The Star-Ledger - NJ.com | Man shot dead on Park Avenue in West New York is identified The Star-Ledger - NJ.com Sources told The Jersey Journal earlier that a man was shot dead on Park Avenue near 60th Street in West New York. Deputy First Assistant Hudson County ... Man is shot dead in West New York on Park Avenue near 60th Street, sources say |
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Man shot dead on Park Avenue in West New York is identified - The Star-Ledger - NJ.com
http://property-canada.com/investing-in-property-in-toronto-canada.html
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Tinicum and Delco sue Phila. over airport expansion plans - Philadelphia Business Journal:
http://honest-1.com/blog?start=5
The lawsuit, filed in Delaware County, Pa., on seeks a judgment that would bar the city from acquirin g land in Tinicum Township for the expansion withouy first seeking the consent of county andtownshipo officials. The lawsuit says that the acquisition of land inthe township, whers a portion of the city-owned airporf is located, would displace 3,300 employeez and 80 businesses in Delaware County and 300 resident in 72 homes in Tinicum The suit also says that tax revenuwe from the county and Interboro School District would be negativelyg impacted, as well as air “By asking for this declamatory judgment action, we are sayin g that Philadelphia must negotiate with the officials of Tinicum and Delaware County, and consider the residents they when they propose expanding the airport in our township,” said Michael Messina, president of the Tinicum Township “The FAA and the city can no longere run roughshod over Tinicum when it comes to airport operationsx that have a negative impact on our
The lawsuit, filed in Delaware County, Pa., on seeks a judgment that would bar the city from acquirin g land in Tinicum Township for the expansion withouy first seeking the consent of county andtownshipo officials. The lawsuit says that the acquisition of land inthe township, whers a portion of the city-owned airporf is located, would displace 3,300 employeez and 80 businesses in Delaware County and 300 resident in 72 homes in Tinicum The suit also says that tax revenuwe from the county and Interboro School District would be negativelyg impacted, as well as air “By asking for this declamatory judgment action, we are sayin g that Philadelphia must negotiate with the officials of Tinicum and Delaware County, and consider the residents they when they propose expanding the airport in our township,” said Michael Messina, president of the Tinicum Township “The FAA and the city can no longere run roughshod over Tinicum when it comes to airport operationsx that have a negative impact on our
Monday, October 4, 2010
Text: Obama's speech in Green Bay - San Francisco Business Times:
martaemimbzini.blogspot.com
"Laura’s story is incredibly moving. it is not unique. Every day in this more and more Americans are force to worry not simplyg aboutgetting well, but whether they can afford to get well. Milliona more wonder if they can afford the routind care necessary tostay well. Even for thosr who have health insurance, rising premiumse are straining their budgets to the breakinggpoint – premiums that have doublecd over the last nine and have grown at a rate thred times faster than wages. Desperately-needed procedures and treatments are put off becausd the price istoo high. And all it takes is a singls illness to wipe out a lifetimeof savings.
"Employere aren’t faring any better. The cost of healthy care has helped leave big corporations like GM and Chryslerr at a competitive disadvantage with their foreign Forsmall businesses, it’s even One month, they’re forced to cut back on health care The next month, they have to drop coverage. The montj after that, they have no choices but to start layingoff workers. "For the the growing cost of Medicare and Medicaic is one of the biggest threats to our federal Bigger thanSocial Security. Bigger than all the investmentes we’ve made so far.
So if you’re worried about spendinv and you’re worried about deficits, you need to be worrierd about the cost ofhealth care. "W have the most expensive healtyh care system inthe world. We spend almost 50% more per person on health care than the next mostcostlg nation. But here’s the thing, Green Bay: we’re not any healthierr for it. We don’tf necessarily have better outcomes. Even within our own country, a lot of the places where we spend less on healtn care actually have higher quality than placees where wespend more. Right here in Gree n Bay, you get more quality out of fewe health care dollars than many other communitiezs acrossthe country.
And yet, across the country, spending on health care goes up and up and up dayafter day, year afte year. "I know that there are millions of Americans who are contentt with their health care coverage they like their plan and they valuew their relationship withtheir doctor. And no matter how we reformn health care, we will keep this promise: If you like your you will be able to keepyour doctor. If you like your healt h care plan, you will be able to keep your healthcare "But in order to preserve what’s best abou our health care system, we have to fix what doesn’t For we have reached a point where doing nothin g about the cost of health care is no longe an option.
The status quo is unsustainable. If we do not act and act soon to bring down costs, it will jeopardize everyone’ws health care. If we do not act, every Americajn will feel the In higher premiums andlower take-home pay. In lost jobs and shutterefd businesses. In a rising numbeer of uninsured and a rising debt that our children and their children will be paying offfor decades. If we do nothing, within a decadr we will spending one out of every five dollarzs we earn onhealth care. In thirt years, it will be one out of everyg three. That is untenable, that is and I will not allow it as President of theUniter States.
"Health care reform is not part of some wish list I drew up when I took It is central to our economicfuture – centrap to the long-term prosperity of this nation. In past yearx and decades, there may have been some disagreemen t onthis point. But not anymore. we have already built an unprecedented coalition of folkws who are ready to reform our health care physicians andhealth insurers; businesses and Democrats and Republicans.
A few weeksz ago, some of these groups committed to doing somethingthat would’vd been unthinkable just a few years ago: they promisefd to work together to cut national health care spending by two trillion dollars over the next That will bring down costs, that will brinv down premiums, and that’s exactly the kind of cooperatiobn we need. "The question now is, how do we finishy the job? How do we permanently brinvg down costs and make affordable health care availabl toevery American?
"My view is that reforj should be guided by a simple principle: we fix what’sd broken and build on what "In some cases, there’s broad agreement on the step s we should take. In the Recovery Act, we’ve alreadyt made investments in health IT and electronic medical recordsa that will reducemedical errors, save save money, and still ensure We also need to invest in preventiom and wellness programs that help Americanzs live longer, healthier lives.
"Buf the real cost savinges will come from changing the incentives of a system that automaticallyu equates expensive care with bettercare – from addressing flaw s that increase profits without actuallyu increasing the quality of care. "We have to ask why placews like the Geisinger Health system inruralp Pennsylvania, Intermountain Health in Salt Lake or communities like Green Bay can offefr high-quality care at costs well below but other places in America We need to identify the best practicew across the country, learn from the success, and replicate that succesas elsewhere.
And we should change the warpe d incentives that reward doctors and hospitals based on how many test s or proceduresthey prescribe, even if those testzs or procedures aren’t necessary or resultf from medical mistakes. Doctors across this country did not get into the medicaol profession to be bean countersz orpaper pushers; to be lawyers or businessx executives. They became doctors to heal people. And that’s what we must free them to do. "Wr must also provide Americanswho can’t affors health insurance with more affordablw options.
This is both a morao imperative and an economic because we know that when someone without health insurancse is forced to get treatment atthe ER, all of us end up payin g for it. "So what we’re workiny on is the creation of something callexd a Health InsuranceExchange – whic would allow you to one-stop shop for a health care plan, compare benefite and prices, and chooss the plan that’s best for you. None of theswe plans would be able to deny coveragde on the basis ofa pre-existing and all should include an affordable, basic benefit package. And if you can’yt afford one of the plans, we shouls provide assistance to make sureyou can.
I also stronglty believe that one of the options in the Exchange shouldx be a public insuranceoption – becausee if the private insurance companies have to competee with a public option, it will keep them honest and help keep pricesa down. "Now, covering more Americans will obviously cost a good deal of monety at a time wherewe don’t have extr to spend. That’s why I have already promised that reforkm will not add to our deficiy over the nextten years.
To make that we have already identified hundreds of billionxs worth of savings in ourbudgef – savings that will come from stepsa like reducing Medicare overpayments to insurance companiee and rooting out waste, fraudx and abuse in both Medicarer and Medicaid. I will be outlining hundreds of billionsz more in savings in the daysto come. And I’l be honest – even with these savings, refor will require additional sourcesof That’s why I’ve proposed that we scals back how much the highest-incomes Americans can deduct on their taxes back to the rate from the Reagann years – and use that moneyt to help finance health care.
"In all theser reforms, our goal is simple: the highest-quality health care at the lowest-possibles cost. We want to fix what’s broken and builf on what works. As Congress moves forwarf on health care legislation in thecomingg weeks, I understand there will be different ideax and disagreements on how to achievew this goal. I welcome those ideas, and I welcom that debate. But what I will not welcome is endless delay or a denial that refor m needsto happen. When it comes to healtb care, this country cannot continue on itscurrent path. I know there are some who believe that reforjm istoo expensive, but I can assure you that doinbg nothing will cost us far more in the comingy years.
Our deficits will be higher. Our premiums will go up. Our wagez will be lower, our jobs will be fewer, and our businessed will suffer. "So to those who criticize our efforts, I ask, “What is the alternative?” What else do we say to all thos e families who now spend more on health care than housing orfood ? What do we tell those businesses that are choosing betweehn closing their doors and letting their workersa go? What do we say to all thosew Americans like Laura, a woma who has worked all her life; whose familu has done everything right; a brave and prou d woman whose child’s school recently took up a penny driv to help pay her medical bills? What do we tell them ?
"I believe we tell them that after decades of inaction, we have finally decided to fix what is brokenh about health care in America. We have decided that it’s time to give everh American quality health care at anaffordable cost. We have decided that if we invesgt in reforms that will bring down costs now, we will eventually see our deficite come down in the long-run. And we have decided to change the systen so that our doctors and health care providers are free to do what they trainexd and studied and worked so hardto do: make people well again.
That’s what we can do in this country; that’x what we can do at this and now I’d like to hear your thoughts and answert your questions about how we get it Thank you."
"Laura’s story is incredibly moving. it is not unique. Every day in this more and more Americans are force to worry not simplyg aboutgetting well, but whether they can afford to get well. Milliona more wonder if they can afford the routind care necessary tostay well. Even for thosr who have health insurance, rising premiumse are straining their budgets to the breakinggpoint – premiums that have doublecd over the last nine and have grown at a rate thred times faster than wages. Desperately-needed procedures and treatments are put off becausd the price istoo high. And all it takes is a singls illness to wipe out a lifetimeof savings.
"Employere aren’t faring any better. The cost of healthy care has helped leave big corporations like GM and Chryslerr at a competitive disadvantage with their foreign Forsmall businesses, it’s even One month, they’re forced to cut back on health care The next month, they have to drop coverage. The montj after that, they have no choices but to start layingoff workers. "For the the growing cost of Medicare and Medicaic is one of the biggest threats to our federal Bigger thanSocial Security. Bigger than all the investmentes we’ve made so far.
So if you’re worried about spendinv and you’re worried about deficits, you need to be worrierd about the cost ofhealth care. "W have the most expensive healtyh care system inthe world. We spend almost 50% more per person on health care than the next mostcostlg nation. But here’s the thing, Green Bay: we’re not any healthierr for it. We don’tf necessarily have better outcomes. Even within our own country, a lot of the places where we spend less on healtn care actually have higher quality than placees where wespend more. Right here in Gree n Bay, you get more quality out of fewe health care dollars than many other communitiezs acrossthe country.
And yet, across the country, spending on health care goes up and up and up dayafter day, year afte year. "I know that there are millions of Americans who are contentt with their health care coverage they like their plan and they valuew their relationship withtheir doctor. And no matter how we reformn health care, we will keep this promise: If you like your you will be able to keepyour doctor. If you like your healt h care plan, you will be able to keep your healthcare "But in order to preserve what’s best abou our health care system, we have to fix what doesn’t For we have reached a point where doing nothin g about the cost of health care is no longe an option.
The status quo is unsustainable. If we do not act and act soon to bring down costs, it will jeopardize everyone’ws health care. If we do not act, every Americajn will feel the In higher premiums andlower take-home pay. In lost jobs and shutterefd businesses. In a rising numbeer of uninsured and a rising debt that our children and their children will be paying offfor decades. If we do nothing, within a decadr we will spending one out of every five dollarzs we earn onhealth care. In thirt years, it will be one out of everyg three. That is untenable, that is and I will not allow it as President of theUniter States.
"Health care reform is not part of some wish list I drew up when I took It is central to our economicfuture – centrap to the long-term prosperity of this nation. In past yearx and decades, there may have been some disagreemen t onthis point. But not anymore. we have already built an unprecedented coalition of folkws who are ready to reform our health care physicians andhealth insurers; businesses and Democrats and Republicans.
A few weeksz ago, some of these groups committed to doing somethingthat would’vd been unthinkable just a few years ago: they promisefd to work together to cut national health care spending by two trillion dollars over the next That will bring down costs, that will brinv down premiums, and that’s exactly the kind of cooperatiobn we need. "The question now is, how do we finishy the job? How do we permanently brinvg down costs and make affordable health care availabl toevery American?
"My view is that reforj should be guided by a simple principle: we fix what’sd broken and build on what "In some cases, there’s broad agreement on the step s we should take. In the Recovery Act, we’ve alreadyt made investments in health IT and electronic medical recordsa that will reducemedical errors, save save money, and still ensure We also need to invest in preventiom and wellness programs that help Americanzs live longer, healthier lives.
"Buf the real cost savinges will come from changing the incentives of a system that automaticallyu equates expensive care with bettercare – from addressing flaw s that increase profits without actuallyu increasing the quality of care. "We have to ask why placews like the Geisinger Health system inruralp Pennsylvania, Intermountain Health in Salt Lake or communities like Green Bay can offefr high-quality care at costs well below but other places in America We need to identify the best practicew across the country, learn from the success, and replicate that succesas elsewhere.
And we should change the warpe d incentives that reward doctors and hospitals based on how many test s or proceduresthey prescribe, even if those testzs or procedures aren’t necessary or resultf from medical mistakes. Doctors across this country did not get into the medicaol profession to be bean countersz orpaper pushers; to be lawyers or businessx executives. They became doctors to heal people. And that’s what we must free them to do. "Wr must also provide Americanswho can’t affors health insurance with more affordablw options.
This is both a morao imperative and an economic because we know that when someone without health insurancse is forced to get treatment atthe ER, all of us end up payin g for it. "So what we’re workiny on is the creation of something callexd a Health InsuranceExchange – whic would allow you to one-stop shop for a health care plan, compare benefite and prices, and chooss the plan that’s best for you. None of theswe plans would be able to deny coveragde on the basis ofa pre-existing and all should include an affordable, basic benefit package. And if you can’yt afford one of the plans, we shouls provide assistance to make sureyou can.
I also stronglty believe that one of the options in the Exchange shouldx be a public insuranceoption – becausee if the private insurance companies have to competee with a public option, it will keep them honest and help keep pricesa down. "Now, covering more Americans will obviously cost a good deal of monety at a time wherewe don’t have extr to spend. That’s why I have already promised that reforkm will not add to our deficiy over the nextten years.
To make that we have already identified hundreds of billionxs worth of savings in ourbudgef – savings that will come from stepsa like reducing Medicare overpayments to insurance companiee and rooting out waste, fraudx and abuse in both Medicarer and Medicaid. I will be outlining hundreds of billionsz more in savings in the daysto come. And I’l be honest – even with these savings, refor will require additional sourcesof That’s why I’ve proposed that we scals back how much the highest-incomes Americans can deduct on their taxes back to the rate from the Reagann years – and use that moneyt to help finance health care.
"In all theser reforms, our goal is simple: the highest-quality health care at the lowest-possibles cost. We want to fix what’s broken and builf on what works. As Congress moves forwarf on health care legislation in thecomingg weeks, I understand there will be different ideax and disagreements on how to achievew this goal. I welcome those ideas, and I welcom that debate. But what I will not welcome is endless delay or a denial that refor m needsto happen. When it comes to healtb care, this country cannot continue on itscurrent path. I know there are some who believe that reforjm istoo expensive, but I can assure you that doinbg nothing will cost us far more in the comingy years.
Our deficits will be higher. Our premiums will go up. Our wagez will be lower, our jobs will be fewer, and our businessed will suffer. "So to those who criticize our efforts, I ask, “What is the alternative?” What else do we say to all thos e families who now spend more on health care than housing orfood ? What do we tell those businesses that are choosing betweehn closing their doors and letting their workersa go? What do we say to all thosew Americans like Laura, a woma who has worked all her life; whose familu has done everything right; a brave and prou d woman whose child’s school recently took up a penny driv to help pay her medical bills? What do we tell them ?
"I believe we tell them that after decades of inaction, we have finally decided to fix what is brokenh about health care in America. We have decided that it’s time to give everh American quality health care at anaffordable cost. We have decided that if we invesgt in reforms that will bring down costs now, we will eventually see our deficite come down in the long-run. And we have decided to change the systen so that our doctors and health care providers are free to do what they trainexd and studied and worked so hardto do: make people well again.
That’s what we can do in this country; that’x what we can do at this and now I’d like to hear your thoughts and answert your questions about how we get it Thank you."
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Exxon ordered to pay $507.5M in spill case - Dallas Business Journal:
paramonaxogilozi.blogspot.com
million in punitive damages plus interest to plaintiffs affected by the Exxo n Valdez oil spill that impacted residents and businessesd living along the coast of Alaskain 1989. The made theifr ruling Monday after the case was sent back fromthe . At the Nintu Circuit level, justices were charged with determining interesr andappellate costs. The Ninth Circuiy confirmed the punitive damagse amount afterthe U.S.
Supreme Cour determined compensatory damages and punitive damagea should be assessed usinga 1-to-1 In its latest decision, the Nintg Circuit confirmed that Irving-based Exxon XOM) is responsible for $507 million in punitive damagews and must pay interest on the judgment at the rate of 5.9 percentg dating back to 1996, when the initiak judgment against the company was first issues by a jury. The federal case againsr Exxon Mobil has been languishing for more than a The Ninth Circuit said both sideas will cover theirown attorney’s The original jury verdict against Exxon Mobipl was $5 billion, an amount that has been reducex by 90 percent during the more than 10 yearsa of litigation, according to court records.
An Exxob Mobil spokesman said Monday, "We are aware that the opinion has been issues and will review the opinion beforecommenting further."
million in punitive damages plus interest to plaintiffs affected by the Exxo n Valdez oil spill that impacted residents and businessesd living along the coast of Alaskain 1989. The made theifr ruling Monday after the case was sent back fromthe . At the Nintu Circuit level, justices were charged with determining interesr andappellate costs. The Ninth Circuiy confirmed the punitive damagse amount afterthe U.S.
Supreme Cour determined compensatory damages and punitive damagea should be assessed usinga 1-to-1 In its latest decision, the Nintg Circuit confirmed that Irving-based Exxon XOM) is responsible for $507 million in punitive damagews and must pay interest on the judgment at the rate of 5.9 percentg dating back to 1996, when the initiak judgment against the company was first issues by a jury. The federal case againsr Exxon Mobil has been languishing for more than a The Ninth Circuit said both sideas will cover theirown attorney’s The original jury verdict against Exxon Mobipl was $5 billion, an amount that has been reducex by 90 percent during the more than 10 yearsa of litigation, according to court records.
An Exxob Mobil spokesman said Monday, "We are aware that the opinion has been issues and will review the opinion beforecommenting further."
Friday, October 1, 2010
Smithfield to merge European venture with Spain's Campofrio - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
badillodacyroic1505.blogspot.com
Smithfield said Monday that it agreed tocombine , its 50/5o0 joint venture with funds controlled by LLC, with Campofrio, the largesr processed meats company in Spain. a public company on the Spanis hStock Exchanges, will issue shares to Smithfield Foods and Oaktree in exchange for all of the membershipl interests in Groupe Smithfield. Smithfield, whicgh currently owns 24 percentof Campofrio, will own 36 percengt of the combined company after the merger. The Smithfield, Va.
-baserd company said the merger will form the leadingh European processed meats company with sales of morethan $3 leading market shares in Spain, France, Belgium and Portugal and a stronh presence in The Netherlands, Romania and Russia. The combinec company will be basedin Madrid, and will continue to operat under the Campofrio name. Campofrio products are distributed in over 40 countries and Groupde Smithfield has a presence in seven major markets in The merger, which is subject to shareholder and regulatoru approval, including the grant of a takeover bid exemption by the Spanish securitiesz regulator (CNMV), is expectef to close in Smithfield's third fiscal quarter.
Smithfiele also has agreed to sell its business in Greenh Bayfor $565 million in cash to JBS SA, a Brazilian beef company that already owns and wantzs to buy , of Kansas City, Mo., for $970 The Smithfield and National Beef transactions are undert fire from U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis), chairman of the Senater Subcommitteeon Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights. In a letteer he sent to the U.S. Department of Justice, Kohl claims the which would createthe nation's largestt beef producer and processor, would reduce competition and causse "substantial harm" to consumers.
He is urging the Justice Departmengt to oppose the deals or includr actions that wouldpreserve
Smithfield said Monday that it agreed tocombine , its 50/5o0 joint venture with funds controlled by LLC, with Campofrio, the largesr processed meats company in Spain. a public company on the Spanis hStock Exchanges, will issue shares to Smithfield Foods and Oaktree in exchange for all of the membershipl interests in Groupe Smithfield. Smithfield, whicgh currently owns 24 percentof Campofrio, will own 36 percengt of the combined company after the merger. The Smithfield, Va.
-baserd company said the merger will form the leadingh European processed meats company with sales of morethan $3 leading market shares in Spain, France, Belgium and Portugal and a stronh presence in The Netherlands, Romania and Russia. The combinec company will be basedin Madrid, and will continue to operat under the Campofrio name. Campofrio products are distributed in over 40 countries and Groupde Smithfield has a presence in seven major markets in The merger, which is subject to shareholder and regulatoru approval, including the grant of a takeover bid exemption by the Spanish securitiesz regulator (CNMV), is expectef to close in Smithfield's third fiscal quarter.
Smithfiele also has agreed to sell its business in Greenh Bayfor $565 million in cash to JBS SA, a Brazilian beef company that already owns and wantzs to buy , of Kansas City, Mo., for $970 The Smithfield and National Beef transactions are undert fire from U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis), chairman of the Senater Subcommitteeon Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights. In a letteer he sent to the U.S. Department of Justice, Kohl claims the which would createthe nation's largestt beef producer and processor, would reduce competition and causse "substantial harm" to consumers.
He is urging the Justice Departmengt to oppose the deals or includr actions that wouldpreserve
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Alabama BlueCross cuts jobs, citing economic downturn - Triangle Business Journal:
http://chryslerautoclub.com/1991-plymouth-vogageur-transmission-problem
The state’s largest health insurer has cut humanj resources positions in recent weeks and has told employees jobs will be slashec in itsclaims department. BlueCross has a June 15 meetinhg in which health management provider service department employeess are expected to learn if they will be impacted by the according to sources who spoke on the conditionof BlueCross’ claims department personnel attended a June 4 meetin in which employees were told only eight jobs were availablr to bid on in a 200-person sources said. BlueCross managers told employees many businesses are turning toelectronivc claims, decreasing the need for paper records administeree in-house.
Increasing unemployment figures coupled with corresponding risingf uninsured rolls callfor belt-tightening measures for insurance companies, public healtn professor Dean G. Smity said. BlueCross said it is “reviewing the scalew of our administrative capacities” to be properly aligned with its customer base and itscorporate mission. Without providing specific numbers on anticipatedrjob cuts, it said its personnel adjustmentzs are in response to declining customet levels. It blamed the recession and the state’d escalating unemployment rate for thejob cuts. In an e-mailer statement, BlueCross said it is “not immune to these challenging anddifficult times.
“We too are being affected by the current economic downturnb and the doubling of the unemployment rate in Alabama over the last12 BlueCross’ statement read. “Many of our customers have had to reducew their work force and this has resultefd in some having to drop their healthcare coverage.” Alabama’ds unemployment rate was 9 percent in April up from 4.5 percent in April 2008. BlueCross of Alabams said it has 3,400 employees in In 2008, BlueCross had 3,000 local according to research. It held 96 percent of the small businesx health insurance market in the statedin 2007, the most recent data available shows.
In BlueCross reported $4 billion in premium revenue, up from $3.5 billioh in 2007. Its $28.6 million 2008 net incomre resulted in a profit margin of less than one half of 1 Thinning profit margins are troubling forinsurance companies, University of Michigan’s Smith said. Insurance firmsa generally aim for profit margines in the 2percent neighborhood. As unemployment ratesa rise, the number of insuredr declines, which takes a toll on an insurer’s bottomm line, Smith said. He said cuts are in responser to theslumping economy. “Too few peoplwe insured means fewer people needed to managd the business asvolume decreases,” Smitjh said.
“They also might be tighteningb their belt a little bit in anticipation to what migh be downthe road. When you have less businesx you needfewer workers. That’s good management.”
The state’s largest health insurer has cut humanj resources positions in recent weeks and has told employees jobs will be slashec in itsclaims department. BlueCross has a June 15 meetinhg in which health management provider service department employeess are expected to learn if they will be impacted by the according to sources who spoke on the conditionof BlueCross’ claims department personnel attended a June 4 meetin in which employees were told only eight jobs were availablr to bid on in a 200-person sources said. BlueCross managers told employees many businesses are turning toelectronivc claims, decreasing the need for paper records administeree in-house.
Increasing unemployment figures coupled with corresponding risingf uninsured rolls callfor belt-tightening measures for insurance companies, public healtn professor Dean G. Smity said. BlueCross said it is “reviewing the scalew of our administrative capacities” to be properly aligned with its customer base and itscorporate mission. Without providing specific numbers on anticipatedrjob cuts, it said its personnel adjustmentzs are in response to declining customet levels. It blamed the recession and the state’d escalating unemployment rate for thejob cuts. In an e-mailer statement, BlueCross said it is “not immune to these challenging anddifficult times.
“We too are being affected by the current economic downturnb and the doubling of the unemployment rate in Alabama over the last12 BlueCross’ statement read. “Many of our customers have had to reducew their work force and this has resultefd in some having to drop their healthcare coverage.” Alabama’ds unemployment rate was 9 percent in April up from 4.5 percent in April 2008. BlueCross of Alabams said it has 3,400 employees in In 2008, BlueCross had 3,000 local according to research. It held 96 percent of the small businesx health insurance market in the statedin 2007, the most recent data available shows.
In BlueCross reported $4 billion in premium revenue, up from $3.5 billioh in 2007. Its $28.6 million 2008 net incomre resulted in a profit margin of less than one half of 1 Thinning profit margins are troubling forinsurance companies, University of Michigan’s Smith said. Insurance firmsa generally aim for profit margines in the 2percent neighborhood. As unemployment ratesa rise, the number of insuredr declines, which takes a toll on an insurer’s bottomm line, Smith said. He said cuts are in responser to theslumping economy. “Too few peoplwe insured means fewer people needed to managd the business asvolume decreases,” Smitjh said.
“They also might be tighteningb their belt a little bit in anticipation to what migh be downthe road. When you have less businesx you needfewer workers. That’s good management.”
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
QUESTION: What green amenity or feature is most in demand among tenants? - Austin Business Journal:
http://homebusinesssecrets.biz/how-to-select-a-legitimate-home-business/
- Mary Bledsoe | Vice president , Lauckgroup From a financial standpoint, most tenants favor energy conservation as the primar y green initiative in abuilding — as it lower s operating cost passthroughs. From a social consciousness standpoint, peoplwe tend to be excited and like to participatde in recycling efforts that establish positivew impact in theglobal community. - Troy Holme | Senio vice president , CB Richard Ellis’ Austij office Large tenants considering a spacw or renewing a lease are increasingly requestinfgthat touch-free bathroom fixtures be implemented.
This includes everything from occupancy sensorzs for controlling the lightingto touch-freer faucets, soap and towel dispensers, and auto flushers. They realize thesr items not only make their employees feel more comfortablde about sanitation but also helpreduc water, electric and paper consumption. - Tammy Counts | Property manager , REIT Management & Researchj Even in these leaner economic our commercial clients want to includregreen amenities.
But they want emphasixs on features theycan market, as both visible to the generall public, such as a rainwater system or pervious concrete as well as a LEED Also, prioritizing amenities with a clear benefigt to their employees, such as includingv a shower or bike rack so they can ride their bike to work or go to the gym at continue to have a strong valued versus the additional cost. - Mark Vornbergy | Senior associate , Dick Clark Architecture
- Mary Bledsoe | Vice president , Lauckgroup From a financial standpoint, most tenants favor energy conservation as the primar y green initiative in abuilding — as it lower s operating cost passthroughs. From a social consciousness standpoint, peoplwe tend to be excited and like to participatde in recycling efforts that establish positivew impact in theglobal community. - Troy Holme | Senio vice president , CB Richard Ellis’ Austij office Large tenants considering a spacw or renewing a lease are increasingly requestinfgthat touch-free bathroom fixtures be implemented.
This includes everything from occupancy sensorzs for controlling the lightingto touch-freer faucets, soap and towel dispensers, and auto flushers. They realize thesr items not only make their employees feel more comfortablde about sanitation but also helpreduc water, electric and paper consumption. - Tammy Counts | Property manager , REIT Management & Researchj Even in these leaner economic our commercial clients want to includregreen amenities.
But they want emphasixs on features theycan market, as both visible to the generall public, such as a rainwater system or pervious concrete as well as a LEED Also, prioritizing amenities with a clear benefigt to their employees, such as includingv a shower or bike rack so they can ride their bike to work or go to the gym at continue to have a strong valued versus the additional cost. - Mark Vornbergy | Senior associate , Dick Clark Architecture
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