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October 25, 2012
People with Medicare save $4.8 billion on prescription drugs because of the health care law
As a result of the Affordable Care Act, 5.6 million seniors and people with disabilities have saved $4.8 billion on prescription drugs since the law was enacted, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today.  This year alone, 2.3 million people in the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap known as the “donut hole” have saved an average of $657.  During the first nine months of 2012, over 20.7 million people with original Medicare got at least one preventive service at no cost to them.

October 24, 2012
Statement from HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on World Polio Day
As we observe World Polio Day today, we can consider that, although many Americans may think of polio as a scourge that affected children long ago, this paralyzing disease continues to threaten many children in the world.  Polio continues to kill, and those who live can face a lifetime often marked by limited mobility, employment and marriage prospects, as well as social stigma. 

October 14, 2012
Statement from HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on the passing of Senator Arlen Specter
I am deeply saddened by the passing of former Senator Arlen Specter. Senator Specter was a strong advocate and champion for the mission of the Department of Health and Human Services, and the issues we work on every day, including biomedical research, public health, and disease research and prevention.

October 12, 2012
People With Medicare Have More High Quality Choices | En Español
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that people with Medicare have more high quality choices and the performance of Medicare Advantage plans is improving. HHS also released the 2013 quality ratings for Medicare health and drug plans on the web-based Medicare Plan Finder.

October 12, 2012
Statement from HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on World Arthritis Day
Today is World Arthritis Day, a special time for us to remember that 50 million Americans suffer every day from painful arthritis, and to spread the word about ways to prevent and manage this debilitating disease.

October 12, 2012
Two Innovation Challenge winners announced
New tools to help patients better manage and access information in their electronic health records (EHRs) have been selected as challenge winners by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) during the Health 2.0 Sixth Annual Fall Conference in San Francisco.

October 11, 2012
Health care law increases access to primary care through the National Health Service Corps
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced that $229.4 million was invested in the National Health Service Corps in 2012 to support more doctors and nurses and increase access to primary care.  These investments included nearly 4,600 loan repayment and scholarship awards to clinicians and students, and grants to 32 states to support state loan repayment programs.

October 5, 2012
Statement from HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on National Physician Assistant Week
I am pleased to recognize October 6 through 12 as National Physician Assistants Week and to acknowledge the important role PAs play in our nation’s health care system.

October 4, 2012
Medicare Fraud Strike Force Charges 91 Individuals for Approximately $430 Million in False Billing
Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations in seven cities have led to charges against 91 individuals – including doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals – for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving approximately $429.2 million in false billing, Attorney General Eric Holder and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today.

October 4, 2012
HHS announces awards for organ donation and transplantation
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) officials today presented awards to 404 hospitals, 38 organ procurement organizations (OPOs), and 174 transplant programs for their success in increasing the number of organs available and transplanted.

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