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The Middle Class Task Force, chaired by Vice President Joe Biden, has unveiled a series of initiatives in the President's FY 11 budget to help families with soaring child care costs, balancing work with caring for elderly relatives or people with disabilities, paying for college, and saving for retirement. The nearly $103 million investment proposed by the Task Force will support more respite care, counseling, training, referrals and adult day care.
The Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury today jointly issued new rules providing parity for consumers enrolled in group health plans who need treatment for mental health or substance use disorders. The new rules prohibit group health insurance plans, typically offered by employers, from restricting access to care by limiting benefits and requiring higher patient costs than those that apply to general medical or surgical benefits. The rules implement the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA).
American Sign Language (ASL) videos and captions about the H1N1 (swine) flu, including public service announcements and information on symptoms and prevention. Includes videos provided by Health Information Translations and DeafMD.org.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced its decision to cover Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection screening for Medicare beneficiaries who are at increased risk for the infection, including women who are pregnant and Medicare beneficiaries of any age who voluntarily request the service. For more information about this decision read the Decision Memo for Screening for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection.
The next Community Living Program (CLP) and Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) meeting will take place from February 22-24, 2010 in Alexandria, VA. The meeting objectives include increasing grantees' knowledge of successful strategies in establishing partnerships for achieving reform of the long-term services and supports system. Presentation proposals are due December 15, 2009.
This conference, which will take place from March 17-19, 2010 in Orlando, Florida, builds on the report Ending an American Tragedy: Addressing the Needs of Justice-Involved People with Mental Illnesses and Co-Occurring Disorders. The GAINS Center's primary focus is on expanding access to community based services for adults diagnosed with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders at all points of contact with the justice system.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has withdrawn a proposed rule entitled Medicaid Program; Coverage for Rehabilitative Services (72 FR 45201) that was published in the Federal Register on August 13, 2007. This rule proposed to amend the definition of Medicaid rehabilitative services to include a requirement for a person-centered written rehabilitation plan and maintenance of case records. The notice of withdrawal of this proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register on November 23, 2009. Questions about the withdrawal notice should be directed to the CMS Office of Legislation.
Having a disability alone may not make someone at higher risk for complications from the H1N1 virus, but other factors may put people with certain disabilities at higher risk. People who have difficultly breathing (ventilator users and individuals with asthma and other respiratory conditions); individuals who have difficulty fighting infections or who are immunocompromised; and people of any age who have chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or sickle cell anemia, are at higher risk of acquiring the H1N1 infection. Visit the Flu Shot Locator to find places near you to get a flu shot.
The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has announced the release of more than $2.6 billion to states to help low income citizens with their heating bills this year. These funds are grants to states, tribes and territories under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Energy assistance is important to all that receive it, but especially for the elderly, children and people with disabilities. For information about applying for LIHEAP assistance, please contact your local office.
The National Council on Disability (NCD) today released a report calling for immediate health care reform for people with disabilities. The report provides a road map for eliminating the pervasive barriers to health care for people with disabilities, which will improve the quality of life, productivity, and well-being of greater numbers of Americans as the population ages. The complete report can be downloaded in PDF or Word formats.
The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Education (ED) have announced new guidance for institutions of higher education to plan for and respond to the upcoming flu season. A Preparing for the Flu toolkit is available for these institutions, in addition to a recently released toolkit for businesses and employers to help them prepare for the 2009-2010 flu season.
Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced more than $25.7 million in grants to increase and improve health and support services at the nation's health centers. Patients receive care at health centers regardless of their ability to pay. The centers offer many forms of medical care including checkups, immunizations for children, dental care and prescription drugs, and mental health and substance abuse services.
New regulations have been issued by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) requiring health care providers, health plans and other entities covered by the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) to notify individuals when their health information is breached. The regulations require health care providers and other HIPAA covered entities to promptly notify affected individuals of a breach in the privacy of their records, as well as the HHS Secretary and the media in cases where a breach affects more than 500 individuals.
The International Brain Injury Association's World Congress is the largest gathering of international professionals working in the field of brain injury. Delegates include physicians, psychologists and neuropsychologists, therapists, social workers, nurses, case managers, legal professionals, advocates and all others working in the field of brain injury. The conference will take place in Washington, DC from March 10-14, 2010.
The annual conference of the National Council on Aging and the American Society on Aging will take place March 15-19, 2010 in Chicago, IL. This conference brings together professionals from the fields of aging, health care and education. Request a conference brochure for more information.
Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced $40 million in grants to 69 grantees in 41 states and the District of Columbia to help them find and enroll children who are uninsured but eligible for either Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Find your state's CHIP contact.
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