Monday, June 5
Workshop Block I
10:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
M1 - Long-Term Care: Medicaid Reform
This session will describe federal and state efforts to reform Medicaid long-term care benefits and the consequences for people with Alzheimer's disease. Topics for discussion include fair eligibility determination for people with dementia and shaping Medicaid managed long-term care programs so they meet the special needs of people with dementia.
M2 - Tackling Quality Care: Our Game Plan for Improved State Policies
Over the past two years, the Association has implemented the Campaign for Quality Residential Care at the federal and state policy levels. This session will focus on our state policy quality objectives, the new movement taking place across the country and examples of recent state successes on these difficult issues.
M3 - There Does the Money Go? The Federal Budget and Alzheimer's Disease
The federal budget is critically important to Alzheimer advocates because it finances Alzheimer research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other key programs that support people with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers. Participants in this session will discuss the budget process and budget terminology; learn how advocates can focus congressional attention on the needs of Alzheimer families; and understand how deficits and spending constraints impact funding for Alzheimer programs.
M4 - Early-Onset Alzheimer's
People under age 65 with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias confront unique and difficult problems because of unexpected loss of employment; income; health insurance; and usual family and community roles. This session will explore public policy issues in early-onset dementia, including eligibility for disability benefits, Medicare and Medicaid, in addition to the availability of age-appropriate services for these individuals.
M5 - Improving Medicare Chronic Care
This session will focus on changing Medicare chronic care benefits to improve outcomes for people with Alzheimer's disease. We are advocating for a new chronic care management benefit; expanded access to palliative care; and policies to improve transitions between hospitals, residential care and home.
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Monday, June 5
Workshop Block II
2:30–4 p.m.
M6 - Long-Term Care: Private Sector Policies
This session will focus on the private sector's role in financing long-term care with particular emphasis on insurance policies. States have an important regulatory role in ensuring that long-term care insurance represents a good value for the premiums that people pay. State and federal government provide tax incentives to encourage purchase of policies and employers can helping employees obtain coverage. Soon, the role of long-term care insurance private/public partnerships is likely to expand. Participants will learn about key concepts in private sector funding of long-term care.
M7 - Leveraging State and Federal Resources for Alzheimer's Care
State and federal funds are available to help provide home and community based care for people with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers. What are these funds? What are they designed to do? How can advocates help to ensure that they are tapped for Alzheimer's care? This session will inform participants about available state and federal funding sources and provide tips for ensuring that Alzheimer's care receives an appropriate piece of the available pies.
M8 - Building Strong Relationships With Members of Congress and Their Staff
Preparation and follow-up are the keys to creating successful relationships with members of Congress and their staff. Participants in this session will receive tips on the best methods for communicating with their elected officials, discuss the importance of the Congressional committee system and learn when contact with lawmakers has the greatest impact on the decision-making process.
M9 - Increasing the Commitment to Brain Health
Recent research advances suggest that lifestyle measures aimed at improving the health of one's brain may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's. The Alzheimer's Association is partnering with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on a new public awareness effort to encourage use of these measures as a key tool in our national defense against Alzheimer's disease. Participants in this session will discuss successful strategies to link policy activities to ongoing state public health initiatives and how to create partnerships with other organizations to make brain health a priority in your community.
M10 - Escalating the Urgency of the Alzheimer's Issue
Policy makers won't move unless they are convinced that Alzheimer's disease needs to be a first tier policy issue. Participants in this workshop will learn how to put a face on the Alzheimer issue through media and grassroots activities, how to maximize state and local political connections to increase political will to move our issues forward, and raise the level of concern about Alzheimer's issues in the 2006 and 2008 elections. Case examples from state and federal issue campaigns will be featured.
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