[Nfbf-l] Legislative committee meeting 8/21

Tue Aug 16 02:11:43 UTC 2011

Hello all,

While a discussion on appliances for the blind would make an interesting
topic and certainly worthy of being distributed by Medicare. I feel we
should stick to the topics that the national office wants us to discuss with
Congress. Anyway the Congress is not in a mood to spend more but to save
money.
Also, the legislature will be in session as early as January 2012 not March.
What are the topics we need to discuss with them? For example, money to keep
Newsline as a viable program.

Gloria Mills Hicks TR 
National Federation of the Blind of Florida
3708 W. Bay To Bay Blvd.
Tampa Florida 33629 
813 837-1100  Cell: 813 340-9754

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Kirk
Sent: Sunday, August 14, 2011 2:58 PM
To: NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Legislative committee meeting 8/21

David, I so agree with you on this topic for sure! i knew that for Medicare 
to provide a power chair for someone they stipulate that it is to be used in

the home  only in any event and  many legally blind individuals can see well

enough at home to do such  a thing. KH

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Evans" <drevans at bellsouth.net>
To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, August 14, 2011 2:07 PM
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Legislative committee meeting 8/21

Dear Denise,

I have another item for discussion for the legislative Committee meeting.
It has to do with getting the Congress to approve durable medical devices
for the Blind under Medicair.
  Medicair will purchase a wheelchair or scooter for someone who can not
walk, and walkers too, but will purchase nothing to assist those who can not
see.
Why can they not purchase, or at least help purchase such devices as CCTV's,
talking blood glucose meters, blood pressure cups or hand held magnifiers or
software for your computer the can help a person read?
The federal government already recognizes Blindness as a more severe
disability than just the inability to walk.  Most disabilities effect one or
more of Life's daily activities, but Blindness effects all of life's
activities,I.E. walking, writing, reading, cooking cleaning, personal record
keeping, dealing with financial matters and transporting oneself.
  Why do they spend so little on us, a Medicair benefit of $150.00 max, but
will spend up to $ 30,000 for a motorized wheelchair?

Why can they not have a program that helps you purchase such devices, even
if they will not cover the entire cost?
As 74.3% of all Blind People are over the age of 65 and the number of Blind
seniors is growing faster than any other group, It would make sense to help
these seniors stay as independent as possible and keep them out of the
costly nursing homes.  The government would save money and the people would
be much happier.
The government could mandate that the seniors go through a good rehab
program as part of the benefit.
The old adage that says you can not teach an old dog new tricks is only true
if the old dog don't want to learn.    It is allot easier if there are are
other old dogs learning and doing the new tricks  too.
Seniors listen to and learn from other seniors quicker and easier than they
do from younger people.
One knowledgeable senior, in a adult community, is worth 4 younger rehab
instructors in a rehab facility.
This is just my thoughts on the matter and something we should discuss and
pass on.

David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Denise Valkema" <valkemadenise at aol.com>
To: "NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, August 13, 2011 10:29 PM
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Legislative committee meeting 8/21

> Thanks
>
>
>
> Sent from Denise's Palm Pre On Aug 13, 2011 8:55 PM, Judith Hamilton
> <jrhamilton51 at earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> Denise,
>
>
>
> Carrie Zubillaga, Gainesville Chapter President, will be representing our
>
> chapter.  She has no Email access.  Contact her with call in instructions
>
> and an overview of the Legislative committee.  The number is (904)
> 964-7679.
>
>
>
> Judy Hamilton
>
> Gainesville Chapter Secretary
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > [Original Message]
>
> > From: Denise Valkema <valkemadenise at aol.com>
>
> > To: Nfbf <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
>
> > Date: 8/10/2011 2:43:51 PM
>
> > Subject: [Nfbf-l] Legislative committee meeting 8/21
>
> >
>
> > The legislative committee will meet by teleconference Sunday, 8/21, @
> 8pm.
>
> >
>
> > We would like one person from each chapter to be on this committee.
>
> Chapter presidents should let me know the contact information for the
>
> member that has agreed to be on this committee and it can be you.
>
> >
>
> > The call in information will be sent later. Let me know your what you
>
> would like placed on the agenda. Please let me who will call in.
>
> >
>
> > Feel free to contact me with questions or comments.
>
> >
>
> > Thanks,&nbsp;
>
> > Denise Valkema, NFBF legislative chair
>
> > 305-972-8529
>
> > Valkemadenise at aol.com
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > Sent from Denise's Palm Pre&nbsp;
>
> > _______________________________________________
>
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>
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>
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