The National Grange

ISSUE FOCUS I: "DIGITAL TV TRANSITION"

Speakers: Jonathan Blake, Aaron Cooper, Covington & Burling's Technology, Media and Communications Group

Jonathan Blake and Aaron Cooper, representing CBS/NBC affiliates, spoke to Grange Fly-In participants about what the digital TV transition means to rural Americans. While a deadline for the digital TV transition is pushed to Dec. 31, 2006, less than 1% of Americans have the digital TV sets and 15-18% of Americans still rely solely on the over-the-air television. The hasty transition would harm rural Americans particularly because they depend heavily on over-the-air television service for news, weather and reports on local commodity markets. The over-the-air dependents will have to buy a "set top" box that will convert digital signals to display on their analog TVs or buy an expensive new digital TV set. However, 30 million analog TV sets are being sold a year without any warning signs. Even if all rural areas should transition to digital, the multicasting service - allowing a broadcaster anywhere in America to take the digital signal and create multiple streams of local programming - should be assured for local channels opportunities for local new and weather. But two weeks ago the FCC voted against a request from broadcasters to require cable operators to carry the multiple digital TV signals of each TV station. Congress will be deciding the details of the digital TV transition in the coming month. U.S. House Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX) plans in the coming weeks to introduce legislation to complete the transition to digital television by the end of 2006. Speakers emphasized that it is important to educate lawmakers that the digital TV transition should be delayed until all analog customers are taken care of and in case the transition is made the multicasting carriage requirement should be met.

ISSUE FOCUS II: "RENEWABLE ENERGY IN THE 21ST CENTURY"

Speaker: Michael T. Eckhart, President, American Council on Renewable Energy

Michael Eckhart, President of American Council on Renewable Energy, spoke to Fly-In participants about why renewable energy is significant for Americans and how it can benefit rural Americans. Eckhart summed up that renewable energy will help to increase farm income, energy supply/national security and environmental safety. Bio fuels such as corn-based ethanol, cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel derived from varied farm products including soybeans will boost American farm markets. Also biomass energy crops or wind turbines can provide a reliable energy source while bringing new revenue to farmers and rural communities. In all scenarios under current policy, the oil import problem gets worse and energy supply from oil and fossil fuels is physically constrained. Renewable energy sources can improve our national security by helping Americans reduce their dependence on imported oil and creating a more stable energy price. Also, while growing carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide have been changing atmospheric concentrations renewable electricity and renewable fuels are environmentally responsible. Eckhart introduced wind, solar PV, biomass and biofuels as growing renewable energy technologies for the agriculture sector. He explained that his goal was shifted from "Phase I", focusing on developing renewable energy technologies under federal leadership, to "Phase II", focusing on utilization serving national needs under state and federal leadership.

See also:
www.acore.org

ISSUE FOCUS III: "CHALLENGES FACING RURAL SENIORS WITH IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MEDICARE MODERNIZATION ACT"

Speaker: Nona Bear

Nona Bear, a nationally recognized academic and professional expert on health issues affecting senior citizens, spoke to Fly-In participants about how the Medicare's new prescription drug coverage program will work for American seniors. Bear stressed that you need to keep an eye on "what you have and what you don't have" in the implementation of the new Medicare act and compare drug coverage plan that you already might have with the new Medicare drug benefit program to make a wise decision. Since enacted in 1965 the Medicare will offer, for the fist time, coverage for prescription drugs starting on January 1, 2006. You may choose one of the two types of plans: 1. Medicare Advantage Plans - a package that adds the new drug benefit to health care now covered by Medicare 2. Stand Alone Prescription Drug Plan - plans that offer just a drug benefit and can be used along with the usual Medicare benefit. The average premium for 2006 will be about $35 per month per person. In a standard plan, you pay the deductible of $250 each year. Until you have spent $2250 on your prescriptions the plan will pay about 75% of covered prescription drug costs. After you have paid $5100, the plan will pay 95% of covered prescription costs. The donut hole exists between $2251 and $5100 - those who spend between $2250 and $5100 have no coverage. However, low income seniors will neither pay the monthly premium, nor have the donut hole. If you signed up in Medicare before January 1, 2006 you can enroll from November 15, 2005 to May 13, 2006.

To learn more about the Medicare prescription drug program, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit www.medicare.gov

ISSUE FOCUS IV: "TELECOMMUNICATIONS REFORM AND PROMISE"

Speaker: Walter B. McCormick, President & CEO, United States Telecom Association (USTA)

Walter B. McCormick, President & CEO, USTA spoke to Fly-In participants about where the telecom reform effort is today and what's at stake for rural America. McCormick contrasted how fast our technology is changing with how long the old telecom policy remains unchanged. The world of communications has changed dramatically - many of us will soon be able to watch sitcoms on our cell phones. Now we have VoIP, Internet phone service that brings cable companies and Internet start-ups into the voice marketplace. Today, more than 14 million have signed up for the VoIP service and experts predict 40% of phone calls will take place in the VoIP within 5 years. However, the nation's current telecom policy was written nearly 10 years ago, which means we are governed under a telecom policy that barely acknowledges the existence of the Internet. McCormick underlined that it's time to update the laws to keep pace with the marketplace and also it's time for consumers to decide what services and technologies best suit their needs, rather than have the government make these choices for us. He also emphasized that critical public responsibilities such as Universal Service remain and require sensible regulation. Universal Service is just one example of the fact that rural America has a tremendous stake in the effort to update the nation's telecom laws. Updating the telecom law is also important for rural America because it will encourage investment and head-to-head competition to generate jobs and economic opportunities in rural communities. Advanced communications can also enhance the rural quality of life, for example, speeding new telemedicine opportunities. In addition it will help rural long-distance commuters work from home to save time and energy. McCormick appreciated the strong bonds between his organization and the National Grange in fighting for a modern telecom policy and for Universal Service.

See also:
www.thefuturefaster.com

ISSUE FOCUS V: "TRANSPORTATION ISSUES AND THE FUTURE OF THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY PROGRAM"

Speaker: Greg Cohen, President & CEO, American Highway Users Alliance (AHUA)

Greg Cohen, President & CEO, American Highway Users Alliance spoke to Fly-In participants about how the highway legislation, TEA-LU / SAFETEA, Congress currently is working on, will impacts on rural Americans. Federal highway policy directly relates to Americans' freedom of mobility, competitive advantage in moving global commerce, and the quality-of-life that allows us to work, recreate and spend time with our families. Rural road system - roads' safety and efficiency - also depends on how highway programs work. Nearly 43,000 lives are lost each year in crashes and about 60% of all fatalities occur on rural two-lane roads. The highway legislation, TEA-LU, will provide $590 million for new rural road safety program. Congress is pushing the legislation to be enacted as early as May 31, 2005. Cohen urged Congress to have more well-defined purpose in the highway program that considers safety, congestion relief, freight mobility in a global economy and elimination of waste and diversions. He also called for Grange's grassroots support. The National Grange has been an AHUA member organization since 1946 and National Grange President Bill Steel recently joined the Board of AHUA.

ISSUE FOCUS VI: "SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM: MYTH VS. REALITY"

Speakers: Chip Hardin, President, Michelle Plasari, Vice President and Al Cors, Jr., Director of Government Affairs, RetireSafe

RetireSafe President Chip Hardin and his colleagues Vice President Michelle Plasari and Legislative director Al Cors, Jr. spoke to Fly-In participants about what we need to care about when Bush Administration and Congress tries to reform Social Security. Current dedicated federal tax revenues that cover all of the costs of the Social Security program will start to fall short of covering those costs around 2018 as the baby boom generation moves from the workforce into retirement. After that current projected benefits can only be maintained by using proceeds from the Social Security Trust Fund. However, even those funds will be insufficient to continue to fund Social Security obligations indefinitely. In fact Social Security Trust Fund balances will diminish rapidly as the entire generation of baby boomers moves into retirement and lives longer than any previous generation in history. Projections show that by 2050 Social Security & Medicare will consume 100% of the federal budget. Bush Administration's current solution is Voluntary Personal Accounts, however, recent poll finds that the President's plan lacks clear public support. Hardin recommended that to be successful, any social Security reform plan should elucidate detailed stands to secure social security benefits, provide a fair and accurate COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment), end the taxation of Social Security benefits and abolish the earnings limit for early retirees. He also urged Congress to formally guarantee Social Security benefits. He encouraged Grange audience to ask about the "COW" - Control, Ownership and Wealth, when it comes to Social Security reform. Control involves individual rights and responsibilities to make a decision about their Social Security. Ownership encourages the voluntary option of Personal Retirement Accounts for younger workers. Wealth is the ability to pass hard-earned retirement money on to heirs.

ISSUE FOCUS VII: "FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION REFORM"

Speaker: Dolly A. Judge, Senior Director of Federal Relations, Pfizer, Inc.

Dolly A. Judge, Federal Relations Senior Director of Pfizer, Inc. spoke to Fly-In participants about importance and implications of drug safety legislation and regulation. While public and congressional confidence in the pharmaceutical industry and FDA is at a low ebb, Congress and the federal government are trying to reform the drug safety approval process. Congress requested a General Accountability Office (GAO)'s independent drug safety study last year to address the adequacy of authority possessed by FDA and the manner in which internal disputes over drug safety are resolved. Senate HELP (Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) Committee Ranking Member Edward Kennedy (D-MA) introduced "Affordable Health Care Act - S. 16" that would authorize FDA to require post-marketing studies to confirm or refute significant safety concerns about a drug. Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) is introducing "Patient Protection Act of 2005" that would establish new "Office of Patient Protection," with authority to withdraw from the market a drug found to pose a safety risk. Congressional hearings on drug safety issues are ongoing and the issues will take center stage during FDA Commissioner confirmation hearing on March 27. Key themes coming out of Senate HELP drug safety hearings are mandating labeling changes, mandating post-marketing studies, Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) advertising restrictions and new drug safety review entity. HHS/FDA's "Self-Reforms" include creation of an independent Drug Safety Oversight Board and expanded website information on drug risks. For more details go to www.fda.gov/cder/drugsafety.htm Mid April, HHS will announce additional "Self-Reforms" around post-marketing surveillance and DTC advertising. Judge predicted that whether by regulatory or legislative action, FDA's drug safety function would likely be given greater independence and increased appropriations might be allocated for FDA's drug safety function. Ms. Judge asked the Grange audience to recognize there will be benefit and risk at the same time in the current or proposed regulatory/legislative efforts for drug safety. She reminded Grange members that patients can face equally dangerous risks if promising new medications are not developed in a timely manner for existing conditions or if patients do not have access to, or any information about, new prescription drugs that may improve their conditions. She urged Grange members to stay alert to see if managed care restricts drug use in the name of drug safety or if those regulations confine physicians' ability to prescribe the best medications for their patients.