Content about Department of Health and Human Services

May 15, 2013
Program launched to raise awareness of depression among employers

According to a study published 10 years ago, depression costs $44 billion per year in lost productivity, but a new program is designed to raise awareness about depression in the workforce and its effects on productivity.

CANTON, Ohio — According to a study published 10 years ago, depression costs $44 billion per year in lost productivity, but a new program is designed to raise awareness about depression in the workforce and its effects on productivity.

April 26, 2013
Obama administration hopes to tackle prescription drug abuse

More than 1.3 million emergency room visits in 2010 were related to abuse of prescription drugs, and the problem has become widespread enough that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classifies it as an epidemic. In response, curbing abuse of prescription drugs has become a cornerstone of the Obama administration's drug policy.

WASHINGTON — More than 1.3 million emergency room visits in 2010 were related to abuse of prescription drugs, and the problem has become widespread enough that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classifies it as an epidemic. In response, curbing abuse of prescription drugs has become a cornerstone of the Obama administration's drug policy.

April 9, 2013
S.C. health and human services director tours MinuteClinic location

A MinuteClinic location at a CVS store in downtown Columbia, S.C., got a visit from one of the state's top health officials recently.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A MinuteClinic location at a CVS store in downtown Columbia, S.C., got a visit from one of the state's top health officials recently.

April 5, 2013
District Court orders FDA to lift prescription restriction of Plan B One-Step for underage women

The Food and Drug Administration has 30 days to approve over-the-counter availability of the emergency contraceptive Plan B One-Step to women of all ages, according to a decision issued by Judge Edward Korman of the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York.

NEW YORK — The Food and Drug Administration has 30 days to approve over-the-counter availability of the emergency contraceptive Plan B One-Step to women of all ages, according to a decision issued Friday by Judge Edward Korman of the United States District Court, Eastern District of New York. In a second decision, Korman declined to intervene on Teva Pharma's behalf in extending patent exclusivity for Plan B One-Step. 

March 28, 2013
AHRQ announces winners of Evidence-Based Care Challenge

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, which is an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, has announced the winners of its Evidence-Based Care Challenge, a pilot project developed to increase awareness and use of evidence-based healthcare tools in the retail health setting.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, which is an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, has announced the winners of its Evidence-Based Care Challenge, a pilot project developed to increase awareness and use of evidence-based healthcare tools in the retail health setting.

The EBC Challenge, launched by AHRQ through the Community Forum with American Institutes for Research and a subcontract to AcademyHealth, ran from June 18 to 
Oct. 19, 2012.

March 28, 2013
CDC launches second series of impactful 'quit smoking' ads

Continuing with the success of last year’s national education ad campaign, "Tips from Former Smokers," a second series of ads was launched Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

ATLANTA — Continuing with the success of last year’s national education ad campaign, "Tips from Former Smokers," a second series of ads was launched Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

March 28, 2013
HHS updates HIPAA rules for electronic health records

The Department of Health and Human Services issued a new rule that it said was necessary to protect the security of health information stored online.

NEW YORK — The Department of Health and Human Services issued a new rule that it said was necessary to protect the security of health information stored online.

As required by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, which was part of the 2009 economic stimulus bill, HHS said it would change patient privacy rules in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act in order to provide for privacy and security protection for information stored in electronic health records.

March 1, 2013
NACDS touts MTM in response to CMS call letter

Every year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issues a "call letter" to lay out various policies and requirements for the coming program year within the Medicare program.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Every year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issues a "call letter" to lay out various policies and requirements for the coming program year within the Medicare program.

February 15, 2013
NACDS Foundation sponsors nationwide heart-health initiatives

The philanthropic arm of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores is supporting various heart-health programs around the country to support a Department of Health and Human Services campaign.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The philanthropic arm of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores is supporting various heart-health programs around the country to support a Department of Health and Human Services campaign.

The NACDS Foundation announced the launch of the NACDS Foundation and Million Hearts "Heart to Heart Community Health Fairs," supporting HHS' "Team Up, Pressure Down" campaign. Various initiatives will take place in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

January 31, 2013
Partnership aims to curb cardiovascular disease among African-Americans in Alabama

A new health initiative will address cardiovascular disease among African-Americans living in three counties in Alabama where the problem is considered significant.

WASHINGTON — A new health initiative will address cardiovascular disease among African-Americans living in three counties in Alabama where the problem is considered significant.

January 14, 2013
HHS proposes new rules for Medicaid, exchanges under ACA

The Department of Health and Human Services is proposing a new rule that it said would promote consistent policies and processes for eligibility notices in Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program and the health insurance exchanges mandated under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

WASHINGTON — The Department of Health and Human Services is proposing a new rule that it said would promote consistent policies and processes for eligibility notices in Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program and the health insurance exchanges mandated under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

January 10, 2013
U.S. lags other developed countries in health, life expectancy, report finds

A new report gives low marks to the United States in the health of its citizens, finding that Americans have higher rates of injury and disease and die sooner than their counterparts in other developed countries.

WASHINGTON — A new report gives low marks to the United States in the health of its citizens, finding that Americans have higher rates of injury and disease and die sooner than their counterparts in other developed countries.

December 20, 2012
Advocacy group says proposed compounding regulations would endanger public health

An advocacy group said proposed Food and Drug Administration rules for compounding pharmacies would put the public's health and safety at risk.

WASHINGTON — An advocacy group said proposed Food and Drug Administration rules for compounding pharmacies would put the public's health and safety at risk.

In a letter sent to Department of Health and Human Services secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Public Citizen criticized Food and Drug Administration commissioner Margaret Hamburg for "both undermining her agency's authority in congressional testimony last month and offering a plan that would effectively weaken the agency's oversight of drug manufacturing."

November 27, 2012
Acute and growing shortage of primary care docs elevating role of pharmacists, nurse practitioners

Who needs the services of community pharmacists and the nurse practitioners who staff retail-based walk-in clinics and ambulatory care centers? Among others, the nearly 67 million Americans underserved by primary care physicians.

Who needs the services of community pharmacists and the nurse practitioners who staff retail-based walk-in clinics and ambulatory care centers? Among others, the nearly 67 million Americans underserved by primary care physicians.

October 18, 2012
PharmaSmart teams up with hypertension campaign

A company that makes health kiosks has joined a campaign to promote blood pressure management among patients with hypertension.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A company that makes health kiosks has joined a campaign to promote blood pressure management among patients with hypertension.

October 9, 2012
Retail clinics vs. urgent care — it’s a numbers game

A few months ago, I found myself commenting on another website focused on healthcare-related news about the future growth potential for retail clinics versus urgent care centers. Actually, I was on the verge of a full-on debate with some other user, saved only by the grace of a site error. It is an ironic example of how technology can make humans more efficient — even if by mistake.


A few months ago, I found myself commenting on another website focused on healthcare-related news about the future growth potential for retail clinics versus urgent care centers. Actually, I was on the verge of a full-on debate with some other user, saved only by the grace of a site error. It is an ironic example of how technology can make humans more efficient — even if by mistake.


October 5, 2012
Thrifty White, LDM partner to deliver targeted messaging to Rx patients

LDM Group, a provider of behavior-based health management programs, and Minnesota-based pharmacy chain Thrifty White have entered a partnership to support the "Million Hearts" initiative, a national public and private initiative led by the Department of Health and Human Services whose goal is to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes over the next five years.

ST. LOUIS and PLYMOUTH, Minn. — LDM Group, a provider of behavior-based health management programs, and Minnesota-based pharmacy chain Thrifty White have entered a partnership to support the "Million Hearts" initiative, a national public and private initiative led by the Department of Health and Human Services whose goal is to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes over the next five years.

September 27, 2012
Health officials, experts get vaccinated for flu as study highlights progress, gaps in vaccination efforts

Flu vaccination rates have remained steady overall, but rates continue to vary between age groups and among states, according to data from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study published Thursday.

WASHINGTON — Flu vaccination rates have remained steady overall, but rates continue to vary between age groups and among states, according to data from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study published Thursday.

September 26, 2012
Cardinal Health initiates Medicare awareness effort in advance of healthcare-reform changes

Cardinal Health this week announced that it is kicking off an effort to encourage its retail pharmacy customers to educate their patients about new Medicare benefits and options that will be available under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act starting in 2013.

DUBLIN, Ohio — Cardinal Health this week announced that it is kicking off an effort to encourage its retail pharmacy customers to educate their patients about new Medicare benefits and options that will be available under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act starting in 2013.

September 18, 2012
HHS releases early detection system through Twitter

The Department of Health and Human Services last week unveiled a new free Web-based application, MappyHealth, which utilizes Twitter to help track health concerns at the community level in real time.

WASHINGTON — The Department of Health and Human Services last week unveiled a new free Web-based application, MappyHealth, which utilizes Twitter to help track health concerns at the community level in real time.

August 30, 2012
Report: Former HHS secretary Mike Leavitt to lead GOP hopeful's health policy efforts

Former secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt will lead presidential hopeful Mitt Romney's transition planning should Romney win the fall elections, according to a report published Wednesday by National Journal Daily.

WASHINGTON — Former secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt will lead presidential hopeful Mitt Romney's transition planning should Romney win the fall elections, according to a report published Wednesday by National Journal Daily.

Leavitt helped author the prescription coverage under Medicare Part D during his tenure at HHS.

August 15, 2012
HHS partners with drug store chains to underscore Medicare benefits to seniors

The Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday announced partnerships with several pharmacies to help customers learn about new Medicare benefits available to them under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

WASHINGTON — The Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday announced partnerships with several pharmacies to help customers learn about new Medicare benefits available to them under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

These partnerships — with CVS Caremark, Sam's Club, Thrifty White, Walgreens and Walmart — will provide Medicare beneficiaries with a range of educational materials on newly available preventive services, as well as savings on prescription drug spending in the "doughnut hole" coverage gap.

July 30, 2012
Walgreens, HHS latest partnership continues to expand scope of retail pharmacy

If you're a student of pharmacy today, this is what you have to look forward to in the retail pharmacy setting: working with local, state and national health departments on creating market-driven disease state management programs; actually practicing what your professors have been preaching over the past six years; applying patient management skills over prescription adjudication skills; and making a real difference in your patients' lives.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — If you're a student of pharmacy today, this is what you have to look forward to in the retail pharmacy setting: working with local, state and national health departments on creating market-driven disease state management programs; actually practicing what your professors have been preaching over the past six years; applying patient management skills over prescription adjudication skills; and making a real difference in your patients' lives.

July 24, 2012
Walgreens develops MTM for HIV patients in pilot with HHS

Walgreens on Tuesday announced plans to work with the Department of Health and Human Services on the development of a medication therapy management program to help improve outcomes for HIV patients.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Tuesday announced plans to work with the Department of Health and Human Services on the development of a medication therapy management program to help improve outcomes for HIV patients. The multiyear program will examine the impact of MTM intervention in the community pharmacy setting, with Walgreens anticipating to provide nearly $1 million in in-kind services.

July 20, 2012
NACDS calls for unified approach to drug abuse in Public Health and Preparedness bill

Prescription drug abuse and diversion merit a coordinated response across federal agencies, and pending legislation can advance this unified approach, stated National Association of Chain Drug Stores president and CEO Steve Anderson in a letter to senators.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Prescription drug abuse and diversion merit a coordinated response across federal agencies, and pending legislation can advance this unified approach, stated National Association of Chain Drug Stores president and CEO Steve Anderson in a letter to senators.