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For news on the Epilepsy Foundation National website, please click on Newsroom.
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Researchers Find Link Between Epilepsy, Schizophrenia Risk: Connections may stem from genetic or environmental factor,s experts say. Click here to read the interesting article.
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Antiepileptic Drugs May Increase Risk of Fracture in Older Adults
Most antiepileptic drugs are associated with an increased risk of non-traumatic fracture in individuals 50 years of age and older, according to a report in the January issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Antiepileptic drugs are considered a secondary risk factor for osteoporosis, according to background information in the article, because epilepsy is highly prevalent in older adults, a population already at risk for osteoporosis. Additionally, antiepileptic drugs are associated with greater bone density reduction in post-menopausal women with epilepsy.
For the rest of the article, click here.
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Foundation Supports the Right to Use Trained Seizure Dogs in Schools, Other Public Places
UPDATE: The Epilepsy Foundation National Office supported the Stevens Family during a Fairfax County School Board Meeting. For more information, click here.
Responding to a recent news story about a Virginia school's refusal to allow a child with epilepsy and autism to bring a service animal to school, the Epilepsy Foundation affirms the right of anyone with epilepsy who relies upon a trained seizure dog to bring the service animal to any place of public accommodation.
The Epilepsy Foundation National Office has provided assistance to the Stevens family with their fight to have their son, Andrew, attend a Virginia school with his seizure dog.
While the county school board has initially agreed to allow the service dog to come with him to school, it is far from being in compliance with federal and local disability laws. The school will allow the animal for a six week period, during which time the child's parents will need to ride the bus with him and attend school. The school will then have weekly conference calls with the family to talk about progress. The fact that Andrew is being able to go to school is good news, but the Foundation and the family want to ensure that the school board complies fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Virginia laws.
For more information, click on the following link:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/04/AR2011010405680.html
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Article about the Ketogenic Diet
There is a really good article in The New York Times about the Ketogenic Diet. The article is titled "Epilepsy's Big, Fat Miracle" and is written by Fred Vogelstein. Mr. Vogelstein's 9 year old son Sam has epilepsy and has been on the Ketogenic Diet for almost 2 years. The article provides insight into how the Ketogenic Diet works and how it affects the entire family. While we do not endorse one treatment for epilepsy over another, we want people to know about this article. Click on the following link to view the article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/21/magazine/21Epilepsy-t.html?_r=1&src=me&ref=homepage.
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20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
On July 26th, the Epilepsy Foundation joined its partners in the disability, health, and civil rights community in a celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Epilepsy Foundation has launched a web page to honor the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Included on this page are historical documents and resources on the ADA and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. Also included are videos, a timeline of the ADA, and copies of the Epilepsy Spokesman articles about the passage of the law from 1990. You can share and view all of these resources that celebrate the ADA and the Epilepsy Foundation's long standing support at http://epilepsyfoundation.org/advocacy/ada_restoration/celebrating-20-years-of-ada.cfm.
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MEDICARE NEWS WHAT HEALTH CARE REFORM MEANS TO YOU: MEDICARE PART D
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a historic health care reform bill that will transform access to health insurance for people with epilepsy. For more information about Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage & Health Care Reform, click here.
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MEDICARE NEWS CMS TERMINATES CONTRACT WITH FOX INSURANCE COMPANY DRUG PLAN
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) terminated its contract with Fox Insurance Company. After an onsite review of the plan and its services, CMS determined that the plan's significant deficiencies - not meeting Medicare's requirements to provide enrollees with prescription drugs or recognized standards of care - poses a serious risk to the health of Fox enrollees. The termination is effective immediately. CMS is immediately transitioning the more than 123,000 Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Fox plans to other coverage to ensure these beneficiaries will not experience any delays or disruption in access to their needed medicines. All members will temporarily obtain their drugs through LI-NET, a program run by Medicare and administered by Humana to ensure that beneficiaries receive their Part D drugs without restriction until they are enrolled in a new plan. Beneficiaries need to take no action to be transitioned to LI-NET, and should not experience any disruption at the pharmacy counter. CMS is notifying relevant partners such as pharmacies, pharmacy organizations, states Medicaid agencies, and other stakeholders of this action so that they are prepared to help affected beneficiaries with this transition.
Affected beneficiaries will have an opportunity to enroll in a new Part D plan by May 1--those who do not choose a plan will be enrolled into a new plan by Medicare. For more information, contact 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or your state health insurance assistance program (SHIP).
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