Blog
Jul 03 2003
Wes Hickman (202) 224-5972 or Kevin Bishop (864) 250-1417
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded three grants to South Carolina health care organizations to provide primary health care for individuals diagnosed with HIV. The Richland Community Health Care Association will receive $791,000; New Horizon Family Health Services in Greenville will receive $500,000; and the Low Country Health Care System in Fairfax will receive $485,000. The early intervention services grants can be used to provide patients:- Risk-reduction counseling on prevention, antibody testing, medical evaluation, and clinical care;
- Antiretroviral therapies; protection against opportunistic infections; and ongoing medical, oral health, nutritional, psychological, and other services for HIV-infected clients;
- Case management to ensure access to services and continuity of care for HIV-infected clients;
- Attention to other health problems that occur frequently with HIV infection, including tuberculosis and substance abuse.
Jul 02 2003
Wes Hickman or Kevin Bishop
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded three grants to South Carolina health care organizations to provide primary health care for individuals diagnosed with HIV. The Richland Community Health Care Association will receive $791,000; New Horizon Family Health Services in Greenville will receive $500,000; and the Low Country Health Care System in Fairfax will receive $485,000. The early intervention services grants can be used to provide patients:- Risk-reduction counseling on prevention, antibody testing, medical evaluation, and clinical care;
- Antiretroviral therapies; protection against opportunistic infections; and ongoing medical, oral health, nutritional, psychological, and other services for HIV-infected clients;
- Case management to ensure access to services and continuity of care for HIV-infected clients;
- Attention to other health problems that occur frequently with HIV infection, including tuberculosis and substance abuse.
Jul 02 2003
Wes Hickman or Kevin Bishop
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded two grants for over $450,000 to the University of South Carolina. The money will be used to support medical research and training.The University will receive $315,435 to conduct arthritis, musculoskeletal and skin disease research and $135,100 for training at the USC Cancer Center.
“South Carolina’s colleges and universities are on the cutting edge of medical research,” said Graham. “The work they do helps improve and save lives.”
Jul 02 2003
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today said the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded an $800,000 grant to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) for abstinence education programs for youth. The money will be used to develop and implement abstinence education programs for young people ages 12 to 18. “When adolescents become sexually active, it can have negative effects on their physical and emotional health,” said HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. “These grants create an environment within communities that supports teens in their decision to remain abstinent until marriage.” Abstinence education programs are designed as an intervention to reduce the number of adolescents who engage in premarital sexual activity and, consequently, the number of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. The programs also encourage youth to avoid other behaviors associated with early sexual involvement, such as alcohol and drug use. “South Carolina’s children are our greatest resource,” said Graham. “We must continue to encourage and educate them to make sound decisions affecting their future.” ####Jul 02 2003
Wes Hickman or Kevin Bishop
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today said the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded an $800,000 grant to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) for abstinence education programs for youth.The money will be used to develop and implement abstinence education programs for young people ages 12 to 18.
“When adolescents become sexually active, it can have negative effects on their physical and emotional health,” said HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. “These grants create an environment within communities that supports teens in their decision to remain abstinent until marriage.”
Abstinence education programs are designed as an intervention to reduce the number of adolescents who engage in premarital sexual activity and, consequently, the number of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. The programs also encourage youth to avoid other behaviors associated with early sexual involvement, such as alcohol and drug use.
“South Carolina’s children are our greatest resource,” said Graham. “We must continue to encourage and educate them to make sound decisions affecting their future.” ####
Jul 02 2003
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded two grants for over $450,000 to the University of South Carolina. The money will be used to support medical research and training. The University will receive $315,435 to conduct arthritis, musculoskeletal and skin disease research and $135,100 for training at the USC Cancer Center. “South Carolina’s colleges and universities are on the cutting edge of medical research,” said Graham. “The work they do helps improve and save lives.” ####Jun 30 2003
Wes Hickman (202 224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864 250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) made the following statement after Senate Democrats refused to end the partisan filibuster of the nomination of Judge Charles Pickering to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth District: “The Senate is entering into one of its darkest chapters with the continuation of partisan filibusters to block well-qualified judicial nominees. Judge Pickering has received the highest rating from the American Bar Association, has support throughout his home state of Mississippi from Republicans and Democrats, and has been a courageous leader in bringing a better racial climate to Mississippi by advocating moderation and tolerance. Judge Pickering is being denied a judicial promotion because of liberal special interests whose intention is to distort the record of a qualified and decent man.” “The partisan filibusters of judges driven by liberal special interest politics will put the Senate in a death spiral with regard to judicial nominations. If our Democratic colleagues do not cease in partisan filibusters of well-qualified nominees there will be a confrontation in the Senate of Constitutional dimensions that will take years to overcome.” Sixty votes are required to break a filibuster. Today 54 Senators voted in favor of ending the filibuster, and 43 were opposed. ####Jun 30 2003
Wes Hickman (202 224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864 250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced more than $700,000 in grants to fire departments in Bamberg, Blacksburg, Little Mountain, Newberry, Nichols, Pendleton, Reidville, St. Matthews and Union. “Firefighters risk their lives to protect others, and they deserve the best equipment and training available,” said Graham. “Firefighters are some of the heroes in our midst.” The Assistance to Firefighters Grants will help the fire departments improve their training, wellness and fitness programs; purchase new firefighting equipment and personal protective equipment; and, make modifications to fire stations and facilities. Bamberg Bamberg Fire Department will receive $129,848. Blacksburg Buffalo Volunteer Fire Department will receive $55,215. Little Mountain Little Mountain Fire Department will receive $53,236. Newberry Friendly Fire Department will receive $24,750. Nichols Nichols Volunteer Fire Department will receive $91,665. Pendleton Sandy Springs Fire Department will receive $80,910. Reidville Reidville Area Fire District will receive $162,000. St. Matthews St. Matthews Fire Department will receive $66,015. Union Bonham Fire Department will receive $64,508. The Assistance to Firefighters grant program awards one-year grants directly to local fire departments, enhancing their ability to respond to fire and fire-related hazards in the community. The program supports departments by providing them the tools and resources necessary to protect the health and safety of the public and their firefighting personnel. Grantees share in the cost of the funded project at a percentage based on the population of their respective jurisdiction. Grantees that serve jurisdictions of 50,000 or fewer residents are required to provide a non-Federal cost-share of 10 percent while grantees that serve jurisdictions of over 50,000 provide a 30 percent cost-share. The match must be in cash without the use of in-kind contributions. In addition, the maximum amount of federal funds that an applicant can be awarded is $750,000 during any fiscal year. The grants are made by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. ####Jun 29 2003
National Guard and Reserve Members Score Health Care Victory
Graham Includes TRICARE Provision in Final Version of Supplemental Appropriation Bill
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), the only Senator serving in either the National Guard or Reserves, today announced improved healthcare benefits for the more than 1.8 million Guard and Reserve members. Graham, who maintains his rank as a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, passed his provision in the U.S. Senate with help from Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) and Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee Ted Stevens (R-AK). The provision, expected to cost $138 million this year, allows Guard and Reservists to enroll in TRICARE, the military health care program. Under current law, members of the Guard and Reserve and their families can only enroll in TRICARE when on active duty. The Graham/Daschle provision:
- TRI-CARE Buy In: Guard members who are unemployed or whose employers do not offer health insurance would be able to enroll themselves and their families in the military’s TRICARE program on a cost-share basis. A single reservist would pay an annual premium, around 30 percent of the annual cost of providing care, amounting to about $420 annually for single reservists and $1,450 annually for a reservist and his or her family.
- TRICARE Upon Receiving Orders: All Guard members, Reservists and their families would be eligible to enroll in TRICARE as soon as members receive activation orders, as opposed to when they are actually activated. This change will smooth and expedite the transition to active service.
- Extension of TRICARE Eligibility after Demobilization: All Guard members, Reservists, and their families would be able to stay in TRICARE for six months after demobilization.
- Authorization for Additional Medical Screening: The service secretaries are authorized to provide full medical screenings to members of the Guard and Reserves when they receive activation orders.