Services to Elderly in Public Housing (NR 5/20/2008)
• NAHC Signs On to Letter Urging More Support for Family, Informal Caregivers (NR 5/19/08)
• Senate Finance Committee Begins Health Reform Inquiry with Former HHS Secretaries (NR 5/16/08)
• Disability Advocates Detangle DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program (NR 5/15/08)
• House Lawmakers Hear Small Provider Concerns Over CMS Regulations (NR 5/15/08)
• Senate Weighs Expansion of Criminal Background Checks for LTC Workers (NR 5/9/08)
• House Panel Weighs DMEPOS Competitive Bidding (NR 5/8/08)
• Advocacy Nets 42 Senators, 50 House Members to Protect Hospice Funds (NR 5/6/08)
• NC Home Care and Hospice Industry Endorses Perdue for Governor (NR 5/5/08)
• House Panel Weighs DMEPOS Competitive Bidding (NR 5/8/08)
• Advocacy Nets 42 Senators, 50 House Members to Protect Hospice Funds (NR 5/6/08)
• NC Home Care and Hospice Industry Endorses Perdue for Governor (NR 5/5/08)

April 2008

• CMS Reissues CR 5567, Suspends Visit Reporting of Non-Hospice Staff in GIP Setting (NR 4/29/08)
• CMS Issues Proposed Hospice Wage Index Reduction (NR 4/29/08)
• Senate Finance Committee Urged to Reject Home Health and Hospice Cuts (NR 4/29/08)
• Congress Seeks to Block Regulatory Medicare Hospice Payment Reductions (NR 4/24/08)
• Martha Stewart: 'Worry is Backdrop for Everything' for Families with Loved Ones Who Need Care (NR 4/24/08)
• NAHC, VNAA Urge Senators to Block Home Health Medicare Cuts (NR 4/22/08)
• Congress Passes Bill to Increase Funding for Falls Prevention Programs (NR 4/22/08)
• NAHC Legal Symposium Hot Issues: Patient 'Freedom of Choice' at Hospital Discharge (NR 4/17/08)
• House Panel Approves Moratorium on Reduction in Federal Medicaid Commitment (NR 4/17/08)
• U.S. News & World Report's Borger Rounds Out Commentary from Top Political Journalists at NAHC Conference (NR 4/16/08)
• Top NAHC Staff Deliver Washington Update During Legal Symposium (NR 4/14/08)
• MedPAC Examines Hospice Utilization and Quality Issues (NR 4/14/08)
• NAHC Honors Senate 'Heroes' During March on Washington (NR 4/10/08)
• March on Washington Wraps Up with Reception at Rayburn (NR 4/10/08)
• CMS Says Report behind PPS Changes “On the Way” (NR 4/9/08)
• Dole Joins Hundreds at 21st National Caring Awards (NR 4/9/08)
• New CMS Medicaid Proposal Opens Door for Increased Home Care (NR 4/7/08)

March 2008

• Medicare Trustees Report Raises Trigger Alarm Again for Third Consecutive Year (NR 3/28/08)
• Studies Focus on Medicaid Consumer Direction for Personal Assistance Services (NR 3/26/08)
• NAHC Submits Comments on Proposed Medicaid Rules (NR 3/25/08)
• Senators Urge CMS to Prevent Increased Medicaid Copayments (NR 3/20/08)
• Congress Cautions CMS on Competitive Medical Equipment Bidding (NR 3/19/08)
• NAHC Urges Full Funding for Respite Care (NR 3/18/08)
• House Acts to Block Medicaid Cuts for One Year (NR 3/17/08)
• House to Remove Medicare Part D Co-Pays for Non-Nursing Home Residents (NR 3/17/08)
• Lawmakers Consider Burden of Regulatory Paperwork for Small Businesses (NR 3/14/08)
• Budget Resolution Takes Center Stage in House, Senate (NR 3/13/08)
• House Approves Mental Health Parity Bill (NR 3/12/08)
• NAHC Takes Message to the House: Block Home Health Payment Cuts (NR 3/11/08)
• NAHC Celebrates its Birthday and the Beginning of its 27th Year (NR 3/10/08)
• NAHC Seeks Comments on New Medicaid Rules (NR 3/6/08)
• MedPAC Meeting Focuses on Growth in the Medicare Hospice Benefit (NR 3/6/08)
• States Moving Forward with Health System Reform, Coverage Expansion Proposals (NR 3/3/08)

February 2008

• Medicare 'Trigger' Bill Faces Uncertain Future (NR 2/28/08)
• Governors Urge Congress to Block Medicaid Rules, Increase Funding (NR 2/26/08)
• Senate Passes Measure to Curb Medicare Fraud (NR 2/25/08)
• Nation's Governors Continue Sizing Up Long-Term Care Issues (NR 2/21/08)
• Senators Take CMS to Task Over MA Plan Marketing (NR 2/20/08)
• LCAO Decries Bush Budget Proposal (NR 2/19/08)
• CMS Proposes Regulatory Cut of $2.9 Billion in Hospice Payments (NR 1/15/08)
• NAHC "March on Washington" an Opportunity to Connect With Lawmakers (NR 2/13/08)
• Bill Extends Temporary FMAP Increase (NR 2/12/08)
• Strategic Congress Recommends Priorities for NAHC (NR 2/11/08)
• President's Budget Cuts Over $17 billion to Medicaid (NR 2/5/08)
• Hospice Regulatory Update (NR 2/5/08)
• Bush 2009 Budget Cuts Deep Into Medicare Home Health, Hospice Payments (NR 2/4/08)
• Small Businesses Complain of Hardships in Offering Employee Health Coverage at Congressional Hearing (NR 2/4/08)

January 2008

• Times: President to Propose Medicare Home Health Freeze Through 2013 (NR 1/31/08)
• Industry-Wide Input Sought for NAHC's Strategic Plan (NR 1/30/08)
• CMS Signals "Wait and See" Stance on Disease Management Pilot Program Expansion (NR 1/30/08)
• NAHC Fights for FMAP Increase in Economic Stimulus Package (NR 1/29/08)
• GAO: End-of-Life Providers Face Challenges in Care Delivery (NR 1/23/08)
• Medicare Revisit User Fee Program Not Reauthorized (NR 1/22/08)
• Disease Management Programs May Improve Quality of Health Care, Life, but Cost Savings Inconclusive, Study Finds (NR 1/22/08)
• ALJ Rules Six Months Without Patients Constitutes Grounds for Termination (NR 1/17/08)
• Proposed CMS Rule to Bolster Medicaid Patient-Directed Personal Care (NR 1/16/08)
• MedPAC Recommends Home Health Rate Freeze for 2009 (NR 1/11/08)
• Feds Fund Telehealth Monitors for Washington Home Health Agency (NR 1/8/08)
• Sen. Murray Visits Rural Home Health Agency in Washington State (NR 1/8/08)
• Candidates Pledge Support to Care in Least-Restrictive Setting (NR 1/3/08)

December 2007

• House Passes Medicare Bill; Home Health Inflation Update Preserved (NR 12/19/07)
• Senate Passed Medicare Bill; House to Act Tomorrow (NR 12/18/07)
• BREAKING NEWS: Medicare Legislative Update (NR 12/14/07)
• Breaking News On Home Health Market Basket Update (NR 12/13/07)
• NAHC Continues to Seek Preservation of Medicare Home Health Update (NR 12/12/07)
• MedPAC Proposes a Home Health Rate Freeze for 2009 (NR 12/07/07)
• Senate and House Leaders Begin Negotiations to Craft a Medicare Package Before Session Ends (NR 12/06/07)
• NAHC, Forum of State Associations Issue Clarion Call to Congress on Medicare Cuts (NR 12/05/07)
• Have Your Say: NAHC, HAA Invite Input on 2007 Regulatory, Legislative Agendas (NR 12/04/07)
• Senate Finance Committee Prepares to Mark Up Medicare Legislation (NR 12/03/07)

November 2007

• NAHC Urges CMS to Establish a PPS Contingency Plan (NR 11/26/07)
• CMS Physician Fee Schedule Includes Revisions to Therapy Standards and Requirements (NR 11/20/07)
• NAHC Update and Call to Action (NR 11/20/07)
• Have Your Say: NAHC, HAA Invite Input on 2007 Regulatory, Legislative Agendas (NR 11/19/07)
• NAHC Calls for Uniform Regulatory Standards to Ease Impact of CMS Cuts (NR 11/15/07)
• Dole Urges Senators to Address Double-Whammy Cuts (NR 11/13/2007)
• Dole Urges Senators to Address Double-Whammy Cuts (NR 11/13/2007)
• House Resolution Honors Home Care and Hospice Month, Urges Increased Financing (NR 11/08/07)

October 2007

• Dear Colleague Letters Urge Members of Congress to Cosponsor Home Health Care Access Protection Act (S. 2181 and H.R. 3865) (NR10/31/07)
• NAHC and the NAHC Forum of State Associations Scheduled Capitol Hill Briefings (NR10/29/07)
• NAHC Recommends That CMS Correct Flawed Case Mix Creep and Outlier Policies and Establish a PPS Reform Contingency Plan (NR10/29/07)
• House Committee Holds Hearing on Home Care Overtime Compensation Bill: NAHC Testifies in Opposition (NR10/25/07)
• House Committee Holds Hearing on Home Care Overtime Compensation Bill: NAHC Testifies in Opposition (NR10/25/07)
• Bicameral, Bipartisan Effort Launched to Block CMS Home Health PPS Rate Cuts: Grassroots Action Needed to Cosponsor S. 2181 and H.R. 3865 (NR10/18/07)
• U.S. Senators to Champion Amendment to Increase Telehealth Funding in HHS Appropriations Bill (NR10/17/07)
• Sen. Collins Hosts Press Conference to Decry Home Health Case-Mix Creep Cuts: Legislation to Block Cuts (NR10/17/07)
• CMS Announces Seven States for Home Health P4P Demonstration (NR10/15/07)
• NAHC Brass Delivers 'Washington Update' Annual Attendees Briefed on Legislative, Regulatory Issues (NR10/10/07)
• NAHC Brass Delivers 'Washington Update' Annual Attendees Briefed on Legislative, Regulatory Issues (NR10/10/07)
• NAHC Claude D. Pepper Award Given to Rep. James McGovern at NAHC Annual Meeting Opener (NR10/08/07)

September 2007

• Staggered Implementation Dates For PPS Rule (NR 9/27/07)
• House Passes Continuing Resolution to Run Government Beyond October 1 Fiscal Year (NR 9/27/07)
• House Approves "CHIP" Compromise Legislation (NR 9/26/07)
• House and Senate Set to Pass SCHIP Bill; Agree to Delay Consideration of Medicare Issues (NR 9/24/07)
• House Small Business Committee Invites NAHC to Participate in Health Care Roundtable (NR 9/20/07
• NAHC Briefs Congressional Aides on Legislative and Regulatory Cuts to Medicare Home Health Services (NR 9/19.07)
• NAHC Members March on Washington in Person and "Virtually" to Oppose Proposed Cuts in Home Health Payments (NR 9/12/07)
• HH PPS: CMS Increases Coding Creep Adjustment (NR 9/10/07)
• NAHC Members March on Washington to Oppose Proposed Cuts in HH Payments (NR 9/7/07 and NR 9/10/07)

August 2007

• NAHC Analysis Shows Serious Negative Impact Under New HH PPS (NR 8/30/07)
• Senate Aging Committee Chair Introduces Bill Mandating Criminal Background Checks for LTC Workers by 2011 (NR 8/29/07)
• The New Home Health Prospective Payment System (NR 8/23/07)
• NAHC HHPPS Action Plan (NR 8/23/07)
• NAHC, VNAA Jointly Decry Freeze, CMS Case Mix Creep to Key Legislators (NR 8/15/07)
• HCAM, NAHC Officials Join in Honoring McGovern (D-Mass.) (NR 8/14/07)
• NAHC Highly Critical of Medicare Rule (NR 8/13/07)
• March on Washington and Virtual Lobby Day on September 11, 2007: Registration Form (NR 8/10/07)
• NAHC Members to March on Washington to Oppose Proposed Cuts in Home Health Payments (NR 8/10/07)
• Member Call to Action on Home Health Freeze and SCHIP; House and Senate Pass Diverging Bills (NR 8/7/07)
• House Passes SCHIP Reauthorization Bill Despite Opposition from President Bush (NR 8/2/07)

July 2007

• Action Needed to Oppose House Home Health Market Basket Freeze (NR 7/25/07)
• House Committees Unveil SCHIP/Medicare Legislative Package with One-year Home Health Freeze (NR 7/25/07)
• Summary of Select Provisions of HR 3162, the "CHILDREN'S HEALTH AND MEDICARE PROTECTION ACT OF 2007" (NR 7/25/07)
• Sen. Kerry Raises Concern about CMS Proposal to Cut Home Health Payments (NR 7/25/07)
• Letter Urges HHS to Recognize Post Acute, Long-Term Care in Health IT Initiative (NR 7/24/07)
• House Committees Poised to Mark-Up Health Legislation (NR 7/24/07)
• Senate Finance Committee Approves Expansion of SCHIP (NR 7/20/07)
• Home Health and Hospice "Sign On" Campaign Yields 202 Signatures (NR 7/18/07)
• Legislators Tout Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Legislation (Class Act of 2007) (NR 7/18/07)
• HHS/CMS Announce Sweeping Home Health Anti-Fraud Effort in California, Texas (NR 7/17/07)
• NAHC, HCTAA Ask Members to Support Increased Funding for Telehealth (NR 7/17/07)
• NAHC Encourages Support from Agencies Selected for National Technology and Telehealth Study (NR 7/9/07)
• Hospice Payment Rates to Increase by 3.3 Percentage Points, Effective October 1 (NR 7/2/07)
• Congressional Leaders Lay Plans to Address Potential Medicare Cuts in July (NR 7/2/07)

June 2007

• NAHC Submits Formal Comments on Medicare PPS Proposed Rule (NR 6/27/07)
• Senate Blocks Legislation to Ease Union Secret Ballot Procedure (NR 6/26/07)
• Senate Bill Would Allow More Health Professionals (NP, CNS, CNM, PA) to Certify Home Health Plans of Care (NR 6/22/07)
• Senate Bill Introduced to Preserve Access to Medicare Services in Rural Areas (NR 6/18/07)
• Aging Committee Explores Need for Chronic Care Coordination in Medicare (NR 6/14/07)
• House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee Approves FY 2008 Funding (NR 6/13/07)
• NAHC, Senior Groups Send Letter Opposing Medicare Advantage Excess Payments, Higher Cost Sharing Requirements (NR 6/12/07)
• Supreme Court Supports Consistency in Aide Overtime Exemption Use (NR 6/11/07)
• SENATE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (NR 6/6/07)
• HOUSE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (NR 6/5/07)
• Questions Abound with Medicare Case Mix Creep Adjustment (NR 6/4/07)

May 2007

• Congressional Leaders Lay Plans to Address Potential Medicare Cuts in June (NR 5/24/07)
• House and Senate Pass Joint Budget Resolution (NR 5/18/07)
• NAHC Testifies Before House Ways and Means on Medicare Payment Accuracy Issues (NR 5/16/07)
• Senators and Representatives Add Names to Letter Opposing Cuts (NR 5/11/07)
• Finance Committee Hearing Examines Successes and Failures of Part D (NR 5/8/07)
• Medicare Advantage "Too Good to Be True," According to Medicare Rights Center (NR 5/4/07)
• CMS Release Proposed 2008 Hospice Wage Index and Regulatory "Clarifications" (NR 5/3/07)
• Home Care and Hospice Receive Praise and Support from House Members (NR 5/2/07)

April 2007

• The Proposed HHPPS: NAHC Responds (NR 4/29/07)
• Medicare Issues Proposed PPS Rule: Major Changes in Store for Home Health (NR 4/29/07)
• Senators Advise and Encourage NAHC Members During Annual Policy Conference (NR 4/25/07)
• NAHC Staff Highlights Recent Legislative and Regulatory Developments During Washington Update (NR 4/23/07)
• Letter Circulating Congress Urges Rejection of Home Health, Hospice Cuts (NR 4/18/07)
• Some Last Minute Pointers and Notes for Policy Conference (NR 4/16/07)
• Some Last Minute Pointers and Notes for Policy Conference (NR 4/16/07)
• Medicare Advantage Takes Center Stage at Finance Committee Hearing (NR 4/12/07)
• Home Health PPS Reform Rule Awaits Final Clearance from OMB (NR 4/11/07)
• MedPac Report Asks Congress to Cut Updates to Home Health Payment Rates (NR 4/10/07)
• Excess Payments to Medicare Advantage Plans Continue to Draw Fire, Justification (NR 4/5/07)
• Senators Call for Investigations of Long-Term Care Insurance Companies (NR 4/3/07)
• Durbin Amendment Delays Financial Hit to Medicaid Providers (NR 4/3/07)
• House Approves Budget Resolution, Defeats Amendment to Cut Billions from Medicare and Medicaid (NR 4/2/07)

March 2007

• Anticipated PPS Upcoding Adjustment Has Information Precedent (NR 3/28/07)
• Senate Adopts Budget Resolution: House Action Expected Before Recess (NR 3/27/07)
• Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health Holds Medicare Advantage Hearing (NR 3/26/07)
• House Committee Adopts Budget Resolution (NR 3/23/07)
• NAHC Participates in a Panel Discussion on Telehomecare (NR 3/22/07)
• Sen. Smith Leads Efforts to Eliminate Proposed Medicaid Cuts (NR 3/22/07)
• Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health Holds Medicare Advantage Hearing (NR 3/26/07)
• House Committee Adopts Budget Resolution (NR 3/23/07)
• NAHC Participates in a Panel Discussion on Telehomecare (NR 3/22/07)
• Sen. Smith Leads Efforts to Eliminate Proposed Medicaid Cuts (NR 3/22/07)
• Senate Committee to Report Budget Resolution Soon (NR 3/15/07)
• Bill Reintroduced to Support Home Health Agencies' Use of Telehomecare (NR 3/15/07
• Aging Organizations Ask Congress to Oppose Medicare and Medicaid Cuts (NR 3/14/07)
• NAHC "March on Washington" an Opportunity to Connect With Lawmakers (NR 3/13/07)
• MedPAC Advances Home Health Pay-for-Performance (NR 3/13/07)
• Happy Birthday! NAHC Concludes 25th Year (NR 3/12/07)
• Senate and House Committee to Begin Work on Budget Resolutions (NR 3/7/07)
• House Panel Hearing Highlights Justifications for MedPAC's March Report (NR 3/6/07)
• CBO Budget Options Report Proposes Major Medicare Cuts (NR 3/6/07)

February 2007

• Home Health and Hospice Complimented During Governors' Meeting in D.C. (NR 2/28/07)
• Bush Proposes SCHIP Reauthorization of $5 Billion a Year for Five Years (NR 2/28/07)
• Senate Aging Committee Chair Questions President's Budget (NR 2/21/07)
• NAHC Members Set Priorities for 2007 (NR 2/20/07)
• Medicare Budget Proposal at Recent House Hearing (NR 2/20/07)
• House Budget Committee Chair Rep. Spratt Receives Home Care Community Honors (NR 2/16/07)
• End-of-Life Care Bill Introduced in Senate to Create National, Uniform Standards (NR 2/15/07)
• Democrats Question Logic of Cuts to Medicare and Medicaid (NR 2/12/07)
• Rep. Price Introduces Home Oxygen Patient Protection Act (NR 2/7/07)
• President's Budget Proposes Extensive Cuts to Home Health and Hospice (NR 2/5/07)

January 2007

• Plan of Action Announced for House Ways and Means Committee (NR 1/31/07)
• Strategic Planners Given View of Public Policy from 60,000 Feet and from the Front Lines (NR 1/30/07)
• House Passes Six Bills During the First Weeks of the 110th Congress (NR 1/29/07)
• Medicaid Commission's Final Report Not Critique-Free (NR 1/10/07)

December 2006

• NAHC Members: Time to Set Home Care & Hospice Priorities for 2007 Legislative, Regulatory Actions (NR 12/18/07)
• CMS Provides Draft Details of Upcoding Home Health P4P Demo (NR 12/15/06)
• Congress Passes and Sends to President a Bill to Provide Relief, Resources to Family Caregivers (NR 12/12/06)
• For Fifth Straight Year, MedPAC Staff Says Home Health Pay Rates Should Be Frozen (NR 12/08/06)
• Congress to Adjourn with Home Health, Hospice 2007 Payments Intact (NR 12/7/06)
• Advocacy Efforts Urged to Retain Home Health, Hospice Inflation Updates (NR 12/4/07)

November 2006

• Medicare Provider Regulatory Update -- Mid-November 2006 (NR 11/13/06)
• Comments on DME & Oxygen Proposed Rule Bring About Changes in Final Version (NR 11/13/06)
• The Day After: What Do The 2006 Elections Means For Home Care and Hospice (NR 11/8/06)
• a 'Lame Duck' Congressional Session Looms (NR 11/8/06)
• Pay For Performance: 2007 HHPPS Payment Rate Rules: Part III (NR 11/6/06)
• Important Wage Index Changes: 2007 HHPPS Payment Rate Rule: Part II (NR 11/3/06)
• 2007 HHPPS Payment Rate Rule: The New Rates: Part I (NR 11/2/06)

OCTOBER 2006

• Rep. Sue Kelly to Introduce Concurrent Resolution Calling for Congress to Ensure Full Home Health Market Basket Update (NR 10/23/06)
• Take Part in NAHC Home Care and Hospice Advocacy Campaigns, 'Get Out the Vote' Drive (NR 10/13/06)
• What Are Members of Congress Saying About the Pending Medicare Physician Pay Cut? (NR 10/03/06)
• Congress Recesses for Elections, NAHC Advocacy Campaigns Stay Focused (NR 10/02/06)

SEPTEMBER 2006

• Final Letter: Signatures of 76 Senators Who Have Signed on to the Collins-Feingold Letter Opposing Home Health and Hospice Cuts (NR 9/22/06)
• More Than Three Out of Four Senators Agree: Don't Cut Home Care and Hospice (NR 9/22/06)
• NAHC Commends Kelly Legislation (NR 9/20/06)
• NAHC Letter: Commending Rep. Sue Kelly (R-NY) for her legislation, the Home Health Transportation Cost and Access Act of 2006 (9/13/06)
• NAHC Government Affairs Update: Thousands of Messages Sent to Congress in 'No Cuts, No Freeze' Home Care Grassroots Advocacy Campaign (NR 9/12/06)
• Majority of Senate Supports Call for No Cuts to Home Care (NR 9/12/06)
• NAHC Supports House Rural Care Coalition's Legislation to Improve Access to Quality Rural Health Care (NR 9/08/06)

AUGUST 2006

• PPS Payment Progress Report: CMS Working On Ways To Mitigate Effect of RAP Delay (NR 8/21/06)
• NAHC Calls For Home Care Advocacy Push in Last Days Of August Congressional Recess (NR 8/21/06)
• Medicare Physician Payment Formula "Unviable," Should Be Changed to Provide Increases Instead of Cuts, Witnesses Say at Hill Hearing (NR 8/8/06)

JULY 2006

• CMS Proposes Home Health Inflation Update, Other Payment Changes (NR 7/28/06)
• NAHC Members Called On To Help Resist Potential Medicare Cuts, Get Home Care's Message to Congress (NR 7/27/06)
• Home Health Market Basket Proposed -- CMS Proposes 3.1 Percent Increase and Pay-For-Performance Update Adjustment (NR 7/27/06)
• Institutional Bias Will Be Eliminated, CMS Administrator Foretells (NR 7/27/06)
• Senator's Hefty Support for Medicare Doc Pay 'Fix' Underscores Need to Protect Home Health and Hospice Cuts (NR 7/21/06)
• NAHC, HCTAA Request Help in Supporting Increased Funding for Telehealth (NR 7/10/06)
• Reminder: DRA Provision Puts Hold on Medicare Claims Payments for September 22-30 (NR 7/7/06)

JUNE 2006

• NAHC Continues Lobbying Congress to Address Top Home Care Issue of 'No Cuts, No Freezes' in Market Basket Update (NR 6/30/06)
• MedPAC Provides Insights on Care Coordination, Outpatient Therapy, and Use of Cost-Effectiveness Information (NR 6/26/06)
• Call to NAHC Members: Co-Sponsors Needed for Senate Bill for Rural Home Care Protections (NR 6/23/06)
• MedPAC Stresses Need for New Home Health Quality Measures (NR 6/22/06)
• Senate Budget Committee Proposes Sweeping New Deficit Reduction Rules That Could Lead to Medicare, Other Cuts -- Underscores the Continuing Need for Grass Roots Advocacy (NR 6/21/06)
• NAHC President Applauds Rep. Ramstad's Efforts as Ways and Means Committee Adopts Telehomecare Study in Health IT Bill (NR 6/16/06)
• Senators Introduce Bill Seeking to Preserve Access to Medicare Services in Rural Areas (NR 6/15/06)
• Fix Medicaid by Reforming Other Programs, Governors Say (NR 6/13/06)
• NAHC, Minnesota State College and Universities System Offer Internet-Based Training for Home Care Personnel (NR 6/13/06)
• Anatomy of a Successful Telehomecare Program (NR 6/9/06)
• NAHC Launches New Web Teleconferencing Technology, Announces Presentation of Pandemic Conference (NR 6/8/06)

MAY 2006

• NAHC, HCTAA Ask Members to Help in Supporting Increased Funding for Telehealth (NR 5/31/06)
• Representative Schwarz Introduces Bill To Restore Pre-DRA Medicare Treatment of Oxygen Equipment Ownership (NR 5/30/06)
• Long-Term Care Financing a Big Problem for Most Americans, Legislators Say (NR 5/18/06)
• Senate Blocks Small Business Health Plan Legislation (NR 5/16/06)
• Medicare Spending Growth Could Soon Trigger Mandatory Legislative Action, According to Trustees Report (NR 5/11/06)
• Statement on National Nurses Week (May 6-12) by Val J. Halamandaris, President, National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NR 5/8/06)
• Senate Bill Seeks to Eliminate Drug Copays for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waiver Beneficiaries; NAHC Lends Support (NR 5/2/06)
• NAHC Action Alert Update: Senators' Names Added to Letter Opposing Home Health Cuts (NR 5/1/06)

APRIL 2006

• Halamandaris Lends Home Care's Support to House Rural Health Care Bill at Hill Briefing (NR 4/27/06)
• Along With Criticism and Support, Small Business Health Plan Legislation Heads to Senate (NR 4/21/06)
• Letter Circulating Senate Urges Rejection of Home Health, Hospice Cuts (NR 4/12/06)
• Rep. Walden, Pomeroy Introduce Rural Health Care Multi-Provider Extension Bill Prior to Congressional Recess -- H.R. 5118 (NR 4/7/06)
• March On Washington 2006: NAHC Policy Conference Attendees Meet With Representatives in House Reception, Final Segment (NR 4/6/06)
• Day of Advocacy, Continued: Droves of Congresspersons Applaud Home Care and Hospice at House Reception (NR 4/5/06)
• Day of Advocacy, Continued: Home Care and Hospice Highly Praised, Esteemed at House Reception (NR 4/4/06)
• House Budget Committee's FY 2007 Budget Resolution Contains No Medicare, Medicaid Reductions (NR 4/3/06)
• Home Care and Hospice Providers Have 'Power to Change the World,' Court TV's Catherine Crier Says (NR 4/3/06)

MARCH 2006

• A Voice on the Hill for Home Care and Hospice: Day of Advocacy Begins with Senators' Praise, Pledges of Support for Home Care (NR 3/29/06)
• Attendees Welcomed at Opening Session of National Policy Conference and Law Symposium (NR 3/28/06)
• At NAHC National Policy Conference Speakers Woodruff, Beckel Recognize Importance of Home Care and Hospice (NR 3/28/06)
• SPECIAL REPORT: Home Care Would Play Major Role in Pandemic Influenza Response, Experts Say (NR 3/27/06)
• Heading to the National Policy Conference: Ready or Not? (NR 3/22/06)
• Home Care Advocates Preparing for Annual March on Washington (NR 3/22/06)
• Members of Congress Call for Home Telehealth Support in D.C. (NR 3/16/06)
• MedPAC Continues Focus on Measuring Care Quality, Considers Idea of Home Health Process Measures (NR 3/14/06)
• MedPAC Examining Medicare Hospice Payment (NR 3/13/06)
• Little Changed From Chairman's Mark, Senate Budget Committee Delivers Budget Resolution (NR 3/10/06)
• Senate Budget Committee Begins Markup of, Released FY 2007 Budget Proposal (NR 3/8/06)
• Congress Should Reject MedPAC's Recommendation to Freeze 2007 Home Health Pay Rates, Support Nearly Complete Payment Changes, NAHC Says (NR 3/1/06)

FEBRUARY 2006

• Problems Turn Up in Implementation of DRA's Reinstated Medicare Home Health Rural Add-on (NR 2/24/06)
• Sen. Santorum Introduces Bill to Promote Access to Home Telehealth Services - S.2282 (NR 2/22/06)
• Clerical Error Could Complicate Matters for Deficit Reduction Act of '05 (NR 2/13/06)
• Halamandaris Takes Exception to President Bush's Budget (NR 2/7/06)
• Budget Proposal Includes More Reductions in Medicaid Payments (NR 2/7/06)
• Administration Proposes FY '07 Pay Freeze, Subsequent Reductions for Home Health; Hospice Reductions for FY '07-'09 (NR 2/6/06)
• Health-Related Funding in Budget Proposal Aimed at Increasing Preparedness Health IT, Consumerism (NR 2/6/06)
• Home Health Changes Loom as House Passes Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 by Two Votes (NR 02/01/06)

JANUARY 2006

• NAHC ACTION ALERT -- House Plans Vote Wednesday on Budget Bill (NR 01/31/06)
• Forty-Seven States Gather at NAHC Industry Strategic Planning Consensus Conference (NR 01/23/06)
• Michigan Home Health Association/NAHC Cooperation Results in Home Care Visit by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (NR 01/17/06)
• NAHC Announces Special March 25-26 Conference on Role of Home Care and Technology in Pandemic Preparedness (NR 01/13/06)
• BBA's Outpatient Therapy Services Caps in Effect (NR 01/12/06)
• MedPAC Recommends 2007 Home Health Rate Freeze (NR 01/11/06)
• Home Care Industry Weighs in on Top Issues of 2006 (NR 01/06/06)
• $6.9 Million Allocated in 2006 for Telehealth, Licensure and Telehomecare (NR 01/05/06)
• The Bottom Line: What Delay of Enactment of the Budget Reconciliation Legislation Means to Your Agency (NR 01/03/06)

DECEMBER 2005

• 2006 Budget Fight Shifts Back to Shuttered House (NR 12/21/05)
• Wrangling over Defense Spending, Alaska Oil Drilling Muddy Budget Reconciliation, Recess Process (NR 12/16/05)
• White House Conference on Aging Concludes, Producing 'Top 10' List of Resolutions on Aging Issues (NR 12/15/05)
• Last Chance! NAHC Renews Action Call for Signatories on Letters to Budget Conferees (NR 12/13/05)
• No Surprise: MedPAC Staff Again Recommends Home Health Payment Freeze (NR 12/12/05)
• Budget Conferees to Seek Compromise Bill before Christmas, but Outlook Uncertain, Disagreements Abound (NR 12/9/05)
• Chairman, Ranking Member of Senate Finance Committee to Kick Off NAHC's 'March on Washington' (NR 12/7/05)
• Some 2,400 Letters Sent to Members of Congress on Key Home Care Issues via NAHC LAN (NR 12/5/05)
• VNA of Western Pennsylvania Briefs Congressional Staff on Use of Home Telehealth (NR 12/2/05)

NOVEMBER 2005

• House Leaders Eke Out Budget Victory after Stunning Appropriations Defeat (NR 11/18/05)
• MedPAC Sounding Familiar in Run-up to 2006 Medicare Payment Recommendations (NR 11/17/05)
• Quietly, Nation's Governors Working with Medicaid Commission Appointed by HHS Sec. Leavitt (NR 11/16/05)
• Budget Update: Between Moderates and Conservatives, Conflict over Cuts Has House Leadership on Tightrope (NR 11/10/05)
• Senators Kennedy, DeWine Introduce Bipartisan Bill for Long-Term Care Services (NR 11/8/05)
• NAHC Organizes Fundraiser for Senate Finance Committee Chairman Grassley (NR 11/7/05)
• Senate Amends Budget Reconciliation Bill to Provide Medicaid Relief to States Slated for Cuts in Federal Assistance (NR 11/4/05)
• Medicare 2006 Home Health Inflation Update Increased in Final Rule (NR 11/3/05)
• Senate Approves Thune Amendment to Infuse $10 Million into Telehealth, Telehomecare (NR 11/2/05)
• Sen. Specter Wins Senate Support for Delay of New Regs for Power Mobility Devices (NR 11/1/05)

OCTOBER 2005

• At Open of Annual Meeting, NAHC Names Rep. McDermott Legislator of the Year, Announces Launch of Legislative Action Network (NR 10/31/05)
• Continued Flurry of House, Senate Budget Action Expected This Week (NR 10/31/05)
• Home Health Dodges '06 Pay Freeze in Senate Finance Committee Legislative Proposal (NR 10/21/05)
• NAHC, Other National Home Care Orgs Intensify Advocacy Efforts (NR 10/14/05)
• NAHC Call to Action: Market Basket Update Freeze among Medicare Cuts Senate Reportedly Considering to Bankroll Katrina Relief (NR 10/7/05)
• Sen. Thune Introduces Bill to Support Home Health Agencies' Use of 'Telehomecare' (NR 10/6/05)

SEPTEMBER 2005

• HCC Members Brief Congressional Staff on Value of Home Care (NR 9/28/05)
• Coalition Proposes Expansion of Home and Community-Based Care to WHCoA Policy Committee (NR 9/27/05)
• NAHC President Selected as Delegate to 2005 White House Conference on Aging (NR 9/26/05)
• Senate to Vote on Grassley-Baucus Katrina Medicaid Relief Bill (NR 9/22/05)
• Conservative Republican Group Advocates Home Health Copay to Finance Katrina Reparations (NR 9/21/05)
• NAHC Files PPS Rate Comments; Concerns Center on Market Basket's Weaknesses, MSA-to-CBSA Switch (NR 9/15/05)
• NAHC Initiates Efforts to Address Fuel-Related Transportation Cost Increases (NR 9/14/05)
• NAHC Cosponsors Inaugural Long-Term Care Health IT Summit (NR 9/13/05)
• IRS Announces Mileage Rate Increase of $0.08; NAHC to Press CMS for Relief (NR 9/12/05)

AUGUST 2005

• Meet the Budget Agreement's Medicaid Commission: Vote Approves 'Chairman's Mark' of Six Options for Medicaid Reform (NR 8/26/05)
• Support Voiced for Medicare Performance-Based Pay at Senate Finance Committee Hearing (NR 8/23/05)
• Special 2005 NAHC Grassroots Guide: Keys for Successful Advocacy (NR 8/18/05)
• White House Conference on Aging Panel Calls for Improving Care for Chronically Ill (NR 8/15/05)
• 'Private Discussion in Public': Panel Bares Personal Experiences to Continue End-of-Life Debate Begun with Schiavo (NR 8/10/05)
• Brailer Discusses Government's Role in Implementing National Health IT Network at Congressional Hearing (NR 8/8/05)
• Grassley Bill Would Shift Medicaid Home and Community-Based Care from Waiver-Only to 'Optional' Benefit (NR 8/8/05)
• Senate HELP Committee Approves 'Wired' for Health IT Bill (NR 8/4/05)
• House Health Subcommittee Chairman Johnson Supports Performance-Based Payment Reform for Medicare Physicians at Hearing (NR 8/3/05)
• CMS Issues Final Rule for FY 2006 Hospice Wage Index (NR 8/2/05)

JULY 2005

• As Congress Heads Toward Recess, Rep. Ramstad Introduces Home Telehealth Legislation; NAHC Members Asked to Help Gather Cosponsors (NR 7/29/05)
• Special CMS Open Door Forum Held on Adult Day Services Demonstration (NR 7/28/05)
• Reliable, Sustainable Long-Term Care for the Elderly Envisioned at WHCoA Event(NR 7/27/05)
• Legislation Seeking to Improve End-of-Life Care Introduced (NR 7/26/05)
• Sen. Thune to Offer Amendment to Increase Funds for Telehealth, Tele-Home Care Pilot Projects (NR 7/22/05)
• Education Improvement Takes Spotlight at NGA Summer Meeting; Among Themselves, Governors Reportedly Talk Medicaid, Medicare (NR 7/18/05)
• House Health Leaders Seek Administrative Fix for Doc Pay Cut (NR 7/14/05)
• Reception Cool after HHS Appoints Budget Agreement's Medicaid Commission (NR 7/13/05)
• As Governors Prepare to Meet, Researchers Call Increased Medicaid Beneficiary Cost-Sharing Bad Idea (NR 7/13/05)
• NAHC Renews Call to Action to Obtain Additional Congressional Cosponsors for Bills Extending Home Health Rural Add-on (NR 7/11/05)
• The Medicaid Beneficiary: Mandatory or Optional? (NR 7/1/05)
• National Respite Coalition Calls for Increased Support of Caregiver Respite Services (NR 7/5/05)

JUNE 2005

• Ways and Means Inquiry on P4P Draws Quick Response from CMS; Senators Introduce Medicare P4P Legislation (NR 6/30/05)
• NAHC Participates in Discussion with Senate Finance Committee on Draft Bill for Medicare P4P Expansion (NR 6/27/05)
• Home Care and Hospice Plays Major Role in White House Conference Work Groups on Long-Term Care (NR 6/20/05)
• Post-Acute Care Payment Systems, Patient Assessment Discussed at Congressional Hearing (NR 6/17/05)
• In Back-to-Back Hearings, Governors Make Early Recommendations on Medicaid Reform before Senate Finance, House Energy and Commerce Committees (NR 6/16/05)
• Nurse Shortage Threatens U.S. Health Care System, Reads Senate Letter Seeking Boost in Education and Support (NR 6/8/05)
• NAHC Continues Grassroots Effort to Promote Awareness of Need for Medicare Rural Home Health Add-on (NR 6/7/05)
• Congressional Hearing Addresses Benefits of Telemedicine/ Home Telehealth, Application to Chronically Ill and Rural Patients (NR 6/7/05)
• Research Group Explores Effects of Health Care Cost-Sharing on Medicaid Beneficiaries (NR 6/6/05)
• CMS Take: Medicaid 'Cannot Afford to Pass Up' Savings from Home, Community-Based Care (NR 6/3/05)
• Governors Keep Distance, Dems Throw Down Gauntlet on Commission to Recommend Cuts to Medicaid (NR 6/2/05)

MAY 2005

• 'Pioneers' Outline Promise, Limitations of Pay-for-Performance to House Subcommittee (NR 5/25/05)
• HHS Charters Medicaid Commission, Calls for Nominations for Members (NR 5/23/05)
• Representatives Murphy, Kennedy Discuss Bipartisan Health Technology Legislation at Briefing (NR 5/18/05)
• Plans Advance for Medicaid Advisory Commission Called for in FY '06 Budget Resolution (NR 5/17/05)
• Halamandaris Works with National Governors Association on 'Rebalancing' Medicaid Expenditures (NR 5/13/05)
• Home Care and Hospice Honor House Speaker Dennis Hastert (NR 5/11/05)
• HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt Touts Home Care and Wellness in Launch of Older Americans Month (NR 5/11/05)
• Another 20 Members of Congress Sign on to Cosponsor Medicare Home Health Rural Add-on Extension Bills (NR 5/9/05)
• For Hip or Knee Replacement Patients, Home Health Setting Producing Best Outcomes, Is Most Cost-Effective, Researchers Find (NR 5/6/05)
• Home Care Technology Association of America Born (NR 5/4/05)
• 'Patient Navigator' Bills Approved by House and Senate Committees (NR 5/2/05)
• CARING Feature Preview: U.S. Representative Greg Walden (NR 5/2/05)

APRIL 2005

• Budget Compromise Squeaks through House, Senate (NR 4/29/05)
• Polarity of Views on Improving Current Long-Term Care System Showcased at Congressional Hearing (NR 4/28/05)
• House Passes Motion to Instruct Budget Conferees to Refrain from Making Medicaid Cuts (NR 4/27/05)
• California Moves Closer to Passage of Physician-Assisted Suicide Legislation (NR 4/22/05)
• Nurses Push for Advanced Practice RN Ability to Certify 'Homebound' Status, Sign Care Plan (NR 4/22/05)
• Legislation May Eliminate Hospice Under Missouri Medicaid Program (NR 4/21/05)
• Gingrich's 'Brave New World' of Health Care (NR 4/21/05)
• White House Conference on Aging's 'Mini-Conference' Sizes Up Situation of Long-Term Care (NR 4/20/05)
• NAHC Participates in Advisory Group Meeting for Medicare Consumer-Directed Care Project (NR 4/19/05)
• Notice Out for Tomorrow's White House Mini-Conference on Long-Term Care (NR 4/18/05)
• Policy Conference Attendees Hobnob, Talk Home Care and Hospice with Members of Congress in Special House Reception (NR 4/13/05)
• 'Standing Room Only' at NAHC Policy Conference's Home Care Heroes Early Event in Hart Senate Building (NR 4/13/05)
• NAHC's 2005 Policy Conference Kicks Off with Warm Welcome, Loaded Agenda (NR 4/11/05)
• NAHC's Affiliated Hospice Association of America Takes Look at Hospice-Related Legislation Introduced in 109th Congress (NR 4/8/05)
• Prescribing Drugs to 'Persistent Vegetative State' Patients -- to Stop the Family's Pain (NR 4/8/05)
• CMS Seeks Participants in Rural Hospice Demo for Patients Lacking Caregivers (NR 4/6-7/05)
• Post-Schiavo Senate Hearing Seeks to Focus on and Further Lessons Learned (NR 4/6-7/05)
• Senators Raise Concerns, Seek Details on Transition of Medicare Appeals to HHS Admin. Law Judges (NR 4/5/05)
• SPECIAL INFORMATIONAL ISSUE: NAHC Laments Expiry of Medicare Home Health Rural Add-on (NR 4/1/05)

MARCH 2005

• NAHC Continues to Support Congresspersons Who Support Home Care and Hospice (NR 3/23/05)
• NAHC Announces Launch of National Home Health Hospitalization Reduction Study (NR 3/22/05)
• NAHC Meets with, Makes Suggestions to MedPAC on Home Health PPS Reform Efforts (NR 3/21/05)
• NAHC Urges Grassroots Effort over Congress' Easter Break to Increase Support for Extending Home Health Rural Add-on (NR 3/21/05)
• Special Report 2005 National Policy Conference Registrations Setting Record(NR 3/17/05)
• Vote on Amendment Removing Medicaid Cuts from Senate Budget Blueprint Likely Held Over (NR 3/16/05)
• Senators Introduce Amendment to Strike Medicaid Cuts from Budget Resolution (NR 3/14/05)
• Bankruptcy Reform Legislation Progresses; NAHC Assesses Health Care Provider Impact (NR 3/11/05)
• NAHC Studying Adult Day Services, to Appoint Special Task Force on Issue (NR 3/11/05)
• House, Senate Budget Blueprints Train Sights on Medicaid (NR 3/10/05)
• NAHC Meets with Congressional Budget Committee Staff as FY '06 Budget Blueprints Head for Markup (NR 3/9/05)
• Governors Fail to Reach Agreement on Medicaid Compromise (NR 3/8/05)
• NAHC Cosponsors White House Mini-Conference on Long-Term Care (NR 3/7/05)
• What's in Store? Analysts Turn to HHS Sec. Leavitt's Medicaid Reforms as Utah Governor for Insight on Feds' Plans for Program (NR 3/3/05)
• Health Care Spending Projections Anticipate Shift from Private to Public Funding Sources (NR 3/2/05)
• Implementation of Pay-for-Performance / IT Systems for Home Health and Other Providers Strongly Recommended by MedPAC (NR 3/2/05)
• MedPAC Recommends Freeze in Home Health Payments in March Report to Congress (NR 3/1/05)

FEBRUARY 2005

• GAO Examines HHS' Estimates of Health Care Cost Savings Achievable Through Use of IT (NR 2/25/05)
• MedPAC to Congress: Keep Physician Referral for Outpatient PT (NR 2/23/05)
• NAHC Attends Briefing on 'In-Home' Restriction for Medicare Part B Reimbursement for HME (NR 2/22/05)
• HHS Sec. Leavitt Discusses Medicaid Issues at Congressional Hearing (NR 2/18/05)
• Many Hospitalizations Preventable, AHRQ Report Finds (NR 2/16/05)
• CBO Budget 'Options' Report to Congress Ponders Home Health Copays, Five-Year Freeze on Pay Update (NR 2/16/05)
• CMS Reports to Congress on Medicare Contractor Reform (NR 2/15/05)
• Senate Bill Seeks to Create Commission to Scrutinize Potential Medicaid Changes (NR 2/14/05)
• Medicare Rx Benefit Tab Now Tops $720 Billion; Congress Frets About What to Do (NR 2/9/05)
• Senate Bill Filed to Extend Medicare Rural Home Health Add-on (NR 2/8/05)
• NAHC Breaks Down Provisions in President's Budget Proposal that Could Impact Home Health and Hospice (NR 2/8/05)
• Support for President's Health Care Agenda in Budget Proposal (NR 2/7/05)
• President's Budget Proposal Seeks to Lower Medicaid Spending by Net $45 Billion over Next Decade (NR 2/7/05)
• State of the Union Address Only Touches on Health Care, Medical Technology (NR 2/3/05)
• NAHC and Other Groups Discuss Home Health Care Priorities and Issues at Home Care Coalition Meeting (NR 2/2/05)
• HHS Sec. Leavitt Sets Stage for Medicaid Debate, Heralds Home Care as Solution to Program's Woes (NR 2/2/05)

JANUARY 2005

• States Named for MMA 'Direct Patient Access' Employee Criminal Background Check Pilot (NR 1/28/05)
• Bush Steps Up Drive for Improvements in Health Care System, Sketches Framework for '06 Budget Proposal (NR 1/28/05)
• Host of National and State Organizations Sign on to Letter to President Opposing Cuts and Caps on Medicaid (NR 1/26/05)
• NAHC March on Washington to Feature Two Events Honoring Congressional Home Care and Hospice Heroes (NR 1/21/05)
• U.S. Senate Holds 'Love-in' for Leavitt: Unanimous Confirmation Likely for New HHS Secretary Pick (NR 1/21/05)
• President George W. Bush Inaugurated for Second Four-Year Term (NR 1/21/05)
• NAHC Government Affairs Directors Kick Off Legislative Efforts for New Year (NR 1/18/05)
• Policy Discussions Advance at 'Convening' on Consumer Direction in Aging Services (NR 1/14/05)
• Congress Should Support Pay for Performance in Medicare, MedPAC Votes (NR 1/13/05)
• MedPAC to Recommend that Congress Freeze Home Health Payments for 2006 (NR 1/13/05)
• Bush to Americans, Describing Situation of 'Junk' Medical Liability Lawsuits: 'You're Paying for It' (NR 1/12/05)
• Medicaid and Other Health Care Costs Are Big Pothole on States' Road to Fiscal Recovery (NR 1/10/05)
• Medicaid and Other Health Care Costs Top Concerns for States in 2005, Study Finds (NR 1/6/05)
• NAHC Meets with CMS on Home Health Wage Index Concerns (NR 1/6/05)
• Bill to Extend Medicare Home Health Rural Add-on One of First Filed in 109th Congress (NR 1/5/05)
• Governors Send Letter Urging Bush Administration and Congress to Reform Medicaid (NR 1/5/05)