News Notes from US Dept Health and Human Services

[Laura Larsson]

Dear Colleagues:

Here are a few public health news items that may directly or
indirectly affect public health nutrition in the US.


NEW EDUCATION CAMPAIGN FOR WOMEN:

The Food and Drug Administration's Office of Women's Health is
initiating a new public education campaign, "Women's" Health: Take
Time to Care."  FDA will enter into a partnership with women's
organizations, offering FDA's expertise in a campaign urging women to
"Take Time to ....Eat Smart, Get Proper Health Screening, and Be
Medication Savvy".  The primary target audience will be mid-life to
older women, with special emphasis on women who are medically
underserved.


ACF ANNOUNCING FUNDS AVAILABLE TO FIGHT POVERTY

Last week the Administration for Children and Families made a Federal
Register announcement of the availability of $5 million in FY 1996
funds to support program activities that focus on creating new,
full-time jobs that can lead to self-sufficiency for AFDC recipients.
Another Federal Register notice announced the availability of
approximately $750,000 in FY 1996 funds to support research conducted
by universities, which form partnerships with Head Start or Early Head
Start programs in their communities, to contribute new knowledge or
test research applications that will improve services for low-income
young children and families.  An additional Federal Register
announcement was made for approximately $1.5 million in FY 1996 grants
for activities that supplement and complement employment-related
services by strengthening refugee families and communities.



HEALTH CARE FINANCING ADMINISTRATION UPDATES MEDICARE, MEDICAID
REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE FACILITIES

The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) has updated the method
it uses to reimburse the Indian Health Service (IHS) for health care
services provided to American Indians and Alaska Natives eligible for
Medicare and Medicaid.  The new method, which is retroactive to Jan.
1, 1996, is expected to produce a $65 million gain in annual
third-party reimbursements for the IHS.  The new reimbursement rates
will cover more of the costs of providing health services to American
Indian and Alaskan Native Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries so IHS
can direct more money to address some other unmet health needs of
Indian people.


SELF-GOVERNANCE PLANNING GRANTS AWARDED TO AMERICAN INDIAN TRIBES

Six American Indian tribes have been selected to receive health care
delivery planning grants from the Indian Health Service (IHS).  The
grants, called Tribal Self-Governance Planning Cooperative Agreements,
enable tribal groups to enter the planning stage of the
Self-Governance Demonstration Project.  The project is designed to
provide tribes an opportunity to assume the management and control of
health care delivery programs from federal authorities.  The six
tribes receiving the grants join 229 tribes already participating in
the IHS Self-Governance Demonstration Project.  Almost a third of
American Indians and Alaska Natives eligible for IHS services are now
receiving health care directly from tribal health programs as a result
of Self-Governance compact agreements or Self-Determination contracts.

FASHIONABLE HELP FOR THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE

Liz Claiborne, Inc. has arranged for the national domestic violence
hotline number to be posted on the electronic message system on its
new billboard in New York City's Times Square.  The message, which
will appear on a rotating basis, reads "Get the facts...Get
involved...End family violence...To help or get help call
1-800-799-SAFE."  This message will be seen by an estimated 1.5
million people who pass through Times Square each day, as well as 20
million tourists that visit Times Square annually.
Carolyn Gleason, M.S., R.D.
US Public Health Service, Region X
2201 Sixth Avenue, RX-27
Seattle, WA  98121

voice:  206-615-2486
FAX:    206-615-2500

email:  cgleason at serv.net
or      cgleason at phssea.ssw.dhhs.gov
or      cbg5 at wonder.em.cdc.gov