HHS ARTICLE ON VACCINATION AGAINST HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS

FROM:   U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Infection with the human papillomavirus, or HPV, can lead to cancers of the cervix and throat, as well as other body parts. However, a vaccine protects against forms of HPV that most frequently cause cancer.  At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, researcher Shannon Stokley:

“The HPV vaccine series consists of three doses, and it’s recommended that all girls and boys receive this vaccine at age 11 or 12.”

Stokley adds that it’s not too late to get vaccinated even up to age 26.  But the vaccine has been out since 2006, and she says coverage is still very low – partly because people don’t know about it and its benefits.

HHS GUARANTEE FOR NEW MEDICAID BENEFICIARIES

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
March 29, 2013
HHS finalizes rule guaranteeing 100 percent funding for new Medicaid beneficiaries

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced a final rule with a request for comments that provides, effective January 1, 2014, the federal government will pay 100 percent of the cost of certain newly eligible adult Medicaid beneficiaries. These payments will be in effect through 2016, phasing down to a permanent 90 percent matching rate by 2020. The Affordable Care Act authorizes states to expand Medicaid to adult Americans under age 65 with income of up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level (approximately $15,000 for a single adult in 2012) and provides unprecedented federal funding for these states.

"This is a great deal for states and great news for Americans," HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said. "Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, more Americans will have access to health coverage and the federal government will cover a vast majority of the cost. Treating people who don’t have insurance coverage raises health care costs for hospitals, people with insurance, and state budgets."

Today’s final rule provides important information to states that expand Medicaid. It describes the simple and accurate method states will use to claim the matching rate that is available for Medicaid expenditures of individuals with incomes up to 133 percent of poverty and who are defined as "newly eligible" and are enrolled in the new eligibility group. The system is set up to make eligibility determinations as simple and accurate as possible for state programs.

Under the Affordable Care Act, states that cover the new adult group in Medicaid will have 100 percent of the costs of newly eligible Americans paid for by the federal government in 2014, 2015, and 2016. The federal government’s contribution is then phased-down gradually to 90 percent by 2020, and remains there permanently. For states that had coverage expansions in effect prior to enactment of the Affordable Care Act, the rule also provides information about the availability of an increased FMAP for certain adults who are not newly eligible.

The rule builds on several years of work that HHS has done to support and provide flexibility to states’ Medicaid programs ahead of the 2014 expansion, including:
90 percent matching rate for states to improve eligibility and enrollment systems;
More resources and flexibility for states to test innovative ways of delivering care through Medicaid;
More collaboration with states on audits that track down fraud; and
Specifically outlining ways states can make Medicaid improvements without going through a waiver process.

HHS CLAIMS MANY GET SICK DUE TO IMPROPER FOOD HANDLING

Photo Credit:  FDA

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Nicholas Garlow with HHS HealthBeat.

Eat and be well? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that, each year, 1 in 6 of us gets sick from food, largely due to improper handling and cooking of ingredients.

At the CDC, researcher Hannah Gould:

"Four foods have been linked to many outbreaks in the last two years. Beef, poultry, such as chicken and turkey, milk, particularly milk th at hasn’t been pasteurized, and fish."

Gould says you can’t tell when something has gone bad just by looking and smelling. So she says the best treatment is prevention in preparation. Clean by washing your hands and food prep surfaces. Separate so meat doesn’t touch vegetables. And cook and chill to correct temperatures.

An article on food handling is in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Nicholas Garlow.

Last revised: March 12, 2013

HHS WARNS HELATH SCAMS CAN BE DANGEROUS

Photo:  Rattlesnake.  Credit:  Wikmedia Commons.

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

This’ll cure you? Or make you lose weight?

Not necessarily. Health scammers are good at taking your money and bad at delivering what they promise. So a smart shopper has to tell the difference between what looks good in the ad or on the Net and what the product really is.

At the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Gary Coody is an expert in detecting health fraud. He says that, if it’s an unproven or little-known treatment, ask your doctor.

"Alarms should go off when you see words like ‘new discovery’ or ‘scientific breakthrough’ or ‘secret ingredient’ or ‘all natural miracle cure.’’’

Because it’s not just the money you can lose. Some of the fakes can be dangerous. And relying on the fakes can delay getting real treatment, while the condition you want to treat just gets worse

HHS WARNS PUBLIC OF PETS THAT CAN MAKE KIDS SICK

Photo Credit:  Wikimedia/U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service.

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat
The right animal can be fun and educational in a childcare center. But the wrong animal can make kids sick. At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, epidemiologist Dr. Neil Vora has some examples of risky pets. He says reptiles such as turtles, lizards and snakes – and amphibians such as frogs and salamanders – commonly carry germs called Salmonella.

"Children younger than 5 years of age are at particularly high risk for serious illness with Salmonella. This is why it’s particularly important that pets or animals carrying Salmonella are not kept in day care centers."

Vora says small pet turtles are still sold in some places despite federal rules banning sales.

His study is the CDC journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.

HHS SAYS NEW HEALTH CARE LAW PROTECTS CONSUMERS

Credit:  U.S. Army.

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Health care law protects consumers against worst insurance practices
Key health insurance protections for all Americans moves forward

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today issued a final rule that implements five key consumer protections from the Affordable Care Act, and makes the health insurance market work better for individuals, families, and small businesses.

"Because of the Affordable Care Act, being denied affordable health coverage due to medical conditions will be a thing of the past for every American," said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "Being sick will no longer keep you, your family, or your employees from being able to get affordable health coverage."

Under these reforms, all individuals and employers have the right to purchase health insurance coverage regardless of health status. In addition, insurers are prevented from charging discriminatory rates to individuals and small employers based on factors such as health status or gender, and young adults have additional affordable coverage options under catastrophic plans.

Today’s final rule implements five key provisions of the Affordable Care Act that are applicable to non-grandfathered health plans:
Guaranteed Availability
Nearly all health insurance companies offering coverage to individuals and employers will be required to sell health insurance policies to all consumers. No one can be denied health insurance because they have or had an illness.
Fair Health Insurance Premiums
Health insurance companies offering coverage to individuals and small employers will only be allowed to vary premiums based on age, tobacco use, family size, and geography. Basing premiums on other factors will be illegal. The factors that are no longer permitted in 2014 include health status, past insurance claims, gender, occupation, how long an individual has held a policy, or size of the small employer.
Guaranteed Renewability
Health insurance companies will no longer refuse to renew coverage because an individual or an employee has become sick. You may renew your coverage at your option.
Single Risk Pool
Health insurance companies will no longer be able to charge higher premiums to higher cost enrollees by moving them into separate risk pools. Insurers are required to maintain a single state-wide risk pool for the individual market and single state-wide risk pool for the small group market.
Catastrophic Plans
Young adults and people for whom coverage would otherwise be unaffordable will have access to a catastrophic plan in the individual market. Catastrophic plans generally will have lower premiums, protect against high out-of-pocket costs, and cover recommended preventive services without cost sharing.
In preparation for the market changes in 2014 and to streamline data collection for insurers and states, the final rule amends certain provisions of the rate review program. And, HHS has increased the transparency by directing insurance companies in every state to report on all rate increase requests. A new report has found that the law’s transparency provisions have already resulted in a decline in double-digit premium increases filed: from 75 percent in 2010 to, according to preliminary data, 14 percent in 2013.

In addition, today the U.S. Department of Labor announced an interim final rule in the Federal Register that provides protection to employees against retaliation by an employer for reporting alleged violations of Title I of the Act or for receiving a tax credit or cost-sharing reduction as a result of participating in a Health Insurance Exchange, or Marketplace.

HHS SAYS HEALTH CARE OPTION COMPARISONS BEGIN IN 2014

Ambulances.  Credit:  U.S. Air Force.

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health care law allows consumers to easily find and compare options starting in 2014
New rule will expand mental health and substance use disorder benefits to 62 million Americans

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced a final rule that will make purchasing health coverage easier for consumers. The policies outlined today will give consumers a consistent way to compare and enroll in health coverage in the individual and small group markets, while giving states and insurers more flexibility and freedom to implement the Affordable Care Act.

"The Affordable Care Act helps people get the health insurance they need," said Secretary Sebelius. "People all across the country will soon find it easier to compare and enroll in health plans with better coverage, greater quality and new benefits."

Today’s rule outlines health insurance issuer standards for a core package of benefits, called essential health benefits, that health insurance issuers must cover both inside and outside the Health Insurance Marketplace. Through its standards for essential health benefits, the final rule released today also expands coverage of mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment, for millions of Americans.

A new report by HHS, also released today, details how these provisions will expand mental health and substance use disorder benefits and federal parity protections for 62 million more Americans.

In the past, nearly 20 percent of individuals purchasing insurance didn’t have access to mental health services, and nearly one third had no coverage for substance use disorder services. The rule seeks to fix that gap in coverage by expanding coverage of these benefits in three distinct ways:
By including mental health and substance use disorder benefits as Essential Health Benefits
By applying federal parity protections to mental health and substance use disorder benefits in the individual and small group markets
By providing more Americans with access to quality health care that includes coverage for mental health and substance use disorder services
To give states the flexibility to define essential health benefits in a way that would best meet the needs of their residents, this rule also finalizes a benchmark-based approach. This approach allows states to select a benchmark plan from options offered in the market, which are equal in scope to a typical employer plan. Twenty-six states selected a benchmark plan for their state, and the largest small business plan in each state will be the benchmark for the rest.

The rule additionally outlines actuarial value levels in the individual and small group markets, which helps to distinguish health plans offering different levels of coverage. Beginning in 2014, plans that cover essential health benefits must cover a certain percentage of costs, known as actuarial value or "metal levels." These levels are 60 percent for a bronze plan, 70 percent for a silver plan, 80 percent for a gold plan, and 90 percent for a platinum plan. Metal levels will allow consumers to compare insurance plans with similar levels of coverage and cost-sharing based on premiums, provider networks, and other factors. In addition, the health care law limits the annual amount of cost sharing that individuals will pay across all health plans – preventing insured Americans from facing catastrophic costs associated with an illness or injury.

Policies in today’s rule also provide more information on accreditation standards for qualified health plans (QHPs) that will be offered through the Health Insurance Marketplaces (also known as Exchanges), one-stop shops that will provide access to quality, affordable private health insurance choices.

Together, these provisions will help consumers compare and select health plans in the individual and small group markets based on what is important to them and their families. People can make these choices knowing these health plans will cover a core set of critical benefits and can more easily compare the level of coverage based on a uniform standard. Further, these provisions help expand choices and competition on the Marketplaces.

PRIMARY CARE WORKFORCE EXPANDING

Examination Room.   Credit:  U.S. DOD.

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Health Service Corps expands the primary care workforce
Physicians to practice in communities that need them most

The National Health Service Corps awarded more than $10 million in funding for loan repayment to 87 medical students in 29 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, who will serve as primary care doctors and help strengthen the health care workforce, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today.

Made possible by the Affordable Care Act, the National Health Service Corps’ Students to Service Loan Repayment Program provides financial support to fourth year primary care medical students in exchange for their service in the communities that need them most.

"This new National Health Service Corps initiative is an innovative approach to encouraging more medical students to work in primary care, and to bring more primary care doctors to communities," Secretary Sebelius said. "This is an important part of the administration’s commitment to building the future health care workforce."

The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Students to Service pilot program provides loan repayment assistance of up to $120,000 to medical students in MD and DO programs in their last year of education in return for their commitment to practice in the communities that need them most upon completion of their primary care residency.

"The average medical school debt is often more than $200,000," said HRSA Administrator Mary K. Wakefield, Ph.D., R.N. "The Students to Service program help relieve a tremendous debt burden, allowing them to follow their passion for primary care." These newest NHSC providers must provide three years of full-time service or six years of half-time service in designated rural and urban areas.

As a result of historic investments in the Affordable Care Act and the Recovery Act, the numbers of National Health Service Corps clinicians are at all-time highs. The number of providers serving in the Corps has nearly tripled since 2008. Today nearly 10,000 National Health Service Corps providers are providing primary care to approximately 10.4 million people at nearly 14,000 health care sites in urban, rural, and frontier areas.

FITNESS, AGING AND DIABETES

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Even if we’re healthy, we still lose about 10 percent of our aerobic ability each decade after about age 40 or 50. But diabetes takes an extra toll on our cardiovascular system, and makes it look older than it should. At the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Amy Heubschmann looked at data on people with diabetes:

"There’s been about 20 percent worse fitness levels in adults with diabetes as compared to adults without diabetes. That’s the case in teenagers, middle aged adults and older adults."

However, she says moderate physical activity can raise fitness levels to close to what moderately active people without diabetes should have.

The study presented at a joint meeting of physiology organizations was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

HHS AWARDS $1.5 BILLION FOR NEW HEALTH CARE LAW

Secretary of HHS Kathleen Sebelius

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

HHS awards $1.5 billion to support states building Health Insurance Marketplaces

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced $1.5 billion in new Exchange Establishment Grants to California, Delaware, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, and Vermont to ensure these states have the resources necessary to build a marketplace that meets the needs of their residents.

"These states are working to implement the health care law and we continue to support them as they build new affordable insurance marketplaces," Secretary Sebelius said. "Starting in 2014, Americans in all states will have access to quality, affordable health insurance and these grants are helping to make that a reality."

Because of the Affordable Care Act, consumers and small businesses will have access to marketplaces starting in 2014. The marketplaces are one-stop shops that will provide access to quality, affordable private health insurance choices similar to those offered to members of Congress. Consumers in every state will be able to buy insurance from qualified health plans directly through these marketplaces and may be eligible for tax credits to help pay for their health insurance. These marketplaces promote competition among insurance providers and offer consumers more choices.

Delaware, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Vermont received awards today for Level One Exchange Establishment Grants, which are one-year grants states will use to build marketplaces. California, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York, and Oregon received Level Two Exchange Establishment Grants today. Level Two grants are multi-year awards to states to further develop their marketplaces.

A total of 49 states, the District of Columbia, and four territories have received grants to plan their marketplaces, and 34 states and the District of Columbia have received grants to build their marketplaces. To ensure states have the support and time they need to build a marketplace, states may apply for grants through the end of 2014 and may use funds through their start-up year.

U.S. HHS SECRETARY SEBELIUS SAYS STATES ON TRACK TO IMPLEMENT THE HEALTH CARE LAW

Kathleen Sebelius 

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

States move forward to implement health care law, build health insurance marketplaces

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that more states are on track to implement the health care law and establish health insurance marketplaces, or Exchanges, in their states. California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Vermont and Utah are conditionally approved today to operate a State-based Exchange, and Arkansas is conditionally approved to operate a State Partnership Exchange. HHS is also providing more guidance to states today on marketplaces that will be operated in partnership with the federal government.

"States across the country are working to implement the health care law and build a marketplace that works for their residents," said Secretary Sebelius. "In ten months, consumers in all fifty states will have access to a new marketplace where they will be able to easily purchase affordable, high quality health insurance plans, and today’s guidance will provide the information states need to guide their continued work."

Today’s conditional approvals follow those issued previously granted to Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington to operate State-based Exchanges and to Delaware to operate a State Partnership Exchange. To date, 20 states including DC have been conditionally approved to partially or fully run their marketplaces – with the remaining states having until February 15, 2013 to apply for a State Partnership Exchange.

Today’s new Partnership guidance provides valuable information for states considering this option.

Because of the Affordable Care Act, consumers and small businesses will have access to a new marketplace starting in 2014 where they can access quality, affordable private health insurance. These are similar to those choices that will be offered to members of Congress.

Consumers in every state will be able to buy insurance from qualified health plans directly through these marketplaces and may be eligible for tax credits to help pay for their health insurance.

To learn more about Exchange conditional approvals, visit: http://www.cciio.cms.gov/resources/factsheets/state-marketplaces.html

HOLIDAY FOOD: "CAN I HAVE SOME MORE PLEASE?"

Photo Credit:  U.S. Department Of Health And Human Services

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: November 27, 2012From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

During the holidays, the fun goes on and the limits go off – which can explain why the weight goes up. The rest of the year, we don’t usually eat and drink so much, and spend quite so much time partying and shopping, which can eat into time for exercising.

But the director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Dr. Griffin Rodgers, says bringing balance back into your life can help to continue the fun while preventing at least some of the weight. It just takes some planning:

"Don’t let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt. Continue to get plenty of sleep and physical activity. And if you do overindulge in eating too much, don’t be too hard on yourself. Get back on track at the next meal."

Healthy Eating Tips
Starting Points
Your food and physical activity choices each day affect your health — how you feel today, tomorrow, and in the future.

These tips and ideas are a starting point. You will find a wealth of suggestions here that can help you get started toward a healthy diet. Choose a change that you can make today, and move toward a healthier you.Make at least half your grains whole grains

Vary your veggies

Focus on fruit

Get your calcium-rich foods

Go lean with protein

U.S. DEPT. OF HHS SAYS MEDICARE OFFERS MORE HIGH QUALITY CHOICES

Photo Credit:  CDC

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
People With Medicare Have More High Quality Choices

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that people with Medicare have more high quality choices and the performance of Medicare Advantage plans is improving. HHS also released the 2013 quality ratings for Medicare health and drug plans on the web-based Medicare Plan Finder. During Medicare Open Enrollment, people with Medicare can use the star ratings to compare the quality of health and drug plan options and select the plans that are the best value for their needs for 2013.

"In 2013, people with Medicare will have access to a wide range of plan choices, including more four and five star plans than ever before," said Secretary Sebelius.

In 2013:
People with Medicare will have access to 127 four- or five-star Medicare Advantage plans. These plans currently serve 37 percent of Medicare Advantage enrollees, and may attract more with their improved quality ratings. In 2012, people with Medicare had access to 106 four or five star plans, which served only 28 percent of enrollees.
People with Medicare will have access to 26 four or five star prescription drug plans, which currently serve 18 percent of enrollees. This is an improvement from 2012, in which 13 four or five star plans are serving only 9 percent of enrollees.
Medicare plans are given an overall rating on a 1 to 5 star scale, with 1 star representing poor performance and 5 stars representing excellent performance. Users of the Plan Finder will also see a gold star icon designating the top rated 5-star plans, and a different icon for those plans who are consistently poor performers.

As a result of provisions in the Affordable Care Act, Medicare is doing more to promote enrollment in high quality plans and alert beneficiaries who are enrolled in lower quality plans. Now, persons with Medicare enrolled in consistently low performing plans (those receiving less than 3 stars for at least the past 3 years) will receive notifications to let them know how they can change to a higher quality plan if they choose to do so. In addition, 5-star plans are rewarded by being allowed to continuously market and enroll beneficiaries throughout the year. In 2012, thousands of people with Medicare took advantage of this opportunity to join a top performing plan.

The Affordable Care Act also added new benefits to Medicare, including in the Medicare Advantage program. The health care law phases out the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap also known as the "donut hole." In 2013, people with Medicare who reach the "donut hole" will receive approximately 53 percent off the cost of brand name drugs and 21 percent off the cost of generic drugs. Medicare beneficiaries will also continue to benefit from Medicare-covered preventive services at zero cost-sharing, including a yearly Wellness visit.

At the same time that quality is improving and benefits are increasing, premiums in the Medicare Advantage program are remaining steady. Since the Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010 through 2013, Medicare Advantage premiums have fallen by 10 percent and enrollment is increasing by 28 percent. The average estimated basic Medicare prescription drug plan (PDP) premium is projected to hold steady from last year, at $30 for 2013.

THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE CORPS

Photo Credit:  U.S. Navy.

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health care law increases access to primary care through the National Health Service Corps
Investments help ease cost of professional schooling for clinicians, students

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced that $229.4 million was invested in the National Health Service Corps in 2012 to support more doctors and nurses and increase access to primary care. These investments included nearly 4,600 loan repayment and scholarship awards to clinicians and students, and grants to 32 states to support state loan repayment programs.

"Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, the National Health Service Corps is providing loans and scholarships to more doctors, nurses, and other health care providers, so more people get the care they need," said Secretary Sebelius. "National Health Service Corps clinicians are providing care to approximately 10.4 million patients across the country."

The National Health Service Corps provides financial, professional and educational resources to medical, dental, and mental and behavioral health care providers who bring their skills to areas of the United States with limited access to health care.

With nearly 10,000 providers, the National Health Service Corps has nearly tripled since 2008. In addition to Corps clinicians currently providing care, nearly 1,000 students, residents, and health providers receive scholarships or participate in the Student to Service Loan Repayment program to prepare to practice.

Today’s announcement was made in conjunction with the celebration of the National Health Service Corps’ annual Corps Community Day.

Established in 1970, the National Health Service Corps, administered by HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration, has provided health care to communities across the country by supporting more than 42,000 primary health care practitioners over its 40-year history.

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES KATHLEEN SEBELIUS SPEAKS ON ERADICATING POLIO WORLDWIDE

SEC. OF HHS KATHLEEN SEBELIUS

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
The Legacy of a Polio-Free World

September 27, 2012
New York, NY
Thank you, Senator Wirth. Excellencies and distinguished guests, on behalf of President Obama and the American people, I want to begin by saying how proud we are to be part of the international effort to eradicate polio.

When I was born, polio was still a feared disease in the United States. It was still common to see Americans stricken with the disease on crutches and in wheelchairs. In 1952, when I was four, our country suffered its worst outbreak yet. More than 21,000 people were paralyzed and 3,000 died, most of them children.

Three years later, the Salk vaccine was introduced. And over the course of the next decades, I got to witness a modern miracle: a disease that once struck fear into the heart of every American parent disappearing completely.

This January, I was fortunate to be in New Delhi as we marked the latest milestone in the world’s effort to eradicate the disease: a full year since India’s last case of polio. A decade ago, India accounted for 85 percent of new polio cases worldwide. Today, India is the latest proof that when a country makes polio eradication a social movement and creates an inescapable accountability process, we can eliminate polio anywhere.

I want to commend the governments of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nigeria for establishing their own emergency action plans. And I want to reiterate the United States’ continuing support for global eradication. We must get over the finish line. And that means strengthening systems down to the most remote village so that every child benefits from the protection vaccines can offer.

Over the last 20 years, the US has invested more than $2.1 billion in polio eradication, in partnership with WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International, additional donor nations, affected countries, and the Gates Foundation.

But if we are going to wipe out polio once and for all, now is the time to redouble our efforts. As long as the polio virus survives, there is risk of resurgence. And the longer we take to eradicate the disease, the longer we will have to wait to free up resources that can be devoted to other urgent health needs.

That’s why the United States has significantly increased our financial support for polio eradication over the last four years. And it’s why in December, we committed our full scientific capabilities to the effort as well, activating the CDC’s Emergency Operations Center, which allows for better coordination in our international efforts.

Now, we need all donors and partners to do their part, with affected countries in the lead. A future in which polio is a childhood memory for the people of every country is within reach. But we will only get there if each of us fully commits to the final push.

Thank you.

MALE DNA IN THE FEMALE BRAIN

Credit:  Wikimedia.

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Some Women's Brains Contain Male DNA: Study

Health implications are unclear, researchers say.

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 26 (HealthDay News) -- Male DNA and cells are commonly found in some women's brains and most likely come from male fetuses, according to a small new study.

The medical implications of male DNA and male cells in women's brains are unknown. Previous studies of microchimerism -- the presence of genetic material and cells that were exchanged between fetuses and mothers during pregnancy -- have linked it to autoimmune diseases and cancer in both helpful and harmful ways.

Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle analyzed brain autopsy specimens from 59 women who died between the ages of 32 and 101. Male DNA was detected in 63 percent of the women and was distributed in various brain regions. The oldest woman with male DNA was 94.

Thirty-three of the 59 women in the study had Alzheimer's disease. These women had a somewhat lower prevalence of male DNA, which was present in lower concentrations in regions of the brain most affected by Alzheimer's.

Because of the small number of women in the study and their largely unknown pregnancy history, it is not possible to establish a link between Alzheimer's disease and levels of male DNA and cells from a fetus, the researchers said in a cancer center news release.

They also added that the study does not show an association between male microchimerism in women's brains and their health or risk of disease. Further research is needed to investigate this area.

The study was published Sept. 26 in the journal PLoS One.

HHS SECRETARY SEBELIUS SAYS MENTAL HEALTH CARE IMPROVES WITH AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Health care law increases number of mental and behavioral health providers
Affordable Care Act grants also help military personnel, veterans and families

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced a new program, made possible by the Affordable Care Act, which will boost the number of social workers and psychologists who work with Americans in rural areas, military personnel, veterans, and their families.

Through the Mental and Behavioral Health Education and Training grant program, $9.8 million is being awarded to 24 graduate social work and psychology schools and programs for three-year grants. The grants will help eligible institutions of higher education – including accredited schools of social work and psychology and accredited psychology internship programs – to recruit students and provide support for clinical training in mental and behavioral health.

"Mental health services are critical for those dealing with posttraumatic stress and other severe problems," Secretary Sebelius said. "Increasing the number and quality of providers to care for these individuals is a major step forward in addressing these challenges."

Mental health conditions are among the top five chronic illnesses in the United States. This program addresses a critical need for more mental and behavioral health providers, especially those trained in trauma and abuse, combat-related stress, substance abuse, and the needs of chronically ill people and their families.

HHS SAYS AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WILL SAVE SENIORS $5000 OVER 12 YEARS

Photo: HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Through the Affordable Care Act, Americans with Medicare will save $5,000 through 2022
5.5 million seniors saved money on prescription drugs and 19 million got free preventive care in 2012
Because of the health care law – the Affordable Care Act – the average person with traditional Medicare will save $5,000 from 2010 to 2022, according to a report today from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. People with Medicare who have high prescription drug costs will save much more – more than $18,000 – over the same period.

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius also announced that, because of the health care law, more than 5.5 million seniors and people with disabilities saved nearly $4.5 billion on prescription drugs since the law was enacted. Seniors in the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap known as the donut hole have saved an average of $641 in the first eight months of 2012 alone. This includes $195 million in savings on prescriptions for diabetes, over $140 million on drugs to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and $75 million on cancer drugs so far this year. Also in the first eight months of 2012, more than 19 million people with original Medicare received at least one preventive service at no cost to them.

"I am pleased that the health care law is helping so many seniors save money on their prescription drug costs," Secretary Sebelius said. "A $5,000 savings will go a long way for many beneficiaries on fixed incomes and tight budgets."

The health care law includes benefits to make Medicare prescription drug coverage more affordable. In 2010, anyone with Medicare who hit the prescription drug donut hole received a $250 rebate. In 2011, people with Medicare who hit the donut hole began receiving a 50 percent discount on covered brand-name drugs and a discount on generic drugs. These discounts and Medicare coverage gradually increase until 2020, when the donut hole will be closed.

The health care law also makes it easier for people with Medicare to stay healthy. Prior to 2011, people with Medicare had to pay for many preventive health services. These costs made it difficult for people to get the health care they needed. For example, before the health care law passed, a person with Medicare could pay as much as $160 for a colorectal cancer screening. Because of the Affordable Care Act, many preventive services are now offered free to beneficiaries (with no deductible or co-pay) so the cost is no longer a barrier for seniors who want to stay healthy and treat problems early.

In 2012 alone, 19 million people with traditional Medicare have received at least one preventive service at no cost to them. This includes 1.9 million who have taken advantage of the Annual Wellness Visit provided by the Affordable Care Act – almost 600,000 more than had used this service by this point in the year in 2011. In 2011, an estimated 32.5 million people with traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage received one or more preventive benefits free of charge.

DANGERS OF TATTOO INFECTIONS

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
The bottom photo shows a tattoo infected with a nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) bacteria. It is provided courtesy of Matthew J. Mahlberg, M.D., Dermatology Associates of Colorado, Englewood, Colo., and was obtained by Sarah Jackson, MPH, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Contaminated Tattoo Inks can Cause Dangerous Infections
Tattoo inks and the pigments used to color them can become contaminated by bacteria, mold, and fungi. In the last year, inks contaminated with a family of bacteria called nontuberculous Mycobacteria have caused serious infections in at least four states. Some bacteria in this family can cause lung disease, joint infection, eye problems and other organ infections. The skin ointments provided by tattoo parlors are not effective against them.

Typical symptoms appear 2-3 weeks after tattooing: a red rash with swelling in the tattooed area, possibly accompanied by itching or pain. It often just looks like an allergic reaction, but without prompt and proper treatment, an infection could spread beyond the tattoo or become complicated by a secondary infection.

If you suspect you may have a tattoo-related infection, the Food and Drug Administration recommends you:
Contact your health care professional
Report the problem to the tattoo artist
Report the problem to MedWatch, on the Web or at 1-800-332-1088

Tattoo artists can minimize the risk of infection by using inks that have been formulated or processed to ensure they are free from disease-causing bacteria, while also avoiding the use of non-sterile water to dilute the inks or wash the skin. Non-sterile water includes tap, bottled, filtered or distilled water.

HHS SAYS AFFORDABLE CARE ACT SAVED CONSUMERS $2.1 BILLION ON PREMIUMS

Photo Credit:  U.S. Navy
FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Health care law saved an estimated $2.1 billion for consumers

The health care law – the Affordable Care Act – has saved consumers an estimated $2.1 billion on health insurance premiums according to a new report released today by the Department of Health and Human Services. For the first time ever, new rate review rules in the health care law prevent insurance companies in all states from raising rates with no accountability or transparency. To date, rate review has helped save an estimated $1 billion for Americans. Additionally, the law’s Medical Loss Ratio (or 80/20) rule is helping deliver rebates worth $1.1 billion to nearly 13 million consumers.

"The health care law is holding insurance companies accountable and saving billions of dollars for families across the country," Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said. "Thanks to the law, our health care system is more transparent and more competitive, and that’s saving Americans real money."

Beginning Sept. 1, 2011, the health care law implemented federal rate review standards. These rules ensure that, in every state, insurance companies are required to publicly submit for review and justify their actions if they want to raise rates by 10 percent or more.

To assist states in this effort, the Affordable Care Act provides states with Health Insurance Rate Review Grants to enhance their rate review programs and bring greater transparency to the process. 42 states have used their rate review grant funds to make the rate review process stronger and more transparent.

These rules have brought more transparency and accountability to our health insurance marketplace and saved money for consumers. The report released today shows that because of rate review, consumers saved approximately $1 billion in premiums in the individual and small group markets.

This initiative is one of many in the health care law aimed at saving money for consumers and specifically works in conjunction with the 80/20 rule, which requires insurance companies to generally spend 80 percent of premiums on health care or provide rebates to their customers. Insurance companies that did not meet the 80/20 rule will provide nearly 13 million Americans with more than $1.1 billion in rebates this year. Americans receiving the rebate will benefit from an average rebate of $151 per household.