2020: Via UCare, VERBATIM: “UCare’s PMAP Medicaid program will serve individuals and families in a total of 41 counties in 2020, with the addition of Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties. These counties exited the South Country Health Alliance (SCHA) plan for 2020. As a result, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) invited UCare to enter the 3 counties as a health plan option for individuals losing their SCHA plan. UCare is one of two plans available to approximately 11,900 former SCHA members.” READ: http://bit.ly/35jsXg6 (SPONSORED: UCare)
SIGNUP: Now signing up for Fluence tip sheets is easy and can be found at one site, www.fluence-newsletters.com - VISIT: http://bit.ly/2019FluenceTipSheets
COST: Minnesota ranks 36th on GOBankingRates’ list of the best states for healthcare costs. VERBATIM: “The study analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Missouri Economic Research and Information Center on annual healthcare costs in all 50 states. GOBankingRates also factored in average hospital inpatient expenses, average annual premiums for people enrolled in employer-based health insurance plans and the median medical debt in collections for each state.” READ: https://yhoo.it/39xbnIP
DOCVISITS: From Jeff Lagasse via Healthcare Finance, VERBATIM: “Doctors and hospitals generate revenue by treating the patients who walk through their doors, but if the statistics are any indication, fewer patients are making the trek, with U.S. Census Bureau figures showing Americans are making less trips to the doctor. The data was culled from 2001 to 2010. At the beginning of this period, American adults made an average of 4.8 visits to doctors, nurses and other providers. Nine years later, that average was down to 3.9 visits. Those numbers come from the Survey of Income and Program Participation. Dentists are often left in the cold, with respondents much less likely to make annual visits to a dentist than they are another medical provider, at 59% compared to 73%.” READ: http://bit.ly/36k4Mzt
YEARAHEAD: From Peter Sullivan and Jessie Hellmann via The Hill, VERBATIM: “Lowering drug prices was supposed to be an area for potential bipartisan action in 2019, but the effort ran into a brick wall of industry lobbying and partisan divisions. There is a push to finally get legislation over the finish line in 2020, though . . . The other major health care initiative that Pelosi says she wants in the May package is protecting patients from surprise medical bills. That effort has also fallen prey to intense industry lobbying and congressional infighting . . . Outside of Capitol Hill negotiating rooms, the GOP lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act is looming large.” READ: http://bit.ly/36hi7IE
MEDMAR: From Scott McClallen via The Center Square, VERBATIM: “About 16 medical marijuana patient centers across Minnesota should be open by the end of 2020. Bill Parker, chief executive officer of LeafLine Labs, one of Minnesota’s two marijuana manufacturers and distributors, told The Center Square additional facilities will ease access to some patients who had to travel up to two hours away to one of the eight current dispensaries stretched across the state. Dr. Kyle Kingsley, founder and chief executive officer of Vireo Health, the parent company of Minnesota Medical Solutions, told The Center Square that the most significant obstacle in Minnesota’s medical market is its ban on cannabis flower. ‘The inclusion of flower would be the single greatest price reducer that we could bring to the marijuana program,’ Kingsley said. Flower prices would be about a third of current, comparable products, Kingsley said, because pill and oil form, the current legal delivery methods, require more refining processes than growing, testing and packaging flower.” READ: http://bit.ly/2ueF69h
WARREN: From Astead W. Herndon via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “In warm-up remarks introducing Senator Elizabeth Warren at campaign rallies, young volunteers often say they are supporting her because of her plan to transform the health care system through a single-payer ‘Medicare for all’ program. It happened in Des Moines on Saturday and Oklahoma City last week, and in western Iowa cities like Clarinda and Council Bluffs on Sunday. But Ms. Warren herself is barely speaking of the proposal. After months of attacks from other candidates, and questions and some blowback from both liberals and moderates, the most ambitious and expensive of Ms. Warren’s many plans — and the one most likely to transform the lives of voters — is just a passing mention in her standard stump speech, rarely explored in depth unless a questioner brings it up . . . this approach, which includes shorter opening remarks and more time for audience questions, has also allowed Ms. Warren to keep her own health care plan at arm’s length at a time when she has been facing significant scrutiny. It is a clear indication that, in a tight multicandidate race in Iowa, Ms. Warren has not become fully comfortable with staking her candidacy on her plan for health care, even as many Democrats cite the issue as their top priority.” READ: https://nyti.ms/36limCz
SANDERS: From Peter Sullivan via The Hill, VERBATIM: “Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said Tuesday that one of the ‘major differences’ between himself and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) is in how quickly they would roll out ‘Medicare for All,’ drawing a contrast on the key campaign issue . . . ‘I'm not into attacking my colleagues,’ Sanders told NBC. ‘We're about differentiating differences of issues. And I think maybe one of the major differences is what I have said over and over again and I just repeated it right now, in my first week in office we will introduce a Medicare for All, single-payer program’ . . . Warren, in contrast, is not calling for introducing full-scale Medicare for All in her first week in office. She instead has a plan to pass an optional government-run health insurance plan as a first step in her first 100 days in office.” READ: http://bit.ly/35izMhU
TRUMP: From Aamer Madhani and Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “As a candidate for the White House, Donald Trump repeatedly promised that he would ‘immediately’ replace President Barack Obama’s health care law with a plan of his own that would provide ‘insurance for everybody.’ Back then, Trump made it sound that his plan — ‘much less expensive and much better” than the Affordable Care Act — was imminent. And he put drug companies on notice that their pricing power no longer would be “politically protected.’ Nearly three years after taking office, Americans still are waiting for Trump’s big health insurance reveal. Prescription drug prices have edged lower, but with major legislation stuck in Congress it’s unclear if that relief is the start of a trend or merely a blip.” READ: http://bit.ly/2SOSXx1
RULING: From Jonathan Stempel via Reuters, VERBATIM: “A U.S. appeals court upheld the validity of a federal program governing the payment of billions of dollars to insurers under the Affordable Care Act, reversing a lower court ruling that had prompted the White House to temporarily suspend payments. Tuesday’s 3-0 decision by the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver is a victory for insurers that feared the Feb. 2018 lower court ruling and payments suspension could drive up premium costs and cause market turmoil. The appeals court said the Department of Health & Human Services did not act arbitrarily and capriciously in implementing its “risk adjustment” payments program. That program is intended to create incentives for insurers to cover sicker patients, including those with pre-existing conditions, by paying them with money collected from insurers that enroll healthier patients.” READ: https://reut.rs/2QEWqvz
HOUSLEY: Another Beers with Blois, Sen. Karin Housley talks about liquor laws, elder care reform, the decision not to run for the U.S. Senate, and hockey over a beer and a local seltzer from Lift Bridge Brewery in Stillwater. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/323bneK (SPONSORED: MN Corn Growers and North Central Carpenters Union)
FOODLABELS: Via Mayo Clinic News Network, VERBATIM: “The Food and Drug Administration has updated the Nutrition Facts label on packaged foods and beverages to reflect new scientific information, including the link between diet and chronic diseases. Manufacturers with $10 million or more in annual sales are required to switch to the new label by Jan. 1, 2020 . . . The new design of the Nutrition Facts label is meant to make it easier for consumers to make informed food choices. One of the most noticeable changes is the calories are now in a larger, bolder type.” WATCH: https://mayocl.in/2SO5tgm
VAPING: From Jennifer Maloney and Thomas M. Burton via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “The Food and Drug Administration plans to ban the sale of fruity flavors in cartridge-based e-cigarettes, but the restriction won’t apply to tank vaping systems commonly found at vape shops, according to people familiar with the matter. The action is seen as a compromise between Trump administration officials who want to address a rise in teen vaping and those concerned about the impact on small businesses and the possible political fallout for President Trump, these people said. Polls commissioned by the vaping industry have shown an outright ban would be unpopular in key states for the 2020 election. Federal officials are expected to announce the new plan as soon as Friday.” READ: https://on.wsj.com/2ZULZZf
MORE: From Sarah Owermohle and Dan Diamond via Politico, VERBATIM: “The decision is a win for some of Trump's conservative allies, who warned a more sweeping ban on flavored vaping products would alienate the president's base and weaken his reelection effort. However, the carveouts have angered public health groups. ‘It is a capitulation to both Juul and vape shops and gives a green light to the e-cigarette industry to continue to target and addict kids with flavored products,’ said Matthew Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco Free-Kids, in a statement Tuesday.” READ: https://politi.co/2ZM2aaQ
DRUGPRICES: Via Reuters, VERBATIM: “Drugmakers including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead Sciences, and Biogen hiked U.S. list prices on more than 50 drugs on Wednesday, bringing total New Year’s Day drug price increases to more than 250, according to data analyzed by healthcare research firm 3 Axis Advisors . . . Nearly all of the price increases are below 10% and the median price increase is around 5%, according to 3 Axis. More early year price increases could still be announced.” READ: https://cnb.cx/2QGbJEf
DEBT: From Jay Hancock via Kaiser Health News, VERBATIM: “The American Hospital Association, the biggest hospital trade group, says it promotes ‘best practices’ among medical systems to treat patients more effectively and improve community health. But the powerful association has stayed largely silent about hospitals suing thousands of patients for overdue bills, seizing homes or wages and even forcing families into bankruptcy. Atlantic Health System, whose CEO is the AHA’s chairman, Brian Gragnolati, has sued patients for unpaid bills thousands of times this year, court records show, including a family struggling to pay bills for three children with cystic fibrosis. AHA, which represents nearly 5,000, mostly nonprofit hospitals and medical systems, has issued few guidelines on such aggressive practices or the limited financial assistance policies that often trigger them.” READ: http://bit.ly/36mPHNu
OPIOIDS: From Michael Nedelman via CNN, VERBATIM: “The US Food and Drug Administration can't show a key program meant to address opioid misuse and abuse actually paid off, according to a new study. The authors of the study, published Monday in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, reviewed more than 9,700 pages of FDA documents pertaining to the agency's ‘risk evaluation and mitigation strategy,’ which launched in 2012 to address risks associated with extended-release and long-acting opioids . . . As part of the FDA's strategy to clamp down on inappropriate prescribing and misuse of these drugs, the agency mandated that drugmakers offer education on safe prescribing, and that they create medication guides informing patients of risks. The FDA also required companies to provide reports on prescriber behavior and patient safety. But the new study concluded that ‘more than 5 years after implementation, the FDA was unable to assess whether these outcomes were achieved.’” READ: https://cnn.it/2FffbAp
RURAL: From Bram Sable-Smith via National Public Radio, VERBATIM: “In many ways, rural communities like Necedah have become the face of the nation's opioid epidemic. Drug overdose deaths are more common by population size in rural areas than in urban ones. And rural doctors prescribe opioids more often by far, despite a nationwide decline in prescribing rates since 2012. Meanwhile, rural Americans have fewer alternatives to treat their very real pain, and they disproportionately lack access to effective addiction medication such as buprenorphine. It used to be rare for primary care physicians outside of big cities to take on the challenges of opioid misuse, according to Dr. Erin Krebs, a professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota who researches chronic pain management. Now, Krebs says it's becoming increasingly common ‘out of necessity.’ ‘We just have a lot of people who need this kind of care and they need it where they are,’ Krebs says.” WATCH: https://n.pr/2ZP21n9
MAYO: From Mike Miliard via Healthcare IT News, VERBATIM: “Mayo Clinic announced this week that it has created the role of chief digital officer, and hired Rita Khan, who most recently served as senior vice president of consumer digital at UnitedHealthcare, to the new C-level position. In her new role, Khan will guide Mayo Clinic's strategy as it prepares for big changes across the digital space, according to the health system. As CDO, Khan will chart digital strategy, putting in place a ‘comprehensive business plan and digital standards that align with Mayo Clinic's culture and values,’ and establish the new Mayo Clinic Center for Digital Health.” READ: http://bit.ly/2SNt6FO
VACCINE: From Lauran Neergaard via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Scientists think they’ve figured out how to make a century-old tuberculosis vaccine far more protective: Simply give the shot a different way. In a study with monkeys, injecting the vaccine straight into the bloodstream dramatically improved its effectiveness over today’s skin-deep shot, researchers reported Wednesday. ‘This offers hope,’ although more safety studies are required before testing the approach in people, said Dr. Robert Seder of the National Institutes of Health, a senior author of the study. Tuberculosis kills about 1.7 million people a year, mostly in poor countries.” READ: http://bit.ly/2SOlSkW
AI: From Julie Steenhuysen via Reuters, VERBATIM: “A Google artificial intelligence system proved as good as expert radiologists at detecting which women had breast cancer based on screening mammograms and showed promise at reducing errors, researchers in the United States and Britain reported. The study, published in the journal Nature on Wednesday, is the latest to show that artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to improve the accuracy of screening for breast cancer, which affects one in eight women globally.” READ: https://reut.rs/2QEYm7j
DR.GOOGLE: From Jacqueline Howard via CNN, VERBATIM: “Google users in the United States had a lot of questions about blood pressure, the keto diet and hiccups in 2019. Those topics were among the 10 most-searched health-related questions on the search engine this year, according to new data from Google . . . Last year, the top health-related questions Googled by people in the US included what is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, what is endometriosis and how long does weed stay in your urine.” READ: https://cnn.it/39um5jn
RUNNING: From Ashley Mateo via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “When the weather outside is frightful, you might think the last thing you’d want to do is lace up some running sneakers and jog out into the snow and ice. Hopping on the treadmill in your cozy basement seems both saner and more strategic. Not necessarily: As long as you have the proper gear, cold weather runs can actually offer a more intense workout that will help you run faster and longer when warm weather returns. Traditionally, the biggest obstacle has been fending off frigid temperatures and wind. Though runners once had to layer up to trap heat, now thin, light clothing provides warmth and breathability to help you maintain the optimal temperature.” READ: https://on.wsj.com/37t7hj2
GREATERMN: From Farmfest, the second Fluence Forum includes 9 commissioners from multiple state agencies discussing the intersection between agriculture and issues related to Greater Minnesota. The discussion will be broadcast at 6PM on Wednesday on WCCO Radio. This Fluence Forum is sponsored by Minnesota’s Corn Growers. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/FluenceForum2 (SPONSORED: MN Corn Growers)
FIRSTRESPONDERS: From The Front Line Foundation via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “The Front Line Foundation announced today they will be increasing death benefits to the families of first responders who are killed in the line of duty. These enhanced benefits will begin with payments made to the families of the National Guardsmen who were killed in a helicopter crash in early December. Founded in late 2018 The Front Line Foundation was formed to support Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, EMT first responders and National Guard Members across Minnesota. The organization grants financial support to families of first responders who have died in the line of duty . . . In addition to the news of increased support to families, The Front Line Foundation is proud to be recognized as the benefactor of the Minnesota Wild's third annual EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Personnel Appreciation Night on January 16, when the Wild take on the Tampa Bay Lightning.” READ: http://bit.ly/2SMm2JK
MORE: Via The Front Line Foundation, details of the Wild game and an opportunity to buy special ticket packages. SEE: http://bit.ly/2SML63l
STATEFAIR: From Mara Gottfried via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “A 4-year-old became so sick after visiting the Minnesota State Fair and touching livestock that he was hospitalized and developed permanent kidney damage, according to a recently filed lawsuit. The boy was diagnosed with E. coli and a complication of the infection that can cause life-threatening kidney failure, said the lawsuit against the State Fair. The Minnesota Department of Health announced in September they were investigating 11 cases of E. coli infections of people and they determined the outbreak was associated with visiting the Miracle of Birth Center, said Joni Scheftel, Minnesota public health veterinarian. Seven of the people sickened were hospitalized.” READ: http://bit.ly/2SJIPpk
6,000+: Over 6,000 people have downloaded the Fluence Forum, an hour-long deep dive a critical issue of our community. The topic of the first one was the Enbridge Line 3 Replacement. Joined by labor, business and Native community leaders we discussed the impact the $2.6 billion project will have on Minnesota. You can listen to the forum here. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/2PIjBUR
NEXT: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
SVIN: From Minneapolis-based Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “SVIN is pleased to announce the 2020-2021 Officers and welcome new members of the Board of Directors. David S. Liebeskind, MD, FAHA, FAAN, FANA, FSVIN, FWSO of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) will serve as SVIN's first elected Vascular Neurologist President with clinical and research interests in stroke and neurovascular disorders . . . Ameer E. Hassan, DO, FAHA, FSVIN of Valley Baptist Neuroscience Institute has been named President Elect . . . Ashutosh Jadhav, MD, PhD, FSVIN, FAHA of the University of Pittsburgh will serve as Treasurer . . . Thanh Nguyen, MD, FRCPc, FSVIN, FAHA of Boston Medical Center will serve as Secretary.” READ: https://prn.to/36p3hQE
If you like podcasts, listen to Beers with Blois...http://bit.ly/BWBLISTEN
TABKE: Episode #23 of Beers with Blois, from Badger Hill Brewing in Shakopee first-term Rep. Brad Tabke discusses politics in a swing district, surprises in his first term, and transportation. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/beerswBlois23 (SPONSORED: MN Corn Growers and North Central Carpenters Union)
COHEN: From Dual Citizen brewery Sen. Dick Cohen talks about major legislation he's helped pass and current dynamics within the Senate including his challenge from fmr. Rep. Erin Murphy. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/beerswblois22 (SPONSORED: MN Corn Growers and North Central Carpenters Union)
BEERS: Beers with Blois at Utepils with Rep. Jeremy Munson. Munson talks health care, starting a new caucus and his idea for a new bill for elections and open legislative seats. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois21 (SPONSORED: MN Corn Growers and North Central Carpenters Union)
GAROFALO: State Representative Pat Garofalo talks about a bipartisan idea for legalizing marijuana, a new outline for structuring bonding, and of course, sports betting in Minnesota. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeersWBlois20
PRATT: State Sen. Eric Pratt while rumored to be considering a candidacy for Congress against Rep. Angie Craig, Pratt announces he’ll run for re-election to the State Senate. Over a Pacifico, he discusses his leadership on passing bi-partisan wage theft legislation and pushback he received from people in his own party. Pratt discusses how he has approached trying to find a solution on the emergency insulin issue with DFLers. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois19 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers and North Central Carpenters Union )
SMITH: From Wild Minds Ales in South Minneapolis, Sen. Tina Smith talks about the culture of the U.S. Senate and who sits with who at lunch, how her marketing background changes the way she views traveling the state and meeting with people. She also shares early thoughts on her 2020 re-election campaign and what’s she’s learning about new currency on the Financial Services Committee. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois16 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
CARNAHAN: At the Republican Party booth, over a “Beer-garita”, from Tejas at the Minnesota State Fair, State GOP Chair Jennifer Carnahan talks about how President Trump’s campaign has invested unprecedented resources in Minnesota for a Presidential race. Carnahan also discusses the what’s at stake in the Minnesota Senate and how she grew into her role as a political outsider. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois17 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
MCCOLLUM: From Burning Brothers brewery in St. Paul, Rep. Betty McCollum brings us to our first gluten-free brewery and discusses the dynamics of being back in the majority and the Minnesota delegation. She shares her views on copper-nickel mining in Northern Minnesota, her role as the chair of an appropriations committee. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois15 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
CRAIG: Rep. Angie Craig drinks a local IPA with Blois and discusses what constituents are concerned about as she represents a district that President Donald Trump won in 2016, but Craig won in 2018. Talking about her plans for 2020, Craig shares how she’s approached meeting with lobbyists, what farmers have been telling her, and her work with Rep. Pete Stauber. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/beerswblois14
QUALLS: Republican challenger in Minnesota's Third Congressional District Kendall Qualls sits down at the Rock Elm Tavern in Plymouth for a cold one. Qualls discusses why he decided to run for Congress, issues he thinks he can make a difference on and where he thinks Rep. Dean Phillips hasn't delivered. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois13 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
CARTER: At the Allianz Field Beer Hall, Mayor Melvin Carter shares his priorities for St. Paul neighborhoods and residents. From major redevelopment opportunities on the riverfront, the Ford Plant and in Midway to what he’s learned during ride-alongs with police in the city. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/2Ytdprr
HAGEDORN: From Beers with Blois over some different Schell’s brewed beers at Crooked Pint in Fairbault, Rep. Jim Hagedorn joins Blois to discuss how Chinese trade has impacted the first district, his support of President Donald Trump, and what businesses and the agriculture community is concerned about as he travels the first district. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois11 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
DULUTH: In episode #10 of Beers with Blois, from Hoops Brewing in Canal Park, Duluth Mayor Emily Larson discusses how Duluth residents voted for higher taxes for infrastructure with over 70 percent of the vote, what the city is doing to address making housing more accessible, and why she’s taking the lead on pushing the EPA to study hydrogen fluoride after a refinery explosion in Superior, WI. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois10 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
BENSON: In episode #9 of Beers with Blois, from Invectis Brewery in Blaine, Beers with Blois catches up with State Sen. Michelle Benson on potential ways to split-up DHS and forthcoming prescription drug reform legislation. She shares the perspective on how physicians in the Senate influence legislation and what her plan is for re-election in 2020. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois9
(Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
CHEERS: Rep. Tom Emmer sits down with host Blois Olson and talks about his hobby of brewing beer and his beer tracking app, Rep. Ilhan Omar’s relationship with the Minnesota delegation and on Congress failure of doing its job since the 1990’s because of a lack of leadership. He also had a few things to say about hockey parents and what people are think about Trump in his district.” LISTEN: http://bit.ly/2WT4euR (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
iTunes: Beers with Blois is now on iTunes, SUBSCRIBE: https://apple.co/2Mi3q2o
WHITEHOUSE: via Beers with Blois, Rep. Dean Phillips VERBATIM: “That hour I spent in the White House Situation Room with the President was eye opening." In addition, Phillips shares insights on how they share thoughts this weekend in the Problem Solvers Caucus trip to the border, as well as his plans for 2020.” LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois8 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
NEU: The Lindstrom Bakery and Deputy House Minority Leader Anne Neu joins Blois to discuss Gov. Tim Walz role in the budget negotiations, Trump’s influence in the 2020 elections and how Minnesota DFLers are starting to look like DC Democrats on “radical” proposals. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois5 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
FREY: Using some blue language Mayor Jacob Frey introduces Blois to actual beer at La Doña, a cervezaria near where the Minnesota United Soccer stadium was going to be. Frey on his relationship with Chief Medaria Arradondo and how often they talk on the phone. LISTEN: http://bit.ly/BeerswBlois4 (Sponsored by Minnesota Corn Growers and the North Central States Carpenters Union)
via MORNING TAKE: Begin your day with political news via morning take
from Fluence Media. Sign up here to receive it in your InBox. SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/joinmorningtak
STRIKE: via news release from SEIU, VERBATIM: “A strike has been averted in Deer River as members of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota and management for Essentia Health – Deer River reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) late in the evening on Monday, December 30th. The tentative contract addressed many of the Union’s goals for negotiations including significant wage and benefit increases among other improvements. The details of the TA are currently being shared with members who will vote on the Tentative Agreement on January 9th.”
via BUSINESS TAKE: Subscribe to Business Take --- Daily before noon making you smarter for lunch. SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/biztakemt2
DECADE: The Star Tribune’s Evan Ramstad and Patrick Kennedy conclude UnitedHealth “dominated” Minnesota business over the past decade, increasing its stock price tenfold. READ: http://strib.mn/2QghhpW
SOFIAFUND: Via Minnesota-based Sofia Fund, VERBATIM: “Sofia Fund, a leading angel investment firm focused on high-growth, women-led early stage companies, today announced it has invested in Clinician Nexus, which offers a proprietary technology platform that connects students with clinical rotations in health care environments, as part of its $1.5 million recent round of seed funding.” READ: http://bit.ly/2QRGJ4v
FEE: From Bruce Japsen via Forbes, VERBATIM: “The end of a health insurance fee will eliminate more than $15 billion in taxes that were expected to be levied on insurers including big players like Anthem, Cigna, Humana and UnitedHealth Group. The end of the so-called ‘HIF’ is an election-year gift to the health insurance industry, which has for years been fighting to put off or get Congress and the White House to repeal the fee, which was part of the Affordable Care Act. The HIF was estimated to cost health insurers $15 billion or more in taxes for 2020, according to some studies. And would cost much more if it hadn’t been repealed. Like the medical device tax that was also repealed when President Trump signed bipartisan fiscal 2020 appropriations legislation, the health insurance fee had been enacted at various times in recent years only to be put on hiatus.” READ: http://bit.ly/2s4QZOt
|
|
|
|
