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September 27, 2012
HHS continues to support state efforts to build Affordable Insurance Exchanges
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today awarded a new round of Affordable Insurance Exchange Establishment Grants to Arkansas, Colorado, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and the District of Columbia.  These awards will give states the flexibility and resources needed to create new health insurance marketplaces, known as Exchanges, for their residents.

September 27, 2012
Affordable Care Act funds to enhance quality of care at community health centers
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced new grants that will improve the quality of care at community health centers and ensure more women are screened for cervical cancer. The grants will help 810 community health centers become patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs) and increase their rates of cervical cancer screening.

September 25, 2012
Health care law increases number of mental and behavioral health providers
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced a new program, made possible by the Affordable Care Act, which will boost the number of social workers and psychologists who work with Americans in rural areas, military personnel, veterans, and their families.

September 24, 2012
Health care law ensures consumers get clear, consistent information about health coverage
Because of the health care law, millions of Americans will have access to standardized, easy-to-understand information about health plan benefits and coverage.  Insurance companies and employers are now required to provide consumers in the private health insurance market with a brief summary of what a health insurance policy or employer plan covers, called a Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC).

September 21, 2012
Through the Affordable Care Act, Americans with Medicare will save $5,000 through 2022
Because of the health care law – the Affordable Care Act – the average person with traditional Medicare will save $5,000 from 2010 to 2022, according to a report today from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

September 19, 2012
Medicare Advantage remains strong
Enrollment in the Medicare Advantage (MA) program is projected to increase by 11 percent in the next year and premiums will remain steady, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today. Since the Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010, Medicare Advantage premiums have fallen by 10 percent and enrollment has risen by 28 percent.

September 17, 2012
Massachusetts provider settles HIPAA case for $1.5 million
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Associates Inc. (collectively referred to as “MEEI”) has agreed to pay the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) $1.5 million to settle potential violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Security Rule.  MEEI also agreed to take corrective action to improve policies and procedures to safeguard the privacy and security of its patients’ protected health information.

September 17, 2012
HHS, VA demonstrate secure sharing of sensitive health information
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced a demonstration of the standards to allow  sensitive health information to be shared responsibly and to comply with confidentiality laws and regulations among providers using electronic health records (EHRs).

September 17, 2012
Statement from HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Hispanic Heritage Month
Beginning September 15, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, recognizing the Latino community’s many contributions to our nation. At the same time, Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to renew our commitment to promote health and wellness in the Latino community.

September 13, 2012
ASPR Twitter challenge sparks innovation in tracking local health trends
Local public health officials can use a free new Web-based application, MappyHealth, to track health concerns in real time in their communities using Twitter, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) announced today.

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