Health
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced on Friday a new funding opportunity to help states continue their work to implement the health care law – the Affordable Care Act.
When the law is fully implemented in 2014, the affordable insurance exchanges will provide people and small businesses with one-stop shops to find, compare and purchase affordable, high-quality health insurance.
Friday’s announcement makes more funding available to build all models of affordable insurance exchanges available to states.
HHS also issued further guidance Friday to help states understand the full scope of activities that can be funded under the available grant funding as they work to build exchanges.
“The federal government and our state partners are moving forward to implement the health care law,” Secretary Sebelius said. “This new funding opportunity will give states the resources they need to establish affordable insurance exchanges and ensure Americans are no longer on their own when shopping for insurance.”
The funding opportunity announced today will provide states with 10 additional opportunities to apply for funding to establish a state-based exchange, state partnership exchange, or to prepare state systems for a federally facilitated exchange.
To date, 34 states and the District of Columbia have received approximately $850 million in Exchange Establishment Level One and Level Two cooperative agreements to fund their progress toward building exchanges.
Under the new announcement, states can apply for exchange establishment cooperative agreements through the end of 2014. These funds are available for states to use beyond 2014 as they continue to work on their exchanges. This ensures that states have the support and time necessary to build the best exchange for their residents.
The guidance HHS issued Friday provides information on the exchange-building activities that states can fund with establishment cooperative agreements.
The guidance can be found at http://cciio.cms.gov/resources/factsheets/hie-est-grant-faq-06292012.html .
HHS will conduct regional implementation forums in coming months to assist states and stakeholders on the work to be done in building exchanges, and to address their questions.
HHS will also engage with tribes, tribal governments and tribal organizations on how exchanges can serve their populations.
For more information on exchanges, including fact sheets, visit http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/2011/05/exchanges05232011a.html .
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SACRAMENTO – California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director Dr. Ron Chapman on Wednesday warned people not to eat Banner Mountain Organic Alfalfa Sprouts, Organic Clover Sprouts, and Organic Sprout Blends containing alfalfa or clover sprouts, because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella.
To date, no illnesses have been reported.
Banner Mountain Sprouts Inc. of Sacramento initiated a voluntary recall after learning that a routine company surveillance sample of its sprouts tested positive for Salmonella.
The recalled sprouts have “sell by” dates between June 17, 2012 and July 6, 2012 and were distributed to retail and wholesale locations throughout California.
The recalled sprouts were packaged in clear four- and five-ounce plastic “clamshell-type” containers, and one- and two-pound plastic bags with labels applied to each.
The following product labels are currently being recalled by Banner Mountain Sprouts:
- Alfalfa Sprouts – 1 and 2 pound plastic bags / 4 ounce plastic container;
- Clover Sprouts – 1 pound plastic bag / 4 ounce plastic container;
- Zesty Greens – 4 ounce plastic container;
- Sprout Salad – 5 ounce plastic container;
- Alfalfa-Broccoli Sprouts – 4 ounce plastic container.
Consumers in possession of these recalled sprout products should discard or return to the store of purchase for refund.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection include fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea which may be bloody. Most infected people recover within a week.
Some may develop complications that require hospitalization. Infants, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are at highest risk for more severe illness.
CDPH recommends consumers experiencing any ill effects after consuming these products should consult their health care provider.
Consumers that observe the product being offered for sale are encouraged to report to the CDPH toll free complaint line at 800-495-3232.
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