FirstGov for Seniors NEWS ARTICLES OF MAY 2000
Welcome to the May 2000 edition of the FirstGov for Seniors monthly newsletter. This newsletter is a compilation of articles that were featured on the FirstGov for Seniors website in the past month. Articles are organized by the following categories:
Featured News
General News
Health News
Legislative News
Special Topic of the Month (Medical Benefits for Seniors)
We have updated our Retirement Planner with sections
on Medical Insurance, Life Insurance and
Pensions. Check back later this month for a special section on Estate Planning.
IMPROVED WEB SITE DESIGN MAKES MEDICARE INFORMATION MORE ACCESSIBLE
Medicare has added new and expanded information about Medicare benefits, nursing home staffing levels, health plan options and other topics to its popular www.medicare.gov website, Nancy-Ann DeParle, administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration said today. http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0500/medicare_website.html
USDA, HHS RELEASE UPDATED DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS
The federal government today released the fifth edition of "Dietary Guidelines for Americans," providing easily understood, science-based information on how Americans can choose diets that promote good health. The new guidelines are more consumer-friendly, contain more specific scientific recommendations and address the need for safe food handling to prevent illness. http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/
TIPS FOR GETTING SENIOR DISCOUNTS
Jack Gillis, public affairs director for the Consumer Federation of America, offers tips for receiving senior citizen discounts on transportation, lodging, medicines, home services, utilities, and checking and savings accounts. http://www.msnbc.com/news/410885.asp
PRESIDENT CLINTON URGES LEAD CONFEREES FROM BOTH PARTIES TO ACT NOW TO PASS A STRONG, ENFORCEABLE, PATIENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS
Yesterday, President Clinton met with a bipartisan group of members of Congress who serve on the Patients' Bill of Rights Conference Committee. He underscored his concern about the delay in passing a strong, enforceable Patients' Bill of Rights and asked the members for a status report. The President reiterated his standing offer to provide any technical assistance necessary to advance the passage of this bill. http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0500/patients_bill.html
FirstGov for Seniors AWARDED BY E-GOV 2000
FirstGov for Seniors received a Pioneer Award from the Government Solutions Center at E-Gov 2000. We were one of twenty government-wide applications selected to participate in the E-Gov 2000 Conference in the Washington D.C. Conference Center on July 11 and 12, 2000. For complete information about the conference, visit the E-Gov 2000 web site. http://www.e-gov.com/egov2000/index.asp
THE ADMINISTRATION ON AGING (AOA) ANNOUNCES MAY AS OLDER AMERICANS MONTH 2000
This year's national theme is "In the New Century...The Future is Aging". For nearly 35 years, the President of the United States has designated May as Older Americans Month. This coming May, the nation will have another opportunity to recognize the valuable and often inspirational contributions of our 34 million older Americans, their families, and caregivers. http://www.aoa.gov/May2000/default.htm
WANTED - OUTSTANDING OLDER WORKERS!!
Green Thumb, Inc., the country's oldest and largest provider of mature-worker training and employment, is searching for outstanding older workers to celebrate at its 3rd annual Prime Time Awards Program (PTAP) on October 6, 2000, in Washington, D.C. An outstanding older worker from each State, D.C., and Puerto Rico will be honored, along with the nation's oldest worker. Individuals can submit their own names or be nominated by an employer, friend or relative. Nominees must be 65 or older, work a minimum of 20 hours a week for pay and be willing to participate in the Prime Time Awards activities in Washington in October. The nomination process is quick and easy! Simply visit the "Oldest Worker" page of Green Thumb's website at http://www.greenthumb.org and enter the information directly onto the form. Deadline for nominations is 5:00 p.m. (EDT) June 30, 2000. http://www.greenthumb.org
A DIVERSE AGING POPULATION: WORKING TOWARDS A HEALTHIER, LONGER LIFE
America's population is getting older, living longer and becoming more racially diverse. These population trends of aging, longevity and diversity will require new services that are sensitive to the varying needs of older minority Americans and several cohorts of older persons as well. http://www.aoa.gov/May2000/FactSheets/Diverse.html
AOA PROVIDES $20,000 TO AID OLDER NEW MEXICO FIRE VICTIMS
Jeanette C. Takamura, Assistant Secretary for Aging in the Department of Health and Human Services, has released $20,000 to supplement state and local recovery efforts and help older residents of Los Alamos, New Mexico and surrounding areas recover from the fire storm that swept through the community beginning on May 10. http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0500/aoa_fire.html
MOTOR VEHICLE-RELATED DEATHS AMONG OLDER AMERICANS FACT SHEET
The National Center for Injury and Prevention Control produced a fact sheet examining motor vehicle-related deaths among older Americans. http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/older.htm
VA RAISES STANDARD FOR PROTECTING HUMAN RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is taking the lead in increasing protection for research participants by establishing the government's first external accreditation process for human research. According to Dr. Thomas L. Garthwaite, VA's Deputy Under Secretary for Health, "This new accreditation program will make our already stringent observation of federally mandated human research standards even stronger." http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0500/human_research.html
RECENT STUDY SHOWS AGED AMERICANS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT LIVING INDEPENDENTLY
The American Association of Retired Persons conducted a study of Americans aged 45 and older. A number of respondents expressed concern about being forced to live in a nursing home because of trouble getting around their own home. http://www.cnn.com/2000/US/05/01/elderly.housing/index.html
MEDICARE WILL HELP PAY FOR A MAMMOGRAM EVERY YEAR
With the approach of Mother's Day, Medicare is reminding Americans that coverage for annual screening mammograms is now available for women over the age of 40 who are enrolled in Medicare. http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0500/medicare_mammograms.html
THE RAILROAD BOARD SELECTS NEW MEDICARE CARRIER
The Railroad Retirement Board announced its selection of Palmetto Government Benefits Administrators LLC, a subsidiary of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina, to process the Medicare Part B medical insurance claims for physicians' services to about 650,000 railroad retirement annuitants. http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0500/railroad_board.html
FIRST MEDICARE+CHOICE PRIVATE FEE FOR SERVICE PLAN APPROVED
On May 8, 2000, the Health Care Financing Administration approved a request by the Sterling Life Insurance Company to offer the first private fee-for-service health plan option for people with Medicare, which will be available in 17 states. http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0500/first_medicare.html
FIRST-EVER SURGEON GENERAL'S REPORT ON ORAL HEALTH FINDS DISPARITIES IN NATION'S POPULATION
The first-ever Surgeon General's report on oral health identifies a "silent epidemic" of dental and oral diseases that burdens some population groups and calls for a national effort to improve oral health among all Americans. Surgeon General David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D. said. "However, this report illustrates profound disparities that affect those without the knowledge or resources to achieve good oral care. Those who suffer the worst oral health include poor Americans, especially children and the elderly. http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0500/surgeon_general.html
NHLBI STUDY SHOWS LARGE BLOOD PRESSURE BENEFIT FROM REDUCED DIETARY SODIUM
The lower the amount of sodium in the diet, the lower the blood pressure, for both those with and without hypertension, according to a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)-supported clinical study. The lowest sodium level tested, with produced the lowest blood pressure, was well below the currently recommended intake of 2,400 milligrams a day. http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0500/NHBLI_Study.html
NIH EXPERTS SAY FEW ELIGIBLE STROKE PATIENTS RECEIVE TREATMENTS THAT SAVE LIVES AND REDUCES DISABILITY
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, a component of the National Institutes of Health, said today that few eligible stroke patients receive treatments that can significantly reduce disability and save lives. http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0500/stroke_research.html
FDA APPROVES NEW CANCER DRUG
FDA approved a new drug, Mylotarg, for the treatment of CD33 positive acute myeloid leukemia. The drug is approved for patients 60 years or older who have relapsed for the first time and are poor candidates for cytotoxic therapy. Mylotarg was approved as an orphan drug, a drug intended for the treatment of rare diseases or conditions. http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0500/cancer_drug.html
EARLY DETECTION RESEARCH NETWORK COMPLETES INITIAL FUNDING, SEEKS NEW SCREENING TESTS FOR COMMON CANCERS
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has awarded $18 million in first-year funding for the Early Detection Research Network, which brings together dozens of institutions to search for and evaluate new ways of testing for early cancer and for cancer risk. Thirteen new grants are being awarded to three of the network's four components: Clinical and Epidemiological Centers, Biomarker Validation Laboratories, and a Data Management and Coordinating Center. http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0500/cancer_detection.html
ANNUAL REPORT SHOWS CONTINUING DECLINE IN U.S. CANCER INCIDENCE AND DEATH RATES: SPECIAL SECTION FOCUSES ON COLORECTAL CANCER
The rate of new cancer cases and deaths for all cancers combined as well as for most of the top 10 cancer sites declined between 1990 and 1997 in the United States, according to a new report released today by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the American Cancer Society (ACS), the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0500/cancer_report.html
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS MAY 2000 NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES
Health observances are days, weeks or months devoted to promoting particular health concerns. Some health observances for the month of May include: Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month; Better Hearing and Speech Month; Better Sleep Month; Breathe Easy Month; Tuberous Sclerosis Awareness Month; National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day; National SAFE KIDS eek; Mother's Day Comes Early for Too Many of Our Nation's Teens; National Arthritis Month and National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. http://nhic-nt.health.org/Pubs/2000healthobserv/nhomay.htm
NATIONAL SURVEY FINDS MAJORITY OF OSTEOPOROSIS PATIENTS NEVER DISCUSSED PREVENTIVE MEASURES
A recent survey sponsored by the National Osteoporosis Foundation found that 86% of women with osteoporosis had never discussed preventive measures with their doctors. http://www.4woman.gov/nwhic/News/May00/11may001.htm
RECENT STUDY INDICATES EXERCISE CAN LOWER RISK OF DEPRESSION IN ELDERLY
A recent study, published in Preventive Medicine, indicates that physical activity is linked to mental health. The 8-year study indicated that regular exercise can lead to better mental health in elderly individuals. http://www.foxnews.com/health/052500/elderly.sml
VASCULAR PROBLEMS IN MIDDLE AGE INCREASES RISK OF DEMENTIA IN OLD AGE
Researchers have found that middle age men with elevated blood-glucose levels, blood pressure and body weight as well as high cholesterol and triglyceride levels are at an increased risk for developing vascular dementia in old age. http://www.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/aging/05/02/dementia.prevention/index.html
RECENT STUDY FINDS HIGH-FIBER DIET HELPS DIABETICS CONTROL BLOOD SUGAR
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that a high-fiber diet can help diabetics better control their blood sugar. http://www.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/05/10/health.diabetes.reut/index.html
UNCONTROLLED BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASES RISK OF STROKE
A recent study from the University of Washington in Seattle reports that patients with uncontrolled blood pressure have an increased risk of stroke. http://www.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/aging/05/17/blood.pressure.wmd/index.html
PRESIDENT CLINTON URGES CONGRESS TO EXTEND PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE TO MILITARY RETIREES AND THEN TO ALL MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES
On May 16, 2000, the President announced his support for extending prescription drug coverage to military retirees and urged Congress to show the same bipartisan support for extending coverage to all Medicare beneficiaries. http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0500/military_retirees.html
CUOMO SAYS HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE ACTION ON HUD BUDGET IS "A STEP BACKWARD FROM COMPASSION AND COMMON SENSE"
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today urged rejection of a House subcommittee's action on HUD's fiscal year 2001 budget, saying cuts to housing, community development and economic development say "no to compassion, no to common sense." The Subcommittee refused to provide some $69 million requested for HUD's elderly housing program, Section 202. http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0500/HUD_Budget.html
GRASSLEY URGES MORE SOCIAL SERVICES FUNDING
Senator Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Special Committee on Aging, today co-sponsored legislation to increase funding for programs serving older Americans, children and others. His move is the latest in a series on this front. http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0500/social_service_funding.html
SPECIAL TOPIC OF THE MONTH (MEDICAL BENEFITS FOR SENIORS):
FirstGov for Seniors has recently launched its Retirement Planner. Retirement is not only about pensions. There are many decisions to be made in planning for retirement: housing, medical coverage, entertainment and of course financial security are all important. The costs of medical benefits are an important consideration in retirement planning. Our medical coverage site links to a host of government and private sites with advice on preparing for the medical coverage needed for retirement years. Visit the medical coverage section of our Retirement Planner and plan for your future healthcare needs. http://www.seniors.gov/retirementplanner/medical_coverage.html
Top of Page || Return to Home Page