| Top docs see cuts as politics
The surgeons general of the Army, Navy and Air Force have criticized defense officials for imposing $650 million in "efficiency wedges" on their medical budgets, which will not produce real efficiencies but will only mean cuts in on-base medical services. The feud between the medical officers and Dr. David Chu, undersecretary of defense for force readiness and personnel, got its first public airing at a February meeting of the Task Force on the Future of Military Healthcare. It intensified March 27 before the House armed services subcommittee on personnel. To illustrate the effect of a $343 million cut to Navy medicine, Vice Adm. Donald Arthur said it was comparable to closing a large family practice hospital at Camp Lejeune, N.C., or at the naval base in Pensacola, Fla.
Big benefits for top earners
Conestoga College president John Tibbits considers his car an essential part of job. So essential that it comes as part of his contract, paid for by the college. Tibbits received more than $25,500 in taxable benefits last year on top of a salary of about $297,000, according to salary disclosure figures released by the province. About $8,000 of his benefit package went toward a car. Tibbits drives between the college's five campuses and travels to Toronto several times a month for meetings. Life without a car would be difficult and it would likely be more expensive for the college to pay for his public transportation, he said. "I couldn't do my job without a car," Tibbits said, calling from the road while returning from a meeting. "I'm not whining.
Fitch Affirms Stewart Title Group; Outlook Stable
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 14, 2007--Fitch Ratings has affirmed the 'A+' insurer financial strength (IFS) ratings of Stewart Title Guaranty Company (STG) and its wholly owned subsidiary Stewart Title Insurance Company (STC), collectively referred to as Stewart. The companies are ultimately owned by Stewart Information Services Corporation (SISCO). The Rating Outlook is Stable. The primary factor supporting the affirmations is the company's strong balance sheet fundamentals including a solid risk-adjusted and absolute capital position, conservative reserving practices, minimal debt leverage, high quality and very liquid investment portfolio, and moderate operating leverage. At year-end 2005, Stewart's 236% risk-adjusted capital (RAC) as measured by Fitch's ratio was the highest of the five national title groups.
16 months for Jones
YOUNGSTOWN -- Former Ravenna Mayor Paul Jones was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison Friday in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio in Youngstown for filing false tax returns and lying on Ohio Ethics Commission forms. "You can label this as a message if you want," Judge Peter C. Economus said. "A public official seduced by your own power and prestige, engaging in a violation of your oath ... you should fear the consequences and a subsequent punishment be given. It's the only way to protect the public." Economus suggested that Jones' request to serve his time at the Federal Prison Camp in Pensacola, Fla., be granted, however the final determination is up to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. He also allowed Jones to turn himself in to the facility chosen rather than being sent there immediately following sentencing.
Opting out of the fast lane
Dr. Mary Mehta wanted to live in a place where she could practice medicine, but also be able to spend more time with her three children and husband.Her answer? Move from South Florida to Pensacola where she works as a pediatric cardiologist for Nemours Children's Clinic."We needed a more reasonable lifestyle," Mehta said of the hectic, on-call life she and her physician-husband had been leading. "We took the plunge," she said of their move three years ago. And it seems to have worked out well for their family.Many local employers confirm what national studies report: More women are opting out of the high-powered career path to strike a better balance between work and home. A 60-hour work week, even with a fantastic paycheck, is no longer the key.To keep women like Mehta from picking up and moving, some area businesses are considering ways to keep them happy.
For O'Malley, a Civil First Legislative Session
Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) has invited legislative leaders over for breakfast. He has summoned lawmakers to the governor's mansion for pizza dinners during which his young children and family dogs competed for their attention. And early in the session, he paid a shiva call following the death of a senior senator's father. Since arriving in Annapolis in January, the new governor has put a premium on building relationships with legislators who felt neglected by his predecessor, Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R). .
Prenatal 'Memory' Ultrasounds are Trendy Yet Risky in Wrong Hands ...
90 percent of expectant parents surveyed had little or incorrect knowledge about the short- and long-term risks of undergoing a 3D/4D ultrasound. Congratulations. You are having a baby. Now you can sit back and enjoy your nine months of pregnancy worry free. Right? "Wrong," says Darlene Ginnett, RDMS, CEO of Pacific Coast Ultrasound, a Los-Alamitos, CA-based certified independent diagnostic facility that specializes in prenatal ultrasound offering full diagnostics as well as 3D/4D limited diagnostic/elective ultrasounds. Los Alamitos, CA (PRWeb) March 30, 2007 -- Congratulations. You are having a baby. Now you can sit back and enjoy your nine months of pregnancy worry free. Right? "Wrong," says Darlene Ginnett, RDMS, CEO of Pacific Coast Ultrasound, a Los-Alamitos, CA-based certified independent diagnostic facility that specializes in prenatal ultrasound offering full diagnostics as well as 3D/4D limited diagnostic/elective ultrasounds.
MNI offers a 'no health check' life insurance
Kuala Lumpur: A life insurance plan which accepts everybody regardless of health condition and without any discrimination has been introduced by Malaysia National Insurance Bhd (MNI). The only requirement is for applicants to be between 18 and 50 years, MNI chief executive officer Zainal Abidin Mohd Noor said at the media launch of the Golden Horizon (GH) plan here Tuesday. "The guaranteed acceptance feature allows even customers who won't normally be able to buy life insurance to have their lives covered," he explained. "This is because there is no underwriting, not even a questionnaire on the condition of their health. It is ideal for those who need life insurance without hassle." Describing it as being both straightforward and very flexible, he said GH combines both savings features and life protection.
Agent on trial in smuggling case involving Cuban baseball players
Medina said Dominguez asked him to smuggle two players, including Yuniesky Betancourt, now a shortstop with the Seattle Mariners. Betancourt is expected to testify. Cammy Clark, The Miami Herald KEY WEST, Fla. Baseball and human smuggling came together Wednesday in a federal courtroom, where a respected sports agent is on trial on charges of masterminding and financing an operation that illegally brought five Cuban ballplayers to the United States. .
Aptly named car makes great bait
I recently said goodbye to an old friend, Jinx, my 1988 Toyota 4Runner. It wasn't the first time I said goodbye -- in fact, it was the fifth. I was never certain how to interpret Jinx's departures and eventual returns. It seemed bad karma that he was stolen so often, but he always came back. I was frustrated with Seattle police for never attempting to locate the thieves; but relieved when the only damage done was one burn hole on the passenger-side carpet. Regardless, not unlike the challenges of a romance, the emotional bumps and potholes in our relationship nurtured a strong sentimental attachment. My husband insists that all automobiles are "shes." But Jinx was a "he." Nobody knew him like I did. After the first time Jinx was stolen, I learned to keep my mouth shut with the insurance company.
|
