| Rest home health-plan sales criticized
State investigators are looking into complaints that insurance agents switched memory-impaired residents of a Cary rest home from traditional Medicare to private Medicare plans, resulting in higher costs and fewer benefits for the residents. Such tactics might be on the rise across North Carolina and the nation. Insurance regulators and advocates for older people say they have seen increasing evidence of inappropriately aggressive sales tactics for "Medicare Advantage" programs, which are private insurance policies that are paid by Medicare. People who switch to private Medicare policies often have to change doctors and hospitals and can face higher payments - circumstances that might not be fully explained by unscrupulous brokers, according to a January report by the Medicare Rights Center and California Health Advocates.
Hospitals joining push for universal insurance coverage
While the year is still young, serious proposals for universal health insurance already have been issued by two states (California and Pennsylvania), one U.S. senator (Oregon's Ron Wyden), a former U.S. senator and current presidential candidate (North Carolina's John Edwards), and one influential insurance association (America's Health Insurance Plans).
And now the Federation of American Hospitals has weighed in. Late last month, the group representing the country's largest commercial hospital chains unveiled its "Health Coverage Passport," which the federation estimates would cover 96 percent of Americans.
The plan would leave alone those currently covered by health insurance while requiring all other legal residents to have health insurance -- with government subsidies to help the uninsured obtain affordable, basic insurance.
Where are the safest drivers in the country?
But the cities that follow on the list from Men's Health Magazine may be somewhat puzzling. After Des Moines are Jersey City, New Jersey; New York City; Yonkers, New York, and San Francisco. And where are the worst drivers? Columbia, South Carolina,leads the list, followed by St. Louis; Greensboro, North Carolina; Jackson, Mississippi, and Cheyenne, Wyoming. The survey used data from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Allstate Insurance and the Governors Highway Safety Association to rank 100 cities. .
Report says Greensboro drivers among worst in nation
Similar drivers were found in North Carolina's largest city, Charlotte, based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Allstate Insurance and the Governors Highway Safety Association. Greensboro, N.C., was ranked 98th out of 100 cities, while drivers in Charlotte were ranked 93rd. Both cities' drivers received an "F." Men's Health's ranking used the NHTSA's data on the rate of fatal accidents, deaths caused by speeding, and seat belt use; Allstate's data on accident frequency; and the Governors Highway Safety Association's data on speeding drivers. Columbia, S.C., had the worst drivers in the ranking, followed by St. Louis; Greensboro; Jackson, Miss.; and Cheyenne, Wyo. Kansas City, Mo., and Orlando also received F grades. The cities with the safest drivers were Des Moines, Iowa; Jersey City, N.J.; New York; Yonkers, N.Y.; and San Francisco.
What unions do
Union employees earn higher wages and are more likely to have employer-provided health insurance and retirement plans. The benefits of unions, however, extend far beyond the individual worker.Compared to states with few union members (like North Carolina), states with a high percentage of union members have higher average wages, fewer people in poverty, fewer people without health insurance, lower workplace fatality rates, higher public education spending per pupil and higher voter participation rates.The labor movement is responsible for the 40-hour work week, child labor laws and worker health and safety protections. In recent years, unions have organized against bad trade deals and the movement offshore of American jobs. Unions have fought to protect Social Security and increase access to affordable health care and prescription drugs.At a time when CEO pay, health-care costs and gas prices are skyrocketing while employees' wages remain stagnant, Americans need unions more than ever if we want the middle class to survive.Ajamu DillahuntOutreach coordinator, N.C.
Healthcare costs kept under control
Two years ago, as the cost of health insurance claims skyrocketed 15 percent nationally, Asheboro Elastics Corp. saw its costs drop 9 percent. The North Carolina manufacturer said its onsite nurse practitioner is the reason. Instead of always going to their primary care physicians, the company's 175 employees see her for everything from the common cold to high blood pressure. It has helped us reduce the total number of claims. Fewer claims mean fewer dollars, said Bryan Spivey, the company's human resources manager. The claims are less because we have folks that are trying to become healthier. A Bensalem company, WellNow, is bringing that model here, saying it's the answer to ever-rising health insurance premiums. Healthcare costs in the next 10 years will be over $20,000 an employee, which blows up a company's revenue and profit models, said WellNow President Michael Rosenfeld.
Community Milestones
News of accomplishments of Journal readers runs in the Community Milestones column on Monday. Announcements about groups' volunteer and charitable needs will also run on this page. To submit an item, e-mail it to Features@wsjournal.com, fax it to 336-727-4071, mail typed information and photos to Community Milestones, c/o Features Department, Winston-Salem Journal, P.O. Box 3159, Winston-Salem, NC 27102, or drop it off at the front desk of the Journal, 418 N. Marshall St. Include a contact name and daytime phone number. .
MORE COMMUNITY NEWS
CAMBRIDGE -For the eighth year, Cambridge Home Health Care is offering four nursing school scholarships of $1,000 each to be awarded in the following manner: one LPN and one RN scholarship to nonemployees of Cambridge Home Health Care who are residents in the counties its offices serve (Ashland, Athens, Butler, Clark, Clermont, Columbiana, Crawford, Cuyahoga, Erie, Franklin, Fulton, Geauga, Greene, Guernsey, Hamilton, Holmes, Huron, Lorain, Lucas, Mahoning, Marion, Medina, Miami, Montgomery, Monroe, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Noble, Ottawa, Perry, Portage, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, Warren, Washington, Wayne and Wyandot); and one LPN and one RN scholarship to current employees of Cambridge Home Health Care. The process requirements to apply for considerarion of The Cambridge Home Health Care Nursing Excellence Scholarships are these: .
ECU Notes: College of Education awards scholarship to Duplin senior
Hannah Adams received the College of Education's first Educators Hall of Fame Centennial Scholarship last month. The four-year scholarship is awarded to an incoming freshman pursuing an education degree. Adams, senior at Duplin County's James Kenan High School, has a 4.2 grade-point average. She plans to major in elementary education and return to Kenansville. The scholarship was one of four presented in a ceremony held March 29. More than $122,000 were awarded at the event, ranging from $150 to $6,000. Officials also announced the establishment of the James and Evelyn Kirkland Scholarship in Middle Grades Education. Its first scholarship will be offered next year. History studied The natural and human histories of eastern North Carolina are the topics of a seminar being presented Friday by the Departments of Geological Sciences, History and Programs of Maritime Studies and Coastal Resources Management.
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