National

1.    John Kotson presented a brief review of the current Medicare program pointing out deficiencies in preventative medicine, escalating costs and catastrophic illnesses. He then reviewed the white paper “The need for Medicare Catastrophic Care”.
2.    Ed Bettinardi reviewed Option 81 of a recent CBO study that showed by combining Medicare A&B deductibles into a single payment and applying the Medicare B 20% co-payment to both Medicare A&B expenses, a catastrophic limit could be added to the Medicare program with no increase in taxpayer expense.
3.    Stuart Feinhor asked for RMAC’S position on Medicare D. Ed Bettinardi explained that we favor a solution that allows Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices directly with the drug companies over any drug importation/re-importation plan. H R 684/S 330 entitled the “Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2009”, a bill currently in Congress, would provide that capability.
4.    It was emphasized that the NRLN Health Care Advisory Committee (HCAC) has evaluated dozens of health care reform bills and all exclude persons over 65 from participation.
5.    Other Medicare comments:

a.    An advisor to Senator Kennedy stated that Kennedy would like to see a “Medicare for All” program, but it is a non-starter and any reform plan will not include Medicare.
b.    Ken Bennett stated that Congresswoman Markey is concerned about controlling the cost of entitlements. Step one for her is to understand the costs and discrepancies.

1.    Ken met with the Progressive Democrats of America. They are asking Congresswoman Markey to support H R 676 as a solution to health care reform. He wanted our views and we stated we do not support H R 676. Ed Bettinardi committed to send a letter to Ken and Stuart explaining why we don’t support that bill.
2.    President Obama is having a health care summit on March 5th. We requested to be given feedback on the meeting results.
3.    Ken Bennett asked if RMAC would provide advice on specific bills. RMAC committed to do so.
4.    Stuart Feinhor advised us to contact Danielle Henry, Polis scheduler to set up a meeting with the Congressman.
5.    Ken Bennett stated that he was taking four things away from the meeting:

a.    All health care reform plans have excluded Medicare recipients.
b.    Pursue option 81 of the CBO report.
c.    Watch for H R 684/S 330
d.    What are Congresswoman Markey’s thoughts on the health care portion of President Obama’s budget.  

1.    Senator Michael Bennet is on the following committees: Committee on Aging, Banking-Housing, Homeland Security and Agriculture.
2.    Piper Sue is no longer a member of the Washington staff.
3.    Senator Bennet has interest in Medicare but is not on the Finance Committee that has jurisdiction over Medicare.
4.    Betty thinks Medicare will get power to negotiate prescription drugs first through the Medicare Advantage plans.
5.    Betty will send us an outline on how the budget process works. She does not expect health care reform to come quickly.
6.    Betty will put RMAC on Senator Bennet’s long term schedule for a meeting.

Colorado/Wyoming

1.    Mark Udall—Hazel invited Jack Waldorf to today’s meeting, but he didn’t show. She will try to find out who the health care staff person is.
2.    John Salazar—Harvey Hoffman will contact the AUSWR person in Grand Junction to determine the status.
3.    Mike Coffman—Jennifer Roberts-Crager is the health care staff person. Ed Bettinardi will try to set up a one-on-one meeting with her.
4.    Ed Perlmutter—Hazel has been trying to reach Jerry Piper. She still owes us promised feedback on Medicare catastrophic coverage. Also, we have new material to discuss with her.