August - September 1993

Cover

 
  • The Use of Electronic Benefit Transfer Systems to Deliver Federal and State Assistance Benefits

    Electronic benefit transfer systems offer the potential of improved service to most recipients of public benefits; however, careful development of the design, implementation, and operation of such systems is critical to maximize the benefits and minimize the harms to recipients.

    By Barbara Leyser and Adele M. Blong

  • Evaluating Health Reform Proposals in the Interest of Children and Adolescents

    President Clinton's Task Force on Health Care Reform, headed by Hillary Rodham Clinton, has mobilized a staff of over 500 and worked for over three months developing a proposal for comprehensive health care reform. Members of Congress have also drafted proposals. This article outlines ten benchmarks for advocates to use in analyzing the potential impact of various proposals on children and adolescents.

    By Jane Perkins and Abigail English

  • Using State Utility Commission Regulations to Control the "Unregulated" Utility

    This column discusses strategies for using Public Utility Commission regulations to establish service protections for customers of "unregulated" utilities.

    By Roger D. Colton

  • The Nursing Home Reform Law: The Federal Response

    HCFA has been slow to propose regulations under the Nursing Home Reform Law, but has finally proposed or published rules for almost all of the areas of the law in which Congress mandated federal action. This column briefly outlines these proposed and final rules.

    By Toby Edelman

  • Discharge Planning: Still No Federal Action

    This column updates what is happening in the area of discharge planning under the Medicare statute, explains patients' rights to such planning, and offers tips that advocates can relay to their Medicare clients who anticipate hospitalization.

    By Alfred Chiplin Jr.