Reported by syracuse.com 21 hours ago.
Cuomo's budget props up popular health insurance plan threatened by Trump cuts
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Pelosi on CHIP: ‘A Bowl of Doggie Doo’ With ‘A Cherry on Top’
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi had some scatological words Thursday about the GOP proposal on the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Reported by Mediaite 20 hours ago.
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The US government shutdown shenanigans pose a threat that investors are missing
· *Investors expect a fairly subdued short-run impact on markets and the economy from a possible US government shutdown, which now looks increasingly likely. *
· *The dysfunction of brinkmanship politics is further bruising America's already dented image as a global leader. *
· * Standard & Poor's estimates a government shutdown would cost $6.5 billion per week *
--------------------The US economy will keep humming along at a decent but unspectacular pace regardless of the outcome of this week’s widely-watched budget negotiations in Washington aimed at averting a government shutdown. But that doesn't mean the long-term effected in nil.
"These developments are more of a backburner risk hence market disruptions are limited,” Brittany Baumann, macro strategist at TD Securities, told Business Insider. “We expect that Congress once again will kick the can and extend the deadline to February."
Still, the shenanigans, mirrored by the debt ceiling negotiations that cost the United States its AAA credit rating in 2011, are a reminder of a gradual corrosion of American institutions that were once trusted but are increasingly viewed with deep suspicion by the American public and the country’s allies overseas.
That damage, while subtle, should be measured in the country’s long-term global standing, not quarterly gross domestic product figures or immediate market reaction.
To put the issue in stark terms: the two major US political parties cannot agree to keep the government open over such basic things as immigration, health insurance for children and military spending. How can such a country be trusted with trade deals and military alliances?
The Senate needs 60 votes to keep the government running, and Democrats have opposed a move by Republicans to tie broader government funding to stipulations related to border security and the construction of a controversial border "wall."
*Rising chances of a shutdown*
The chances of a shutdown over the weekend appeared to rise after GOP Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota said he plans to vote against the short-term government funding bill put forward by Republicans. Making matters worse, Rand Paul, the influential Kentucky senator, added his own opposition to the mix.
Congress has until the end of Friday to pass a funding bill or the federal government will enter a partial shutdown, including the possible furlough of hundred of thousands of federal workers.
"While the consensus remains that Congress will pass another four-week continuing resolution in order to hammer out a comprehensive budget agreement, the risk of a government shutdown is not negligible," Deutsche Bank economists wrote in a research note.
A report from credit rating firm Standard and Poor’s estimates a government shutdown would cost the economy around $6.5 billion a week.
"If a shutdown were to take place so far into the quarter, fourth-quarter GDP would not have time to bounce back, which could shake investors and consumers and, as a result, possibly snuff out any economic momentum," S&P said.
Gary Rose, who chairs Sacred Heart University’s politics department in Fairfield, Connecticut, told Business Insider the absence of short-run market and economic effects should not cloud longer-term investors’ perceptions of American dysfunction as a significant consideration.
He said the acrimony and infighting precedes Donald Trump’s presidency but has intensified under the former reality TV star's brash, uncompromising demeanor.
"It is sending quite frankly very troubling signals to our allies and the world in general," he said. "The United States is supposed to be sort of the beacon of good government. These shutdowns show we are now entering this era of uncertainty instability it calls to question the nature of our own political system."
*SEE ALSO: Fed officials are scrambling to figure out how to fight the next recession*
Join the conversation about this story »
NOW WATCH: Bitcoin can be a bubble and still change the world Reported by Business Insider 21 hours ago.
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Fenway Health: In just one year, President Trump has compiled strikingly anti-LGBT record of executive branch actions
Administration's actions have made LGBT people much more vulnerable to discrimination in health care, social services, employment, and access to government services
BOSTON (PRWEB) January 18, 2018
Today, The Fenway Institute of Fenway Health released a policy brief demonstrating that in his first year in office, President Donald Trump has compiled a strikingly anti-LGBT record. From judicial appointments to support for anti-LGBT religious refusal regulations to a lack of leadership on LGBT- and HIV-related issues, Trump has broken his campaign promise to support the LGBT community.
“In 2016 Donald Trump said, ‘As your president, I will do everything in my power to protect our LGBTQ citizens,’ but since taking office he has done the exact opposite,” said Sean Cahill, PhD, Director of Health Policy Research at The Fenway Institute. “Changes in regulations and guidance overseeing health and human services, and the appointment of judges who are hostile to LGBT people, have made LGBT people much more vulnerable to discrimination in health care, social services, employment, and access to government services.”
Examples of first-year actions taken by the Trump Administration that undermine the health and well-being of LGBT people include:· Rescinding guidance to schools that discrimination based on gender identity violates Title IX of the 1964 Civil Rights Act;
· Reversing a long-held Department of Justice policy interpreting Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits sex discrimination, to also prohibit discrimination based on gender identity;
· Reversing progress on sexual orientation and gender identity data collection on federal surveys;
· Attempting to ban transgender people from serving in the military;
· Weakening the Affordable Care Act, which, since 2010, has resulted in historic gains in health insurance coverage for LGBT people and people living with HIV;
· Appointing Neil Gorsuch, who has an extensive record of opposition to LGBT equality and support of religious refusal, to the US Supreme Court;
· Appointing judges with anti-LGBT records to federal district and circuit courts;
· Failing to show leadership by ignoring LGBT Pride Month in June, dismantling the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, and signaling to other nations that his administration does not prioritize human rights, including the rights of LGBT people in countries where they are persecuted.
“Any one of these acts alone would be a significant step backwards,” Cahill added. “Taken together, they threaten the health and well-being of LGBT people, particular youth, elders, those also living with HIV, low-income individuals, Black and Latino people, and undocumented immigrants.”
Read the policy brief: One year in, Trump Administration amasses striking anti-LGBT record. Reported by PRWeb 20 hours ago.
BOSTON (PRWEB) January 18, 2018
Today, The Fenway Institute of Fenway Health released a policy brief demonstrating that in his first year in office, President Donald Trump has compiled a strikingly anti-LGBT record. From judicial appointments to support for anti-LGBT religious refusal regulations to a lack of leadership on LGBT- and HIV-related issues, Trump has broken his campaign promise to support the LGBT community.
“In 2016 Donald Trump said, ‘As your president, I will do everything in my power to protect our LGBTQ citizens,’ but since taking office he has done the exact opposite,” said Sean Cahill, PhD, Director of Health Policy Research at The Fenway Institute. “Changes in regulations and guidance overseeing health and human services, and the appointment of judges who are hostile to LGBT people, have made LGBT people much more vulnerable to discrimination in health care, social services, employment, and access to government services.”
Examples of first-year actions taken by the Trump Administration that undermine the health and well-being of LGBT people include:· Rescinding guidance to schools that discrimination based on gender identity violates Title IX of the 1964 Civil Rights Act;
· Reversing a long-held Department of Justice policy interpreting Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits sex discrimination, to also prohibit discrimination based on gender identity;
· Reversing progress on sexual orientation and gender identity data collection on federal surveys;
· Attempting to ban transgender people from serving in the military;
· Weakening the Affordable Care Act, which, since 2010, has resulted in historic gains in health insurance coverage for LGBT people and people living with HIV;
· Appointing Neil Gorsuch, who has an extensive record of opposition to LGBT equality and support of religious refusal, to the US Supreme Court;
· Appointing judges with anti-LGBT records to federal district and circuit courts;
· Failing to show leadership by ignoring LGBT Pride Month in June, dismantling the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, and signaling to other nations that his administration does not prioritize human rights, including the rights of LGBT people in countries where they are persecuted.
“Any one of these acts alone would be a significant step backwards,” Cahill added. “Taken together, they threaten the health and well-being of LGBT people, particular youth, elders, those also living with HIV, low-income individuals, Black and Latino people, and undocumented immigrants.”
Read the policy brief: One year in, Trump Administration amasses striking anti-LGBT record. Reported by PRWeb 20 hours ago.
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Express Sales Mirror Soaring Economy
Express Employment Professionals releases 2017 record sales numbers.
OKLAHOMA CITY (PRWEB) January 18, 2018
The staffing industry has long been an economic indicator and staffing giant Express Employment Professionals surpassed the industry’s projected 3% growth, reaching a nearly 10% increase.
The company recorded $3.4 billion in sales and employed more than 540,000 people in 2017. Since 2009, sales at Express have jumped 173.6 percent. Sales are expected once again to surpass the 10 percent growth mark in 2018.
“The employment environment is trending up due in part to tax relief fueling growth. We’re placing workers in more than 84,000 companies annually and it’s only going to increase as the economy soars,” said Bob Funk, CEO of Express, and a former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
In a recent survey of 462 current and former Express client companies, 42 percent of respondents reported their current employment market was trending up.
“We’re seeing that play out,” Funk said. “Our weekly job openings saw a peak at more than 20,000 in 2017 and have continued to increase with the onset of companies anticipating economic growth.
“Our franchisees are at the heart of our success. Local ownership in all of our markets ensures very customized service for our client companies and is backed by the proven support system of our international headquarters,” Funk added.
Along with its 35th anniversary, this week, Express awarded its 800th office to Ryan Strain in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and is well on its way toward 900 locations. In 2016, Express awarded 61 new franchisees the opportunity to help put more people to work. Every time an Express franchise opens, an average 670 more people find jobs annually.
“There’s a reason we have been named the number one staffing franchise by Entrepreneur on their Franchise 500 List for seven years in a row. Business continues to boom for Express and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon,” Funk said. “We just surpassed 4 million hours worked in a single week by associates, which is an amazing accomplishment.
“When business is soaring, you’ve got to take care of your people. There’s nothing more important than the employees of a company,” Funk said. “They are the treasures of the future, and we want to invest and give something back to them for their dedication and hard work.”
In December, Express International Headquarters was named one of The Oklahoman’s Top Workplaces, highlighting what attracts associates, clients and franchisees to the company—its culture. Since 2016, Funk has introduced several new benefits for employees, such as up to $5,000 per dependent for dependent care, 100 percent health insurance coverage for employees and 75 percent coverage for their dependents, lower health insurance premiums, and free full body scans for qualified employees.
As part of the company’s holiday celebration, every headquarters employee received a turkey for Thanksgiving, profit sharing bonuses, and a $1,000 Christmas bonus. Additionally, non-executive headquarters employees also recently received a $2,000 bonus due to tax legislation passed by Congress.
Express Employment Professionals offers a full range of employment solutions, including evaluation hire, temporary staffing, professional search and human resources. Designated a World-Class Franchise by FranSurvey for the past 12 years, the staffing company has available territories in San Francisco, Philadelphia, Brooklyn and Boston.
For more information about Express Employment Professionals, visit ExpressPros.com. If you are interested in owning an Express franchise, visit ExpressFranchising.com.
***
If you would like to arrange for an interview with Bob Funk to discuss this topic, please contact Sheena Karami, Director of Corporate Communications and PR, at (405) 717-5966.
About Robert A. Funk
Robert A. “Bob” Funk is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the international staffing company has more than 800 franchises in the U.S., Canada and South Africa. Under his leadership, Express has put more than 6 million people to work worldwide. Funk served as Chairman of the Conference of Chairmen of the Federal Reserve and was also the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
About Express Employment Professionals
Express Employment Professionals puts people to work. It generated a record $3.4 billion in sales and employed more than 540,000 people in 2017. Its long-term Reported by PRWeb 19 hours ago.
OKLAHOMA CITY (PRWEB) January 18, 2018
The staffing industry has long been an economic indicator and staffing giant Express Employment Professionals surpassed the industry’s projected 3% growth, reaching a nearly 10% increase.
The company recorded $3.4 billion in sales and employed more than 540,000 people in 2017. Since 2009, sales at Express have jumped 173.6 percent. Sales are expected once again to surpass the 10 percent growth mark in 2018.
“The employment environment is trending up due in part to tax relief fueling growth. We’re placing workers in more than 84,000 companies annually and it’s only going to increase as the economy soars,” said Bob Funk, CEO of Express, and a former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
In a recent survey of 462 current and former Express client companies, 42 percent of respondents reported their current employment market was trending up.
“We’re seeing that play out,” Funk said. “Our weekly job openings saw a peak at more than 20,000 in 2017 and have continued to increase with the onset of companies anticipating economic growth.
“Our franchisees are at the heart of our success. Local ownership in all of our markets ensures very customized service for our client companies and is backed by the proven support system of our international headquarters,” Funk added.
Along with its 35th anniversary, this week, Express awarded its 800th office to Ryan Strain in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and is well on its way toward 900 locations. In 2016, Express awarded 61 new franchisees the opportunity to help put more people to work. Every time an Express franchise opens, an average 670 more people find jobs annually.
“There’s a reason we have been named the number one staffing franchise by Entrepreneur on their Franchise 500 List for seven years in a row. Business continues to boom for Express and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon,” Funk said. “We just surpassed 4 million hours worked in a single week by associates, which is an amazing accomplishment.
“When business is soaring, you’ve got to take care of your people. There’s nothing more important than the employees of a company,” Funk said. “They are the treasures of the future, and we want to invest and give something back to them for their dedication and hard work.”
In December, Express International Headquarters was named one of The Oklahoman’s Top Workplaces, highlighting what attracts associates, clients and franchisees to the company—its culture. Since 2016, Funk has introduced several new benefits for employees, such as up to $5,000 per dependent for dependent care, 100 percent health insurance coverage for employees and 75 percent coverage for their dependents, lower health insurance premiums, and free full body scans for qualified employees.
As part of the company’s holiday celebration, every headquarters employee received a turkey for Thanksgiving, profit sharing bonuses, and a $1,000 Christmas bonus. Additionally, non-executive headquarters employees also recently received a $2,000 bonus due to tax legislation passed by Congress.
Express Employment Professionals offers a full range of employment solutions, including evaluation hire, temporary staffing, professional search and human resources. Designated a World-Class Franchise by FranSurvey for the past 12 years, the staffing company has available territories in San Francisco, Philadelphia, Brooklyn and Boston.
For more information about Express Employment Professionals, visit ExpressPros.com. If you are interested in owning an Express franchise, visit ExpressFranchising.com.
***
If you would like to arrange for an interview with Bob Funk to discuss this topic, please contact Sheena Karami, Director of Corporate Communications and PR, at (405) 717-5966.
About Robert A. Funk
Robert A. “Bob” Funk is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the international staffing company has more than 800 franchises in the U.S., Canada and South Africa. Under his leadership, Express has put more than 6 million people to work worldwide. Funk served as Chairman of the Conference of Chairmen of the Federal Reserve and was also the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
About Express Employment Professionals
Express Employment Professionals puts people to work. It generated a record $3.4 billion in sales and employed more than 540,000 people in 2017. Its long-term Reported by PRWeb 19 hours ago.
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Vaccine rates are up, but so are refusals
More U.S. kids are getting their full series of vaccines, but more and more parents are also refusing vaccinations, new health insurance data show.
Reported by euronews 7 hours ago.
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9 Million Kids Could Lose Their Health Care Because The GOP Wants To Shame Democrats
The Children's Health Insurance Program could start running out of money Friday.
Reported by Huffington Post 15 hours ago.
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House Passes Bill To Avoid Shutdown, But It Looks Grim In The Senate
Watch VideoThe House of Representatives passed a short-term spending bill Thursday night to fund the government through mid-February. Now, it heads to the Senate, where its fate isn't quite clear.So far, the votes needed to pass the bill in the Senate and avoid a shutdown just aren't there. Democrats are holding out for a deal to protect immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children. They could be deported in March if Congress doesn't pass an alternative to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA.
The bill that's headed to the Senate might only be temporary funding, but it does include long-term funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP.
*SEE MORE: Trump's Tweet Confuses Already Confusing Government Funding Situation*
House Speaker Paul Ryan wasted no time Thursday night placing the pressure, and blame, squarely on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
"Sen. Schumer, do not shut down the federal government," Ryan said Thursday night. "The only people standing in the way of keeping the government open are Senate Democrats."
"The one thing standing in our way is the unrelenting flow of chaos from the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue," Schumer said earlier Thursday, alluding to confusing messages from the White House on immigration and CHIP.
CNN reports the Trump administration is making calls to its various agencies to make sure plans are in place for a potential shutdown. The Senate was debating Thursday night about how to fund the government.
Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN. Reported by Newsy 14 hours ago.
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Jimmy Kimmel Goes Off on GOP for Government Shutdown, CHIP Funding (Video)
At the top of tonight’s episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” Kimmel kicked things off with another chat about an issue he cares about. This time, it was funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), a looming government shutdown, and who is — or is not — responsible if a shutdown happens.
First joking that “we’ve reached a point somehow at which North and South Koreans have a better relationship than Republicans and Democrats do,” Kimmel pushed back against the idea Democrats are to blame if a budget bill can’t be passed, leading to a shutdown.
“Republicans are in control of the House, the Senate and the White House,” Kimmel said. “The Democrats can’t even shut their computers down without Paul Ryan’s permission.”
*Also Read:* Jimmy Kimmel: If Oscars Screw-Up Happens Again 'Everyone That Works at ABC Should Be Fired'
Kimmel also talked about funding for CHIP, which has been expired for 100 days, renewal of which republicans have tied to the overall funding bill.
“Funding for CHIP should never have been allowed to run out in the first place. The program is supported overwhelmingly by both parties. Republicans and Democrats and all Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell had to do is put it up for a vote, and it would have been a done deal. But they decided to use it – as a bargaining tool instead.”
To illustrate what he thinks is really going on, Kimmel performed a short skit comparing Republicans to a coffee shop owner who threatens to close his business down unless customers agree to accept a bag of “horse s–t” with every cup of coffee.
See the whole thing above.
*Related stories from TheWrap:*
Joe Scarborough: Many Republicans Say Trump is 'Unstable' When Cameras Are Off
Senate Republicans Pass Tax Bill, Hollywood Freaks Out: 'Goodbye America'
Log Cabin Republicans Didn't Endorse Trump but Booked Gala Event at Trump's DC Hotel
Fox News' Shepard Smith Couldn't Book Any Republicans to Back Trump on Charlottesville (Video) Reported by The Wrap 12 hours ago.
First joking that “we’ve reached a point somehow at which North and South Koreans have a better relationship than Republicans and Democrats do,” Kimmel pushed back against the idea Democrats are to blame if a budget bill can’t be passed, leading to a shutdown.
“Republicans are in control of the House, the Senate and the White House,” Kimmel said. “The Democrats can’t even shut their computers down without Paul Ryan’s permission.”
*Also Read:* Jimmy Kimmel: If Oscars Screw-Up Happens Again 'Everyone That Works at ABC Should Be Fired'
Kimmel also talked about funding for CHIP, which has been expired for 100 days, renewal of which republicans have tied to the overall funding bill.
“Funding for CHIP should never have been allowed to run out in the first place. The program is supported overwhelmingly by both parties. Republicans and Democrats and all Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell had to do is put it up for a vote, and it would have been a done deal. But they decided to use it – as a bargaining tool instead.”
To illustrate what he thinks is really going on, Kimmel performed a short skit comparing Republicans to a coffee shop owner who threatens to close his business down unless customers agree to accept a bag of “horse s–t” with every cup of coffee.
See the whole thing above.
*Related stories from TheWrap:*
Joe Scarborough: Many Republicans Say Trump is 'Unstable' When Cameras Are Off
Senate Republicans Pass Tax Bill, Hollywood Freaks Out: 'Goodbye America'
Log Cabin Republicans Didn't Endorse Trump but Booked Gala Event at Trump's DC Hotel
Fox News' Shepard Smith Couldn't Book Any Republicans to Back Trump on Charlottesville (Video) Reported by The Wrap 12 hours ago.
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Frost & Sullivan: Double digit growth rates will propel APAC to form 28% of US$2 trillion global healthcare market in 2018
SINGAPORE, Jan. 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The healthcare industry in Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at 11.1% in 2018, representing one of the fastest growing regions in the world, as the global healthcare economy averages a 4.8% annual growth rate. The positive growth is fuelled by increasing adoption of technology, innovative healthcare access programmes and delivery of care outside traditional hospital settings. Frost & Sullivan projects the Asia Pacific healthcare market to grow to US$517 billion in 2018.
Frost & Sullivan presented the Asia-Pacific Healthcare Outlook, 2018 at the Conrad Centennial Hotel, Singapore on 11^th Jan. The event was attended by close to 100 senior management and C-suite executives, marking the start of an exciting year ahead for the industry.
Even though the given political concerns and rising pressures to decrease healthcare costs, this industry will register globally a stable growth rate of 4.82% during this year. Key trends such as X-as-a-Service model will create new revenue streams driving future sustainability for the healthcare industry and Cloud will emerge as a core platform since all stakeholders need to expand storage flexibility. Finally, the ongoing digital transformation and the smart city concept will push the need for hospitals to become 'Smart Hospitals', with the Asia-Pacific countries driving this revolution.
For the Asia-Pacific region, healthcare challenges of access and affordability of new technology demand complex and innovative solutions from all industry stakeholders. The room generated interesting conversations around regulatory transitions, new business models, emerging technology platforms, evolving role of consumers and growth opportunities for industry participants including pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, medical technology manufacturers, digital health vendors and healthcare service providers. A key theme was the increasing industry focus on healthcare outcomes vs cost and patient-centric treatment pathways.
"The role of healthcare consumers is changing dramatically in Asia-Pacific. Digital technology enables access to information and care; hence consumers are able to choose where, how, and by whom they would like to be treated. This is changing every business model in the region", noted Rhenu Bhuller, Partner, Frost & Sullivan.
Karthik Rajan, Head of Consulting for the Frost & Sullivan Transformational Health practice presented the top predictions for the industry in 2018. The following is a round-up of the top 5 growth influencers.
· *Despite the push for primary care, hospital expansion will continue to serve demand in emerging markets *
These include development of hospitals along with integrated primary care chains and specialist clinics through partnerships and venture funding. In addition to expansion in points of care outside of the hospital setting, there will be shifts in policy makers' appetite for regulatory transformation to support goals for universal healthcare coverage and access and in private health insurers driving wellness and early intervention.
· *Private health insurers will bring in solutions to reduce the financial burden of ill-health at a population level*
Private Health Insurance providers are experimenting with digital platforms for chronic disease management and wellness that reward patients for healthy behaviours and can potentially reduce the payout burden at a population level. They are also investing in InsurTech solutions as well as innovative distribution channels to improve market penetration.
· *Outbound medical tourism from China and India will grow to over 170 million travellers by 2018.*
Medical Tourism is also set to take on greater prominence in 2018. With six of the world's top 10 medical tourist destinations, Asia Pacific will be the fastest growing region for medical tourism in 2018 with growth rates exceeding 15%. The increasing use of technology in areas such as minimally invasive surgery or teleconsultation for pre and post treatment follow up are providing further platforms for growth.
· *ASEAN Harmonization*
In 2018, Singapore also assumes chairmanship of ASEAN, bringing in the themes of "resilience" and "innovation". Singapore will target boosting e-commerce and promoting development of smart cities across the region. Healthcare markets will benefit significantly from these initiatives, especially if the underlying issues like data protection and cybersecurity are actively addressed.
· *Personalization combined with consumer empowerment will be the key ingredient for prevention & wellness*
Direct-to-consumer gene sequencing is moving towards services and solutions as companies like Prudential, iCarbonX and Healthi introduced personalized wellness interventions. On the other hand, companies like Thorne Research and Imagene Labs will make available personalized over-the-counter nutritional supplements and skin care products respectively, and that too on a subscription model.
Separately, topics such as value based care (and outcome-based reimbursement) models matched by preventative care were also discussed as part of a panel discussion featuring industry leaders such as Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei, Vice President, Communications and Value-Based Healthcare, Medtronic, Dr. Jozica Habijanic, Head, Strategic Development, Roche Diagnostic and Farhana Nakhooda, Director, IBM Industry Academy Member.
Frost & Sullivan's Transformational Health 360 Degrees Research helps you to better understand buyer-seller dynamics as the healthcare system transitions to digital information, the pace at which new and innovative medical devices and systems are being adopted and getting embedded into the typical clinical pathway, both in mature and emerging markets, and enables you to bring clarity to pharmaceutical/biotechnology, in-vitro diagnostics and life science research tools market decisions and implementation tactics. To view current and upcoming research, please visit http://www.frost.com/c/10024/sublib/category-index.do?category=industry
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Is your organization prepared for the next profound wave of industry convergence, disruptive technologies, increasing competitive intensity, Mega Trends, breakthrough best practices, changing customer dynamics and emerging economies? Contact us: Start the discussion
*Media Contact*:
Melissa Tan
Corporate Communications -- Asia Pacific
P: +65 6890 0926
F: +65 6890 0999
E: melissa.tan@frost.com
http://www.frost.com Reported by PR Newswire Asia 10 hours ago.
Frost & Sullivan presented the Asia-Pacific Healthcare Outlook, 2018 at the Conrad Centennial Hotel, Singapore on 11^th Jan. The event was attended by close to 100 senior management and C-suite executives, marking the start of an exciting year ahead for the industry.
Even though the given political concerns and rising pressures to decrease healthcare costs, this industry will register globally a stable growth rate of 4.82% during this year. Key trends such as X-as-a-Service model will create new revenue streams driving future sustainability for the healthcare industry and Cloud will emerge as a core platform since all stakeholders need to expand storage flexibility. Finally, the ongoing digital transformation and the smart city concept will push the need for hospitals to become 'Smart Hospitals', with the Asia-Pacific countries driving this revolution.
For the Asia-Pacific region, healthcare challenges of access and affordability of new technology demand complex and innovative solutions from all industry stakeholders. The room generated interesting conversations around regulatory transitions, new business models, emerging technology platforms, evolving role of consumers and growth opportunities for industry participants including pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, medical technology manufacturers, digital health vendors and healthcare service providers. A key theme was the increasing industry focus on healthcare outcomes vs cost and patient-centric treatment pathways.
"The role of healthcare consumers is changing dramatically in Asia-Pacific. Digital technology enables access to information and care; hence consumers are able to choose where, how, and by whom they would like to be treated. This is changing every business model in the region", noted Rhenu Bhuller, Partner, Frost & Sullivan.
Karthik Rajan, Head of Consulting for the Frost & Sullivan Transformational Health practice presented the top predictions for the industry in 2018. The following is a round-up of the top 5 growth influencers.
· *Despite the push for primary care, hospital expansion will continue to serve demand in emerging markets *
These include development of hospitals along with integrated primary care chains and specialist clinics through partnerships and venture funding. In addition to expansion in points of care outside of the hospital setting, there will be shifts in policy makers' appetite for regulatory transformation to support goals for universal healthcare coverage and access and in private health insurers driving wellness and early intervention.
· *Private health insurers will bring in solutions to reduce the financial burden of ill-health at a population level*
Private Health Insurance providers are experimenting with digital platforms for chronic disease management and wellness that reward patients for healthy behaviours and can potentially reduce the payout burden at a population level. They are also investing in InsurTech solutions as well as innovative distribution channels to improve market penetration.
· *Outbound medical tourism from China and India will grow to over 170 million travellers by 2018.*
Medical Tourism is also set to take on greater prominence in 2018. With six of the world's top 10 medical tourist destinations, Asia Pacific will be the fastest growing region for medical tourism in 2018 with growth rates exceeding 15%. The increasing use of technology in areas such as minimally invasive surgery or teleconsultation for pre and post treatment follow up are providing further platforms for growth.
· *ASEAN Harmonization*
In 2018, Singapore also assumes chairmanship of ASEAN, bringing in the themes of "resilience" and "innovation". Singapore will target boosting e-commerce and promoting development of smart cities across the region. Healthcare markets will benefit significantly from these initiatives, especially if the underlying issues like data protection and cybersecurity are actively addressed.
· *Personalization combined with consumer empowerment will be the key ingredient for prevention & wellness*
Direct-to-consumer gene sequencing is moving towards services and solutions as companies like Prudential, iCarbonX and Healthi introduced personalized wellness interventions. On the other hand, companies like Thorne Research and Imagene Labs will make available personalized over-the-counter nutritional supplements and skin care products respectively, and that too on a subscription model.
Separately, topics such as value based care (and outcome-based reimbursement) models matched by preventative care were also discussed as part of a panel discussion featuring industry leaders such as Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei, Vice President, Communications and Value-Based Healthcare, Medtronic, Dr. Jozica Habijanic, Head, Strategic Development, Roche Diagnostic and Farhana Nakhooda, Director, IBM Industry Academy Member.
Frost & Sullivan's Transformational Health 360 Degrees Research helps you to better understand buyer-seller dynamics as the healthcare system transitions to digital information, the pace at which new and innovative medical devices and systems are being adopted and getting embedded into the typical clinical pathway, both in mature and emerging markets, and enables you to bring clarity to pharmaceutical/biotechnology, in-vitro diagnostics and life science research tools market decisions and implementation tactics. To view current and upcoming research, please visit http://www.frost.com/c/10024/sublib/category-index.do?category=industry
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Is your organization prepared for the next profound wave of industry convergence, disruptive technologies, increasing competitive intensity, Mega Trends, breakthrough best practices, changing customer dynamics and emerging economies? Contact us: Start the discussion
*Media Contact*:
Melissa Tan
Corporate Communications -- Asia Pacific
P: +65 6890 0926
F: +65 6890 0999
E: melissa.tan@frost.com
http://www.frost.com Reported by PR Newswire Asia 10 hours ago.
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Bad Breath Could Mean A Dental Disaster For Pets
Embrace Pet Insurance presents case for routine pet dental cleanings.
CLEVELAND (PRWEB) January 19, 2018
February is designated as National Pet Dental Health Month, and there is far more to know about pet dental health than “feeding dry food helps.” In addition to sparkling fresh breath, keeping your pet's teeth and gums in good shape has many health benefits. Now is the time to schedule that checkup for your pet to ensure the best dental health possible.
“Dog or cat breath” is often a sign of periodontal disease in pets. The pungent odors coming from your pet’s mouth are a sign of uncontrolled persistent infection in the mouth.
At home, the best thing you can do for your pet’s teeth is to brush them, which is indeed possible with some patience and determination on your part. To be effective, it needs to be done at least every other day. In addition to regular brushing, you can supplement your pet’s dental routine with dental treats, water additives, and rubber dog toys.
Some “Tooth Truth” dental facts:· The majority of discolored teeth are no longer alive and are sources of infection waiting to progress.
· The most common oral malignancy in dogs is the malignant melanoma, but most oral masses in dogs are benign.
· Many oral tumors in cats are malignant (squamous cell carcinoma).
· Small dogs are more likely to develop periodontal disease than large breed dogs because their teeth are often too large for their mouths.
· Without proper dental care, far more than half of dogs and cats show signs of oral disease by age three.
· Periodontal disease is the most common disease in dogs and cats seen by veterinarians.
Periodontal disease starts when bacteria combine with food particles to form plaque on the teeth. Within days, minerals in the saliva bond with the plaque to form tartar, a hard substance that adheres to the teeth. The bacteria work their way through the gums and cause gingivitis. Once under the gums, bacteria destroy the supporting tissue around the tooth, leading to tooth loss. The bacteria associated with periodontal disease can also travel in the bloodstream to infect the heart, kidneys, and liver. Untreated periodontal disease is extremely dangerous, and can even be fatal.
A professional veterinary dental cleaning is the only way to remove tartar from your pet’s teeth and under their gum tissue. With a professional dental cleaning and proper follow-up care, gingivitis is reversible. Periodontal disease is not reversible, but diligent at-home dental care and regular veterinary cleanings can slow down the progression of the condition.
Of course, the goal should be preventing dental problems rather than having to fix them. Getting teeth cleaned before they go past the point of no return gives veterinarians a chance to save them, and is much less expensive for you and easier for your pet.
“Your pet’s teeth are an essential part of their overall well-being,” says Chris Hagesfeld, president of Embrace Pet Insurance. “Embrace understands this and continually takes strides to ensure that pet parents have options for being proactive with their pet’s dental health. Embrace offers Wellness Rewards that can be added to any accident and illness policy to help pay for dental care.”
Don't delay! Periodontal disease is progressive and painful. The key to optimum pet oral health is regular teeth cleaning and establishing a daily home-care routine.
About Embrace Pet Insurance
Embrace Pet Insurance is an Ohio-based pet health insurance provider, offering comprehensive, personalized insurance products for dogs and cats across the United States. Embrace is consistently ranked as one of the highest-rated U.S. pet insurance companies, and is a proud member of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association. Embrace is the only company to offer a diminishing deductible feature, the Healthy Pet Deductible, and continues to innovate and improve the pet insurance experience for pet parents across the country. For more information about Embrace Pet Insurance, visit http://www.embracepetinsurance.com or call (800) 511-9172. Reported by PRWeb 9 hours ago.
CLEVELAND (PRWEB) January 19, 2018
February is designated as National Pet Dental Health Month, and there is far more to know about pet dental health than “feeding dry food helps.” In addition to sparkling fresh breath, keeping your pet's teeth and gums in good shape has many health benefits. Now is the time to schedule that checkup for your pet to ensure the best dental health possible.
“Dog or cat breath” is often a sign of periodontal disease in pets. The pungent odors coming from your pet’s mouth are a sign of uncontrolled persistent infection in the mouth.
At home, the best thing you can do for your pet’s teeth is to brush them, which is indeed possible with some patience and determination on your part. To be effective, it needs to be done at least every other day. In addition to regular brushing, you can supplement your pet’s dental routine with dental treats, water additives, and rubber dog toys.
Some “Tooth Truth” dental facts:· The majority of discolored teeth are no longer alive and are sources of infection waiting to progress.
· The most common oral malignancy in dogs is the malignant melanoma, but most oral masses in dogs are benign.
· Many oral tumors in cats are malignant (squamous cell carcinoma).
· Small dogs are more likely to develop periodontal disease than large breed dogs because their teeth are often too large for their mouths.
· Without proper dental care, far more than half of dogs and cats show signs of oral disease by age three.
· Periodontal disease is the most common disease in dogs and cats seen by veterinarians.
Periodontal disease starts when bacteria combine with food particles to form plaque on the teeth. Within days, minerals in the saliva bond with the plaque to form tartar, a hard substance that adheres to the teeth. The bacteria work their way through the gums and cause gingivitis. Once under the gums, bacteria destroy the supporting tissue around the tooth, leading to tooth loss. The bacteria associated with periodontal disease can also travel in the bloodstream to infect the heart, kidneys, and liver. Untreated periodontal disease is extremely dangerous, and can even be fatal.
A professional veterinary dental cleaning is the only way to remove tartar from your pet’s teeth and under their gum tissue. With a professional dental cleaning and proper follow-up care, gingivitis is reversible. Periodontal disease is not reversible, but diligent at-home dental care and regular veterinary cleanings can slow down the progression of the condition.
Of course, the goal should be preventing dental problems rather than having to fix them. Getting teeth cleaned before they go past the point of no return gives veterinarians a chance to save them, and is much less expensive for you and easier for your pet.
“Your pet’s teeth are an essential part of their overall well-being,” says Chris Hagesfeld, president of Embrace Pet Insurance. “Embrace understands this and continually takes strides to ensure that pet parents have options for being proactive with their pet’s dental health. Embrace offers Wellness Rewards that can be added to any accident and illness policy to help pay for dental care.”
Don't delay! Periodontal disease is progressive and painful. The key to optimum pet oral health is regular teeth cleaning and establishing a daily home-care routine.
About Embrace Pet Insurance
Embrace Pet Insurance is an Ohio-based pet health insurance provider, offering comprehensive, personalized insurance products for dogs and cats across the United States. Embrace is consistently ranked as one of the highest-rated U.S. pet insurance companies, and is a proud member of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association. Embrace is the only company to offer a diminishing deductible feature, the Healthy Pet Deductible, and continues to innovate and improve the pet insurance experience for pet parents across the country. For more information about Embrace Pet Insurance, visit http://www.embracepetinsurance.com or call (800) 511-9172. Reported by PRWeb 9 hours ago.
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Best of Late Night: Jimmy Kimmel Jumps Back Into the Health Care Debate
Urging Congress to fund the Children’s Health Insurance Program, Mr. Kimmel used a favorite character to illustrate his point: the petulant barista.
Reported by NYTimes.com 6 hours ago.
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Major Mass. insurers dropped from state employee health system
A decision about health coverage for state employees and retirees is shaking the Massachusetts health insurance industry. Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Tufts Health Plan and Fallon Health, which are the second-, third- and fourth-largest insurers in the state, have been dropped by the state Group Insurance Commission (GIC), which manages coverage for 442,000 members. About half of those members have a Harvard Pilgrim, Tufts or Fallon plan, and will need to chose new insurance coverage for July 1.…
Reported by bizjournals 5 hours ago.
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Jimmy Kimmel's monologue skewers GOP on government shutdown, children's health care
Jimmy Kimmel got political once again on Thursday night, using his platform on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” to discuss the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Reported by FOXNews.com 32 minutes ago.
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Jimmy Kimmel talks government shutdown, children's healthcare
Jimmy Kimmel got political once again on Thursday night, using his platform on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” to discuss the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Reported by FOXNews.com 3 hours ago.
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Jimmy Kimmel's monologue skewers GOP on government shutdown, children's healthcare
Jimmy Kimmel got political once again on Thursday night, using his platform on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” to discuss the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Reported by FOXNews.com 2 hours ago.
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CHIP: What to know about the Children's Health Insurance Program
The federal funds for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) expired at the end of September, and a permanent solution has not been passed.
Reported by FOXNews.com 9 hours ago.
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Will GOP Congress Mark March for Life by Funding Planned Parenthood?
House Speaker Paul Ryan (Screen Capture)
The continuing resolution that the House of Representatives passed last night and sent to the Senate extends government funding—set to expire today—until February 16, while also extending the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years.
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*Please support CNSNews today! (a 501c3 non-profit production of The Media Research Center)*
DONATE Reported by CNSNews.com 12 hours ago.
The continuing resolution that the House of Representatives passed last night and sent to the Senate extends government funding—set to expire today—until February 16, while also extending the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years.
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*Please support CNSNews today! (a 501c3 non-profit production of The Media Research Center)*
DONATE Reported by CNSNews.com 12 hours ago.
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Hospital M&A Activity Grows in Q4:2017
Acquisition activity in the hospital market increased in the fourth quarter of 2017, according to data from HealthcareMandA.com
NORWALK, Conn. (PRWEB) January 19, 2018
Hospital M&A activity accelerated in the fourth quarter of 2017, according to new acquisition data from HealthCareMandA.com. The number of hospital acquisitions rose to 21 in the fourth quarter, up 40% from the 15 publicly announced acquisitions in the third quarter of 2017. Compared with the same quarter in 2016, which posted 23 transactions, activity was down 9%. While none of the transactions disclosed a purchase price in the third quarter of 2017, four of the deals in the fourth quarter disclosed prices, for a combined total of $2.82 billion. For comparison purposes, the fourth quarter of 2016 posted a total of $2.31 billion in disclosed prices paid.
The largest deal in the quarter was UnitedHealth Group’s $2.8 billion acquisition of the Chilean Banmedica SA, which operates hospitals, sells health insurance and provides other services. In the United States, consolidation among large not-for-profit systems peaked in the fourth quarter with the definitive merger agreements between Dignity Health and Catholic Health Initiatives, and Advocate Health and Aurora Health. For-profit chains continued to sell financially troubled facilities. Community Health Systems sold two hospitals and Tenet Healthcare and LifePoint Health each sold one.
“The shift to value-based payments is affecting the hospital sector in myriad ways,” stated Lisa Phillips, editor of the Health Care M&A Report, which publishes the data. “Continuing pressure on operating margins, shorter inpatient stays and the push by managed care organizations to deliver care in the lowest-cost setting means we’ll see even more hospital mergers on the not-for-profit side in 2018.”
All quarterly results are published in The Health Care M&A Report for all 13 sectors of health care, which is part of the HealthCareMandA.com investment research source. For more information, or to order the report, call 800-248-1668. Irving Levin Associates, Inc. was established in 1948 and has headquarters in Norwalk, Connecticut. The company publishes research reports and newsletters, and maintains databases on the health care and senior housing M&A markets.
To receive this press release via email, send a message to pressreleases(at)levinassociates(dot)com
Lisa Phillips, Editor
Phone: (203) 846-6800
Fax: (203) 846-8300 Reported by PRWeb 9 hours ago.
NORWALK, Conn. (PRWEB) January 19, 2018
Hospital M&A activity accelerated in the fourth quarter of 2017, according to new acquisition data from HealthCareMandA.com. The number of hospital acquisitions rose to 21 in the fourth quarter, up 40% from the 15 publicly announced acquisitions in the third quarter of 2017. Compared with the same quarter in 2016, which posted 23 transactions, activity was down 9%. While none of the transactions disclosed a purchase price in the third quarter of 2017, four of the deals in the fourth quarter disclosed prices, for a combined total of $2.82 billion. For comparison purposes, the fourth quarter of 2016 posted a total of $2.31 billion in disclosed prices paid.
The largest deal in the quarter was UnitedHealth Group’s $2.8 billion acquisition of the Chilean Banmedica SA, which operates hospitals, sells health insurance and provides other services. In the United States, consolidation among large not-for-profit systems peaked in the fourth quarter with the definitive merger agreements between Dignity Health and Catholic Health Initiatives, and Advocate Health and Aurora Health. For-profit chains continued to sell financially troubled facilities. Community Health Systems sold two hospitals and Tenet Healthcare and LifePoint Health each sold one.
“The shift to value-based payments is affecting the hospital sector in myriad ways,” stated Lisa Phillips, editor of the Health Care M&A Report, which publishes the data. “Continuing pressure on operating margins, shorter inpatient stays and the push by managed care organizations to deliver care in the lowest-cost setting means we’ll see even more hospital mergers on the not-for-profit side in 2018.”
All quarterly results are published in The Health Care M&A Report for all 13 sectors of health care, which is part of the HealthCareMandA.com investment research source. For more information, or to order the report, call 800-248-1668. Irving Levin Associates, Inc. was established in 1948 and has headquarters in Norwalk, Connecticut. The company publishes research reports and newsletters, and maintains databases on the health care and senior housing M&A markets.
To receive this press release via email, send a message to pressreleases(at)levinassociates(dot)com
Lisa Phillips, Editor
Phone: (203) 846-6800
Fax: (203) 846-8300 Reported by PRWeb 9 hours ago.
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‘Three Identical Strangers’ Film Review: Documentary Follows Separated Triplets Down Some Tragic Life Paths
In 1980, a 19-year-old man named Robert Shafran walked on campus for his first day of college. To his bewilderment, the kids greeted him as if they knew him already and were surprised that he was back. It didn’t take long for Robert to figure out that he had an identical twin brother named Eddy about whom he knew nothing. After they met, and it was reported in the press, yet another identical twin brother named David contacted Robert and Eddy.Director Tim Wardle’s carefully structured and suspenseful documentary “Three Identical Strangers” starts at this point where all the brothers first met, and it mimics the “can you believe it?” tone of their initial press. Robert, Eddy, and David made the rounds of all the talk shows in 1980 and became media celebrities. They also all moved into the same apartment in Manhattan, and they enjoyed some wild times.
The brothers appeared in the movie “Desperately Seeking Susan,” where they stared after Madonna as she walked down the street. When one of them didn’t have health insurance, he pretended to be a brother who did and had his appendix removed. They sowed their wild oats, and they all eventually married women who loved them. They opened a restaurant together called Triplets, and things went well with that for a time. And so at first this seems like a fairly happy story.
*Also Read:* HBO Documentary Films Acquires Rights to 'The Price of Everything' Ahead of Sundance Premiere
But then the brothers began to learn about why they were separated from each other, and the backstory that emerges has so many sinister twists and turns that it becomes mind-boggling. As this movie goes on, and the narrative unfolds, you are likely to be saying to yourself, “Oh my God,” every 10 minutes or so.
“Three Identical Strangers” is the sort of movie that you should ideally see without knowing too much about it or what happens in it. There will be a few spoilers ahead in this review, but this movie contains so many revelations that writing a little about the first few of them will really just be the tip of the iceberg. So proceed with caution until you see the film.
*Also Read:* Sundance: Will Fox Searchlight Still Be a Player in Shadow of Disney Acquisition?
The adoptive parents of the boys were very angry when they found out that they had not been told about the other two identical siblings by the Louise Wise Services adoption agency in New York. The six of them went to the agency to complain in 1980, but they got nowhere. When the parents spoke about a lawsuit, they were discouraged because the agency seemed to have some powerful political connections.
In 1995, the triplets found out that they had been deliberately separated as part of a psychological experiment by Dr. Peter Neubauer, a noted child psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who was close with Freud’s daughter Anna. Neubauer’s most notable paper was “The One-Parent Child and His Oedipal Development,” where he argued that the lack of a father figure could do damage. This paper was published in 1960, the year before Neubauer chose to split up the brothers and place them in different homes for observation, with carefully selected parents.
*Also Read:* Sundance After #MeToo: Indie Buyers and Sellers Step Up Vetting of Filmmakers, Stars
The adoptive parents were told by the Louise Wise agency that they were doing a study of adopted children, and so researchers came to question the boys on a regular basis and treated them as guinea pigs for the purposes of information on child development and on parenting. As “Three Identical Strangers” goes on, we learn more and more about the specific details of this Neubauer study, and what at first looks unethical begins to seem downright cruel and outright destructive.
The triplets find their birth mother and meet her for a drink, and it sounds like she wasn’t a woman they wanted to get to know too well. (In the single photo we see of her from her high school yearbook, she looks exactly like them.) When the brothers find out about several other twins who were separated for the Neubauer study, they begin to realize some of the most disturbing ramifications of what was done to them.
While telling a specific and horrifying real-life story, “Three Identical Strangers” explores the notion of “nature versus nurture” in a way that seems to both confirm and deny the neatness of any possible scientific study of human behavior. We hear Neubauer’s voice only once here, when he is questioned by a journalist. Neubauer says that he broke the twin study off in 1980 because “it got too expensive.”
The results of Neubauer’s study were never published, and the files on it are under seal at Yale University until 2066, presumably because the subjects of the study will have died by then. It is almost certain that Neubauer didn’t publish the results of the study because he knew public outcry against him would have been too much to handle.
Wardle spent five years making “Three Identical Strangers” after several other filmmakers had given up on this subject because they were always hitting a dead end, and so he deserves credit for journalistic doggedness and also for making a documentary that plays like a nerve-jangling thriller.
*Related stories from TheWrap:*
Jane Fonda, Gloria Allred to Speak at Respect Rally at Sundance Film Festival
Jada Pinkett Smith, Octavia Spencer, Michael Stuhlbarg Join Sundance 2018 Jury
Sundance Parties 2018: Highlights of the Starry Scene Invading Park City
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Ava DuVernay, Taika Waititi Heading to 2018 Sundance Film Festival Reported by The Wrap 8 hours ago.
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