- New USPSTF HIV Testing Recommendation – The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released a new Recommendation Statement on screening for HIV. USPSTF gave a “Grade A” recommendation for routine HIV screening for all people aged 15 to 65, as well as younger adolescents and older adults who are at an increased risk for HIV infection. It also gave a “Grade A” recommendation for HIV screening for all pregnant women, including those in labor whose HIV status is unknown. Implementation of these recommendations will aid substantially in efforts to improve the HIV treatment cascade and achieve the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. The “Grade A” recommendation is important because under the Affordable Care Act, private health insurance policies created after March 23, 2010 are required to offer all preventive services that have been given an “A” or “B” recommendation by USPSTF , at no extra cost to the consumer. The law also gives state Medicaid programs financial incentives to cover USPSTF-recommended preventive services for adults. With these new USPSTF recommendations, more Americans will receive HIV screening with no out-of-pocket expenses. Read the Screening for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) fact sheet to learn more about the recommendation. Learn more about the importance of the new USPSTF’s Recommendation Statement.
- Obama Administration Simplifies, Significantly Shortens Application for Health Insurance - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the application for health coverage has been simplified and significantly shortened. The application for individuals without health insurance has been reduced from twenty-one (21) to three (3) pages. The application for families is reduced by two-thirds. The consumer friendly forms are much shorter than industry standards for health insurance applications today. For the first time consumers will be able to fill out one simple application and see their entire range of health insurance options. The online version of the application will be a dynamic experience that shortens the application process based on individuals’ responses. This consumer-focused approach will facilitate the enrollment of millions of Americans into affordable, high quality coverage while minimizing the administrative burden on states, individuals and health plans. The new application is one more step toward meeting the promise of helping millions of Americans access quality, affordable health coverage. Read the full press release. Learn more information about the Health Insurance Marketplace. The application, which can be submitted starting on October 1, can be found on The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
- New Tools to Educate Consumers and Providers about HIPAA Privacy and Security - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has developed a range of new tools to educate consumers and health care providers about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy and Security Rules. The HIPAA Privacy Rule protects the privacy of an individual’s recognizable health information. The HIPAA Security Rule sets national standards for the security of protected electronic health information. OCR has posted a series of factsheets, also available in eight languages, to inform consumers about their rights under the HIPAA Privacy Rule. The fact sheets compliment a set of seven videos released earlier this year on OCR’s YouTube channel. OCR has also launched three modules for health care providers on compliance with various aspects of the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules. For more information, please visit Health Information Privacy or Guidance Materials for Consumers.
- HHS Announces Actions to Improve Safety and Quality of Child Care - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed a new regulation that will require states, territories and tribes to strengthen their standards to better promote the health, safety and school readiness of children in federally funded child care. Under the proposed rule, states would require that all CCDF-funded child care providers: receive health and safety trainings in specific areas; comply with applicable state and local fire, health and building codes; receive comprehensive background checks (including fingerprinting); and receive on-site monitoring. The proposed rule would only apply directly to child care providers who accept Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) funds. More than 500,000 providers serve about 1.6 million low-income children through CCDF. The rule would also require states to share information with parents through user-friendly websites about provider health, safety and licensing information. HHS is requesting the public’s input on this proposed regulation. Read the full press release.
- House Bill Aims to Expand Nutrition Education - Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-PA, has introduced a bill that would require local education agencies participating in the National School Lunch program to provide 50 hours of nutrition education to students each year under its wellness policy. The bill, known as the Nutrition Education Act, recommends that nutrition education be integrated not only into health courses, but incorporated into traditional course subjects like math and science. With enjoyable, developmentally-appropriate and culturally-relevant activities children will learn about the importance of nutritional energy balance (caloric food intake vs. physical activity). Read a summary of the bill of the full bill.
- EPA Takes Action against Violators of the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule – EPA announced 17 enforcement actions for violations of the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting rule (RRP). The RRP rule protects homeowners and tenants from dangerous lead dust that can be left behind after common renovation, repair, and painting work. The alleged violations included failure to follow the lead-safe work practices, which are critical to reducing exposure to lead-based paint hazards. On April 22, 2008, EPA issued a rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices and other actions aimed at preventing lead poisoning. Under the rule, beginning in April 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Read the full press release.
- Nutritious Summer Meals Available to Children in Need - The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) was established in 1968 to ensure that low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. Free summer meals (breakfast, lunch, or snacks) are served to children in low-income areas at sites such as neighborhood parks, libraries, schools, places of worship, mobile buses, and recreation centers. Section 103 of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-296) signed into law on Dec. 13, 2010, removed limits on the number of sites that private nonprofit organizations may operate in SFSP. For a SFSP site to be eligible, 50 percent or more of the children in a Census Block Group (CBG) must be eligible for free or reduced price school meals. SFSP provides an opportunity to continue a child’s physical and social development while providing nutritious meals during long vacation periods from school. It helps children return to school ready to learn. More than 2.28 million children participated at almost 39,000 sites in the summer of 2012. For more information, visit Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
- Preparedness law allowed Boston to quickly pool medical resources - A Massachusetts law enacted in 2010 allowed Boston-area hospitals on Monday, April 15 to quickly gather medical supplies and resources following the bombings that killed three and injured 176 persons. The Massachusetts Mutual Aid Law, an opt-in intrastate and interstate mutual aid law, allows hospitals in the center of disaster zones to employ medical professionals credentialed in other hospitals to help with providing health services immediately after a disaster. Following the marathon explosions, health professionals and ordinary citizens who sought to offer assistance were also protected from liability by Massachusetts Good Samaritan laws. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has three types of mutual aid agreements: Intrastate, Interstate and International Agreements. Under varying conditions, each agreement allows the state to send or request for aid in the event of a disaster. The law also allows the state to overcome credentialing and liability issues that have hampered rescue efforts in the past. Read the full story here. Learn more about the Massachusetts Mutual Aid Law.
- Abstinence Added to Sex-Ed Legislation by State Senators: House Needs To Reconsider the Bill – The Colorado Senate sent House Bill 13-1081, a bill designed to update standards for sex education in Colorado schools, back to the state House of Representatives for additional consideration. The Senate added requirements that sex education programs emphasize abstinence. The revised Bill sets new standards that address safe sex, abstinence and requires parents to opt-out of sex education classes instead of the former requirement that they approve their children’s participation. It would require funds be spent on age-appropriate, evidence-based, culturally sensitive, medically accurate, comprehensive human sexuality programs that emphasize positive youth development. Read the full version of Colorado’s Sex-Ed Legislation here. Currently, twenty-two states and the District of Columbia require public schools to teach sex education; thirty-three states and the District of Columbia require students receive instruction about HIV/AIDS; eighteen states require sex education curricula to be medically accurate and/or age appropriate. Policies about parental involvement vary, with thirty-seven states and the District of Columbia requiring school districts to allow parental involvement in sexual education programs. Learn more about State Policies on Sex Education in Schools here.
- EPA Proposes Achievable Cleaner Fuels and Cars Standard, Slashing Air Pollution and Providing Extensive Health Benefits - Based on extensive input from auto manufacturers, refiners, and states, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed sensible standards for cars and gasoline that will significantly reduce harmful pollution and prevent thousands of premature deaths and illnesses. Once fully in place, the standards will help prevent up to 2,400 premature deaths per year and 23,000 cases of respiratory ailments in children. The proposal will also reduce vehicle emissions of toxic air pollutants and exposure to pollution near roads. More than 50 million people live, work, or go to school in close proximity to high-traffic roadways. The EPA’s proposal is estimated to provide up to seven dollars in health benefits for every dollar spent to meet the standards. The proposed standards will work together with California’s clean cars and fuels program to create a harmonized nationwide vehicle emissions program that enables automakers to sell the same vehicles in all 50 states. The standards will maximize reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, air pollutants and air toxics from cars and light trucks. Once published in the Federal Register, the proposal will be available for public comment and EPA will hold public hearings to receive further public input. Read the full press release for more information: US EPA today proposed sensible standards for cars and gasoline
- Congress Caps Funding on AIDS Drugs - Part B of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009 provides grant funding to States and U.S. Territories to improve the quality, availability, and organization of HIV/AIDS health care and support services. Congress designates a portion of the Part B grant funding for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). ADAP plays a critical role in providing prescription drugs to low-income people living with HIV who have limited or no access to health care services. Program funds may also be used to purchase health insurance for eligible clients and for services that enhance access to, adherence to, and monitoring of drug treatments. Recently, Congress passed legislation that will cap spending for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) at approximately $900 million. Even as the cost of drugs have continued to rise, over the years Congress has taken drastic action to increase funding for ADAPs. Pressure on ADAP resources has increased significantly with price increase for AIDS drugs outpacing funding for ADAP. With the spending cap, pressure will shift to companies who make AIDS drugs to lower prices in order to prevent waiting lists for lifesaving care. To learn more about ADAP, read Part B – AIDS Drug Assistance Program.
- Health Information exchange (HIE) - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) announced the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) plan to accelerate the health information exchange (HIE). This will build a seamless and secure flow of information essential to transforming the health care system. This year HHS will encourage Medicare Advantage plans to expand the use of Blue Button to provide beneficiaries with one-click secure access to their health information. Blue Button is a VA initiative that allows Veterans to download their personal health information from their My HealtheVet account. The goal is to continue expanding health information technology use. For more information read the entire HHS press release.
- Affordable Care Act’s Prevention Coverage - The Affordable Care Act’s prevention coverage improvements are helping millions of Americans. Three years after the passing of the Affordable Care Act, new data released from the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) indicates that about 34 million Americans in traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans have received at least one free preventive service, such as an annual wellness visit, because of the health care law. The Affordable Care Act is giving millions of Americans of all ages more value for their health care dollars. The full report on expanded preventive care for Americans with private health insurance is available online: Preventive Services. Read the entire HHS press release here
- Federal Poverty Guidelines Updated - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) poverty guidelines have been updated effective January 24, 2013. The poverty guidelines are updated at least annually and may be used to determine eligibility for a number of Federal, state or other programs. Please refer to the Federal Register for more specific guideline information.
- National Stalking Awareness Month – President Barack Obama has declared January 2013 as National Stalking Awareness Month. Millions of Americans face “fear, isolation, and the danger of being victims of stalking” each year. Many of these crimes go unreported and unprosecuted. As many as 1 in 6 women and 1 in 19 men will be stalked at some point during their lifetime. Please read the full Presidential Proclamation to find out more information and visit the National Stalking Awareness Month website to find out ways to support victims of stalking.
- Consolidation of Massachusetts Housing Authorities – Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick filed legislation on January 10, 2013 to consolidate the state’s 240 housing authorities into six regional housing authorities and builds on the steps the Patrick-Murray Administration has taken to increase “transparency, accountability, performance, efficiency, innovation and cost savings in the state’s public housing system.” His office states that this move will “professionalize, modernize and regionalize the operations and financial management of the Commonwealth’s housing authorities.” The proposal is designed to change the “governance structure of the housing authority system in order to protect the safety net that public housing provides for the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable families, seniors and persons with disabilities.” The new system will take effect in July 2014.
- The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has released Program Assistance Letter (PAL) 2013-03: Alignment of EHB Change in Scope Module with Change in Scope Policy – This PAL provides information regarding updates and enhancements to the Health Center Program Change in Scope (CIS) module of the HRSA Electronic Handbooks (EHB) system. The CIS module in EHB facilitates a health center’s request for a change to its approved scope of project and the HRSA CIS prior approval review process. The updates communicated in the PAL are intended to better align the CIS submission and review processes with existing Health Center Program scope of project policies. HRSA has reviewed, revised and streamlined the module – specifically the sets of questions, or “checklists,” for each type of CIS request – to align more fully with current CIS policy guidance and criteria and to provide further clarification on what is required as part of the health center’s CIS request submission. In implementing the enhancements presented in this PAL, HRSA will continue to follow the criteria outlined in the CIS PINs in reviewing a request to change the approved scope of project that requires prior approval. These changes will become effective January 31, 2013. HRSA encourages all health centers to review the PAL, available HERE Technical assistance and training information, including the updated CIS question checklists and User Guides, will soon be available on the HRSA Bureau of Primary Health Care website.
- EHR Interim Final Rule with Comment Period - The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued an interim final rule with comment period to replace the Data Element Catalog (DEC) standard and the Quality Reporting Document Architecture (QRDA) Category III standard adopted in the final rule published on September 4, 2012 in the Federal Register with updated versions of those standards. Public comment is allowed for this interim final rule until 5 p.m. February 5, 2013. Please visit this Federal Register link for more information.
- October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – The Affordable Care Act covers many important preventive health services and it is important for you to keep up-to-date with mammograms (breast health tests). Tests are covered every one to two years for women over age 40. For more information about breast cancer testing, please click HERE
- Innovative outreach: California Healthy Food Financing Initiative – California Healthy Food Financing Initiative is a legislation to ensure access to fresh fruits and vegetables and healthy food options. Governor Brown signed AB 581 into law during the week of October 10, 2011. The State Department of Public Health must comply with the legislation by developing a “Healthy Food Purchase” pilot program to increase the buying and selling of fresh produce in low-income communities. For more information on this legislation, please click HERE
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Health Discrimination Awareness - The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community is exempt from sexual discrimination for any health program or activity. This includes financial assistance from the government, insurance, and other benefits. Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18116) provides that an individual “shall not be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination on the grounds prohibited under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. (sex), the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, 42 U.S.C. 6101 et seq (age), or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 794 (disability)…” For more information on this legislation, please see page 166 of PPACA HERE
- Suicide Awareness and Prevention - In 2009, suicide was the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S. For every one person who dies by suicide, more than 30 people attempt suicide. Suicide causes immense pain and anguish to families, communities, and results in emotional and economic suffering due to lost productivity and medical costs. Based on the devastating statistics, the U.S. Surgeon General and the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) have created the 2012 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. For further information about the initiative, please click HERE
- Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations - As of 2009, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has updated their 2002 recommendations to evaluate U.S. breast cancer screening strategies. The results are intended to contribute to practice and guideline policy debates. The studies reveal that a screening every two years “achieves most of the benefit of annual screening with less harm”. Decisions on frequency of breast cancer screenings are individually unique and may be based on differences in consideration of benefits, harms, and resources. For the full report, please click HERE
- New York City Board of Health Today Voted to Enact the Administration’s Proposal To Limit Size of Sugary Beverages Sold in Food Service Establishments - According to a press release issued by New York City Government, the New York City Board of Health passed the Administration’s proposal to limit the size of sugary beverages sold in food service establishments to 16 ounces. This regulation was adopted to combat the growing obesity epidemic that causes 6,000 New Yorkers to die each year. Sugary beverages with more than 25 calories per every eight ounces must be 16 ounces or less. The new regulation, which was adopted on September 13, 2012, will go into effect on March 12, 2013. Establishments, which include movie theaters, concessions, delis, and restaurants, have six months to comply with the regulation. To find out more about the proposal, please click HERE
- Senators ask Surgeon General to Study Link Between Sugary Drinks and Obesity – U.S. Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, Ron Wyden and Richard Blumenthal wrote a letter to the U.S. Surgeon General, the Honorable Regina Benjamin, on September 12, 2012. The senators requested additional research on the impact of sugary beverages on obesity in the United States. Lautenberg states that soda consumption and obesity have both increased in the United States in the past few decades. In addition, public health officials recommend limited consumption of soda and sugary beverages. Lautenberg initially “filed an amendment to the Farm Bill requiring a study, but it was not included in the bill approved in the Senate.” To find out more about the proposal, please click HERE and HERE
- Policy Information Notices (PINs) – The Health Resources and Services Administration provides updated information for their policies and procedures that grantees funded under Section 330 must follow. These policy and procedures are indicated by Policy Information Notices (PINs). The Program Assistance Letters (PALs) explains and summarizes items of significance for health centers. For example HRSA program implementation activities, recently enacted laws, final regulations and/or new HHS initiatives and many more items. For more information on the most recent or most viewed PINs and PALs please visit this LINK. Additionally, please find the most recent and most viewed PINs and PALs on our website. They can be found at the following links below:
- Most viewed Policy Information Notices (PINs) Links HERE & HERE
- Most viewed Program Assistance Letters (PALs) Links HERE , HERE & HERE
- Most recent Program Assistance Letters (PALs) Links HERE , HERE , HERE , HERE & HERE
- An important announcement from HRSA – PAL 2013-02 – Uniform Data System Changes for Calendar Year (CY) 2013 The changes to UDS reporting affect all Health Center Program grantees. The changes are to be reported in early 2014. The changes include: (1) two revised clinical measures; (2) and reporting patients by zip codes, insurance source, and age categories. Click here for more information on the upcoming changes http://bphc.hrsa.gov/policiesregulations/policies/pal201302.html .
- FEMA – Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act – According to the Department of Homeland Security, Section 416 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, (Stafford Act) (42 U.S.C. 183) Public Law 93-288, the President is authorized to provide financial assistance to the United States for survivors of major disasters. As of October 11, 2012, professional counseling services are available to alleviate mental health problems caused by or worsened due to a major disaster. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has classified Section 416 of the Stafford Act at section 44 CFR 206.171 titled Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training. For more information and to leave comments, please visit HERE
- Health Care Policy in the Election – The day after the November 6, 2012 elections, Kaiser Health News reported the results of several state health initiatives. In Missouri, voters decided against increasing state tobacco tax which would have helped to fund tobacco control programs and public education (Gold, 2012). The state continues to have the lowest cigarette tax in the country. Missourians also voted for the approval of Proposition E, thereby joining eight other states that do not participate in state health insurance exchanges (Gold, 2012). For further information please click HERE
- Advisory Panel Moves to Make HIV Testing Routine - The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force made a progressive step that recommended “HIV screening for all Americans aged 15 to 65” (NIH, 2012). Previously, only high-risk adults and adolescents were recommended for HIV screening. Routine testing may help to reduce some of the stigma surrounding HIV testing. The Affordable Care Act will cover preventive services that are recommended by the task force, which now includes the HIV screenings. Preventive measures like screenings accelerate testing and treatment and improve public health. For further information, please click HERE
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