Money and Computing
GAO High Risk List, Public Health Preparedness: *HHS Should Address Strategic National Stockpile Requirements and Inventory Risks
"Recent emergencies have highlighted the importance of preparedness. One key component of the nation's medical response infrastructure is the SNS. The SNS inventory may be deployed to state, local, territorial, tribal, and international governments when needed. GAO placed HHS's leadership and coordination of public health emergencies on its High Risk List in January 2022 (GAO-22-105291) in part due to deficiencies in HHS's management of countermeasures. The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2019 included a provision for GAO to review the SNS. This report examines: (1) the process used to make inventory decisions; (2) non COVID-19 obligations for countermeasures and their alignment with recommendations; and (3) obligations for countermeasures using COVID-19 relief funds, and inventory and operations changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic." more »
GAO Report, Older Households: Comparison of Income, Wealth, and Survival in the United States with Selected Countries
"In recent decades, income and wealth disparities have been increasing among older Americans and exceed those in Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom. We found: In 2007, older Americans in a typical low-income household needed to work 12 years to equal what a typical high-income older household earned in 1 year; there were similar gaps in Germany, where they'd need to work 6 years, and 10 years in the U.K. Higher income and wealth were associated with living longer in the U.S. and the U.K. for those under 80 years old." more »
Looking Back: Women's Congressional Policy Institute, Weekly Legislative Update; September 12-16, 2022, Screening Initiatives by Health Care and Social Service Providers
A bill to establish a cause of action with respect to reproductive health services; A bill to improve benefits and services for surviving spouses; screening initiatives by health care and social service providers; paid emergency leave; A bill to provide for a demonstration program to facilitate the clinical adoption of pregnancy intention screening initiatives by health care and social service providers; A bill to require institutions of higher education to have an independent advocate for campus sexual assault prevention and response; A bill to reauthorize the National Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program. more »
"Henry Ford Innovation Nation", a Favorite Television Show
Between looking at a post we had started about Nancy Pelosi and the January 6th Committee, we delved into a weekend show, while watching on our CBS favorite TV program, Henry Ford Innovation Nation: "250 acres of unexpected awe-inspiring experience. At The Henry Ford, you'll discover America — its culture, inventions, people and can-do spirit — and hundreds of hands-on ways to explore it, enjoy it and be inspired by it. Prepare to be astounded by our attractions and resources: Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village, Ford Rouge Factory Tour and Giant Screen Experience." An interesting program to share with young people... more »