- On Oct. 23, 2007, the House passed H.R.1808, which would
designate the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia,
as the "Charlie Norwood Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center."
- The House passed H.R.327, the Joshua Omvig Veterans
Suicide Prevention Act, on Oct. 23, 2007. This legislation would amend
title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop
and implement a comprehensive program designed to reduce the incidence of suicide
among veterans.
- The House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight
and Investigations held a hearing on Oct. 24, 2007, to examine the current status
of electronic medical record sharing between Department of Defense (DoD) and the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Dr. Gerald M. Cross, MD, principal deputy
under secretary of health, Veterans Health Administration, and Dr. Stephen Jones,
DHA, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, were among
those who testified. At the start of the hearing, Chairman Rep. Harry Mitchell
told the witnesses that the committee expects DoD and VA to complete work on the
electronic exchange of medical information between the Departments within a year.
- On Oct. 23, 2007, the Senate
passed H.R. 3043, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education,
and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008.
- On Oct. 25, 2007, the House passed H.R.3963, amending
title XXI of the Social Security Act to extend and improve the Children's Health
Insurance Program, and for other purposes.
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Military Health Care News
- TRICARE Management Activity announced that the co-pay
for TRICARE beneficiaries on Nexium was lowered to $3 on Oct. 24, 2007. This
decrease is the result of a negotiated price break with the manufacturer of Nexium.
The $3 co-pay is in effect at both retail pharmacies and
the TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy (TMOP), although the $3 co-pay will buy up to a
90-day supply through TMOP. Beneficiaries may obtain up to a 30-day supply
only at retail pharmacies.
Nexium is in the class of heartburn treatments known as
“proton pump inhibitors,” the second largest class of drugs taken by TRICARE beneficiaries
on a regular basis. Roughly 500,000 TRICARE beneficiaries take these types
of medications for heartburn, or acid reflux disease, on a regular basis.
There are other changes to the Uniform Formulary that took
effect on Oct. 24, 2007. The co-pay on Prevacid, Zegerid, Protonix and Aciphex
(also proton pump inhibitors) increased to $22.
Since Nexium represents a cost savings to the beneficiary
and the government, new users are required to try Nexium first. Those already
on other proton pump inhibitors may continue their current therapy but they will
incur the higher co-pay. http://www.tricare.mil/pressroom/news.aspx?fid=330
- Vangent, Inc., announced it has been awarded the TRICARE
Management Activity (TMA) E-Commerce Operational System Support II (EOSS II) contract,
valued at $45 million over five years.
Under the contract, a team led by Vangent will manage, operate
and provide engineering services, as well as enhance technical support for the TMA
E- Commerce System infrastructure and applications. The work is to be performed
on-site at TMA's facility in Aurora, Colorado. Vangent will serve as the prime contractor,
with subcontractors CACI and Planned Systems International (PSI).
TMA-Aurora is responsible for the specification of program
requirements, the management of contracts and the recording and reporting of financial
transactions associated with the TRICARE purchased health care activities. In support
of these operations, TMA-Aurora has implemented the E-Commerce Project, which provides
an integrated set of financial, contract management and acquisition support systems.
The EOSS II contract was awarded as a task order under the
Department of Defense/Systems Integration, Design, Development, Operations and Maintenance
Services 3 (D/SIDDOMS 3) contract vehicle, a multiple-award, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite
Quantity (IDIQ) contract that provides the MHS, its components and the Department
of Veterans Affairs the ability to order services, equipment, materials and facilities
to design, test and operate information technology systems and system components.
http://www.techweb.com/showPressRelease.jhtml?articleID=X648808
- TRICARE Management Activity published a notice in the
Federal Register that describes the changes made to the TRICARE DRG-based
payment system. It also provides the updated fixed loss cost outlier threshold,
cost-to-charge ratios, and the Internet address for accessing the updated adjusted
standardized amount and DRG relative weights to be used for FY 2008 under the TRICARE
DRG-based payment system. These changes became effective for admissions on
or after Oct. 1, 2007.
- TRICARE Management Activity announced that TRICARE West
Region has implemented a new program designed to help military leaders address grief
and isolation in many of the communities hit hardest by combat casualties. TriWest
Healthcare Alliance has joined efforts with Joanne Steen, an author and counselor,
to offer the Grief Solutions program to active duty, National Guard and Reserve
units throughout the 21-states that comprise the TRICARE West Region, which is administered
by TriWest Healthcare Alliance.
According to Steen, President, Grief Solutions, LLC, the
new program will give service commanders and senior non-commissioned officers a
deeper understanding of how to support and assist survivors, as they are the first
to respond once families within their units are notified of a loss. Steen has assisted
hundreds of spouses, parents, and children of fallen service members and has provided
service leaders with practical skills to cope with the complexities of service death.
http://www.tricare.mil/pressroom/news.aspx?fid=331
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Veterans Health Care News
- On Oct. 24, 2007, the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) announced that it will convene a “consensus conference” with the Department
of Defense and the National Institutes of Health to improve the designs and methodologies
all three agencies will use in future research studies regarding Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Acting VA Secretary Gordon H. Mansfield is requiring VA
staff to work closely with the Department of Defense to study how early interventions
such as the Army’s “Battlemind” training and the “Marine Operational Stress Surveillance
and Training Program,” both of which are designed to help service members transition
from combat back to home, can improve outcomes for veterans with PTSD. He
has directed future VA studies to pay particular attention to the prevalence of
PTSD in special populations, such as women veterans and older veterans who may be
just beginning to manifest the illness’ symptoms.
On Oct. 18, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a report
which concluded exposure-based therapies such as prolonged exposure therapy and
cognitive processing therapy have proven to be effective treatments for PTSD, while
more research is needed on pharmacotherapy to determine its effectiveness.
Responding specifically to the study from IOM, VA has announced
the Department will take steps to ensure it provides the best available treatments
to veterans with PTSD, and that it will enhance its research in line with IOM’s
recommendations.
- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that
Maryann Musumeci, director of the Bronx VA Medical Center, received the Roger W.
Jones Award for Executive Leadership.
The award recognizes federal government employees whose
careers demonstrate extraordinary effectiveness in organizational development and
a strong commitment to training.
American University established the Executive Leadership
Awards 29 years ago. Each year, it selects two federal career executives from throughout
the federal government to receive the honor. Musumeci shares this year’s award
with U.S. Postmaster General John E. Potter.
Musumeci has directed the Bronx VA Medical Center since
1994. She oversees a staff that is one of the most diverse – 86 percent women
and minorities – among federal agencies.
She began her VA career 36 years ago as a registered nurse
at a VA hospital in New York. Her car had broken down in front of the hospital,
and several Vietnam vets who pushed the vehicle to the side of the road urged her
go inside and apply for a job. http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1404
- The Department of Veterans Affairs VA) announced that
the Montrose and Castle Point areas will obtain new facilities according to the
selected strategic plan from a study that began in 2004 to upgrade VA’s health care
facilities across the country.
The business option selected maintains the residential treatment
program and builds a multi-specialty state-of-the-art ambulatory care facility at
the Montrose campus and a complete modernization of the Castle Point campus.
The VA will use its Enhanced Use Leasing (EUL) program to
seek potential reuses for unused and vacated land and buildings on both campuses,
such as senior housing, that will provide benefits to veterans. Under the
EUL program, VA retains ownership of the land and can determine and control its
reuse. http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1401
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Health Care News
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved
Ixempra (ixabepilone), a new anti-cancer treatment, for use in patients with metastatic
or locally advanced breast cancer who have not responded to certain other cancer
drugs. The FDA evaluated Ixempra under priority review, completing its assessment
of the drug's safety and effectiveness in six months.
Ixempra was approved for use in combination with another
cancer drug, capecitabine, in patients who no longer benefit from two other chemotherapy
treatments. These prior treatments included an anthracycline (such as doxorubicin
or epirubicin) and a taxane (such as paclitaxel or docetaxel).
Ixempra was also approved for use alone in patients who
no longer benefit from an anthracycline, a taxane, and capecitabine.
According to the American Cancer Society, about 180,000
new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States. Metastatic
breast cancer is the most advanced stage of breast cancer and has the potential
to spread to almost any region of the body.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Spanish–language Web site,
CDC en Español, has been re–launched with a new look and new features that
will make it more usable and functional.
The updated Web site will provide accurate, up–to–date information
in Spanish on health issues of special interest to Hispanic communities, including
information on a wide range of health promotion and disease prevention topics like
asthma, cancer, HIV/AIDS, immunizations, children′s health, diabetes and occupational
hazards.
Modeled after the CDC.gov English–language site, the CDC
en Español has a more useful and powerful search engine, quick access to the 20
most–requested topics of information, a user–friendly A–through–Z index, and other
features to help people locate needed health and science information more efficiently.
CDC en Español Web site improvements were guided by Internet industry studies, analyses
of Web site visits, information about how visitors use the Web site and research
conducted with a wide range of users. CDC conducted in–person usability testing
of CDC′s Spanish language site in September 2007.
CDC en Español receives more than 6 million visitors a year
and its weekly distribution list has grown to almost 6,000 members in more than
40 countries around the world.
-
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced awards totaling almost $58 million through the Compassion Capital
Fund (CCF). These awards will help 387 faith-based and community organizations enhance
their ability to provide social services to those most in need.
The awards are made up of four sets of grants. The first
set awards a total of $17.6 million to 37 organizations through the CCF Demonstration
Program. Demonstration program grantees serve as intermediaries providing assistance
to and building the capacity of smaller faith-based and community organizations
in their community.
The second set awards a total of $10.3 million to 219 faith-based
and community organizations through the CCF Targeted Capacity Building Program.
These awards will increase the capacity of these organizations to support at-risk
youth and the homeless, strengthen marriage and serve rural communities.
The third set of grants awards a total of $7.5 million to
31 organizations participating in the Communities Empowering Youth program. Under
this program, organizations committed to combating gang activity, youth violence
and child abuse and neglect will receive funds to strengthen their own capacity.
They will also build the capacity of their faith-based and community partners to
operate more effectively in strengthening community coalitions committed to providing
positive alternatives for at-risk youth across the country.
The final set of grants disperses $22.5 million to continue
CCF programs in their second year of funding.
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA) launched the first-of-its-kind pilot program for providing point-of-sale
substance abuse prevention information sheets to the consumers of highly abused
prescription drugs. These sheets highlight the need for preventing the abuse
of these medications and provide practical advice on how to properly store medication
and dispose of unused amounts. This effort aims to combat the growing abuse of prescription
drugs -- particularly among teens and young adults.
Recently released data from the 2006 National Survey of
Drug Use and Health indicate that while levels of illicit drug abuse among youth
had declined in many areas over the past few years, prescription drug abuse has
grown significantly.
SAMHSA is using the services of the prescription drug marketing
firm Catalina Marketing Corporation to deliver prescription drug abuse prevention
messages to consumers of highly abused prescription drugs, such as hydrocodone,
select sleep aids and oxycontin (generic and brand name). Using new technology that
automatically selects the appropriate abuse prevention information sheet according
to the prescription being purchased, a consumer will get one of three abuse prevention
information sheets when they have their prescription for one of these drugs filled
at a pharmacy participating in this program.
- Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem – particularly
among young adults and teens,
- A high percentage of teens and young adults report that
they can get ready access to someone else’s prescription drugs from the family medicine
cabinet,
- Prescription drugs should be stored in a safe, secure
place and counted regularly to help ensure that they do not get into the hands of
unauthorized users, and
- Consumers should always check patient information accompanying
the product to see if it contains specific directions for disposing of unused medication,
and follow those directions.
This effort is a 26-week pilot project involving among 6,300
pharmacies throughout the country. The agency will measure the program’s effectiveness
by monitoring web-based feedback from the public and determining how widely and
effectively the program has reached out to consumers with these abuse prevention
messages. Based on these assessments, SAMHSA will determine whether to terminate,
continue, modify and/or expand this effort. http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0710230319.aspx
- On Oct. 23, 2007, the Public Trust Initiative
(PTI), an initiative of the National Institutes
of Health (NIH), announced the release of a new Request for Applications
(RFA) for the Partners in Research program.
The purpose of this program is to support studies of innovative programs designed
to improve public understanding of health care research and promote collaboration
between scientists and community organizations. In turn, these studies should help
in the development of strategies to increase the public awareness and trust in both
the role of NIH and the importance of new directions of research for advancing the
public health.
The NIH Partners in Research program is intended to engage
the energy of a diverse group of scientists, community leaders, members of the public,
and patient advocacy groups. It will seek to develop partnerships between scientific
or research institutions and community organizations, and evaluate a variety of
approaches in a range of target audiences or communities.
The goals of the program are to identify and implement new
ways to increase science literacy; communicate the research needs and interests
of communities; and encourage understanding of biomedical and behavioral research
by partnering with community-sanctioned organizations, such as voluntary and professional
organizations, health groups, faith-based groups, and housing organizations.
Along with the immediate goals listed above, the long-term
objectives of this program are to raise the level of public awareness and understanding
of biomedical and behavioral research related to health, the role of the NIH, the
role the public can play in the research enterprise, and the value of public funding;
increase scientists' awareness of the importance of public engagement; and develop
a range of techniques for researchers and communities to implement to facilitate
the participation of lay communities in the health research endeavor.
http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/oct2007/od-23.htm
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- The total number of Guard and Reserve currently on active
duty has increased by 1,672 from the last report to 92,971. The totals for
each service are Army National Guard and Army Reserve, 72,296; Navy Reserve, 5,805;
Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, 7,270; Marine Corps Reserve, 7,306; and
the Coast Guard Reserve, 294.
www.defenselink.mil
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Reports/Policies
- The GAO published “Project Bioshield: Actions Needed
to Avoid Repeating Past Problems with Procuring New Anthrax Vaccine and Managing
the Stockpile of Licensed Vaccine,” (GAO-08-88) on Oct. 23, 2007. The
report identifies factors contributing to the failure of the rPA vaccine contract
and issues associated with using the BioThrax in the stockpile. http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d0888.pdf
- The Institute of Medicine (IOM) published “Cancer
Care for the Whole Patient: Meeting Psychosocial Health Needs,” on Oct. 23,
2007. The IOM studied the delivery of psychosocial services to cancer patients and
their families and identify ways to improve it. In the report, the IOM recommended
ten actions that oncology providers, health policy makers, educators, health insurers,
health plans, quality oversight organizations, researchers and research sponsors,
and consumer advocates should undertake to ensure that this standard is met.
http://www.iom.edu/CMS/3809/34252/47228.aspx
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Legislation
- H.R.3942 (introduced Oct. 23, 2007): To amend
title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit the disabled surviving spouse of
an individual to elect to retain private health insurance as the primary payor of
health insurance benefits under the Medicare program was referred to the Committee
on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for
a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration
of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sponsor: Representative Barney Frank [MA-4]
- H.R.3944 (introduced Oct. 23, 2007): To amend
the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services
to establish, promote, and support a comprehensive prevention, education, research,
and medical management program that will lead to a marked reduction in liver cirrhosis
and a reduction in the cases of, and improved survival of, liver cancer caused by
chronic hepatitis B infection was referred to the House Committee on Energy and
Commerce.
Sponsor: Representative Michael M. Honda [CA-15]
- H.R.3963 (introduced Oct. 24, 2007): To amend
title XXI of the Social Security Act to extend and improve the Children's Health
Insurance Program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Representative John D. Dingell [MI-15]
- S.J.RES.22 (introduced Oct. 22, 2007): A joint
resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United
States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
within the Department of Health and Human Services relating to Medicare coverage
for the use of erythropoiesis stimulating agents in cancer and related neoplastic
conditions was referred to the Committee on Finance.
Sponsor: Senator Max Baucus [MT]
- S.2210 (introduced Oct. 19, 2007): A bill to
provide incentives for investment in research and development for new medicines,
to enhance access to new medicines, and for other purposes was referred to the Committee
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Sponsor: Senator Bernard Sanders [VT]
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Hill Hearings
- The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee will hold a hearing
on Oct. 31 2007, to examine vocational rehabilitation.
Back to Top
- The National Cancer Institute (NCI), will hold a symposium:
“HIV/AIDS Research at the National Cancer Institute: a Record of Sustained Excellence,”
on Nov. 1- 2, 2007, in Bethesda Md. http://web.ncifcrf.gov/events/hivaidsresearch2007
- The American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC)
and the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (NACB) will hold a one-day conference:
“Making the Case for the New Cancer Diagnostics,” on Nov. 2, 2007,
in St. Louis, Mo. http://www.aacc.org/AACC/events/meetings/NewCancerDetectionTechnologies.htm
- The 46th Annual Research in Medical Education (RIME)
Conference will be held Nov. 2-7, 2007, in conjunction with the AAMC Annual
Meeting in Washington, D.C. http://www.aamc.org/meetings/annual/2007/start.htm
- The American Public Health Association 135th Annual
Meeting will be held on Nov. 3-7, 2007, in Washington, D.C. http://apha.confex.com/apha/135am/techprogram/
- The FDA’s conference: “Anthrax Vaccines -- Bridging
Correlates of Protection in Animals to Immunogenicity in Humans,” will be held
on Nov. 8-9, 2007, in Gaithersburg Md. http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/E7-11613.htm
- The AMSUS 113th Annual Meeting will be held Nov.
11-16, 2007, in Salt Lake City, Utah. http://www.amsus.org/convention/
- The 27th AMEDD Neurology Meeting will be
held on Nov. 14-16, 2007, in Washington, D.C. www.hjf.org/events
- The 2007 meeting of the Army and Air Force Chapters
of the ACP will be held on Nov. 14-18, 2007, in San Antonio, Texas.
www.hjf.org/events
- The 47th ASCB Annual Meeting will be held
on Dec. 1-5, 2007, in Washington D.C. http://www.ascb.org/meetings/
- The Special Operations Medical Conference will be held
on Dec. 10-13, 2007, in Tampa, Fla.
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