Senate Votes to Maintain Quality Health Care for Seniors

Seniors who were worried about physicians refusing to treat Medicare patients in the future due to a huge government pay cut for doctors, which was scheduled to begin in January, can breathe a little easier--at least for the next year.

The U.S. Senate yesterday voted unanimously to block the pay 25 percent reduction in Medicare payments to physicians for one year. The measure now goes to the House of Representatives, where it is expected to gain final passage and be signed into law by President Obama before Congress breaks for the holiday, well before the January 1 deadline. That's great news for seniors residing in a San Diego assisted living retirement community.

"Stopping the cut for one year will inject some much needed stability into the system for seniors residing in assisted living retirement communities in San Diego and physician practices who have spent this year in limbo because of five short-term delays," said Dr. Cecil B. Wilson, president of the American Medical Association, in a statement following the Senate vote. "This one-year delay comes right as the oldest baby boomers reach age 65, adding urgency to the need for a long-term solution before this demographic tsunami swamps the Medicare program."

The legislation would pay for the $19.2 billion fix by diverting money previously allocated to support state-run insurance exchanges, which were created by the healthcare reform law.

The new legislation also extends a number of Medicare provisions, including an extension of the therapy caps exception process through Dec. 31, 2011, to help ensure seniors continue to have access to sufficient physical therapy and speech-language pathology services.

In addition, the bill would repeal a delay in the implementation of the new Medicare payment structure for nursing homes, making the new structure retroactive to Oct. 1, 2010 rather than delaying it until Oct. 1, 2011. Saving doctors 25% in medicare payments will ensure that excellent care will continue for seniors at their local assisted living retirement community in San Diego.

The White House pushed hard for passage of the temporary fix, and urged the Senate and House to use the next year to develop a permanent solution to what has become a perennial problem for seniors and their physicians.

Holiday Events For San Diego Active Seniors

Spending the Christmas Holiday Season in San Diego has its benefits: the weather is usually mild - in fact December is one of the sunniest months of the year. Which means unlike other parts of the country, we miss out on rituals like shoveling snow -although the nights can get pretty darn chilly this time of year. But that doesn't mean San Diegans lose out on traditional holiday activities...San Diego has plenty of traditional things to do. With all the excellent assisted living retirement communities in San Diego, active seniors are encouraged to ask their transportation directors about organizing a trip highlighting these activities:


1. December Nights in Balboa Park:
The holiday season kicks off with a grand celebration in Balboa Park. Balboa Park December Nights is a holiday gift to the community that brings out the holiday spirit in all. The beloved San Diego event features sparkling lights, theatrical and musical entertainment, and exotic Food/Spirits throughout the Park.

2. Holiday of Lights:
Simply spectacular - they claim it's the largest animated, drive-through light show on the West Coast. It's held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds north of La Jolla and runs nightly from Thanksgiving through early January. On Fridays, they offer a special hayride tour through the lights.

3. San Diego Botanic Garden:
This is a must see for all seniors residing in a San Diego assisted living retirement community. Their holiday display boasts more than 100,000 sparkling LED lights, providing a backdrop for activities that include horse-drawn-wagon rides, marshmallow roasting and visits with Santa.

4. San Diego Bay Parade of Lights:
The city of San Diego's only Christmas parade happens on the water and it is scheduled to run December 12 and 19, 5:30 - 9pm. The route runs along a long stretch of waterfront and you'll find plenty of places to watch it from. This year's theme theme is "The Sounds of Christmas" and it promises to be better than ever. Best vantage points are from the shore along the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, Harbor Island and Coronado.

December in San Diego is a great place to celebrate the Holiday Season. We are so blessed to live, work and play here. Check with your San Diego assisted living retirement community for their schedule of events - enjoy the Holidays in beautiful San Diego.