CMS: NJ ADOPTS A SIGN OF THE TIMES
The NJ Division of Workers' Compensation has created a new hearing list designation..."Pending Medicare Approval.” It can be assumed that these cases are matters that the parties have voluntarily noticed the Court of the existence of potential Medicare interests. Rumor has it that between 25,000 and 40,000 cases on the NJ docket alone are subject to CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service) review. The number of cases being given that designation will obviously grow epidemically in the near future to include ALL cases involving: beneficiaries presently on SSA disability OR potential beneficiaries, ie. 62.5 yrs and those who may seek benefits in the near future. Probably all SIF (Second Injury Fund) matters will be subject that designation universally. The number of cases may far exceed those where the State is already data-matching: ie. TDB liens, matrimonial liens and child support liens. (See also the story about State Workers’ Compensation Data Exchanges with CMS on http://www.gelmans.com )
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LOW-WAGE NATION
Walmart is not alone, and together with other large service sector employers is defining the new industrial landscape and the structure of the U.S. working class. Although the portion of large companies in the U.S. has remained relatively stable over the past decade, the industrial composition of the largest companies has continued to shift dramatically from relatively high-wage, unionized industrials to low-wage, nonunion retailers.
http://laborresearch.org/story2.php/358
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KEMPER ON LIFE SUPPORT
Kemper, one of the most revered names in the insurance industry, is officially on life support - and that could spell disruption for policyholders as well as financial hits for other insurers and the state's treasury. If breathing tubes and IVs don't work and Long Grove, Ill.-based Kemper Insurance Co. passes into insolvency, the state would be forced to come up with anywhere from $80 million to $130 million to cover unpaid claims. It would be the largest insolvency in the state's history in terms of outstanding claims.
http://www.bizjournals.com/industries/banking_financial_services/insurance/2004/07/05/triangle_story1.html
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AIA STATES CALIFORNIA WORKERS’ COMPENSATION REFORMS PRODUCE AVERAGE 26 PERCENT RATE SHIFT
Reforms Signal More Stable and Competitive Market, Says AIA
The American Insurance Association (AIA) today announced that recently enacted reform legislation passed in 2003 and this past spring has prompted a 26 percent swing in average workers’ compensation rates.
http://www.aiadc.org/DocFrame.asp?DocID=12886
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ONE OF THE NATION'S MEANEST & TOUGHEST CORPORATIONS
"One of America's finest union leaders and her supporters are now under assault by one of the nation's meanest, toughest corporations. For years Maria Martinez, head of Teamsters Local 556 in Walla Walla, Washington, has been battling IBP, the meatpacking giant now owned by Tyson Foods. In 1999 Martinez helped launch a wildcat strike at IBP's beef slaughterhouse in Wallula, Washington, protesting safety hazards and excessive line speeds...."
Tyson's Moral Anchor by Eric Schlosser, The Nation
http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20040712&s=schlosser
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NY ASKING TO RASE WC RATES 23.9%
The New York State Insurance Department has scheduled a public hearing for Tuesday, July 13, to consider the application of the New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board for a workers' compensation insurance increase of 29.3 percent.
http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2004/07/09/43861.htm
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SOCIAL SECURITY REPORTEDLY HAS A $11.9 TRILLION DEFICIT
As employers abandon health care benenfits for retired employees additional stress is being placed upon the Social Security system, "It used to be thought Social Security was the safe leg of the retirement stool, but that's not safe either," says Mitchell.
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_29/b3892001_mz001.htm?c=bwinsiderjul9&n=link1&t=email
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MULTIPLE STATE JURISDICTION
If a worker is employed in one state but suffers an on-the-job injury in another state, under which state would benefits be paid? This is a question that frequently surfaces, particularly with today's often-mobile work force. As with many things in workers comp, it can be confusing for employers and injured workers alike, and the difference in benefits from state to state can be significant.
http://www.workerscompinsider.com/archives/cat_compensability.html
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PAYING FOR INJURIES OF CONTRACTORS IN IRAQ
Eighty-five civilians working on U.S. government contracts or subcontracts have died in Iraq since spring 2003, according to Labor Department data obtained by USA TODAY. Forty-eight have died in other countries outside the USA since September 2001, Labor's insurance statistics show.
USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/money/world/2004-06-16-contract_x.htm
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SCIENTIFIC INTGRITY IN POLICY MAKING
Further investigation of the Bush administration's abuse of science. On February 18, 2004, 62 preeminent scientists including Nobel laureates, National Medal of Science recipients, former senior advisers to administrations of both parties, numerous members of the National Academy of Sciences, and other well-known researchers released a statement titled Restoring Scientific Integrity in Policy Making. In this statement, the scientists charged the Bush administration with widespread and unprecedented "manipulation of the process through which science enters into its decisions." The scientists’ statement made brief reference to specific cases that illustrate this pattern of behavior. In conjunction with the statement, the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) released detailed documentation backing up the scientists’ charges in its report, Scientific Integrity in Policy Making.
http://www.ucsusa.org/global_environment/rsi/page.cfm?pageID=1322
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THOMAS MANCUSO 1912-2004
Epidemiologist studied radiation. Researcher focused on long-term effects of worker exposure
Thomas Mancuso, a pioneering epidemiologist at the center of a bitter dispute with the federal government over the possible long-term effects of small doses of radiation on nuclear bomb workers, died Sunday at an assisted-living center in Oakland, Calif. He was 92 and had esophageal cancer, his family said.
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/local/9103360.htm?1c
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QUOTE
"A lot of people just don't understand that Enemy No. 1 for large and small business is not China, it's not terrorism. It's the extreme trial lawyers." Jerry Jasinowski, President, National Association of Manufacturer president." From "The Media's Class War" an article about the response to John Edwards as Kerry's running mate by Norman Solomon, July 09, 2004,
http://www.TomPaine.com