Excerpts from Volume 5, Number 4 -- Summer 1997
Membership
Elder Law Center
Events/Training
Legislative Issues
Publications
Document Contents
- Advocates Rally for Community-Based Long-Term Care
- Utility Deregulation and the Vulnerable Consumer
- Folk Art Fairs: More Than Just Cultural
- Stamping Out Fraud and Abuse in Medicare and Medicaid
Advocates Rally for Community-Based Long-Term Care
"What do we want? Home Care. When do we want it? Now!" That's what nearly two hundred older people and people with disabilities called for as they rallied at Wisconsin's State Capitol Rotunda on June 26th to protest inadequate funding or home and community-based long-term care. Calling home care the least expensive option and the option that most consumers would choose, advocates are at a loss to understand the inadequate funding in the state budget for the Community Options Program (COP) - a program that provides long-term care services to people in their own homes and communities. Thus far, COP is slated for a $10 million increase which will serve 1,492 additional people on the program. But, in light of the nearly 9,000 people on the waiting list to receive program services, that increase will make only a small dent in the waiting list.
Utility Deregulation and the Vulnerable Consumer
Wisconsin appears to be gearing up to join a nationwide trend to deregulate energy retailers who sell electricity and natural gas in the state. The deregulation process will be implemented over the next three years. The prospect of utility deregulation combined with dwindling funding for existing low-income assistance program poses a serious threat to low-income elderly, families, and individuals, particularly in times of extreme cold and heat.
Folk Art Fairs:
More Than Just Cultural, They Can Be IntergenerationalDo you have an interesting hobby or talent you'd like to share with young children? Do you thin that you cold spare a few days a year to demonstrate and even teach the basics of your hobby to elementary school children? If so, Folk Art Fairs may be just the thing for you. The purpose of the Folk Art Fair is to preserve our country's cultural and ethnic heritage and to join together people of all ages to reveal and relive old arts, crafts, music and skills. So many kids do not have grandparents near them so the contributions of the older volunteers are so important and special to all involved.
Stamping Out Fraud and Abuse in Medicare and Medicaid
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups (CWAG) a 2-year grant to train retired professionals to spot waste, fraud and abuse in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The retirees will be taught to help identify deceptive health care practices, such as overbilling, overcharging, or providing unnecessary or inappropriate services.
Last updated: August 1, 1997
By: Gail Schwersenska