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For the twenty-ninth time, the members of United Senior Action gathered for the organization’s annual convention. The convention is integral for the organization as it is the time members identify and vote on issues important to the membership.
“Unlike many other organizations, it is USA members who set the agenda, not some corporate interest or an overpaid CEO,” explained USA President Jim Wallihan.
“Integrity and accountability are more than words, they are the USA standard.”
Tough issues considered by the attendees included the future of Medicare, property taxes, health care reform and nursing home quality.
Actions taken by the members included:
• Formalizing a position on Medicare Advantage Plans whereby the organization
urges Congress to end governmental overpayments for Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) and to halt other attempts to cripple the Medicare program.
• Formalizing our support for the improvement and expansion of Medicare for all
Americans.
• Supporting a shareholder resolution proposed by the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility calling on the board of Eli Lilly and Company to adopt principles for comprehensive health care reform.
• Amending the organization’s bylaws to change group membership to an annual period with a staggered cost structure (see separate
article on page 16).
• Adoption of a set a of value standards for property tax legislation.
• Election of directors and officers to the
State Board.
Using a bit of well-placed humor, volunteer Representative Carolene Mays, Senator Sue Landske and Lobbyist Kathy Williams were presented awards at the USA Convention for their work on nursing home fire safety.
actors performed several skits (see box on page 14). The skits were overwhelmingly a welcome addition to the convention. “More skits” was a comment on many evaluations.
Officers Elected
The State Board of United Senior Action is charged with strategy development to further the issue positions established by the membership, fiscal oversight, personnel oversight and other duties.
All elected officers are volunteers and receive no compensation for their service.
The current board includes these officers: Jim Wallihan (president, Indianapolis), Larry Scott (vice president, Kokomo), Ada Shaum (treasurer, Indianapolis), Tom Marvin (secretary, Indianapolis). Additionally, the following serve as directors: Sue Conner (Kokomo), Darrell Baylor (Anderson), Arlene Franklin
(Indianapolis), Jim Hensley (Anderson), Marie Hinshaw (Indianapolis), Bob Hoover (Anderson), Denny Lanane (Anderson), Dick Merren (Fort Wayne). Marcia Ousset (Indianapolis), Dianne Reed (Indianapolis) and Conni Vianco (Lafayette).
Realizing True Nursing Home Quality
NCCNHR Executive Director Alice Hedt delivered the convention keynote address. Hedt took the group back twenty years to appreciate the impact advocates had in winning passage of the The Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987. Without this landmark legislation, nursing home residents would not have the legal rights to quality care and a high quality of life they have today. Hedt emphasized that while the effort to realize the full import of the law continues, much improvement has been made. United Senior Action has been a key factor in the battle as evidenced by the organization’s commitment to bringing the voices of vulnerable residents to the ears of policymakers through grassroots activism. Hedt encouraged members and staff to keep up the fight and emphasized the importance of NCCNHR and USA continuing to build on our history of partnership. The national Advancing Excellence in America’s Nursing Homes campaign is one way USA members can make their support known for high quality care and life for our state’s thousands of nursing home residents, shared Conni Vianco of Lafayette. Vianco distributed postcards explaining the campaign which has been featured in previous issues of the United Senior Advocate. Vianco explained that each of us has a responsibility to support residents and the campaign is one simple way to fulfill that responsibility. (For more information about the campaign, visit www.usaindiana.
org or call the USA office at 317-634-0872 (800-495-0872 outside Indianapolis).
Founder Focuses On Future Generations
USA Founder Paul Severance was a featured speaker following the luncheon.
Severance, who led the organization for a quarter century, has become deeply involved in promoting and enhancing the role of elders in
our society.
Elders act and speak for the welfare of future generations. Severance urged
attendees to step up into this role. More information about Severance’s efforts can be found at www.oureldersvoice.com.
Awards For Leadership
By now all USA members are surely aware of the amazing victory the organization had to improve fire safety in Indiana nursing homes by winning passage of state legislation requiring all nursing homes to install smoke detectors in every resident’s room and sprinklers throughout their buildings.
Senator Sue Landske (Cedar Lake), Representative Carolene Mays
(Indianapolis) and human services lobbyist Kathy Williams (Indianapolis) were honored at the convention.
Robyn Grant, USA’s Long Term Care Policy Director, praised Senator Landske for having championed the cause of nursing home fire safety for three years, Representative Mays for saving smoke detectors in the House this past spring, and Kathy Williams for her guidance, wisdom and hours of hard work at the
Statehouse. “Vulnerable nursing home residents statewide will be much safer and better protected thanks to the efforts of these three remarkable women,” Grant said.
Landske and Mays sponsored the legislation in the Senate and House, respectively.
USA contracted with Williams for a very small amount of money to work alongside Robyn Grant, USA Long Term Care Policy Director.
Grant presented each with an engraved plaque in recognition for the trio’s incredible work. Further, the USA membership presented
Gloria Ferguson with the 2007 Sam Masarachia Leadership Award. Named after
one of the three founding members of USA, the award was created in 1993 as a public symbol recognizing USA leaders who have shown unwavering support and leadership; who have been tireless advocates; and whose integrity is inspiring. Ferguson first began as an office volunteer more than a decade ago. She then
went on to become a member of the USA Foundation Board, which she chaired for a number of years. Additionally, she served as Chair of the several “Celebrations” events and, most recently served as Chair of the Action
Auction in both 2006 and 2007.
Property Taxes
Headlines across the state have included rising property taxes and their impact on
Hoosiers. Elected officials at all levels have been busy developing approaches that vary widely and deeply.
Members attending the convention discussed the issue and voiced their concerns.
Ultimately, the membership voted to adopt a set of principles that the organization’s leadership will use when evaluating proposed reforms. Here is what was adopted:
“Property tax legislation must be enacted which:
1. Eliminates or significantly reduces recent large increases in property taxes.
2. Redesigns the system to ensure stability in property taxes in future years.
3. Provides protection for fixed income people from being forced out of their homes due to increased property valuation.
4. Ensures a fair distribution of the tax burden among individuals (young and old) and businesses.
5. Ensures that those with adequate resources pay their own way, and those with inadequate resources receive special attention.
6. Ensures that the impact on renters as well as property owners follows these principles.”
Communicating these principles with policymakers will be the organization’s next
step.
Rx For Savings Changes
Severance announced an updated agreement with Universal Drug Store of Canada
through which USA members can safely shop for more affordable medicines. Universal has become the single pharmacy provider in USA’s Rx for Savings Program. Through Universal, members can compare prices from pharmacies
in Canada and the United States.
“Our program is available to people of all ages, but is particularly helpful for seniors who face a ‘doughnut hole’ in their Part D plan,” said Severance. “We are pleased to offer this important and valuable choice for our
members.”
For more information about prices offered through USA’s Rx for Savings program, contact Universal at 1-866-576-5654 or by visiting www.RxforSavings.com. (Anyone not already a member of United Senior Action will have their $15 dues added to their first order.)
Raffle Winners Announced
The attendees continued the tradition of drawing the winning raffle tickets as the last order of convention business. Winners this year were first prize, Dee Murphy of Anderson, second prize, Dick Merren of Fort Wayne, and third prize, UAW Local 662 Retirees of Anderson. Our thanks to the UAW Local 662 Retirees for donating their winnings back to USA.
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