ElderWeb

In a review of 32 studies of activity and mood among the elderly, investigators found that regular exercise, particularly strength training, boosted study participants' moods. The results were remarkably consistent across the studies, according to a report in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, in research led by Shawn M. Arent of Arizona State University in Tempe. Researchers found that the combination of aerobic exercise and strength training elevated mood to a greater extent than did aerobic exercise alone. The authors note that there is much to be learned about the optimal intensity, frequency and duration of strengthening exercises for the elderly, particularly those in poorer health. The combination of aerobics and strength training may be the most beneficial activity plan for the elderly, but researchers note that research in this area is "severely lacking."

State Senators Chris Cummiskey (D-Phoenix) and Tom Freestone (R-Mesa) asked Governor Jane Hull to call the Legislature into special session to address the crisis of skyrocketing prescription drug prices faced by many of Arizona's seniors. This crisis is expected to worsen on January 1, 2001 when four more HMOs leave the Medicare HMO market in rural Arizona, taking much needed prescription drug coverage with them. It is estimated that upwards of 200,000 Arizona seniors will be left without coverage by the end of the year.

Cummiskey and Freestone have proposed a two-stage plan to make prescription drugs more accessible for Arizona?s seniors. The first stage involves creating prescription purchasing coalitions that will benefit all seniors, regardless of income. The free market styled purchasing coalitions will take advantage of group purchasing to negotiate bulk rates using the same benefit management companies that negotiate lower rates for HMOs.

The second stage provides direct support to the neediest seniors through direct subsidies. Seniors with incomes below the federal poverty level, about $8,300 for an unmarried senior, would receive a 100% subsidy for the price of their prescriptions. Additional relief will be provided for seniors with incomes up to 250% of the federal poverty level, almost $20,900 for an unmarried senior, through subsidies ranging from 25% to 75% of the cost of prescription medication depending on the person?s income.

Both parts of the plan have won wide support from such groups as the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the Arizona Silver Haired Legislature.

Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System Administration (AHCCCSA) proposes to revise fee-for-service (FFS) payment rates for long term care nursing facilities and home and community based services (HCBS) for dates of service on and after October 1, 2000. Under this proposal, nursing homes in Arizona will see an increase of about 5% in their reimbursement rates, and Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) providers will see an increase of about 8.8%. Payment rates and ratios are available for review at AHCCCSA, and written comments should be sent to the following address and received no later than 5:00 p.m. on September 29, 2000:

Michael Veit, Contracts and Purchasing Administrator, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, 701 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85034