`
June 1, 2004
States Scrambling to Prep for Medicare Changes
Tuesday, June 1, 2004 Volume 3, Issue 21
The weekly GovPro Newsletter is produced by the editors of Government Product News and Government Procurement Journal.
Visit: http://www.govpro.com a news-, product-, and issue-driven site for all levels of government.
Sponsored by Spacesaver Corp.
This Week States Prep For Medicare Changes E-gov Visitors Near 100 Million Virtual Borders May Provide Real-Time ID News of The Weird
Features
States Scrambling to Prep for Medicare Changes
Senior citizens across the country may be scratching their heads trying to figure out how the new federal Medicare prescription drug discount cards, which go into effect today (June 1), will affect the pharmacy benefits they already receive from their state.
The short answer? There isn't one.
Because state pharmacy programs are so varied and the new federal law so complex, there hasn't been a cookie-cutter response from the roughly 20 or so states that already help senior citizens pay for medicine. However, states have been scrambling over the past five months to make a number of changes through a flurry of legislation.
For full text, visit: http://list.pentonmedia.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ef8r0D8eaH0JQA0BInr0AG
E-government Use up 50 Percent
Many more Americans went online for state, local or federal information in 2003 than the previous year, but the old-fashioned telephone and face-to-face visits still rank supreme for many people who want information from their government, according to a May 24 report from the Pew Internet & American Life Project.
Nearly 80 percent of Internet users in the United States - 97 million Americans - went to state, local or federal government Web sites in 2003 to get information, ask a question or express an opinion, a 50 percent jump from 2002, the Pew project said in the 28-page "How Americans Get in Touch with Government."
When the survey was first conducted in 2000, the Pew project found less than half of Internet users - about 40 million Americans - said they went online to a government Web site for information.
The increase in e-government users is a little quicker than expected, said John B. Horrigan, the project's senior research specialist and author of the report. He credited the boost in e-government to more people having high-speed broadband connections at home that make it easier for people to go online to communicate or seek answers.
The Pew Internet & American Life Project is a Washington, D.C.-based think tank funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts, the same organization that also funds Stateline.org. The survey's results are based on random telephone interviews of nearly 3,000 Americans last summer.
People who have Internet access are more likely to contact state, local and federal government officials than their non-Web counterparts. More than 70 percent of Internet users said they contacted the government in some way in the past year, compared to 23 percent of those who aren't Web savvy, according to the survey.
Slightly more Internet users were satisfied with state Web sites (65 percent) than with federal and local sites (both 62 percent).
A slight majority (51 percent) would rather phone or make a personal visit than go online to contact state governments, the study found, while more than one-third would opt to click on a Web site to contact the federal government. Even more (65 percent) prefer to visit or call to get information from local government than go online. A main reason for the difference, the project said, is that it may be easier for people to swing by city hall rather than go online.
Among Internet users, 30 percent said they used e-mail or the Internet to try to change a government policy or influence a politician's vote. People went online to state web sites to get information about drivers' or other licenses, to ask a specific question or to express an opinion. The project also found:
* 41 percent of users did research involving official government statistics or documents online. * 28 percent of Internet users got advice from a government agency about a health or safety issue. * 27 percent of Internet users sent an e-mail to the federal, state or local government. * 23 percent of Internet users got information or applied for government benefits online.
Horrigan said the Internet's main benefit is arming people with more information, but he stressed the Web is not the only way. "People want multiple means at hand when they want or need to turn to the government," he said. Source: Stateline.org.
Spacesaver Corp.
Spacesaver, the world's leading manufacturer of compact mobile shelving, has provided storage solutions to the Federal Government for over 30 years. Mobile systems double the capacity of existing space, or free up half the space for other activities. For a Military Government brochure featuring a wide range of storage applications for files, tools, equipment, weapons and more, visit: http://www.spacesaver.com/gpnjun
News
U.S. Nearing Deal on Way to Track Foreign Visitors
A system to enable federal authorities to track foreigners in the United States via a global network of databases and biometric sensors raises questions about its feasibility as well as its impact on visitors' privacy. Three bidders are vying for the US-Visit contract from the Homeland Security Department, which could end up costing up to $15 billion. The system is designed to set up "virtual" borders where people seeking to enter the country are first screened by the database network, and are subjected to "real-time identification" at checkpoints to confirm their identity, after which they can be monitored within the United States, at least in theory.
Source: The National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC).
News of the Weird: Bizarre but true stories about real people. http://list.pentonmedia.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ef8r0D8eaH0JQA0BIns0AH
Links
BioFit(R) Engineered Products offers ergonomic office and drafting chairs covered in GSA Contract No. GS-28F-5839A and Department of Veteran Affairs Contract No. V797P-4196A. These chairs provide comfort, support and easy adjustability. http://list.pentonmedia.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ef8r0D8eaH0JQA0BInu0AJ
Tennant Company (NYSE: TNC) is based in Minneapolis and is a world leader in designing, manufacturing and marketing solutions that help create a cleaner, safer world. http://list.pentonmedia.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ef8r0D8eaH0JQA0BInv0AK
FREE September Supplement features thousands of products for testing, assembling and repairing electronic equipment. GSA Certified. GO TO http://list.pentonmedia.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ef8r0D8eaH0JQA0BIn10AB OR http://list.pentonmedia.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ef8r0D8eaH0JQA0BInw0AL AND REQUEST A FREE SEPTEMBER SUPPLEMENT TODAY!
Fire alarm and detection. Sprinklers and suppression. Integrated security. Building and healthcare communications. SimplexGrinnell offers best-in-class systems and services, easily accessible through the GSA Schedule. To learn more, visit X or call 1-800-SIMPLEX.
MSA offers a complete line of personal protection equipment and instruments on GSA. Visit GSA Advantage!, http://list.pentonmedia.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ef8r0D8eaH0JQA0BInx0AM http://list.pentonmedia.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ef8r0D8eaH0JQA0BGz80AS or call MSA at 1-888-837-2158 for a GSA catalog.
Fargo Electronics - The World's Leader in Card Identity Solutions. Visit: http://list.pentonmedia.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ef8r0D8eaH0JQA0BInz0AO
Cardiac Science-combines industry leading AED technology with comprehensive AED/CPR training programs to create a heartsafe environment for you. The new Powerheart Automated External Defibrillator (AED) G3 offers simple, one-button operation. Featuring RescueReady technology guaranteeing first time, every time shock delivery. http://list.pentonmedia.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ef8r0D8eaH0JQA0BIn20AC
You may qualify for a FREE Magazine Subscription
Complimentary subscriptions to Government Product News, a product-driven resource, and Government PROcurement, editorial targeting the public sector purchasing professional are available to those who qualify.
To subscribe to Government Product News visit: http://r.pm0.net/s/c?ij.75qj.15.1jf8.5c17
To subscribe to Government Procurement visit: http://r.pm0.net/s/c?ij.75qj.16.1jf9.5c17
******************************************************
If you would like to subscribe to this weekly newsletter for government professionals send a blank email to: mailto:GovPro_Subscribe@list.pentonmedia.com
If you would like to unsubscribe to the GovPro newsletter send a blank email to: mailto:GovPro_Unsubscribe@list.pentonmedia.com
GovPro Newsletter, 1300 E. 9th St., Cleveland, OH 44114-1503
Copyright 2004 Penton Media, Inc.
The weekly GovPro Newsletter is produced by the editors of Government Product News and Government Procurement Journal.
Visit: http://www.govpro.com a news-, product-, and issue-driven site for all levels of government.
Sponsored by Spacesaver Corp.
This Week States Prep For Medicare Changes E-gov Visitors Near 100 Million Virtual Borders May Provide Real-Time ID News of The Weird
Features
States Scrambling to Prep for Medicare Changes
Senior citizens across the country may be scratching their heads trying to figure out how the new federal Medicare prescription drug discount cards, which go into effect today (June 1), will affect the pharmacy benefits they already receive from their state.
The short answer? There isn't one.
Because state pharmacy programs are so varied and the new federal law so complex, there hasn't been a cookie-cutter response from the roughly 20 or so states that already help senior citizens pay for medicine. However, states have been scrambling over the past five months to make a number of changes through a flurry of legislation.
For full text, visit: http://list.pentonmedia.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ef8r0D8eaH0JQA0BInr0AG
E-government Use up 50 Percent
Many more Americans went online for state, local or federal information in 2003 than the previous year, but the old-fashioned telephone and face-to-face visits still rank supreme for many people who want information from their government, according to a May 24 report from the Pew Internet & American Life Project.
Nearly 80 percent of Internet users in the United States - 97 million Americans - went to state, local or federal government Web sites in 2003 to get information, ask a question or express an opinion, a 50 percent jump from 2002, the Pew project said in the 28-page "How Americans Get in Touch with Government."
When the survey was first conducted in 2000, the Pew project found less than half of Internet users - about 40 million Americans - said they went online to a government Web site for information.
The increase in e-government users is a little quicker than expected, said John B. Horrigan, the project's senior research specialist and author of the report. He credited the boost in e-government to more people having high-speed broadband connections at home that make it easier for people to go online to communicate or seek answers.
The Pew Internet & American Life Project is a Washington, D.C.-based think tank funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts, the same organization that also funds Stateline.org. The survey's results are based on random telephone interviews of nearly 3,000 Americans last summer.
People who have Internet access are more likely to contact state, local and federal government officials than their non-Web counterparts. More than 70 percent of Internet users said they contacted the government in some way in the past year, compared to 23 percent of those who aren't Web savvy, according to the survey.
Slightly more Internet users were satisfied with state Web sites (65 percent) than with federal and local sites (both 62 percent).
A slight majority (51 percent) would rather phone or make a personal visit than go online to contact state governments, the study found, while more than one-third would opt to click on a Web site to contact the federal government. Even more (65 percent) prefer to visit or call to get information from local government than go online. A main reason for the difference, the project said, is that it may be easier for people to swing by city hall rather than go online.
Among Internet users, 30 percent said they used e-mail or the Internet to try to change a government policy or influence a politician's vote. People went online to state web sites to get information about drivers' or other licenses, to ask a specific question or to express an opinion. The project also found:
* 41 percent of users did research involving official government statistics or documents online. * 28 percent of Internet users got advice from a government agency about a health or safety issue. * 27 percent of Internet users sent an e-mail to the federal, state or local government. * 23 percent of Internet users got information or applied for government benefits online.
Horrigan said the Internet's main benefit is arming people with more information, but he stressed the Web is not the only way. "People want multiple means at hand when they want or need to turn to the government," he said. Source: Stateline.org.
Spacesaver Corp.
Spacesaver, the world's leading manufacturer of compact mobile shelving, has provided storage solutions to the Federal Government for over 30 years. Mobile systems double the capacity of existing space, or free up half the space for other activities. For a Military Government brochure featuring a wide range of storage applications for files, tools, equipment, weapons and more, visit: http://www.spacesaver.com/gpnjun
News
U.S. Nearing Deal on Way to Track Foreign Visitors
A system to enable federal authorities to track foreigners in the United States via a global network of databases and biometric sensors raises questions about its feasibility as well as its impact on visitors' privacy. Three bidders are vying for the US-Visit contract from the Homeland Security Department, which could end up costing up to $15 billion. The system is designed to set up "virtual" borders where people seeking to enter the country are first screened by the database network, and are subjected to "real-time identification" at checkpoints to confirm their identity, after which they can be monitored within the United States, at least in theory.
Source: The National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC).
News of the Weird: Bizarre but true stories about real people. http://list.pentonmedia.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ef8r0D8eaH0JQA0BIns0AH
Links
BioFit(R) Engineered Products offers ergonomic office and drafting chairs covered in GSA Contract No. GS-28F-5839A and Department of Veteran Affairs Contract No. V797P-4196A. These chairs provide comfort, support and easy adjustability. http://list.pentonmedia.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ef8r0D8eaH0JQA0BInu0AJ
Tennant Company (NYSE: TNC) is based in Minneapolis and is a world leader in designing, manufacturing and marketing solutions that help create a cleaner, safer world. http://list.pentonmedia.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ef8r0D8eaH0JQA0BInv0AK
FREE September Supplement features thousands of products for testing, assembling and repairing electronic equipment. GSA Certified. GO TO http://list.pentonmedia.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ef8r0D8eaH0JQA0BIn10AB OR http://list.pentonmedia.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ef8r0D8eaH0JQA0BInw0AL AND REQUEST A FREE SEPTEMBER SUPPLEMENT TODAY!
Fire alarm and detection. Sprinklers and suppression. Integrated security. Building and healthcare communications. SimplexGrinnell offers best-in-class systems and services, easily accessible through the GSA Schedule. To learn more, visit X or call 1-800-SIMPLEX.
MSA offers a complete line of personal protection equipment and instruments on GSA. Visit GSA Advantage!, http://list.pentonmedia.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ef8r0D8eaH0JQA0BInx0AM http://list.pentonmedia.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ef8r0D8eaH0JQA0BGz80AS or call MSA at 1-888-837-2158 for a GSA catalog.
Fargo Electronics - The World's Leader in Card Identity Solutions. Visit: http://list.pentonmedia.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ef8r0D8eaH0JQA0BInz0AO
Cardiac Science-combines industry leading AED technology with comprehensive AED/CPR training programs to create a heartsafe environment for you. The new Powerheart Automated External Defibrillator (AED) G3 offers simple, one-button operation. Featuring RescueReady technology guaranteeing first time, every time shock delivery. http://list.pentonmedia.com/cgi-bin3/DM/y/ef8r0D8eaH0JQA0BIn20AC
You may qualify for a FREE Magazine Subscription
Complimentary subscriptions to Government Product News, a product-driven resource, and Government PROcurement, editorial targeting the public sector purchasing professional are available to those who qualify.
To subscribe to Government Product News visit: http://r.pm0.net/s/c?ij.75qj.15.1jf8.5c17
To subscribe to Government Procurement visit: http://r.pm0.net/s/c?ij.75qj.16.1jf9.5c17
******************************************************
If you would like to subscribe to this weekly newsletter for government professionals send a blank email to: mailto:GovPro_Subscribe@list.pentonmedia.com
If you would like to unsubscribe to the GovPro newsletter send a blank email to: mailto:GovPro_Unsubscribe@list.pentonmedia.com
GovPro Newsletter, 1300 E. 9th St., Cleveland, OH 44114-1503
Copyright 2004 Penton Media, Inc.
