• Medication Errors Harm 1.5 Million U.S.
  Residents a Year
• Mixed Reviews for Medicare Rx Drug Coverage
• Medicare Rx Donut Hole Could Affect
  November Elections
• Americans United Begins New Social Security
  Ad Campaign
• AFT Honors Longtime Leaders in Women's Rights
• Convention Attendees Add Nearly $25,000 to
  Relief Fund
• Interested in Judging a Children's Health
  Essay Contest?
• New Jersey Nurses Settle Strike, Ratify New Contract
• AFL-CIO Proposes 'Big Ideas' for Healthcare,
  Pension Coverage
• Stretch Your Dollars with AFT Car Rental Discounts
• Quote of Note: Millions Reaching Part D Donut Hole
• Web site of the Week: www.crbestbuydrugs.org
  

MEDICATION ERRORS HARM 1.5 MILLION
U.S. RESIDENTS A YEAR
At least 1.5 million U.S. residents are harmed or killed each year because of medication errors, leading to at least $3.5 billion annually in extra healthcare expenses at hospitals to treat the error-related injuries, according to a report released July 20 by the Institute of Medicine. The study—requested by Congress in the 2003 Medicare law and funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)—was compiled by a 17-member expert panel and is considered the most extensive analysis ever of medication errors. Among the findings: on average, a patient hospitalized in the U.S. will experience at least one medication error per day; each year, medication errors cause at least 400,000 preventable injuries and deaths in hospitals, more than 800,000 in nursing homes and long-term care facilities and more than 530,000 among outpatient Medicare beneficiaries; confusing drug labels and packaging cause one-quarter to one-third of all medication errors and contribute to 30 percent of all medication-error deaths; hospitals and long-term care facilities typically do not report medication errors to patients or their family members unless the errors result in injury or death; and at least one-quarter of injuries caused by medication errors are clearly preventable. The most common medication errors include nurses administering the wrong medications or wrong dose in an intravenous drip, physicians prescribing drugs that could cause dangerous interaction with patients' other medications and pharmacists dispensing 100-milligram tablets when 50-milligram tablets were prescribed.

The report recommends that the federal government spend $100 million annually to research the most useful and cost-effective ways to reduce medication errors, focusing on reducing errors in settings where medications are heavily used, including pediatric, psychiatric and long-term care facilities. In addition, the study urges that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality work with the pharmaceutical industry to implement standardized drug names and labels; by 2010 healthcare providers begin using electronic prescribing systems; the National Library of Medicine create a central online database for consumers to find information on medications and work with the FDA and CMS to consider creation of a nationwide telephone hotline for patients who cannot read printed information; all healthcare providers report medication errors to patients and family members, regardless of whether harm occurred; and pharmaceutical companies package pills in blister packs in order to simplify identification and make it easier for consumers to remember if they took a dose.
 
MIXED REVIEWS FOR MEDICARE Rx DRUG COVERAGE
Fifty-eight percent of seniors consider the Medicare prescription drug benefit a major benefit, and 30 percent praised the design of the program, according to a study by Daniel McFadden, a professor of economics at the University of California-Berkeley, published Aug. 1 on the Health Affairs Web site. Seventy-seven percent of seniors, however, said that the Medicare prescription drug benefit should automatically enroll beneficiaries, and 88 percent consider the "donut hole" coverage gap a significant drawback of the program, the study finds. A July Kaiser Family Foundation poll of some 1,565 seniors nationwide found similar results, with eight in 10 seniors approving the drug coverage. But that survey also found that about one-third, or 34 percent, of seniors who have used their drug plans have experienced what they perceived as problems. Among seniors who have used their plans, 27 percent of those in fair or poor health report experiencing major problems, compared with 12 percent of those in excellent or very good health. The Kaiser survey also found that 24 percent say the program is working well and no real changes are needed, and 27 percent say the program is not working and needs major changes. In addition, the poll found that 32 percent of seniors view the drug benefit favorably, while 30 percent view it unfavorably.

MEDICARE Rx DONUT HOLE COULD AFFECT NOVEMBER ELECTIONS
Medicare beneficiaries with high drug costs increasingly are entering the gap in Medicare prescription drug coverage known as the donut hole, and experts say the issue could have political implications for the congressional elections in November, USA Today reports. Under the donut hole provision of the Medicare prescription drug benefit, beneficiaries are responsible for 100 percent of total prescription drug costs between $2,250 and $5,100 this year. Medicare then covers 95 percent of prescription drug costs beyond $5,100. Estimates vary from 3.5 million to 7 million on how many beneficiaries will reach the donut hole this year. Democrats say that Medicare beneficiaries with average drug costs will reach the donut hole on Sept. 22, six weeks before the November elections.

AMERICANS UNITED BEGINS NEW SOCIAL SECURITY AD CAMPAIGN
Americans United, a coalition that includes the AFT and Alliance for Retired Americans and that was crucial to beating back Social Security privatization efforts last year, has kicked off the second phase of its Social Security advertising campaign. The new ads, reminding voters that privatization is still a real threat, are running in five key states: Ohio, Pennsylvania, Montana, Florida and Missouri. Republican majority leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) said recently that if Republicans retain control of Congress this fall, they'll "get serious" about privatizing Social Security. The ad campaign coincides with the 71st anniversary of Social Security, Aug. 14.

AFT HONORS LONGTIME LEADERS IN
WOMEN’S RIGHTS
Eighty-nine AFT members received special recognition for their leadership and longevity as AFT members at Women’s Rights Awards breakfast July 23 at the union's Boston convention. Diamond Recognition for 50 years of service and achievement went to: Sabina Brown, Herricks Teachers Association; Maryann Karlovsky, West Suburban Teachers Union; Ethel McClatchey, Los Angeles College Faculty Guild; Dr. Phyllis Pacheco, Central Islip Teachers Association; and Bonnie Tompkins, United Teachers Los Angeles. Those recognized for 40 years of service (Gold Recognition) included: Sarah J. Ball, Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association; Judy Cheris, Chicago Teachers Union; Beverly Cook, United Teachers Los Angeles; Arlene Hanley, Rochester Association of Paraprofessionals; Dr. Lorretta T. Johnson, Baltimore Teachers Union; Sylvia W. Lieberman, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers; Louise A. Sundin, Minneapolis Federation of Teachers; and Margarita Peggy Duncan Tomko, NYSUT Retiree Council #17. In addition, 76 members, both working and retired, received Silver Recognition for 30 years of service to AFT members. The awards went to members who provided leadership and demonstrated interest in issues of women’s rights; maintained multiple decades of involvement in local, state and national AFT affiliates; worked in the trade union movement; acted as mentors, coaches and role models for other women; and have been recognized as leaders in their communities.
 
CONVENTION ATTENDEES ADD NEARLY $25,000
TO RELIEF FUND
Delegates, guests and staff at the AFT convention last month showed their solidarity by raising almost $25,000 for disaster relief. Raffle participants—who won six prizes ranging from electronics to hotel stays—contributed more than $14,500 to the AFT Disaster Relief Fund, which has supplied $500 checks to AFT members affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. Cash contributions on the spot amounted to $3,200. The tiny delegation from the Republic of Georgia in the former Soviet Union, where the average teacher makes only $40 a month, donated a whopping $2,800 through two sources: cash from the proceeds of a book about their U.S. travels, and a silent auction of their handcrafted goods. Ticket sales from the play "Organizing Abraham Lincoln," written by retired AFT national representative Rich Klimmer and Tony Award-winning playwright Lonnie Carter, brought in about $2,400. And $5 from the sale of every convention T-shirt went to the relief fund, netting nearly $1,800. AFT retirees contributed nearly $1,000 at their conference. "Since the hurricanes last fall, AFT members, affiliates, staff and friends have demonstrated extraordinary dedication to our brothers and sisters along the Gulf Coast," says AFT secretary-treasurer Nat LaCour. "The convention was an extension of this generosity, and we're deeply grateful to every individual who has donated time and money to the relief efforts." So far the AFT has raised more than $1.6 million of the $3 million target for disaster relief—and contributions are still sorely needed. To give online, go to: https://secure.ga3.org/08/aft_relief_fund.

INTERESTED IN JUDGING A CHILDREN’S HEALTH ESSAY CONTEST?
The AFT has joined forces with healthcare advocacy group Families USA in sponsoring an essay contest on the need to provide health insurance for all children. Titled “When an Apple a Day Isn’t Enough,” the national essay contest is open to all children aged 9-18. The campaign is seeking working and retired teachers to serve as judges for the contest. Judges will receive an honorarium of $250 for their work. The contest asks kids to answer questions about the importance of healthcare in their lives and in their communities. Judges will select state winners from each of two age groups (9-13 and 14-18). Winners will receive a $250 cash prize. A Grand Prize winner selected from each age group will receive a $2,500 cash prize and will be honored at a special ceremony in Washington, D.C., in February 2007. The Campaign for Children’s Healthcare is a nationwide public education campaign designed to raise awareness about the 9 million children who do not have health insurance and the millions more who are underinsured. Questions about the essay contest should be directed to Beth McCarthy at 202/879-0299, by e-mail at mailto:emccarthy@familiesusa.org, or by U.S. mail at Campaign for Children’s Healthcare, “When an Apple a Day Isn’t Enough,” National Essay Contest, P.O. Box 34143, Washington, DC 20043. Information about the contest is available online at http://www.childrenshealthcampaign.org/events/national-essay-contest.html.
 
NEW JERSEY NURSES SETTLE STRIKE, RATIFY
NEW CONTRACT
After more than a month on the picket line, the 660 nurses who were on strike at Englewood (N.J.) Hospital and Medical Center ratified a new three-year contract on July 29. A deal was reached between the nurses, represented by the Health Professionals and Allied Employees, an AFT affiliate, and the hospital on July 27. The new contract was approved by 96 percent of nurses. The key issues that led to the strike included preserving the traditional pension plan and enforcing negotiated nurse-to-patient ratios. The new contract allows nurses to keep their traditional pension plan; however, nurses hired after Jan.1, 2007, will have a 401(k)-type retirement plan. The contract also establishes a staffing review system for most hospital units to ensure safe staffing on all shifts, reduced nurse-to-patient ratios in some departments, more flexible schedules and a mentoring program designed to reduce turnover among newly hired nurses.

AFL-CIO PROPOSES BIG IDEAS FOR HEALTHCARE, PENSION COVERAGE
Concerned about a crisis in healthcare and an impending crisis in pension benefits, the AFL-CIO executive council is proposing big ideas that it wants the newly elected Congress to consider next year. At its August meeting, the council outlined a number of principles to guide healthcare reform including: universal healthcare; retaining a system of social insurance; shared financing for healthcare with a continued role for employers; a move toward single-payer proposals; support for universal coverage proposals in the states; disincentives for employers to adopt high-deductible health plans and health savings accounts; trimming skyrocketing healthcare costs; preservation of retiree health benefits; improvements to the new Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit; and expansion of Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program. The union leaders also proposed a bold set of principles to guide the delivery of retirement income, including mutual responsibility, with financing and risk allocated equitably among government, employers and workers; opportunity for every full-time career worker to retire at 65 with at least 70 percent of pre-retirement income; portable retirement benefits; and defined-contribution plans structured to serve workers, not employers. The council called for requiring all employers to fund retirement benefits on top of Social Security, as an essential part of every worker's pay through a defined-benefit pension plan. AFL-CIO leaders urged tougher measures to curb corporate abuse of the bankruptcy process by giving employees a claim in bankruptcy court for lost pensions.

STRETCH YOUR DOLLARS WITH AFT+ CAR RENTAL DISCOUNTS
Traveling during the fall? Car rental discounts with Alamo, Budget and National help AFT members stretch their travel budget. Visit AFT’s Web site http://www.aft.org/aftplus/travel/carrental.htm to find members-only car rental specials.
 
QUOTE OF NOTE: Millions Reaching Part D Donut Hole
"Some like to say that under the Medicare prescription plan, the pharmaceutical companies got the donut and the seniors got the hole."

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.)

WEB SITE OF THE WEEK: http://www.crbestbuydrugs.org/
This free, public education effort by Consumers Union helps patients and doctors find the most effective and affordable medicines. The latest report on statins (for high cholesterol and heart disease) shows consumers how to save more than $700 a year by taking lower-cost medications.