Thursday, January 26, 2006 

Workshops I
10:45am-12:15pm

Proudly They Waive: The Use of Destructive Waivers to Undermine Medicaid
States continue to seek Section 1115 waivers to add "flexibility" to their Medicaid programs and curtail spending. Waiver applications from states like Florida and Vermont have been approved. We'll talk about some of the most dangerous waiver proposals and what advocates are doing to stop these waivers from becoming a reality—or to mitigate the harm to beneficiaries.

It's Everyone's Loss: The Ripple Effect of the Uninsured
Our nation's crisis of 45 million uninsured affects everyone, not just those who lack coverage. This workshop will explore the effects of the uninsured on the cost of private market insurance, the relationship between being uninsured—or underinsured—and housing security, and how these problems might be mitigated while boosting states' economies.

Navigating Just Got Tougher: Basics of the Medicare Drug Benefit Now That We Know More
The more we know, the more complicated it seems—we now have more details about the program's structure and the plans that are available. This session covers the basics of the new Medicare prescription drug benefit, including the low-income provisions, and what advocates should monitor as the program unfolds.

Why the Right Can't Get It Right: HSAs, AHPs, and Other Bad Ideas
A look at the Administration's overarching goals in the private market of health insurance. Topics include Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Association Health Plans (AHPs), and the national marketplace.

The View from Capitol Hill: Budget Blues
This workshop will feature key congressional staff explaining how budget dynamics will affect the legislative agenda.

The Cutting Edge: New Technologies for Online Advocacy
Internet technology moves at lightning speed—and progressives are taking advantage of all the latest innovations. Learn what's hot and hip in the world of online advocacy.

Improving Language Access and Cultural Competence: Where Do We Go from Here?
Access to language services and culturally appropriate health care remains a crucial issue  for millions of families. However, advocates for patients with limited English proficiency need new strategies to continue their efforts. This workshop will discuss the next steps in the fight to expand access to language services and culturally sensitive health care.

When a Carrier Just Says No: Helping Patients Appeal Denials of Care
Patients with both private and public health coverage are often denied care, yet these denials can be appealed successfully. In this interactive workshop, we will review and work through appropriate tactics to help patients get the care they need. (Note: Medicare Part D appeals are covered in a separate workshop.)

States Battling High Drug Prices: Where Real Innovation Takes Place
Dual eligibles may not be covered by state Medicaid programs anymore, but that doesn't mean that states aren't still battling high drug prices and coming up with some innovative programs in the process. This session looks at strategies states are using to pressure the industry to lower drug prices.

Is Wal-Mart the Problem or the Solution?
Corporations that shirk their responsibility to provide adequate health coverage, like Wal-Mart, are many and varied. Numerous solutions, including both state and federal legislation, have popped up in response. This workshop discusses some of these solutions and showcases states that are taking steps in the right direction.

The View from Capitol Hill: The Health Policy Outlook
In this workshop, key congressional staff will discuss the prospects for health legislation— good and bad—in the year ahead.

Blogs, Radio, and the Progressive Truth Machine: Meeting the Challenge of Right-Wing Media
Progressives everywhere are busy assembling a media machine to counter the radical right's dominance of contemporary media. Learn how progressives are using blogs, talk radio, and other outlets to counter the right wing's media spin.

Fulfilling the Promise: Ensuring Access to Care for Children of Immigrants
Many children of immigrants are U.S. citizens by birth and eligible for public programs. But fear and confusion over eligibility, cultural and language problems, and other issues all create barriers to obtaining health care. Learn about innovative advocacy strategies for ensuring the health and well-being of our youngest citizens and their families.

Helping Low-Income Beneficiaries Navigate Part D
As the new Medicare drug program begins, much work lies ahead to smooth the way for low-income beneficiaries—everything from facilitating enrollment (especially for new dual eligibles) to helping low-income beneficiaries choose plans and handle problems (e.g. formulary exceptions). In this workshop, we'll look at tools we can use to face these challenges.

Dollars and Sense: Economic Arguments for Medicaid and S-CHIP
Medicaid and S-CHIP play a vital role in providing health services to those in need. But what are the economic arguments for sustaining and expanding these programs? Our panel will talk about how Medicaid and S-CHIP boost state economies, create win-win situations at the state and local levels, and ways advocates can use these arguments to protect public programs under fire.

Pushing the Federal Government Toward Health Care for All
The Medicare drug law established the new Citizens Health Care Working Group, which will hold community meetings across the U.S. this year. Come learn how we can use this process to build the movement for affordable health care for all of us.

The FDA: Who's It Working For? Improving Drug Safety Without Slowing Approvals
Tired of being a prescription drug guinea pig? Major bills are pending to restore drug safety without slowing drug approvals—but consumers need to press Congress for action. Learn how to reform the FDA to give American consumers safer drugs without slowing down drug approval.

Insurance for the Sick: State Protections
So you thought health insurance was supposed to take care of you when you get sick? Unfortunately, once people lose employer-based coverage, many people find themselves “uninsurable.” This workshop looks at actions states have taken to make policies available and affordable to the sick and at the successes and failures of those efforts.

Web Design 101: Best Practices
Get individualized advice on your organization's Web site from members of the Families USA Web team. Color, fonts, layout, graphics, free Web resources—how to put it all together to make a great looking site without professional help. Pre-register for 25-minute slots.

Grantmaking Trends in Health Advocacy
Hear from foundation officers on how the latest grantmaking trends in health advocacy relate to defending Medicaid, achieving children's coverage, and other top priorities of health advocates.

What Choice Do We Have?: Women and Health Care
Women's options for health care are shrinking. This session will explore the source of those limits and what options women have for health care. It will also include an examination of why Medicaid is so especially important to women, both in terms of the number of women covered and the types of services provided.

Meet the Medicare Ombudsman
The Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) created the new office of the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman, who is responsible for assisting beneficiaries with complaints and grievances about all aspects of Medicare. Come hear Dan Schreiner, the Beneficiary Ombudsman, discuss his priorities, and share your questions and concerns with him.

An S-CHIP off the Old Block: Planning for the Next Generation of S-CHIP Beneficiaries
The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP) will need to be reauthorized in 2007. This session will help advocates learn how the reauthorization process will work, what’s at stake, and how the policy options might affect those covered by S-CHIP.

A 360° Look at Long-Term Care
What key developments are emerging in long-term care in 2006? This session will provide the perspectives of advocates for people with disabilities. Panelists will discuss efforts to “rebalance” the long-term care system to respond to consumer needs and preferences, examine reasons why greater progress has not yet been achieved, and discuss advocacy strategies for moving the policy dialogue forward.

The Part D Deluge: Policies to Help Dual Eligibles and Other Low-Income Beneficiaries
As the Medicare drug benefit gets underway, dual eligibles and other low-income beneficiaries face gaps in coverage. States can help fill these gaps in some areas; in others, federal policies are needed. We will discuss options, including state wraparound programs, better outreach, and improving the enrollment process.

Leaders of the Pack: What States Are Doing to Expand Coverage
Presenters will discuss their states’ efforts to build public support for health coverage expansion initiatives. Come learn what these advocates have learned, what they fear, and why they are hopeful. In the face of immense fiscal and political pressure, some states are surging ahead—let’s recognize and learn from them.

Web Design 101: Best Practices
Get individualized advice on your organization's Web site from members of the Families USA Web team. Color, fonts, layout, graphics, free Web resources—how to put it all together to make a great looking site without professional help. Pre-register for 25-minute slots.

The Meaning Behind the Message
"Framing" has become the new buzz word in political communication—come find out what it means. Participants will get a glimpse into the cognitive linguistic tools that help us identify frames and recognize their effective use. Interactive exercises will allow us to examine the rhetoric of the opposition and understand how their words hurt our cause. 

Health Care as a Progressive Moral Value
The right has succeeded in defining the moral landscape in recent election cycles. But what about health care? In this workshop, religious and secular leaders weigh in on health care as a progressive moral value.

Helping Consumers Deal with Medical Debt
How can you most effectively counsel a consumer with medical debt? How will changes in the bankruptcy law affect that counseling? What can be done to change policies and billing practices? This workshop will address these questions and more.

State Waiver Fights: A Roundtable Discussion
Each day it seems as though there is a new state seeking a Section 1115 waiver as a way to cut or cap its Medicaid program. This workshop will give advocates an opportunity to discuss what their states are proposing and share ideas and resources for advocates to use when trying to combat these harmful waiver proposals.

Long-Term Care and Part D: A Round Peg in a Square Hole?
Most of the talk about Medicare Part D assumes beneficiaries live in the community. But what about those in long-term care? They typically have different drug needs and obtain their drugs through different pharmacies. Come discuss how the Part D benefit does and does not serve the needs of those in long-term care.

State Coverage Expansion: Roundtable Discussion
In response to many requests, this workshop will give participants a chance to share information about their state’s expansion initiatives and campaigns. In this interactive workshop, you can share what you have learned so far and discover new resources for strategies in your state.

Producing Great Materials for Consumers about Health Care Choices and Their Rights
How well does your organization do when it comes to writing effective, easy-to-read materials for consumers? Learn from some experts, bring your own materials to share, and get some group feedback as you try your hand at writing about Medicare Part D in this workshop.

Making Noise and Cashing In: Strategies for Internet Advocacy and Fundraising
The Internet can be a powerful tool to spread your message and raise funds for your organization—if you know how to use it. Learn what works and what doesn’t from experts in the fields of Internet advocacy and fundraising.

Help—I Couldn't Get My Prescription Filled! What's Going On and What Can I Do About It?
Each Medicare drug plan can design its own formulary. So, not all drugs will be covered by all plans. What happens when a beneficiary is prescribed a drug that is not on her formulary? Learn the steps a counselor must take to help a beneficiary get her medications.