The Medicare Rights Center has filed suit against the Social Security Administration (SSA) over the agency's letter campaign to inform low-income Medicare beneficiaries about Medicare financial assistance programs. The New York-based consumer advocacy group says letters sent to beneficiaries in New York, Connecticut and other states "misrepresent" the eligibility requirements for the QI-1 program. In an Oct. 22 legal brief, the group is asking a federal court to restrain SSA from continuing to send such letters.


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For Immediate Release

October 28, 2002


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HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today approved New Mexico's request to extend Medicaid benefits to uninsured women who are diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through a federal screening program.

New Mexico is the most recent state to take advantage of the federal Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act (BCCPT) of 2000, which allowed states to expand Medicaid coverage to these women who otherwise would not have health coverage.


FDA has approved Wyeth Laboratories' license application for a 100-dose smallpox vaccine kit. Smallpox vaccine approval

Smallpox vaccine label


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WASHINGTON Occupational safety and health officials from the United States, Canada, and Mexico met Oct. 7 in San Diego for the second session of the Trinational Occupational Safety and Health Working Group.


OSHA is requesting public comments on the "second phase of its standards improvement project, designed to address provisions in its health standards for general industry, maritime and construction that are inconsistent." The agency says the "proposed rule would revise or eliminate medical provisions in older standards that were once considered accepted practice, but have since been deemed obsolete or unnecessary in current medical practice." Click here for Press Release


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Media Inquiries: 301-436-2335

October 28, 2002

Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

FDA ISSUES IMPORT ALERT ON CANTALOUPES FROM MEXICO


The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued new guidelines on hand hygiene in health-care settings adding recommendations about the use of alcohol-based products. The guidelines recognize that health-care workers are unable to wash their hands with soap and water as often as recommended and that under certain circumstances the use of alcohol-based products is an adequate substitute for hand washing.


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