PLTC PUBLIC POLICY

Last Updated: October 14, 2006

PLTC PPC Mission Statement

PLTC PPC Minutes from APA, 2005

PLTC PPC Minutes from GSA, 2005

PLTC PPC Letter Regarding Therapy Caps

This letter was sent to the following individuals in Congress: 

Medicare Part B Carriers -- Updates

(Available ONLY to PLTC Members; Updated August 8, 2006)

Reference: Medicare Websites  

(General Links and Provider Information)

Medicare News  

(updated August 8, 2006)

Medicaid News

White House Conference on Aging  

(updated December 15, 2005)

Talking Points Reference

Groth-Marnat, G., & Edkins, G (1996). Professional Psychologists in General Health Care Settings: A Review of the Financial Efficacy of Direct Treatment Interventions. Professional Psychology Research and Practice, 27(2), 161-174.

October, 2006

In the early morning hours of Saturday, September 30, Congress passed the bill to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (H.R. 6197). We are delighted to announce that significant language from the Positive Aging Act was included in the reauthorization. Specifically, these new provisions authorize: 

	the designation of an officer at the Administration on Aging to be responsible for mental health services authorized under the Older Americans Act;
	competitive grants to states for the development and operation of systems for the delivery of mental health screening and treatment services for older adults; and
	competitive grants to states for programs to increase public awareness regarding the benefits of mental health prevention and treatment in older adults, reduce the stigma associated with mental disorders in older adults, and reduce age-related prejudice and discrimination regarding mental disorders in older adults.

In addition to the Positive Aging Act provisions, this Older Americans Act reauthorization included further language in support of mental health; new elder abuse, neglect and exploitation provisions from the Elder Justice Act; increased authorization of appropriations for programs to support family caregivers; and language to support home and community based long-term care for older adults.

As you know, APA has been working in support of the Positive Aging Act since 2002. Over the last several years, members of the APA Committee on Aging (CONA), Divisions 12-II and 20, and the geropsychology community at-large have made extraordinary contributions to our advocacy efforts by providing expertise and guidance, reviewing and drafting legislative language, contacting and visiting members of Congress, and testifying at congressional hearings and briefings. In fact, in the final days before passage of the bill, CONA members solidified their commitment to this legislation by meeting with congressional leaders in Washington, DC to ensure the inclusion of the Positive Aging Act provisions. The Public Policy Office is extremely grateful to CONA (past and present) and the geropsychology community for all of these extraordinary efforts in support of this important policy initiative.

Finally, we would like to express our tremendous appreciation to Deborah DiGilio, Director of the APA Office on Aging, for her steadfast support, expertise, and collaboration.

This has truly been a team effort and we couldn't have done this without all of you!

Many thanks, Diane

Today, the Senate HELP Committee passed their bill to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (S. 3570), which included significant language from Title I of the Positive Aging Act (S. 1116). This language would authorize grants to states for the development and operation of

(a) systems for the delivery of mental health screening and treatment services for older adults

(b) programs to increase public awareness, reduce stigma, and reduce age-related prejudice and discrimination regarding mental disorders in older adults.

We are delighted that this language was included in the Senate bill and are grateful to the Positive Aging Act co-sponsors, Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Susan Collins for their ongoing commitment to mental health and aging issues. We are also pleased to note that tomorrow, APA member, Donna Rasin-Waters, Ph.D., will participate as a mental health and aging expert during Senator Clinton’s press conference regarding this legislation.

APA’s efforts will now focus on supporting the Senate language (which is more comprehensive than the language in the House bill) as the House and Senate negotiate the final legislation. We look forward to continuing to work with you on this important issue!

Thanks for your all of your wonderful work,

Diane

Are you all aware that there is a Senate Special Committee on Aging? For those of you who are not, the Senate Special Committee on Aging while it has no legislative authority, the Committee can and does study issues, conduct oversight of programs, and investigate reports of fraud and waste.

Throughout its existence, the Special Committee on Aging has served as a focal point in the Senate for discussion and debate on matters relating to older Americans. Often, the Committee will submit its findings and recommendations for legislation to the Senate. In addition, the Committee publishes materials of assistance to those interested in public policies which relate to the elderly.

The Committee has had a long and influential history. It has called the Congress' and the nation's attention to many problems affecting older Americans. The Committee has continually reviewed Medicare's performance on an almost annual basis. For example, this Special Committee has reviewed reviewed Medicare's Prospective Payment System to see whether it was true the system was forcing Medicare beneficiaries to be discharged "quicker and sicker." Here is the website for the Senate Special Committee on Aging as well as some information on "dual eligible beneficiaries".

~Steve M.

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White House Conference on Aging News

NCMHA wrote three page-long resolutions, #8 is a summary of the primary one, and item #6 and #9 are very similar to another of the resolutions put forward by NCMHA on training professionals. 

The Top Ten:

1. Reauthorize the Older Americans Act Within the First Six Months Following the 2005 White House Conference on Aging
2. Develop a Coordinated, Comprehensive Long-Term Care Strategy by Supporting Public and Private Sector Initiatives that Address Financing, Choice, Quality, Service Delivery, and the Paid and Unpaid Workforce
3. Ensure that Older Americans Have Transportation Options to Retain Their Mobility and Independence
4. Strengthen and Improve the Medicaid Program for Seniors
5. Strengthen and Improve the Medicare Program
6. Support Geriatric Education and Training for All Healthcare Professionals, Paraprofessionals, Health Profession Students, and Direct Care Workers
7. Promote Innovative Models of Non-Institutional Long-Term Care
8. Improve Recognition, Assessment, and Treatment of Mental Illness and Depression Among Older Americans
9. Attain Adequate Numbers of Healthcare Personnel in All Professions Who are Skilled, Culturally Competent, and Specialized Geriatrics
10. Improve State and Local Based Integrated Delivery Systems to Meet 21^st Century Needs of Seniors

These are all available in .pdf format on the White House Conference on Aging Website

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