indiana: a state that works campaign launched in this issue 2 · • reasons to not skip breakfast...

In this issue

2 • NewBudgetdirector• NewIndianacampaignlaunched

3

The TorchispublishedmonthlybytheStatePersonnelDepartment

andisavailableonlineatwww.in.gov/spd

Submityourstoryideasto:spdcommunications@spd.in.gov

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8• Anthembenefits• Voluntaryunpaidleavepolicysuspended

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July 2013

• Healthcareshopping• Summerrun/walks

4 • 6stepsforbetterAsthmacontrol

• Reasonstonotskipbreakfast

Continued on page 2

Indiana: A State That Works campaign launchedTheIndianaEconomicDevelopmentCorporation(IEDC)proudlyannouncesA State That Works,amarketingcampaigndesignedtodrawattentiontothenumerous

reasonsIndianaisastatethatworksforbusiness.

“Fromthepassageofthelargesttaxcutinstatehistorytoourtalentedworkforceandcentrallocation,thespotlightshinesonIndianaasoneofthefewstatesthatactuallyworksforbusiness,”saidVictorSmith,IndianaSecretaryofCommerce.“OurrisetothetopinnationalrankingsisproofthatIndianaismorethanjustagoodstateforbusiness,butastatethatisachievinggreatness.AsIndianaseparatesitselffromourcompetition,it’simportanttocommunicatetocorporatedecisionmakersacrosstheglobethe

countlessreasonsourpro-growthclimateworksforcompanies’growthandsuccess.”

Thecomplementarydigital,mobilewidgetandprintadvertisementstargetingbusinessleadersfeaturetheslogans:“we’renotonlyaworkforce,butaforcethatworks,”“we’reatthecrossroadsofwhat’spossibleandwhat’snext”and“integrityisourcomplexion,innovationisourcurrency.”

Inaddition,astatethatworks.comhighlightsIndianaasastateofthink-ers,innovatorsandmakers,showcas-ingastreamofstoriesfocusingonHoosierinnovation,developmentandsuccessstories.

Thenewadvertisements,whichbeganrunninginearlyMay,havealreadycreatedthemostactivityinthehistoryofIEDCmarketingcampaigns.Withmorethan11millionadvertisementviewerslastmonthalone,thecampaignhada.64percentclickthroughrate.Thisissignificantlyhigherthantheindustryaverageof.01-.08percent.The

The Torch 2

OnJune24,GovernorMikePenceannouncedthehireofanewbudgetdirectortoleadtheStateBudgetAgency.

EffectiveJuly15,Brian BaileywillserveastheBudgetDirectorwhere

hewillleadtheStateBudgetAgency.BaileycurrentlyservesastheChiefofStaffandGeneralCounselattheOfficeofManagement

andBudget(OMB).Hislonglistofresponsibilitiesincludesdevelopmentoftax,regulatoryandlocalgovernmentpolicyforGovernorPenceaswellasoperationaloversightoftheIndianaDepartmentofRevenue,StateBoardofAccounts,IndianaDepartmentofLocalGovernmentFinanceandIndianaBoardofTaxReview.Inhiscurrentrole,headvisestheGovernorregardingproposedlegislationwithasignificantfiscalimpactonthestate’sbudgetandplayedanintegralroleinthepreparationoftheGovernor’sproposedFY14-FY15StateBudget.

PriortojoiningthePenceAdministration,BaileyservedasaCommissionerfortheIndianaDepartmentofLocalGovernmentFinancebyformerGovernorMitchDanielsandheldthatofficefrom2010-2013.BaileyalsopracticedlawatIceMillerLLPinIndianapolisforalmostsixyears.BaileyearnedhisundergraduatedegreefromWabashCollegeandholdsalawdegreefromIndianaUniversitySchoolofLawinBloomington.

“Theexperience,knowledgeandintegritypossessedbyBrianBaileyisimpressiveandIampositivethathistalentswillbringnewinsightin

hisnewrolewiththeStateBudgetAgency,”saidGovernorPence.“Underhisguidance,IamconfidentthattheStateBudgetAgencywillcontinuetowiselymanagestateresourcesandgrowourstate’seconomy.”

Andrew KossacktakesBailey’scurrentpositionandserveasGeneralCounselandPolicyDirectorofOMB,effectiveJuly15.KossackcurrentlyservesastheEducationandWorkforcePolicyDirectorforGovernorPence.Inthisrole,heservesasthepolicyliaisontotheGovernorforthestateagenciesfocusedoneducationandworkforceissues.

Previously,KossackservedastheDeputyChiefofStafffortheIndianaDepartmentofEducation.Beforejoiningthedepartment,KossackwasappointedIndiana’spublicaccesscounselorbyformerGovernorMitchDanielsandheldthatofficefrom2009-2011.HebeganhislegalcareerpracticinglaborandemploymentlawasanattorneyatBarnes&ThornburgLLPinIndianapolis.KossackreceivedhisundergraduatedegreefromButlerUniversityandhislawdegreefromIndianaUniversityRobertH.McKinneySchoolofLaw.

BaileyandKossackwillreporttoOMBDirectorChrisAtkinswhohasbeenservingasbothOMBDirectorandBudgetDirectorsincetheGovernorappointedhimonJanuary14,2013.AtkinswillcontinuehisroleastheOMBDirectorandwillallocatemoretimeassistingtheGovernorwiththemanagementofstateagencies.

New Budget Director announcedGovernor appointments

advertisementsaretargetedtonationalprintanddigitalpublicationsinhigh-taxstates,includingIllinois,NewYork,NewJersey,MassachusettsandCalifornia.

InadditiontosignageattheIndianapolisInternationalAirportandbusshelters,aswellassearch-basedGoogleandothernationalpublicationadvertisements,morethan12millionpeoplehavehadtheopportunitytoseetheA State That Works campaign.

Also,theA State That Worksmarkwillbeusedbymultiplestateagenciesintheirmarketingandpublicrelationsefforts.Themarkwillnotreplaceagencies’existinglogos,butservesasasecondarybrandingtooltoincorporateGovernorMikePence’svisiontomakeIndianathestatethatworksforallHoosiers.

“Indianahasdevelopedareputationasastatethatcollaboratestosolveproblemsasafamilyofagencies,”saidSmith.“Ourabilitytoseamlesslyworktogetheratthespeedofbusinessenablesustoofferlong-termsolutionsforcompanieslookingtogrowhere.BecauseweareallambassadorsfortheHoosierState,itmakessenseforagenciesacrossthestatetopromotethesamemessagethatIndianaworksforbusiness.”

Thecreativebehindthecampaignwasdevelopedbyin-housetalentandlocalvendors.TheIEDCencouragesviewerstointeractonthecampaign’sFacebookpagebysubmittingtheirownstoriesaboutwhyIndianaisastatethatworks.

Continued from page 1

A State That Works campaign launched

The Torch 3

Overthelastfewmonths,theStatePersonnelDepartment(SPD)hasintroducedyoutoInvestinYourHealth,includingseveralprogramstoteachyouaboutthehealthcaresystemandhowtospendyourtimeanddollarsmorewisely.Wehopeyou’vesignedupforHealthy Lifestyles andCastlight. We’reexcitedtoannouncethatwe’velaunchedourstateemployeewellnesswebsitethathousesinformationabouttheseprogramsandmoreatinvestinyourhealthindiana.com.

Wewelcomeyoutovisitthesiteandanticipateyourfeedback.Letusknowwhatyou’dliketosee.TherearelinkstoAnthem’swebsiteandinformationaboutadditionalfeaturesofyourhealthplan.Also,informationaboutfitnesscenterdiscountsaroundthestateareincluded.Checkoutourblogtolearnaboutpopularmobilefitnessappsandmuchmore.Also,sendusyourhealthorfitnessstorytoshareonthewebsite.

OntheInvest In Your Health Blog:• Shop,comparemedicalservices

withCastlight• Trysixawesomemobileapps• Getfitwithadiscountedgym

membership

AnytimeyouseetheInvest In Your HealthlogoyoushouldknowthatitisaprogramortoolorganizedandthoroughlyvettedbySPDtohelpyounavigateyourwaythroughhealthissues.GovernorPenceandhisfamilyaresupportingthisinitiativeandareparticipatingalongsideyou.Additionalprogramsandtoolsarebeinglaunchedoverthenexttwoyears.

Asthma has a nutrition connection tooNutritionisfrequentlyassociatedwithasthmaintermsoffood-relatedallergictriggers.However,thereisamoreinsidiouslinkbetweenfoodandasthma:obesity.Obesityisdefinedasabodymassindex(BMI)greaterthanorequalto30.Obesityhasbeenassociatedwithanincreasedriskofdevelopingasthmaandepidemiologicalstudiespointtoadose-dependentrelationshipbetweenBMIandtheincidenceofasthma.Themoreapersonweighs,thegreatertheriskofdevelopingasthma.Beforeobesitywasrecognizedasapublichealthissue,littleexplorationoftheconnectionbetweenthetwoconditionsoccurred.Asaresult,onlyscantandinconsistentdatalinkingobesityandasthmaexists.Inaddition,datalinkingobesitywithasthmaoftenreliesonself-reportedphysiciandiagnosisofasthma.

Researchtodeterminethepreciselinkbetweenobesityandasthmaisongoing.Severalmechanismscontinuetobeexaminedincludingmechanical,physiological/biochemicalandco-morbidityimpacts.Fromamechanicalperspective,abdominaladipose(fat)tissueputsupwardpressureonthediaphragmdecreasingthesizeofthethoraciccavity.Withadecreasedcavity,lungscannotfullyinflateanddeflatecausingashortbreathingcycle,potentiallyleadingtoshortnessofbreath.Inaddition,ithasbeenproposedthatthesmallerairwaysoftenbecomecompressedandpossiblychangesinthesmoothmuscletissueoccur.

Biochemically,chroniclow-gradesystemicinflammation,associatedwithobesity,mayalsoplayaroleinairwaysensitivity.Hormones,oradipokines,secretedbyadipose

tissuemaycontributetophysiologicalchangesintheairway.Finally,co-morbiditiesassociatedwithobesity,suchasgastro-esophagealrefluxdisease(GERD)andobstructivesleepapnea(OSA)mayimpactobesity-relatedasthma.

Mosttroublingintheobesity-asthmaconnectionisthedataindicatingthatobesity-relatedasthmaappearsdifficulttotreat.Obesity-relatedasthmahasbeenlinkedtoanincreaseinseverityofincidentsasevidencedbylongeremergencyroomvisitsandtheneedforincreaseddosesoftraditionalmedications.Inaddition,difficultyinasthmacontrolviausualtherapieshasbeenreported.Atreatmentprogramthatcombinespharmacotherapyandnon-pharmacotherapyhasbeenrecommended.Non-pharmacotherapyincludesdietaryweightloss(surgicalandnon-surgical)andphysicalactivityprograms.SeveralreportsindicatethatasthmasymptomsimprovewithadecreaseinBMI.FormoreinformationaboutobesityanddeterminingBMIseetheCentersforDiseaseControlwebsite.

Thanks to the Indiana Dietetic Association for this submission.

SPD launches wellness website

The Torch4

5 reasons to eat breakfast

Takingafewpuffsonyourinhalernowandthenisn’tallthereistomanagingasthma.TheNationalAsthmaControlInitiative(NACI)hasidentifiedsixkeystepstogoodasthmacontrol.Byfollowingthesesteps,youcanfeelbetterandbreatheeasier:

1. Know your starting placeOnceyourasthmaisdiagnosed,yourdoctorwillgradehowsevereitis.Thisgradingprocesshelpsyourdoctorchoosethemedicinesthatarerightforyou.Therearefourlevelsofasthmaseverity:intermittent,mild,moderate,andsevere.

2. Use medicine as prescribedAlmosteveryonewithasthmaneedsaninhalerwithaquickreliefmedicine.Inaddition,manywithasthmaneedalongactingcontrolmedicine,whichistakeneverydaytokeepsymptomsfromstarting.Askyourdoctorhowtouseyourmedicinescorrectly.

3. Identify and avoid triggersManythingscansetoffasthma.Someareallergens-substancesthatcancauseanallergicreactioninsensitiveindividuals.Theseincludedustmites,pollen,mold,cockroachesandfur.Someareirritants-inhaledsubstancesthattheairwaysreacttobynarrowing.Theseincludecigarettesmoke,perfume,cleaningproducts,andgasolinefumes.Othercommontriggersincludeexercise,coldweather,andinfections,suchastheflu.Tellyourdoctoraboutanythingthatmakesyourasthmaworse.Onceyouknowyourtriggers,youcanlearntoavoidormanagethem.

4. Monitor symptoms and peak flowIt’simportanttokeepclosetabsonhowwellyourasthmaiscontrolled.

Six steps to better control, maintain your AsthmaOnewaytodothisisbyrecordingyourdailysymptomsandmedicineuseinanasthmajournal.Also,yourdoctormightaskyoutouseapeak-flowmeter,ahandhelddevicethatshowshowwellyourlungsareworking.Checkyourpeakflowasoftenasrecommendedtocatchanydeclineinasthmacontrolearly,beforeothersymptomsappear.Keeptrackofyourpeak-flowreadingsbywritingtheminyourasthmajournal.Reviewyourjournalwithyourdoctor,especiallywhenyourasthmaisbeingtriggeredoften.

5. Follow an Action Plan Tomanageyourasthmawell,youneedtoknowhowtotakeyourmedicines,avoidyourtriggers,andmonitoryourasthmacontrol.Youalsoneedtoknowexactlywhattodoifyourasthmastartsgettingworse,andthoseclosetoyouneeddetailsaboutwhenandhowtorespondinanemergency.AwrittenAsthmaActionPlanspellsoutthisvitalinformation.Ifyoudon’talreadyhaveanactionplan,askyourdoctorforone.Onceyouhavetheactionplan,tellthoseclosetoyouaboutit,whereitiskept,andwheremedicinesyoumightneedarestored.

6. Get regular asthma checkupsDon’twaituntilyouaretoosicktoseeyourdoctor.Asthmacanchangeovertime.Atregularcheckups,yourdoctorcancheckyourasthmaand,ifneeded,changeyourtreatment.Whenyourasthmaiswell-controlled,youshouldhavesymptomsnomorethantwodaysaweekandrarelyorneverbeawakenedbyasthma.Youshouldalsobeabletodoallyourusualactivities.Ifyourasthmaisn’twell-controlled,yourdoctormaychangeyourAsthmaActionPlan.

Thismultistepapproachreallyworks,asastudyintheJournalofAllergyandClinicalImmunologyshowed.Thestudyincludedadultswithmoderatetosevereasthmawhowereseeingadoctorregularly.Allmonitoredtheirsymptomsandpeakflow.Halfalsogotextratraininginhowtousetheirmedicine,avoidtheirtriggers,andfollowanAsthmaActionPlan.Thoseintheextratraininggroupkeptasthmaunderbettercontrol.

LearnmoreabouttheNACIatnaci.nhlbi.nih.gov.

1. Countlessstudieshaveshownthatadultswhoraceoutthedoorwithoutamorselintheirmouthsdon’tperformaswellatworkaswhenthey’refueled.

2. Withoutfood,yourbloodsugarslevelscouldresemblearollercoaster,leadingtofatigueandirritability.

3. Skippingbreakfastoftenleadstoahigh-calorie,mid-morningsnackorsendsaninvitationtoindulgeinaheavierlunch.

4. Breakfastcanhelpkeepdiseaseatbay.Arecentstudysuggeststhatstartingyourdaywithasolidbreakfasthelpskeepdiabetesincheck,andcertainchoices,likeabowlofoatmeal,couldcurtailcholesterollevels.

5. Goodhabitsarecontagiousforthechoicesyou’llmaketheremainderoftheday.

Don’tgiveyourselftheoptionofmakingexcusesthatleadtoskippingthemealthatcoulddictateyourday.Squashcravingsandsatisfyhungerbycombiningfoodsrichinprotein,withwhole-graincarbsandhealthyfat.

The Torch 5

What if shopping for health care was more like jean shopping? Wouldyoupay$140forthesamepairofjeansthatyoucouldbuyelsewherefor$20?Probablynot,butthat’sexactlywhatmanypeopledowhentheyreceiveamedicaltestorgoseeadoctor.Forexample,pricesforidenticalcholesteroltestscanrunbetween$10and$270,andanMRIofthebackcanrangefrom$300to$3000.Anuncomplicatedhipreplacementsurgerycancostanywherefrom$25,000tomorethan$100,000.Butunlikeshoppingforjeans,youoftendon’tknowbeforehandwhatitwillcostyouwhenyougetamedicalservice.

Weighing cost, quality, and convenienceYoumightbewillingtopayalotmoreforapairofjeansiftheyfityoumuchbetterthanacheaperpair.Similarly,youmightwanttopaymoretovisitaradiologyfacilitythat’sclosertoyourhomeorseeahighlyregardedspecialist.Ontheotherhand,youmightchooseacheaperlabfacilityforacholesteroltestbecauseyouknowthattherewon’tbemuchofadifferenceinqualityforsucharoutineprocedure.Yourcareisyourdecision,andyoushouldmakethechoicesthatarerightforyou.However,todothisyouneedtoknowallofyouroptionsandwhattradeoffsyoumighthavetomakeinpriceorquality.

Using Castlight to see costs before you goPurchasinghealthcarecanbeverydifferentthanpurchasingothergoodsandservicessinceyouusuallydon’tknowthepriceuntilaftertheservicehasbeenperformed.Imaginegoingtoaclothingstorewhereyouwon’tknowhowmuchyourjeanscostuntil

afteryouboughtthem—andthereisnoreturnpolicy!

Fortunately,Castlighthasdevelopedaneasy-to-useonlinetoolthatprovidespersonalizedcostestimateswhenyousearchfordoctors,facilities,andmedicalservices.Calculatingpersonalizedcostsformedicalservicescanbecomplicated–wehavetoknowtheratesthatdoctorsandfacilitieshavenegotiatedwithyourhealthplanaswellaswhereyouareinhealthplan.(Forexample,yourhealthplanwillpayalargerportionofthetotalcostifyouhavealreadymetyourdeductiblefortheyear.)

Castlightbringstogetherseveraldifferentsourcesofdatatogiveyouanideaofhowmuchyou’llpaybeforeyougotothedoctor.UseCastlighttolearnaboutthecostsofallofyouroptionssoyoucangetthemostvalueoutofyourhealthcaredollar.Startshoppingandregister forCastlighttoday!

Run/Walks get crazy fun in the summerFromfoamtolotsofcolor,racesarefindingcreativewaystomakerunningmoreunique.Thissummer,checkoutafewoftheseunusualfunruns:

The Color Run - Indianapolis July 20TheeventtakesplaceatWhiteRiverStatePark,inIndianapolis.TheColorRun™eventisaoneofakindexperiencethatislessaboutspeedandmoreaboutenjoyingacolorcrazydaywithyourfriendsandfamily.Youcansignupeitherasinglerunneroragroupoffourormore.Visittheracewebsitetoregisterorformoreinformation.Ft.WaynealsohasaColorRunscheduledforJuly27.

Run Foam Run Indianapolis – July 27InSoutheastwayParkoutofNewPalestine,comegethitwithfoamandfun!Thecoursenotonlyisloadedwithfoambutalsovariousobstaclesalongthecoursetochallengeyoubothmentallyandphysicallybutalsocleaningyouoffattheend.Sosignuptodayandhavesomefunwithyourfriendsandfamilyandgetclean.Visithttp://runfoamrun.comformoreinformation.

Glow in the Park Midnight 5k – Aug. 3AtMillRaceParkinColumbus,INbringyourglow-in-the-darkgearandruna5k.RacetakesplaceonapavedPeopleTrailcourseandshortportionsofthecoursemaybedark.OrganizedbytheFoundationForYouththiseventisfunforallages.Toregister,clickhere.

The Torch6

Consider a trip to an Indiana destination this summerTourism

Artwork by Jerry Williams

TheendoftheschoolyearbeginsthekickofftothesummertravelseasonandgivesusanexcellentopportunitytocelebrateallthatIndianaoffers.WehaveawonderfullydiversestatefromourdunesinthenorthtoourlovelyrivercommunitiesalongtheOhio.

InfutureeditionsofThe Torch,theIndianaOfficeofTourismDevelopment(IOTD)willcontributearticlesthathighlightIndiana’smanyattractionsandhopefullyspurtripideasforyouandyourfamily.Forthisintroductoryarticle,wewantedtotakethisopportunitytosharethemissionofIOTDandtheimpacttravel,hospitalityandtourismhaveontheIndianaeconomy.

IOTDworkswithcommunitypartners

acrossourstatetoboostIndiana’seconomythroughtravel-relatedinitiatives.OuragencyisdedicatedtoenhancingtheeconomicvitalityofIndianabyprovidingleadershipandresourcesupporttotheIndiana

travelindustry.AsthethirdlargestcontributortoIndiana’seconomy,travel,tourismandhospitalitybusinessessupportnearly200,000Hoosierjobs,drive$10billioninconsumerspendingandserve63milliontravelersonanannualbasis.Thechiefbeneficiariesofthiseconomicimpactarethefamily-ownedandsmallbusinessesthatarethebackboneofIndiana.

Indiana’stourismeconomyisdrivenbyitsagriculture,culinary,outdoorrecreation,sports,heritageandculturalcapacity.They’rethesignatureexperiencesofourstatethatHoosiersidentifywithandvisitorstoIndiana

seek.OurupcomingbicentennialgivesHoosiersthechancetocelebrateourhistoryandcultureinanunprecedentedway.This2016celebrationconnectsourpeople,communitiesandregionslikeneverbefore.ThetourismmomentumcreatedbythebicentennialwillcarryoninfutureyearsasHoosiersbecomereacquaintedwiththerichnessofourheritageandleisureopportunities.

Inrecentyears,therehavebeengreatimprovementstoIndiana’sroadwaysystem.Indianahasaddedmilesandmilesofnewandresurfacedroads,makingiteasierandsaferfortravelerstovisitallcornersofourstate.I-69andUS31areburgeoningtourismcorridorsandjusttwoofthedozensoftransportationprojectsthatwillhaveapositiveimpactonthetourismindustry.

Asweenterthesummertravelseason,IOTDencouragesyoutogetinyourcars,driveourroadwaysandexploreallthatIndianahastooffer.Youwon’tbedisappointedbywhatyoudiscover.

On June 5, Governor Mike Pence presented Distinguished Hoosier Awards to State Trooper Dan Avitia and Dispatchers Cara Reeder and Adrian Bustos. Each are awarded for their collaborative efforts to the save the life of a young girl in Gary Indiana.

Order your free Indiana Traveler’s Guide online today.

The Torch 7

First case of west nile virus activity found in the stateHealth warning

StatehealthofficialshaveconfirmedthefirstsignsoftheWestNilevirusactivityinIndiana.MosquitoesinAdamsCountytestedpositiveforWestNilevirus.ThedetectionofWestNilevirusisearlierthannormalforthestate,whichtypicallyholdsoffuntilmid-summer.WestNilevirusiscommonlyfoundthroughoutthestateinthesummerandtherewilllikelybeanincreaseinactivityinadditionalcountiesastheseasonprogresses.Lastyear,WestNileviruswasfoundinmosquitoesineverycountyexceptCrawfordCounty.Itisimpossibletopredicttheseverityofthisyear’sWestNilevirusseasonasfuturetemperaturesandrainfalldeterminethat.

"WiththisearlierthanusualdiscoveryofWestNilevirusactivity,HoosiersarenowatagreaterriskofWestNilevirus,”saidJenniferHouse,DirectorofZoonoticandEnvironmentalEpidemiologyattheIndianaStateDepartmentofHealth(ISDH).“Buttherearemanywayspeoplecanhelpprotectthemselvesandtheirfamilies.”

Dr.Houserecommendspeopletakethefollowingprotectivesteps:• Ifpossible,avoidbeingoutdoorsduringprimemosquitobitingtimesfromdusktodawn;

•ApplyinsectrepellentcontainingDEET,picaradinoroiloflemoneucalyptustoclothesandexposedskin;

• Installorrepairscreensonwindowsanddoorstokeepmosquitoesoutofthehome;and

•Whenpossible,wearlong-sleevedshirtsandpantswhileoutside.

WestNilevirususuallycausesamildformoftheillness,whichcanincludefever,headache,bodyaches,swollenlymphglandsorarash.However,asmallnumberofindividualscandevelopamoresevereformof

thediseasewithencephalitisormeningitisandotherneurologicalsyndromes,includingflaccidmuscleparalysis.Someindividualsmaydiefromtheinfection.Healthofficialssaythatalthoughindividualsoverage50areatgreatestriskforseriousillnessandevendeathfromWestNilevirus,peopleofallageshavebeeninfectedwiththevirusandhavehadtheseveredisease.Morethan30Hoosiershavediedfromtheillness,includingeightin2012.IndianahaditsfirsthumancaseofWestNilevirusin2002.WestNilevirusistransmittedtohumansbymosquitoesthathavefirstbittenaninfectedbird.Apersonbittenbyaninfectedmosquitomay

showsymptomsthreeto15daysafterthebite.“Mosquitoesbeginactivityaroundthespring,”saidDr.House.“BesidesWestNilevirus,mosquitoescanspreadseveraldifferentdiseasesincludingSt.LouisEncephalitisandLaCrosseEncephalitis.Usually,mosquitotransmitteddiseasesoccurduringthesummermonthsanddon’tshowsignsofwaninguntilthefirsthardfrostoftheseason.”

StatehealthofficialsalsorecommendHoosierstakethefollowingstepstoridtheirpropertiesofpotential

mosquitobreedinggrounds:• Discardoldtires,tincans,plastic

containers,ceramicpotsorothercontainersthatcanholdwater;

• Repairfailedsepticsystems;• Drillholesinthebottomof

recyclingcontainersleftoutdoors;• Keepgrasscutshortand

shrubberytrimmed;• Cleancloggedroofgutters,

particularlyifleavestendtoplugupthedrains;

• Frequentlyreplacethewaterinpetbowls;

• Flushornamentalfountainsandbirdbathsperiodically;

• Aerateornamentalpools,orstockthemwithpredatoryfish.

Formoreinformation,visitwww.StateHealth.in.gov.

A person bitten by an infected mosquito may show symptoms three to 15 days after the bite.

FromnowtoSept.6,governmentandteacherscanstayattheIndianapolisConradfor$119

pernight.Thisofferincludescomplimentaryhighspeedinternetaccessandisbasedonavailability.OfficialgovernmentIDorproofofeducationalemploymentisrequiredatcheckin.

Thisdiscountcannotbecombinedwithanyotheroffer.Blackoutdatesdoapply.Tomakeyourreservation:

A)Call(1)317-713-5000andmentionpromocode:G3

B)BookonlineatConradIndianapolis.comandchecktheMilitary/Governmentrate

PleasevisittheSPDdiscountpagetoviewtheseandotherdiscountsofferedtostateemployees.

Special Conrad hotel rate

The Torch8

Anthem

Temporary Voluntary Unpaid Leave is suspendedThetemporarypolicyhasachieveditspurposeandexpiredasscheduledonJune30.Underthepolicy,employeescouldvoluntarilyrequestandscheduleunpaidleavethroughoutthefiscalyearforachievingsomesavingsinStateexpendituresduringdifficultfiscaltimes.TheState’sfiscalsituationhasimproved,sothistemporarymeasurehasbeendeemednolongernecessary.AlthoughleaveunderthebroadscopeoftheTemporaryVoluntaryUnpaidLeavepolicyisnolongeravailable,appointingauthoritiescontinuetohavediscretiontospecificallygrantauthorizedunpaidleaveinthoselimitedcircumstanceswhenitisinthebestinterestsofstateservice.

More employee benefits at your fingertipsStateemployeeshaveaccesstovarioushealthandlifetoolsthatgobeyondjusttheirinsurance.AcurrenttoolthatisunderutilizedisAnthem’sEmployeeAssistanceProgram(EAP).Allemployeescanaccessthisbenefit.

Anthem’sEAPoffers24hour,7dayaweekphoneandonlineaccesstoanabundanceofhealth,financialandlifestyleservicesfromexpertsandprofessionalswithintheirrespectivefields.AvarietyofotherresourcesareavailabletostateemployeesonAnthem’sEAPwebsite.Theseincludeonlineseminars,audiosessions,informativearticlesandpersonalassessmentsavailabletouseintheprivacyofyourownhome.Aimingtohelpyoubalanceyourworkandhomelife,theseprivateandconfidentialservicesarefreeanddiscusstopicsconcerningmental,physicalandfamilyhealth.

InformationalcategoriesonAnthem’sEAPwebsiteincludeParenting,Aging,Balancing,Thriving,Working,LivingandInternational:

Parentingservicesincluderesourcesondevelopmentalstages,children’swell-beingandchildcare.Theyofferachildcareproviderlocator,immunizationarticles,andinformationonpreparingyourchildforcollege.

Aging servicesincludeplanningfinanciallyforyourfutureandcaregiverresourceswithanupcomingonlineseminartitled“SuddenlyYouAreaCaregiver.”

Balancing resourcesprovideemployeeswithinformationoneffectivecommunicationinandoutoftheworkplace,angermanagementassessments,aswellasrelationshipinformationandweddingarticles.

Thriving informationincludeshealthylivingandeatingonlineseminarsandassessments.Therearealsoresourcesforchildren’s,adolescent’s,women’s,men’sandseniorhealth.

Workingresourcesincludecareerdevelopmentinformationandonlineseminarsabouttimemanagementandsocialnetworking.Therearealsoonlineskillbuildingcourseswithtopicsthatincludeachievingpersonalgoalsandbudgetingyourfinances.

Livingresourcesincludehousebuyingandsellinginformation,homeimprovement,petcareandboardinginformation,aswellasresourcesfortravelingandvolunteering.

Internationalserviceshaveresourcesaboutimmigrationandlivingorworkingabroad.

Anthem’sEAPonlineresourcescanbefoundonwww.AnthemEAP.com.Onceonthehomepage,clicktheMembersLoginbuttonontheleft-handsideofthepage.ThenextpageasksyoutoenteryourcompanynamewhichisState of Indiana.Onceyou’vehittheLog In button,alloftheseservicesareopentoyou.Don’tforgetthefree24/7phoneaccessat(800)223-7723forimmediatesupport.Alloftheseresourcesareconfidentialandavailabletoyourdependentsandmembersofyourhousehold.Stateemployeebenefitsaremorethanjustinsurancecoverage.Takingadvantageoftheseadditionalresourcescanhelpyousavetime,moneyandstress.

IfyouhaveFMLquestionsorareusingtheelectronicrequestsystemforthefirsttime,pleasevisittheFamilyMedicalLeavewebsiteatwww.in.gov/spd/2397.htm,orcalltheFMLlineat317-234-7955ortollfreeat1-855-SPD-INHR(1-855-773-4647)andchoosetheFMLoption.

FML Questions?

Dear <First Name>,

It’s the daily changes that make a difference. Even the small ones. Every positive change you make is another step toward

a healthier, happier and more energetic you. And with Healthy Lifestyles,

you have a partner to help keep you focused, motivated and excited about

improving your well-being.

Unlock a healthier future. If you’ve already signed up for Healthy Lifestyles, be sure to keep coming

back and use all the tools available. If you haven’t yet, log on today to sign up

and take your Well-Being Assessment (WBA). Once you do, you’ll be able to:

Ї Access thousands of recipes.

Ї Download the wellbeingGO app to track your progress anywhere

(available for iPhone, iPod Touch and Android).

Ї Set up trackers to keep tabs on your exercise, weight, nutrition, steps

and more.

Ї Join online groups to connect with other members who share your

goals and interests.

Ї Share your activity on Facebook and other social networks.

Start today. Enjoy tomorrow.Visit MyHealthyLifestyles.com to sign up today.

Earn points for your activity on the website and redeem for rewards!

Examples of rewards include an

iPod Shuffle, food processor, hand

blender and many more.

Sign up and take your online WBA today at MyHealthyLifestyles.com (and earn 2,500 points).

<FIRST NAME> <LAST NAME><ADDRESS1><ADDRESS2><CITY>, <STATE> <ZIP>

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The Healthy Lifestyles programs are administered by Healthways, Inc., an independent company. © 2013 Healthways, Inc. All rights reserved. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of: In Colorado: Rocky Mountain Hospital and Medical Service, Inc. HMO products underwritten by HMO Colorado, Inc. In Connecticut: Anthem Health Plans, Inc. In Indiana: Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. In Kentucky: Anthem Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc. In Maine: Anthem Health Plans of Maine, Inc. In Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area): RightCHOICE® Managed Care, Inc. (RIT), Healthy Alliance® Life Insurance Company (HALIC), and HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates administer non-HMO benefits underwritten by HALIC and HMO benefits underwritten by HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates only provide administrative services for self-funded plans and do not underwrite benefits. In Nevada: Rocky Mountain Hospital and Medical Service, Inc. HMO products underwritten by HMO Colorado, Inc., dba HMO Nevada. In New Hampshire: Anthem Health Plans of New Hampshire, Inc. In Ohio: Community Insurance Company. In Virginia: Anthem Health Plans of Virginia, Inc. trades as Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia, and its service area is all of Virginia except for the City of Fairfax, the Town of Vienna, and the area east of State Route 123. In Wisconsin: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin (BCBSWi), which underwrites or administers the PPO and indemnity policies; Compcare Health Services Insurance Corporation (Compcare), which underwrites or administers the HMO policies; and Compcare and BCBSWi collectively, which underwrite or administer the POS policies. Independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ®ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

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