Archive for June, 2010

News Release From HHS

SOURCE: www.hhs.gov
Applications For Early Retiree Reinsurance Program Now Being Accepted
Affordable Care Act To Provide Financial Relief For Businesses, Unions, State & Local Governments Who Provide Health Insurance For Early Retirees
The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (OCHIO) today announced that it will begin accepting applications for the Early [...]

DB Disability Law Ledger™ – May, June 2010

Individual Disability: Choose Your Policy Wisely
A few years ago, one of our clients,* a dentist with his own practice, came to us after his insurance company denied his disability claim.  The insurance company informed him that, under the terms of his individual disability policy, he was not covered.
Background . . .
Our client was injured in [...]

Akaka Introduces Legislation To Improve Veterans’ Disability Claims Processing

Washington, D.C. . . . Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) introduced legislation today to make much-needed improvements to VA’s disability claims processing.  VA provides disability compensation to approximately 3.1 million veterans across the nation including over 16,000 veterans in Hawaii.
“Veterans disability compensation plays a vital role in supporting ill and injured [...]

U.S. Labor Department Announces $4 million To Serve More Than 1,400 Formerly Incarcerated Veterans At Risk Of Homelessness

SOURCE: www.dol.gov
Washington . . . The U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service has awarded $4 million in Incarcerated Veterans Transition Program grants designed to aid veterans “at risk” of homelessness.  The 16 grants will serve more than 1,400 formerly incarcerated veterans in 13 states.
“Everyone deserves a second chance, especially the men and [...]

U.S. Department Of Labor’s ERISA Advisory Council To Hold Meeting June 29th To July 1st

SOURCE: www.dol.gov
News Release . . .
Washington, D.C. . . . The Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans (also known as the ERISA Advisory Council) will meet June 29 to July 1 in Washington at the U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Room C-5310-1B to hear testimony from witnesses.
The meeting will [...]

Class Action Lawsuit To Be Settled – The Hartford Pays $72.5 Million

In Bridgeport, CT, a federal judge has approved a $72.5 million settlement for a class action lawsuit against The Hartford.  The lawsuit accuses The Hartford of fraudulently keeping millions of dollars in fees that accident victims should have been entitled to.
The class action lawsuit began in 2005 in response to The Hartford paying personal injury [...]

Secretary Shinseki Breaks Ground For Replacement Medical Center In New Orleans

SOURCE: www.va.gov
Project To Bring 2,000 Construction Jobs
New Orleans . . . Fulfilling President Obama’s commitment to rebuild New Orleans, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki joined state and local officials for a ground-breaking ceremony for a new 1.5 million-square-foot medical center for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
“This is a historic day for all [...]

Labor Unions Join With Mail Customers To Reject Five-Day Delivery Plan

During a joint House-Senate hearing on June 23, postal labor unions and some of their customers voiced their objections to the proposed five-day delivery schedule.
American Postal Workers Union President, William Burrus, saw some flaws in the USPS projections that mail service will continue to decline, and suggested that USPS focus on eliminating worksharing discounts rather [...]

HELP committee To Hold Hearing On The Continuing Needs Of Workers & Communities Affected By 9/11

SOURCE: help.senate.gov by Kate Cyrul & Bergen Kenny
Washington, D.C. Monday, June 28, 2010 . . .Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today announced the panel will hold a hearing titled “Examining the Continuing Needs of Workers and Communities Affected by 9/11.”  The goal of this hearing [...]

TV-Internet Plan (Insurance) Hawker Faces Possible License Revocation

SOURCE: www.ins.state.ny
Hearing will help decide if Cinergy, known for late night commercials offering health coverage for ‘little more than $5 per day’ should be allowed to keep selling insurance.
Cinergy which advertised limited benefit health plans on late night television, the Internet and through telemarketers, will face a hearing where it will answer charges that it [...]