Archive for News
Obama administration moves forward to implement health care law, ban discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions
SOURCE: www.hhs.gov The Obama administration moved forward today to implement provisions in the health care law that would make it illegal for insurance companies to discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions. The provisions of the Affordable Care Act also would make it easier for consumers to compare health plans and employers to promote and encourage [...]
A.G. Schneiderman Secures $9.5 Million In Financial Relief For Thousands Of Defrauded Soldiers In NYS And Nationwide
SOURCE: www.ag.ny.gov On Veteran’s Day, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced that his office has secured a $9.5 million settlement with SmartBuy, a retailer and financing firm based in North Carolina after the company fraudulently charged thousands of soldiers who purchased electronics near Fort Drum and ruined their credit. The Attorney General’s settlement will [...]
Health care law increases access to primary care through the National Health Service Corp
SOURCE: www.hhs.gov Investments help ease cost of professional schooling for clinicians, students Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced that $229.4 million was invested in the National Health Service Corps in 2012 to support more doctors and nurses and increase access to primary care. These investments included nearly 4,600 loan repayment and scholarship [...]
VA Offers a New Tool to Help Veterans Prevent Diabetes
SOURCE: www.va.gov The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced the implementation of a pilot version of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), a program being promoted nationally by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, aimed at reducing the number of Veterans who develop diabetes. “The Diabetes Prevention Program will provide Veterans with another tool to [...]
Casey Urges Army Secretary to Award Medals to Medics Who Served Prior to 9/11
SOURCE: www.casey.senate.gov U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today called on the Secretary of the Army to award veterans from earlier eras the Combat Medic Badge that they have earned but have been blocked from receiving. Currently, eligibility only extends to those who have served since September 18, 2001. “Across Pennsylvania there are veterans who put [...]
CUOMO ADMINISTRATION FINES OXFORD HEALTH $665,000 FOR FAILING TO TELL CONSUMERS THEIR RIGHTS AND BENEFITS
SOURCE: www.dfs.ny.gov Benjamin M. Lawsky, Superintendent of Financial Services, today announced that Oxford Health has been fined $665,000 for failing to explain coverage to their health plan members. Oxford also failed to tell members how to challenge claims denials. Oxford was cited for approximately 300,000 instances of failing to provide what are known as explanation of [...]
A.G. Schneiderman Announces Guilty Plea Of Home Health Agency Owner For Failing To Pay Workers $300,000 In Wages
SOURCE: www.ag.ny.gov Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the guilty plea and sentencing of home health agency owner Christopher Luis, 58, of Manhattan, for failing to pay 109 employees of his company, CLBAZ Connections, LLC, over a six-month period. Luis, whose business operated at 11 Penn Plaza, admitted to a misdemeanor count of Failure [...]
Veterans in rural areas to get expanded access to health care
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Eric K. Shinseki today announced a joint effort to expand health care delivery to veterans living in rural areas. The agreement between the two agencies promotes collaboration between VA facilities and private hospitals and clinics, and is supported by [...]
Industry Recognizes VA Campaigns for Raising Public Awareness for Veterans Mental Health Care
SOURCE: www.va.gov Two U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs public awareness campaigns designed to help Veterans who seek mental health care assistance have received forty-three industry and association awards for communication and design excellence. “We are pleased that these campaigns have been recognized for creative and design excellence,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. [...]
Federal Hiring of People with Disabilities On The Rise
SOURCE: www.opm.gov OPM (Office of Personnel Management) announced that in 2011, federal employees with disabilities represented 7.41 percent of the overall workforce and 11 percent when the figures include veterans who are 30 percent or more disabled. The report also shows significant increases in new hires of persons with disabilities. In FY 2011 people with [...]
