After lengthy debate and review in the NSHC’s resolution process, the five resolutions are being presented to the U.S. Congress and President George W. Bush as grassroots input for legislation and/or policy action. Those resolutions are:

• Create a national criminal background check and registry of all direct access employees of health care facilities, including home health agencies and residential care facilities.

• Mandate geriatric education for all students preparing for health careers in tax supported medical schools

• Increase home and community-based services by developing a FY 2009 budget that will fully fund the Older Americans Act, Title II.

• Pass elder justice legislation that will prevent, detect, treat, intervene in and prosecute offenders involved in elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.

• Establish a “Silver Alert” notification network for missing elderly citizens, similar to the Amber Alert for children so that law enforcement, news media and the general public may be promptly notified and a timely search and rescue may be undertaken when a vulnerable, disoriented elderly person is discovered missing.

 In addition to Porter, who was selected as the congress’ treasurer, the delegates also elected the following officers for 2008-2010: Chairperson of the Board Hannah Timmons, South Carolina; First Vice Chairperson Herbert W. Perry, Nevada; Second Vice Chairperson Dallas Knudson, North Dakota; Secretary Catherine M. Stone, New York; Senate President Gloria Bonali, South Carolina; Senate President Pro Tem Herbert Perry, Nevada; House Speaker Carlos Higgins, Texas; and House Speaker Pro Tem Lloyd Steen, North Carolina.

 Wally Daeley, the outgoing chairman of the board, announced that he had sent the board’s proclamation concerning the inclusion of some 20 million Social Security recipients in the economic stimulus package to U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

John Wren, deputy assistant secretary for aging with the Department of Health and Human Services, addressed the delegates at dinner on Saturday. He stressed that the United States does not have a long-term care system, but rather a variety of programs. He suggested that organizations like the NSHC could help provide a grassroots reform movement of America’s long-term care system.

Wren indicated that, for the first time, the Older Americans Act requires one-stop shopping entry points to access senior services. In addition, it must be available for all levels of the economic ladder. He said funding for the OAA would remain flat for the next fiscal year, with Title II of the Act especially vulnerable due to lack of funding.

At a morning breakfast meeting, Dr. Jacquelyn McClelland, a professor at North Carolina State University, presented a program titled “Awareness and Education of Osteoporosis.” She said as many as 44 million Americans are at risk with osteoporosis. She added there currently is no cure for osteoporosis, but that calcium, vitamin D, weight-bearing exercises and a healthy lifestyle help strengthen bones.

Humana Insurance Company’s Ed Kaleta reviewed the role of Medicare advantage insurance in preventative medicine and chronic care management. He indicated that choice is important in health care and Medicare advantage plans provide that choice. He said the health care system is broken and needs to be fixed.

The Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act of 2007 and the Elder Justice Act provided the specifics for the presentations of Anne Montgomery, senior policy advisor to the Senate Special Committee on Aging, and Ashley Ridlon, a legislative assistant to U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), at Monday evening’s dinner.

Anyone doubting the need for federal legislation to address the prevention of abuse to frail elders was urged by the speakers to look at the results of a three-year pilot background check of prospective health care workers in seven states.

The total number of applicants excluded from working in long-term care facilities due to a history of abuse identified through registry checks and/or criminal background checks is at least 7,271 (3.7 percent of all applicants. The two speakers indicated that both bills are currently working their ways through the congressional committee system. The NSHC delegates were invited to contact their elected representatives in support of the bills.

Bob Blancato, chair of the NSHC’s Advisory Council, served as master of ceremonies for all of the dinner meetings, and shared his insights on the action taking place behind the public stage in Washington, D.C.                                           

The NSHC’s 2008 mid-year meeting will be held in Kansas City, Mo., Aug. 4-5.

For additional information concerning the NSHC, contact Porter at 399-4456.