Michigan Nurses Protest Ascension's Policies that Threaten Worker, Patient Safety
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 30, 2011- Registered nurses from Ascension Health's Genesys Regional Medical Center in Flint, Mich. rallied outside of Ascension Health's corporate headquarters in St. Louis today, where they protested cuts that would alter working conditions and impact direct patient care.
The nurses are members of Local 332 in Flint and were joined by advocates from Missouri Jobs with Justice and other community leaders.
"The nurses at Genesys see the care and safety of their patients as
the highest priority, but the cuts in nursing and support staff are
dramatically increasing their workloads. They are struggling to follow
the Code of Ethics for Nurses, which states that nurses must strive to
protect the health, safety and rights of their patients," said Nina Bugbee, President of Teamsters Local 332 in Flint.
"The code of ethics also states that nurses must participate in
improving conditions of employment conducive to the provision of quality
health care. These RNs should be able to give feedback about changes to
the delivery of care, but Ascension refuses to listen."
"We are here because we believe in dignity and quality patient care," said Martin Rafanan,
co-chair of the Workers' Rights Board of Missouri Jobs with
Justice. "Nurses must have a voice in the workplace. When we are most
vulnerable and need care, we should count on our non-profit hospitals to
be places where nurses are advocates for patients, where their voices
are respected and where quality care is a shared goal."
This year's proposed cuts by Ascension Health come on the heels of
earlier cuts Local 332 members successfully fought against. Last year,
licensed nurses and technicians fought 10 months for a fair contract at
Genesys. The hospital had wanted to cut their wages and eliminate the
health care protections that had been promised to retired workers.
Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
Friday, September 30, 2011
What Works in Teen Driver Safety
Grants
Available for High Schools to Implement these Effective Strategies
ST. PAUL, Minn. Sept. 30, 2011 - According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic crashes remain the leading cause of death for teens in the United States. For seven years teens themselves, in partnership with their teachers and communities, have been working to change that staggering statistic through a program called Project Ignition.
Funded by State Farm® and coordinated by the National Youth Leadership Council®, Project Ignition helps students, teachers and communities address teen driver safety through service-learning. Grant applications are now being accepted so that more high schools can support their students in designing and leading awareness and engagement campaigns. Project Ignition is seeking applications by November 15, which utilize strategies students have found to be effective in motivating peers to change their driving behaviors:
3.Awareness activities like posters or buttons are most effective when combined with proven prevention strategies like advocacy to change or enforce laws. These are the types of classroom-based learning activities that students at Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley High School in Gibson City, Ill. have participated in to advocate for Illinois' stronger graduated drivers licensing laws, cellular phone ban in school zones and road construction areas and state-wide texting ban. "All of that legislation was instrumental in changing the driving behaviors of my peers. And, as students, it was a tremendous experience to help establish new laws that promote safer roadways in the State of Illinois and see first-hand that teens really can and do make a difference," said Joel Hood, a Project Ignition student there.
4. Indentifying and shaping normative behaviors in their communities is another effective strategy students have used to persuade their peers. Project Ignition students help their peers understand that most people do the right thing. Jaylea Falk, a student at Eureka High School in Eureka, Calif. said, "We have used kidsdata.org in California to show that most teens are not actually drinking and driving like most tend to think. Getting the real facts helps students further commit to doing the right thing." Project Ignition helps teens understand that most teens wear their seatbelt, most teens do not speed, most don't text while driving and this approach has proven to be powerful.
"Teens are the new generation with a strong voice. The more we continue to speak out about this issue the more people, young and old, will listen. We do have an impact on all ages," said Mock. Join in the effort to address teen driver safety through service-learning by visiting www.sfprojectignition.com for eligibility information, the application and tools to create a high-quality proposal. Twenty-five grants of $2,000 each will be given. For more information, contact Melissa Mitchell, Project Ignition National Program Coordinator at mmitchell@nylc.org or 1-888-856-7026. Applications are due November 15, 2011.
ST. PAUL, Minn. Sept. 30, 2011 - According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic crashes remain the leading cause of death for teens in the United States. For seven years teens themselves, in partnership with their teachers and communities, have been working to change that staggering statistic through a program called Project Ignition.
Funded by State Farm® and coordinated by the National Youth Leadership Council®, Project Ignition helps students, teachers and communities address teen driver safety through service-learning. Grant applications are now being accepted so that more high schools can support their students in designing and leading awareness and engagement campaigns. Project Ignition is seeking applications by November 15, which utilize strategies students have found to be effective in motivating peers to change their driving behaviors:
- Experiences like all-school assemblies or mock crashes can and do motivate, but the impact is intensified when the experience is discussed among peers and merged with classroom curriculum. Students examine what they experienced, what it meant to them, and what they want to do about it. "In physics class a state highway patrolman explained the role of physics in car crashes and I truly realized the extent of the damage my decisions behind the wheel can create," said Shawn Smith, a Project Ignition student at Ridgemont High School, in Ridgeway, Ohio. Smith also now recognizes how physics concepts apply in the world.
3.Awareness activities like posters or buttons are most effective when combined with proven prevention strategies like advocacy to change or enforce laws. These are the types of classroom-based learning activities that students at Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley High School in Gibson City, Ill. have participated in to advocate for Illinois' stronger graduated drivers licensing laws, cellular phone ban in school zones and road construction areas and state-wide texting ban. "All of that legislation was instrumental in changing the driving behaviors of my peers. And, as students, it was a tremendous experience to help establish new laws that promote safer roadways in the State of Illinois and see first-hand that teens really can and do make a difference," said Joel Hood, a Project Ignition student there.
4. Indentifying and shaping normative behaviors in their communities is another effective strategy students have used to persuade their peers. Project Ignition students help their peers understand that most people do the right thing. Jaylea Falk, a student at Eureka High School in Eureka, Calif. said, "We have used kidsdata.org in California to show that most teens are not actually drinking and driving like most tend to think. Getting the real facts helps students further commit to doing the right thing." Project Ignition helps teens understand that most teens wear their seatbelt, most teens do not speed, most don't text while driving and this approach has proven to be powerful.
"Teens are the new generation with a strong voice. The more we continue to speak out about this issue the more people, young and old, will listen. We do have an impact on all ages," said Mock. Join in the effort to address teen driver safety through service-learning by visiting www.sfprojectignition.com for eligibility information, the application and tools to create a high-quality proposal. Twenty-five grants of $2,000 each will be given. For more information, contact Melissa Mitchell, Project Ignition National Program Coordinator at mmitchell@nylc.org or 1-888-856-7026. Applications are due November 15, 2011.
West Coast Chef Named Lamb Jam Master in National Cooking Competition
American Lamb Board Partners with Share Our Strength to Crown 2011 Lambassador
NEW YORK, Sept. 29, 2011 On September 25, the American Lamb Board, in partnership with Share Our Strength®, brought four culinary kings and their winning dishes from four U.S. cities to New York City for the ultimate baaa-ttle. Hosted by Food Network personality Amanda Freitag, Adam Mali of MarketBar in San Francisco, CA, was crowned the 2011 "Lamb Jam Master" by a panel of esteemed media judges for his Braised Lamb Shank with Lemon Stewed Cannellini Beans and Lavender-Mint Gremolata. More than 200 fans of lamb named Mark Bodinet of Copperleaf Restaurant in Seattle the "People's Choice" for his Grilled Lamb Shoulder Confit with Creamy Parsnips and Preserved Huckleberries."From San Francisco to New York, Chef Mali's dish took home top honors and we are thrilled to welcome him to the Lamb Jam Hall of Fame," said Megan Wortman, Executive Director of the American Lamb Board.
Fans of lamb wolfed down competing dishes from Jason Santos (Boston), John Critchley (Washington DC) and lambtastic tastes from local lamb lovers at The Meatball Shop, Pera Mediterranean Brasserie, Dickson's Farmstand Meats and Old Chatham Sheepherding Company.
Local beer and wine from Foggy Ridge Cider, Harpoon, Paso Robles and Washington Wines were paired with competing dishes as attendees savored sips of Jefferson's Bourbon, a "ridiculously small batch" bourbon from Louisville. A local artist got the baaa-ty started with pasture caricatures of guests and their flocks before lamb lovers counted sheep and created their own spice rubs.
As the national partner for the 2012 Lamb Jam tour, a percentage of proceeds from Lamb Jam Masters will benefit Share Our Strength®, a nonprofit organization that is ending childhood hunger in America by connecting children with the nutritious food they need to lead healthy, active lives.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Pittsburgh Area Companies Unite to Support Job Placement for Disabled Veterans
BNY Mellon and Aon host "Salute to America's Wounded Warriors," Promote Boots to Business Approach to Employment
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 28, 2011 - Many U.S. service men and women return from active duty only to become part of a growing group of unemployed veterans. A number of Pittsburgh area companies are uniting with organizations that support job placement for disabled veterans and help raise awareness of this growing concern.Earlier today, dozens of local veterans looking for careers in business met with more than 40 area companies at "Salute to America's Wounded Warriors," a day-long event hosted by BNY Mellon and Aon. General Richard B. Myers, Retired Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; BNY Mellon Chairman, President and CEO Gerald Hassell; and Aon President and CEO Greg Case led the program held at BNY Mellon Center in downtown Pittsburgh.
Attendees received training on conducting a successful job search from the outplacement firm of Lee Hecht Harrison and participated in a networking session with representatives and hiring managers from a wide range of industries. BNY Mellon also announced that it had made a $100,000 grant from its BNY Mellon Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania to support Operation Back Home, the Veterans Leadership Program's basic needs assistance program for veterans, service members, and their families.
"All of us should be very proud of the men and women serving our country and fighting for our freedoms," General Myers said. "Despite their unwavering courage, many of these men and women return home from duty only to become part of a growing group of unemployed and underemployed veterans that has reached dire levels."
"Our goal in joining with the Wounded Warrior Project, the Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania and other members of the business community is to help veterans go from 'boots to business' by successfully transitioning into the private sector," said Gerald Hassell. "By helping skilled individuals who have sacrificed so much for us, we can give them a chance to achieve economic independence and help restore our communities along the way."
"Transitioning into the civilian workforce and developing a new sense of identity are powerful tools in the rehabilitation process for wounded warriors. We thank all of the Pittsburgh area businesses for assisting these brave men and women during their journey to discovering a new career path," said Greg Case.
"Wounded Warrior Project aims to make this the most successful and well-adjusted generation of veterans in our nation's history," stated Wounded Warrior Project Chief Program Officer Jeremy Chwat.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Statistics, the unemployment rate for veterans serving at any time since September 2001 was 11.5 percent in 2010. The jobless rate for veterans of all eras combined and U.S. civilians over the same period was 8.7 and 9.4 percent, respectively. Since the beginning of the Gulf War era in August 1990, more than 5 million veterans have served. Pennsylvania has a long and distinguished history of military service and a very large concentration of veterans; nearly one million veterans live in the Commonwealth, representing the 4th largest population of veterans within the U.S.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tavis Smiley Foundation to Launch Parent Education Summits
Program to raise parents' awareness of learning challenges facing children
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 28, 2011 - The Tavis Smiley Foundation announced today it will host a series of parent education seminars nationwide to give parents tools and information on how they can ensure their child's success in learning.
The Too Important to Fail Parent Education Summits will kick off in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 29 with six other cities scheduled throughout spring 2012. These include: Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Houston, and Montgomery, Alabama.
Funding for the initiative is provided by the Open Society Foundations Campaign for Black Male Achievement (CBMA) and Hyundai Motor America. National program partners include the National Education Association.
This grassroots parents' engagement effort will inform parents and the community about educational initiatives and programs, family and school partnerships, and school district resources. The sessions will include learning strategies to support homework, planning summer learning activities, and the impacts of absenteeism as well as health and safety on learning.
Parents will learn how grade-level reading determines high school performance and what they can do if their child is not reading at grade level. A special emphasis will focus on the challenges facing African American boys. Research shows less than 50 percent of young Black males will graduate from high school and on average their 12th grade reading scores are significantly lower than those across every other racial and ethnic group.
"A well informed and empowered parent can make all the difference in the educational achievement of a child," said Shawn Dove, campaign manager for CBMA. "We are thrilled to partner with the Tavis Smiley Foundation to support this critical endeavor."
"Hyundai Motor America is pleased to support the Too Important To Fail Parent Education Summits as education is the best foundation for young people to succeed in an increasingly competitive and challenging national and global environment," says Zafar J. Brooks, director, Government Relations and Diversity Outreach Hyundai Motor America. "At Hyundai, we are committed to supporting those initiatives and activities that contribute to the continued robustness and success of our culture and society and we believe that this starts with our young people."
The Parent Education Summits are one part of a holistic effort to raise awareness and spark action by parents to become more involved in the education crisis, according to founder Tavis Smiley. Recently, Smiley's Too Important to Fail television documentary premiered on PBS examining the link between illiteracy and high school drop-out rates among African American boys.
"The enlightening conversations and information we were able to showcase through the documentary will now be shared with an even more important part of the puzzle – the parents who play a critical role as advocates for their children," said Smiley.
"Youth leadership development is the core work of the Tavis Smiley Foundation and an important pathway toward leadership success is education."
Through the interactive web portal, www.tooimportanttofail.com, summit attendees and the general public can learn more about the issues and engage in dialogue with organizations and constituents. Visitors can share ideas and vote on what they consider priorities through the use of social media.
All seminar sessions will be free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration information for the summits opens Oct. 1 and will be posted at www.tooimportanttofail.com and www.youthtoleaders.org.
ABOUT THE TAVIS SMILEY FOUNDATION
The Tavis Smiley Foundation was founded in 1999 to enlighten, encourage, and empower youth by providing leadership training that will promote and enhance the quality of life for themselves, their community and our world. Since its inception, more than 6,500 youth have participated in the Foundation's leadership workshops and conferences and it has awarded more than $500,000 in college scholarships. For more information, visit www.youthtoleaders.org.
ABOUT THE OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATIONS
Active in more than 70 countries, the Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens. Working with local communities, the Open Society Foundations support justice and human rights, freedom of expression, and access to public health and education.
ABOUT HYUNDAI
A global company with U.S. headquarters in Costa Mesa, CA, Hyundai is committed to supporting projects, initiatives and activities that champion diversity, make a difference in communities across the country and contribute to the American cultural landscape. This commitment is woven into the fabric and foundation of the organization. The company's $1.6 billion plant in Montgomery, Alabama (Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, LLC) employs more than 2,500 people and is one of the most advanced assembly plants in North America. Additionally, more than 78 suppliers have located businesses throughout North America to support Hyundai's plant. Altogether, these suppliers have created more than 6,000 additional jobs with a combined capital investment of $500 million. After more than 24 years in the U.S. automobile market and with "America's Best Warranty," Hyundai continues to reinforce its commitment to sell innovative, high-quality vehicles at affordable prices.
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 28, 2011 - The Tavis Smiley Foundation announced today it will host a series of parent education seminars nationwide to give parents tools and information on how they can ensure their child's success in learning.
The Too Important to Fail Parent Education Summits will kick off in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 29 with six other cities scheduled throughout spring 2012. These include: Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Houston, and Montgomery, Alabama.
Funding for the initiative is provided by the Open Society Foundations Campaign for Black Male Achievement (CBMA) and Hyundai Motor America. National program partners include the National Education Association.
This grassroots parents' engagement effort will inform parents and the community about educational initiatives and programs, family and school partnerships, and school district resources. The sessions will include learning strategies to support homework, planning summer learning activities, and the impacts of absenteeism as well as health and safety on learning.
Parents will learn how grade-level reading determines high school performance and what they can do if their child is not reading at grade level. A special emphasis will focus on the challenges facing African American boys. Research shows less than 50 percent of young Black males will graduate from high school and on average their 12th grade reading scores are significantly lower than those across every other racial and ethnic group.
"A well informed and empowered parent can make all the difference in the educational achievement of a child," said Shawn Dove, campaign manager for CBMA. "We are thrilled to partner with the Tavis Smiley Foundation to support this critical endeavor."
"Hyundai Motor America is pleased to support the Too Important To Fail Parent Education Summits as education is the best foundation for young people to succeed in an increasingly competitive and challenging national and global environment," says Zafar J. Brooks, director, Government Relations and Diversity Outreach Hyundai Motor America. "At Hyundai, we are committed to supporting those initiatives and activities that contribute to the continued robustness and success of our culture and society and we believe that this starts with our young people."
The Parent Education Summits are one part of a holistic effort to raise awareness and spark action by parents to become more involved in the education crisis, according to founder Tavis Smiley. Recently, Smiley's Too Important to Fail television documentary premiered on PBS examining the link between illiteracy and high school drop-out rates among African American boys.
"The enlightening conversations and information we were able to showcase through the documentary will now be shared with an even more important part of the puzzle – the parents who play a critical role as advocates for their children," said Smiley.
"Youth leadership development is the core work of the Tavis Smiley Foundation and an important pathway toward leadership success is education."
Through the interactive web portal, www.tooimportanttofail.com, summit attendees and the general public can learn more about the issues and engage in dialogue with organizations and constituents. Visitors can share ideas and vote on what they consider priorities through the use of social media.
All seminar sessions will be free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration information for the summits opens Oct. 1 and will be posted at www.tooimportanttofail.com and www.youthtoleaders.org.
ABOUT THE TAVIS SMILEY FOUNDATION
The Tavis Smiley Foundation was founded in 1999 to enlighten, encourage, and empower youth by providing leadership training that will promote and enhance the quality of life for themselves, their community and our world. Since its inception, more than 6,500 youth have participated in the Foundation's leadership workshops and conferences and it has awarded more than $500,000 in college scholarships. For more information, visit www.youthtoleaders.org.
ABOUT THE OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATIONS
Active in more than 70 countries, the Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens. Working with local communities, the Open Society Foundations support justice and human rights, freedom of expression, and access to public health and education.
ABOUT HYUNDAI
A global company with U.S. headquarters in Costa Mesa, CA, Hyundai is committed to supporting projects, initiatives and activities that champion diversity, make a difference in communities across the country and contribute to the American cultural landscape. This commitment is woven into the fabric and foundation of the organization. The company's $1.6 billion plant in Montgomery, Alabama (Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, LLC) employs more than 2,500 people and is one of the most advanced assembly plants in North America. Additionally, more than 78 suppliers have located businesses throughout North America to support Hyundai's plant. Altogether, these suppliers have created more than 6,000 additional jobs with a combined capital investment of $500 million. After more than 24 years in the U.S. automobile market and with "America's Best Warranty," Hyundai continues to reinforce its commitment to sell innovative, high-quality vehicles at affordable prices.
Increased Risk of Blood Clots with Certain Birth Control Pills
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 28, 2011 - On Monday, the United States Food and Drug
Administration ("FDA") said its primary results of an agency funded
study suggest a 1.5 fold increase risk of blood clots for women who use
drospirenone-containing birth control products, such as Yaz and Yasmin.
The safety of Yaz and Yasmin is the subject of approximately 2,000 lawsuits filed in Pennsylvania before Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Sandra Mazer Moss, Coordinating Judge of the Complex Litigation Center. Another 7,110 lawsuits are pending in federal court before the Honorable Judge David R. Herndon, who oversees the federal multidistrict litigation (MDL).
The lawsuits allege that Yaz and Yasmin have risks beyond those of traditional birth control pills and that Bayer over-promoted the drug without disclosing the higher risks. Bayer was warned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in the fall of 2008, that its television advertisements were misleading and did not disclose the additional risks.
The FDA announced through its website that, "initial data from an FDA-funded epidemiologic study exploring the association of blood clots with several different hormonal contraceptive products, including levonorgestrel-containing contraceptives, appear consistent with results from the 2009 and 2011 published studies. Although FDA's review is ongoing, the preliminary data from the FDA-funded study are consistent with an approximately 1.5-fold increase in the risk of blood clots for users of drospirenone-containing contraceptives compared to users of other hormonal contraceptives."
Judge Moss appointed three Pennsylvania lawyers as Liaison Counsel for the plaintiffs, including Michael M. Weinkowitz of Levin, Fishbein, Sedran & Berman, Philadelphia; Daniel N. Gallucci of RodaNast, P.C., Lancaster, and Rosemary Pinto of Feldman & Pinto, Philadelphia. Dianne M. Nast, RodaNast, P.C. was appointed Pennsylvania Federal-State Liaison Counsel by the Honorable David R. Herndon.
The safety of Yaz and Yasmin is the subject of approximately 2,000 lawsuits filed in Pennsylvania before Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Sandra Mazer Moss, Coordinating Judge of the Complex Litigation Center. Another 7,110 lawsuits are pending in federal court before the Honorable Judge David R. Herndon, who oversees the federal multidistrict litigation (MDL).
The lawsuits allege that Yaz and Yasmin have risks beyond those of traditional birth control pills and that Bayer over-promoted the drug without disclosing the higher risks. Bayer was warned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in the fall of 2008, that its television advertisements were misleading and did not disclose the additional risks.
The FDA announced through its website that, "initial data from an FDA-funded epidemiologic study exploring the association of blood clots with several different hormonal contraceptive products, including levonorgestrel-containing contraceptives, appear consistent with results from the 2009 and 2011 published studies. Although FDA's review is ongoing, the preliminary data from the FDA-funded study are consistent with an approximately 1.5-fold increase in the risk of blood clots for users of drospirenone-containing contraceptives compared to users of other hormonal contraceptives."
Judge Moss appointed three Pennsylvania lawyers as Liaison Counsel for the plaintiffs, including Michael M. Weinkowitz of Levin, Fishbein, Sedran & Berman, Philadelphia; Daniel N. Gallucci of RodaNast, P.C., Lancaster, and Rosemary Pinto of Feldman & Pinto, Philadelphia. Dianne M. Nast, RodaNast, P.C. was appointed Pennsylvania Federal-State Liaison Counsel by the Honorable David R. Herndon.
Proposed Airline Taxes Will Eliminate Jobs, Force Higher Fares and Reduce Service
WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2011 - The Air Transport Association of America
(ATA), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines,
today called on members of Congress to reject President Obama's plan to
impose $3.5 billion annually in new taxes
on airlines and their passengers to pay off the country's budget
deficit. If the airline industry is burdened with billions of dollars in
new taxes, ATA warned that its members will have no choice but to raise
fares or reduce service, which will mean fewer jobs.
"Airlines are the physical Internet, connecting people, products and the world, driving the global economy and creating millions of jobs. To further burden this already financially challenged industry is both illogical and a job destroyer. The results will be devastating to the U.S. economy," said ATA CEO and President Nicholas E. Calio in a speech to the International Aviation Club of Washington.
"The U.S. government continues to use the airline industry as a cash cow, rather than seeing airlines as a growth enabler and understanding the strategic nature of aviation and what it takes to support one of our country's most critical industries," Calio said.
Today, federal taxes and fees in the United States constitute $61, or 20 percent, of the cost of a typical $300 domestic round-trip ticket, higher than taxes paid for alcohol, tobacco or guns. The overall federal aviation tax burden in the United States has tripled since 1972. "We are saddled with tax and regulatory mandates and restrictions that are unheard of for other industries," Calio said.
Calio offered a global perspective and compared increasingly punitive U.S. government policies with other countries that view aviation as a strategic asset and work cooperatively with airlines to ensure successful growth. "Governments in China, Brazil, India and the Middle East understand the competitive necessity and opportunity a vibrant aviation system provides," Calio said.
Rather than further taxing overburdened airline passengers, ATA urged Congress to focus its attention on supporting a National Airline Policy. "We are ready and willing to work collaboratively with the U.S. Government on our nation's priorities for the future, using all the good work that has already been done. We need an airline policy that will treat our airlines like the global businesses they are, and enable them to operate as such," Calio said.
ABOUT ATA
Annually, commercial aviation helps drive more than $1 trillion in U.S. economic activity and more than 10 million U.S. jobs. ATA airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic.
"Airlines are the physical Internet, connecting people, products and the world, driving the global economy and creating millions of jobs. To further burden this already financially challenged industry is both illogical and a job destroyer. The results will be devastating to the U.S. economy," said ATA CEO and President Nicholas E. Calio in a speech to the International Aviation Club of Washington.
"The U.S. government continues to use the airline industry as a cash cow, rather than seeing airlines as a growth enabler and understanding the strategic nature of aviation and what it takes to support one of our country's most critical industries," Calio said.
Today, federal taxes and fees in the United States constitute $61, or 20 percent, of the cost of a typical $300 domestic round-trip ticket, higher than taxes paid for alcohol, tobacco or guns. The overall federal aviation tax burden in the United States has tripled since 1972. "We are saddled with tax and regulatory mandates and restrictions that are unheard of for other industries," Calio said.
Calio offered a global perspective and compared increasingly punitive U.S. government policies with other countries that view aviation as a strategic asset and work cooperatively with airlines to ensure successful growth. "Governments in China, Brazil, India and the Middle East understand the competitive necessity and opportunity a vibrant aviation system provides," Calio said.
Rather than further taxing overburdened airline passengers, ATA urged Congress to focus its attention on supporting a National Airline Policy. "We are ready and willing to work collaboratively with the U.S. Government on our nation's priorities for the future, using all the good work that has already been done. We need an airline policy that will treat our airlines like the global businesses they are, and enable them to operate as such," Calio said.
ABOUT ATA
Annually, commercial aviation helps drive more than $1 trillion in U.S. economic activity and more than 10 million U.S. jobs. ATA airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic.
Americans Favor Investment in Community and Home-Based Health Care
WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2011 - In mid September, Harris Interactive polled
more than 2,000 adults about federal spending priorities for health care
and which types of Medicare spending cuts they would favor, if cuts
were necessary to reduce the budget deficit.
Nearly four out of five Americans (79 percent) said the federal government should strengthen patients' access to home medical equipment and services, according to the online survey. Most Americans (61 percent) said they favor investment in community- or home-based care to improve cost-effective health care. The online survey was conducted on behalf of the American Association for Homecare between September 13 and September 15, 2011.
Tyler Wilson, president of the American Association for Homecare, commented, "These findings underscore the fact that home and community-based care is recognized as part of the solution to the nation's health care challenges. Home medical equipment and services and other forms of home-based care help to reduce time spent in more expensive institutional settings, and this type of care allows millions of Americans to remain safe and independent in their own homes. And as we saw during Hurricane Irene, providers of oxygen therapy and other types of home medical equipment and services are first-responders during emergencies. We urge Congress and the Obama Administration to preserve and strengthen the nation's infrastructure for providing homecare."
Survey Results
Asked whether the federal government should "strengthen access to home medical equipment and services " given its potential to reduce hospital length of stay and healthcare costs, respondents replied:
Asked " Where should the U.S. government invest the most money to improve health care and cost-effective delivery of care? " respondents replied:
Given four choices for ways the government might cut Medicare spending to help reduce the budget deficit , respondents selected:
Wilson commented, "The continuing, disproportionate cuts to Medicare reimbursement for home medical equipment and services only weaken the safety net that homecare providers bring to the nation's healthcare system when we should be encouraging more home-based care to help control spending."
Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of American Association for Homecare between September 13 and 15, 2011 via the QuickQuerySM online omnibus service among 2,028 U.S. adults age 18+.
Results were also weighted as needed to reflect the composition of the U.S. adult population by age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income.
Nearly four out of five Americans (79 percent) said the federal government should strengthen patients' access to home medical equipment and services, according to the online survey. Most Americans (61 percent) said they favor investment in community- or home-based care to improve cost-effective health care. The online survey was conducted on behalf of the American Association for Homecare between September 13 and September 15, 2011.
Tyler Wilson, president of the American Association for Homecare, commented, "These findings underscore the fact that home and community-based care is recognized as part of the solution to the nation's health care challenges. Home medical equipment and services and other forms of home-based care help to reduce time spent in more expensive institutional settings, and this type of care allows millions of Americans to remain safe and independent in their own homes. And as we saw during Hurricane Irene, providers of oxygen therapy and other types of home medical equipment and services are first-responders during emergencies. We urge Congress and the Obama Administration to preserve and strengthen the nation's infrastructure for providing homecare."
Survey Results
Asked whether the federal government should "strengthen access to home medical equipment and services " given its potential to reduce hospital length of stay and healthcare costs, respondents replied:
- Agree (79 percent);
- Disagree (11 percent);
- Not Sure (9 percent).
Asked " Where should the U.S. government invest the most money to improve health care and cost-effective delivery of care? " respondents replied:
- Community health clinics (37 percent);
- Patients' homes (24 percent);
- Hospitals (23 percent); and
- Doctors' offices (15 percent).
Given four choices for ways the government might cut Medicare spending to help reduce the budget deficit , respondents selected:
- Raising the premiums high income Medicare recipients have to pay (59 percent);
- Raising the age people start receiving Medicare benefits (24 percent);
- Cutting Medicare spending on home medical equipment such as oxygen, wheelchairs, and other equipment and services in their homes (9 percent); and
- Raising the premiums all Medicare recipients have to pay (9 percent).
Wilson commented, "The continuing, disproportionate cuts to Medicare reimbursement for home medical equipment and services only weaken the safety net that homecare providers bring to the nation's healthcare system when we should be encouraging more home-based care to help control spending."
Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of American Association for Homecare between September 13 and 15, 2011 via the QuickQuerySM online omnibus service among 2,028 U.S. adults age 18+.
Results were also weighted as needed to reflect the composition of the U.S. adult population by age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income.
Teamsters Protest Celebrity Gala at Met Museum
Art Handlers Demand Met and Sotheby's Board Members 'Stop The Discrimination'
NEW YORK, Sept. 28, 2011 - Professional art handlers and their supporters protested in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual diversity-themed gala yesterday. Protestors called on museum board members to end an eight-week-long lockout of professional art handlers at Sotheby's Auction House.
Despite making record profits of more than $680 million in gross profit last year, the auction house has locked out its staff of 43 art handlers, most of who are minorities. Sotheby's wants to replace its longtime, dedicated art handlers with replacement workers.
Metropolitan Museum board members Michel David-Weill and Carroll Petrie serve on the board of advisors at Sotheby's. The protesters distributed handbills that read, "Michel David-Weill: Stop The Discrimination" and "What's Gone Wrong at the Met?"
"Throwing hard-working African-American and Latino workers out on the street without paychecks is the wrong way to celebrate diversity," said Jason Ide, President of Teamsters Local 814. Local 814 represents the art handlers at Sotheby's.
Sotheby's management continues to insist on eliminating retirement for current employees and eliminating benefits and union protections for all new employees.
"It's like they're trying to take us back to the 1950s," said forty-two year art handler Sim Jones. "This has always been a dignified job that you could be proud of. It looks like they're trying to take that away."
NEW YORK, Sept. 28, 2011 - Professional art handlers and their supporters protested in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual diversity-themed gala yesterday. Protestors called on museum board members to end an eight-week-long lockout of professional art handlers at Sotheby's Auction House.
Despite making record profits of more than $680 million in gross profit last year, the auction house has locked out its staff of 43 art handlers, most of who are minorities. Sotheby's wants to replace its longtime, dedicated art handlers with replacement workers.
Metropolitan Museum board members Michel David-Weill and Carroll Petrie serve on the board of advisors at Sotheby's. The protesters distributed handbills that read, "Michel David-Weill: Stop The Discrimination" and "What's Gone Wrong at the Met?"
"Throwing hard-working African-American and Latino workers out on the street without paychecks is the wrong way to celebrate diversity," said Jason Ide, President of Teamsters Local 814. Local 814 represents the art handlers at Sotheby's.
Sotheby's management continues to insist on eliminating retirement for current employees and eliminating benefits and union protections for all new employees.
"It's like they're trying to take us back to the 1950s," said forty-two year art handler Sim Jones. "This has always been a dignified job that you could be proud of. It looks like they're trying to take that away."
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Price too High? Budget Tight? Negotiate for a Better Deal
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Sept. 24 - According to the Federal Reserve, economic
growth remains slow and signs point to continuing weakness. Unemployment
rates remain elevated, and household spending has been increasing at
only a modest pace. While this may affect your household budgeting, it
could also work in your favor. Charles Lankau, a business professor and expert in negotiation at Wake Forest University, says in this economy, consumers should be assertive when shopping for just about everything.
These days retailers and service providers are willing to negotiate to get your business, says Lankau. "As a consumer in today's economy, people need to ask themselves, 'Am I about to spend some money?' If the answer is 'yes,' negotiating is almost always appropriate. Price, terms, perks or extras--most of the time they are there if you just ask."
For those new to bargaining, Lankau offers the following tips:
Give yourself permission to negotiate. Bargaining is one of many valuable budget-stretching tools available. Use it.
Focus on the result, not on any misplaced embarrassment for asking. Think of how good it will feel if you get something for your efforts. Even if you are successful, it's a win-win situation. In most cases, the seller will still be making a profit.
Touch a chord. Choose your words carefully to reach the emotional side of the person you are dealing with, for example: 'I'm just not sure I can afford this. Can you do any better?' Practice different approaches in the car to see how they sound.
Practice. Just like in sales, keep trying, and your 'ask' will improve.
Track your results. Keep a note card in your glove box and jot down every time you purchase an item for less than the asking price. It adds up! Seeing your savings grow is a great motivator.
Lankau says large purchases, like cars and homes, or competitive services for television or telephone, are expenses where people expect to negotiate, but deals can also be found in retail shops. "My mother never hesitated to point out a flaw, if there was one, in a blouse or sweater, and she almost always received at least a ten percent discount."
These days retailers and service providers are willing to negotiate to get your business, says Lankau. "As a consumer in today's economy, people need to ask themselves, 'Am I about to spend some money?' If the answer is 'yes,' negotiating is almost always appropriate. Price, terms, perks or extras--most of the time they are there if you just ask."
For those new to bargaining, Lankau offers the following tips:
Give yourself permission to negotiate. Bargaining is one of many valuable budget-stretching tools available. Use it.
Focus on the result, not on any misplaced embarrassment for asking. Think of how good it will feel if you get something for your efforts. Even if you are successful, it's a win-win situation. In most cases, the seller will still be making a profit.
Touch a chord. Choose your words carefully to reach the emotional side of the person you are dealing with, for example: 'I'm just not sure I can afford this. Can you do any better?' Practice different approaches in the car to see how they sound.
Practice. Just like in sales, keep trying, and your 'ask' will improve.
Track your results. Keep a note card in your glove box and jot down every time you purchase an item for less than the asking price. It adds up! Seeing your savings grow is a great motivator.
Lankau says large purchases, like cars and homes, or competitive services for television or telephone, are expenses where people expect to negotiate, but deals can also be found in retail shops. "My mother never hesitated to point out a flaw, if there was one, in a blouse or sweater, and she almost always received at least a ten percent discount."
Friday, September 23, 2011
Walmart to Generate Solar Energy
Walmart's solar power initiative will total more than 130 stores by the end of 2013; Adds hundreds of jobs through partnership with California-based SolarCity
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 23 - Walmart today announced its plan to install solar panels on up to 60 additional stores in California, expanding the company's solar portfolio to more than 75 percent of its stores in the state, making California the first state in the nation where Walmart has devoted this level of commitment to renewable energy."California presents a great opportunity for Walmart to make significant progress toward our sustainability goals by installing solar power on more than 130 store rooftops throughout the state," said Kim Saylors-Laster, Walmart vice president of energy. "Walmart has reduced energy expenses by more than a million dollars through our solar program, allowing us to pass these savings on to our customers in the form of everyday low prices."
When complete, Walmart's total solar commitment in California is expected to:
- Generate up to 70 million kilowatt hours of clean, renewable energy per year, which is the equivalent of powering more than 5,400 homes*;
- Avoid producing more than 21,700 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, which is the equivalent of taking approximately 4,100 cars off the road*; and
- Provide 20 to 30 percent of each facility's total electric needs.
"Walmart's effort to expand and accelerate its solar power initiative program here in California demonstrates their commitment to sustainability. These kinds of projects create jobs, reduce costs for businesses by lowering power bills, and protect the environment," said Mary D. Nichols, Chair of the California Air Resources Board. "We appreciate Walmart's leadership and encourage other businesses to follow Walmart's lead."
"Walmart's commitment to renewable energy in California is commendable," said Gwen Ruta, vice president for corporate partnerships at Environmental Defense Fund. "These projects are a win-win for the environment and our economy, and help move our country toward a cleaner energy future."
"Walmart has undertaken one of the most ambitious solar initiatives of any company in the U.S., and tripled the scale of its initial project with us," added Lyndon Rive, SolarCity's CEO. "Walmart is setting an example that far more companies in the U.S. can follow; it is possible for many businesses to pay less for solar power than they currently pay for electricity."
Walmart's investment in solar power is anticipated to create hundreds of jobs in California through its partnership with SolarCity, which will own, install and maintain the new solar power systems. The San Mateo, Calif.-based company has added more than 500 new full-time jobs since it initiated its first Walmart solar project, and expects to hire hundreds more before the end of the year.
"Our solar efforts in California have proven to be a great way for Walmart to build our renewable energy program," said Mack Wyckoff, senior manager of renewable energy at Walmart. "We are confident that we will continue to grow our solar energy program in the U.S. and around the world because of the initial success we have had in California."
Scholarship for Outstanding Aspiring Journalists
Sponsored by The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 23 - The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania is taking applications for its sixth annual $5,000 scholarship awarded to aspiring journalists.
The award is designed to encourage outstanding collegiate journalism students in print and broadcasting.
The scholarship will be awarded in May 2012 in Pittsburgh at the annual Golden Quills Awards Dinner sponsored by The Press Club.
Candidates must be enrolled in an accredited college or university for at least two years. They must be able to demonstrate why they should receive the award. Their primary residence must be in one of the 29 counties of Western Pennsylvania (see list below).
The scholarship money will be credited to the winner's account at their university or college. The winner also will receive a plaque in recognition of the award.
Deadline for applications is January 13, 2012. The scholarship committee will review applications and select finalists. The winner will be notified by April 15.
An application can be downloaded from www.westernpapressclub.org or contact The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania at Engineers' Building, 337 Fourth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or (412) 281-7778, or pressclubwpa@yahoo.com.
For further information contact Senior Deputy Managing Editor Rick Monti of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 512 Martindale Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, 412-380-5638 or rmonti@tribweb.com.
The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania is a nonprofit organization comprising news media and public relations professionals, community leaders, academicians and other professionals devoted to first-rate communication. Members of The Press Club are dedicated to raising the quality of public discourse in Western Pennsylvania, keeping the region vital and relevant. It provides a setting, atmosphere, and programming that aim to further communication among media-related professionals and interested members of the general public. Encouraging and supporting journalism students in the region is also a priority. For membership information, contact The Press Club at (412) 281-7778.
Press Club Counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Somerset, Venango, Warren, Washington, Westmoreland
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 23 - The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania is taking applications for its sixth annual $5,000 scholarship awarded to aspiring journalists.
The award is designed to encourage outstanding collegiate journalism students in print and broadcasting.
The scholarship will be awarded in May 2012 in Pittsburgh at the annual Golden Quills Awards Dinner sponsored by The Press Club.
Candidates must be enrolled in an accredited college or university for at least two years. They must be able to demonstrate why they should receive the award. Their primary residence must be in one of the 29 counties of Western Pennsylvania (see list below).
The scholarship money will be credited to the winner's account at their university or college. The winner also will receive a plaque in recognition of the award.
Deadline for applications is January 13, 2012. The scholarship committee will review applications and select finalists. The winner will be notified by April 15.
An application can be downloaded from www.westernpapressclub.org or contact The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania at Engineers' Building, 337 Fourth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or (412) 281-7778, or pressclubwpa@yahoo.com.
For further information contact Senior Deputy Managing Editor Rick Monti of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 512 Martindale Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, 412-380-5638 or rmonti@tribweb.com.
The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania is a nonprofit organization comprising news media and public relations professionals, community leaders, academicians and other professionals devoted to first-rate communication. Members of The Press Club are dedicated to raising the quality of public discourse in Western Pennsylvania, keeping the region vital and relevant. It provides a setting, atmosphere, and programming that aim to further communication among media-related professionals and interested members of the general public. Encouraging and supporting journalism students in the region is also a priority. For membership information, contact The Press Club at (412) 281-7778.
Press Club Counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Somerset, Venango, Warren, Washington, Westmoreland
Tentative Seniority List: Southwest Airlines and AirTran Pilots Agreed
Tentative Agreement on the Integration of the Two Groups' Seniority Lists Headed to Members of Both Pilot Unions for a Ratification Vote
DALLAS, Sept. 23 - Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) is pleased to announce a tentative agreement has been reached between the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association (SWAPA), the union representing Southwest Airlines Pilots, and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the union representing the pilots of AirTran Airways. This tentative agreement would integrate the two groups' seniority lists. SWAPA's Board of Directors and ALPA's Master Executive Council both approved the agreement, allowing the membership of each Pilot's Union to review the proposed agreement and ultimately put it to a ratification vote. Southwest Airlines finalized closing of the acquisition of AirTran Holdings, Inc. on May 2, 2011."The unions and Company negotiating teams never lost focus on the ultimate goal of creating an integrated seniority list and transition plan for our Pilots outside of arbitration," said Mike Van de Ven, Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "All parties took ownership of their role in the integration of AirTran into Southwest Airlines, and I want to congratulate our teams for delivering what we feel is a fair and equitable deal for both sides."
"We are proud of both Pilot groups' initiative and persistence to reach a tentative agreement," added Capt. Chuck Magill, Southwest Airlines Vice President of Flight Operations. "History has shown the integration of two large airlines is no easy task, but our Pilots continue to demonstrate forward-thinking Leadership through this process, and their efforts should be recognized and commended."
Reaching a negotiated agreement with the two Pilot groups avoids the arbitration process and gives both groups ownership of the combined list. Each Pilot group will now spend the next four to six weeks reviewing the tentative agreement before putting it up for a ratification vote. SWAPA represents more than 6,000 Southwest Airlines Pilots, and ALPA represents close to 1,600 AirTran Pilots.
In its 40th year of service, Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low-fare carriers--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded and has recently acquired AirTran Airways, now a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines Co. Southwest serves 72 cities in 37 states and is one of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the Southwest Airlines One Report(TM). Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,400 flights a day and has more than 35,000 Employees systemwide.
Nurses United: Strike at 34 California Hospitals
OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 23 - Thousands of California
registered nurses walked picket lines and joined rallies Thursday, part
of a massive strike by 23,000 RNs at 34 hospitals in Northern and Central California.
The one-day strike by members of the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United sent a strong message to two of the biggest and most profitable hospital chains in the state, Sutter and Kaiser Permanente plus Children's Hospital Oakland.
At a boisterous rally at Sutter Alta Bates in Berkeley Thursday morning, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka praised the RNs as "the last line of defense for patients" and excoriated the corporate assault by Sutter. "They disrespect you by attacking your healthcare, your retirement benefits, your right to advocate for patients, and now they want to force you to work when you are sick. Having sick nurses care for sick patients is sick."
Trumka said it was 23,000 nurses taking a stand, but that they were joined by "millions of patients" and had the support of working people across the country.
"When nurses are on the outside, there's something wrong on the inside," said CNA Co-President DeAnn McEwen, RN at the rally. She called the sweeping concession demands by Sutter "drastic, unwarranted, and unconscionable. They're harming patients and we're standing in the gap."
CNA/NNU said the key issues are:
Sutter . RNs are protesting 200 sweeping demands by Sutter executives that would:
Kaiser. RNs struck to support Kaiser co-workers who are facing management demands for deep cuts in their health coverage and retirement plans.
Children's Oakland . RNs are protesting management efforts to cut their health coverage, demands they say would make it prohibitively expensive for nurses to bring their own children to get care at the hospital where they work, and inadequate staffing at the hospital.
The one-day strike by members of the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United sent a strong message to two of the biggest and most profitable hospital chains in the state, Sutter and Kaiser Permanente plus Children's Hospital Oakland.
At a boisterous rally at Sutter Alta Bates in Berkeley Thursday morning, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka praised the RNs as "the last line of defense for patients" and excoriated the corporate assault by Sutter. "They disrespect you by attacking your healthcare, your retirement benefits, your right to advocate for patients, and now they want to force you to work when you are sick. Having sick nurses care for sick patients is sick."
Trumka said it was 23,000 nurses taking a stand, but that they were joined by "millions of patients" and had the support of working people across the country.
"When nurses are on the outside, there's something wrong on the inside," said CNA Co-President DeAnn McEwen, RN at the rally. She called the sweeping concession demands by Sutter "drastic, unwarranted, and unconscionable. They're harming patients and we're standing in the gap."
CNA/NNU said the key issues are:
Sutter . RNs are protesting 200 sweeping demands by Sutter executives that would:
- Restrict their ability to effectively advocate for patients
- Effectively force nurses to work when sick, dangerously exposing extremely ill patients to infection.
- Sharply reduce nurses' healthcare coverage and retiree health benefits.
- The Sutter RNs are also protesting years of widespread cuts in patient care services
Kaiser. RNs struck to support Kaiser co-workers who are facing management demands for deep cuts in their health coverage and retirement plans.
Children's Oakland . RNs are protesting management efforts to cut their health coverage, demands they say would make it prohibitively expensive for nurses to bring their own children to get care at the hospital where they work, and inadequate staffing at the hospital.
UHC Recognized 10 Full Academic Medical Center
CHICAGO, Sept. 23- UHC has recognized 10 of its full academic medical
center* (AMC) members with the 2011 UHC Quality Leadership Award. The
award is given to AMCs that demonstrated excellence in delivering
high-quality care as measured by the UHC Quality & Accountability
Study, which UHC has conducted annually since 2005. This year's winners
are:
"The efforts of these 10 hospitals in improving patient care and operational effectiveness distinguish them as leaders," said Irene M. Thompson, UHC president and chief executive officer. "Being named a UHC Quality Leadership Award winner is a testament to everyone at the hospital—from the executives and board members to the physicians to the nurses and support staff. Earning this distinction is truly a team effort."
UHC's distinctive Quality & Accountability Study was designed to help AMCs identify structures and processes associated with high performance in quality and safety across a broad spectrum of patient care activity. The Institute of Medicine's 6 domains of care—mortality, effectiveness, safety, equity, patient centeredness, and efficiency—were again used as a guide in structuring the study.
This year, 101 UHC member institutions were included in the analysis, which relies on data from the UHC Clinical Data Base/Resource Manager™, UHC Core Measures Data Base, and the publicly-reported Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems.
The award winners were announced at the UHC Annual Conference 2011, "LEAP: Lead, Excel, Achieve, Perform." Held in Chicago, the conference drew nearly 1,500 leaders in quality and safety from more than a hundred AMCs across the country.
"This event is just one example of how UHC brings together leading AMCs and affiliated hospitals to elevate performance and improve the quality of health care in the United States," said Julie Cerese, MSN, UHC vice president, Performance Improvement. "Through the 2011 UHC Quality Leadership Award and the annual conference, member AMCs' achievements in performance are showcased and shared with other members to help them improve."
*A full, integrated AMC is defined by UHC as one under common ownership with a medical school or one in which the majority of the medical school department chairs either serve as the hospital's chiefs of service or are responsible for appointing the hospital's chiefs of service.
- University of Colorado Hospital
- The University of Kansas Hospital Authority
- Northwestern Memorial Hospital
- Mayo Clinic in Rochester
- UC San Diego Health System
- Denver Health
- University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics
- Beaumont Health System (Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak)
- The Ohio State University Medical Center
- Emory Healthcare (Emory University Hospital)
"The efforts of these 10 hospitals in improving patient care and operational effectiveness distinguish them as leaders," said Irene M. Thompson, UHC president and chief executive officer. "Being named a UHC Quality Leadership Award winner is a testament to everyone at the hospital—from the executives and board members to the physicians to the nurses and support staff. Earning this distinction is truly a team effort."
UHC's distinctive Quality & Accountability Study was designed to help AMCs identify structures and processes associated with high performance in quality and safety across a broad spectrum of patient care activity. The Institute of Medicine's 6 domains of care—mortality, effectiveness, safety, equity, patient centeredness, and efficiency—were again used as a guide in structuring the study.
This year, 101 UHC member institutions were included in the analysis, which relies on data from the UHC Clinical Data Base/Resource Manager™, UHC Core Measures Data Base, and the publicly-reported Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems.
The award winners were announced at the UHC Annual Conference 2011, "LEAP: Lead, Excel, Achieve, Perform." Held in Chicago, the conference drew nearly 1,500 leaders in quality and safety from more than a hundred AMCs across the country.
"This event is just one example of how UHC brings together leading AMCs and affiliated hospitals to elevate performance and improve the quality of health care in the United States," said Julie Cerese, MSN, UHC vice president, Performance Improvement. "Through the 2011 UHC Quality Leadership Award and the annual conference, member AMCs' achievements in performance are showcased and shared with other members to help them improve."
*A full, integrated AMC is defined by UHC as one under common ownership with a medical school or one in which the majority of the medical school department chairs either serve as the hospital's chiefs of service or are responsible for appointing the hospital's chiefs of service.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Google launches mobile payment platform
New York, Sep 20 - Internet search titan Google has launched 'Google Wallet', an application that enables users to make payments through their phone.
Google, which had first announced the application in May this year, said the application will initially be available only on the Nexus S 4G phone, with Sprint.
ÒWe have been testing it extensively, and today we are releasing the first version of the 'app' to Sprint. That means we are beginning to roll out Google Wallet to all Sprint Nexus S 4G phones through an over-the-air update just look for the 'Wallet' app,Ó Google Vice President of Payments Osama Bedier said in the company's official blog.
Google Wallet enables users to pay with their Citi MasterCard credit card and the Google Prepaid Card, which can be funded with any of the existing plastic credit cards.
Early adopters, who would set up Google Wallet on their phones before the end of the year would add a USD 10 free bonus to the Google Prepaid Card.
Besides, Google said it will add Visa, Discover and American Express to its payment system that could enable their cards to be added to future versions of Google Wallet.
ÒOur goal is to make it possible for you to add all of your payment cards to Google Wallet, so you can say goodbye to even the biggest traditional wallets,Ó Bedier added.
US lifts ban on gays in American military
Washington, Sept 20 - The US military today formally lifted a ban on gays openly serving in the armed services, ending an 18-year-old practice that had resulted in dismissal of some 14,000 service members.
ÒWe are prepared for repeal,Ó Pentagon spokesman George Little told reporters on the issue which has witnessed years of court battles and political debate.
The 1993 law had banned gays and lesbians from serving openly in the US military.
ÒNo one should be left with the impression that we are unprepared. We are prepared for repeal. The force is well aware that this is coming. They've had the training. It's been in the press for months. The September 20th day is not a mystery,Ó Little said.
ÒThis is something that has been known for a long time.
We've gone through a process to certify repeal,Ó he said.
US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta and Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are scheduled to address a joint press conference on the issue.
While applicants are not asked, or required to, reveal their sexual orientation, statements about sexual orientation will not be a bar to military service or admission to service academies, or any other accession programme, Little said.
ÒOpenly gay or lesbian applicants will be evaluated according to the same criteria and requirements applicable to all others seeking entry into the military,Ó he said.
The spokesman said 2.3 million service members have been trained on the repeal of the ÒDon't Ask Don't TellÓ policy.
ÒThe services provided commanders and experts in the field with the training tools to educate the force on what is expected in a post-repeal environment. The training focused on the changes in policy affected by the repeal of DADT, and on expectations that service members will continue to treat each other with dignity and respect,Ó he said.
Meanwhile, reports said gay rights groups have planned celebration events across the country and in overseas military communities to mark the repeal date.
One of them being at the Stonewall Inn in New York, which is the site of the 1969 riots viewed by many as the start of the gay rights movement.
ÒOur military will no longer be deprived of the talents and skills of patriotic Americans just because they happen to be gay or lesbian,Ó US President Barack Obama had said on July 22, when he announced that he has certified that the armed forces are ready for its repeal.
ÒAs commander in chief, I have always been confident that our dedicated men and women in uniform would transition to a new policy in an orderly manner that preserves unit cohesion, recruitment, retention and military effectiveness,Ó Obama had said.
Genetic links to schizophrenia?
Washington, Sep 20 - Scientists claim they are a step closer to unravelling the genetic underpinnings of schizophrenia following the largest genome-wide association research of the disorder ever undertaken.
An international team of 190 scientists from 135 institutions found significant associations with schizophrenia for five new and two previously implicated locations on the human genome, the 'Nature Genetics' journal reported.
It has long been recognised that schizophrenia is highly heritable.
However, this research has pinpointed novel regions of the human genome significantly associated with disease, and confirmed other recently reported genomic regions that may harbour disease-causing genetic variation.
According to Prof Bryan Mowry from Queensland Brain Institute, a team member, these findings were made possible because of the unprecedented size of the study, with more than 50,000 participants.
ÒIt provides a solid foundation for beginning to understand the mechanisms underlying the substantial genetic predisposition to schizophrenia,Ó Prof Mowry said.
Schizophrenia affects 1 in 100 people and its onset is typically in adolescence or early adulthood. Psychosis (comprising hallucinations and delusions) is the hallmark of schizophrenia, but other symptoms such as personal neglect and amotivation are common, as is an increased risk of suicide.
Prof Mowry says that gaining a better understanding of the genetic architecture of schizophrenia will ultimately aid the earlier diagnosis and management of the disorder.
ÒIf your genetic profile suggests you have a predisposition towards developing schizophrenia, it will be particularly important for you to avoid known environmental risk factors, such as smoking cannabis.
ÒWe also expect that understanding the biological mechanisms underlying the disorder will lead to more robust therapeutics in future,Ó he said.
The strongest genome-wide association finding in the study was to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a region containing numerous immune-related genes, suggesting schizophrenia may be triggered by autoimmune responses or infection.
Another SNP in a region linked to neuronal development was also implicated, suggesting a novel mechanism underlying schizophrenia.
The study also confirmed genetic overlap between bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, suggesting that these disorders have shared rather than separate roots.
Huge defunct satellite may fall on Earth this week: NASA
Washington, Sep 20 - A six-and-a-half tonne defunct climate satellite that has been circling the Earth for the past 20 years will make a fiery death plunge this week, NASA officials have warned.
According to NASA's latest projections, the bus-size Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) will likely plummet down to Earth sometime around Friday (September 23). But there is a one-in-3,200 chance that its debris could hit any person, the US space agency officials said.
ÒRe-entry is expected September 23, plus or minus a day,Ó they said, adding that at least 26 large pieces of the dead satellite will hit the ground on Earth surviving the scorching temperatures of atmospheric re-entry, LiveScience reported.
Though it's still uncertain exactly where the debris will fall, NASA officials indicated that the drop zone for UARS satellite debris could be anywhere between the latitudes of northern Canada and southern South America, an area that includes much of the planet.
The USD 750-million satellite, which was launched in 1991 to study the ozone layer and the Earth's upper atmosphere to better understand their role in the planet's climate, should re-enter over a 804km track, the experts have predicted.
Since 75 per cent of Earth is covered with ocean, there is a high likelihood that the satellite will re-enter over the sea or a remote, uninhabited stretch of land, said Victoria Samson, the Washington Office Director of the Secure World Foundation.
The UARS was designed for a three-year mission, but it lasted for 14 years until newer satellites made it obsolete.
It was decommissioned in December 2005 with NASA experts commanding the spacecraft to fire its thrusters one last time to use all its remaining fuel to place it on a years-long path toward disposal in Earth's atmosphere.
If the satellite does fall while flying over a populated region of Earth, sky watchers could see a Òdazzling light show if they have clear weatherÓ, Nick Johnson, chief scientist of NASA's Orbital Debris Program in Houston, said.
As of Sunday, the UARS was flying in an orbit that reached a high point of about 149 miles (240 km) above Earth.
That is down from an orbit that peaked at an altitude of 171 miles (275 km) on September 8.
The huge satellite, which is 35 feet long and 15 feet wide, and has been falling faster than anticipated (initial re-entry estimates pegged its plunge to somewhere between late September and early October) due to increased solar activity last week.
Solar activity can cause the Earth's atmosphere to heat and expand, increasing drag on low-flying spacecraft, the researchers said.
The US Strategic Command at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, and NASA are keeping a close eye on the falling UARS spacecraft, but have said that they will only be able to pinpoint the satellite's point of impact to within about 6,000 miles (10,000 km) about two hours before re-entry due to its unpredictable nature, the experts said.
3,000 Cases of Forced Marriage in Immigrant Communities in the United States
FALLS CHURCH, Va., Sept. 20, 2011 - Today, the Tahirih Justice Center (Tahirih)
released the results of a groundbreaking national survey, which
identified as many as 3,000 known and suspected cases of forced marriage
in the United States, in 47 states, among immigrant communities from 56 different countries. The survey is the first of its kind conducted in the United States and was designed to understand the scope and nature of forced marriage in immigrant communities.
Key findings of Tahirih's survey include:
Despite recent media attention to cases of forced marriage and honor violence in immigrant communities in the United States, there is a regrettable lack of data in the United States about forced marriage, and there are no laws specifically designed to protect individuals from being forced into marriage. This is in stark contrast to the United Kingdom, which has a governmental "Forced Marriage Unit" at the ready to help victims and provide guidance and support to professionals on the frontlines, a national forced marriage hotline, and a specific forced marriage protection order.
Key findings of Tahirih's survey include:
- 500 service providers, community advocates, educators, medical/mental health professionals, law enforcement officers, religious leaders, and others from 47 states reported as many as 3,000 known and suspected forced marriage cases that they have encountered in just the last 2 years.
- Some families are willing to go to great lengths to ensure that the marriage takes place and may send a young woman back to the family's country of origin until she submits, cut her off from financial support, withhold food and medical care, or limit a young woman's contact with those outside the family. Respondents also reported kidnapping, death threats, and even murder attempts.
- Immigrant communities engaging in forced marriage in the United States are from at least 56 different countries.
- Community-based service providers working on the frontlines are
struggling with how to recognize and handle forced marriage situations.
- Only 10% of survey respondents have a working definition of forced marriage.
- Nearly 70% think there are forced marriage cases in their communities that are not being identified.
Despite recent media attention to cases of forced marriage and honor violence in immigrant communities in the United States, there is a regrettable lack of data in the United States about forced marriage, and there are no laws specifically designed to protect individuals from being forced into marriage. This is in stark contrast to the United Kingdom, which has a governmental "Forced Marriage Unit" at the ready to help victims and provide guidance and support to professionals on the frontlines, a national forced marriage hotline, and a specific forced marriage protection order.
PFSA-Backed Training Bill Approved to Help Spot Child Abuse
HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 20, 2011 - Legislation to require mandated reporters employed in Pennsylvania
schools to receive training on recognizing and reporting child abuse
has been unanimously voted out of the state Senate Appropriations
Committee.
"The approval of Senate Bill 449 by the Appropriations Committee increases the likelihood that this important measure will be considered by the entire Senate sometime later this fall," said Angela Liddle, executive director of the Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance (PFSA). "We consider this an encouraging step toward ultimate passage. We applaud the members of the committee for their action."
PFSA has endorsed Senate Bill 449, which was introduced earlier this year by state Sen. Pat Vance, R-Cumberland and York counties.
Teachers and other school employees are considered mandated reporters and as such have a legal duty to report suspected abuse and neglect. "They need to be trained in order to be able to carry out and fulfill that duty," Liddle said. "This legislation will guarantee they have the knowledge and skills to fulfill their responsibility under the law."
The bill directs the state Department of Public Welfare, in consultation with the state Department of Education, to set up a child abuse recognition and reporting program.
Teachers and other mandated reporters employed by or under contract to schools would be required to undergo a minimum of three hours of training every five years. In addition to teachers, school-employed social workers, guidance counselors, school nurses, and administrators would be covered.
The proposed law would apply to public school districts, intermediate units, vocational-technical schools, charter schools, and private schools.
Pennsylvania officials received more than 24,600 reports of suspected child and student abuse in 2010. According to the state Department of Public Welfare, mandated reporters, the majority of whom are school employees, account for 77 percent of all substantiated reports of abuse in Pennsylvania.
PFSA, a nonprofit organization, provides training on recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect through schools, early childhood education centers, religious institutions, and social service agencies. It trained 8,100 mandated reporters during the past year.
"The approval of Senate Bill 449 by the Appropriations Committee increases the likelihood that this important measure will be considered by the entire Senate sometime later this fall," said Angela Liddle, executive director of the Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance (PFSA). "We consider this an encouraging step toward ultimate passage. We applaud the members of the committee for their action."
PFSA has endorsed Senate Bill 449, which was introduced earlier this year by state Sen. Pat Vance, R-Cumberland and York counties.
Teachers and other school employees are considered mandated reporters and as such have a legal duty to report suspected abuse and neglect. "They need to be trained in order to be able to carry out and fulfill that duty," Liddle said. "This legislation will guarantee they have the knowledge and skills to fulfill their responsibility under the law."
The bill directs the state Department of Public Welfare, in consultation with the state Department of Education, to set up a child abuse recognition and reporting program.
Teachers and other mandated reporters employed by or under contract to schools would be required to undergo a minimum of three hours of training every five years. In addition to teachers, school-employed social workers, guidance counselors, school nurses, and administrators would be covered.
The proposed law would apply to public school districts, intermediate units, vocational-technical schools, charter schools, and private schools.
Pennsylvania officials received more than 24,600 reports of suspected child and student abuse in 2010. According to the state Department of Public Welfare, mandated reporters, the majority of whom are school employees, account for 77 percent of all substantiated reports of abuse in Pennsylvania.
PFSA, a nonprofit organization, provides training on recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect through schools, early childhood education centers, religious institutions, and social service agencies. It trained 8,100 mandated reporters during the past year.
Monday, September 19, 2011
US to upgrade Taiwan F-16s, not sell new ones
Washington, Sep 19 - The Obama administration has decided to upgrade Taiwan's existing fleet of F-16 fighter jets but not sell it the new planes it also wants, congressional staff said.
The administration gave a briefing on Capitol Hill on its decision on Friday, but has yet to issue a formal notification of the intended deal. An announcement is expected by the end of this month.
Two congressional aides confirmed the decision to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to make it public.
The decision represents a compromise aimed at improving Taiwan's ability to defend itself, while assuaging China's concern over the arms sales. However, Beijing is still expected to react angrily. It regards the self-governing island as part of its territory.
There will also be criticism from Republicans and some Democrats in Congress who have strongly backed the sales of 66 F-16 C/D fighters that Taiwan wants, in addition to the upgrades of the 145 F-16 A/Bs that the US sold it in the 1990s.
There were no immediate details on the package of upgrades the US is providing for the A/Bs. But even if it includes sophisticated radar, avionics and missile systems,
Taiwan's air force will still lag far behind its Chinese counterpart, which is equipped with state-of-the-art jet fighters.
A Pentagon report issued last year painted a grim picture of Taiwan's air defence capabilities, saying many of the island's 400 combat aircraft would not be available to help withstand an attack from the mainland.
Wang Kao-cheng, a military expert at Taipei's Tamkang University, said Taiwan's air defences could get some lift from the upgrade, but the island is still at a profound disadvantage with Beijing in the number of third-generation warplanes it has at its disposal.
The administration gave a briefing on Capitol Hill on its decision on Friday, but has yet to issue a formal notification of the intended deal. An announcement is expected by the end of this month.
Two congressional aides confirmed the decision to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to make it public.
The decision represents a compromise aimed at improving Taiwan's ability to defend itself, while assuaging China's concern over the arms sales. However, Beijing is still expected to react angrily. It regards the self-governing island as part of its territory.
There will also be criticism from Republicans and some Democrats in Congress who have strongly backed the sales of 66 F-16 C/D fighters that Taiwan wants, in addition to the upgrades of the 145 F-16 A/Bs that the US sold it in the 1990s.
There were no immediate details on the package of upgrades the US is providing for the A/Bs. But even if it includes sophisticated radar, avionics and missile systems,
Taiwan's air force will still lag far behind its Chinese counterpart, which is equipped with state-of-the-art jet fighters.
A Pentagon report issued last year painted a grim picture of Taiwan's air defence capabilities, saying many of the island's 400 combat aircraft would not be available to help withstand an attack from the mainland.
Wang Kao-cheng, a military expert at Taipei's Tamkang University, said Taiwan's air defences could get some lift from the upgrade, but the island is still at a profound disadvantage with Beijing in the number of third-generation warplanes it has at its disposal.
First detailed map of human neuroreceptor 'generated'
Washington, Sep 19 - Scientists claim to have for the first time generated a detailed map of human neuroreceptor, a breakthrough that may revolutionise the engineering of drugs used to treat diseases like Alzheimer's and schizophrenia.
A team at the University of Southern California has produced the world's first high-resolution images of the ?7 (Alpha 7) receptor, a molecule responsible for transmitting signals between neurons -- particularly in regions of the brain believed to be associated with learning and memory.
Using the image, the scientists will be better equipped to design pharmaceuticals specifically to interact with the receptor, instead of blindly using a trial-and-error approach.
ÒA lot of interest in this work will come from pharmaceutical companies. They really have no clear picture of this. They don't know how or why (their drugs) work,Ó said team member Prof Lin Chen.
The high-resolution image will also help neuroscience researchers study how these receptors receive and transmit neuronal signals, a question that has puzzled researchers for decades, says the team.
Developing an image of the ?7 receptor was no simple task, which is partly why it has taken until now to achieve this despite the wide interest in the understanding the receptor's structure. Attempts to decipher neuroreceptors have been ongoing for 30 years.
ÒThis has been a longstanding challenge. The challenge is twofold,Ó Chen said.
In the case of ?7, the team engineered a chimera, a Frankenstein molecule sharing about 70 per cent of its structure in common with the ?7 that reacted to stimuli in the same way that natural ?7 does.
US to upgrade Taiwan F-16s, not sell new ones
Washington, Sep 19 - The Obama administration has decided to upgrade Taiwan's existing fleet of F-16 fighter jets but not sell it the new planes it also wants, congressional staff said.
The administration gave a briefing on Capitol Hill on its decision on Friday, but has yet to issue a formal notification of the intended deal. An announcement is expected by the end of this month.
Two congressional aides confirmed the decision to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to make it public.
The decision represents a compromise aimed at improving Taiwan's ability to defend itself, while assuaging China's concern over the arms sales. However, Beijing is still expected to react angrily. It regards the self-governing island as part of its territory.
There will also be criticism from Republicans and some Democrats in Congress who have strongly backed the sales of 66 F-16 C/D fighters that Taiwan wants, in addition to the upgrades of the 145 F-16 A/Bs that the US sold it in the 1990s.
There were no immediate details on the package of upgrades the US is providing for the A/Bs. But even if it includes sophisticated radar, avionics and missile systems,
Taiwan's air force will still lag far behind its Chinese counterpart, which is equipped with state-of-the-art jet fighters.
A Pentagon report issued last year painted a grim picture of Taiwan's air defence capabilities, saying many of the island's 400 combat aircraft would not be available to help withstand an attack from the mainland.
Wang Kao-cheng, a military expert at Taipei's Tamkang University, said Taiwan's air defences could get some lift from the upgrade, but the island is still at a profound disadvantage with Beijing in the number of third-generation warplanes it has at its disposal.
The administration gave a briefing on Capitol Hill on its decision on Friday, but has yet to issue a formal notification of the intended deal. An announcement is expected by the end of this month.
Two congressional aides confirmed the decision to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to make it public.
The decision represents a compromise aimed at improving Taiwan's ability to defend itself, while assuaging China's concern over the arms sales. However, Beijing is still expected to react angrily. It regards the self-governing island as part of its territory.
There will also be criticism from Republicans and some Democrats in Congress who have strongly backed the sales of 66 F-16 C/D fighters that Taiwan wants, in addition to the upgrades of the 145 F-16 A/Bs that the US sold it in the 1990s.
There were no immediate details on the package of upgrades the US is providing for the A/Bs. But even if it includes sophisticated radar, avionics and missile systems,
Taiwan's air force will still lag far behind its Chinese counterpart, which is equipped with state-of-the-art jet fighters.
A Pentagon report issued last year painted a grim picture of Taiwan's air defence capabilities, saying many of the island's 400 combat aircraft would not be available to help withstand an attack from the mainland.
Wang Kao-cheng, a military expert at Taipei's Tamkang University, said Taiwan's air defences could get some lift from the upgrade, but the island is still at a profound disadvantage with Beijing in the number of third-generation warplanes it has at its disposal.
Wolak Wins Walmart FLW Tour Open on Lake Champlain
Casey Martin wins co-angler title, $20,000
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y., Sept. 19, 2011 - David Wolak of Wake Forest, N.C., caught a five-bass limit weighing 19 pounds, 7 ounces Sunday to win $125,000 at the Walmart FLW Tour on Lake Champlain presented by Snickers Peanut Butter Squared with a four-day catch of 20 bass weighing 81-0.The catch gave him the win by a solid 6-pound, 4-ounce margin over pro Gary Yamamoto of Palestine, Texas, who caught a total of 20 bass weighing 74-12 and earned $31,329.
"The key for me this week was being able to make the proper adjustments," said Wolak who finally got redemption from a second place finish at Lake Champlain in 2007 and fifth in 2010 in FLW Series competition. "I fished in rain and cold and wind and was able to adapt correctly for every situation.
"On Thursday and Friday when we had the cold, wind and rain grass was gold," Wolak continued. "Yesterday and today I looked for clean hard bottom. I covered a lot of water using my history and experience on this lake to make wise decisions. I was very fortunate and was able to capitalize on my past failures this week.
"Current played a huge role in my victory as well," Wolak went on to say. "The lake is still pretty high so I looked for areas that had moving water, especially when I was targeting smallmouth. One of the great things about this lake is that it replenishes itself; if you catch one fish in an area go back because the fish will go back.
"Lake Champlain is a pretty special place for me. There is no other fishery in the country where you can catch both large- and smallmouth that are the same size," continued Wolak. "You can fish north or south, anywhere you go you'll catch fish. I must have caught over 50 fish today. It was amazing. I will be back every year."
Known as the mixologist, Wolak's winning sack contained four large- and one smallmouth today. His primary bait was 1/2 ounce Fin-tech Title Shot Jig for the largemouth and 1/4 ounce Title Shot Jig for the smallmouth.
Wolak opened the tournament in second place Thursday with five bass weighing 22-8. On Friday he added another five bass weighing 19-4 to maintain second place. He then caught five bass weighing 19-13 on Saturday to make the crucial top-10 cut in first place. On Sunday he sealed his victory with a 19-7 stringer that included one kicker largemouth that weighed over 5-pounds.
The remaining top 10 pros finished the tournament in:
|
|
3rd:
|
Daryl Biron, South Windsor, Conn., 20 bass, 72-15, $26,829
|
|
|
|
4th:
|
Band Aid/Neosporin pro Glenn Browne, Ocala, Fla., 20 bass, 72-6, $22,329
|
|
|
|
5th:
|
Walmart pro Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn., 20 bass, 70-3, $17,829
|
|
|
|
6th:
|
Straight Talk pro Scott Canterbury, Springville, Ala., 20 bass, 70-2, $15,129
|
|
|
|
7th:
|
Brian Bylotas, Olyphant, Pa., 20 bass, 69-8, $14,229
|
|
|
|
8th:
|
Bryan Schmitt, Deale, Md., 20 bass, 68-15, $13,329
|
|
|
|
9th:
|
Kyle Mabrey, McCalla, Ala., 20 bass, 64-9, $12,429
|
|
|
|
10th:
|
J Todd Tucker, Moultrie, Ga., 20 bass, 62-11, $11,529
|
|
Casey Martin of Huntsville, Ala., won the Co-angler Division and $20,000 Saturday with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 49 pounds, 9 ounces followed by Christopher Hall of Clarks Summit, Pa., in second place with 15 bass weighing 45-11 worth $6,715.
In FLW Tour Open tournaments, pros and co-anglers are competing for valuable points that could help them qualify for the 2012 Forrest Wood Cup presented by Walmart, the world championship of bass fishing. The top five pro and co-anglers in the point standings from the four FLW Tour Open tournaments will qualify.
The Walmart FLW Tour stop on Lake Champlain presented by Snickers Peanut Butter Squared was hosted by the City of Plattsburgh – New York and the Adirondack Coast Visitors & Convention Bureau, and was the ninth of 10 Walmart FLW Tour tournaments of the 2011 season.
The Walmart FLW Tour on Lake Guntersville presented by Mercury will be the next tournament and will be held Oct. 20-23 in Guntersville, Ala. The event will be hosted by the Marshall County Convention & Visitors Bureau and boats will launch from Lake Guntersville State Park in Guntersville, Ala. For a complete schedule, visit FLWOutdoors.com.
New Version of Lofchie's Guide to Broker Dealer Regulation Released
New Guide Completely Revised To Address Substantial Changes in the Law
NEW YORK, Sept. 19, 2011- Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, a leading counselor to global financial institutions and corporations, today announced that it is releasing an updated Lofchie's Guide to Broker Dealer Regulation. The Guide, a legal standard for the financial community for over a decade, has undergone extensive revision and incorporates new materials on expert systems, portfolio margining, large traders and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010.The Guide provides regulatory history, legal precedent and standard market practices on topics including customer obligations, trading, custody, capital, insolvency, research, registration requirements, insider trading and expert systems, supervision and non-US broker dealers. The Guide is one of the most comprehensive and authoritative work of its kind for market participants and legal and compliance professionals.
"Cadwalader is very pleased to make this essential reference tool available to lawyers and financial services professionals," said the firm's Chairman, Christopher White. "Steve is a thought leader in the legal profession serving the financial services industry, and his encyclopedic guide will be required reading for everyone attempting to navigate the increasingly byzantine regulatory environment engulfing that industry."
This latest edition, the fourth, will be hosted entirely on-line, which will allow the Guide to be updated as policymakers continue to promulgate or clarify new regulations. In addition, this unique resource links to government and other source documents online, providing readers relevant background and reference material.
Recent comments include:
From: David S. Ruder, Professor of Law Emeritus, Northwestern University School of Law; former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission
"Lofchie's Guide to Broker-Dealer Regulation is an excellent authoritative work. It is very well written, covers a remarkably broad range of material, and provides in depth analysis of significant topics. It combines practical advice with thorough research, and its strong historical presentation puts regulatory requirements in context. Steven Lofchie's criticisms and comments on policy matters provide the reader with active intellectual challenges. The Guide is a great reference for lawyers, regulators, scholars, and brokerage industry members."
From: Paul Atkins, Managing Director, Patomak Partners; former Commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission
"One of the foremost authorities in broker-dealer regulation has led an experienced team to create an unmatched practical and insightful reference tool to help securities industry professionals make sense out of the shifting sands of the current scheme of regulation."
Lofchie has developed a systematic approach to address critical issues relevant to broker-dealer regulation, from dealing with employees to obligations to customers, from communications to the conduct of internal investigations. Hot topics are not neglected, such as up-to-the-minute analysis of the law of insider trading, including issues concerning the use of expert systems.
Lofchie's Guide provides a user-friendly, relevant, and reliable handbook on the conduct of the investment banking and broker-dealer business. Maintaining command of all of these regulatory issues is a tremendous challenge in this environment. I recommend Lofchie's Guide to anyone who must navigate the laws and regulations governing broker-dealers and wants to understand the underlying policy considerations.
From: Erik Sirri, Professor Finance, Babson College; former Director, SEC Division of Market Regulation
"Lofchie's Guide is a one-stop reference that gives anyone who has a need to know about financial regulation a comprehensive toolkit for understanding the regulation of broker-dealers and securities markets. Written by the leading authority in the field, a practicing lawyer who is also policy-minded, this book is the market standard. The Guide to Broker-Dealer Regulation is an indispensable summary and analysis of the legal and regulatory considerations relevant to the operation of broker-dealers."
From: David Harris, President, Chicago Board Options Exchange
"This is a comprehensive, all-inclusive guidebook to the ins and outs of operating a broker-dealer. The book is a wholly indispensable, step-by-step guide to dealing with legal and compliance issues. Lofchie explains how the regulations work, and how they came to be the way they are. He provides step-by-step guidance on all matters from how to register, to how to compute capital and determine custody requirements and to how to do a broker-dealer business across borders. Lofchie presents all of this information in an accessible manner that will be readily understood by those on the business side, just as much as those on the legal and compliance side."
Marcy Cohen, Managing Director and General Counsel, Americas, ING Financial Services
"Lofchie has done a superb job in navigating extremely complex issues. This undertaking represents a tremendous research effort. It is both comprehensive and practical, not an easy achievement. I plan to keep the manual right at my fingertips. The online version will make the manual all the more valuable - I am hoping to immediately download to my iPad."
From: Larry Goodman, President, Center for Financial Stability
"The world of financial regulation is often complex and uncertain, but Lofchie presents his knowledge and experience in a clear, concise and understandable style. A thorough understanding of legal material and financial markets results in careful but practical advice for decision makers. Lofchie's use of technology is creative, permitting users to shift back and forth from his guidance and interpretation to source statutory and regulatory material. The Guide is an expert resource for anyone who needs to understand financial regulation."
From: Randy Quarles, Managing Director, The Carlyle Group
"Lofchie's Guide to Broker Dealer Regulation has been the standard for the industry since its first publication. This is more than a newly revised version. The new chapters and Guidance make it an indispensable tool for every market participant seeking to navigate the complexity and confusion created by an array of new laws and regulations promulgated over the past few years."
Visit - Cadwalader Website
Royal Mail to Recruit 18,000 Temporary Workers for Christmas
LONDON, September 19, 2011 - Seasonal workers being sought to help sort the Christmas post - 18,000 seasonal roles available across the UK - 15,000 roles in England, 2,000 in Scotland, 1,000 in Wales and 400 in Northern Ireland - Positions available between mid November and early January 2012
Royal Mail is launching a drive to recruit 18,000 temporary workers to help handle its Christmas mailbag of around two billion items.
Temporary positions across a variety of shifts will be available between mid November and early January 2012. The peak of the additional temporary work will be in December. The seasonal positions will support Royal Mail's permanent 130,000 postmen and women who sort and deliver the mail all year round, including Christmas which is the busiest time of the year for the postal service.
Helping to sort the post
Around 18,000 people are needed to work in mail and distribution centres across the UK. The recruits will help to sort Christmas cards and packets before they go to around 1,400 delivery offices for postmen and women to take out on their rounds.
In England, Royal Mail will be recruiting around 1,000 people in London, 1,500 each in the North West and Anglia, 2,000 in South East, South West, Thames Valley and the North East and 3,000 in the Midlands.
In Scotland, Royal Mail will be recruiting around 2,000 people with a further 1,000 being sought in Wales and 400 in Northern Ireland.
Dedicated website
Royal Mail has set up a dedicated website for people to apply for the positions - http://www.royalmail.com/xmasjobs
Last year more than 70,000 people applied to work for Royal Mail over the Christmas period.
Royal Mail's Managing Director of Operations and Modernisation, Mark Higson, said: "Christmas is the busiest time of the year for Royal Mail and we plan all year round to help ensure we deliver the best possible service to our customers. On peak days, the volume of cards, letters and packets we handle is around double the 62 million items we deal with on an average day."
Proposed Dairy Policy: Taxpayers Would Pay More, Get Less Return
Neediest To Go Without Nutritious Dairy Products
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2011 - A new study of the impacts of proposed dairy policy legislation on federal nutrition programs has found millions of dollars in hidden costs. Behind typical estimates of the price of the National Milk Producers Federation's Foundation for the Future dairy policy proposal are large and unintended additional taxpayer costs, reductions in the effectiveness of federal nutrition programs, and reduced access to the programs for low-income women and children.The study, commissioned by the International Dairy Foods Association and conducted by a Ph.D. economist at M + R Strategic Services, found that, had the program been in place in 2009, more than 178,000 qualifying participants would have lost access to the already strained Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, unless $92 million more in spending was appropriated. The proposals would also have affected USDA's donation programs for food banks and senior centers. An estimated 50 million fewer pounds of cheese would have been available to the commodity distribution programs had the policies been in place in 2009.
"With one in six Americans currently living in poverty, we need a cost-effective federal safety net more than ever," said Connie Tipton, president and CEO of IDFA. "This report shows that Foundation for the Future and Rep. Collin Peterson's proposal would impose unnecessary hidden costs on taxpayers and would significantly reduce our nation's ability to help those who are most in need."
Using the Food and Agricultural Research Policy Institute (FAPRI) analysis of the Dairy Market Stabilization Program and the NMPF estimate of the effect of its proposed changes to Federal Milk Marketing Orders on (beverage) milk prices, the report found that the hidden costs of the proposal's price increases on the federal nutrition assistance programs and their beneficiaries would have totaled $655 million in 2009 alone. Taxpayers also would have been hit with a previously unrecognized $379 million increase in federal spending triggered by mandatory inflationary adjustments in the nutrition programs.
"The increased costs to the federal government are several times larger than any alleged budgetary savings from the Foundation for the Future," noted Tipton. "NMPF is asking Congress to shift the costs of their proposal onto our nation's consumers, but they apparently forgot that our government buys a lot of milk."
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Switch that controls stem cell pluripotency 'discovered'
Washington, Sep 17 - Scientists
claim to have found a control switch which regulates stem cell ÒpluripotencyÓ,
the capacity of stem cells to develop into any type of cell in the human body.
An international team says the discovery
reveals that pluripotency is regulated by a single event in a process called
alternative splicing.
Alternative splicing allows one gene to
generate many different genetic messages and protein products.
The scientists found that in genetic messages
of a gene called FOXP1, the switch was active in embryonic stem cells but
silent in ÒadultÓ cells -- those that had become the specialised cells that
comprise organs and perform functions.
ÒIt opens the field to the fact that
alternative splicing plays a really important role in stem cell pluripotency,Ó
said
Prof
Benjamin Blencowe, principal investigator on the study and a Professor in the University of Toronto.
He added: ÒWe're beginning to see an entirely new landscape of regulation, which will be crucial to
our understanding of how to produce more effective pluripotent stem cells for
therapeutic and research applications.Ó The findings have been published in the
'Cell' journal.
In stem cells, scientists have shown that a
core set of proteins called transcription factors control pluripotency.
At the same time, the
mechanism represses the genes required for differentiation -- the process
whereby by a stem cell loses ÒstemnessÓ and becomes a specific cell type that
makes up an organ or performs a function.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)