GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. THANKS FOR JOINING US. OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS I'VE BEEN TRAVELING AROUND THE COUNTRY AND BEEN ABLE TO SEE FIRST HAND HOW THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT IS HELPING PEOPLE GET THE TREATMENT AND MEDICINES THEY NEED. BEGIN TO SAVE MONEY ON THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE BILLS AND GAIN MORE CONSUMER CONTROL OVER THEIR OWN HEALTH CARE. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT GOALS OF THE LAW IS TO IMPROVE MEDICARE SO THAT IT BETTER SERVES SENIORS AND AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES. AND THANKS TO THE LAW, SENIORS HAVE FALLEN TO THE MEDICARE PART D PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE GAP KNOWN AS THE DOUGHNUT HOLE ARE NOW GETTING A 50% DISCOUNT ON THEIR BRAND NAME MEDICATIONS. WE'RE ALSO PURSUING A RANGE OF ARE YOU FORM THAT HELPS DOCTORS AND NURSES INCLUDING THE NEW PARTNERSHIP FOR PATIENTS THAT BROUGHT TOGETHER PARTNERS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING MORE THAN 1500 HOSPITALS TO COMMIT TO SIGNIFICANT REDUCTIONS IN MEDICAL HARM OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS. AND BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY, AND FRANKLY THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE WAY OF KEEPING PEOPLE HEALTHY IS BY PREVENTING ILLNESS BEFORE IT OCCURS. WE'RE ALSO MAKING IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE IN MEDICARE TO GET PREVENTIVE CARE. BEGINNING THIS YEAR UNDER THE LAW, MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES CAN RECEIVE RECOMMENDED PREVENTIVE SERVICES LIKE SCREENING FOR COLON AND BREAST CANCER, AS WELL AS A NEW ANNUAL WELLNESS VISIT WITHOUT PAYING COINSURANCE OR HAVING TO SATISFY DEDUCTIBLE. THAT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. AND IT'S REALLY THE SMART THING TO DO. WHEN A SENIOR SKIPS A BONE DENSITY SCREENING BECAUSE SHE CAN'T AFFORD A COPAY AND ENDS YOU IN THE HOSPITAL THREE MONTHS LATER WITH A HIP FRACTURE, THERE'S A HUMAN COST AND AN ECONOMIC COST. TODAY, WE'RE RELEASING A REPORT THAT SHOWS THAT ONE SIXTH OF THE BENEFICIARIES IN MEDICARE, NEARLY 5.5 MILLION SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE ONE OR MORE OF THESE CRITICAL PREVENTIVE SERVICES. THAT'S VERY GOOD NEWS FOR PEOPLE IN MEDICARE, AND GOOD NEWS FOR THE HEALTH OF OUR COUNTRY. BUT OUR JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY SINGLE MEDICARE BENEFICIARY IN THIS COUNTRY KNOWS ABOUT AND CAN ACCESS THESE POTENTIALLY LIFE-SAVING BENEFITS. AND WE KNOW WE CAN DO MORE. THAT'S WHY TODAY WE'RE ANNOUNCE A MULTIPRONG, MULTIMEDIA APPROACH TO GET THE WORD OUT THAT THESE SERVICES ARE NOW AVAILABLE. WE CAN'T JUST COUNT ON GETTING THE WORD OUT TO MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES SO WE'RE ALSO SPREADING THE WORD TO THEIR FAMILIES, THEIR COMMUNITIES, THEIR DOCTORS AND NURSES. BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT TOGETHER THEY FORM A SUPPORT SYSTEM AND SAFETY NET FOR MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES. QUITE OFTEN, WORD OF MOUTH FROM SENIOR TO SENIOR OR FROM A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY TO SOMEONE ELSE IN THE SAME SITUATION IS EXTREMELY POWERFUL. SO IN THE NEXT FEW MINUTES OUR TALENTED CMS SMAIRT DR. DON BERWICK EXPAW SISTANT SECRETARY FOR AGING, KATHY GREENLEE WILL BE GOING INTO MORE DETAIL. BUT TODAY WE WANT TO GIVE YOU A BIT OF A PREVIEW OF THE KIND OF INFORMATION MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES NEED TO SEE AND WE'RE GOING TO NOW RUN THE PSA. >> HEY DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE NEW PREVENTION BENEFITS FOR MEDICARE. THE HEALTHCARE LAW GIVES US A YEARLY WELLNESS VISIT TO TALK WITH OUR DOCTOR ABOUT OUR CARE. >> MEDICARE ALSO COVERS RECOMMENDED CANCER AND PREVENTION SCREENS. >> PLUS 50% OFF BRAND NAME PRESCRIPTIONS DRUGS. >> IF YOU'RE IN THE DOUGHNUT HOLE, YOU CAN GET THE PRESCRIPTIONS YOU NEED. >> TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY. GO TO MEDICARE DOT GOLF FOR MEDICARE. SHARE THE NEWS. SHARE THE HEALTH. >> HAVING A PERSON IN MEDICARE GO WITHOUT A POTENTIALLY LIFE SAVING TEST BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW IT'S AVAILABLE AT NO COST IS JUST AS TRAGIC TO HAVE THEM SKIP THE TEST BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD IT. WE'LL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO LET PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THESE IMPORTANT BENEFITS. WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK TO IMPLEMENT THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT TO DELIVER STRONGER AND MORE SUSTAINABLE MEDICARE IN YEARS TO COME. AND NOW I WANT TO TURN OVER THE PODIUM TO DR. BERWICK WHO WILL TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT OUR OUTREACH EFFORTS. DR. BERWICK. >> THANK YOU, SECRETARY SEBELIUS FOR THIS IMPORTANT WORK. THE SECRETARY HAS A BUSY SCHEDULE TODAY AS USUAL AND HAS TO LEAVE BUT I WILL BE REMAINING WITH YOU AND KATHY WITH YOU SO WE CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. OVER THE COURSE OF MY CAREER AS A DOCTOR, I'VE SEEN THE CONDITIONS LIKE DIABETES AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND OBESITY TAKE ON FAMILIES AND ON COMMUNITIES, THE HUMAN TOLL IS ENORMOUS. THERE'S A LARGE ECONOMIC TOLL AS WELL. TAKE OBESITY FOR EXAMPLE. TODAY IN AMERICA, WE SPEND $147 BILLION A YEAR ON OBESITY-RELATED ILLNESS. MEDICARE PAYS 42% OF THOSE COSTS. 75% OF OUR HEALTHCARE COSTS ARE FOR THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC ILLNESSES. OF THEM COULD BE PREVENTED AND EVEN MORE OF THEM THROUGH SECONDARY PREVENTION CAN HAVE MORE FAVORABLE OUTCOMES AND AVOID DE TERIORATION. WE NEED TO MOVE TOWARD INVESTING IN HEALTHY BEHAVIORS. AND THAT'S WHAT THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT DOES, IT WAVES COST SHARING FOR RECOMMENDED PREVENTIVE BENEFITS AND FOR ANNUAL WELLNESS VISITS. THAT MEANS THAT SENIORS CAN RICH FREE PREVENTIVE BENEFITS THAT THEY NEED. THEY COULD TALK WITH THEIR DOCTOR TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE GETTING THE RIGHT PRESCRIPTIONS. THEY CAN GET COLON OS COPIES THAT CAN PREVENT AND DETECT COLON CANCER. THEY CAN RECEIVE VACCINATIONS AGAINST FLUS AND PNEUMONIA AND GET COUNSELING TO HELP STOP SMOKING WHICH IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF PREVENTIBLE ILLNESS. WE HAVE FOUND HAVING TO PAY FOR PREVENTIVE SCREENING AND FOR SERVICES PREVENTION KEEPS PEOPLE FROM GETTING THEM AND OFTEN THE PEOPLE MOST EFFECTIVE ARE THOSE WHO NEED THOSE SERVICES THE MOST. SO WE'RE NOT JUST LECTURING PEOPLE HERE ABOUT THE VALUE OF PREVENTION SAYING THAT THESE SERVICES CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE. WE'RE CUTTING COST SHARE AND PROVIDING SERVICES FOR FREE. AND WE'RE MAKING IT POSSIBLE THAT ANYONE CAN HAVE THOSE PREVENTIVE SERVICES. OUR JOB NOW IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICARE USES THOSE BENEFITS. WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE EVERY PERSON WITH MEDICARE, EVERY GAIR GIVER, EVERY PHYSICIAN TO JOIN IN OUR NATION-WIDE CAMPAIGN FOR PREVENTION. WE'RE CALLING THE CAMPAIGN SHARE THE NEWS, SHARE THE HEALTH. WE'RE ASKING OUR PARTNERS AND YOU TO HELP SPREAD THE NEWS. WE'RE REACHING OUT TO HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS WHO HAVE A SPECIAL ROLE TO PLAY IN THE CAMPAIGN. WE'RE SPENDING DEAR DOCTOR LETTERS TO THE PHYSICIANS IN THE COUNTRY. PEOPLE TRUST THEIR DOCTORS. WE'RE ASKING PHARMACISTS TO HELP US BECAUSE EVERY TIME SENIORS FILL UP PRESCRIPTIONS THEY SEE THEIR PHARMACISTS, THEY CAN COUNSEL PATIENTS ABOUT PRESCRIPTIONS, THEY CAN TALK TO THEM ABOUT THEIR HEALTH. WE'RE REACHING HOW THE TO NURSES. I CAN TELL YOU AS A DOCTOR, THERE ISN'T A DOCTOR AROUND WHO HASN'T LEARNED PATIENT CARE FROM A NURSE. SHARE THE NEWS SHARE THE HEALTH CAMPAIGN WILL CONSIST OF SEVERAL WAYS TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT TO PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE. WE'RE BROADCASTING TELEVISION PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS LIKE YOU JUST SAW THROUGH 1400 TELEVISION STATIONS AND PROVIDING RADIO PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS IN ENGLISH THROUGH 4400 RADIO STATIONS AND THROUGH AN ADDITIONAL 540 STATIONS IN SPANISH. WE'LL HAVE AN ON-LINE ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN POSTING INFORMATION ON OUR MEDICARE.GOV WEBSITE THERE OUR 1-800 MEDICARE LINE. WE'VE ALSO LAUNCHED A SPANISH LANGUAGE VERSION OF THE MEDICARE WEBSITE. WE'RE DISTRIBUTING POSTERS AND COLLATERAL MATERIALS TO SENIOR CENTERS, RETIREMENT COMEUNTS WHERE SENIORS GATHER IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO TALK TO THEIR DOCTORS ABOUT THEIR HEALTH AND WHAT PREVENTIVE SERVICES THEY WILL BENEFIT FROM. WE'RE HERE TO TALK TO YOU THE MEDIA TO HELP GET THE WORD OUT TO TELL YOUR AUDIENCES ABOUT THE PREVENTIVE BENEFITS THAT WILL IMPROVE AND SAVE THEIR LIVES AND ENLIST THE MEDIA IN SPREADING THE MESSAGE AND ENCOURAGING BENEFICIARIES TO DO THAT FOR THEIR FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES. NOW I'M HAPPY TO INTRODUCE MY FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE KATHY GREENLEE. KATHY IS THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR AGING IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. HER WORK IS INDISPENSABLE IN REACHING OUT TO OUR SENIORS AND TO OUR BENEFICIARIES. KATHY. >> GOOD MORNING TO YOU ALL. IT WAS AN HONOR TO BE HERE WITH THE SECRETARY AND DR. BERWICK AND TALK ABOUT HOW AT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE MEDICARE BENEFITS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE NEW BENEFITS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. DR. BERWICK KNOWS IN WORKING WITH HIM REALIZES THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT AFFECTS ALL PEOPLE. PREVENTIVE HEALTH IS SOMETHING THAT IMPACTS CHILDREN, ADULTS AND SENIORS. IN MY LINE OF WORK AT THE ADMINISTRATION ON AGING, WE CALL THIS SORT OF A PREVENTIVE BENEFITS APPROACH. PREVENTURA CROSS THE LIFE SPAN. THAT'S WHAT WE FOCUS ON AS WE WORK WITH OUR NETWORKS TO PROVIDE EDUCATION. WE WANT PREVENTION TO BE A TOP PRIORITY FOR EVERY PERSON ON MEDICARE. THEIR CARE GIVERS, ANYONE WHO INTERACTS WITH SOMEONE WHO IS ON MEDICARE, AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE AVENUES FOR REACHING MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES. THEIR PHYSICIAN'S OFFICE CERTAINLY, IN THE COMMUNITY OR THERE SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES THAT ENGAGE THE ADMINISTRATION ON AGING AND OUR NETWORK OF AGING SERVICES PROVIDERS. THE AGING NETWORK PROVIDERS ARE REALLY THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND IN DOING OUTREACH TO PEOPLE ON MEDICARE. THESE PROVIDERS SEE MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES EVERY SINGLE DAY AT SENIORS CENTERS, NUTRITION SITES, SENIOR HOUSING AND MEDICARE COUNSELING SESSIONS DURING PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION AND SO FORTH. WE SERVE THROUGH OUR NETWORK AND IN THIS COUNTRY A DIVERSE POPULATION OF ELDERS, INCLUDING PEOPLE WHO ARE HISPANIC, AFRICAN AMERICAN AND NATIVE AMERICAN. THEY HAVE HIGHER RATES OF HEALTH DISPARITIES. ONE WAY TO ADDRESS THIS HEALTH DISPARITY IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTIVE BENEFITS BY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THESE MEDICARE PREVENTIVE BENEFITS. ONE OF THE GREAT PLEASURES IN MY JOB IS THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR AGING IS TO HAVE THE CHANCE TO TRAVEL ACROSS THIS COUNTRY AND MEET WITH SENIORS DIRECTLY. I HAD SUCH AN OCCASION LAST MONTH WHEN I WENT TO THE PHILADELPHIA SENIOR CENTER, VERY VERY INTERESTED IN MEDICARE BENEFITS AND THAT PARTICULAR POPULATION LIKE MANY THAT I SEE WAS A VERY VERY DIVERSE AND BROAD REPRESENTATION OF THE SENIORS THAT WE HAVE IN THIS COUNTRY COME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, EVERY RACE AND ECONOMIC GROUP THAT WE HAVE IN THIS COUNTRY. I'M COMMITTED ALSO TO WORKING WITH PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE BOTH MEDICARE AND MEDICARE TO DO SPECIFIC OUTREACH WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE DULY ELIGIBLE FOR BOTH OF THESE PROGRAMS. AND EIGHT MILLION MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES UNDER 65 AND DISABLED. THE PEOPLE UNDER 65 AND DISABLED ON MEDICARE ALSO HAVE THESE PREVENTIVE BENEFITS AVAILABLE. YOU KNOW THE NUMBERS AND THE REPORT CERTAINLY DOCUMENTS THIS. WE HAVE MORE WORK TO DO IN TERMS OF OUTREACH. BUT THOSE ARE GETTING BETTER. AND I'M PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO JOIN THIS MORNING TO KICK OFF THIS OUTREACH CAMPAIGN. WE CAN'T DO THIS ALONE. WE NEED YOUR HELP. THE MEDIA AS WELL AS OUR PARTNERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WE NEED YOUR HELP IN GETTING THE MESSAGE OUT ABOUT MEDICARE AND PREVENTIVE BENEFITS. WE HAVE A VERY BROAD AND ROBUST NETWORK OF PROVIDERS IN THIS COUNTRY, PROVIDING SERVICES TO SENIORS, CARE GIVERS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. IT'S MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE ONE OF OUR KEY NATIONAL PARTNERS, SANDY MARKWOOK WHO IS THE CEO OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF AREA AGENCIES ON AGING. SHE IS HERE TO SHARE HER ORGANIZATION'S PLAN TO HELP GET THE WORD OUT TO MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES AND THEIR FAMILY ABOUT PREVENTION. >> THANK YOU KATHY AND ADMINISTRATOR BERWICK AND IT'S A WONDERFUL PRIVILEGE TO BE HERE ALSO WITH SECRETARY SEBELIUS AS SHE ANNOUNCES THIS IMPORTANT CAMPAIGN. I'M HERE TO ECHO THEIR COMMITMENT TO GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT THE CRITICAL PREVENTIVE MEDICARE HEALTH BENEFITS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO OLDER AMERICANS. THESE NEW PREVENTION BENEFITS INCLUDED IN THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT INCLUDING THE NO COST WELLNESS VISITS AND THE PREVENTIVE HEALTH SCREENING WILL HELP MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES REMAIN HEALTHIER LONGER, PREVENT CHRONIC ILLNESSES AND ULTIMATELY SAVE LIVES. IN ADDITION TO THESE POSITIVE OUT COMES AND EXPANDED BENEFITS WILL HELP LOWER HEALTHCARE COSTS FOR BENEFICIARIES. AS TODAY'S REPORT SHOWS WHILE THOUSANDS OF MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THESE BENEFITS, THESE STILL A LOT OF WORK YET TO BE DONE. AND THAT IS WHY I ALSO PLEASED TO STAND HERE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF HHS'S NATIONAL OUTREACH EFFORTS TO INCREASE THE AWARENESS OF THESE BENEFITS AMONG AMERICA'S SENIORS. WE FOCUS ON GETTING THE WORD OUT TO ALL MEDICAL BENEFICIARIES ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE TRADITIONALLY BEEN THE MOST DIFFICULT TO REACH, INCLUDING OLDER ADULTS WITH SIGNIFICANT HEALTH DISPARITIES DUE TO SOCIAL ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC CHALLENGES. THE NATION'S AREA AGENCIES ON AGING AND ALSO OUR NATIVE AMERICAN AGING PROGRAM WHICH EXIST IN EVERY COMMUNITY IN THIS COUNTRY ARE WELL POSITIONED TO ASSIST IN THESE OUTREACH EFFORTS. AS ASSISTANT SECRETARY GREENLEE NOTED WE'RE THE BOOTS ON THE GROUNDS, WORKING WITH MILLIONS OF SENIORS AND THEIR CARE GIVERS EVERY DAY, DELIVERING HOME DELIVERED MEALS, DRIVING OLDER ADULTS TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, CONDUCTING HEALTH PROMOTION AND NUTRITION COUNSELING CLASSES, AS WELL AS COUNSELING OLDER ADULTS ON MEDICARE PART D BENEFITS. WORKING THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS AND OUR VAST NETWORK OF PROVIDERS, WE STAND READY TO WORK WITH HHS AS IT ROLLS OUT THIS IMPORTANT CAMPAIGN. TAKING CARE OF YOUR HEALTH IS IMPORTANT NO MATTER WHAT YOUR AGE IS. THE BENEFITS OF PREVENTION KNOW NO AGE BOUNDARIES. THE ABLING NETWORK IS PROUD TO WORK WITH HHS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY OLDER AMERICAN OS WEAR OF THESE CRITICAL PREVENTIVE BENEFITS THAT WILL IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH AND IN SO DOING WILL ALSO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. THE AREA AGENCIES ON AGING IS IMPORTANT. I VISITED A NUMBER OF THEM AND I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW VALUABLE THEY ARE IN TERMS OF BETTING TO THE BENEFICIARIES WHAT THEY WANT AND NEED. SO WE'RE HERE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. PLEASE GO AHEAD. YES, SIR. >> GOOD MORNING. AAFP [INDISCERNIBLE] SIR, WITH THIS CAMPAIGN, HOW MUCH OF AN INCREASE DO YOU THINK PHYSICIANS, OR PARTICULARLY PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS WILL SEE IN PATIENTS COMING IN FOR THESE PREVENTIVE SERVICES? >> I CAN GIVE YOU A QUANTITATIVE ESTIMATE BUT I THINK SUBSTANTIALLY SO WILL BE REMOVING COST BARRIERS GETTING THE WORD OUT. PEOPLE ARE ALSO MORE AND MORE AWARE OF THE BENEFITS OF PREVENTION. AND I THINK PEOPLE ARE MORE AWARE OF HOW IMPORTANT THOSE BENEFITS ARE IN THE AGING POPULATION ARE NOW REACHING THE AGE OF MEDICARE IS HOW MANY AN INVITATION TO BEGIN AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF ACTIVITY AND GIVE YOU HEALTHY AND ROBUST FOR A LONG LONG TIME. THESE ARE IMPORTANT BENEFITS AND I THINK WE'LL SEE A LOT OF INCREASES INTERESTS ESPECIALLY NOW THAT BARRIERS HAVE BEEN LOWERED. YES, SIR? >> THANK YOU. REA CARD OWE [INDISCERNIBLE] WITH AP. I NOTICED THE STATS HERE. THEY JUST REFER TO PEOPLE WITH TRADITIONAL MEDICARE. I'M JUST CURIOUS WHAT HAPPENS TO THE PEOPLE WITH THE MANAGED CARE PLANS, MEDICARE ADVANTAGE, DO THEY HAVE THESE BENEFITS AS WELL. >> THAT'S UP TO THE PLANS WHAT BENEFITS ARE NORMED THERE. WE CAN GIVE YOU MORE DETAILS LATER ON ON MEDICARE. THIS IS PART OF A BIG MOVEMENT IN OUR COUNTRY TOWARD INCREASING THE IMPORTANCE AND THE BEN TRAIKS OF EFFECTIVE BRAND OF SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE POPULATION, ALL AGE GROUPS AS KATHY SAID, YOU'LL SEE THAT HAPPEN EVERYWHERE. >> JUST A FOLLOW UPMENT ONE OF THE PREVIOUS PSAs THAT THE DIDN'T DID, THE ONE WITH ANDY GRIFFITH GOT CRITICIZED BY THE PUBLIC BY THE HEALTHCARE LAW. ANY CONCERNS ABOUT THIS ONE. HAVE YOU RUN IT BY THE AREA OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. >> EVERYONE'S INTERESTED IN PREVENTION. I DON'T THINK THERE'S A PARTISAN ISSUE. WE WANT A HEALTHY COUNTRY WITH PEOPLE LIVING LONG, WISE, FULLY ROBUST AND I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT PEOPLE WILL BE AGAINST PROGRESSING PREVENTION IN THIS COUNTRY. >> THANK YOU. >> [INDISCERNIBLE] WITH CNS NEWS. >> WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST NAME. >> NICHOLAS [INDISCERNIBLE] YOU CRITICIZED INDIANA MOVE TO CUT OFF MEDICAID FUNDING FOR PLANNED PARENTHOOD BECAUSE IT PER FORMED ABORTION SERVICES. DO YOU THINK TAXPAYERS IN EVERY STATE SHOULD FUND A PLANNED PARENTED WHO HAD THAT SAYS IT PERFORMED OVER 300,000 ABORTIONS PER YEAR. >> THIS IS FOCUSED ON THE PREVENTION WORK. WE CAN TALK TO YOU OFF LINE. I'LL JUST SAY AS INDIANA AND EVERYWHERE WE'RE CARRYING OUT OUR DUTIES TO IMPLEMENT THE LAW. WE DON'T MAKE THE LAW, WE IMPLEMENT IT. >> [INDISCERNIBLE] METHOD YOU WERE HEALTHCARE MAGAZINE. IN YOUR LETTER TO PHYSICIANS, YOU SAID THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO MODIFY, WORK TO METHOD FI -- MODIFY THE NGR. REQUEST YOU BE MORE SPECIFIC. >> WE'RE COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH CONGRESS IN SOLVING THE PROBLEM AND THE PROPOSED BUDGET. THERE'S A TWO YEAR FIX WHICH IS QUITE WITHIN REACH, FUNDABLE. WE ARE COMMITTED TO SOLVING THIS PROBLEM. NOBODY WANTS A DAM CLEAZ HANGING OVER THE HEAD OF THE PHYSICIANS OR THE PATIENTS THEY CARE FOR. YES, MA'AM. >> [INDISCERNIBLE] ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION AND ABA COMMISSION ON AGING. HI. SO I'M REALLY GLAD TO SEE THIS LETTER TO THE HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS BECAUSE WE SENT THE WORD OUT ESPECIALLY ABOUT THE ANNUAL WELLNESS VISIT AND WHAT PHYSICIANS HAVE TOLD SOME OF THE BENEFICIARIES, THEY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT AND NUMBER TWO THEY DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO BILL FOR IT. SO ONE SUGGESTION, I NOTICED IN THE DEAR DOCTOR LETTER THAT THERE WASN'T REALLY A LINK MAYBE IN THE -- MATERIALS OR SOME OF THE MATERIALS REGARDING HOW PROVIDERS CAN BILL FOR IT BECAUSE THAT'S A MAJOR CONCERN. >> THANKS FOR THE SUGGESTION. YOU KNOW, GETTING THE WORD OUT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO EVERYONE, BENEFICIARIES, NURSES, PHARMACISTS, DOCTORS AND I THINK WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER AND I THINK OUR AIM IS TO REALLY MAKE SURE THAT THE PROBLEM YOU VITED AREN'T THERE. PHYSICIANS ARE AWARE NOT ONLY ABOUT THE BENEFIT BUT HOW TO IMPLEMENT IT. I WANT TO SAY IN THE WHOLE PHYSICIAN COMMUNITY NOT JUST IN PRIMARY CARE, I CAN SEE A GROWING COMMITMENT TO PREVENTION BECAUSE IT'S SO MUCH MORE POSSIBLE NOW WE REALLY CAN KEEP PEOPLE HEALTHIER FOR SO MUCH LONGER SO GETTING THE WORD OUT IS CRUCIAL. YES, MA'AM? >> ALISHA BEARD WITH ABC. I WAS JUST SAYING THAT YOU SAID FIVE MILLION PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THIS NEW PLAN. WHY ARE PEOPLE PARTICIPATING -- >> THERE MAY BE AWARENESS ISSUES THAT WE'LL BE TACKLING. IT IS IN THE END UP TO THE DOCTOR AND PATIENT AS TO WHETHER THEY CAN USE THIS, IF IT'S OF VALUE. THAT'S A STARTING PLACE AND WE'RE AIMING TO GO A LOT HIGHER THAN THE FIVE MILLION. YES, SIR? >> HARVEY STONE, PUBLIC HEALTH [INDISCERNIBLE] APPROVED THE ACA, PARTICULARLY THE SENIORS HAVE THE CONCERNS. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT HOW TO OVERCOME THOSE BARRIERS. >> I'VE BEEN OUT TALKING TO SENIORS THROUGH MY TENURE HERE AND I FIND TREMENDOUS RESONANCE WITH WHAT'S GOING ON. WHEN I SPEAK WITH SENIOR AND SENIOR GROUPS AND EXPLAIN TO THEM THAT THE DOUGHNUT HOLE ARE CLOSING THAT PREVENTION BENEFITS ARE AVAILABLE, THAT THEIR 26 YEAR OLD GRANDCHILDREN MAY BE ABLE TO ACCESS NOW UNDER THE FAMILY POLICY UNDER AGE 26. WHEN I EXPLAIN HOW NOW WE'RE GOING TO MAKE INSURANCE POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE, THEIR NEIGHBORS WHO WAKE UP IN THE MORNING UNABLE TO FIND INSURANCES PRIOR TO THE ACA. I FIND TREMENDOUS RESONANCE. THAT'S WHAT IT DOES, THAT'S TERRIFIC AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE MORE AND MORE AS THE AFFORDABLE KICKS IN WITH THIS PREVENTION WORK I THINK PEOPLE WILL MORE AND MORE REALIZE WHAT A TREMENDOUS STEP FORWARD THIS FRAMEWORK IS FOR OUR COUNTRY. >> WE HAVE TIME FOR ONE MORE QUESTION. >> HI. MY NAME IS [INDISCERNIBLE] AND I'M FROM THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON AGING. WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW TO REACH OUT TO PEOPLE FROM RURAL AREAS. SO HOW ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE FROM [INDISCERNIBLE] ARE GOING TO BE BENEFITED BY THIS. >> WE WANT TO LEAVE NO ONE OUT. YOU HEARD ABOUT OUR WORK ON SPANISH LANGUAGE TRANSLATION AS PART OF THE OUTREACH AND I THINK RURAL AREAS ARE ABSOLUTE KEY. I WILL LEAVE IT TO MY STAFF TO TALK WITH YOU OFF LINE WHEN WE'RE DONE ABOUT SPECIFICALLY TARGETED RURAL AREAS BUT RURAL HEALTH IN THIS ADMINISTRATION IS EXTREMELY STRONG AND WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE NOT JUST LEFT BEHIND BUT ACTUALLY LEADING THE PACK. >> HOW ABOUT A PULL OFF QUESTION. IT CAME TO MY ATTENTION THAT VERY LITTLE WAS SAID OR MAYBE EVEN ANYTHING WAS FOUND AT LEAST IN THE MATERIAL CONCERNING COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT AND HOW YOU WILL BE ABLE TO PREVENTED CLINICAL DISEASE. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT WILL BE DONE REGARDING THE -- >> SCREENING FOR COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. I'LL ASK KATHY TO COMMENT IN A SECOND. I'LL TELL YOU IN THE GUIDANTS WE'RE GIVING FOR THE ANNUAL WELLNESS PHYSICAL, THERE ARE COMPONENTS THAT ARE BEING SUGGESTED, WE'LL HAVE A FRAME WORK AROUND HEALTH RISK APPRAISAL WHICH WOULD INCLUDE AWARENESS OF RISK FACTORS INCLUDING COGNITIVE RISK FACTORS. KATHY, DO YOU WANT TO TALK A LILT BIT MORE ABOUT SCREENING FOR COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT? >> ACTUALLY I ALSO WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE RURAL OUTREACH. AS SANDY HAD NOTED, THE ADMINISTRATION ON AGING FUND EVERY STATE OVER 250 TRIBES, AND HOW MANY AREA AGENCIES DO YOU HAVE? 629 AREA AGENCIES ON AGING. SO WE DO HAVE INDIVIDUALS IN EVERY COMMUNITY WHO CAN HELP PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. AND PROVIDE EDUCATION ABOUT THE MEDICARE BENEFIT. PLUS THE NEW BENEFITS AND THE BENEFITS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THERE. WE'RE QUITE PLEASED TO JOIN THE CAMPAIGN TO TALK ABOUT THE NEW PREVENTIVE BENEFITS AND EQUALLY COMMITTED TO CONTINUING THE WORK THAT WE'VE ALWAYS DONE TO DO OUTREACH THAT WE EXPLAIN TO MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES WHAT THEIR BENEFICIARIES ARE. I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD OTHER THAN WHAT YOU TALKED ABOUT THE NEW SCREENING. PEOPLE WHO ARE CONFEUDSED ABOUT WHAT'S AVAILABLE SHOULD LOOK IN THEIR MEDICARE HANDBOOK. ALWAYS WELCOME TO CALL 1-800-MEDICARE IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS. THAT CAN REFER PEOPLE BACK TO THE SENIOR, THE STATE HEALTH ASSURANCE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN EVERY STATE. WE ALSO FIND THAT THE BEST WAY TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IS TO TALK TO SOMEONE, ONE PERSON AT A TIME AND THAT'S WHERE OUR PARTNER WAS PARTNERSHIP WITH C. NN WAS CRITICAL SO WE CAN TALK TO EVERYBODY. OR WHETHER THE PERSON WE'RE TALKING TO IS THE CARE-GIVER HELPING SOMEONE ELSE. I THINK THERE'S MORE TO ADD ON THE COGNITIVE. >> THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US TODAY. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT
NOTE: The transcript for this program may have been compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.