HHS Weekly Report

THIS ISSUE AVAILABLE ONLINE WITH EXPANDED INFORMATION AT:
www.hhs.gov/news/newsletter/weekly

Secretary Thompson's public schedule for the week of March 3-9:

Monday, March 4
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. National Association of Counties Conference, Washington Hilton and Towers, Washington, DC

Tuesday, March 5
11:00 - 11:30 a.m. Federation of American Hospitals, Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, DC
1:30 - 2:15 p.m. Announcement of Eli Lilly and Company Senior Patient Assistance Program, Location TBD
7:00 p.m. American Ireland Fund Honoree Dinner, Residence of Ambassador and Mr. Frawley, Washington, DC

Wednesday, March 6
9:00 - 9:45 a.m. House Republican Conference, Hill Location TBD
9:45 - 12:00 p.m. House Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing, Room 2358, Rayburn House Office Building
7:15 p.m. Race for the Cure Kickoff Event, DAR Constitution Hall, Washington, DC

Thursday, March 7
11:00 - 1:00 p.m. Senate Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing, Room 192, Dirksen Senate Building

HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson joined President Bush in unveiling the Administration's vision of the next step in welfare reform.

"The President is putting the emphasis on work because he knows - as we all do- that work builds dignity, and self-reliance, and good habits for life," Secretary Thompson said. "Work contributes to society, and allows people to support their families.

The President and Secretary participated in a roundtable discussion with former welfare recipients who had entered the job market thanks to Chamber's successful welfare-to-work program, "Work First." Almost 3,900 companies have hired Work First participants - more than three-fourths of the Chamber membership.

"Over the past five years, we asked businesses to step up, look beyond the stereotypes of welfare recipients, and give these people a chance at a job," Secretary Thompson said. "That investment is paying off for businesses, families and communities. "Now, the President will be calling on you to help us with the next step of welfare reform - as we help these workers climb the job ladder and become more secure in the workforce."

This week HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson will continue the ongoing dialogue with Congress on the President's fiscal year (FY) 2003 budget. On Wednesday, March 6, Secretary Thompson will testify before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, and Education. The meeting is scheduled for 9:45 a.m. in Room 2358 of the Rayburn House Office Building. On Thursday, March 7, he will testify before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, and Education. That hearing will be held at 11 a.m. in Room 192 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

The total HHS request for FY 2003 is $488.8 billion in outlays. This is an increase of $29.2 billion, or 6.3 percent over the comparable FY 2002 budget. The discretionary component of the H-H-S budget totals $64 billion in budget authority, an increase of $2.4 billion, or 3.9 percent.

"We are moving across a broad range of endeavors to provide the people of our country with affordable, accessible and accountable health care," said Secretary Thompson.

On March 4, HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson will address the National Association of Counties (NACo) during their annual Legislative Conference. More than 2,000 elected county officials, representing over 80 percent of the nation's population, are expected to be in attendance.

"County governments are where public service goes from well-laid plans to practical, effective action," said Secretary Thompson. "They have to produce - to actually work for the people. They have to be both compassionate and efficient."

The Secretary will address the NACo Conference at 2 p.m. at the Hilton Washington and Towers, located at 1919 Connecticut Avenue, NW in Washington, DC.

He will discuss issues of bioterrorism preparedness in the wake of September 11 and recognize the critical role that county governments have played in dealing with the heightened security needs of the nation.

"The Department of Health and Human Services stands committed to providing substantial medical and public health resources to counties, states and our national health care agencies so that they can respond effectively to any act of bioterrorism," said Secretary Thompson.

The proposed fiscal year 2003 budget for HHS includes:
$4.3 billion for bioterrorism preparedness and $940 million for CDCs state and local programs
More than $500 million for the Hospital Preparedness program
Significant increases at NIH and CDC for research on vaccines and heightened security of facilities
Addition of almost 700 staff persons at FDA to ensure food safety

The Secretary will also highlight the need for greater intergovernmental cooperation and information sharing not only on issues of bioterrorism, but also in implementing the President's plan to continue reforming welfare.

"There is an important next step to welfare reform involving work, particularly helping families climb the job ladder to become more self-sufficient in the workforce, while also ensuring that those still on the caseload rolls aren’t left behind."

The Department of Health and Human Services is moving ahead with a program to help seniors save on their drug costs through a Medicare-endorsed prescription drug discount card.

CMS Administrator Thomas Scully issued a statement Thursday, Feb. 28, announcing a proposed regulation for public comment.

"A drug discount plan is not intended to be a drug benefit, but simply a first step to provide Medicare beneficiaries with better information about pharmacy services and help them buy prescription drugs at lower costs," Scully said.

Following a lawsuit that delayed the plan last year, CMS reworked and improved the program. At the same time, several drug manufacturers and states have announced new programs that provide drug discounts for low-income seniors, illustrating the kind of assistance that the drug card will further enhance, helping make affordable prescription drugs more widely available.

"Ladies and gentlemen, that's real savings - and it's more proof that this Administration is committed to health security for all Americans, young and old," HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said at an Older Americans Act listening session in Denver.

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson will help kick off the Capital Celebration, the opening event for the Race for the Cure sponsored by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

The Race for the Cure series is the largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world. In 2002, races will be held in more than 100 U.S cities and three foreign countries with over 1.3 million participants expected.

The program starts at 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 6, at the DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D St., N.W., Washington, D.C.

Secretary Thompson joined President Bush and Komen's founder, Nancy Brinker, last June at a White House discussion on breast cancer.

"As an individual who has lost a mother-in-law to breast cancer and whose wife is a survivor, I want to make sure that my two daughters, like the President's two daughters and all of our daughters, will not have this insidious disease," Thompson said.

The Secretary will reiterate the recent recommendation by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the National Cancer Institute, which called for regular mammography screenings for women 40 and older.

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson will provide taped welcoming remarks for the Communities Connecting for Coverage conference in Madison, Wisconsin on Wednesday, March 6. In a his message, the Secretary will laud efforts to increase healthcare coverage not only to children, but also to their families.

Secretary Thompson will specifically recognize the work of Covering Kids Wisconsin, a coalition of community advocates, healthcare providers, and state and local leaders who seek to enroll more children in free or low-cost health insurance programs such as Medicaid and CHIP (BadgerCare in Wisconsin).

"By increasing outreach for enrollment, simplifying the application process, coordinating coverage programs, and building public-private partnerships, Wisconsin is succeeding," he said. "I am proud to see that my home state continues to be a model for the country in expanding access to healthcare for the underserved in our communities."

The Secretary's remarks will be broadcast at 9:30 a.m. (CST) as the opening to the HealthWatch Wisconsin Town Hall Meeting

Anniversary of the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program

Secretary Tommy G. Thompson kicked off the national celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program at a volunteer center here on Friday, March 1st.

The program provides home-delivered meals and also serves seniors at centers in the "congregate meal program." Preliminary data for FY 2000 indicates that approximately 116 million congregate meals were served to 1.8 million older adults, while 142 million home-deliver meals were served to 896,000 seniors.

"If the nutrition program were a restaurant, it could erect a sign out front proclaiming: Six billion served," Secretary Thompson said at a listening session on the Older Americans Act. "For 30 years, this program not only has provided nutritious, healthy meals to older Americans, but also has touched their lives by linking them to community services that allow them to remain independent."

The Secretary spoke at a site operated by the Volunteers of America, a national, non-profit, spiritually based organization, providing local human service programs and opportunities for individuals and communities.

He also announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is extending coverage of medical nutrition therapy for Medicare recipients who are also getting self-management training for their diabetes.

"Eating right matters, especially for those who suffer from diabetes and other chronic illnesses," he said. "By covering nutrition therapy, Medicare will help beneficiaries lead healthier lives and avoid more serious illnesses that can result from inappropriate diet. It's prevention at its best."

Last updated 1 March 2002
United States Department of Health and Human Services
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