Press Release - Beeb Details Health Care Plan for Seniors and Children

Press Release - Beeb Details Health Care Plan for Seniors and Children

Beebe Travels State for 'Believe in Arkansas Health Care Tour' - 9/25/2006

As part of Mike Beebe's statewide Believe in Arkansas Health Care Tour, Beebe today detailed more of his health care plan for seniors and children at a visit to Con Ivie Gardens in Little Rock.

Beebe focused on educating senior caregivers and expanding school nursing clinics.

"As governor, nobody will work harder than I will to improve the health and well-being of our seniors and our kids," Beebe said. "I'll work to help educate our seniors on their Medicare choices, educate family caregivers and expand school health clinics to ensure the good health of Arkansas children."

Education for senior care is critical in the state, especially in rural areas, according to Beebe. Almost 60 percent of Arkansans live in medically underserved areas, and nearly 25 percent of Arkansans live in health professional shortage areas. By 2025, the proportion of older Arkansans is projected to increase to 23.9 percent and the state is expected to have the 5th highest proportion of elders in the nation.

"Family caregivers for seniors face the challenges of balancing work, personal matters and their role as caregiver, Beebe said, "By implementing a senior caregiver education program through the Arkansas Centers on Aging senior caregivers will learn tools to manage their time, resources and cope with needs of an aging family member.

One example of educating caregivers and seniors is to help meet the needs of aging Arkansans faced with choices in their Medicare plans. To do so, Beebe proposed utilizing the Reynolds Institute on Aging through the Arkansas Aging Initiative and other existing programs to reach out to Medicare Beneficiaries and their caregivers. By training representatives of these existing organizations, the state could engage a health education plan about existing Medicare programs and which one is the best choice for individual seniors.

The issue of caregiver education was elevated recently when the AARP announced the Eden Alternative pilot program for caregiver education.

Examples of questions and tips trained senior caregivers could use in working with seniors to help them determine which Medicare plan is best for them include:

* 1) Which drugs do you take?
* 2) How much do you spend on drugs?
* 3) What pharmacy do you use?
* 4) Is a deductible ok or do you prefer coverage right away?
* 5) Does this plan have a gap - do you prefer one without a gap. (If they are not sure, knowing their total drug cost would help someone to assist with that answer)
* 6) Are your drugs Generic or Brand?
* 7) Is this plan's formulary an open or closed one?
* 8) Always investigate and compare premium cost, drug costs, and limitations.
* 9) Remember the plan can have the cheapest premium and cover the most drugs but it may have higher co-pays for certain drug listings - ASK.

Medicare Supplements and Advantage Plans

* 1) Compare premiums and weigh ALL benefits of coverage.
* 2) Ask for provider directory, hospital listing, and which counties/states you are covered in.
* 3) Know up front whether or not you can get your old policy back if you are dissatisfied.
* 4) Is locality of company important to you?
* 5) Compare benefit FOR YOU of having policy with drug overage or without drug coverage (and enrolling in a separate Part D plan).

Beneficiaries who have Medicare may choose from an array of supplements such as a Medigap policy, a Private Fee For Service, PPO or HMO Medicare Advantage Plans. The Medicare Advantage Plans may or may not include a drug benefit, which is another choice recipients must contemplate.

To ensure a healthy future for Arkansas children, Beebe said he would expand school health clinics. Including per pupil funding in the education funding formula to pay for school nurses could expand the program to every school and maximize the use of federal funds through Medicaid match rates.

Coordinated School Health Clinics in Arkansas can provide:

* Increased preventive health screenings
* Improved referrals and health services for children
* Quality communication between children, parents and primary care physicians
* Improved preventive health education for students, faculty and families
* Healthier lifestyles for students, faculty and families
* Reduction in adverse student behavior
* Increased school attendance
* Increased learning by students
* Increased community and parent involvement

Beebe announced his full health care agenda on a statewide tour in late June. For more information on Beebe's health care, jobs or education plans, visit http://www.mikebeebe.com/.

http://www.mikebeebe.com/newsroom_details.asp?id=884