State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program. Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education. Final regulations.
(25/592)
The Secretary amends the regulations governing the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program. These amendments implement changes to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 made by the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998 that were contained in Title IV of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), enacted on August 7, 1998, and as further amended in 1998 by technical amendments in the Reading Excellence Act and the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act Amendments of 1998 (hereinafter collectively referred to as the 1998 Amendments). (+info)
State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program. Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education. Final regulations.
(26/592)
The Secretary amends the regulations governing the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program (VR program) by revising the scope of employment outcomes under the VR program. These regulations redefine the term "employment outcome" (as it applies to the VR program) to mean outcomes in which an individual with a disability works in an integrated setting. This action is necessary to reflect the purpose of Title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Act), which is to enable individuals with disabilities who participate in the VR program to achieve an employment outcome in an integrated setting. (+info)
Informational privacy and the public's health: the Model State Public Health Privacy Act.
(27/592)
Protecting public health requires the acquisition, use, and storage of extensive health-related information about individuals. The electronic accumulation and exchange of personal data promises significant public health benefits but also threatens individual privacy; breaches of privacy can lead to individual discrimination in employment, insurance, and government programs. Individuals concerned about privacy invasions may avoid clinical or public health tests, treatments, or research. Although individual privacy protections are critical, comprehensive federal privacy protections do not adequately protect public health data, and existing state privacy laws are inconsistent and fragmented. The Model State Public Health Privacy Act provides strong privacy safeguards for public health data while preserving the ability of state and local public health departments to act for the common good. (+info)
Eligibility under State Children's Health Insurance Programs.
(28/592)
OBJECTIVES: This study analyzed associations between income eligibility criteria under the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and state characteristics. METHODS: We used multivariate methods to explore relations between eligibility expansions under SCHIP and percentages of uninsured children from low-income families, per capita income, and political characteristics. RESULTS: Proportions of uninsured children, per capita income, and states' preexisting eligibility thresholds were statistically associated with changes in eligibility thresholds, whereas only per capita income was associated with overall SCHIP eligibility thresholds. Political dynamics were not statistically related to SCHIP expansions. CONCLUSIONS: State demographic characteristics were associated with changes in eligibility from preexisting levels but rarely were associated with SCHIP eligibility thresholds. (+info)
Cost-effectiveness of earlier initiation of antiretroviral therapy for uninsured HIV-infected adults.
(29/592)
OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to examine the societal cost-effectiveness and the impact on government payers of earlier initiation of antiretroviral therapy for uninsured HIV-infected adults. METHODS: A state-transition simulation model of HIV disease was used. Data were derived from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study, published randomized trials, and medical care cost estimates for all government payers and for Massachusetts, NewYork, and Florida. RESULTS: Quality-adjusted life expectancy increased from 7.64 years with therapy initiated at 200 CD4 cells/microL to 8.21 years with therapy initiated at 500 CD4 cells/microL. Initiating therapy at 500 CD4/microL was a more efficient use of resources than initiating therapy at 200 CD4/microL and had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $17,300 per quality-adjusted life-year gained, compared with no therapy. Costs to state payers in the first 5 years ranged from $5,500 to $24,900 because of differences among the states in the availability of federal funds forAIDS drug assistance programs. CONCLUSIONS: Antiretroviral therapy initiated at 500 CD4 cells/microL is cost-effective from a societal: perspective compared with therapy initiated later. States should consider Medicaid waivers to expand access to early therapy. (+info)
The role of state public health agencies in genetics and disease prevention: results of a national survey.
(30/592)
OBJECTIVES: The onset and severity of the clinical expression of most diseases that are of public health importance are influenced by genetic predisposition. The ability to assess human genetic predisposition for many diseases is increasing rapidly. Therefore, state public health agencies should be incorporating new developments in genetics and disease prevention into their core functions of assessment, policy development, and assurance. The authors assessed the status of this process. METHODS: The Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) surveyed states about projects and concerns related to genetics and public health activities. Respondents were the Health Officer, the Maternal and Child Health/Genetics Program Director, the Chronic Disease Program Director, and the Laboratory Director. Where applicable, responses were categorized into assessment, policy development, and assurance functions. RESULTS: Thirty-eight (76%) state health departments responded. Ongoing genetics activities were assurance (82%), assessment (17%), and policy development (2%). In contrast, Health Officers responded that future genetics activities would be distributed differently: assurance, 41%; assessment, 36%; and policy development, 23%. Future assurance activities would be largely educational. Topics of interest and recently initiated activities in genetics were primarily assessment functions. Funding was the greatest concern, followed by lack of proven disease prevention measures and outcomes data. CONCLUSIONS: State health departments recognize a need to realign their activities to meet future developments in genetics. Lack of adequate resources, proven disease prevention measures, and outcomes data are potential barriers. Public health agencies need to develop a strategic plan to meet the opportunities associated with the development and implementation of genetic tests and procedures. (+info)
Increasing worker and community awareness of toxic hazards in the workplace.(31/592)