News & Events
New Study Urges Improved Developmental Screening for Hispanic Kids
A new study in the journal "Autism" suggests that Hispanic children with developmental delays (DD) often are undiagnosed. The study raises concern that Hispanic parents may not have access to accurate information on developmental milestones and the importance of early screening and treatment. Investigators found that of the Hispanic kids in the study, 6.3 percent had signs of DD compared with 2.4 percent of non-Hispanics.
Long-Term Care Consumers Speak Out about Home Care
A new report by the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care finds that consumers want to stay in their homes as they age and/or as disability requires them to get assistance. The report, Consumer Perspectives on Quality Home Care, also shows that consumers believe increased funding for in-home services and better pay and benefits for direct care workers are necessary to allow consumers to stay in their homes. This link opens a PDF document.
HIV Patient Assistance Program Speeds Up Application Process for Medication
The Common Patient Assistance Program Application is now up and running. This application allows uninsured people living with HIV to use one application to apply for several assistance programs that provide antiretroviral therapy. Patient Assistance Programs provide free or discounted medication to eligible patients who cannot afford it themselves.
CDC Reports Children with Neurologic Disorders at High Risk of Death from Flu
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that a high number of children with disorders related to the nervous system die from flu-related complications. The most commonly reported complications for children were flu-associated pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
The New Medicare.gov: Making Medicare Information Clearer & Simpler
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has redesigned the Medicare.gov website to make it more accessible and easier for beneficiaries, their families and caregivers to find the information they're looking for. The new features let users find the information they’re looking for directly from the home page.
Affordable Care Act Helps People with Medicare Save More than $4.1 Billion on Prescription Drugs
The Affordable Care Act has saved nearly 5.4 million seniors and people with disabilities more than $4.1 billion on their medications. Seniors in the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap, or "donut hole," have saved an average of $768. The health care law has also helped nearly 18 million people with original Medicare get at least one free preventive service in the first seven months of 2012.
HHS Partners with Pharmacies to Educate Medicare Beneficiaries about New Health Benefits
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced partnerships with several pharmacies to help customers learn about new Medicare benefits available to them under the Affordable Care Act. These partnerships – with CVS Caremark, Walgreens, Thrifty White, Walmart and Sam's Club will provide Medicare beneficiaries a range of educational materials on newly available preventive services, as well as savings on prescription drugs in the “donut hole” coverage gap.
Arc Awarded CDC Funding to Improve Health of People with Intellectual, Developmental Disabilities
The Arc has been awarded a three year cooperative agreement by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to run a new project called HealthMeet. The project’s goal is to improve the health of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through trainings for health students and professionals, community-based health assessments, data collection and a public awareness campaign.
More than 16 Million People with Medicare Received Free Preventive Services in 2012
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Affordable Care Act helped over 16 million people with original Medicare get at least one preventive service at no cost to them during the first six months of 2012. This includes 1.35 million who have taken advantage of the Annual Wellness Visit. Find more information on Medicare-covered preventive services or learn what screenings, vaccinations and other preventive services doctors recommend.
Get the Facts - What the Affordable Care Act Means for You & Your Family
President Obama’s health reform law gives hard working families the security they deserve. The Affordable Care Act holds insurance companies accountable, lowers health care costs, gives Americans more freedom and control in their health care choices and improves the quality of care. The health reform law also includes several provisions that benefit people with disabilities. For more information read Myths & Facts about the Affordable Care Act and get information about how the law is making a difference in your state.
NIH Funding Opportunity on Health Promotion for Children with Physical Disabilities
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced grant opportunities for research to improve the understanding of how exercise and diet affect the health and fitness of children with physical disabilities. Proposals should account for the functional limitations of children with disabilities and their nutritional needs, as well as the physiological, psychosocial, and environmental factors that affect the health of this population. Application deadlines are in different funding cycles depending on grant type. Applications will be accepted beginning September 16, 2011.