Author Archive

Marilyn Werber Serafini

Oversight

Three insurers move up age for young adult eligibility

Companies answer HHS secretary's call to adopt higher age limit before the late September deadline established in the health care reform law.

Defense

Security glitch slows early arrivals at Democratic convention

Security officials say they are equipped to handle an influx of attendees on Monday.

Oversight

HHS secretary keeps it real on blog

Michael Leavitt's chatty postings on health care reform, overseas trips are an informal alternative to other Cabinet officials' blogs.

Defense

Lawmakers want answers on unspent flu vaccine funds

Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, is hoping to call Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt on the carpet at a hearing to explain the holdup.

Management

National Institutes of Health feels budget squeeze

Advocates say that NIH's purchasing power has fallen by roughly 10 percent since 2003.

News

HHS takes steps to bolster supply of flu vaccine

Current supplies would at best protect 15 million to 20 million a year against the bird flu, head of vaccine program says.

Management

Medicare officials seek to boost use of discount drug cards

Many angry seniors are refusing to even try out the new system.

Management

Senators seek more funding for HHS inspector general's office

They argue that new Medicare law will overwhelm an office that has had to cut more than 40 jobs in two years because of budget constraints.

Defense

Critics question value of huge homeland security exercise

Defense

Health plans search for bioterror symptoms

A pilot program that joins the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and some private health plans could help officials to detect a bioterrorism attack before emergency rooms are overwhelmed.

Defense

New HHS center stands ready to track bioterror attacks

In less than 60 days, the Department of Health and Human Services has built a state-of-the-art center to handle bioterrorism and public health emergencies.

News

Public health officials nervous about plan to move HHS agencies

President Bush's proposal to move key bioterrorism responsibilities from HHS to the Homeland Security Department worries some public health authorities.

News

HHS seeks a new generation of leaders

Defense

One-stop-shop on bioterrorism at HHS may be split up

Defense

FDA fights bioterrorism without a leader

News

Health and Human Services

News

The Medicare Maven

News

Beefing up the bureaucracy to promote marriage