Columns

The American Version of Health Care for All is the title of a forty-two page OWL publication that senior citizens and boomers should know about and read carefully.

OWL is a membership organization located in Washington, D.C. at 1025 Connecticut Avenue NW, #701, D.C. 20036, with state and local chapters throughout the U.S., including Ohlone/East Bay, Sacramento, San Diego, Placer County and San Francisco, all with websites. In recent years “Older Women’s League” has become a bit of a misnomer on two very positive counts—(1) OWL is The Voice of Midlife and Older Women, and (2) much of what OWL reports and engages in affects positively both women and men. 

The Older Women’s League was begun in 1980 by Tish Sommers (1914-1985) and Oakland, California resident Laurie Shields (1922-1989,) who recognized and defined the need for older women to organize nationally and advocate for change in public policy. It became the only national membership organization then dedicated exclusively to promoting social and economic equity for mid-life and older women. Several of its publications were selected for inclusion in Women & Aging: A Guide to the Literature (1997).  

Each year OWL launches a Mother’s Day campaign highlighting an issue of special concern to midlife and older women. This year the focus is again on health, particularly the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA). OWL’s publication, The Affordable Care Act; The American Version of Health Care for All,includes five illustrations by political cartoonist Bulbul. OWL is able to mail a copy to non-members with a suggested contribution of $10 to cover printing and shipping costs. Otherwise, the report is available as a .pdf on national OWL’s website 

The Community Living Assistance Services and Support (CLASS) Act is a voluntary federally administered, employee-financed insurance plan that is now part of the ACA. It provides qualified participants who become functionally limited with benefits to pay for assistance so that they can maintain independence at home or in a nursing facility. 

While the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is not the ideal single-payer system, it is the best approach to achieving universal and affordable health care. It makes significant steps toward covering the majority of Americans. It makes it possible for states to institute their own health care system, including a single-payer approach, as long as it meets the criteria for comprehensiveness of benefits and the population covered, affordability and cost savings. It is also still possible to establish national public health insurance such as an enhanced Medicare program for all ages. 

In the meantime, there are improvements that can be made to the ACA. OWL has outlined them in 12 recommendations. They include (I’ll list just a few): fully fund the Elder Justice Act; eliminate age rating in insurance premiums; allow the Secretary of Health ad Human Services to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for lower prices under Medicare; initiate coverage for dental care and expanded coverage for vision, hearing, and podiatry services under Medicare. 

An Appendix responds to Myths with Facts. They include refutation of the Myth that “The bill was pushed through without transparency, hearings or debate:” In point of fact, there were 15+ months of hearings, meetings, debates and town meetings on the health care reform proposals. An estimated 79 bipartisan hearings were held by the House. Two hundred thirty nine amendments were debated, and 181 witnesses were heard prior to final passage o the ACA in the House of Representatives.  

Why does the ACA require everyone to get insurance or face a financial penalty? 

The goal of the ACA is to ensure that nearly all Americans have basic health care coverage protection. (Members of Native American tribes and an exempt religious sect are exempt.) The requirement to obtain insurance begins in 2014. There will be subsidies to help buy health insurance work. Employers with 50+ employees who do not offer coverage must pay a penalty … 

[Excerpted in part with permission of OWL—The Voice of Midlife and Older Women] 

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NEWS 

Seventy-seven elderly people who were evacuated from nursing homes near the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant died within three months, according to a survey. The deaths are more than triple the 25 recorded at the nursing homes during the corresponding period last year. According to the survey, 826 elderly people were evacuated from 12 nursing homes near the nuclear plant in Fukushima Prefecture. Those who died after evacuating were aged 68 to 104-- 46 in their 90s, 19 in their 80s, 7 in their 100s, 4 in their 70s and one was 68. The major causes of death were pneumonia and brain infarction, the survey found. Some died of old age, the nursing homes said. There could be calls to have the nuclear plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Co., pay compensation for the elderly evacuees' deaths, according to observers. [“Fleeing crisis takes deadly toll on elderly / 77 Fukushima evacuees died within 3 months.” The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 3, 2011.] 

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (the new name for the federal Food Stamp Program) helps low-income individuals and families buy food. Although SNAP is the national name, your local program may use a different name. In California, it’s “CalFresh.” Go online to the National Council on Aging’s website for easy access (five languages!) to anonymous information about your eligibility. 

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR: July, August, September 2011 Call to confirm, date, time and place: 

Wednesday, July 13 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Albany branch of the Alameda County Library, 1247 Marin Av. Poetry Writing Workshop with Christina Hutchins, poet laureate of Albany, will facilitate. Free. No registration required. Drop in and work on your poetry with a group of supportive writers. Dan Hess (510) 526-3720 x17. Also August 10 and Sept. 14. 

Thursday, July 14 7 – 8 P.M. The Summer Concert Series. El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave. Ramana Vieira, the New Voice of Portuguese World Music, is a premier contemporary Fado artist. Fado is a melancholy and often-mournful music similar to the American blues as it tells stories of heartache and disappointment. (510) 526-7512. 

Thursday, July 14 1 P.M. Mastick Senior Center, 1155 Santa Clara Av., Alameda. Drumming Circle. Join the Mercy Retirement Community Drumming Circle. Drumming is known to improve circulation, loosen stiff joints, stimulate the mind. Sign up in the office. Free. 

Friday, July 15 8 A.M. – 2 P.M 8^th Annual Healthy Living Festival. Compassion & Choices of Northern California is a participant. Oakland Zoo, Knowland Park, 9777 Golf Links Road. Presented by United Seniors of Oakland and Alameda County. Health screenings, financial planning information, medication dropoff/disposal program. Enjoy a walk through the zoo. (510)729-0852. 

Monday, July 18 7:00 P.M. Berkeley West Edge Opera preview. Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Sponsored by Friends of the Kensington Library and a Meet the Composer grant. Director and Kensington resident Mark Streshinsky and cast singers will look at how an opera is created, with a taste of the music and drama of the finished product of an original opera, "Caliban Dreams," inspired by Shakespeare's "The Tempest." Free. (510) 524-3043. 

Wednesday, July 20 1:30 P.M. BerkeleyCommission on Aging. Meets on 3^rd Wednesday at South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis. Confirm (510) 981-5178. 

Monday, July 25 7 P.M. Kensington Library Book Club: Seeing, by Jose Saramago. Meetings are held on the fourth Monday; each starts with a poem selected and ready by a member with a brief discussion following. New members always welcome. Free. (510) 524-3043.  

Tuesday, July 26 7 – 8 P.M. El Cerrito Library book discussion group meets the 4th Tuesday of each month: "Chronicle of a Death Foretold.” Feel free to come to one or all discussions. Also August 23rd: "The Glass Room" and September 27th: "Let the Great World Spin". (510) 526-7512. 

Tuesday, July 26 3-4 P.M. Berkeley Public Library, Central. Tea and Cookies. A book club for people who want to share the books they have read. Monthly on the 4th Tuesday. (510)981-6100. 

Wednesday, July 27 1:30-2:30 Alameda County Library, Albany branch. Great Books Discussion Group. Caesar and Cleopatra by George Bernard Shaw. Facilitated discussion. Come to one meeting, or all meetings. Books are available at the Library. Parking! 526-3720 x 16. 

Wednesday, July 27 1 P.M. Gray Panthers. North Berkeley Senior Center. (510) 548-9696. 

Wednesdays, beginning in August – 10:30-12 noon Parkinson's Yoga & the Art of Moving. Jewish Community Center East Bay – Oakland Branch, 5811 Racine St. (58^th & Telegraph). $120./month. (925) 566-4181. 

Wednesday, August 3 10 A.M.-noon North Berkeley Senior Center Advisory Council meeting. Public invited. (510) 981-5190. 

Wednesday, August 3 6-8 P.M. Albany branch of the Alameda County Library. 1247 Marin Av. Lawyer in the Library. Free 15 minute consultation with an attorney who will clarify your situation, advise you of your options, get you started with a solution, and make a referral when needed. Advance registration required. Sign up in person at the Reference desk or call (510) 526-3720 ext. 5.  

Thursday, August 4 1:30 PM to 2:45 PM Emergency Preparedness. Albany branch of the Alameda County library. Speaker Colleen Campbell, Senior Injury Prevention Coordinator, will discuss materials and lead a discussion on benefits of being prepared. Free program for older adults, caregivers and service providers. No reservations required. (510) 526-3720 x16.  

Saturday, August 6 11 A.M. – noon. End of Life Planning Workshop. Berkeley Public Library West branch, 1125 University Av. Learn basics of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advanced health care directives. (510) 981-6270. 

Wednesday, August 7 6-8 P.M. Albany branch of the Alameda County Library. Lawyer in the Library. Free 15 minute consultation with an attorney who will clarify your situation, advise you of your options, get you started with a solution, and make a referral when needed. Advance registration required. Sign up in person at the Reference desk or call (510) 526-3720 ext. 5.  

Wednesday, August 10 10 A.M – 2 P.M. 10^th Annual Healthy Aging Fair Festival. Chabot College, 25555 Hesperian Boulevard, Hayward. Free lunch. Raffle prizes. Entertainment. Free shuttle from South Hayward BART. (510) 577-3532, 3540. Sign up at your senior center for free bus service. In Berkeley contact Deborah Jordan (510) 981-5170 for information. 

Wednesday, August 17 1:30 P.M. BerkeleyCommission on Aging. South Berkeley Senior Center. Check to confirm (510) 981-5178.  

Saturday, August 20 11 A.M. Landlord /Tenant Counseling. Central Berkeley Public Library. Also Sept. 17.  

Tuesday, August 23 3-4 P.M. Berkeley Public Library, Central. Tea and Cookies. A book club for people who want to share the books they have read. Monthly on the 4th Tuesday. (510)981-6100. 

Tuesday, August 23 7 – 8 P.M. El Cerrito Library book discussion group meets the 4th Tuesday of each month: “The Glass Room.” Feel free to come to one or all discussions. (510) 526-7512. 

Wednesday, August 24 1:30-2:30 P.M. Alameda County Library, Albany branch. Great Books Discussion Group. Eliot's The Hollow Men and The Waste Land. Facilitated discussion. Come to one meeting, or all meetings. Books are available at the Library. Parking! 526-3720 x 16. 

Wednesday, Sept. 7 10 A.M.-Noon North Berkeley Senior Center Advisory Council meeting. Public invited. (510) 981-5190. 

Saturday, Sept. 13 10 A.M. – 3 P.M. 34^th Annual Health Fair. Allen Temple Baptist Church, 8501 International Blvd., Oakland. Free health screenings. (510)544-8910.  

Friday, Sept. 16 10 A.M. – 1 P.M. 14^th Annual Senior Resource Fair. Presented by San Leandro Senior Services. San Leandro Senior Community Center, 13909 East 14 St. (510) 577-3462. 

Wednesday, Sept. 21 1:30 P.M. BerkeleyCommission on Aging. South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis. Check to confirm (510) 981-5178.  

Tuesday, Sept. 23 7 – 8 P.M. El Cerrito Library book discussion group meets the 4th Tuesday of each month: “Let the Great World Spin". Feel free to come to one or all discussions. (510) 526-7512. 

Tuesday, Sept 27 3 P.M. Tea & Cookies Book Club. Central Berkeley Public Library. 

Tuesday, Sept. 27 7 – 8 P.M. El Cerrito Library book discussion group meets the 4th Tuesday of each month, Feel free to come to one or all discussions. "Let the Great World Spin". (510) 526-7512. 

Wednesday, Sept. 28 1:30-2:30 P.M. Alameda County Library, Albany branch. Great Books Discussion Group. Morrison's Song of Solomon. Facilitated discussion. Come to one meeting, or all meetings. Books are available at the Library. Parking! (510) 526-3720 x 16.