The Obama administration is hedging its bet that the problem-plagued Healthcare.gov website will be fixed by Nov. 30, saying now that it will only be "greatly improved" from its disastrous launch on Oct.1.
"The consumer experience . . . will be greatly improved for the vast majority of users by Nov. 30," Henry Chao, Healthcare.gov's chief project manager at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, is expected to tell the House Energy and Commerce Committee Tuesday, according to testimony prepared in advance that was obtained by Fox News.
With 11 days to go before the deadline, Fox News suggested in its report that Chao's testimony may be part of an effort by the White House to lower expectations about how well the site will work.
The Washington Post also reported that the administration will consider the site fixed if at least 80 percent of consumers who visit are able to enroll and sign up for health insurance coverage. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney defined the other 20 percent as people who won't be able to purchase through the website or who will never try.
"We will not have a perfect website," Carney told reporters, according to the Post. "And that's why there are call-in centers, [for] those who prefer to do it the old fashioned way."
President Barack Obama may have been lowering expectations himself when he told a Dallas crowd last Wednesday that officials "anticipate" the website will be fixed.
"We are working overtime to get this fixed," he said. "The website is already better than it was at the beginning of October. And by the end of this month, we anticipate that it is going to be working the way it is supposed to, all right? And folks are working 24/7 to make sure that happens."
The Obama administration is hedging its bet that the problem-plagued Healthcare.gov website will be fixed by Nov. 30, saying now that it will only be "greatly improved" from its disastrous launch on Oct. 1.
The Caps finished the season 24-0, including 5-1 postseason wins over area powers Green Hope and Panther Creek.
“We knew the momentum was going Ashley’s way, so we really wanted to encourage her,” Broughton coach Laura Davidson said. “She worked so hard for a spot in our top six and it was just a great way for her to go out as a senior.”
Although Broughton was not scared to go to doubles with the Whirlies, who edged the Caps 5-4 in last year’s championship match, state individual champion Maggie Kane offered an insightful view.
“We’ve won 6-0 or 5-1 all through the playoffs, so we haven’t actually had a lot of practice recently playing doubles,” said Kane, who defeated Majdou Lavoie 6-3, 6-3 in first singles. “We were really excited to just get it done in singles. We focused on every match and it feels really good to bring this title back today.”
Other Broughton winners included sophomore Kara Summerford at No. 3 singles (6-4, 6-1), junior Olivia King at No. 4 (6-1, 6-1) and junior Adrienne Overcash at No. 5 (6-0, 6-0). Davidson said the trio, just like the team, finished with unblemished records this year.
“A lot of our girls said all along that winning the duals was the most important goal,” Davidson said. “Grimsley is extremely talented, but we looked at last year as a huge upset, and we came into this year knowing we had to take it one match at a time and take nothing for granted.”
Alex Silver was the lone winner for the Whirlies (20-1), who had defended their championship without suffering a loss until Saturday. Silver edged senior Kelsey Boole 6-4, 6-2 in No. 2 singles.
Boole and King reached the state semifinals at individual doubles last week, along with the team of Summerford and Overcash.
1885 - 60 members talking about how girls should be raised. good insight to the types of discussions had
The New York Times (New York, New York) 7 March 1885 Page 4 — 1885 - 60 members talking about how girls should be raised. good insight to the types of discussions had
THURSDAY MAY 15, 1997 THE SALINA JOURNAL HI WMWM1H JBM H MONEY/C3 MORE HEALTH NEWS / C4 CLASSIFIED/C5 c BRIEFLY Immunization hotline offers free advice If you have questions about vaccinations for your infant or young child, don't go without answers. Help is available from a new toll-free National Immunization Information Hotline, operated by the American Social Health Association, under contract with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention's National Immunization Program. Callers can receive information about 12 vaccine-preventable diseases; hotline counselors will also advise on who should be immunized, when vaccines should be given, and sites where vaccinations are available. Free publications are also available through this service. "Some parents assume that childhood vaccines are no longer important because diseases such as measles are not as common as they once were," says hotline director Mary Stuart. "However, immunizations are responsible for the decline of these diseases. When parents stop having their children immunized, new outbreaks occur." The National Immunization Information Hotline, 800-232-2522, operates 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday. Carbohydrate-rich diet raises risk of diabetes Women who eat little cereal fiber and lots of carbohydrate- rich foods — such as white bread, white rice, potatoes and sugary soft drinks — are at an increased risk for developing adult diabetes, say researchers in Mexico and the United States. This diet increases chances of developing the disease to 2.5 times the normal risk. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women's Hospital, both in Boston, and the Institute Mexicano del Seguro Social in Mexico City, used data from participants in the 20-year-old Nurses' Health Study to take a look at the effect diet might have on diabetes. Their analysis shows that 915 of more than 65,000 of the nurses who were asked to complete a detailed dietary questionnaire in 1986 developed diabetes within the following six years. After accounting for the influence of other risk factors, the researchers concluded that a diet rich in carbohydrates and lacking in fiber did increase the women's risk of developing diabetes. Many drugs in testing for heart disease "> During the past decade, new drug innovations — along with lifestyle changes and new surgi- pal techniques — have reduced heart attack deaths by almost one third. Drug companies have more than 100 new medicines in testing for heart disease. It takes 15 years and hundreds of millions of dollars to develop one new drug. Only some of the drugs in testing now will make it through this grueling process. In 1996, four new heart drugs were added to the nation's medicine chest. From Wire Service Reports Photos by Scripps Howard News Service A group of seniors use long floats, known as "pool noodles," during an aqua aerobics class at a condominium complex on Hutchinson Island, Fla. The women say the class improves their fitness level and boosts their self-esteem. Aqua aerobics makes with Seniors Participants strengthen heart and ward off osteoporosis with weight-bearing exercise By LAURA KELLY Scripps Howard Afeuw Service STUART, Fla. — Looking like true sun worshipers in their dark shades and tropical-flowered bathing suits, about 20 older women stretch their arms toward a blue midmorning sky, their bodies cool in the shallow end of a Hutchinson Island pool. The scene is all color and flowing movement and laughter. Good fun. And good for them. These senior swimmers are part of an "aqua aerobics" class held three times a week at the Hutchinson House West condo complex in Stuart, Fla. Key West-flavored music spills from a boom box as they lift purple and pink 1- and 2-pound weights in time with the music. They twist and turn using colored tubes in a rainbow of Day-Glo shades as instructor Debbie Mayers leads the class. They're getting fit, having fun, and boosting their self esteem. "Aren't we great?" shouts one woman to her classmates as she climbs out of the pool. School dlstrist's adult education About 15 of these aqua aerobics classes are offered by the Martin County School District as part of its adult education program. The on-site program, which supports itself through fees, is unique in that the district brings the classes to the seniors. "It's good that the school district has a philosophy that goes beyond 12th grade," Small 1- and 2-pound weights are used by the women during their water-borne workout. says Ellie Warner, coordinator of adult community education. "I think it's wonderful," agrees Virginia Kurth, a Hutchinson House winter resident who has participated in the class for eight years. Kurth should know. She retired as athletic director at St. Joseph College in West Hartford, Conn. Mayers, who is a certified aerobics instructor through the YMCA, leads the Hutchinson House group for an hour three times a week. The benefits are two-fold: cardiovascular fitness and stemming of osteoporosis through weight-bearing exercise. "The class proceeds just like a basic aerobics class would," she says. "They're into health at this age, into feeling good and feeling healthy. And, at this age, they're very susceptible to fractures so that's a very good reason to use the pool." They begin with about five minutes of warmups to get the blood moving, followed by 10 or 15 minutes of cardiovascular aerobics and then resistance work with individual body parts. The hour is wrapped up with another aerobics push followed by a cool-down session. "Do you feel that?" Mayers asks over the music. "Yes ... Arrgh ... Oh, yeah!" comes a thundering response from all corners of the pool. The women laugh and joke, but they are serious about fitness. "It keeps us moving," says Peggy Price, another winter resident at Hutchinson House. "I think it does put everybody in a jovial mood but we try to concentrate." "Hopefully, we're losing a few pounds. And the camaraderie is great," Kurth adds. "There's nothing like laughter and exercising at the same time." Aquscise in Safins: T not? Both the Salina Family YMCA, 570 YMCA Dr., and the YWCA of Salina, 651 E. Prescott, offer aquatic exercise classes. The YMCA's summer schedule of regular and advanced aquacise classes begins the first week of June. A YMCA membership is required for participation. For more information, call 8252151. At the YWCA, a variety of water exercise classes begin June 2. One such class, arthritic water swim, takes place in the warm, shallow end of the pool. Movements are designed to increase flexibility, endurance and strength. No swimming ability is needed. Participants in YWCA classes pay a basic membership fee and purchase a fitness package plan. Call 825-4626 for more information. V MEDICINE Needle phobia delays visit to doctor's office Dear Dr. Donohue: I haven't had a check-up for 15 years. The reason? I'm terrified of needles. Is there a substance available that can be applied to the skin to numb it prior to getting stabbed ';With a needle? — T.H. Dear T.H.: There are sprays, ointments and creams that can numb the skin. I'll bet it's not DR. PAUL the pain that DONOHUE freaks you out No ,, h America about needles, Syndicate however. Real- * ly there is little pain from drawing blood or from getting most injections. However, the power of the imagination can cause paralyzing fear. Distract yourself when a blood specimen is taken. Transport yourself to a tropical isle where all your cares vanish. Definitely do not watch the needle being inserted or the blood filling the tube. That unhinges many people. Be frank with doctors, nurses and lab technicians about your phobia. They probably will go out of their way to make you comfortable. You're not unique. People who draw blood for a living face patients such as you every day. Reassurance and kindness can relieve your anxieties. Stop putting off the exam you have so long postponed. Or. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Write: P.O. Box 5539, Riverton, NJ 08077-5539. T CHILDHOOD EMERGENCIES Many parents ponder ER question Save precious time by knowing what crisis needs emergency care The Associated Press Knowing which childhood symptoms call for a trip directly to the emergency room can mean life-saving time. Experts say to call 911, Kathryn E. Livingston wrote in an article in the current issue of Redbook, if your child is choking, has stopped breathing or has suffered a severe electric shock. Also call for emergency medical services if you suspect a neck or spinal injury. If your child has swallowed a poisonous substance, call the poison control center. But what about less serious illnesses or accidents? Experts who specialize in pediatric emergency care say in these situations a trip to the ER would be the wisest route: • Bone or joint injuries. The three hallmarks are pain, swelling and deformity. Usually, according to Dr. Jane Knapp, director of the division of emergency medical services at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, an emergency department is better prepared than a physician's office to get immediate X- rays or to deal with complications. • Serious allergic reactions. If your child has been stung by a bee or has eaten recently and suddenly has problems breathing or her tongue and lips swell or she is vomiting and has diarrhea, suspect a serious allergic reaction. "The more quickly the symptoms develop following exposure to the allergen the greater the need to seek immediate medical attention," Knapp said. • Deep or extensive cuts. Some require stitches to heal properly and with the least scarring. Generally a gaping cut that reveals deeper structures beneath the skin will need stitches. Hand lacerations are particularly tricky. Because the hands possess an intricate array of tendons, nerves and muscles, a deep cut on the hand should be stitched in the ER. If a wound is bleeding uncontrollably, you'll need emergency room personnel to get the bleeding under control. • Burns and smoke inhalation. Any child who has suffered a burn larger than the size of the palm of the child's hand, or a burn anywhere on the face, over joints, on hands and feet, or on the genitalia, should be brought to the emergency department, said Dr. Joseph Weinberg, director of emergency services at LeBonheur Children's Medical Center in Memphis, Tenn. Children who have been exposed to large amounts of smoke or toxic gas in a house fire or closed-space fire should be brought to the ER for observation. • Permanent tooth knocked out. Place the tooth in milk or water and head for the ER. The sooner the tooth is reimplanted, the more likely the procedure will work. • Respiratory distress. If your child is struggling to breathe, go directly to the emergency room. • Seizures, A child who has never had a seizure or who has had one of much shorter duration should be brought to the emergency room when the episode ends. • Near drowning. When a child has been submerged and revived by CPR, he should be brought to the ER. "I'm not talking about a child who goes under water and comes up sputtering and is basically fine," Weinberg said, "but the child who has not been breathing and needed to be revived." • Abnormal behavior after an injury. If your child falls and isn't acting like herself, even if she doesn't seem hurt, go to the emergency department. • Head injuries. If your child loses consciousness following a fall or knock on the head, he needs to be checked for fractures and injuries to the brain. Even if a child hasn't lost consciousness, take him to the hospital if he's confused following a head injury, has a bad headache or is vomiting. SUGGESTIONS? CALL SHERIDA WARNER, LIFE EDITOR, AT (913) 823-6363 OR 1-800-827-6363 OR E-MAIL AT sjnews@saljournal.com
Local residents of Bern commented on Saturday, on the recent Albanian flag hand gestures made by two Swiss players during their recent match against Serbia in the 2018 World Cup. During the match, goals were scored by footballers Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka, both Swiss players of Albanian heritage, in their last-minute 2-1 victory over Serbia, in Kaliningrad on Friday. The pair made an... Еще eagle sign with their hands, alluding to Albania's flag. The Kosovo War of 1998-9 pitted Serbia against the Albanian separatists. Xherdan Shaqiri struck a 90th minute winner in Switzerland's match against Serbia on Friday. The 2:1 result now leaves Switzerland with 4 points and in a strong position to qualify after their hard-fought draw against Brazil in their opening match, while Serbia face an uphill battle after the South Americans defeated Costa Rica earlier in the day