HHS Names Autism Panel
The Health and Human Services department has named a new committee, authorized under the Combating Autism Act of 2006, to facilitate the exchange of information on autism activities among federal agencies as well as coordinate autism-related programs and initiatives, according to a statement from HHS. Dr. Thomas R. Insel, director of the National Institutes of Mental Health, will chair the panel; its first task will be to develop a strategic plan for autism research to guide public and private investments.
BadgerCare Overhaul Approved
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has given Wisconsin the go-ahead to restructure its BadgerCare State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to cover approximately 7,600 more children. BadgerCare now will enroll children in families making up to $51,625, or 250% of the federal poverty level for a family of four. Wisconsin sought to expand coverage to children in families making up to 300% of the federal poverty level but was forced to modify its request in order to stay within SCHIP guidelines designed to keep parents from voluntarily switching their children from private insurance. CMS said that Wisconsin's program change addresses this problem by requiring a period without insurance prior to a family signing up for BadgerCare. Wisconsin also has agreed to move adults from BadgerCare and into its Medicaid program.
Parents Don't See Child's Obesity
More than 40% of parents with obese children aged 6–11 years describe their child as being “about the right weight,” according to a study from the University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor. In fact, only 13% of parents with obese children in that age bracket rated their child as being very overweight, compared with 31% of parents with obese children aged 12–17 years. The study, which included 2,060 adults, is part of the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health, which is funded by the university. Pediatricians can play an important role in helping parents to recognize obesity and take steps to modify a child's diet and activity levels, the study authors noted, adding that 84% of parents said they believe it is very important for doctors to address obesity with obese adolescents during routine checkups. “Parents' willingness to discuss obesity at their children's medical appointments indicates that many parents view doctors as a welcome source of information about obesity interventions for children,” said Dr. Matthew Davis, who directs the National Poll on Children's Health.
WIC Program Adds Healthy Foods
In the first overhaul of the federal food vouchers program for women and children in nearly 3 decades, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved new rules that provide beneficiaries with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The new rules for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) also provide less support for milk, eggs, and juice, and are designed to encourage breast-feeding by giving more fruits and vegetables to women who exclusively are nursing their children. More than 8 million low-income women and children receive WIC benefits, which amount to about $39 a month.
Panel: More Smoking Prevention
Smoking rates have leveled off after nearly a decade of declines, and the nation's progress in reducing smoking is at risk unless states significantly increase funding for programs to prevent kids from smoking and to help smokers quit, warns a report from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. The annual report from the group, made up of a coalition of public health organizations, found that states have increased funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs by 20% to $717 million, the highest level in 6 years. However, it also found that most states fail to fund these programs at minimum levels recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC recently reported that about 21% of adults smoked in 2006, the same as in 2004 and 2005. This follows a steady yearly decline from 1997 to 2004. High school smoking rates have similarly stalled, and 23% of high school students still smoke, according to the CDC.
FDA Sets User Fees for DTC Ads
The Food and Drug Administration is charging pharmaceutical companies about $40,000 to review each of their direct-to-consumer television advertisements, according to a notice issued by the agency in December. Last September, Congress authorized FDA to create a user-fee program for the advisory review of DTC prescription-drug television advertisements. The program is voluntary; the $41,390 fee established for fiscal year 2008 is based on the number of ads slated for review and is expected to generate $6.25 million in total revenues.