23 Jan, 2012
Blue Cross Deal Curb Payments
News organizations look at a variety of developments at local hospitals.
Boston Globe: Children’s, Blue Cross Deal Curbs Payments Children’s Hospital Boston has agreed to a three-year contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts that will not pay Children’s any more money this year, offering fresh evidence that the clamor to contain health costs is having an effect. In the second and third years of the pact, the hospital will be reimbursed by Blue Cross Blue Shield at a rate neither party would specify, but both said it was below the current 3 percent rate of medical inflation.
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12 Jan, 2012
Companies Services Companies
London, January 13, 2012 Companies offering offshore products and services now have a specialist offshore marketing copywriter to help write offshore sales letters, web sitesand marketing materials.
Jamie Sylvian, Founder and head communications writer at offshore services copywriting business Socially Connected has come up with a fresh idea to offer specialist writing services for this challenging industry.
Says Sylvian: Selling offshore products and services has unique challenges. Hiring a normal business writer is different from hiring a writer who works full time in the offshore products and services marketing sector and understands the way offshore works from the client side as well as the businesses.
Sylvian continued: I have over 20 years in the offshore world, have lived in many countries and understand the reasons and benefits behind the products.
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5 Jan, 2012
Chairman
The FSA today announced who will be the Chairman of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) for the next three years. Lawrence Churchill will take up the position on April 1, succeeding David hall.
Currently the Chairman of the National Employers Savings Trust, Churchill has an impressive resume which includes roles as Chief Executive of UK, Irish & International Life at Zurich Financial. He was also appointed a Commander of the British Empire in 2010 in recognition of his public service.
Lord Turner, Chairman of the FSA, said, “I am delighted Lawrence has agreed to serve as FSCS Chairman. H
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15 Dec, 2011
Health Law Law Obama Administration
The LA Times reports that the Obama administration is taking steps to ease some of the requirements of the health law in an effort to “prevent further backlash.” Also in the news, the latest on the essential benefits rule and more on the early retiree program.
Los Angeles Times: Obama Administration Wins Plaudits From Health Care Law Critics As President Obama gears up his reelection campaign, his administration is laboring to soften the impact of last year’s sweeping health care law in a bid to prevent further political backlash. The campaign to minimize disruptions — by easing requirements for insurers, employers, doctors and others — is winning cautious praise from some of the toughest critics of the law in the business community (Levey, 12/14).
Politico: 2012 Fallout For Benefits Ruling? Try
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5 Dec, 2011
Health Health Coverage
Every week, Kaiser Health News reporter Shefali S. Kulkarni compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Archives Of General Psychiatry: Ten-Year Trends In Quality Of Care And Spending For Depression The researchers looked at treatment of depression in Medicaid enrollees in Florida from 1996-2006. They found a 29 percent increase in spending “despite decreases in inpatient costs.” They attributed much of the increase to the growing use of antipsychotic drugs. T
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