Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Stimulus Package
On Wednesday President Bush signed into law H.R. 5140, the economic stimulus package. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said that rebate checks could be in the mail as early as May. Individuals will receive $600, couples will receive $1200, and an additional $300 will be given for each child under 17. Individuals and couples earning over $75,000 and $150,000, respectively, will have their eligibility phased out. Individuals who earn $3,000, receive Social Security or are disabled veterans will receive $300.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Probate Court Reform
For Elder a loss of Control and Power Courts strip elders of their independence
Within minutes ,judges send seniors to supervised care. Massachusetts Probate and Family Court where judges routinely fast track infirm elders into the care of guardians
No opportunity to object, no right to have a lawyer representation.
No chance to be in the courtroom
No medical required by court rules
No patient long term prognosis
No independent fact finder inquiry.
Problem no relatives involved.
"Un befriended elders" no relatives or even friends, petitioners
mostly hospitals and nursing homes assert person is incapacitated.
After the court declares someone mentally ill and appoints a guardian the patients vanish.
No mechanism in place to protect their interest from unregulated guardians
Massachusetts provides no legal council for incapacitated elders "If criminal defendants are guaranteed an attorney, elders who have done nothing wrong ought to have the same protection"
Chief Justice of Probate presses for an overhaul
YEAR LONG REVIEW.
Probate Courts will begin demanding greater medical proof that the guardianship is warranted
Additional training in guardianship cases for judges, lawyers and guardians
Massachusetts not in forefront in terms of guardianship reform.
Overhauls of probate law mired in legislature for nearly a decade
Legislation should include:
1. Detailed Medical Information
2. Limit the scope of guardianship powers
3. Examine the guardianship qualifications
4. Provide for the incapacitated person to be present at the hearing
5. Have a right to council
6. Additional court approval for nursing home placements
7. Mandate guardians file detailed annual reports on physical and mental health
8, Create Public Guardianship Commission.
Within minutes ,judges send seniors to supervised care. Massachusetts Probate and Family Court where judges routinely fast track infirm elders into the care of guardians
No opportunity to object, no right to have a lawyer representation.
No chance to be in the courtroom
No medical required by court rules
No patient long term prognosis
No independent fact finder inquiry.
Problem no relatives involved.
"Un befriended elders" no relatives or even friends, petitioners
mostly hospitals and nursing homes assert person is incapacitated.
After the court declares someone mentally ill and appoints a guardian the patients vanish.
No mechanism in place to protect their interest from unregulated guardians
Massachusetts provides no legal council for incapacitated elders "If criminal defendants are guaranteed an attorney, elders who have done nothing wrong ought to have the same protection"
Chief Justice of Probate presses for an overhaul
YEAR LONG REVIEW.
Probate Courts will begin demanding greater medical proof that the guardianship is warranted
Additional training in guardianship cases for judges, lawyers and guardians
Massachusetts not in forefront in terms of guardianship reform.
Overhauls of probate law mired in legislature for nearly a decade
Legislation should include:
1. Detailed Medical Information
2. Limit the scope of guardianship powers
3. Examine the guardianship qualifications
4. Provide for the incapacitated person to be present at the hearing
5. Have a right to council
6. Additional court approval for nursing home placements
7. Mandate guardians file detailed annual reports on physical and mental health
8, Create Public Guardianship Commission.
Keep McFadden Open
Written By Valerie Folk to the editor local paper
As many of you may recall, for the past year many of us have been working to keep McFadden Memorial Manor open. It is an outstanding facility that provides superior care to Seniors who need nursing home care. It has received to marks in all cetegories in state audits and surveys. McFaddon is home for these people.
The Board of Health will be voting on McFaddens future. Please help in our efforts to persuade city officials to keep this facility open. Join the Friends of McFadden. Let's not displace our seniors.
As many of you may recall, for the past year many of us have been working to keep McFadden Memorial Manor open. It is an outstanding facility that provides superior care to Seniors who need nursing home care. It has received to marks in all cetegories in state audits and surveys. McFaddon is home for these people.
The Board of Health will be voting on McFaddens future. Please help in our efforts to persuade city officials to keep this facility open. Join the Friends of McFadden. Let's not displace our seniors.
Marketing artists in residence project that will be housed in a vacant convent
The City of Malden/Malden Redevelopment $5000 grant to market an artists-in-residence project that will be housed in a vacant convent. Once owned by Sacred Hearts Church in Malden Square.
Nine afforable units will be located in the building Web Site to market the project to area artists
Announcement in local paper by Stephen M. Wishoski, Executive Director of the MRA
Nine afforable units will be located in the building Web Site to market the project to area artists
Announcement in local paper by Stephen M. Wishoski, Executive Director of the MRA
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Lobbying
Health insurer Aetna Inc. spent nearly $2.1 million in 2007 to lobby on health legislation and issues related to drug importation, generic drugs and Medicare payments.
The Hartford, Conn.-based company also lobbied on numerous other issues, including the tax status of health maintenance organizations, medical malpractice, children's health insurance program and the security of electronic health data.
The company spent about $872,000 in the second half of 2007 to lobby Congress, the White House and other agencies, according to a disclosure form posted online Feb. 4 by the Senate's public records office.
It spent $1.2 million in the first six months of 2007 to lobby on largely the same issues.
Lobbyists are required to disclose activities that could influence members of the executive and legislative branches, under a federal law enacted in 1995.
The Hartford, Conn.-based company also lobbied on numerous other issues, including the tax status of health maintenance organizations, medical malpractice, children's health insurance program and the security of electronic health data.
The company spent about $872,000 in the second half of 2007 to lobby Congress, the White House and other agencies, according to a disclosure form posted online Feb. 4 by the Senate's public records office.
It spent $1.2 million in the first six months of 2007 to lobby on largely the same issues.
Lobbyists are required to disclose activities that could influence members of the executive and legislative branches, under a federal law enacted in 1995.
Public Meeting Government Center matv
Verizon Public Hearing on Thursday, February 28, 6pm in City Council Chambers
As many of you know, Verizon is in negotiations with the City of Malden to become a secondary cable provider for the citizens of Malden. As part of these negotiations, Verizon will be asked to support MATV with a portion of the operating funds and a capital contribution. Just as we did during the negotiations with Comcast, we are asking MATV members to come to the hearing and speak in support of MATV. Let Verizon know what MATV is all about and how it benefits you, members of the Malden community. Let them know why we are worth supporting with substantial operating and capital funds. We have saved your letters that were submitted from the previous public hearing, and we'll be re-submitting these to Verizon. But we'd love to see many MATV members attend the public hearing on Thursday, February 28th and speak out on behalf of MATV. For more information, email Ron or myself. And thanks, in advance, for your support!
As many of you know, Verizon is in negotiations with the City of Malden to become a secondary cable provider for the citizens of Malden. As part of these negotiations, Verizon will be asked to support MATV with a portion of the operating funds and a capital contribution. Just as we did during the negotiations with Comcast, we are asking MATV members to come to the hearing and speak in support of MATV. Let Verizon know what MATV is all about and how it benefits you, members of the Malden community. Let them know why we are worth supporting with substantial operating and capital funds. We have saved your letters that were submitted from the previous public hearing, and we'll be re-submitting these to Verizon. But we'd love to see many MATV members attend the public hearing on Thursday, February 28th and speak out on behalf of MATV. For more information, email Ron or myself. And thanks, in advance, for your support!
Monday, February 4, 2008
MEDICARE
When Lyndon Johnson devised Medicare in 1965, he didn't order senior citizens to go out and buy private insurance, adequate and affordable or not, or be fined. Medicare covered everyone, bypassing the notoriously inefficient private insurance industry.
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