THIS ISSUE AVAILABLE ONLINE WITH EXPANDED INFORMATION AND PHOTOS AT:
http://www.hhs.gov/news/newsletter/weekly
IN THIS ISSUE:
1) The Americans with Disabilities Act Realized in the New Freedom Initiative
2) Medicare Turns 38
3) Peronal Health
5) Secretary Thompson's public schedule
The Americans with Disabilities Act Realized in the New Freedom Initiative
President Bush and Secretary Thompson celebrated the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by renewing the administration's commitment to the integration of people with disabilities into our communities. The New Freedom Initiative is designed to help Americans with disabilities realize that they have the choice to either live at home surrounded by their loved ones or in an institutional setting.
"Home and community-based care as an alternative to nursing homes for the elderly and disabled is a priority of this Administration," Secretary Thompson said. "The New Freedom Initiative represents part of the Administration's effort to make it easier for Americans with disabilities to be more fully integrated into their communities. Under this initiative, we are committed to promoting the use of at-home and community-based care as an alternative to nursing homes."
In the FY 2004 budget, President Bush proposed $220 million over five years designated to three innovative demonstration projects that provide respite care to caregivers of adults and children, the improvement of recruiting and retaining personal assistance workers, and expanding community-based programs for children with psychiatric disabilities as an alternative to residential treatment facilities. Another proposal is the "Money Follows the Individual" rebalancing initiative, which is a new $1.75 billion, five-year program to help Americans with disabilities transition from nursing homes or other institutions to the community. This shift is encouraged by reimbursing Medicaid for services in the first year costs incurred during the transition, after the first year the states would continue the services at normal Medicaid match rates through the home and community-based waivers or state plan services.
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Medicare Turns 38
President Bush and HHS Secretary Thompson celebrate Medicare's 38th anniversary July 30 while both the Houses of Congress are deliberating on a final package for Medicare modernization. Congress is debating on the size of the prescription drug coverage and to what extent the new plan would be market-based.
"We're on the verge of providing substantial savings in prescription drug spending to seniors," Secretary Thompson said. "Millions of seniors would be better off than they are today. We can't lose sight of the positive impact modernizing Medicare would have on the health and financial security of seniors. This should provide encouragement for the two houses to come together on a final package that makes these savings a reality."
Since 1965, Medicare has provided medical coverage for seniors and people living with disabilities, and currently has 40 million beneficiaries. Under both the House and Senate plans, seniors would pay an estimated $35 a monthly premium for prescription drugs through a Medicare-approved private health care plan. Low-income seniors would be exempt from this fee.
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Peronal Health
Water Workouts (non-weightbearing)
Exercising in water helps you feel:
Flexible. You can bend and move your body in water in ways you can't on land.
Strong. Working against the water will help your body get stronger.
At less risk of injury. Water makes your body float. This keeps your joints from being pounded or jarred and helps prevent sore muscles and injury.
Refreshed. You can keep cooler in water-even when you are working hard.
You don't need to know how to swim to work out in water-you can do shallow-water or deep-water exercises without swimming.
For shallow-water exercise, the water level should be between your waist and your chest. If the water is too shallow, it will be hard to move your arms underwater. If the water is deeper than chest height, it will be hard to keep your feet touching the pool bottom.
For deep-water exercise, most of your body is underwater. This means that your whole body will get a good workout. For safety and comfort, wear a foam belt or life jacket.
Many swim centers offer classes in water workouts. Check with the ones in your area to find the best water workout for you.
This information is from the National Institutes of Health.
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Secretary Tommy G. Thompson's public schedule:
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Last updated July 29, 2003
United States Department of Health and Human Services
Contact the HHS Newsletter Team.