Blame game as insurers dump doctors
By Carl Campanile
November 9, 2013 | 12:46am
Let the blame game begin over ObamaCare’s oversights.
The nation’s largest health insurer, UnitedHealthcare, claims the Affordable Care Act is responsible for forcing it to boot doctors from its Medicare Advantage program that serves thousands of elderly patients in the New York metro region.
CEO Jack Larsen, under fire for separating seniors from their MDs, took out full-page ads to explain that cuts in Medicare spending forced the insurer’s hand.
“We are working to collaborate with a more focused network of physicians to help us provide higher quality and more affordable health care coverage to meet the needs of our members, and help them get more from their health plan benefits,” Larsen said.
“This work has become even more urgent in light of the severe funding reductions for Medicare Advantage plans that have come from Washington.”
Christie scheduled to become chairman of the Republican Governors Association
Sunday November 10, 2013, 12:47 AM
BY MELISSA HAYES
STATE HO– USE BUREAU
The Record
The same group that helped Chris Christie defeat a Democratic governor four years ago could now help him secure an even bigger prize: a presidential nomination.
Christie is scheduled to become chairman of the Republican Governors Association this month, a position that will connect him with more donors, voters and GOP campaign operations in key states.
This chairmanship is a hidden jewel in the benefits of Christie’s landslide victory last week. As chairman, Christie gets to set the priorities for a group already credited with swaying elections in several states, and he will be part of the leadership team that decides how the organization spends its money. It raised $23.5 million during the first half of this year and ended that period with $37 million on hand.
As RGA chairman, Christie also will get to choose the states where he personally campaigns, picking up IOUs from governors who could be counted on to return the favor if he runs for president. And that campaigning would allow him to barnstorm selected parts of the country to spread his message that what the GOP needs is more pragmatism and less ideology.
“We are not a debating society,” Christie told key Republican strategists meeting in Boston this past summer, according to an account in Time magazine. “We are a political operation that needs to win.”
Con Men Prey on Confusion Over Health Care Act
By JESSICA SILVER-GREENBERG and SUSANNE CRAIG
Published: November 9, 2013
To the list of problems plaguing President Obama’s health care law, add one more — fraud.
With millions of Americans frustrated and bewildered by the trouble-prone federal website for health insurance, con men and unscrupulous marketers are seizing their chance. State and federal authorities report a rising number of consumer complaints, ranging from deceptive sales practices to identity theft, linked to the Affordable Care Act.
Madeleine Mirzayans was fooled when a man posing as a government official knocked on her door. Barbara Miller and Maevis Ethan were pitched by telemarketers who claimed to work for Medicaid. And Buford Price was almost caught by another trap: websites that look official but are actually bait set by fly-by-night insurance operators.
World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.
Soldiers of the 353rd Infantry near a church at Stenay, Meuse in France, wait for the end of hostilities. This photo was taken at 10:58 a.m., on November 11, 1918, two minutes before the armistice ending World War I went into effect
In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”
The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.
The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:
Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and
Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and
Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.
An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as “Armistice Day.” Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting in its place the word “Veterans.” With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first “Veterans Day Proclamation” which stated: “In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans’ organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible.”
President Eisenhower signing HR7786, changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day. From left: Alvin J. King, Wayne Richards, Arthur J. Connell, John T. Nation, Edward Rees, Richard L. Trombla, Howard W. Watts
On that same day, President Eisenhower sent a letter to the Honorable Harvey V. Higley, Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs (VA), designating him as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee.
In 1958, the White House advised VA’s General Counsel that the 1954 designation of the VA Administrator as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee applied to all subsequent VA Administrators. Since March 1989 when VA was elevated to a cabinet level department, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has served as the committee’s chairman.
The Uniform Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.
The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the American people.
Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
Businesses hire up to deal with more regs
By Ben Goad and Julian Hattem
A growing thicket of federal regulations under the Obama administration has contributed to an employment spike in at least one corner of the job market: the increasingly vital compliance industry.
ObamaCare, the Dodd-Frank Act and other large federal undertakings have led to an outpouring of new agency rules derided by business groups and defended by advocates.
But the regulations have also been a boon for professional compliance officers paid to help companies understand and adapt to the new requirements.
“Staff to track compliance issues is on the rise, and it has been for the last several years,” said Richard Riese, senior vice president for regulatory compliance at the American Bankers Association. “And, at the moment, there’s no prospect it will decrease anytime soon.”
Data kept by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows an 18-percent increase in the number of compliance officers in the United States between 2009 and 2012, according to an analysis conducted by the conservative American Action Forum (AAF).
At last count, there were an estimated 227,500 compliance officers employed in the United States, according to the BLS. The bureau defines a compliance officer as an employee responsible for evaluating conformity with laws and regulations.
Daryn Iwicki State Director, Americans For Prosperity will Speak at the Larkin House in Whyckoff , 7 pm, Tuesday, November 12
“Moving Forward”
Join us 7 pm, Tuesday, November 12 At the Larkin House , 380 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff
(1/4 mile North of Stop & Shop on the right) , More Information: 201 891-5918 [email protected] ,https://www.westbergenteaparty.com/
Daryn Iwicki
After some time away from Americans for Prosperity, Daryn has returned to the organization to serve as the Deputy State Director of Americans for Prosperity Foundation New Jersey.
Daryn was most recently in the great state of Florida where he served in Governor Scott’s Administration and was the North Florida Regional Field Director for the Republican Party of Florida. He was responsible for organizing a comprehensive voter outreach and turnout operation for Governor Mitt Romney in the 2012 election.
Daryn previously served as the Director of Education and Training and the National Manager for State Programs at Americans for Prosperity from 2010-12. Prior to joining AFP, Daryn worked at the Leadership Institute as Youth Leadership Coordinator. He was responsible for recruiting and running the Youth Leadership Schools across the nation.
Daryn is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. NC is where he cut his political teeth working on countless campaigns while in school and then after graduation.
Daryn has years of being a political activist. Daryn’s political activity has been featured on: FOX, ABC, NBC, CNN, FOX NEWS and CBS along with countless other media outlets.
– See more at: https://www.lead-inst.org/Training/Bio.cfm?SchoolID=15821&FacultyID=116417#sthash.jYPIisvm.dpuf
“Must-have” requests require some effort for North Jersey realtors
Sunday, November 10, 2013
BY JENNIFER V. HUGHES
SPECIAL TO THE RECORD
The Record
Every home buyer starts out with a “must-have” list that usually includes a certain number of bedrooms and bathrooms, a finished basement, or maybe a nice yard.
But for some, the list is a little more exacting — sometimes a lot more: specific views, precise colors, a particular layout, even a specific house.
“Oh, yes,” says Emila Freitag, an agent with Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty. “I had a client in Ridgefield who lived in town and always loved this one little Cape Cod, they loved the lot and the yard — it was just beautiful. They always told me, ‘If it ever goes on the market, we want to buy it.’ ”
One day Freitag noticed a moving truck in the home’s driveway, knocked on the door and introduced herself. An adult daughter of the elderly woman who lived there was moving some of the woman’s things out, but the home was not on the market yet.
“They were thinking of selling it down the road,” she says. Freitag introduced her client to the senior citizen, who liked the idea of a young family coming in. A deal was born.
Dawn Braithwaite, an agent with Keller Williams Realty in Ridgewood, says the key when working with buyers with particular tastes is to find out what they really want, which isn’t always what they say they want. She recalls the case of another agent in which their buyer insisted on a large dining room, turning down home after home without that feature.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/realestate/231325391__Must-have__requests_require_some_effort_for_North_Jersey_realtors.html#sthash.703ITEh7
Deadly Diseases Like Measles And Mumps Make Frightening Comeback
November 7, 2013 11:28 PM
BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Deadly diseases, once nearly wiped out, are making a frightening comeback in Maryland and across the country. Now — a warning that parents who don’t vaccinate their children are putting others at risk.
Linh Bui explores an alarming and controversial trend.
Measles, mumps, whooping cough — all deadly diseases. Until recently — virtually eliminated thanks to vaccines that prevent kids from getting sick.
But now doctors see an alarming trend — more and more people are coming down with these diseases.
“Kids die from measles on a regular basis. Kids are in hospitals and can die from whooping cough very commonly. So these kids are at risk,” said Dr. Scott Krugman, Chairman, Department of Pediatrics, MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center.
Cancellation: Planning Board Public Work Session November 19
PLANNING BOARD
AMENDMENT TO MEETING SCHEDULE
CANCELLED: Work Session & Public Meeting: Tuesday, November 19, 2013
In accordance with the provisions of the “Open Public Meetings Act,” please be advised that the Planning Board public meeting and work session for TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2013, in the VILLAGE HALL COURT ROOM, 4th Floor, 131 NORTH MAPLE AVENUE, RIDGEWOOD, NJ beginning at 7:30 p.m. has been cancelled.
All meetings of the Ridgewood Planning Board (i.e., official public meetings, work session meetings, pre-meeting assemblies and special meetings) are public meetings which are always open to members of the general public.
Celebrating Veteran’s – November 9th Program at Ridgewood Library
A reminder, Saturday, November 9th at the Ridgewood Public Library at 2 pm. Their is a joint presentation Called “Escape from Behind Enemy Lines”. The Shelburn Line was a WW11 escape network operating in occupied France which returned 136 allied servicemen to England. Rick Feingold recounts the story of how his father Lt, Louis Feingold escaped Nazi capture.. The presentation begins at 2 pm.
Monday, November 11th the American Legion Post 53 will conduct the Veterans Day service starting at 11 am. at Ridgewoods Veterans Field located at Linwood and Maple Aves by the flagpole. Please join us.
Saturday, November 16th at 9 am. the American Legion will recover the American flags placed at veterans gravesites in May. The community is invited to help us. The more hands the easier the task. Bring your children and grandchildren. The event will take place rain or shine at Valleau cemetery.
Analysis: Tens of millions could be forced out of health insurance they had
Published: November 7, 2013 Updated 23 hours ago
By Kevin G. Hall and Anita Kumar — McClatchy Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — Even as President Barack Obama sold a new health care law in part by assuring Americans they would be able to keep their insurance plans, his administration knew that tens of millions of people actually could lose those their policies.
“If you like your private health insurance plan, you can keep your plan. Period,” Obama said as he pitched the plan, the unqualified promise he made repeatedly.
Yet advisers did say in 2010 that there were large caveats and that anyone whose insurance plan changed would lose the promised protection of being able to keep existing plans. And a report in 2010 said that as many as 69 percent of certain employer-based insurance plans would lose that protection, meaning as many as 41 million people could lose their plans even if they wanted to keep them and would be forced into other plans. Another 11 million who bought their own insurance also could lose their plans. Combined, as many as 52 million Americans could lose or have lost old insurance plans.
Construction begins on ramp at Graydon Pool in Ridgewood
Thursday November 7, 2013, 5:16 PM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
A new sloped entryway leading into Graydon Pool will be completed by the end of the month, weather permitting, giving residents with accessibility challenges the opportunity to use Ridgewood’s water park beginning next summer.
Municipal and state officials joined a handful of residents at the village’s historic swimming facility last Friday to commemorate the start of the ramp’s construction. Ground broke on the Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramp early last week, and the first drops of concrete were poured Tuesday.
“While I definitely think it took us way too long to get here, I’m glad we’re here. This is an extraordinary moment, a moment that is important to our community,” said Mayor Paul Aronsohn, addressing a small audience that gathered for the ceremony. “Ridgewood is to be one of the most inclusive, welcoming, accepting places. This is going to make us more inclusive and more welcoming.”
After three decades,Route 17 south near Paramus Road to be developed
Thursday November 7, 2013, 5:25 PM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
A new specialty retail commercial center is coming to Route 17 in Ridgewood, with businesses such as Starbucks and Verizon leading the list of potential tenants.
The Ridgewood Planning Board on Tuesday unanimously approved Malvern Burrough’s plan to build a 15,300-square-foot strip mall on land along Route 17 south near Paramus Road, property that he has owned and has been trying to develop for the past 30 years. According to a preliminary construction schedule discussed last month, Burroughs hopes to finally break ground on the project in early 2014 and allow lessees to move in during the fourth quarter.
Board members granted their approval this week after the developer and his team returned a slightly modified site plan that incorporated the changes and recommendations previously made by Ridgewood’s planning and engineering professionals. The board was also overwhelmingly satisfied with the overall design and aesthetics of the proposed building, which were detailed Tuesday night by project architect Charles Dietz.
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Chris Christie to President Obama on ACA: Don’t be cute, don’t ‘lawyer it’
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has some friendly advice for President Barack Obama on his Affordable Care Act woes: Don’t be cute and don’t be a lawyer.
“Here’s what my suggestion would be to him. Don’t be so cute,” Christie told CNN’s Jake Tapper. “[W]hen you make a mistake, admit it. And, listen, if it was a mistake in 2009, if he was mistaken in 2009, 2010 on his understanding of how the law would operate, then just admit it to people.”
Christie was responding to news of the approximately 3.5 million consumers have received notices from their insurance companies in recent weeks cancelling their current plans, which has called into question the president’s promise that people can keep health care plans that they like.
“I think people would give any leader in that circumstance a lot of credit for just, you know, owning up to it instead of now trying to — like, don’t lawyer it,” Christie said. “People don’t like lawyers. I’m a lawyer.” (DelReal/Politico)
