HIPAA Compliant Cloud Backup Review for Small Businesses

December 14, 2017, 12:11 am

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Total HIPAA Compliance evaluates seven vendors with HIPAA compliant cloud backup ideal for small and medium-sized businesses

RALEIGH, N.C. (PRWEB) December 14, 2017

Making an identical copy of your business data and automatically transferring it via the internet to an offsite server is a service you need to protect your business in today’s tumultuous world.

Total HIPAA Compliance published a whitepaper, “HIPAA Compliant Cloud Backup Services – Which One is Right for You?” (https://www.totalhipaa.com/hipaa-compliant-cloud-backup-services/). Seven HIPAA compliant cloud backup vendor’s products are evaluated. These vendors provide products that meet the needs of small to medium-sized businesses.· Carbonite
· IDrive
· Microsoft Azure Backup
· MozyPro
· SpiderOak Groups
· Unison BDR
· Zetta Data Protection

Each of the vendors was evaluated and compared with the following criteria:· Supported Platforms
· Installation and Use
· Encryption Standards
· Customer Support
· Plans and Pricing

“As the number of ransomware and phishing attacks on governments agencies, hospitals, and businesses increases, it is imperative organizations have a backup copy of their business intelligence,” commented Jason Karn, Chief Compliance Officer, Total HIPAA Compliance. “Small and medium-sized organizations are targeted by hackers because these groups often do not have a strategy in place to protect their data,” Karn continued.

With cloud backup, you select a vendor, install their software package on your computer, and indicate the files and folders you want to back up. These files should be encrypted so that if the cloud-based servers are hacked, you won’t lose the data. HIPAA compliant vendors provide encryption as a standard feature.

Cloud backup and cloud storage are both valuable but have different roles. Cloud storage is designed to share large files with others via the internet. These accounts generally have smaller storage capacity.

Prices for implementing a cloud backup solution are a fraction of the ransom demanded by hackers. Rob McDonald, VP of Customer Solutions for Virtru, recounted, “I’ve seen situations where organizations have been shut down because of ransomware or a targeted attack, jeopardizing the health of the business. Implementing a backup strategy to the cloud is no longer difficult. You can use an MSP or with your own resources. Everyone can do it.”

All the companies included in this review are HIPAA compliant. Remember, before you choose the cloud backup service that best fits your needs, makes sure you’ve conducted a Risk Assessment and checked to see if all HIPAA-related policies, processes, and technology are in place. HHS OCR offers an in-depth look at the relationship between HIPAA and cloud service providers. See Guidance on HIPAA and Cloud Computing for more information (https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/cloud-computing/index.html). If you want to know more about HIPAA compliance, Total HIPAA can help. Our HIPAA team is happy to provide you with ways you can keep your customers’ Protected Health Information secure.

About Total HIPAA Compliance:
Total HIPAA Compliance offers HIPAA Prime™ for health insurance agents/brokers, employer groups, business associates, and medical and dental providers to meet federally mandated HIPAA regulations. HIPAA Prime™ is an easy-to-follow, cost-effective online solution for quickly developing and implementing your personalized HIPAA compliance plan. HIPAA Prime™ satisfies all of your documentation and training requirements. Our staff has extensive regulatory, educational, professional management, technical expertise and healthcare experience that simplifies the compliance process while affordably keeping you up to date with the HIPAA Law. See more at https://www.totalhipaa.com/. Reported by PRWeb 7 hours ago.

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Consumers Hunting For Health Insurance Find High Prices — And Some Great Deals

December 14, 2017, 2:34 am

≫ Next: State prepares for children's health insurance funding to run out in January

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Shop around. That's the advice of health insurance navigators for people seeking health policies on the Affordable Care Act's state and federal exchanges. Premiums have climbed but so have subsidies. Reported by NPR 5 hours ago.

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State prepares for children's health insurance funding to run out in January

December 14, 2017, 3:09 am

≫ Next: With no deal on children's health plan, U.S. states scramble for Plan B

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Massachusetts officials are preparing for thousands of children in the state to lose health insurance even earlier than originally feared, with federal funding for the CHIP insurance program expected to run out in a month. Approximately 160,000 children in Massachusetts currently receive health insurance through the Children’s Health Insurance Program, federal funding for which expired in September. The state is set to lose $295 million without federal support for the program. State health officials… Reported by bizjournals 4 hours ago.

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With no deal on children's health plan, U.S. states scramble for Plan B

December 14, 2017, 4:38 am

≫ Next: Here Is What Is In The Republicans' Final Tax Bill

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NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - For Nancy Minoui of Portland, Oregon, and Crystal Lett of Dublin, Ohio, Congress' failure to fund the Children's Health Insurance Program is not some distant tale of political wrangling. Reported by Reuters 3 hours ago.

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Here Is What Is In The Republicans' Final Tax Bill

December 14, 2017, 4:57 am

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Here Is What Is In The Republicans' Final Tax Bill

On Wednesday, Congress Republicans were said to reach a deal on final tax legislation, clearing the way for final votes next week on a package that, if approved, would be sent to President Donald Trump to sign into law. While the formal language of the legislation has not been released, the following are the known provisions on which House of Representatives and Senate tax writers have agreed, based on Reuters reporting.

Here is a full summary of what we know as of this moment is in the Republicans' final tax bill:

*BUSINESSES*

· *CORPORATE TAX RATE: *Falls to 21 percent from 35 percent. The House and Senate bills, as well as Trump, had earlier proposed 20 percent. Going to 21 percent gave tax writers more federal revenue needed to make the tax cut immediate. U.S. corporations have been seeking a large tax cut like this for many years.
· *PASS-THROUGH BUSINESSES: *Creates a 20 percent business income deduction for owners of pass-through businesses, such as sole proprietorships and partnerships. The House had proposed a 25 percent tax rate; the Senate, a 23 percent deduction.
· *CORPORATE MINIMUM: *Repeals the corporate alternative minimum tax, which was set up to ensure profitable companies pay at least some federal tax.

*INDIVIDUALS*

· *TOP INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX RATE*: Falls to 37 percent from 39.6 percent. The House had proposed maintaining the 39.6 percent top rate and condensing the current seven tax brackets to four. The Senate had proposed cutting the top rate to 38.5 percent and maintaining the seven brackets.
· *PERMANENCE: *The expectation is individual tax rates will snap back to current levels in less than 10 years. The individual tax rates in the House bill were permanent. The individual tax rates in the Senate bill would have expired after 10 years.
· *STATE AND LOCAL TAX (SALT): *Both the House and Senate had proposed scaling back a popular individual deduction for state and local tax payments by limiting it to property-tax payments and capping it at $10,000. The compromise bill is expected to keep that cap, but also allow for continued deduction of state and local income tax payments.
· *MORTGAGE INTEREST: *Caps the mortgage interest deduction at $750,000 in home loan value, down from the current $1 million. The House had proposed a $500,000 cap. The Senate bill left it at $1 million.
· *ESTATE TAX: *Roughly doubles the exemption from the federal estate tax on inherited assets to about $11 million, but leaves the tax in place, mirroring the Senate proposal. The House bill had raised the deduction, but also entirely phased out the tax.

*OTHER PROVISIONS:*

· *OBAMACARE MANDATE*: Repeals a federal fine imposed on Americans under Obamacare for not obtaining health insurance coverage. The House bill did not repeal the Obamacare individual mandate.
· *ANWR DRILLING*: Allows oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The provision was sponsored by Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.

Reported by Zero Hedge 2 hours ago.

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Sirrus Corp. Plans Expansion with Launch of Two Additional Product Lines

December 14, 2017, 5:25 am

≫ Next: Health insurance sign-up deadline extended in Florida

≪ Previous: Here Is What Is In The Republicans' Final Tax Bill

JOHNS CREEK, GA, Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sirrus Corp. (“Sirrus” or the “Company”) (OTC PINK: SRUPD), an emerging cybersecurity solutions provider, today announced it intends to launch two additional product lines within the Company.The Company’s newly established high-performance computer (HPC) business will specialize in offering cluster computer design, build, and deployment services. HPC clusters and supercomputers offer extremely high-power and greatly improved price/performance over other traditional options and in a scalable architecture. Sirrus HPC designs will include components at the server level that increase security on the devices themselves, even before network security is addressed.

“Well designed high-performance supercomputer clusters can provide extraordinary computing power, but they require the expertise of engineers and architects familiar with this industry to understand, design, build and deploy,” commented Sparrow Marcioni, Sirrus Corp. CEO. “Our team of HPC experts is already very experienced in providing high-performance computer services and is currently working on several HPC projects.”

Sirrus Corp. also plans to launch its own proprietary design hardware-based network security passkey product. The USB fob-style passkey incorporates several innovative security and design improvements intended to enhance overall network security and administration capabilities.

*About Sirrus Corp.*

Sirrus Corp. (OTC PINK: SRUPD) provides security technology products and services to assist companies with protecting their assets and information. The Company is primarily focused on providing cybersecurity services to healthcare companies in the United States, which are required to be in compliance with government regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”).

Additional information regarding Sirrus Corp. and Sirrus Security can be found at www.sirrussecurity.com.

*Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements*

This press release by Sirrus Corp. (“Sirrus”) may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by words such as expects,” “plan,” “believes,” “will,” “achieve,” “anticipate,” “would,” “should,” “subject to,” or words of similar meaning, and by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Although Sirrus management believes that such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee that such expectations are, or will be, correct. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company's future results to differ materially from those anticipated. Potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, general economic conditions and conditions affecting the industries in which the Company operates; the uncertainty of regulatory requirements and approvals; and the ability to obtain necessary financing on acceptable terms or at all. Known risks and uncertainties include those identified from time to time in the reports filed by Sirrus Corp. with the SEC. Sirrus assumes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

*Sirrus Corp. - Investor Relations:*

Toll-Free: (888) 263-7622
E-mail: investors@sirrussecurity.com
Website: www.sirrussecurity.com

CONTACT: Sirrus Corp. - Investor Relations:

Toll-Free: (888) 263-7622
E-mail: investors@sirrussecurity.com
Website: www.sirrussecurity.com Reported by GlobeNewswire 2 hours ago.

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Health insurance sign-up deadline extended in Florida

December 14, 2017, 7:53 am

≫ Next: Health Insurance Sign-Up Deadline Extended In Florida

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MIAMI (AP) — Floridians have two extra weeks to sign up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. The Trump administration shortened the enrollment period this year by six weeks. It was supposed to end Friday, but federal authorities granted Florida an extension due to the busy hurricane season. Florida has led the way […] Reported by Seattle Times 1 day ago.

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Health Insurance Sign-Up Deadline Extended In Florida

December 14, 2017, 9:38 am

≫ Next: Connector shedding members, bracing for federal policy shifts

≪ Previous: Health insurance sign-up deadline extended in Florida

Floridians have two extra weeks to sign up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Reported by cbs4.com 22 hours ago.

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Connector shedding members, bracing for federal policy shifts

December 14, 2017, 12:51 pm

≫ Next: Oscar Health is making a big bet on personalized care that people traditionally spend as much as $40,000 on

≪ Previous: Health Insurance Sign-Up Deadline Extended In Florida

As a hazy federal forecast leaves questions around the future of health policy, officials at the Massachusetts Health Connector say they're planning for possibilities including the permanent loss of federal subsidies to insurers and a potential repeal of the individual health insurance mandate. Reported by bizjournals 19 hours ago.

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Oscar Health is making a big bet on personalized care that people traditionally spend as much as $40,000 on

December 14, 2017, 2:35 pm

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Oscar Health is making a big bet on personalized care that people traditionally spend as much as $40,000 on

· *Oscar Health, the $2.7 billion health insurance startup, wants to have all of its members using concierge medical care in 2018.*
· *The plan to create 'Concierge for All' relies on teams of doctors and other healthcare professionals who work with Oscar to help you navigate everything from insurance benefits to questions about your health.*
· *It's something people often spend tens of thousands of dollars on every year in addition to their traditional insurance. *

--------------------Oscar Health, the health insurance startup, is giving all of its members access to a team of healthcare professionals they can turn to for help navigating their healthcare.

The service is what's known as concierge care, and it might seem like a foreign concept to most Americans who struggle navigating the often complex and frustrating healthcare market. But such personalized care often comes at a high cost. Some 'boutique' or high-end concierge services can cost as much as $40,000 a year per family, on top of the insurance premiums that family pays.

Oscar is trying to change that. The $2.7 billion health-insurance startup is making a big push to make concierge care the centerpiece of their members' healthcare experience, with all its members using it.

*Here's how it works*

· Oscar members are assigned a personalized concierge team of one nurse and three clinicians with specialized knowledge of the patient's local healthcare networks. The idea is that teams with localized knowledge will be better informed when making recommendations and referrals.
· Those healthcare professionals can answer any questions you have about your insurance benefits, or about that strange bump on your neck, help the member get a prescription or a referral to a specialist.
· While Oscar members don't physically meet with their teams, they can contact them over the phone or through secure messaging on the company's mobile app.
· Concierge doctors will also be able to initiate contact with their patients with the help of clinical dashboards, which collect claims records and other data about the patients' medical history to give doctors more context on a person's health than what they might otherwise learn from electronic health records.

"One of the things that we are able to do because we have a lot of data is to flag to care teams the defective conditions that members may have in our clinical dashboard and say 'hey, you really should go in and see a doctor. We think you might have something and you should get some medication for it,'" Chelsea Cooper, Oscar's Senior Vice President of Member & Strategy Operations, told Business Insider. "And that’s something we’re able to do because we’re a tech company."

Since launching its concierge services in full earlier this year, Oscar says 70% of its roughly 90,000 members have interacted with a concierge team, although those who engaged had an average of only three interactions. The company says concierge care has even helped its members save money on out-of-network costs.

Now Oscar is trying to universalize the service with a "Concierge for All" campaign to encourage 100% of its members to start using it next year.

"We think healthcare is very personal and that these changes really matter," Cooper said. "You want to know the [concierge team] so that you can trust them and take their recommendations about which doctor to go to and whether you should go to the ER or an urgent care facility. We try to build that connection."

*Surviving as the market shifts*

The future of American healthcare has taken on new dimensions over the last year as President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress attempt to repeal Obamacare. But Oscar keeps pushing forward.

Earlier this year, Oscar announced it would start offering health insurance plans alongside the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio for the first time. In 2018, it plans to expand coverage from three states to six.

Despite its optimism, Oscar is not immune to the financial challenges of the turbulent healthcare market.

Last month, Oscar reported a $96 million third quarter loss across the three states where it currently sells coverage, according to Forbes. Although it was an improvement from the same quarter in 2016, it was in line with a continuing losses the company has experienced since its founding in 2012.

But Oscar's chief technology officer Alan Warren told Business Insider in June that such challenges, including the political debate over healthcare in Washington, will ultimately do little to deter the company from carrying out its mission. When the Trump administration slashed Obamacare advertising funding by 90% earlier this year, for example, Oscar ratcheted up its own advertising campaign in New York just in time for the most recent open enrollment period, which ends on Friday.

*SEE ALSO: The Obamacare-focused insurance company founded by Jared Kushner's brother has made a new move to survive as the GOP healthcare bill looms*

*DON'T MISS: Joshua Kushner Has Quietly Amassed 25 Employees And $40 Million To Shake Up Health Care With A Startup, Oscar*

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The differences that matter between Splenda, Equal, Sweet’N Low, and sugar Reported by Business Insider 17 hours ago.

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Preparations Begin for Possible Changes to AR Health Insurance

December 14, 2017, 9:23 pm

≫ Next: Modern Love: Getting Married Is Better Than Dying, Right?

≪ Previous: Oscar Health is making a big bet on personalized care that people traditionally spend as much as $40,000 on

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- State lawmakers talked in a lot of hypotheticals about health insurance Thursday as part of its fate lies in the hands of Congress. Reported by Harrison Daily 10 hours ago.

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Modern Love: Getting Married Is Better Than Dying, Right?

December 15, 2017, 3:48 am

≫ Next: Health insurance open enrollment ending Friday

≪ Previous: Preparations Begin for Possible Changes to AR Health Insurance

She was gravely ill. He had a job with health insurance. Nothing like tying the knot on the way to the hospital to make someone believe in love. Reported by NYTimes.com 4 hours ago.

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Health insurance open enrollment ending Friday

December 14, 2017, 11:21 pm

≫ Next: Health Insurance Innovations, Inc. Appoints John Fichthorn to Board of Directors

≪ Previous: Modern Love: Getting Married Is Better Than Dying, Right?

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizonans who don’t qualify for Medicaid or get health insurance through their employer face a Friday deadline to sign up for individual insurance plans for 2018. The enrollment period is six weeks shorter than last year’s. Groups helping people enroll on the healthcare.gov website worry the shortened period will lead to fewer […] Reported by Seattle Times 8 hours ago.

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Health Insurance Innovations, Inc. Appoints John Fichthorn to Board of Directors

December 15, 2017, 4:38 am

≫ Next: What's The State Of Maternity Leave In America?

≪ Previous: Health insurance open enrollment ending Friday

TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Health Insurance Innovations, Inc. (NASDAQ:HIIQ), a leading developer, distributor, and cloud-based administrator of affordable health insurance and supplemental plans, today announced the appointment of John A. Fichthorn to the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) as a new independent director, effective immediately. Mr. Fichthorn will also join a newly formed Risk and Compliance Committee that will further strengthen the Company’s market-leading compliance and customer service.Mr. Fichthorn currently serves as Head of Alternative Investments for B. Riley Capital Management, LLC, which is an SEC-registered investment adviser and wholly-owned subsidiary of B. Riley Financial, Inc. He previously served as co-founder and CEO of Dialectic Capital Management, LLC from 2003 to 2017. He brings a wealth of experience as an investor in both technology and healthcare companies and as a board member for several NASDAQ-listed companies over the last decade.

“John will add valuable perspective and significant industry expertise to the HIIQ Board,” said Paul G. Gabos, Chairman of the HIIQ Board of Directors. “We look forward to working closely with him as HIIQ continues executing on its successful strategy of providing differentiated services in the dynamic individual health insurance marketplace while upholding the highest standards in customer service and compliance. We believe that John will provide great insight and value to HIIQ’s stockholders in the Company’s effort to continue to deliver strong financial results and continue to succeed and grow in the dynamic individual health insurance marketplace.”

Mr. Fichthorn commented, “I am excited to join the HIIQ Board. In addition, that I have also been appointed to the Board’s newly-formed Risk and Compliance Committee demonstrates HIIQ’s commitment to even greater transparency and compliance. With support from the Company’s knowledgeable and experienced Board and management team, HIIQ is uniquely positioned to take advantage of opportunities for growth as the healthcare landscape continues to evolve.”

“As the business of HIIQ grows and shifts, the demands of the Board must evolve ,” said J. Carlo Cannell, Managing Member of Cannell Capital LLC, a beneficial owner of 8% of the Class A common shares of HIIQ. “I am gratified by the anointment of J. A. Fichthorn to the Board, and believe he brings robust experience and additional credibility. Accordingly, Cannell Capital will be modifying its investment position from ‘active’ to ’passive’ shortly.”

With Mr. Fichthorn’s appointment, HIIQ’s Board of Directors now comprises eight directors, five of whom are independent.

*Risk and Compliance Committee *

HIIQ also announced today the formation of a Risk and Compliance Committee of the Board, which will assist the Board and the Company in navigating today’s complex regulatory environment. The Committee will initially include all of the Company’s independent directors, Paul E. Avery, Anthony J. Barkett, Robert S. Murley, Paul G. Gabos and John A. Fichthorn, as well as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President, Gavin D. Southwell.

“The formation of the Risk and Compliance Committee demonstrates HIIQ’s continued focus on upholding and enhancing the highest standards in legal and regulatory compliance and customer service. The Board will benefit from the Committee’s counsel as the Company continues its investments in these key areas,” Mr. Gabos added.

*About Health Insurance Innovations, Inc. (HIIQ)*
HIIQ is a market leader in developing innovative health insurance products that are affordable and meet the needs of health insurance plan shoppers. HIIQ develops insurance products through our relationships with best-in-class insurance companies and markets them via its broad distribution network of licensed insurance agents across the nation, its call center network and its unique online capability. Additional information about HIIQ can be found at HiiQuote.com. HIIQ’s Consumer Division includes AgileHealthInsurance.com, a website for researching, comparing and purchasing short-term health insurance products online and HealthPocket.com, a free website that compares and ranks all health insurance plans, and uses objective data to publish unbiased health insurance market analyses and other consumer advocacy research.

*Forward-Looking Statements*
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical fact, and may include statements relating to goals, plans and projections regarding new markets, products, services, growth strategies, anticipated trends in our business and anticipated changes and developments in the United States health insurance system and laws. Forward-looking statements are based on HIIQ’s current assumptions, expectations and beliefs are generally identifiable by use of words “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue,” or similar expressions and involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, our ability to maintain relationships and develop new relationships with health insurance carriers and distributors, our ability to retain our members, the demand for our products, state regulatory oversight and examinations of us and our carriers and distributors, legal and regulatory compliance by our carriers and distributors, the amount of commissions paid to us or changes in health insurance plan pricing practices, competition, changes and developments in the United States health insurance system and laws, and HIIQ’s ability to adapt to them, the ability to maintain and enhance our name recognition, difficulties arising from acquisitions or other strategic transactions, and our ability to build the necessary infrastructure and processes to maintain effective controls over financial reporting. These and other risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements are discussed in HIIQ's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as well as other documents that may be filed by HIIQ from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at www.sec.gov. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. You should not rely on any forward-looking statement as representing our views in the future. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

*Contacts:*

*Health Insurance Innovations, Inc.:*
Michael Hershberger
Chief Financial Officer
(813) 397-1187
mhershberger@hiiquote.com

*Investor Contact:*
John Evans
PIR Communications
(415) 309-0230
IR@hiiquote.com Reported by GlobeNewswire 3 hours ago.

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What's The State Of Maternity Leave In America?

December 15, 2017, 5:24 am

≫ Next: Study: Transgender people more likely to not have health insurance

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What's The State Of Maternity Leave In America?

Watch VideoLegal protections for pregnant women in the U.S., much less maternity leave, are a relatively modern development. For much of the country's existence, women couldn't serve in basic fields like being a lawyer or working in a bar.

That eventually changed, but the laws affecting women and families didn't quite keep up. "In the first half of the 20th century, women were typically treated as temporary workers, assumed to be in the workplace only until they got married and began to raise children," writes The American Historian.

During World War II, women backfilled empty positions, and many didn't resign when the men came home. This presented a quandary, forcing companies to draft new policies regarding pregnancy on a largely arbitrary basis.

In 1972, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or the EEOC, issued a new set of guidelines related to working moms with two main dictates: "to prohibit employers from imposing mandatory leaves of absence on pregnant women or terminating women because they become pregnant" and clarifying that "it is sex discrimination for an employer to give women disabled by pregnancy less favorable health insurance or disability benefits than that provided to employees disabled by other temporary medical conditions.”

*SEE MORE: Neil Gorsuch Accused Of Saying That Women 'Manipulate' Maternity Leave*

Finally, six years later in 1978, Congress passed the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, which added protections for expecting mothers to the the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The PDA determined that "pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions shall be treated the same for all employment-related purposes, including receipt of benefits under fringe benefit programs ... ." In other words, you can't fire a pregnant woman or slash her benefits just because she's going to have a baby, possibly costing lots of money and leading to time off.

But did you notice what's missing? A guarantee of maternity leave to spend time with a newborn during the child's first days of life.

That didn't come about until 1993, with the Family and Medical Leave Act, or the FMLA, which afforded new parents — through adoption or birth — 12 weeks of unpaid leave. However, the Department of Labor points out two big exceptions: The company has to have at least 50 employees (excluding lots of small businesses), and the new parent has to have worked there for at least a year.

America has come a long way in protecting the jobs of new parents. But for now, paid family leave is still at the discretion of corporations and states. Reported by Newsy 2 hours ago.

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Study: Transgender people more likely to not have health insurance

December 15, 2017, 5:49 am

≫ Next: Isodiol International Acquires Global Rights to produce products under an Innovative Delivery System Patent

≪ Previous: What's The State Of Maternity Leave In America?

A study says transgender people are more likely to lack health insurance than those whose gender corresponds to their sex at birth. Reported by Newsday 2 hours ago.

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Isodiol International Acquires Global Rights to produce products under an Innovative Delivery System Patent

December 15, 2017, 6:11 am

≫ Next: Time is running out to buy health insurance— and keep your same Oregon providers next year

≪ Previous: Study: Transgender people more likely to not have health insurance

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- *Isodiol International Inc. *(CSE:ISOL) (OTC:ISOLF) (FSE:LB6A.F) *(the “Company” or “Isodiol”)*, a global Bioactive Phytoceutical innovator specializing in the development of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products, announced today that its division, C3 Global Biosciences (C3GBS) has agreed in principle to acquire the rights to become the exclusive worldwide distributor of Advanced Brain Monitoring’s (ABM) Electroencephalogram (EEG) technology in the phytoceutical field, specifically the cannabis community.For the last 15 years, ABM has challenged conventional thinking by developing innovative medical devices that provide superior patient experience, lower healthcare costs, and improved quality of care. With this versatile, state of the art wireless EEG system, interpretation of physiological signals across a wide variety of real-world applications are finally here. The EEG system will allow physicians and researchers real-time feedback on the effect of Cannabis products. The EEG device is reimbursable and has designated CPT codes for physicians to submit to health insurance companies.

Andrew Serafini, C3GBS President, says, “The need to fast-track and bring to market therapeutic novel compounds that possess great potential in human diseases have a need for an FDA-approved drug validation technology that should become mandatory. The cannabis industry lacks verification methodologies and C3GBS is excited to bring the EEG technology to the forefront to help further discover the benefits in real time. This will invariably result in evidence-based data gathering to help support and guide the healthcare practitioner.”

“This is another monumental step taken by Isodiol and C3GBS to be the global leader in cannabis research, science, innovation, and technology to positively impact patient outcomes. The EEG system offers another diagnostic tool, that is FDA approved, to help understand how cannabis is beneficial to the human body,” added Isodiol CEO, Marcos Agramont.

For more information on Isodiol, please visit www.isodiol.com

*About Isodiol International Inc.*

*Isodiol International Inc.* is the market leader in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical grade phytochemical compounds and the industry leader in the manufacturing and development of phytoceutical consumer products.

Isodiol is the pioneer of many firsts for the cannabis industry including commercialization of 99%+ pure, bioactive pharmaceutical grade cannabinoids, micro-encapsulations, and nanotechnology for the highest quality consumable and topical skin care products.

Isodiol's growth strategy includes the development of over-the-counter and pharmaceutical drugs, expanding its phytoceutical portfolio and will aggressively continue international expansion into Latin America, Asia, and Europe.

*Join Us On Facebook*: https://www.facebook.com/isodiol/
*Twitter:* @isodiol

*ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD*
Marcos Agramont, CEO & Director

*INVESTOR RELATIONS:*
Ir@isodiol.com
www.isodiol.com

*MEDIA CONTACT:*
Carrie Booze
North 6th Agency
212-334-9753 ext.142
Isodiol@n6a.com

*Forward-Looking Information:* This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to statements regarding the Company's business, products and future of the Company’s business, its product offerings and plans for sales and marketing. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance and developments to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements depending on, among other things, the risks that the Company's products and plan will vary from those stated in this news release and the Company may not be able to carry out its business plans as expected. Except as required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation and does not intend, to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information in this news release. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct and makes no reference to profitability based on sales reported. The statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release.

The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this press release. Reported by GlobeNewswire 2 hours ago.

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Time is running out to buy health insurance— and keep your same Oregon providers next year

December 15, 2017, 7:05 am

≫ Next: Connecture Analysis: Shopping Activity and Enrollments Surge in Medicare AEP

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Consumers have until midnight to select individual insurance plans for 2018. Meanwhile, many insurers have more narrowly focused their networks. Reported by bizjournals 36 minutes ago.

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Connecture Analysis: Shopping Activity and Enrollments Surge in Medicare AEP

December 15, 2017, 7:40 am

≫ Next: Six things Colorado should know about the Republican tax bill

≪ Previous: Time is running out to buy health insurance— and keep your same Oregon providers next year

BROOKFIELD, Wis., Dec. 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Connecture, Inc. (OTCQX:CNXR), an industry leader in Medicare shopping and enrollment solutions, released today preliminary observations from this year’s Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP). The findings illustrate continued market growth, as total enrollments were up 17%, led by Part D prescription drug plans (PDP) which increased, on average, 40% from last year’s AEP. In addition, more Medicare beneficiaries shopped online through their carriers’ self-service member portals than ever before, up 20% from the previous year.Connecture also reported the following results from its data set for AEP this year, which began on October 15, 2017, and ended on December 7, 2017:

*• More than a third* *of Medicare beneficiaries* began their shopping journey through a mobile device or tablet, underscoring the importance of a digital member strategy for baby boomers.

*• 76% of consumers entered their prescription drug information* as part of the shopping process.

*•* *There was an 82% improvement in the enrollment-conversion rate* among Medicare beneficiaries using online pharmacy-drug tools, compared to beneficiaries who did not leverage such resources.

*•* *The majority of shoppers entered 4 prescription drugs as they shopped for plans online*, with these specific brand drugs being the most popular:

· Eliquis and Xarelto: used to lower the risk of blood clots· Proair HFA: used to prevent and treat wheezing and shortness of breath· Lantus Solostar INJ: used to treat diabetes

“Although we’re still analyzing our data, we’re already seeing many encouraging trends of a robust market and a growing savviness among Medicare shoppers,” said Jeff Surges, President and CEO. “The big story is that, as always, engagement leads to enrollment. That is, when you provide beneficiaries with access to smart technology, particularly around drug-price transparency, they’re more likely to understand the total financial implications of their plan choices, and enroll based on that personalized information. That’s a win-win for carriers and members alike.”

*Save the Date: Deep-Dive AEP Webinar, Jan. 24*
Connecture will present a complete analysis of their AEP data on Wednesday, January 24, 2018, during a live webinar. The session will bring together various Medicare experts who will discuss the biggest learnings from this year’s AEP and implications for carriers moving forward.

*About Connecture*
Connecture (OTCQX:CNXR) is a leading web-based consumer shopping, enrollment and retention platform for health insurance distribution. Connecture offers a personalized health insurance shopping experience that recommends the best fit insurance plan based on an individual’s preferences, health status, preferred providers, medications and expected out-of-pocket costs. Connecture’s customers are health insurance marketplace operators such as health plans, brokers and exchange operators, who must distribute health insurance in a cost-effective manner to a growing number of insured consumers. Connecture’s solutions automate key functions in the health insurance distribution process, allowing its customers to price and present plan options accurately to consumers and efficiently enroll, renew and manage plan members.

*Media Contact:*
Jeff Hyman
Channel Marketing Director
Connecture, Inc.
Phone: 818-415-2569
jhyman@connecture.com Reported by GlobeNewswire 52 seconds ago.

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