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ISSUES AND ADVOCACY
Our mission: advocate for policies that will help make
the lives of more than 90 million Americans caring
for loves ones with chronic conditions, disabilities,
disease, or the frailties of old age easier.
Some of the issues on which we advocate are:
Caregivers need access to medical information and patient records so they can better provide care for a loved one…
Caregivers being included in patient records
Caregivers need access to medical information and patient records so they can better care for a loved one. Sometimes there is confusion about a patient’s privacy and HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). HIPPA allows for legal sharing of patient information with caregivers. CVU advocates for ensuring medical professionals and institutions make asking patients about including caregivers in records a standard procedure.
Often, prescription drugs can be costly, especially for patients on high-deductible health insurance plans...
Access to
prescription drugs
Often, prescription drugs can be costly, especially for patients on high-deductible health insurance plans. CVU advocates for policies that encourage health insurers to pass on rebates on prescription drugs to help lower the cost for patients and caregivers.
Caregivers spend a significant amount of time and income caring for loved ones. CVU advocates for a tax credit....
Tax policies that
help caregivers
Caregivers spend a significant amount of time and income caring for loved ones. CVU advocates for a tax credit that would recognize this. Currently the income tax system recognizes the need to offset basic expenses for people with dependents, but a similar approach is needed to protect family caregivers.
Many times, a loved one will ultimately wind up needing nursing home care. CVU recognizes that this doesn’t...
Nursing
home issues
Many times, a loved one will ultimately wind up needing nursing home care. CVU recognizes that this doesn’t completely end the responsibility of a family caregiver and that caregivers often have trouble adjusting to the change. CVU advocates for policies that recognize a family caregiver's responsibility and need to continue support continue after a loved one moves to a nursing home.
Non-medical switching is the practice of changing a patient’s medications for any reason beyond the patient’s health...
Non-medical
switching
Non-medical switching is the practice of changing a patient’s medications for any reason beyond the patient’s health and safety. This can be dangerous for patients with complex or hard-to-diagnose health challenges—and even more confusing for caregivers. CVU advocates for regulations that prevent non-medical switching unless it is approved by a doctor as well as the patient or his/her caregiver.
Medicare Part D is a stand-alone prescription drug coverage that can be added to the original Medicare....
Medicare
Part D
Medicare Part D is a stand-alone prescription drug coverage that can be added to the original Medicare. As many caregivers know, prescription costs and out-of-pocket deductibles for a loved one with a chronic condition can quickly add up. CVU advocates for policies that protect seniors’ access to essential medications and encourage all health care professionals to include caregivers in patient insurance related discussions.
Medicare Part B has some limited reimbursement options to cover home care but currently nothing that...
Medicare Part B reimbursement
Medicare Part B is an important reimbursement program that covers medical care and prescriptions administered in outpatient settings like doctors’ offices. For certain chronic conditions, this is a critical and often life-saving delivery system. CVU advocates for maintaining the Medicare Part B program to ensure access and affordability of certain drugs and procedures to seriously ill patients. We oppose attempts to move drugs from Part B to Part D where access and affordability could suffer.
Many times, caregivers may need the additional help of in-home care services for their loved ones. CVU...
In-home
care services
Many times, caregivers may need the additional help of in-home care services for their loved ones. CVU advocates for policies that let caregivers use insurance coverage to cover the costs of in-home care.
When loved ones have Medicaid coverage, there is an allowance that can pay a family member as the...
Medicaid
​
When loved ones have Medicaid coverage, there is an allowance that can pay a family member as the caregiver. The program is called CDPAP (Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program). CVU advocates for policies that protect this program within Medicaid so that family caregivers can continue to receive the financial support they need to provide care for loved ones.
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