HHS Weekly Report - Text Version

HHS WEEKLY REPORT
February 9-15, 2004

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

IN THIS ISSUE:
1) HHS Releases $191.5 Million to Help Low-Income Families with Heating Costs
2) Medicare Education Campaign
3) STATEMENT BY TOMMY G. THOMPSON Secretary of Health and Human Services Regarding National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness and Information Day
4) Eating Well as We Age
5) Secretary Thompson's Public Schedule:

HHS Releases $191.5 Million to Help Low-Income Families with Heating Costs

Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced the release of an additional $191.5 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) funds for states, territories, and tribes. These funds bring the total amount of LIHEAP funds made available this winter to $1.65 billion.

"January was a particularly cold and difficult month in many states," Secretary Thompson said. "These funds will help provide heat to low-income Americans keeping their homes and families safe and warm."

LIHEAP is a block grant program that helps eligible families pay the costs of heating their homes in the winter and cooling their homes in the summer. About 4.6 million low-income households receive assistance each year.

To view LIHEAP state allotments, please visit: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2004pres/20040205.html

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Medicare Education Campaign

The Department of Health and Human Services is launching a nationwide education campaign to inform seniors about the new benefits being offered to them under the new Medicare law. The first major segment of the education campaign is a television ad that began airing last week.

Informing Beneficiaries

It is crucial that seniors and disabled Medicare beneficiaries have access to clear, concise information. We're committed to providing seniors with straight answers about the new benefits being offered to them.
As part of our fact-based education campaign, we have developed the first television ad to inform seniors broadly of some of the new benefits coming their way, particularly the prescription drug benefits.
Most importantly, the ad encourages seniors to call our toll-free helpline - 1-800-Medicare - to learn more about the new benefits being offered them.
This ad is an extension of our existing 1-800-Medicare campaign to provide seniors with the information they need to make informed choices about their health care. The 1-800-Medicare campaign started three years ago (you may recall the initial Leslie Nielsen ads).
The 1-800-Medicare campaign gives seniors a safe place to turn for straight answers.

Ad Background

The 30-second television advertisement informs seniors that it will be the same Medicare they've always counted on, plus more benefits. The ad outlines when some of the prescription drug benefits will be available, and it reassures seniors that they can choose to keep their same Medicare coverage if they prefer.
The advertisements will run through March on national network and cable programs that are heavily viewed by people with Medicare.
The cost of the network and cable ad buy is about $9.5 million. The full cost of this first campaign is expected to be about $12.6 million, which also includes development and production of the spot and a print, radio and Internet Spanish-language campaign.
The ad encourages seniors to learn more by calling 1-800-Medicare, the toll-free helpline for Medicare beneficiaries and their families or visit the www.Medicare.gov web site.

Outreach Efforts

This television campaign is part of a larger effort to educate seniors and disabled Medicare beneficiaries about significant improvements to the program.
HHS will soon send useful information to every beneficiary explaining how the new Medicare law provides improved coverage, including a prescription drug benefit. The first in a series of fact sheets - "The Facts About Upcoming New Benefits in Medicare" - is currently available at http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11054.pdf.
In addition, seniors can learn more about the new benefits by logging onto the program's website: www.Medicare.gov. The website includes frequently asked questions and answers and more specifics about the improvements being made to Medicare.

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STATEMENT BY TOMMY G. THOMPSON Secretary of Health and Human Services Regarding National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness and Information Day

On February 7, 2004, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) observed the fourth annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness and Information Day. This day serves as a springboard for action against the devastating effects HIV/AIDS continues to have on the African-American community -- stressing the need for increased awareness and testing, and access to care and treatment.

Approximately 900,000 Americans are living with HIV/AIDS -- many unknowingly -- and some 40,000 are newly infected with HIV every year. Minority communities are disproportionately hit by this epidemic. For example, though African Americans comprise 12 percent of the U.S. population, they comprised 51.7 percent of all estimated AIDS cases diagnosed in 2002. HIV/AIDS is one of the top three leading causes of death for African-American women ages 25-44, and men ages 25-54.

Responding to this national health crisis, HHS is working closely with federal, state and local partners, in addition to community and faith-based organizations.

The Bush Administration has increased overall HIV/AIDS federal spending 28 percent, from $14.2 billion in fiscal year 2001 to $18.5 billion in fiscal year 2004. Building on this commitment, the President's fiscal year 2005 budget request includes $53 million for programs that support innovative approaches to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment in minority communities. In addition, the budget request includes $784 million for the Ryan White AIDS Drug Assistance Program, an increase of $35 million to support the purchase of medications for people living with HIV/AIDS.

The Community Capacity Building Coalition, which created National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness and Information Day, is using funds provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide HIV/AIDS prevention capacity-building assistance to organizations based in African-American communities. Additionally, the Coalition's founding members -- Concerned Black Men, Inc. of Philadelphia; the Mississippi Urban Research Center at Jackson State University; Health Watch Information and Promotion Service; the National Black Alcoholism & Addiction Council; and the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS -- will be supporting events in 16 major cities and encouraging community mobilization nationwide.

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness and Information Day is an important opportunity to understand and educate people nationwide about mobilizing in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Together, we can make a difference. For more information on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness and Information Day, visit http://www.omhrc.gov/blackaidsday/.

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Eating Well as We Age

The Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, is a United States government agency that makes sure foods are safe, wholesome and honestly labeled.

Eating Well

Many older people have trouble eating well. This booklet tells why. Then it gives ideas on what you can do about it. Using the food label is one way to eat well. There are others.

Problem: Can't chew

Do you have trouble chewing? If so, you may have trouble eating foods like meat and fresh fruits and vegetables.

What to do: Try other foods.

Instead of:				Try:
fresh fruit				fruit juices and soft canned fruits, like applesauce, peaches and pears
raw vegetables				vegetable juices and creamed and mashed cooked vegetables
meat				ground meat, eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, and foods made with milk, like pudding and cream soups
sliced bread				cooked cereals, rice, bread pudding, and soft cookies

Problem: Upset stomach

Stomach problems, like too much gas, may make you stay away from foods you think cause the problem. This means you could be missing out on important nutrients, like vitamins, calcium, fiber and protein.

What to do: Try other foods.

Instead of:				Try:
milk				milk foods that may not bother you, like cream soups, pudding, yogurt and cheese
vegetables like cabbage and broccoli				vegetable juices and other vegetables, like green beans, carrots and potatoes
fresh fruit				fruit juices and soft canned fruits

Problem: Can't shop

You may have problems shopping for food. Maybe you can't drive anymore. You may have trouble walking or standing for a long time.

What to do:

Ask the local food store to bring groceries to your home. Some stores deliver free. Sometimes there is a charge.
Ask your church or synagogue for volunteer help. Or sign up for help with a local volunteer center.
Ask a family member or neighbor to shop for you. Or pay someone to do it. Some companies let you hire home health workers for a few hours a week. These workers may shop for you, among other things. Look for these companies in the Yellow Pages of the phone book under "Home Health Services."

Problem: Can't cook

You may have problems with cooking. It may be hard for you to hold cooking utensils, and pots and pans. Or you may have trouble standing for a long time.

What to do:

Use a microwave oven to cook TV dinners, other frozen foods, and foods made up ahead of time by the store.
Take part in group meal programs offered through senior citizen programs. Or, have meals brought to your home.
Move to a place where someone else will cook, like a family member's home or a home for senior citizens.

To find out about senior citizen group meals and home-delivered meals, call (1-800) 677-1116. These meals cost little or no money.

Problem: No appetite

Older people who live alone sometimes feel lonely at mealtimes. Loneliness can make you lose your appetite. Or you may not feel like making meals for just yourself. Maybe your food has no flavor or tastes bad. This could be caused by medicines you are taking.

What to do:

Eat with family and friends.
Take part in group meal programs, offered through senior citizen programs.
Ask your doctor if your medicines could be causing appetite or taste problems. If so, ask about changing medicines.

Increase the flavor of food by adding spices and herbs.

Problem: Short on money

Not having enough money to buy enough food can keep you from eating well.

What to do:

Buy low-cost foods, like dried beans and peas, rice and pasta. Or buy foods that contain these items, like split pea soup and canned beans and rice.
Use coupons for money off on foods you like.
Buy foods on sale. Also buy store-brand foods. They often cost less.
Find out if your local church or synagogue offers free or low-cost meals.
Take part in group meal programs offered through local senior citizen programs. Or, have meals brought to your home.
Get food stamps. Call the food stamp office listed under your county government in the blue pages of the telephone book

Read the Label

Look for words that say something healthy about the food.

Examples are:

Low Fat
Cholesterol Free
Good Source of Fiber

Look for words that tell about the food's relation to a disease.

A low-fat food may say: While many factors affect heart disease, diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of this disease.

The words may be on the front or side of the food package.

This information is from the Food and Drug Administration Web site.

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Secretary Thompson's Public Schedule:

Tuesday February 10 2:00 pm
WAYS AND MEANS HEARING
Location TBD
Thursday February 12 10:30 am
SENATE BUDGET HEARING
Location TBD
Friday February 13 10:00 am
ORGAN DONATION, NO GREATER LOVE EVENT
Auditorium, Hubert H. Humphrey Building
200 Independence Ave. SW
Washington, D.C.

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Last updated: February 9, 2004
United States Department of Health and Human Services
Contact the HHS Newsletter Team.