27 Jun 2014

Governor Quinn Signs Law to Improve Access to Mental Health Care

By Katie Hickey

Illinois Becomes Third State in the Nation Allowing Clinical Psychologists to Write Prescriptions

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to improve access to mental health care by allowing certain clinical psychologists to write prescriptions for their patients. The new law requires clinical psychologists to meet high education and training standards before applying for a license to prescribe medicine. Illinois is now the third state, along with New Mexico and Louisiana, which allow patients to get necessary medication from a psychologist. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to ensure all people have access to quality healthcare and improve the health and well-being of the people of Illinois.

"We have to make sure people across Illinois can be properly cared for by a medical professional they know and trust," Governor Quinn said. "If someone needs help and lives on a budget, they shouldn't have to make multiple appointments or travel far and wide to get a prescription. This new law will improve access to mental health care by cutting down the number of doctors that patients need to see in order to get their medicine."

Senate Bill 2187, sponsored by State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) and State Representative John Bradley (D-Marion), creates a Prescribing Psychologist license that may be issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). This license may be issued to a licensed, doctoral level psychologist who has undergone specialized training, passed an examination and has entered into a written collaborative oversight agreement with a licensed physician. The psychologist may only prescribe medications to treat the mental illnesses of his or her patients who are between the ages of 17 and 65.

Under the previous law, clinical psychologists could provide mental health services to patients but were not able to write prescriptions. Typically, an individual sees a psychologist (a Ph.D.) for therapy and a psychiatrist (an M.D.) for their medication. The training requirements for prescribing psychologists under the new law mirror those of advanced practice nurses and physician assistants. The new is effective immediately.

"Southern Illinois has a limited number of psychiatrists, and allowing psychologists to prescribe certain medications only increases access to medical care and creates more opportunities for citizens to seek necessary treatment," Representative Bradley said.

"The unfortunate truth is that there aren't enough psychiatrists in Illinois to meet our state's needs," Senator Harmon said. "Giving psychologists limited authority to prescribe medicine, in consultation with medical doctors, should help us fill our system's current gaps."

Governor Quinn has long supported affordable and effective healthcare for all. He signed a law in 2010 to expand needed access to dental services by allowing licensed dentists to provide volunteer care at a nonprofit health clinic, which can then receive payments from the state. The clinics can use the Medicaid funding to pay for dental care costs such as equipment and supplies. The law will help encourage more dentists to treat low-income families throughout Illinois.

Also under Governor Quinn's leadership, Illinois proposed a five-year plan to transform the state's healthcare system, including strengthening the state's healthcare workforce, to meet the needs of Medicaid beneficiaries. If approved, the proposal would allow the state to obtain $5.2 billion in federal matching funds over five years to implement the plan.

Governor Quinn has signed multiple pieces of legislation to clarify and expand the scope of practice for certain healthcare professionals in order to ensure that Illinois residents have access to the healthcare they need. He also supports efforts to streamline and expedite veteran applications for professional licenses to benefit military families seeking employment and consumers seeking access to qualified healthcare professionals.

###
25 Jun 2014

Are E-Cigs Really Safe

By Ginny Grimsley

4 Reasons Why Some E-Cigs Are a Safer
Alternative to Traditional Smoking
CEO Applauds FDA's Proposed Regulations

The Food and Drug Administration is trying to get a handle on new smoking products, including electronic cigarettes, with newly proposed regulations that include banning sales to minors and requiring manufacturers to register all of their products and ingredients with the FDA.

"I like these proposals; the public needs clarity on smoking alternatives because we have 42.1 million adult tobacco smokers [CDC, 2012] who may be able to benefit from them," says Anthony Sarvucci, CEO of American Heritage International, (www.americanheritageonline.com), a company that develops e-cigarettes expressly for adult tobacco smokers who want to quit but have not succeeded.

"The bottom line is that we know how terrible traditional cigarettes are for people, but there has been a vacuum of information about e-cigs, which leads to a great deal of misinformation, some fear-mongering, and even simply making stuff up."

Sarvucci gives four reasons why some e-cigarettes are easily a better alternative.

•  According to the American Lung Association, the average cigarette contains acetone, found in nail polish remover; acetic acid, an ingredient in hair dye; ammonia, a common household cleaner; arsenic, used in rat poison; benzene, found in rubber cement; butane, used in lighter fluid; cadmium, active component in battery acid; carbon monoxide, released in car exhaust fumes; formaldehyde, embalming fluid; hexamine, found in barbecue lighter fluid; lead, used in batteries; naphthalene, an ingredient in moth balls; methanol, a main component in rocket fuel; nicotine, used as insecticide; tar, material for paving roads; and toluene, used to manufacture paint.

•  "Adult consumers of e-cigarettes deserve to know what they're smoking," says Sarvucci, who adds that minors "absolutely should not be smoking or vaping, period." American Heritage's vapor fluid contains water and three food-grade quality ingredients - kosher vegetable glycerin and vegetable propylene and natural flavoring, and the nicotine is derived naturally. "We're the only e-cigarette company for which all of the e-juice ingredients are sourced and mixed in the United States," he says. "Fluid for most other e-cigarettes is sourced and mixed in China and it often contains dozens of ingredients."

•  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cigarettes harm nearly every organ in your body and cause dozens of diseases. Cigarette smoke causes more deaths - combined - than HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol consumption, motor vehicle injuries and gun incidents. "We've made significant progress against cigarette smoke in recent decades, but it's not only a problem of the past," he says. Almost half a million Americans will continue to die each year, even though they know the statistics as well as anyone, because they are severely addicted. "Mimicking an authentic smoking experience, like my company tries to do, at least gives these people a better option that's also healthier for the people around them," Sarvucci says.

•  Smokers deserve hope ... In American culture, we have a can-do attitude that is unique to the world, which largely accounts for our influence. We often have a tough time, however, admitting that an individual has a problem that's beyond his or her control. Smoking cigarettes is that problem for more than 40 million of our friends, family and neighbors.

"Look – I wouldn't have gotten into this business if it were to create new smokers," Sarvucci says. "I went this route because, yes, it's a highly profitable space, but it's also an extremely helpful alternative for traditional smokers. If you're a nonsmoker, ask yourself: What would you rather have in your body, a few edible compounds, water and naturally sourced nicotine, or nicotine accompanied by the chemical used to exterminate rats?"

About Anthony Sarvucci

Anthony Sarvucci is the CEO of American Heritage International, (www.americanheritageonline.com), a publicly traded company that manufactures, distributes and sells disposable premium electronic cigarettes. The product uses ingredients that are exclusively sourced and mixed in America, and is designed strictly as an alternative for tobacco smokers and chewers. Sarvucci is past president and co-founder of Prairie West Oil and Gas Ltd. and serves as an investment banking consultant.

20 Jun 2014

Bruce Braley Fights to Protect Social Security and Medicare

By Jeff Giertz
Bruce Braley has a record of fighting to protect Social Security and Medicare, a promise he emphasized earlier this week at roundtable discussions with retirees in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines.

In contrast, state Sen. Joni Joni Ernst has repeatedly called for Social Security privatization, putting guaranteed benefits at risk. Privatizing Social Security and transforming Medicare as we know it would threaten the retirement security of over half a million Iowa retirees by gambling retirement savings on the stock market.

A roundup of local news coverage on Bruce Braley's commitment to protect Social Security and Medicare follows:

Braley Says Keep All Workers in Current Social Security System
Radio Iowa // Kay Henderson
The perennial issue of "privatizing" Social Security is now front and center in Iowa's U.S. Senate race.  Bruce Braley says all workers should remain in the current system.

Retirees Tell Braley about Social Security Worries
Quad-City Times // James Lynch
Braley predicted Social Security will be "one of the big topics" is his race against GOP nominee Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Red Oak, for the seat now held by Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa.
He and Ernst "have drastically different opinions" on what should be done to ensure the long-term viability of Social Security.

Braley Talks Social Security, Medicare in Cedar Rapids
KGAN
Braley has fought against plans to privatize Social Security and end Medicare.  He believes that would put seniors at risk.  Instead, Braley believes the programs should be strengthened.

Braley Hosts Retirement Security Roundtable in Des Moines
WOI
Braley says these programs are more than just an income for retirees?they're a promise. He says he will continue to stand against privatizing Social Security, and will fight to keep Medicare from turning in to a voucher program.

National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare PAC Endorses Braley
WOI
Rep. Bruce Braley received an endorsement for his work to ensure benefits for older Iowans. He says this is an issue that is of vital importance for the tens of thousands of Iowa seniors.
# # #
20 Jun 2014

Quad City Health Initiative Launches Be Healthy QC Campaign and Presents Community Award in Celebration of its 15th Anniversary

By QCHI

The Quad City Health Initiative (QCHI) is celebrating its 15th Anniversary year with the launch of Be Healthy QC, a new cross-sector community campaign to promote awareness of local efforts that increase healthy eating and physical activity among Quad Citians, and the presentation of a Healthy Community Leadership Award.

QCHI was formed in 1999 as a community collaboration to create a healthy community.  With the financial support of its founding sponsors, Genesis Health System and UnityPoint Health-Trinity, and other partners, QCHI has evolved into a cross-sector collaborative infrastructure that harnesses the collective work of more than 120 volunteers from 60 organizations and reaches thousands of community members.

"Our health as individuals and our health as a community are intertwined," says Karla Steele, QCHI Board Chair.  "How and where people live, work, learn and play determines their health and the sum of our health as individuals influences the overall economics and vitality of our region.  For the last 15 years, QCHI has provided the planning and communications backbone to enable us to work across community sectors and create a healthy community."

Since its formation, QCHI has championed community efforts to address topics such as healthy eating & active living, mental health, tobacco use, and oral health care access.  One of QCHI's major efforts has been the alignment of our community's health assessment processes culminating most recently in the 2012 Community Health Assessment.

"We were one of the first communities in our region to successfully integrate health system and public health assessment processes," says Berlinda Tyler-Jamison, Vice President Community Impact and Advocacy, UnityPoint Health-Trinity.  "The comprehensive assessment provides data for the entire Quad Cities region that can be used by our community partners to improve the health of all Quad Citians."

QCHI's work has contributed to several improvements in our community's health status.  Notably, a higher percentage of adults and children have visited a dentist or dental clinic and fewer adults now smoke than a decade ago.  Unfortunately, the percentages of adults at a healthy weight and who engage in regular physical activity have been harder to change.  Continued efforts to improve these numbers led to the creation of the Be Healthy QC campaign.

"Our community has made tremendous strides in improving our community's health but there is still work to be done," says Denise Bulat, QCHI's Be Healthy QC Coalition Chair.  "Only 26% of Quad City adults and 46% of our children are at a healthy weight.  Fewer than 40% of adults participate in physical activity at the recommended levels and only 41% of adults report eating adequate servings of fruits and vegetables."

"Be Healthy QC is all about connecting the dots across our community on resources and activities that promote healthy eating and active living", says Ken Croken, Vice President Corporate Communications, Genesis Health System.  "As individuals start to see how dedicated our community is to creating a culture of health, we hope more and more people will embrace healthier lifestyles."

The new Be Healthy QC logo was unveiled at a community breakfast this morning held in celebration of QCHI's 15th Anniversary year.

During the breakfast, QCHI also announced this year's recipient of the Dr. Richard "Bud" Phillis Healthy Community Leadership Award which was named in honor of QCHI's founding Board Chair.  The award was presented to Denise Bulat who served as QCHI's Board Chair from 2010-2013.  Ms. Bulat is also the Executive Director of the Bi-State Regional Commission.

"From its beginning, QCHI has been about fostering collaboration and that requires a special type of leadership," says Nicole Carkner, QCHI Executive Director.  "Denise is a great example of a collaborative leader.  She has a passion for QCHI's mission but also great patience and humility.  Her expertise has helped to create the strong partnership QCHI is today."

The Quad City Health Initiative is a cross-sector community partnership working to create a healthy community.  A 25-member community Board oversees the organization, which was established in 1999.  The Initiative seeks to be our community's recognized leader for creating collaborative action on health and abides by the core values of commitment, collaboration and creativity.  Major financial support of the Quad City Health Initiative is currently provided by the generous direct and in-kind investments of Genesis Health System and UnityPoint Health-Trinity. Additional financial support is provided by Deere & Company, Mississippi Valley Health, KJWW Engineering Consultants, Davenport Eye Group, Russell Construction Company, Community Health Care, ILLOWA Construction and Labor Management Council, United Way of the Quad Cities Area, Scott County Health Department, and Rock Island County Health Department.

For more information, please call 563-421-2815 or visit our website at www.qchealthinitiative.org.
20 Jun 2014

7 Tiips for Preventing Diabetes

By Everyday Health
Piggybacking the obesity epidemic, diabetes rates continue to surge. On June 10, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new and alarming statistics on diabetes. An estimated 29 million Americans have the disease, a nearly 12 percent increase from the 26 million diabetics in 2010.

One-fourth of people don't know they have diabetes?a scary fact, given the complications of chronically high blood sugar: heart attack, stroke, sight-robbing eye disease, kidney failure, foot amputation. Worse, another 86 million adults have prediabetes, a condition of elevated blood sugar just below the threshold for diabetes.

The vast majority of cases are type 2 diabetes, a condition characterized by insulin resistance, meaning cells fail to respond to insulin. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas doesn't make enough insulin.

The good news is type 2 diabetes is largely preventable. A seminal 2006 study demonstrated that intensive lifestyle modification reduced the risk of developing diabetes by 58 percent, as compared to a 31 percent risk reduction achieved with the antidiabetes drug metformin.

  • Lose excess body fat. Being overweight is a big risk factor for diabetes.  In contrast, every kilogram (2.2 pounds) of weight lost reduces diabetes risk by 16 percent.
  • Follow a plant-based, low-calorie diet. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables?a dietary pattern studies show reduces diabetes risk. Foods to avoid are those rich in trans fats (also called hydrogenated fat), saturated fat, and sugar.
  • Drink water. Studies link sugar-sweetened beverages with obesity and diabetes.  Cut them out of your diet and the risk of both conditions falls.
  • Move your body. Physical inactivity raises the risk of diabetes. Exercise renders cells more sensitive to insulin. The aforementioned 2006 study had volunteers exercising moderately 150 minutes a week. Brisk walking does the trick.
  • Stress less. The stress response triggers the release of several hormones that increase blood sugar. Studies show that mindfulness meditation improves the ability to cope with stress. Physical activity and social support also help relieve stress.
  • Sleep well. Chronic sleep deprivation and poor quality sleep increase the risk for diabetes and obesity. For tips on sleeping better, see this Remedy Chick's blog. If you have continued problems sleeping, contact your doctor.
  • Keep medical appointments. Warning signs of type 2 diabetes are less dramatic than those of type 1 diabetes.  That's why it's important to see your doctor regularly.
17 Jun 2014

Governor Quinn Signs Legislation to Reform Illinois' Medicaid System

By Andrew Mason

Landmark New Law Modernizes Outdated Medicaid System, Restores Dental and Podiatric Care to Patients, Supports Affordable Care Act

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to modernize and improve Illinois' Medicaid system. The new law will benefit Illinois' three million residents who currently receive Medicaid, as well as the state's 141 hospitals and 1,200 nursing homes by restoring adult dental and podiatric care, providing increased protections and more. The legislation is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to ensure all people have access to quality healthcare and improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Illinois.

Under Governor Quinn's leadership, more than 566,000 people across Illinois now have healthcare coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This includes more than 349,000 people enrolled in Medicaid under the ACA expansion.

"This legislation is a critical step forward as we continue to reform our Medicaid system," Governor Quinn said. "The reforms will help us modernize and streamline our Medicaid system to ensure we are working efficiently and effectively on behalf of taxpayers. Millions of Illinois residents depend on Medicaid for their healthcare needs and this law will help ensure we provide the services and protections they deserve."

Sponsored by State Senator Donne Trotter (D-Chicago) and State Representative Greg Harris (D-Chicago), Senate Bill 741 reforms Illinois' nearly 20-year-old Medicaid system over a four-year transition period. The new law restores previously authorized adult dental care and podiatry services, and establishes new protections for clients and healthcare providers. It also codifies policy guidance to provide stability for hospitals and nursing homes.

The legislation also aligns Illinois law with federal law, providing Medicaid coverage for children who have been without private insurance for three months. Previously, Illinois left children without health insurance for 12 months before Medicaid coverage was allowed.

Under this law, the Quinn Administration will submit a plan for approval by the federal government to provide approximately $400 million annually in new federal dollars for hospitals serving newly eligible Medicaid recipients. The $400 million will be distributed to hospitals throughout the state and will mirror the two current hospital assessment distributions.

Over the past three years, Governor Quinn and the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) worked with healthcare providers and legislators to update Medicaid's outdated hospital payment system, which did not keep up with the changing healthcare landscape. The legislation makes important reforms by creating uniform requirements for Managed Care Organizations and Accountable Care Entities, providing stability for hospitals and nursing homes and giving a huge boost to the redesign of Medicaid.

"This law was crafted with the input of everyone it affects," HFS Director Julie Hamos said. "It's a modernization of an old system : it gives much greater protections for our clients, streamlines hospital and nursing-home reimbursement and clarifies the relationships among managed care entities."

The law includes an additional $10 million to support Illinois' safety net hospitals during the transition. The safety net hospitals are a critical piece of the Medicaid system and often serve as anchors for low-income communities.

"We thank the Governor for signing Senate Bill 741 and commend the Administration and legislators who worked tirelessly on this important legislation," Maryjane Wurth, President and CEO of the Illinois Hospital Association said. "This significant legislative package makes a critical investment in healthcare in Illinois that will create jobs and help grow our economy. This is a very good day for healthcare, for patients and for our economy."

The law's hospital rate reforms establish a new rate methodology effective July 1 of this year, and sets aside $290 million to help hospitals transition to the new rate system. It also extends the hospital assessment programs for another four years to July 1, 2018, continuing $2 billion in payments to hospitals to ensure their stability.

###

16 Jun 2014

Quad City Health Initiative Elects New Board Vice Chair and New Board Member

By QCHI

The Quad City Health Initiative (QCHI) is proud to announce that Mr. Decker Ploehn has been elected to serve as the new Vice Chair of the QCHI Board. Mr. Ploehn is the City Administrator for the City of Bettendorf, a position he has held since 1990.  Mr. Ploehn joined the QCHI Board in 2011 and also serves on the Board's Executive Committee.  "I'm honored to be asked to assume this leadership role with QCHI," Mr. Ploehn says. "Our community's vitality depends upon securing the health and well-being of its community members. Together, we can make great improvements in our community's health status and quality of life."

QCHI is also pleased to announce the election of Ms. Kathryn Nigey to the QCHI Board.  Ms. Nigey is the Area Manager for Sheet Finishing at Alcoa and brings to the Board a passion for wellness and a keen understanding of the relationship between health and safety at worksites.

"The election of these experienced community leaders will enhance our ability to create a "culture of wellness" that supports healthy eating and active living in the Quad Cities," says Ms. Nicole Carkner, QCHI Executive Director.

The Quad City Health Initiative is a cross-sector community partnership working to create a healthy community.  A 25-member community Board oversees the organization, which was established in 1999.  The Initiative seeks to be our community's recognized leader for creating collaborative action on health and abides by the core values of commitment, collaboration and creativity.  Major financial support of the Quad City Health Initiative is currently provided by the generous direct and in-kind investments of Genesis Health System and UnityPoint Health Trinity. Additional financial support is provided by Deere & Company, Mississippi Valley Health, KJWW, Davenport Eye Group, Russell Construction, Community Health Care, ILLOWA Construction and Labor Management Council, United Way of the Quad Cities Area, Scott County Health Department, and Rock Island County Health Department.

For more information, please call 563-421-2815 or visit our website at www.qchealthinitiative.org.
13 Jun 2014

TruGreen Helps Midwestern Homeowners Control Ticks, Reducing Exposure to Lyme Disease and other Tick-Borne Diseases

By Amy Simpson

Memphis, TN – June 11, 2014 – As we welcome the arrival of summer, it also signifies the arrival of another not-so-welcome season - tick season. TruGreen, America's number one lawn care provider, offers Midwestern homeowners a solution to reducing tick populations so they can enjoy their property all summer long.

A tick is an arachnid that feeds on the blood of animals and humans to survive. The tick commonly found in the Midwest is the blacklegged tick, also known as the deer tick. Deer ticks typically make their homes in the Northeast and Midwest, where there are plenty of wooded areas for them to hide. The tiny deer tick nymph is believed to be responsible for up to 90% of the transmission of tick-borne diseases to humans, including Lyme disease. Currently, there are no protective vaccines for humans for tick-borne diseases, so avoiding tick bites by reducing exposure is the best disease-prevention strategy.

Lyme disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected deer tick. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.

Each year, more than 30,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), although estimates indicate that the number of Americans diagnosed with Lyme disease each year is around 300,000, making it the most commonly reported tick-borne illness in the United States.

What can be done?

According to the CDC, reducing exposure to ticks is the best defense against Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. A single springtime application of tick pesticide to your lawn can greatly reduce the number of ticks in your yard. The best time for the application to protect against Lyme disease is June when the ticks are in the nymph stage. If you live in an area prone to ticks, the CDC suggests you consider using a professional outdoor pest control company to help reduce the tick population in your yard.

"Using a professional outdoor pest control company should be part of a well-rounded, comprehensive defense program," said Ben Hamza, TruGreen Director of Technical Services. "Because ticks can congregate in backyards, it is especially important to protect yourself and your family so that you can fully enjoy your outdoor time without the worry of ticks and other outdoor pests."

Following are general tips from the CDC to help create a tick-safe zone to reduce ticks in your yard:

  • Use a professional outdoor pest control company to control ticks
  • Clear tall grasses and brush around homes and at the edge of lawns
  • Place a barrier of wood chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas
  • Mow the lawn frequently and keep leaves rakes
  • Stack wood neatly and in a dry area away from the house or lawn
  • Keep playground equipment, decks and patios away from wooded areas and in a sunny location if possible
  • Remove any trash or debris from the yard that may give ticks a place to hide

About TruGreen

Memphis, Tenn.-based TruGreen is the nation's largest lawn care company, serving more than 1.7 million residential and commercial customers across the United States with lawn, tree and shrub care. Your lawn and landscape need ongoing attention to stay healthy. That's why TruGreen provides science-based solutions tailored to meet your specific needs. When combined with proper mowing and watering techniques, these services can maximize your lawn's potential. As the leader in the professional lawn care industry, TruGreen is committed to responsible lawn care, including offering and promoting the use of natural, organic services and sustainable practices. Today, there are approximately 250 TruGreen LawnCare branches in the United States and Canada, including about 35 franchise locations.Go to www.TruGreen.com or www.facebook.com/TruGreen for more information about TruGreen.

 

#  #  #

13 Jun 2014

June is Mens Health Month

By Ginny Grimsley

How Men Can Help Guard Against Poverty in Their Golden Years
Insurance Industry Expert Shares 3 Tips
During Men's Health Month

June is Men's Health Month, a reminder for men to do the things that they generally don't do as well as women: getting screened for conditions that, detected early, are easily treated; seeking education about health issues, and supporting each other's well-being.

If being happier with good health isn't enough, then men should consider the extraordinarily high medical cost of poor health - especially during the retirement years, says insurance industry expert Chris Orestis.

"Just one health incident can wipe out an individual's savings, leaving little money for living expenses," says Orestis, a longtime industry insider and author of "Help on the Way," (http://ebook.lifecarefunding.com/), which explains the problem of funding long-term care and offers solutions.

"That can mean a major loss of independence, from having to move in with a son or daughter or worse. Baby Boomers, who are retiring in droves, have about 8 percent less wealth than those 10 to 15 years older than them, partly because of the recent recession."

In addition to taking care of their health, retired and soon-to-be-retired men can avoid flirting with poverty by exercising some financial options. Orestis reviews three of them.

•  Hold off on collecting Social Security until age 70. The life expectancy for men today is 76, an increase from past years, and it's expected to continue to climb. If you're worried about outliving your money, hold off on collecting Social Security benefits early (age 62), which results in up to 30 percent less benefits. People born from 1943 to 1959 are eligible for full benefits at 66, and those born in 1960 or later are eligible at 67. However, if you wait until age 70, you can receive up to 8 percent more in benefits.

•  Turn your life insurance into a long-term care fund. Instead of abandoning a life insurance policy because you can no longer afford the premiums, policy owners can convert a portion of the death benefit value into a Life Care Benefit - Long Term Care Benefit Plan (www.lifecarefunding.com). The money is deposited into a fund earmarked for paying for private duty in-homecare, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care and hospice care. By converting a life insurance policy, a senior does not have to resort to Medicaid and the many restrictions that come with it, but will still be Medicaid-eligible when the benefit is spent down.

•  Consider investing part of your portfolio in fixed-rate indexed annuities: Having all of your retirement savings in stocks exposes retirees and pre-retirees to too much risk. As you get closer to retirement age, it's important to find alternatives that provide for growth while protecting savings. Fixed-rate indexed annuities - money loaned to an insurance company that guarantees payments over a specified length of time -- allows you to forecast the income you'll generate. Fixed-rate indexed annuities have a ceiling on interest rates, but they also have a floor. Your principal is safe and you can ride an up market without the risk.

About Chris Orestis

Chris Orestis, nationally known senior health-care advocate, expert, and author is CEO of Life Care Funding, (www.lifecarefunding.com), which created the model for converting life insurance policies into protected Long-Term Care Benefit funds. His company has been providing care benefits to policy holders since 2007. A former life insurance industry lobbyist with a background in long-term care issues, he created the model to provide an option for middle-class people who are not wealthy enough to pay for long-term care, and not poor enough to qualify for Medicaid.
11 Jun 2014

AHF lauds Iowa Governor, Legislature on 'Historic' HIV Transmission Law

By Rick Martin

DES MOINES (June 11, 2014) - Marking the first change in state health code regarding HIV transmission in nearly a decade, Iowa Governor Terry E. Branstad signed a landmark bill on May 30 that will curb rampant convictions of people living with HIV for transmitting the virus by redefining the law to ensure only those who intend to spread HIV or behave with "reckless disregard" are penalized. The new HIV transmission bill should also ease an unspoken but clearly present discrimination toward HIV-positive Iowans in the state's legal justice system.

The bill, Senate File 2297, changes the Iowa Health Code so that proof of conduct with "reckless disregard" or intent to transmit HIV, or other communicable diseases like meningococcal disease and hepatitis of any form, is required before the infected person being accused can be charged. For years, the bill's passage has been pushed by more than 30 individuals and groups - including such influential entities as the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, the Iowa Department of Public Health, the Iowa Attorney General's Office, the HIV Community Coalition, AIDS Healthcare Foundation and the University of Iowa - and ultimately resulted in the law passing unanimously through the state's House and Senate on April 30.

"We've seen people sentenced to 20 years in prison without even transmitting the virus," said Joseph Terrill, Director of Community Mobilization for AHF. "The passage of this bill will change how laws in Iowa are skewed against those living with infectious diseases, and it is a testament to the collaborative advocacy work being done by citizens and groups in the state with whom we were proud to partner on this years-long effort under the leadership of Iowan Tami Haught of CHAIN. This work is a template that advocates from other states can follow to end codified discrimination against individuals who are HIV-positive."

The bill's signing took place just ahead of Iowa's first "HIV Is Not A Crime" Conference, taking place all this week in the town of Grinnell. The conference, scheduled from June 2nd through the 5th at Grinnell College in Iowa, is itself a historic gathering that is looking at strategies for replicating Iowa's success in other states. Organized by and for HIV-positive individuals and their advocates, the conference is poised be a game changer for HIV decriminalization advocacy.

Major health code adjustments that arise from the bill include the changing of the definition of "exposure" to mean "engaging in conduct that poses a substantial risk of transmission" and protecting indicted individuals living with a virus if they are on a treatment regimen and employing "practical means to prevent transmission." It narrows the scope of criminalization to those infected individuals who knowingly expose an uninfected person with intent to transmit the virus or those who expose an uninfected person with "reckless disregard" as to whether or not the personal contracts the virus. If intent or disregard is proven, the accused faces felony penalties of varying gravities whether the exposed individual contracts the virus or not.

Evidenced knowledge of one's HIV-positive status and proof of engagement in conduct that carries potential for exposure are on their own insufficient for proving intent or disregard, according to the bill. The infected individual is also protected if they informed their partner of their status and the uninfected partner consented to exposure with that knowledge. Scientifically evaluated HIV tests are to be conducted and reviewed by medical practitioners to prove anyone accused of criminal transmission was in fact positive at the time of the alleged assault.

The bill is also significant in the ways it intrinsically updates Iowa state laws to meet the needs and circumstances of today's Iowans. It repeals an archaic law that outlawed certain sexual conduct between unmarried individuals, and also strikes down a health code provision that would allow a county attorney to simply use a positive HIV test result as enough evidence to file charges of criminal transmission.

# # #

About AHF

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the largest non-profit HIV/AIDS healthcare provider in the USA. AHF currently provides medical care and/or services to over 312,000 individuals in 34 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, Eastern Europe, and Asia. For more information, visit www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter: @AIDSHealthcare

Pages

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

    

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.