disabledpolitico - All Comments

Re: cushion

rickg — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 21:49:44 GMT

the roho is one of the best, but maintenance can be an issue, the right cushion for you may not be the right one for someone else, so always consult with your doctor and or therapist. i have had some luck with the Varilite cushion as an alternative to roho, it is a combination of air and foam, so it is pretty light and still pressure relieving.

Re: cushion

Kayle216 — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:36:37 GMT

i use a Jay cushion. It's gel with a firm foam base.

Re: HR 6331

Rollingpix — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:50:48 GMT

This bill was passed WAY back in June, 355 to 59 which overrides any possibility of veto and as far as cutting the 10.6% payout here are the facts "Today, the House of Representatives passed HR6331, a bill that improves Medicare coverage of preventive and mental health services, eliminates enrollment barriers for low income programs and keeps a 10.6 percent Medicare payment cut to doctors from taking place on July 1. PRINTER FRIENDLY H.R. 6331, the "Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008," Both the Senate and the House of Representatives voted on Tuesday, July 15, 2008, to override the presidential veto of H.R. 6331, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008. Most press reports describe H.R. 6331 as a bill that cancels the pay cuts to doctors that went into effect on July 1, but the bill also contains improvements for Medicare beneficiaries. While these improvements are much more modest than the improvements included in legislation passed by the House of Representatives last year, they are still significant and will provide relief to many older people and people with disabilities. A Summary of Provisions in H.R. 6331 Relevant to Medicare Beneficiaries As indicated, H.R. 6331 contains a number of provisions that make improvements for Medicare beneficiaries. The Center will issue an Alert that discusses the provisions in more detail if and when H.R. 6331 is enacted into law. Relevant sections provide: 1. Provisions for Low-Income Individuals QI program: Extends the QI program through December 31, 2009, and increases funding for the program. Low-income subsidy (LIS) and Medicare Savings Program (MSP): Effective 2010, increases the assets test for MSP to the LIS asset level for full subsidy individuals. This change includes indexing the MSP asset test for the first time since the program was authorized in 1986. MSP applications: SSA is directed to provide LIS applications and information about MSPs to individuals potentially eligible for such subsidies, to provide assistance with applications, and to share LIS application information with states such that the receipt by the state of such information initiates an application for MSP. Out -of -pocket expenses: Limits cost-sharing for beneficiaries who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and who enroll in Special Needs Plans to the cost-sharing under Medicaid. Late enrollment penalty: Eliminates the Part D late enrollment penalty for LIS-eligible individuals. Eliminates estate recovery: Eliminates the authority for states to collect from estates of deceased beneficiaries the amounts paid to MSP recipients. Changes to definitions of income and resources for LIS: Exempts value of life insurance policy (resources) and in-kind support and maintenance (income). Judicial review of LIS decisions: Provides for a right to federal court review Translation of model form: The model MSP application must be translated into languages most frequently used by Medicare beneficiaries and made available to states. Assistance to SHIPs and Area Agencies on Aging: Provides additional funding, some of which is targeted to LIS outreach. Extension of exceptions process for therapy caps: The process is extended until December 31, 2009. Durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS): Delays for 18 months implementation of the competitive bidding acquisition process for DMEPOS, which went into effect in 10 areas on July 1, and modifies the competitive bidding process. Improvements to preventive services: The Secretary can use the national coverage determination process to add coverage of new preventive services. The "Welcome to Medicare" physical is extended from 6 months to 1 year, and the deductible does not apply. Mental health services: Decreases over 6 years the coinsurance for mental health services to the 20% coinsurance rate for other Medicare services. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other conditions: Includes coverage of intensive cardiac rehabilitation programs and repeals transfer of ownership of oxygen equipment Medigap: Requires implementation of modifications made by NAIC to the standard Medigap plans. The modifications contain restructuring of current benefit packages. 3. Part C and Part D Provisions: Prohibitions and limitations on marketing of Medicare Advantage (MA) and prescription drug (PDP) plans: Prohibits door-to-door sales, cold calling, cross selling of non-health-related products. Requires limitations on commissions and gifts, and requires agents to abide by state appointment laws. Some provisions would be effective in time for the 2008 Annual Enrollment Period. Phase-out of indirect medical education (IME): Phases out an adjustment to MA payment rates for IME, but continues to pay teaching hospitals directly for their higher patient care costs. NOTE: This provision is the only adjustment to Medicare Advantage payment rates. It adopts a recommendation of the Medicare Advisory Payment Committee (MedPAC) to eliminate these duplicate payments. Private Fee-for-Services (PFFS) changes: Requires PFFS plans in counties where there are two HMOs or PPOs to form networks of providers, beginning in 2011. Also requires PFFS plans, effective 2010, to have the same quality improvement programs as local PPOs. Special Needs Plans (SNPs): Extends the authority of SNPs and the moratorium on new SNPs through December 31, 2010. Includes new eligibility and care management requirements and quality reporting standards. Coverage of barbiturates and benzodiazepines: Permits coverage under Part D of barbiturates (for certain conditions) and benzodiazepines, effective January 1, 2012. Protected classes of drugs: Codifies current guidance concerning coverage of "protected classes" of drugs under Part D and authorizes modification of the protected classes through rulemaking. Medically accepted indication for drugs: Authorizes Medicare to revise the compendia used for identifying medically accepted indication for Part D drugs, and provides that the criteria for anticancer drugs covered under Part D should be the same as the criteria for anticancer drugs covered under Part B. The Center for Medicare Advocacy will provide provide further analysis of H.R. 6331. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Senator McCain was not present for the vote.

Re: HR 6331

Rollingpix — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:33:48 GMT

Re: A Simple Job or Assistance-Payment Test

JSapuppo — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 16:02:50 GMT

Well said!!

Re: good news for Power wheelchairs

Hotwlzs — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:30:19 GMT

HR 6331 passed minutes ago.. Awesome. !!!

re: A Simple Job or Assistance-Payment Test

BionicWoman53 — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:04:43 GMT

It is my opinion that all states should require a urine test before any benefits are approved.

Great idea!

» good news for Power wheelchairs

» good news for Power wheelchairs — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:03:36 GMT

Pingback from » good news for Power wheelchairs

re: Super Tuesday Results

Veralidaine — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:56:07 GMT

It's also worth noting than many of Hillary's delegates are superdelegates- meaning they are party VIPs who are delegates automatically, not due to any popular vote or caucus- and all of them are free to change their minds at any time, meaning the race is extremely tight!

Super Tuesday Results

disabledpolitico — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:33:53 GMT

Wow, after months of anticipation Super Tuesday has finally come and gone. Yesterday, Americans either

Super Tuesday Election Results

Disabled Politico — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:13:48 GMT

Wow, after months of anticipation Super Tuesday has finally come and gone. Yesterday, Americans either

re: R-E-S-P-E-C-T...

Tim — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 22:10:46 GMT

Senator Clinton's first attempt at creating a universal health care program for the U.S. was a failure because her approach was "remarkably un-respectful" to the entire country. Her methods showed a complete lack of respect for the US citizen and proper process. What she did was attempt to completely control the health care system and nearly 20% of the US economy without regard to individual need or want. Respect for the individual US citizen is sorely lacking for the Senator's character.

re: R-E-S-P-E-C-T...

wheels4law — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 17:14:23 GMT

I agree with the basic point. RESPECT is perhaps the most important characteristic that I look for any politician. That is why I could never support Hillary for President. Although it was many years ago, her first attempt at dealing with health care was remarkably un-respectful to the disability community. She completely overlooked three critical issues: attendant care, durable medical equipment and access to specialists. When these failures were brought to her attention whore answer was flip "support me now and I will try to fix this later". This is not sound very respectful. Balanced against this track record of taking our vote for granted, Senator Obama has been actively reaching out to the disability community. Even though there were some apparent technical failures with the recent conference call, I applaud his affirmative efforts. That is a sign to me that he does RESPECT our views.

re: R-E-S-P-E-C-T...

sexywheelchairgirl — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:41:53 GMT

I totally agre with you, and I also find it disappointing that none of the presedential candidates have really discussed disability related issues like S.S.I. and I.H.S.S.