Florida Governor Approves Elder-Friendly Legislation: Florida Governor Jeb Bush signed into law May 1 Senate Bill 1276, which among other provisions, creates an Office of Long-Term Care policy within the state's Department of Elder Affairs to make recommendations and coordinate long-term care services. The bill also directs the establishment of a pilot project in which Elder Affairs and the Agency for Health Care Administration will integrate all state-funded services for the elderly. According to the governor's office, SB 1276 provides Medicaid-eligible seniors “choice and control in selecting in-home and community-based services” and “helps those in nursing homes regain independence and transition to less-costly settings.”

New York Seniors Warned of HMO “Slamming”: New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has issued a warning to the state's consumers about Medicare health maintenance organization “slamming,” in which senior citizens are enrolled in health plans without their complete knowledge or consent.

According to Spitzer's office, New York seniors with Medicare have complained they were duped or pressured into signing up for a New York Medicare HMO, HealthFirst 65 Plus. In response, Spitzer has initiated an agreement with HealthFirst 65 Plus, based in Manhattan, that requires the HMO to adopt procedures, including an application confirmation form, that ensures seniors who enroll in the health plan understand what they are signing up for.

“This agreement protects seniors from being duped into joining a Medicare HMO that they do not want and that will not met their health care needs,” Spitzer said. “Full disclosure, honest dealing and informed consent must be the cornerstones of a fair Medicare HMO marketplace and this agreement will help promote such practices.”

SCMESA Changes Board Make-Up, Sets Agenda: The South Carolina Medical Equipment Suppliers Association has changed the composition of its board of directors for the upcoming year. The six directors now will represent different segments of the home medical equipment industry: respiratory, orthotics/prosthetics, rehab/seating, diabetes, pharmacy and women's health. Previously, the directors represented each health district in South Carolina.

SCMESA also elected new officers. Steve Frantz was elected president, Joey Williamson, vice president, and Bob Conger, secretary/treasurer. The new board's legislative priorities for 2002-03 are state licensure of HME providers, the elimination of a state retail sales/use tax on Medicare and Medicaid fees, and the restoration of funding for Medicaid. In addition, the board plans to establish a state-level political action committee.

California Agencies Form Partnership to Prevent Falls: The California Department of Aging has formed a partnership with San Francisco-based Kaiser Permanente and other state agencies to educate elderly Californians about ways to prevent falls. The partnership has produced a video, entitled No More Falls: A Guide for Older Adults, which is available to elderly Californians and their caregivers. For more information, contact the California Department of Aging at (916) 323-2261.

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