NIEHS Gulf Worker Study Webinar
On September 15, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is hosting a planning webinar on the Gulf Worker Study – a health study of oil spill workers and volunteers. The purpose of this webinar is to obtain input from the Gulf region community and research stakeholders on the design of the Gulf Worker Study following the recent Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. The study concept document is available at http://www.niehs.nih.gov/gulfworkerstudy.
We encourage those who are interested to participate, especially those in the Gulf Region. Details about the webinar are below.
When: Wednesday, September 15, 2010, 1-3:00 PM EST
Duration: 2 hours
Go to: webmeeting.nih.gov/gulfworkerstudy
- Type your name
- Click “Enter Room”
- Click “Call Me”
- Type your telephone number
- Click “Call My Phone”
Spanish, Vietnamese and Haitian Creole interpreters/translators will be available during the Questions and Comments portion of the webinar.
If you would like to only listen by telephone, please call
US/CANADA Toll Free: 1-877-860-3058
International Toll: 1-719-867-1571
Pass Code: 962290
PLEASE NOTE: Calling these telephone numbers will not allow you to talk during the webinar, it will only allow you to listen. If you want to talk during the webinar, you must go to webmeeting.nih.gov/gulfworkerstudy , type your name, click “Enter Room”, and then click “Call Me”, type your telephone number, and click
“Call My Phone.”
The September 15 webinar is the second in a series of webinars. A summary of the first webinar, along with a recording, are posted at http://www.niehs.nih.gov/gulfworkerstudy.
Conference Call with Secretary Sebelius and the Launch of CuidadoDeSalud.gov
Friends:
Yesterday, we launched www.cuidadodesalud.gov, the first website in Spanish of its kind to help consumers take control of their health care by connecting them to new information and resources that will help them access quality, affordable health care coverage. President Obama wrote an op-ed in La Opinion and El Diario La Prensa today that highlights the website and the importance of health reform to the Latino community. http://www.impre.com/laopinion/noticias/2010/9/7/los-latinos-y-la-salud-209385-1.html
Please join us today, Thursday, September 9th at 12pm EST/11AM CST/10AM MST/9AM PST as the White House Office of Public Engagement will host a conference call with Secretary Sebelius and staff from the Department of Health and Human Services to walk thru the website and take your questions.
Please share this information with your networks and affiliate organizations. This call is not intended for press.
Here is how to participate:
1. Dial into the conference call 10 minutes early by calling (800) 553-0326 and tell the operator you are calling for “The Cuidado de Salud Call”
2. Sign onto www.cuidadodesalud.gov to participate in the walk thru of the website
3. Ask your questions and spread the word!
Thank you!
Jeff Cruz
Associate Director
White House | Office of Public Engagement
202-456-2087
News from the Hill – August 2010, Second Edition
Political Action for Candidate Election
In our last message, we alerted you to the first round of endorsements issued by the PACE Board of Trustees (members only). In late August we issued more, and then round out the endorsements in late September (after all primaries have been completed).
On one hand, endorsements indicate support from PACE as well as the social workers who comprise the PACE Board of Trustees. But in a larger sense, our support for a candidate or incumbent is meant to encourage social workers to get involved in the political process. The reason we endorse is not simply a matter of insider politics here in Washington; it’s because we believe that the candidate or member of Congress represents the best ideals of social workers.
We e-mail NASW members with information on endorsed candidates in addition to providing the information on our website. We hope that if you receive such a message from us, you’ll strongly consider volunteering for the candidate or incumbent in question. Active engagement in the political process is crucial in every election, but especially in the hotly contested Congressional races we see across the country this year.
So if you’re a member of NASW, we thank you for any time and energy you’re willing to commit toward an endorsed campaign. You can also help PACE continue its work by contributing here. If you’re not a member, please consider that PACE can only affect political races to the extent of our members’ involvement in those races. The more people we have on board, the greater our impact, and the greater the benefit for social workers and their clients. That’s just one of the many benefits of NASW membership.
Senator Dodd Plans a National Children’s Commission
At a hearing a few weeks ago before the Senate Subcommittee on Children and Families, Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) expressed his intention to introduce legislation with the aim of establishing a commission on children. The Senator is calling for the establishment of a national body to assess children’s wellbeing, make policy recommendations on the needs of children, and look at the issues facing them as a cohesive group of policy concerns. Legislation is still being developed and has not yet been introduced. Dodd has been the long-time chair of the subcommittee and has long championed services for vulnerable children and their families. He has announced plans to retire from the Senate at the end of this year. He and his subcommittee heard from Alma Powell, the chairwoman of the America’s Promise Alliance and other hearing panelists expressed the need to improve high school graduation rates, reduce childhood obesity and poverty, provide high-quality, affordable preschool and after-care options for working parents, and access to health care for children. NASW agrees with the concerns expressed by the panelists and continues to advocate on behalf of our nation’s most vulnerable children and families. For more information about our advocacy efforts, go here.
Social Workers Mobilize on Medicare Rates
NASW has launched an advocacy campaign seeking reconsideration of proposed Medicare payment reductions for mental health services delivered by clinical social workers and psychologists. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule in July for the 2011 Medicare Part B “physician fee schedule” that would significantly reduce Medicare payments to clinical social workers and psychologists that bill Medicare Part B services. The highly complex rule addresses changes in the physician fee schedule and other Medicare Part B payment policies to ensure that rates are updated to reflect changes in medical practice and the relative value of services.
Last week NASW mobilized social workers from across the nation to urge CMS to reconsider the proposed rule and obtained support from a group of congressional representatives. On August 24th, Members of the House sent this letter to CMS urging their reconsideration of the rule on social workers’ behalf. Social workers and the American Psychological Association working together secured three champions on the issue in the U.S. House, Reps. Paul D. Tonko (D-NY), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Lois Capps (D-CA). The three spearheaded the letter from 22 House members to Donald Berwick, M.D., the CMS Administrator, urging the agency to consider the harm the proposed rule will have on Medicare mental health services. NASW hopes the letter from Congress and comments from social workers will persuade CMS to reconsider the rule before it is finalized later this year. Details on the proposed rate reduction are available in this recent NASW Alert.
Two weeks ago NASW and the Clinical Social Work Association sent this strong comment letter to CMS objecting to the rule and asking social workers to deliver similar comments to reinforce our message. NASW advocates were directed how to make formal comments in the federal rule making process. Mobilizing broad social work participation is an important strategy because CMS must pay attention to comments it receives in high volume. The formal comment process closed on August 24, 2010, and NASW is now awaiting issuance of a final rule from CMS before taking further action. Continue reading ‘News from the Hill – August 2010, Second Edition’
From Suffrage to CEDAW – Celebrate Women’s Equality Day
Happy Birthday 19th Amendment!
Believe it or not, it’s only been 90 years since the 19th Amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote in our democracy was made part of the Constitution. Since 1971, we’ve celebrated the anniversary of August 26, 1920, as Women’s Equality Day.
One great way to celebrate would be to make sure that every eligible woman is registered to vote. That includes women turning 18 and those who have recently become naturalized citizens. After all, as important as the right to vote is, it’s even more important to use the vote to help shape the direction of our nation. So make sure you’re registered and encourage everyone you know to do the same.
Women’s Equality Day is also the perfect time to consider what the United States can do to advance women’s rights as human rights. Social workers concerned with social justice and equity have an opportunity on this day to promote women’s rights by supporting CEDAW – the Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
CEDAW, also known as the Women’s Treaty, is a landmark international agreement that affirms principles of fundamental human rights and equality for women around the world. CEDAW helps women and girls by offering a practical blueprint for ending discrimination, stopping violence against women and trafficking of women and girls, ensuring education and vocational opportunities, and increasing political participation including the right to vote and to hold political office.
The United States played an important role in drafting CEDAW, which the United Nations adopted in 1979. But the U.S. remains one of only seven countries, including Iran, Sudan, Somalia, and three small Pacific Island countries (Nauru, Palau and Tonga), that have not yet ratified CEDAW.
That could change this year. It takes the votes of 67 senators to ratify a treaty, and President Obama and over 100 national organizations have expressed their support for the treaty’s ratification.
Ratifying the CEDAW treaty would continue America’s proud bipartisan tradition of promoting and protecting human rights, and it would strengthen the United States as a global leader in standing up for women and girls in countries around the world.
The CEDAW website – www.cedaw2010.org – has more information about CEDAW along with practical suggestions on how you can help the treaty become ratified. The NASW website also has more information about its work on women’s rights.
The fight for women’s suffrage took more than 70 years of persistent advocacy, organizing and education and was only secured when a 24-year-old member of the Tennessee legislature, acting on a note from his mother, changed his vote from “no” to “yes” so Tennessee became the final state needed to ratify the 19th Amendment.
So let’s make history again – and help ratify CEDAW. TAKE ACTION HERE
NASW Seeks Reconsideration of Decision to Deny Some Gulf Claims
Kenneth Feinberg, Administrator of the Independent Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF), which will adjudicate claims for individuals and businesses experiencing health and economic losses due to the Gulf Coast oil spill, stated last month at a House Judiciary Committee hearing that he would likely not compensate individuals for mental illnesses that result from the disaster. NASW has written Mr. Feinberg to express its deep disappointment with his intention to exclude mental health and substance use conditions from coverage by the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund.
NASW’s letter stressed that mental and addictive illnesses, including those conditions that have occurred as a result of experiencing extreme stress and trauma, are real and potentially debilitating illnesses that can lead to disability and death by suicide, if not properly treated. NASW urged Mr. Feinberg to reconsider his position of discriminating against individuals who have developed legitimate behavioral health disorders that result from the BP oil catastrophe.
Honoring Health Centers and Social Workers
National Health Service Corps (NHSC) New Awardees convened in Washington, DC last week for a conference of networking, orientation and education. NASW members were among the attendees and reported enthusiastically about the conference and about their work as part of the Corps. The Corps helps Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) in the U.S. get the medical, dental, and mental health providers they need to meet their tremendous need for health care. Social workers with clinical licenses are eligible to participate in the Loan Repayment Program.
A major site of employment for members of the NHSC are Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC). Their mission is to improve the health of underserved communities and vulnerable populations by providing comprehensive, culturally competent, quality primary health care services. President Obama has proclaimed this week “National Health Center Week,” encouraging people to celebrate by visiting the centers and learning more about their providers and their services. In addition to working as NHSC employees, social workers can serve as volunteers in the clinics.
This week, NASW especially acknowledges the work of clinical social workers in these vital and important clinics. If you are not familiar with the FQHCs, visit a center in your community this week. Learn more about the ways social workers are contributing to the health of the nation.
Straight Talk for Seniors on Health Reform Campaign Begins
The Affordable Care Act contains many provisions that strengthen the Medicare program. However, polling data recently released by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), a nonprofit service and advocacy organization whose mission is to improve the lives of older Americans, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged, reveal that many seniors are still confused by the new law, including the provisions that directly relate to Medicare and senior health.
To provide further information about the benefits of the health care law and seniors, the NCOA launched a new educational campaign to help seniors understand what is in the new law and how it will affect them. The Straight Talk for Seniors on Health Reform campaign provides fact sheets and other resources about seniors and health reform. The campaign can be found at:
http://www.ncoa.org/public-policy/health-care-reform/straight-talk-for-seniors-on.html
Social Workers and the Medicare Law
Recently, we were doing some research in the archived editions of the NASW News. We came across a copy of this telegram sent from NASW to President Kennedy on May 25, 1962:
“The National Association of Social Workers through its Board of Directors meeting today commends the president for your personal leadership in taking the case for health care for the elderly through social security directly to the voters. We believe the American people will accept your word that the program embodied in the King-Anderson bill is not a sinister effort to bring about socialized medicine but a natural step forward in the physical and social development of this country. We believe it actually represents the minimal program which should be offered to meet the needs of the ill and aging and support its adoption without further amendment or change. In many cities social workers have actively participated in the meetings and rallies to encourage its adoption. ”
Unfortunately, President Kennedy did not live to see the measure enacted. Over three years later, President Johnson signed the Medicare legislation into law on July 30, 1965.
Today is the 45th anniversary of this momentous and popular government program. NASW was there at the beginning and continues today to advocate for a strong and quality Medicare system.
US Army releases report on health promotion
In April of 2009, the Army launched a campaign to promote health, reduce risk, and prevent suicide among its members. Today, they released the results of this fifteen month study. The study is primarily focused on diagnosing current problems, rather than on solutions. Still, the report hints at reforms the Army expects to implement.
NASW applauds these efforts, and will continue to advocate for progress on health promotion, risk reduction, and suicide prevention for America’s servicemen and women.
HHS Announces $51 Million for State Health Insurance Exchanges
Input on Standards Needed
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced two new steps to begin establishing state health insurance Exchanges. HHS announced the availability of up to $1 million in grants per state to help states begin to establish Exchanges and published a request for comment calling for public input as HHS develops standards for the Exchanges.
Starting in 2014, health insurance Exchanges – new, competitive, consumer-centered health insurance marketplaces – will put greater control and greater choice in the hands of individuals and small businesses. The Exchanges will make purchasing health insurance easier by providing eligible consumers and businesses with “one-stop-shopping” where they can compare and purchase health insurance coverage. The first round of grants will give states resources to conduct research and planning needed to build a the health insurance marketplace and determine how their Exchanges will be operated and governed.
Keeping with President Obama’s commitment to transparency and open government, HHS issued a request for comment asking states, consumer advocates, employers, insurers, and other interested stakeholders to provide input as HHS develops the rules and standards Exchanges should be required to meet. Comments are due by October 4, 2010. Read the complete request for comment at http://www.healthcare.gov/center/regulations.
Each state has the option to establish and operate its own Exchange or partner with another state or states to operate a regional Exchange. If a state decides not to create an Exchange for its residents, HHS will help establish one on their behalf. State grant applications are available at http://www.healthcare.gov/center/grants and are due by September 1, 2010.
For more information on NASW’s efforts and services regarding Health, go to: Advocacy, Practice Standards and Information, Credentials and Continuing Education , Sections, Books and Journals, Careers
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