[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 14 (Monday, January 22, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1580-1583]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-645]



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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration on Aging


White House Conference on Aging; Compilation of Comments From the 
Governors on the Proposed Report

AGENCY: White House Conference on Aging, AoA, HHS.

ACTION: Compilation of Governors' Comments (Initial Report).

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SUMMARY: The Policy Committee of the White House Conference on Aging is 
publishing a compilation of the comments received from Governors, as 
stipulated in the Older American Act, in response to the proposed 
report of the Conference sent August 1, 1995. The Governors had 90 days 
in which to review the proposed report and respond with comments. 
Comments were due November 1, 1995. This notice is an overview of the 
comments received on the proposed report and a listing of the Governors 
who responded.
    Copies of the full text of the Governors' Comments may be obtained 
from the White House Conference on Aging. An image file (TIFF) will 
also be available electronically by accessing the Federal Bulletin 
Board. This is a secured FTP site. All users must access TELNET to 
obtain a User-ID and a password. The full text of the Governors' 
comments will also be published in the White House Conference on Aging 
final report. Contact information is listed below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
White House Conference on Aging, 501 School Street SW., 8th Floor, 
Washington, DC 20024-2755. The main telephone number for the Conference 
is (202) 245-7116 and the FAX number is (202) 245-7857. The INTERNET 
address ([email protected]) may also be used.
    To obtain the full text of the Governors' comments:
     access the Federal Bulletin Board via modem (setting 8 N 
1)--(202) 512-1387;
     access TELNET via INTERNET--fedbbs.access.gpo.gov;
     write to the WHCoA at the above address; or
     after March 31, 1996 contact: National Aging Information 
Center, 500 E St. SW., Washington, DC 20024-2710. The telephone number 
is (202) 554-9800.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Older Americans Act (Act) Amendments of 
1992, Public Law 102-375, requires the Policy Committee (which oversees 
the 1995 White House Conference on Aging) review the comments received 
from the Governors in response to the proposed report on the Conference 
sent to them for review August 3. The Act stipulates that the proposed 
report is to be submitted to the Governors within 90 days of the end of 
the Conference (the Conference ended on May 5) and the Governors have 
90 days in which to review the report and solicit comments on it.
    Just five years short of the next millennium, the fourth White 
House Conference on Aging took place at a time of significant 
demographic change highlighted by significant growth in the 85 and over 
and the minority aged population and the rapidly aging baby boom 
generation. Delegates to the May 2-5, 1995, Conference were charged 
with helping to shape the Nation's policies so that they might better 
meet the diverse needs of older Americans while harnessing the vast 
talent and resources of older people. Debate on these important issues 
took place within the context of our Nation's fiscal constraints and 
competing priorities.
    The 1995 White House Conference on Aging (WHCoA) was the first to 
highlight the relationship between the generations. The Conference 
theme, ``America Now and Into the 21st Century: Generations Aging 
Together With Independence, Opportunity and Dignity'' exemplifies this 
interdependence.
    A unique feature of this WHCoA has been the involvement of 
individuals from the grassroots. Over 800 pre-Conference events were 
held in the fifty States and three of the territories. The 
recommendations which emerged from these events played a major role in 
determining the agenda and theme of the Conference as well as the 
resolutions drafted for the delegates to vote on. Other major sources 
of grassroots input included more than 900 public comments received on 
the proposed agenda published in the Federal Register and the numerous 
letters received from States, individuals, and public and private 
organizations. This grassroots process has continued with more than 250 
post Conference events around the country looking at implementation 
strategies for the resolutions of greatest importance to the 
participants in the event.
    The proposed report included a comprehensive policy statement on 
aging, an overview of the resolution process and the 45 resolutions 
(synthesized from the 50 adopted at the Conference) and brief 
information about implementation of each resolution. Governors were 
asked to look particularly at the policy statement and implementation 
of the resolutions. They were encouraged to look at the resolutions 
from the context of what their States were doing as well as what impact 
a resolution would have on their States if implemented.
    The national policy on aging statement reiterated that the 1995 
WHCoA defined aging as a lifelong process which encompasses all 
generations. It further stated that the aging of society presents an 
opportunity but also an obligation for our Nation with every State 
experiencing an increase in the population of persons age 65 and over 
during this decade. This trend is expected to continue into the 21st 
century with especially dramatic growth in minority elderly 
populations.
    The Statement addressed the concern that national aging policy for 
the present and the future not be developed in a vacuum. Political and 
fiscal choices must be made. Priorities must be established within 
these basic principles which provide the framework for a national 
policy on aging:
     Affirm support for programs and policies which have been 
extraordinary successes of aging policy in the United States;
     Strengthen independence;
     Promote personal security;
     Encourage and empower people to share responsibility for 
their own aging while ensuring that the needs of the most vulnerable 
are met;
     Recognize older persons as resources, utilize their 
experience, knowledge and skills;
     Value the interdependence of generations; and
     Ensure the quality of life of all Americans as they age.
    The other main component of the proposed report was the 
resolutions: how they were developed, the text of each resolution and 
how they might be implemented. The resolutions are a major product of 
the Conference as defined in the authorizing legislation. The Policy 
Committee had decided while planning the Conference to concentrate the 
delegates' attention on a limited set of focused resolutions for 
action.
    Recommendations from pre-Conference events were sorted based on the 
framework outlined in the final agenda and then used to draft the 
resolutions to be debated by the delegates at the Conference. Delegates 
also sought the necessary support (signatures of at least 10% of the 
delegates) to place their own resolutions on the ballot. On the final 
day of the Conference, delegates voted on resolutions. The 53 
resolutions from the Conference were later synthesized to produce a 
final set of 45 resolutions.

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    Following the Conference, three basic elements necessary for 
implementation of the resolutions were identified and suggested 
implementation plans were prepared. The proposed report covered these 
three elements as a means to focus and guide further discussion 
regarding resolution implementation:
     Who has the responsibility to lead and take action:

Federal, state, tribal, and local government
Business
Organized labor
Foundations
Non-profits
Aging network
Delegates
Individuals

     Specific action to be taken:

Legislative (new legislation, amendments to existing laws, and 
resolutions at the federal, state and local levels)
Regulatory (new Regulations, modifications of existing regulations)
Programmatic (grants, initiatives, cooperative ventures)
Administrative (waivers, orders)
Advocacy
Marketing
Education (dissemination of public information, classes/meetings)
Other

     Timing of actions within the WHCoA's then-year perspective 
of national aging policies:

Immediate--by October 1996
Short term (ST)--within 5 years
Long term (LT)--within 10 years

    The main goal of the 1995 WHCoA is to provide resolutions to 
influence national aging policy and to develop a blueprint for action 
to implement these resolutions. The plan for implementation of the 
resolutions, which will have a major impact on aging concerns into the 
21st century, will be included with the recommendations for 
administrative and legislative action in the final report to be 
published in January 1996.

Overview of the Governors' Comments

    Forty-five Governors responded to the proposed report. Their 
letters focused primarily on the Conference resolutions and their 
suggested implementation strategies.
    The letters represented a cross section of States in terms of size, 
region of the country, size of the aging population and condition of 
the economy. Despite the differences, there were common themes among 
many of the letters. These included:
    1. Importance of quality health care for all generations; including 
home and community-based care/services;
    2. Importance of the Older Americans Act;
    3. Intergenerational policies and programs;
    4. Social Security; and
    5. Importance of the WHCoA.
    Specific issues addressed within the common themes are:
    1. Importance of Quality Health Care for All Generations, Including 
Home and Community-Based Care/Services--Governors recognized the need 
for high-quality health care programs (particularly Medicare and 
Medicaid) for elders, persons with disabilities and children. While 
individual responsibility for one's own health was emphasized, it was 
also recognized that the state and federal governments have a 
responsibility, particularly to those most frail and vulnerable. Many 
Governors stressed the importance of preventive care and the need to 
educate their citizens on healthy practices. Eighteen of the 45 
Governors suggested that the states should be given greater flexibility 
for implementing federal programs such as Medicaid. Many Governors 
emphasized cost-savings realized in utilizing home and community-based 
care and services, rather than institutional care. The need for 
eliminating fraud and abuse as a means of controlling health care costs 
was also a recurring theme.
    2. Older Americans Act--Most Governors expressed support for the 
Older Americans Act programs. However, ``flexibility'' is the 
overriding theme of the Governors' comments--to allow states more 
autonomy in the design and implementation of programs, and in the 
delivery of services.
    3. Intergenerational Policies and Programs--There was general 
support for transfers among generations, such as the fiscal transfers 
in the Social Security program and those among individuals in mentoring 
programs. The Governors appreciated the intergenerational theme of the 
Conference and the support the delegates gave to programs for children 
(nutrition programs, other ``safety net'' programs and grandparents 
raising grandchildren). They agreed with the delegates that investments 
in these programs now will benefit both today's older and younger 
people. There was concern, nonetheless, about balancing our obligation 
to future generations with the fiscal impact of continuing to provide 
services, benefits, and entitlements.
    4. Social Security--Several Governors noted that although Social 
Security was intergenerational issue requiring sensitivity to the needs 
of current recipients while ensuring that there will be benefits for 
future retirees. As with health care, Governors stressed the need for 
tighter controls to eliminate fraud and abuse.
    5. Importance of the WHCOA--Governors who commented on the WHCOA 
expressed appreciation for the Conference's solicitation of grass roots 
involvement in developing the resolutions. Every state conducted either 
a pre or post White House Conference on Aging (some states have done 
both). Many Governors indicated that their state's delegates to the 
WHCOA had assisted in the preparation of their report and would be 
called upon to assist with the development of state aging programs and 
policies.
    In general the Governors expressed the need to be flexible, 
innovative and cost conscious. They emphasized the need to promote 
individual, family and community responsibility while at the same time 
recognizing the importance of the state and federal role in maintaining 
and enhancing programs and services for those citizens who are frail, 
poor and most vulnerable.
    A full listing of the 45 Governors who provided comments on the 
proposed report as well as a compilation of the programs and policies 
they raised in their comments is included in this report. The Policy 
Committee feels it is important to make the full text of the Governors 
letters available to the public and will do so including at the time 
the Final Report of the White House Conference on Aging is published 
early in 1996.
    Governors letters available to the public and will do so including 
at the time the Final Report of the White House Conference on Aging is 
published early in 1996.
    Comments are welcome.

List of Governors Who Submitted Comments

Governor Fob James (R-AL)*
Governor Tony Knowles (D-AK)
Governor Jim Guy Tucker (D-AR)
Governor Pete Wilson (R-CA)
Governor Roy Romer (D-CO)
Governor John G. Rowland (R-CT)
Governor Lawton Chiles (D-FL)
Governor Zell Miller (D-GA)
Governor Benjamin J. Cayetano (D-HI)
Governor Philip E. Batt (R-ID)
Governor Jim Edgar (R-IL)
Governor Evan Bayh (D-IN)
Governor Terry E. Branstad (R-IA)
Governor Bill Graves (R-KS)
Governor Brereton C. Jones (D-KY)
Governor Edwin W. Edwards (D-LA)
Governor Angus S. King, Jr. (I-ME)
Governor Parris N. Glendening (D-MD)
Governor William F. Weld (R-MA)*
Governor John Engler (R-MI)
Governor Arne H. Carlson (R-MN)

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Governor Kirk Fordice (R-MS)
Governor Mel Carnahan (D-MO)
Governor E. Benjamin Nelson (D-NE)
Governor Bob Miller (D-NV)
Governor Christine Todd Whitman (R-NJ)*
Governor Gary Johnson (R-NM)
Governor George E. Pataki (R-NY)
Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. (D-NC)
Governor Edward T. Schafer (R-ND)
Governor George V. Voinovich (R-OH)
Governor John A. Kitzhaber (D-OR)
Governor Tom Ridge (R-PA)
Governor Pedro Rossello (I-PR)
Governor Lincoln Almond (R-RI)
Governor David Beasley (R-SC)
Governor William J. Janklow (R-SD)
Governor Don Sundquist (R-TN)
Governor George W. Bush, Jr. (R-TX)
Governor Michael O. Leavitt (R-UT)
Governor Howard Dean (D-VT)
Governor George Allen (R-VA)*
Governor Mike Lowry (D-WA)
Governor Gaston Caperton (D-WV)
Governor Tommy Thompson (R-WI)
*Governors' designee submitted response

Programs and Policies Addressed in Governors' Comments

Housing and Transportation--7 States (AK, GA, ME, MI, NM, NY, WV)
Social Security--19 States (CT, FL, GA, HI, ID, LA, MD, MI, NV, NJ, NM, 
NY, OR, RI, SD, TN, VT, VA, WV)
Elders as resources--14 States (CA, FL, ID, IL, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, NM, 
SD, TX, WV, WI)
Intergenerational--23 States (CA, CO, FL, HI, IL, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, 
MS, NJ, NM, OH, OR, PA, SD, TN, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI)
Older Americans Act--24 States (AR, FL, GA, HI, ID, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, 
MS, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OR, PA, RI, TN, VT, WA, WV, WI)
Medicare and Medicaid--34 States (AK, AR, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, HI, ID, 
IA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, NY, OR, PA, RI, 
SC, TN, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI)
Health Care Reform--16 States (KY, LA, ME, MD, MI, NJ, ND, NY, RI, SC, 
TN, UT, VT, VA, WV, WI)

    Dated: January 11, 1996.
Fernando M. Torres-Gil,
Assistant Secretary for Aging.
[FR Doc. 96-645 Filed 1-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4130-02-M