Volume 04-3
May 2004
DIRECTOR'S REPORT–Thomas H. Young, Director
"Spread the Word"
As I peruse the various branch publications that cross my desk, I am again moved to repeat a concern I have about the lack of reports by our Health Benefit Representatives being made at branch meetings and articles in their branch newsletters.
I am honestly mystified as to why any Health Benefit Representative would have nothing to say about the Health Benefit Plan.
One of the complaints I have often heard is that the Plan doesn’t advertise like Blue Cross or some other federal plans. Most of you are very aware that the NALC’s philosophy is to promote the Plan only to letter carriers. Letter carriers and their families are the sole reason for our existence.
Sure, we do have members from other federal agencies, but they are incidental to why we are here.
Our Health Benefit Representatives are the walking, talking "billboards" of the NALC Health Benefit Plan. Your presence and promotion year round is an important part of the HBRs’ duties. You, me, everyone have every reason to be proud of the Health Benefit Plan and we need to take time to create every opportunity to "spread the word."
Now, having gotten that off my chest once again, I want to express my appreciation to those Health Benefit Representatives who do all I have suggested above. Thank you for performing a tough job to the utmost of your ability.
In the meantime, we are in the process of responding to the Office of Personnel Management’s annual Call Letter with our benefits and cost projections for next year. As always, the process has a ways to go and it will not be until September that a final product will emerge.
For our new Health Benefit Representatives who are not familiar with the annual process of arriving at premiums and benefits, I will try to briefly explain it to you.
The annual "Call Letter" is received from the Office of Personnel Management at the end of March for the next contract year. This letter offers guidance on benefits, coverage issues and how and when to submit our proposal. The process to be followed is extremely precise, and all benefit changes must be supported by actuarial figures. Once the proposal is submitted, negotiations can begin with OPM. These negotiations are generally completed by mid to late August.
The process of writing benefit changes and clarifications is extremely tedious. It is mandated by the Office of Personnel Management that our submissions must be in a specific format and in clear, precise language that can be fully understood by our membership and by any federal employee interested in joining the Plan.
When the proposal is submitted, we also submit our proposal for premium rates. Through the negotiation process, OPM looks at our proposed benefit structure and the reserves held. The Plan’s intent has always been to put ourselves in a position to stabilize premiums for our members while, at the same time, providing you with the best coverage possible.
We are also busy putting the final touches on the HBP’s Breakfast Workshop to be presented the morning of the first day of the National Convention. I am looking forward to meeting and greeting so many of you as we go about the business of this great union.
With regard to the Breakfast Workshop, ticket sales are moving quickly. If you would like to attend this popular event, please get your registration forms in as soon as possible. To assist you, we have placed a copy of the form on the back page of this edition of the HBR Report.
Until next month — ALOHA!!
I received the below letter from the daughter of one of our long-time members thanking the NALC Health Benefit Plan for our services. In the interest of privacy, the names have been omitted. "Dear Mr. Young, I am writing to you regarding my father who was a member of your health plan for many years. My father passed away in February 2004 at the age of 91 years. I know that many negative things are written about health care these days so I thought I should give you some positive feedback. My father spent the last five years of his life living with me and my family after my mother passed away. His health was not good since he had been diagnosed with Parkinsons and Alzheimers. He steadily deteriorated over the years requiring numerous hospitalizations, visits to specialists, emergency room treatments and an ongoing supply of prescription drugs. All of these were very costly. I never for a moment had to worry about these costs. After Medicare picked up partial costs, NALC’s comprehensive plan covered everything with no disputes. I can’t tell you what peace of mind this gave me as I continued to care for my father. Sincerely," The NALC Health Benefit Plan brings you peace of mind whenever and wherever you need us!
A Note of Thanks –
HEALTH IN THE NEWS
Food of the Month
Berries
It’s easy to have a ‘berry’ healthy summer.
It’s that luscious time of year when berries explode with color. The reds, the blues, and the blacks attract us, but there’s far more to berries than meets the eye.
They’re loaded with compounds that keep your body and brain working right and staying young. So impressed are researchers at Ohio State University that they recommend everyone eat berries every day.
When it comes to total antioxidant power, four of the top ten fruits and vegetables are blueberries (ranked number one), strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries. They are rich sources of quercetin, a potent antioxidant.
Another thing that makes berries so special is a compound called ellagic acid, which is believed to prevent cellular changes that can lead to cancer. All berries have some of it, but strawberries and blackberries have the most.
All berries are also rich in vitamin C, one of the best antioxidants. It is particularly important in preventing cataracts. A half-cup of strawberries has 42 milligrams of Vitamin C.
Want to feed your brain? Researchers at Tufts University have discovered that compounds found in blueberries have actually improved the memories of aging lab animals. In The Color Code, A Revolutionary Eating Plan for Optimum Health (Hyperion) Dr. James Joseph recommends eating berries every day.
Facts about lightning, your car, and your safety
If you are outside during a thunderstorm, a hard-topped car or truck with the windows rolled up is a safe place to be. It’s not the rubber tires that offer protection. It’s the metal frame that directs the electricity away from you.
During the storm, don’t touch anything metal inside the car, including the radio dial or the window levers.
If you are driving during a very strong storm, pull over and turn the engine off. Lightning has been known to destroy engines and electronics in cars. If you are driving on the highway and power steering or power brakes fail, you are in danger.
If you are caught outside in a storm, take cover in a clump of low bushes. Never stand under a tree. If there are no bushes, hunch yourself into a ball and balance on the balls of your feet. Don’t stay in a group. Stay at least 15 feet away from the nearest person. Lighting can travel.
Don’t be afraid to touch someone who has been hit by lightning. The charge doesn’t remain. If someone is struck, call for help. Check for burns, and if the victim has no pulse, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation as you wait for paramedics to arrive. Only 10 to 20 percent of people struck by lightning die, but 70 percent suffer effects that include nervous-system damage, broken bones, or loss of hearing or eyesight.
Recognizing and dealing with high-risk situations can minimize your risk of being struck by lightning.
Easy treatments for mosquito bites
It happens every year as certain as the spring. Mosquitoes appear, and you get a pesky bite that itches like mad.
No drugstore remedies on hand? Try these by Rodale’s Home Remedies of Pennsylvania.
Onion juice. Breaks down chemicals that cause pain response.
Liquid soap. Can neutralize toxins in the bite. Dab it on and leave it.
Alcohol. This solvent helps to remove toxins from the bite and inhibits proteins that cause irritation.
Aspirin. Controls inflammation. Rub it on the bite (unless you are allergic to it).
Vicks VapoRub. Rub a little on and around the bite. It contains menthol, which deadens nerve endings.
When you’ll be outdoors, wear a repellant containing 35 percent DEET for adults, 10 percent for kids.
Apply it a half hour before or after applying sunscreen, say experts at the University of Manitoba in Canada, so the sunscreen doesn’t increase your absorption of DEET.
Overlooked cause of fatigue
Doctors at Georgetown University Medical Center say sinus infections are nine times more prevalent among people with unexplained long-term fatigue and six times more common in those with unexplained all over pain. About 14 million Americans are affected.
Chronic sinus infections make you feel tired and lower your pain threshold. But people don’t usually connect fatigue or aches and pains with sinus pressure. They fail to mention it to their doctors.
If you have unexplained fatigue or pains, ask your doctor to check your sinuses. Treatment includes steroid nasal sprays, decongestants, and antibiotics if appropriate. If these don’t help, surgery to remove blockage is next.
Dietary C lowers stroke risk
Researchers reporting in Neurology have discovered that the level of vitamin C from food is a factor in stroke risk. After adjusting for other factors, they found that people with less than 94 milligrams of vitamin C in their diets were 34 percent more likely to have a first stroke than those with intakes of 133 milligrams per day or more.
Vitamin C from supplements did not affect stroke risk. Only that from food did. Foods rich in C include citrus fruit, berries, green peppers, and broccoli.
West Nile in perspective
It’s mosquito season again, and that means more cases of West Nile virus. While the disease is serious, even when people are bitten by mosquitoes carrying the virus, most don’t become ill.
Doctors at Harvard Medical School say about 20 percent have fairly mild symptoms, such as fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash. Less than 1 percent develop a more severe illness like encephalitis or meningitis.
Meningitis causes headaches, a stiff neck, vomiting, and sensitivity to light. Encephalitis may cause headaches and confusion.
May is National Stroke Awareness Month –
Take steps to avoid stroke in the future
Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability in America and the third leading cause of death. You can lower your risk of death or disability from stroke in two ways. First, take preventive measures to reduce your risk. Second, know stroke’s signs and symptoms and immediately get emergency treatment if they occur. Every minute counts.
According to Harvard Medical School, most strokes are ischemic, caused by blockage of blood flow to the brain. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when an artery in the brain leaks or ruptures.
Stroke risk factors you can’t control:
Steps you can take to prevent strokes:
Call 911 if you suddenly experience one or more of these symptoms:
THE PHARMACY CORNER
Reducing your risk of stroke:
If you have ever had a stroke (or stroke warning signs), it is very important that you work with your doctor to determine the most likely cause of the problem and the best course of treatment for you.
Certain medical conditions greatly increase your likelihood of having a stroke (or another stroke). Working with your doctor, you may need to begin specific medical treatment to control these risk factors.
Also, according to a recent survey of medicines in development for neurologic disorders by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, there are fifteen medicines in development for stroke (the third leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer). For additional information, check out the PhRMA website.
Below are some medical condition that may increase your stroke risk:
Previous stroke or "mini-stroke" (transient ischemic attack, TIA) — depending on the most likely cause of your stroke, your doctor may prescribe specific medication or consider surgery to remove fatty deposits in your carotid artery.
High blood pressure — hypertension is one of the leading risks for heart disease and stroke. Your physician may advise dietary or lifestyle changes, or specific medications to lower your blood pressure. You might want to learn more about high blood pressure by checking out "Your Guide to Lowering Blood Pressure" from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute — NHLBI.
Diabetes — high blood sugar can increase your risk, so you should work closely with your doctor to manage it. (Learn more about diabetes from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases — NIDDK.)
Heart disease — particularly heart beat irregularities (atrial fibrillation), disease of the heart valves, congestive heart failure or recent heart attack. If you have one of these conditions, your physician may prescribe medications to thin your blood and/or reduce your cholesterol level.
What other factors can affect the risk of stroke?
Season and climate – Stroke deaths occur more often during periods of extremely hot or cold temperatures.
Socioeconomic factors – There’s some evidence that people of lower income and educational levels have a higher risk for stroke.
Excessive alcohol intake – Excessive drinking (an average of more than one drink per day for women and more than two drinks per day for men) and binge drinking can raise blood pressure, contribute to obesity, high triglycerides, cancer and other diseases, cause heart failure and lead to stroke.
Certain kinds of drug abuse – Intravenous drug abuse carries a high risk of stroke from cerebral emboli. Cocaine use has been closely related to strokes, heart attacks and a variety of other cardiovascular complications. Some of them have been fatal even in first-time cocaine users.
Stroke Facts
Source: www.americanheart.org.
New names added to list of defenders who made the ultimate sacrifice. In cities and towns across the country, new names and new faces are counted among the heroes of American history who died defending our freedom. Their memories are invoked with flags, with taps, and with parades. In heartfelt speeches, they are recognized for their courage and their sacrifice. But in homes around America, where grief still overwhelms pride, their names and faces will invoke simpler things, like their smiles, their touches, and their words. These honored dead from the Global War on Terrorism join the heroes of the American Revolution who gave their property, their fortunes, and their lives to create a new nation. They join the brave soldiers from the North and the South who fought for their principles in the Civil War, the war that took more American lives than any war before or since, and heroes of World War II, Korea and Vietnam, who fought to keep us safe. Let’s take a moment on Memorial Day to remember all those whose sacrifices secured for us the comfortable lives we have today.
In memory of those who paid the ultimate price
HBP Convention Breakfast/Workshop
As part of the NALC 2004 National Convention in Honolulu, the Health Benefit Plan will sponsor a Breakfast/Workshop on Monday, July 19, 2004 (7:30 — 9:30 am). Tickets to this event are $20.00 each the menu will be: Chilled Passion/Orange or Guava Juice, Seasonal Fruit Melange, Taro Croissants and Caramel Nut Rolls, Upcountry Scrambled Eggs (with cheddar cheese and Maui onions), Portuguese Sausage, Pan Tossed Potatoes, Kona Blend Coffee/Decaffeinated Coffee/International Teas
This is always a very popular event and space is very limited; therefore, tickets will be sold on a first-come basis. We urge you to order your tickets early by completing the form below and returning it along with your check to:
NALC Health Benefit Plan
20547 Waverly Court
Ashburn, Virginia 20149
Attention: Breakfast/Workshop
You will receive a confirmation by return mail and can pick up your tickets prior to the Breakfast/Workshop at the Health Benefit Plan Booth in the Convention Center.
| WHAT: | NALC Health Benefit Plan Breakfast/Workshop | |
| WHERE: | Honolulu, Hawaii | |
| WHEN: | Monday, July 19, 2004 | |
| (7:30 - 9:30 am) |
Yes, I will be attending the HBP Breakfast/Workshop. Enclosed is my check made payable
to NALC HBP in the amount of $____________ for _______ Tickets to this event.
Name_______________________________________ Title______________________
Branch _______ Address _______________________________________________
City ______________________ State __________________ ZIP ________________
Return to HBR Reports, NALC Health Benefit Plan HomePage or NALC Headquarters HomePage.
This page was last updated on October 8, 2004.
If you have any questions or comments about our health benefit plan, please write to the National Association of Letter Carriers Health Benefit Plan at 20547 Waverly Court, Ashburn, VA 20149 or call 1-703-729-4677. For automated general benefit information, call 1-888-636-NALC.