Welcome to The Senior Alliance's advocacy newsletter, COLLOQUY!

This monthly e-mail is a look at issues, legislation, and policies impacting aging.

Congress has five more days to either enact a continuing resolution or finish Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations before a government shutdown occurs

The end of Fiscal Year 2023 is quickly approaching, and with it, the possibility of another federal government shutdown. While the Senate is working to finalize a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government running for a short period of time, the House is still attempting to pass appropriations bills this week.

With five days to go before the October 1st deadline, odds are increasing that “non-essential” services funded by the federal government will soon be brought to a halt—especially if the shutdown continues for an extended period. Some programs at risk for older adults include nutrition services (such as Meals on Wheels), transportation, long term care ombudsmen, and many others provided by Area Agencies on Aging across the country. Payments for Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid will not be impacted. However, individuals attempting to submit new Social Security claims, replace Medicare cards, or attempt a similar customer service process for any of the aforementioned programs may experience a delay. 

Medicare unveils the first 10 drugs subject to price negotiations

The names of the first 10 Medicare-covered drugs subject to price negotiations with the federal government were released in late August. These negotiations come as a result of the Inflation Reduction Act, which included several provisions to lower prescription drug cost for Medicare recipients and reduce the federal government spending on prescription drugs.

Medicare spends more than $135 billion on prescription drugs every year. Between June 2022 and May 2023, Medicare Part D spent $50 billion on the first 10 drugs selected for negotiation. That represents 20 percent of Part D spending during that time period. These medications were used by 8.2 million Medicare beneficiaries. 



The manufacturers of those drugs and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are scheduled to begin negotiating in early October, with the negotiated prices to take effect in 2026. Drugmakers that decline to negotiate either face substantial financial penalties or must stop participating in Medicare and Medicaid.

Here is a list of the first 10 drugs.

• Eliquis, made by Bristol-Myers Squibb, is used to prevent blood clotting, to reduce the risk of stroke.
• Jardiance, made by Boehringer Ingelheim, is used to lower blood sugar for people with Type 2 diabetes. 
• Xarelto, made by Johnson & Johnson, is used to prevent blood clotting, to reduce the risk of stroke.
• Januvia, made by Merck, is used to lower blood sugar for people with Type 2 diabetes.
• Farxiga, made by AstraZeneca, is used to treat Type 2 diabetes.
• Entresto, made by Novartis, is used to treat certain types of heart failure.
• Enbrel, made by Amgen, is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. 
• Imbruvica, made by AbbVie, is used to treat different types of blood cancers. 
• Stelara, made by Janssen, is used to treat Crohn’s disease.
• Fiasp and NovoLog, insulins made by Novo Nordisk.

Adult Foster Care (AFC) facilities could soon be subject to stricter regulation

On September 19^th, HB 4841—otherwise known as Theresa’s Law—had a hearing before the Michigan House Committee on Families, Children and Seniors. The bill, introduced by Representative Stephanie Young (D-Detroit), is designed to increase accountability, transparency, and training for adult foster care (AFC) homes, which serve any aged adult in need of foster care services. Supporters of this legislation express that it will protect seniors living in AFC facilities from being neglected, physically and emotionally abused, or exploited due to transparency issues with potential patrons and their families during a long-term care selection process. Opponents of the bills state that the requirements laid out in the bill’s current version (such as a having a social worker and licensed practical nurse (LPN) on staff) would dramatically alter the type of care AFC facilities are designed to provide. There are also concerns that the financial penalties prescribed for cited violations in this bill may put some AFC facilities out of business.

Read more about the details of Theresa’s Law here.

Join the Advisory Council

The Senior Alliance currently has openings on our Advisory Council. Created by the Older Americans Act, the Advisory Council plays an important role in the development of our Multi-Year Plan and advocacy efforts.

The Advisory Council meets six times per year on the second Monday of meeting months. Meetings begin at 9:30 a.m. at our office in the City of Wayne and last about 90 minutes. Typical agendas include updates on the agency, advocacy initiatives, programs, and input from members on our projects and programs.

If you are interested in volunteering to become a member of our Advisory Council please contact Amanda Sears at asears@thesenioralliance.org.

Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan Annual Conference

The Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan (4AM) will hold their annual conference on November 7th and 8th in Lansing. AAA's, advocates, elected officials, government agencies, and those connected to the aging network from around the state will gather to hear multiple speakers present on topics related to the theme: Advancing Aging.

Speakers and topics include: Michigan Medicaid Director Meghan Groen, Amy Gotwals from USAging, caregiving, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, the impact of leadership on organizational culture, the unmet needs of older adults, the direct care workforce, the art of nurturing relationships and much more. Click here for the agenda.

Click here for more info on the conference or to register.

To learn more about 4AM and their work with The Senior Alliance along with other AAA's around the state, visit their website.

Advocacy Questions: Please contact Nikki Hartley, Government Relations and Outreach Specialist, with any advocacy or public policy questions via e-mail at nhartley@thesenioralliance.org.

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