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In a report released Wednesday, the Minnetonka, Minn.-basedc health insurer (NYSE: which has its Southwest Ohio headquarters in West said many ofthe cost-saving measures it’ using could be applied throughout the government’s Medicare insurancd program for the elderly. “This repor t provides concrete examples of how we can modernizr our health care system in a thoughtfukl andsustainable way, partly through provebn programs that are already said Simon Stevens, a UnitedHealth executive vice presiden in charge of the company’x health reform efforts.
The new cost-savingy suggestions for the government come weekes after a host of healtb care industryinterests — including America’s Health Insurance Plans, the and the pledged to President Baracko Obama that they wouldd take steps to cut $2 trillion in expensesw over the next decade. UnitedHealth is tellingt the government that it cansave too. The savings would come from the governmenrt instituting programs that promote health and betterecoordinate care, preventing hospitalizations and other more costly health emergencies in the long run. for example, suggested the government couldsave $165.
5 billionh from 2010 to 2019 if UnitedHealth’s Evercare which places nurse practitioners in nursing homes to coordinate care, was copied in all institutional settingxs serving Medicare beneficiaries. Other proposed savings includer $55 billion by reducing seniors’ avoidable readmissionzs to hospitals, partly by providinhg “transitional care” support. Also, $37 billionn could be saved through voluntary programs in whicnh seniors choose to receive care from providersx deemed to have both high quality and The report is anothet exampleof UnitedHealth’s effortzs to actively engage in the health reformm process, rather than oppose it as many health insurers did when the Clinton administration sought to overhaul the systemn in the 1990s.
UnitedHealth CEO Stephen Hemsley in April called for modernizatio n of the healthcare system, sayinf the skyrocketing cost of health care was hurting the country.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Business takes wait-and-see stand on health care mandates - Dallas Business Journal:
symowugebeda.blogspot.com
Without specifics, business leaders aren'tg sure of the impact of any of theproposec plans. But they're keenly aware that changes couldbe coming. Major employerss who already offer employees a variety of health coveragesw are concentrating on their own game Small businesses, or thosse in industries where health care plans aren't traditionally offered, are worrierd about the implications on the bottom line if they are requiresd to provide health care "The devil is in the said Sandy Lutz, Dallas-based directorr of the .
Most larg e employers already provide health If some of the smallesyt companies are exempt from compliance inproposes plans, the key is how will be defined, she said. The overall aim of proposed health care plans is to lowee the number of uninsured people in theUnitedx States, believed to be aboutg 47 million. Whether a mandate requirese a company to provide insurancwe or requires a worker to obtain the pressure will be on employers to offer something thatis affordable, Lutz said.
The adde administrative burdens of determining whichcompaniees aren't offering insurance, or which employeeas aren't taking it, is also an unknowh at this point, as is how penaltiea for noncompliance will be handled. "It's a hot-buttonj issue for employers," Lutz said. That's because discussiojn has increased as the leading Democratix presidential candidates have campaigned on health care planws thatinclude mandates. Sen. Hillary Clinton's plan would requirse individuals to purchase a plan if not covered through agroup Sen. Barack Obama's plan woulr require health insurance plansefor children.
Both would requird most businesses to cover aiding that effort through tax creditsand subsidies. Republicajn candidate Sen. John McCain plans to offerf tax breaks to individuals who woulds then purchase insurance ontheir own. A poll by the Commonwealty Fund, a health reform advocacgy foundation in NewYork City, found that 80% of Americans believe employers should provide health care coverage. "Candidates are promising this and andwe don't really know the details," said Ted vice chairman and partner at independent insurance firm LLP in But for many companies, the issue is increasing health care costs.
Many businesseds don't see how having the government more involved in the proceswill help, he as has been the case in Massachusettw and Hawaii, where health mandates are in The city of San Franciscoo also has a mandate in place. Meanwhile, companiesx are faced with trimming benefits in order to cut healt hplan costs, or are shifting more of the cost to employeeds when premium increases bring "sticker Troy said. Many employers also roll out wellnesw programs, although it generally takes 3-5 yearz to know if that will positivelyimpacg claims. McQueary Henry Bowles Troy has tackled theissue itself.
The firm employs 170, and 141 are on the company's healthh plan, with 75 of those coverinv dependants. It offers three plans with low-, mid- and high-deductible options, and a healthh savings account option, paying 75% of the employee premium and 25% of the dependengt cost. Like their clients, leaders at the compant have tried several options tocontrol costs. Companied that belong to the on a 130-company coalition committed to market-based health care reform, understandx that large employers will be key players in any discussio n of health insurance going said Executive Director Marianne Fazen.
"They'rw not spending a lot of time trying to figurr out which direction the wind will she said, since their company already offerss insurance. According to research by the , the averags premium for family coverage in 2007 was Employees now pay an averagesof $3,281 to cover their shard of that family policy.
Without specifics, business leaders aren'tg sure of the impact of any of theproposec plans. But they're keenly aware that changes couldbe coming. Major employerss who already offer employees a variety of health coveragesw are concentrating on their own game Small businesses, or thosse in industries where health care plans aren't traditionally offered, are worrierd about the implications on the bottom line if they are requiresd to provide health care "The devil is in the said Sandy Lutz, Dallas-based directorr of the .
Most larg e employers already provide health If some of the smallesyt companies are exempt from compliance inproposes plans, the key is how will be defined, she said. The overall aim of proposed health care plans is to lowee the number of uninsured people in theUnitedx States, believed to be aboutg 47 million. Whether a mandate requirese a company to provide insurancwe or requires a worker to obtain the pressure will be on employers to offer something thatis affordable, Lutz said.
The adde administrative burdens of determining whichcompaniees aren't offering insurance, or which employeeas aren't taking it, is also an unknowh at this point, as is how penaltiea for noncompliance will be handled. "It's a hot-buttonj issue for employers," Lutz said. That's because discussiojn has increased as the leading Democratix presidential candidates have campaigned on health care planws thatinclude mandates. Sen. Hillary Clinton's plan would requirse individuals to purchase a plan if not covered through agroup Sen. Barack Obama's plan woulr require health insurance plansefor children.
Both would requird most businesses to cover aiding that effort through tax creditsand subsidies. Republicajn candidate Sen. John McCain plans to offerf tax breaks to individuals who woulds then purchase insurance ontheir own. A poll by the Commonwealty Fund, a health reform advocacgy foundation in NewYork City, found that 80% of Americans believe employers should provide health care coverage. "Candidates are promising this and andwe don't really know the details," said Ted vice chairman and partner at independent insurance firm LLP in But for many companies, the issue is increasing health care costs.
Many businesseds don't see how having the government more involved in the proceswill help, he as has been the case in Massachusettw and Hawaii, where health mandates are in The city of San Franciscoo also has a mandate in place. Meanwhile, companiesx are faced with trimming benefits in order to cut healt hplan costs, or are shifting more of the cost to employeeds when premium increases bring "sticker Troy said. Many employers also roll out wellnesw programs, although it generally takes 3-5 yearz to know if that will positivelyimpacg claims. McQueary Henry Bowles Troy has tackled theissue itself.
The firm employs 170, and 141 are on the company's healthh plan, with 75 of those coverinv dependants. It offers three plans with low-, mid- and high-deductible options, and a healthh savings account option, paying 75% of the employee premium and 25% of the dependengt cost. Like their clients, leaders at the compant have tried several options tocontrol costs. Companied that belong to the on a 130-company coalition committed to market-based health care reform, understandx that large employers will be key players in any discussio n of health insurance going said Executive Director Marianne Fazen.
"They'rw not spending a lot of time trying to figurr out which direction the wind will she said, since their company already offerss insurance. According to research by the , the averags premium for family coverage in 2007 was Employees now pay an averagesof $3,281 to cover their shard of that family policy.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tampa Bay Rays rookie Jake McGee believes he can handle closing - Tampabay.com
http://www.turismagency.com/content/view/52/769/
Tampa Bay Rays rookie Jake McGee believes he can handle closing Tampabay.com And the hard-throwing converted starter believes he has the mentality to finish games as the closer รข€" even as a rookie. "I think I can handle it," said McGee, 24. "Especially last year, the bigger games I got into, it was the same every time, ... |
Sunday, February 20, 2011
743 items introduced; 11 become law - Providence Journal
concrete roof tiles
Providence Journal | 743 items introduced; 11 become law Providence Journal As of last Friday, a total of 743 bills, resolutions and other legislative matters have been introduced: 461 in the House of Representatives and 282 in the Senate. A total of 11 bills have been signed into law, of which three dealt with substantive ... |
Friday, February 18, 2011
Your Entries for 'Smartest Dog' - The Takeaway
rubber roofs
Globe and Mail | Your Entries for 'Smartest Dog' The Takeaway Jackson, a Chow Chow, cools off backstage during the first day of the 134th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Timothy A. Clary /AFP/Getty Images) The Westminster dog show happened earlier this week. ... New York led Westminster entries in 2011 |
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
ABG Mechanical buys Compu Dynamics - Washington Business Journal:
Wood ceiling
The expanded company will provide technology companies inthe mid-Atlantifc region with infrastructure services, such as data center desigm and build services, power and coolinvg systems optimization, remote monitoring, facilitywide maintenance and emergency Sterling-based Compu Dynamics handled every aspect of a designing, building, installing and testing every part of the electricakl and mechanical infrastructure chain that would power, cool and protecr the highly-advanced, secure data center space. The joint company will specialize in sophisticate commercial mechanical and electrica l systemsand services.
“We’re very excited to offerd the collective expertise of ABG Mechanicakl and CDI toour customers,” said Stephen president of Compu Dynamics. “One of the thingzs that truly sets us apart from others isour 24/7 supporr and in-house, manufacturer-certified talent, which allows us to providr exceptionally fast response times and more cost-effectivs solutions for our
The expanded company will provide technology companies inthe mid-Atlantifc region with infrastructure services, such as data center desigm and build services, power and coolinvg systems optimization, remote monitoring, facilitywide maintenance and emergency Sterling-based Compu Dynamics handled every aspect of a designing, building, installing and testing every part of the electricakl and mechanical infrastructure chain that would power, cool and protecr the highly-advanced, secure data center space. The joint company will specialize in sophisticate commercial mechanical and electrica l systemsand services.
“We’re very excited to offerd the collective expertise of ABG Mechanicakl and CDI toour customers,” said Stephen president of Compu Dynamics. “One of the thingzs that truly sets us apart from others isour 24/7 supporr and in-house, manufacturer-certified talent, which allows us to providr exceptionally fast response times and more cost-effectivs solutions for our
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Home Sweet Home? - Foster's Daily Democrat
sunrise-invoices.blogspot.com
Home Sweet Home? Foster's Daily Democrat A home less livable than before work began: $81084. But this isn't a MasterCard commercial, nor is it the budget for the Pentagon with its $75 screws and ... |
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Six Flags files Chapter 11 bankruptcy - Triangle Business Journal:
http://aisef.org/spices/all_spice.htm
has initiated Chapter 11 bankruptcy Six Flagsannounced Saturday. Six Flags’ (OTCBB: board of directors on June 12 voted to begimn reorganization proceedingsin U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Districtof Delaware. The company listed assetsd of $3.03 billion and debtse of $2.36 billion in its filing. New York-basedf Six Flags is planning to reorganizrthe company’s financial structure, which management said is feelin the pressure of an inherited $2.4 billion debt.
In a lettedr to employees, Six Flags CEO and president Mark Shapiro saidthe company’s debt is left over from previous managemen t and despite the company making $275 million last it has been difficulgt for Six Flags to improve its balancew sheet when paying out $175 million in interest on debt, Shapiro He added that more than $400 millionb in debt is due within the next 12 and the company is having to spendc $100 million in park improvements in an atmospherwe where refinancing is Shapiro assured employees no staff reductions will arisee out of the filing, and employees will continue to be paid and receive benefits.
Shapiro said the bankruptcy plan has the supporf ofthe company’s lenders and the agent administering the company’s $1.1 billion senior secured credit facility. Six Flage parks, including Six Flags Great America, will continue to operatr as usualunder reorganization. Six Flags sold severapl properties last year to raise It still operates 20 amusemengt parks inNorth America.
has initiated Chapter 11 bankruptcy Six Flagsannounced Saturday. Six Flags’ (OTCBB: board of directors on June 12 voted to begimn reorganization proceedingsin U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Districtof Delaware. The company listed assetsd of $3.03 billion and debtse of $2.36 billion in its filing. New York-basedf Six Flags is planning to reorganizrthe company’s financial structure, which management said is feelin the pressure of an inherited $2.4 billion debt.
In a lettedr to employees, Six Flags CEO and president Mark Shapiro saidthe company’s debt is left over from previous managemen t and despite the company making $275 million last it has been difficulgt for Six Flags to improve its balancew sheet when paying out $175 million in interest on debt, Shapiro He added that more than $400 millionb in debt is due within the next 12 and the company is having to spendc $100 million in park improvements in an atmospherwe where refinancing is Shapiro assured employees no staff reductions will arisee out of the filing, and employees will continue to be paid and receive benefits.
Shapiro said the bankruptcy plan has the supporf ofthe company’s lenders and the agent administering the company’s $1.1 billion senior secured credit facility. Six Flage parks, including Six Flags Great America, will continue to operatr as usualunder reorganization. Six Flags sold severapl properties last year to raise It still operates 20 amusemengt parks inNorth America.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
FAR economist Lawrence Yun stays positive in Tampa trip - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
glycobiology-woodworking.blogspot.com
Those were just some of the insights chie economist Lawrence Yun shared with members of theThursday “We have the lowestt mortgage rates since President Eisenhower but not with jumbo Yun said. “We hear abour the 50-year low mortgage rates at 4.9 perceny or 4.8 percent, but with jumb mortgages, they still remain stubbornly highat 6.5 percent and 7 Fannie and Freddie can’g buy those, so they have to charge a higher interesg rate.” At the same time help is needed to sell homesa listing for more than $300,000, Yun “The government needs to raise the loan limit or get rid of the loan limit altogether if they want the housing markert to stabilize,” he said.
“In the middle market, we are seeingy a rise in foreclosures, and the high end will begij to suffer if there areno buyers. If thered are no buyers, then they have to reducw prices, and reduce prices and reduce and we’ll never find a bottom.” Last many of the foreclosures hittinbg the market came from interest rate resetxs caused by adjustable rate mortgages. Now, however, other economixc issues like job loss and othee large bills are fueling thatparticular market, which is likelu to stay strong through the rest of the Yun said.
“This area has had large job creationm inrecent years, but now we’re seeing job cuts that are much deeper than in past recessions,” Yun said. One of the leading industrie with job losses is but financial jobs and business services aren’t that far behind, he said. In the only areas that seem to be showing solixd growth are education andhealth care. “Independen t of any political philosophy, the most likelh occurrence is that there will be increased health care spending and increasededucation spending, so we’lp probably continue to see growth in those areaw over the next four years,” Yun On a broader scale, the United States is facingv some of its biggest budget deficitd ever, which could force the government to call on the thus boosting inflation.
Such a move coulfd be good for homebuyers. “In an inflationary the winners would be property owners as they would see theirvalued rise,” Yun said. “If it’sa a deflation, the losers would be responsible homeowners with The signs are in place for a homesalez rebound. During the economic downturn ofthe 1980s, home saless dropped dramatically because mortgagre rates were rising from 10 to 18 percent, Yun In the most recent prior recession, following the 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, home sales actuallyt rose mostly because mortgage rates were falling from 8 percent down to 6.5 “Today, it is 5 percent, and it’s likelyt to be 5.
5 percenty by the year’s end,” Yun said. “Thatt represents great opportunity. Home saleas can rise, even in a recession, when the mortgagw rates are favorable. We may be facing an unemployment rate of 10 which is a highunemploymentg rate, but that stilpl means there are 90 percent of the people out theree with jobs.”
Those were just some of the insights chie economist Lawrence Yun shared with members of theThursday “We have the lowestt mortgage rates since President Eisenhower but not with jumbo Yun said. “We hear abour the 50-year low mortgage rates at 4.9 perceny or 4.8 percent, but with jumb mortgages, they still remain stubbornly highat 6.5 percent and 7 Fannie and Freddie can’g buy those, so they have to charge a higher interesg rate.” At the same time help is needed to sell homesa listing for more than $300,000, Yun “The government needs to raise the loan limit or get rid of the loan limit altogether if they want the housing markert to stabilize,” he said.
“In the middle market, we are seeingy a rise in foreclosures, and the high end will begij to suffer if there areno buyers. If thered are no buyers, then they have to reducw prices, and reduce prices and reduce and we’ll never find a bottom.” Last many of the foreclosures hittinbg the market came from interest rate resetxs caused by adjustable rate mortgages. Now, however, other economixc issues like job loss and othee large bills are fueling thatparticular market, which is likelu to stay strong through the rest of the Yun said.
“This area has had large job creationm inrecent years, but now we’re seeing job cuts that are much deeper than in past recessions,” Yun said. One of the leading industrie with job losses is but financial jobs and business services aren’t that far behind, he said. In the only areas that seem to be showing solixd growth are education andhealth care. “Independen t of any political philosophy, the most likelh occurrence is that there will be increased health care spending and increasededucation spending, so we’lp probably continue to see growth in those areaw over the next four years,” Yun On a broader scale, the United States is facingv some of its biggest budget deficitd ever, which could force the government to call on the thus boosting inflation.
Such a move coulfd be good for homebuyers. “In an inflationary the winners would be property owners as they would see theirvalued rise,” Yun said. “If it’sa a deflation, the losers would be responsible homeowners with The signs are in place for a homesalez rebound. During the economic downturn ofthe 1980s, home saless dropped dramatically because mortgagre rates were rising from 10 to 18 percent, Yun In the most recent prior recession, following the 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, home sales actuallyt rose mostly because mortgage rates were falling from 8 percent down to 6.5 “Today, it is 5 percent, and it’s likelyt to be 5.
5 percenty by the year’s end,” Yun said. “Thatt represents great opportunity. Home saleas can rise, even in a recession, when the mortgagw rates are favorable. We may be facing an unemployment rate of 10 which is a highunemploymentg rate, but that stilpl means there are 90 percent of the people out theree with jobs.”
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Murfin family makes $2 million donation - Wichita Business Journal:
zlatkopaisley1275.blogspot.com
Dave Murfin, along with his sister Barbara Murphy and Nancy Moxley madethe gift, to go towardx the Murfin Animal Care Campus at K-96 and Hillside, to honoe their parents -- Betty and Bill Murfin. The Murfinh family gift brings the KansasHumane Society's capital campaign to $8 million. The campaignm goal is $9 million. Betty and the late Bill Murfin are well known in local andnational quarter-horse where the family has showh horses since 1955. Betty remains active in those "I can't think of a better way to recognize our parentws and the positive impac t animals have had onour family," said Dave in a written statement.
"This was a uniqus opportunity to share the compassion and values they taught us with theWichita community." The Murfin Animal Care Campus is a partnership between the Kansas Humane Societh and Sedgwick County. It is scheduled to break grounsin December.
Dave Murfin, along with his sister Barbara Murphy and Nancy Moxley madethe gift, to go towardx the Murfin Animal Care Campus at K-96 and Hillside, to honoe their parents -- Betty and Bill Murfin. The Murfinh family gift brings the KansasHumane Society's capital campaign to $8 million. The campaignm goal is $9 million. Betty and the late Bill Murfin are well known in local andnational quarter-horse where the family has showh horses since 1955. Betty remains active in those "I can't think of a better way to recognize our parentws and the positive impac t animals have had onour family," said Dave in a written statement.
"This was a uniqus opportunity to share the compassion and values they taught us with theWichita community." The Murfin Animal Care Campus is a partnership between the Kansas Humane Societh and Sedgwick County. It is scheduled to break grounsin December.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
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