Health

New standard to protect millions of the nation’s most vulnerable citizens

11/17/2009 -- WASHINGTON – For the first time in nearly 40 years, EPA is proposing to strengthen the nation’s sulfur dioxide (SO2) air quality standard to protect public health. Power plants and other industrial facilities emit SO2 directly into the air. Exposure to SO2 can aggravate asthma, cause respiratory difficulties, and result in emergency room visits and hospitalization. People with asthma, children, and the elderly are especially vulnerable to SO2’s effects.    » read more »

November 17, 2009 -- HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced the appointment of new Regional Directors of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

"HHS welcomes Cristal, Marjorie, Judy and Susan and we look forward to working with them to achieve HHS' mission to protect the health of all Americans and provide essential human services," Secretary Sebelius said. "Their individual experience and knowledge of our department's most important issues, as well as local understanding of the people and institutions in their respective Regions make them a welcome addition to HHS."

* Cristal Thomas, Regional Director Region V (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI)
* Marjorie McColl Petty, Regional Director Region VI, (AR, LA, NM, OK, TX)    » read more »

Zogby Interactive Survey Finds Concern Over Vaccine Safety Cited As Top Reason

Utica, NY - As the H1N1 swine flu vaccine becomes increasingly available, 46% of adults who are considered by the CDC to be members of high priority groups plan to ignore the CDC's recommendation for vaccination. The Zogby International interactive survey also finds that the top reasons high risk adults plan to skip the vaccine include concern over the safety of the vaccine (38%) and a general sense that they simply do not need the vaccine (32%).    » read more »

Statement of Charles D. Connor, American Lung Association President and CEO

(November 17, 2009) -- Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new limits on the toxic air pollutant sulfur dioxide in the outdoor air. This health standard has not been revised since 1971. The American Lung Association welcomes this long overdue action and urges EPA to set a standard at a level that truly protects public health. Inhaling sulfur dioxide (SO2) makes it hard for people with asthma to breathe. High levels of SO2 force people to the emergency room and to hospitals because they have trouble breathing.    » read more »

Vote Expected This Week; Bill Repeals Broken Physician Payment Formula That Hurts Access to Care for Seniors and Military Families

Nov. 17, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. –Today, leading advocates for seniors, military families and physicians joined together to call for passage of legislation in the House that will preserve access to care for seniors, baby boomers and military families through repeal of the broken Medicare physician payment formula.

A vote on H.R. 3961, the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act of 2009, is expected this week, and the American Medical Association (AMA), AARP and the Military Officers of America (MOAA) call on members of Congress to honor the federal government's obligations to seniors and military families and pass the bill.    » read more »

Ranks 1 for Third Year in a Row in 20th Anniversary Edition of America’s Health Rankings

November 17, 2009 -- Montpelier, Vt. — United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention today released the 20th Anniversary Edition of America’s Health Rankings™ showing that Vermont ranks 1st when compared to the health of other states. This is the 3rd year in a row that Vermont has been at the top of the rankings.    » read more »

Baldacci Names Task Force to Implement New Medical Marijuana Law

November 17, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today announced the names of the appointments to the Committee on the Implementation of the Maine Medical Marijuana Act. The Governor created the task force by Executive Order on Nov. 6, following the medical marijuana law approved by Maine voters. The Governor said the task force would advise him on the appropriate way to implement the new law with safeguards to protect public health and safety.

The Governor appointed 10 members of the 14-member task force. In addition, two members of the Senate have been appointed by the President of the Senate and two members House of Representatives by the Speaker of the House.    » read more »

NEW YORK & GENEVA -- Pfizer Inc and Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) have signed an agreement that is designed to facilitate advancements in the battle against human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and Chagas disease, which afflict vulnerable populations in the developing world. Under the agreement, DNDi will have access to the Pfizer library of novel chemical entities, in order to screen it for compounds that have the potential to be developed into new treatments.    » read more »

Washington, DC, Nov 17 -- Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) introduced H. Res. 910 today, National Memory Screening Day, to promote awareness of Alzheimer’s disease, to support the development of a national health policy on dementia screening and care, and to encourage Americans concerned about memory loss to be screened. The resolution has bipartisan support.

“I am promoting awareness of Alzheimer’s disease because scientific research has demonstrated that early medical treatment would be beneficial to millions of Americans who suffer from Alzheimer’s and early access to counseling and support services is helpful to those who are caregivers,” said Congresswoman Waters. “Awareness and early detection of memory loss therefore are essential.”    » read more »

Affordable Health Care for America Act Will Provide Tax Credits to 11,700 Small Businesses in Ohio’s 18th Congressional District

11/17/09 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. — Continuing his efforts to ensure that health reform legislation is good for consumers, small businesses, rural health providers, and seniors in Ohio’s 18th Congressional District, U.S. Representative Zack Space (OH-18) today reiterated his support for H.R. 3962, legislation that will help small businesses struggling with rising health care costs.

The Space-supported legislation will allow 13,100 small businesses in OH-18 to obtain affordable health care coverage and provide tax credits to reduce health insurance costs for 11,700 small businesses.    » read more »

11/17/09 -- Washington, D.C.--The following is a statement by Congressman Eliot Engel in response to the report released today on the changes to Mammography Guidelines by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).

“I am concerned by USPSTF's recommendations that women in their forties should no longer routinely get annual mammograms, and that older women (ages 50-74) should cut back to one scheduled exam every other year.    » read more »

Bill Will Guarantee Up to Seven Days of Paid Sick Leave for Workers Infected By the H1N1 Virus

November 17, 2009 -- Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-3) today will introduce emergency legislation that will guarantee paid sick days for those who are infected by the H1N1 virus. Last week, Dodd chaired, and Congresswoman DeLauro testified at, a hearing of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Children and Families in response to the H1N1 pandemic.    » read more »

November 17, 2009 -- The current pandemic of H1N1 influenza highlights vulnerabilities in the world’s plans for dealing with widespread health emergencies, but also offers opportunities to better prepare for more deadly epidemics that will surely arise in the future, experts said at a recent symposium held in New York City.

The 16 October meeting, sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations and the journal Science, brought together experts on science, economics, public health and foreign relations to assess the impact of the flu pandemic and future implications.    » read more »

November 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON—A new poll of AARP members released today finds strong support across party and ideological lines for elements of health care reform included in the Affordable Health Care for America Act, which recently passed the House of Representatives. The bill, which strictly limits how much more insurance companies can charge based on age and closes the Medicare prescription drug doughnut hole, was endorsed by AARP.    » read more »

New Report Documents Unparalleled Employer Abuse In Underreporting Of Workplace Injury And Illness

November 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – America’s workers suffer more workplace injury and illness than employers report, and medical professionals are under pressure from employers to misdiagnose and under-treat work-related health conditions, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

The report confirms what workers and worker advocacy organizations have known for a long time—Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) statistics do not reflect the real risk workers face from workplace hazards.    » read more »