highmark blue shield: Ekim 2012

13 Ekim 2012 Cumartesi

The LuLac Edition #2225, October 12th, 2012

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Our “Maybe I’m Amazed” logo.

MAYBE I’M AMAZED

MAYBE I’M AMAZED……..that Luzerne County Manager Bob Lawton has decided not to register with any party in this County. Our politics and past corruption sins are so divisive we are even scaring out of towners who move in here to not even attempt to vote.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…….that Scranton has reached into its back pocket and pulled out the commuter tax. So for the privilege of working in Scranton, you get taxed. A few thoughts, Jimmy Connors repealed this when he tried to run for Congress and failed. Now the Council and Mayor want to bring it back. There’s an episode of “The Office” in this somewhere.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED……….that life seems to be going on just fine at Penn State this fall. Jo Pa, sans statue is still revered but there seems to be a revisionist history going on about him staying too long at the fair. Sandusky is locked up, they are not going to make him pay back his pension and Bill O’Brien has actually got the team on track. If the team has a winning record, right or wrong, that will put the ugliness further away in the rear view mirror. They say time heals all wounds but winning football games kind of speeds it up.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED…………..that Governor Tom Corbett is not too worried about his poll numbers. Corbett says he’s made the tough calls and made the right decisions and that the voters will understand in 2014. One thing about Corbett, what he is doing should come as no surprise to anyone in Pennsylvania. Regarding state taxes and funding.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED………..that Wilkes Barre Mayor Tom Leighton and City Controller Kathy Kane as well as the City Council members have not volunteered to take that 6 week furlough because the city is in financial distress. I mean Leighton and Kane are career politicians with second incomes. Kane has a teacher’s pension and runs a funeral home. You mean to tell me she can’t spare the change? How does the city expect rank and file workers to take the furlough when the leaders, the stewards of the city decide they won’t do the same? Leighton said he won’t ask for a raise! I hope he can survive on the $1462.00 a week he takes home!
MAYBE I’M AMAZED………..that most elephants weigh less than the tongue of a blue whale.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED……….that I just heard on TV that a bride got new breasts for her wedding day. (Mrs. LuLac is watching TLC again). Times have changed, when I got married thirty years ago all we gave each other were wedding bands.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED……..that Pete Rose, a favorite of mine felt the need to talk to the new York Post about how he doesn’t think Derek Jeter will break his all time hits record. Interesting that Jeter never brought it up but Pete felt the need to.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED………………that this site is getting reports about how difficult it is to have a convention or meeting in the sleepy little town. Gettysburg was counting on getting one of the casino licences but struck out. Apparently they haven’t done anything to improve their lot since they were turned down. A group stayed at one of the best hotels in town and the internet connections went down on the Sunday night they arrived. Miraculously when the people were leaving, the internet came back on as they were checking out. If you fly in, you better rent a car because there is very little transportation in terms of cabs or buses to get around. And if you are on one end of town and need to get back to your hotel, better have those walking shoes on because the hotels will find an excuse to not come and get you. Man, can you imagine if these jokers got a casino license?
MAYBE I’M AMAZED……….that there will only be a few days between the Vice Presidential debate and the Presidential one next Tuesday. Mitt Romney better not come out too caffenienated because if he appears to be disrespectful to the President, it just might pull his campaign back. What is amazing to me is that Romney has abandoned his chief strategist (I believe that strategists are overpaid flunkies who do more harm than good, look at Bob Shrum, (Kerry 2004), Mark Penn (Clinton 2008) and Stevens for Romney. Mitt has gotten his family involved (George H.W. Bush had an inner council formed by his sons that helped the late Lee Atwater) and along with old GOP hand Ed Gillespie, the campaign has not reverted to a big mistake after a big triumph.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED……..that in Texas it is illegal to paint graffiti on your cow.
MAYBE I'M AMAZED...........that former Luzerne County Commissioner Greg Skrepenak seems to be testing the waters as he e-enters the community from his prison stay. Skrep was featured on the cover of the Citizen Voice's Jumpstart with his son. The article as well as the photo featured Skrep's son following his father in to the ranks of sports stardom. I wish his son well and wish Skrep well on his own return to the area. It was just surprising to see. Just saying. No opinion either way.

The LuLac Edition #2226, October 13th, 2012

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Dr. Donald Buzinkai and this blog editor at my graduation year formal somewhere in Wilkes Barre in May of 1976. I’m thinking it might have been the Legion on River Street but I’m not sure. My date took the photo and to this day I don’t know if it was my camera or her drinks that almost caused Buzzy to be photo shopped out of it even before there was a photo shop. His parting shot as he left was directed at me when he said, “Yonki walk fast to your car tonight after you leave here.” I asked him why and he said “You can get hurt wearing a suit like that”.

"BUZZY"

DR. DONALD BUZINKAI

I received news yesterday that a former Professor of mine at King’s College, Dr. Donald Buzinkai passed away. “Buzzy” as he was known to thousands of students was one of the most brilliant academic minds I had ever encountered. His students at first were wary of his sarcasm and demeanor but once you got to know him, you were hooked. Buzinkai demanded excellence from his students. There were no half measures.
It was an urban legend that if you took Buzinkai, you’d get an easy B. So naturally as a person who usually followed the path of least resistance when it came to academics, I took his course. I handed in my first paper on some sort of topic and expected my “B”. Instead, I got back the paper and on the last page the word “Horseshit” was written along with my D. I got the message.
Buzinkai was a tried and true progressive who understood the economy and the students at King’s. He knew that none of our parents were wealthy and treated us accordingly with understanding and respect. In the summer of 1976, I was working a full time job overnights on WVIA FM hosting an all night classical music show. For a grade, I had to take his summer seminar which lasted a week. The class ran from 9 to 3pm. I figured I could handle it because I left work at 8 and would make my way to his class. Since it was summer, Buzinkai decided to have the class in his office which had comfortable chairs and other accouterments befitting his status as a tenured professor. I got through the week until the last day which was a Thursday. Buzinkai began speaking at 9:01am and I fell asleep at 9:02. As the afternoon session started at 1:00Pm, after lunch, I still was out like a light. At about 1:15PM I opened my eyes and Buzinkai said, “Good morning, welcome back” and continued on with the lesson. I asked him when we were adjourned if I needed to make up any work. He said, “No, you worked hard for these years and come a long way from when I first met you. I know your situation and I know that anyone who had full rest could never, ever be bored by anything I had to say”. I nodded my head in agreement and he said, “Yonki, you’ll do fine in life. Just remember the world is nothing but a big King’s College.”
And you know, 36 years out of King’s, I realize that was the most accurate thing anyone ever told me about the world. There are a few of my friends who kept in touch with him. I’d see him once in a while at King’s in the 90s at the gym. To those who saw him recently or years ago, one thing is for sure, no matter how recent our encounters, our mentor and teacher, Dr. Buzinkai never really left us. Never really was out of our minds or our hearts. And when an educator can do that, that’s what people call a legacy.

The LuLac Editiion #2227, October 13th, 2012

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Our “13 Questions” logo.

13 QUESTIONS

1. Why do you only seem to use articles from Wil Toole and Joe Leonardi for “Write On Wednesday”?
Because they contribute to LuLac that’s why. Why do you e mail questions for “13 Questions”? The Wednesday feature is open to anyone. As a matter of fact, I have a dynamite “Write On Wednesday” coming up from another former candidate for Luzerne County Council this week. But sometimes what we have featured is preempted by more topical issues. Feel free to submit. Submissions are taken at this e mail address: lulacletter@hotmail.com.
2. I have been reading you since 2009 when I saw you at first on TV then attended one of your candidate forums. How long does it take you to do this blog?
It depends. Usually to post, about 15 minutes if I have the story already written. The hardest pieces that take the most time are when we upload a lot of photos or videos. So it depends. BY formatting the blog with special features that the reader will find every week, on a given day, it gives me the opportunity if not to work ahead, then to at least think ahead.
3. Why is Biden the way he is?
Why is anyone the way they are? Biden is a classic throwback to the happy warrior days of Hubert Humphrey. He loves politics and truly believes government’s mission is to help the less fortunate. He never got rich in the Senate because he enjoyed being a Legislator. Also I think his age and his near brush with death in the 90s is a factor. I think Biden is thrilled to be alive, thriving and just says what he wants to with unabashed joy and abandon. You might think he’s a fool but he’s having the time of his life and actually enjoys the political process. That in itself is refreshing.
4. Have you read any new books lately?
No. It has been a very busy year. It’s all I can do to get through my Sports Illustrated and GQ. We even dropped Newsweek last year because we just didn’t have time to read it. But I’m still eyeing that Robert Caro biography on Lyndon Johnson. But no new books.
5. Any thoughts on your Packers slow start this year?
No. When I was in the hospital last year, when I’d go to therapy I’d wear my Packers shirt. And there was a nurse who used to bug me about the Packers going undefeated. Finally one day I said to her that I saw enough 4-12 seasons with the Pack to not worry about whether they would go undefeated. I’m hoping they get into the Playoffs. I’m happy they are at least competitive.
6. How long do you and Tarone prepare for Topic A?
Not long. We have a short meeting before we go on the air but we just kind of let it fly once the lights come up. That may or may not be a good thing.
7. What did you think of the Times Leader debates this week?
I have to hand it to them, they did a very nice job. I just wish they used some of their very good reporters like Bill O’Boyle or Jennifer Learnes Andes to be on a panel asking questions.

8. Two questions about the Professor who posts. Are you the Professor and if not, do you know who he is?
I am not. I’m not that good. I do have an inkling of who it might be but I wouldn’t bet the house on it.
9. What can President Obama do to improve in the next debate?
Act like he does when he is having dinner with his family. I think Obama may be more authentic than Mitt Romney but he has to show it. Getting a little angry might help. Or if he can’t do that, try to channel Bill Clinton.
10. What did you think of the job the media did on the Sanduskey trial?
I thought they all did a great job. This was a Pennsylvania story first and foremost. I think all of the local reporters did very well and the mid state press nailed it from the start. It was telling that many of the national outlets like ESPN, Fox Sports and the networks reached out to Pennsylvania media people for some of their feeds.
11. Who will go to trial first. Hugo Selinski or former Senator Ray Musto?
Tough one. Can’t even predict that.
12. I heard a disturbing rumor that you are looking forward to future debates because Candy Crowley is going to be the moderator. Like, are you serious?
Deadly. Candy and Katty Kaye are my media dream girls!
13. Favorite eating apple for the fall?
Stayman.

Have a question for “13 Questions?” On the 13th day of every month, we answer all questions that come via the e mail machine. E mail us at lulacletter@hotmail.com and in the subject line enter “13 Questions”.

Los Angeles's Wealthiest Man. Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, Announced ACO to Partner With Blue Shield and St. Johns Health Center Using Technology and Genomic Research - Gene Screens

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Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong chairman of NantHealth and Blue Shield will work with Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif., to establish the first clinically-based "continuous learning center” to establish Accountable care organization and will work with Blue Shield to establish the Access Medical Group. Genomic data is a big part of the plan to provide doctors with a full view of the patient’s care to look for interventions before problems occur. This will entail monitoring patients in their homes or where ever they may happen to be.

NantHealth has a system of secure cloud based information sharing that will bring genomic information analytics of cancer into the physicians computers in 47 seconds, gene screens. Soon-Shiong became wealthy due to the sale of two pharmaceutical companies he founded and are now traded on the stock market. Like all the other programs out there this will be interesting to see how it works and it certainly can’t hurt by all means if it means saving lives to ensure patient get the right treatments. One MD in San Francisco somewhat wondered how this will work as he said they have a hard time dealing with all the information they have now and they can have genomic studies back in a week so the time element, if all the data flows in a usable format in 47 seconds should be interesting. Remember the GlowCaps prescription pill bottle that has wireless capabilities to remind you to take your meds and reports it back to the drug stores? Well he bought that company too so will this new ACO involved the GlowCaps too with monitoring?

The Pill Bottle That Talks To Your Cell Phone, Creates Data Reports and More…

Yes and then all that data gets sold for profit. We shall see how the design comes across because yes there is a gap between science and practicing medicine, some where there’s been little innovation in some areas and then the other extreme with technology to where patients get overloaded with alerts on phones, land line phones, software apps…you name it so a good design that people can live with and not end up being disrupted would be interesting to see, and seeing some developers use their own products on the consumer side, as that always gets me is that they tell you how good it is for you but then they don’t eat their own dog food:) BD

Now that healthcare has been overhauled, it's time to give medical care a major reboot, according to Los Angeles's wealthiest man. Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, a physician-entrepreneur and chairman of the

California company NantHealth, unveiled a pilot program that he says will do just that, transforming the way medicine is practiced and medical care is delivered across the nation.

Among the collaborative effort's key goals: to make deadly cancers a condition that patients can survive and manage for years after diagnosis.

Soon-Shiong on Wednesday outlined his testbed for a new model of medical care: a system that lashes together genomic processing, supercomputing, high-speed data networks and the same mobile devices that people use to make dinner reservations. All of this technology will put the best information available in the hands of doctors instantly, he said at a Washington, D.C., conference put on by the Bipartisan Policy Center and a nonprofit called Doctors Helping Doctors.

The new project is designed to remedy a mismatch between technology and medical science on the one hand and medical practice on the other.

http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-medical-records-california-consortium-20121003,0,798800.story

Quest Diagnostics Restructuring and Will Cut 400 to 600 Jobs by End of 2013

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Here’s some additional job losses and I swear we may be up for a short while and then more cuts come along. This is a small cut over all when you figure they have over 40,000 employees but nobody wants to lose a job for sure and Quest has automated a lot of their work flows and the article states these are mostly in a layer of management they will be eliminating. Where does Quest get most of their revenue, diagnostic information. They also just hired someone from Pfizer to lead up their commercial business area. The two individuals in charge of the health information unit will leave by the end of this year as well as the departments heads from HR and their insurance division so it kind of looks like these are the department that will largely fall under their reconstruction efforts. BD

MADISON, N.J. (AP) — Medical laboratory operator Quest Diagnostics Inc. said Thursday it will cut 400 to 600 management positions and reorganize its business.

Quest will eliminate three layers of management and reorganize into two business units, diagnostic information services and diagnostic solutions.

It expects to save $65 million a year from the changes. The company has around 42,000 employees. Quest expects to take $15 million to $20 million in charges associated with the restructuring and job cuts.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-10-11/quest-diagnostics-cutting-400-to-600-jobs

12 Ekim 2012 Cuma

The LuLac Edition #2221, October 8th, 2012

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Your Survey, Your Say logo.

YOUR SURVEY, YOUR SAY

LULAC POLL NUMBER 4

We are putting our fourth unofficial LuLac poll on the Presidential race on line tonight. We decided to wait until after the first debate between President Obama and Governor Romney. This is an unofficial poll, it surveys LuLac readers regarding the 2012 race. When you hit done after voting, you will leave the LuLac site. Here’s the link:
Click here to take survey

The LuLac Edition #2224, October 11th, 2012

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Vice President Joe Biden and Paul Ryan with moderator Martha Radiz at tonight's debate.

BIDEN AND RYAN DEBATE

Tonight Vice President Joe Biden faced off against Cong4ressman Paul Ryan in the Vice Presidential debate. Both men were relaxed and prepared. For all the talk about the jitters that Paul Ryan was supposed to have, well I just didn’t see it. Biden showed the skills and passion that he has had throughout his 40 year career. This debate just might be a mixed blessing though for the Obama/Biden ticket. Biden was so good that it is going to be a constant reminder about just how bad the President was last week. There are many people who have portrayed Biden as a clown and buffoon. But the man has command of the facts and has something that many candidates in this modern era (especially Obama, Romney and even Ryan) unabashed joy and passion for what he does. This helpe4d him argue the facts. But more importantly this debate starkly separated the ideology of both men. Look at the abortion issue. Ryan made it clear that there would be a pro life administration. Biden retorted that it is important that Supreme Court judges be picked by a President that wants to give women a choice. There was talk about Libya at the top of the debate and I thought Biden would be put on the defensive given the hearings on Capitol Hill. But Biden played the Bin Laden and terror card outlining what the President did since taking office to fight terrorism. The most important contrast was when both men were asked about the economy and tax cuts. It was crystal clear that Ryan wanted to cut taxes for those who have already “got theirs.” He carried the water for the rich and powerful who keep on getting rich and powerful. Biden spoke about the across the board tax cuts for middle class Americans. He declared that there was a war on the middle class and that a continued Obama administration would give those Americans a break. A break they deserve. Biden and Ryan differed on the definition of what a small business was all about. On women’s issues, Ryan made it clear that any health care plan was going to be harmful to women’s reproductive rights. Because of this stance, Ryan contrasted his strong position against Romney who has been all over the map on this. Biden has been consistent on this issue. Stylistically both men looked into the camera when they had to make their points. Biden when reaffirming his facts on Social Security and Ryan when he was making his closing remarks. Tonight Ryan needed to cross a threshold that Sarah Palin couldn’t. And that was that he could be President if need be. He did that with his demeanor and the way he comported himself. You might not agree with ideology but at least he had one that he could explain and defend. Tonight Biden needed to do the heavy lifting for the Democratic party. He was passionate, he defended those 47% that Romney identified as freeloaders and even came after the Republicans who kneel at the altar of Grover Norquist regarding taxes. Biden declared that there should be a pledge to help the middle class get tax relief. It was a good night for both men and parties. No one did no harm. It will keep things even which is all you can ask for in a Vice Presidential debate. The Obama people hope this will blunt the Romney surge. The Romney people hope it will keep it going.

FLASH POLL

CBS News ran a flash poll. 50% felt Biden won, 33% thought Ryan won. But as they say the only poll that counts is the one on Election Day. The polls to watch will be the ones in the crucial battle ground states.

Our "Your Survey, Your Say" logo.

YOUR SURVEY, YOUR SAY

Here’s the latest news from the LuLac poll we took this week on the 2012 Presidential race. This poll is from LuLaC readers. . Here are the results on the question
If the 2012 presidential election were held today, whom would you vote for?
ROMNEY: 45%.
OBAMA 48.%.
NO ONE 4%.
NOT SURE 3%.

Matt Cartwright and Laureen Cummings at the big debate Wednesday night with the Times Leader’s Mark Jones.

CARTWRIGHT/CUMMINGS DEBATE RECAP

Last night the 17th Congressional District candidates for Congress had their chance. Before 100 people at the Stark Learning Center at Wilkes College, the Times Leader and Service Electric TV hosted a debate. It was broadcast live on WYLN TV 35. Republican Tea Party activist Laureen Cummings faced off with Attorney Matt Cartwright. Both are from Lackawanna County and gave ssark choices between a dyed in the wool Democrat and a dyed in the wool conservative. Both answered, ahem, “13” questions posed by moderator Mark Jones of the Times Leader. Cartwright stressed the fact that the Tea Party has done nothing but say no to any type of meaningful change in Washington, D.C. He declared the Tea Party caucus as well the GOP as the party of “no”. Cummings said that there should be people in Congress to say no to the big debt and spending. Both were civil and even cordial to each other when making points. Cummings chided Cartwright and his profession saying that lack of tort reform was the big part of the problem in Washington. Cartwright hammered his theme that you have to be for something, not against everything. They did agree on standing up to Iran to protect Israel, a key, long time American ally as well as term limits. But on a few issues, the differences were apparent. On Tobyhanna Army Depot, Cartwright said he’d fight for its existence and importance to the district. In a bizarre comment, Cummings referenced the Middle East problem in Libya and said cuts shouldn’t be coming from defense. On Health Care, Cartwright said he was steadfastly in favor of the Affordable Care Act even if it wasn’t perfect. Cummings said as a nurse she’d favor repeal of Obama care but as a nurse would know where to cut costs in Congress where no one would get hurt. Cartwright is heavily favored after beating 20 year incumbent Tim Holden in a largely Democratic district. Cummings who first had contemplated a run for U.S. Senate is the underdog. The two however acquitted themselves well in their presentation and fielding of the Times Leader’s, ahem, “13 Questions”.

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

MELLOW IN THE DOCK

Finally a federal judge has scheduled former state Sen. Robert Mellow’s sentencing on mail fraud and tax evasion charges for Nov. 30. Former Senate Leader Mellow, plead guilty in May to charges related to his illegal use of senate staff to perform campaign work for himself and his political allies. He also admitted to under reporting his income on his 2008 tax return. Sal Cognetti, one of Mellow’s ;lawyers had asked U.S. District Judge Joel Slomsky to schedule sentencing for some time in December due to a month-long vacation Cognetti is or was polann8injg to take. The U.S. Attorney’s office objected, requesting a d ate some time in November.

Libertarian Presidential candidate Gary Johnson.

LIBS STILL STAYING

The Libertarian Party’s candidates will stay on Pennsylvania’s ballot. A state judge ruled in favor of the party the other day ending a nearly eight-week review of petition signatures that was forced by a challenge backed by the state Republican Party. The ruling keeps Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson on the Pennsylvania ballot, as well as its candidates for U.S. Senate candidate Betsy Summers on the ballot. Summers lost a three way race for Mayor of Wilkes Barre last year to incumbent Tom Leighton. (More on this story this weekend).

MEDIA MATTERS

SUNDAY MAGAZINE

This Week on Sunday Magazine Brian Hughes speaks with Carol Crane about a big fundraiser for the Pittston Memorial Library at the Kirby Center in November, featuring Pittston's own Shaun Klush. This Week in Harrisburg examines the statewide PSSA student test results, October is both Domestic Violence and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Commonwealth Court's recent ruling on Pennsylvania's voter ID law. And Brian speaks with nutrition expert Doug Ingoldsby, who discusses whether name brand children's vitamins are really providing children with what they need. Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5am on Great Country 93.7, 5:30am on 97BHT, 6am on 97.9X, 6:25am on Magic 93, and 7am on True Oldies 590, WARM.

ECTV

Scranton's history will take center stage on ECTV Live during the week of October 15th as hosts Tom Munley and David DeCosmo welcome Margo Azzarelli to the program. Ms. Azzarelli will discuss a new walking tour of the city's Green Ridge historic neighborhood which is scheduled later this month. ECTV Live is seen on Comcaast Ch19 everyday at Noon and Midnight. Additional showings are offered on selected weekdays at 6pm.

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

This week Shadoe Steele presents “Saturday Night Live” at the Oldies on WILK AM and FM. Tune in from 7pm to midnight with ABC News on the top of the hour. Shadoe’s special feature this week is a 2003 interview with the late Andy Williams.
Our "1967" logo.

1967

Students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison protest over recruitment by Dow Chemical on the University campus. 76 are injured in the resulting riot. o Walt Disney's 19th full-length animated feature The Jungle Book, the last animated film personally supervised by Disney, is released and becomes an enormous box-office and critical success. On a double bill with the film is the (now) much less well-known true-life adventure, Charlie the Lonesome Cougar…….Senator Joseph Clark, Pennsylvania’s Democratic Senator enrages the White House with his opposition to the Vietnam War. In public statements, Clark says that the Gulf of Tonkin resolution was a false pretense for starting a war he fears we would not get out of in anytime soon. The Johnson administration’s policies on Vietnam are a big bone of contention between the second term Senator and the White House…..in Luzerne County, GOP Commissioner candidates Ethel Price and Jim Post travel throughout the county. Price is well received but Democrats point to Post’ backing of the property reassessment in his term as County Commissioner Chair……and 45 years ago this week the number 1 song in LuLac land and America was “Soul Man” by Sam and Dave.

Los Angeles's Wealthiest Man. Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, Announced ACO to Partner With Blue Shield and St. Johns Health Center Using Technology and Genomic Research - Gene Screens

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The Pill Bottle That Talks To Your Cell Phone, Creates Data Reports and More…

California company NantHealth, unveiled a pilot program that he says will do just that, transforming the way medicine is practiced and medical care is delivered across the nation.

Walmart Becomes the Next Employer to Negotiate Surgical Procedures Direct With Major Medical Centers, Just Need More Employees Covered

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A while back Lowes was one of the first to negotiate with the Cleveland Clinic followed by Pepsico and now we have Walmart. If you have read the news of late Walmart employees are striking for better healthcare benefits, even though they are not union, but making a statement.

Johns Hopkins and PepsiCo Sign a Contract To Allow Employees and Their Dependents To Have Certain Surgical Procedures Performed At the Medical Center in Maryland

Employees must be healthy enough to travel but as this reads there’s no out of pocket expenditures for them to pay. This agreement covers some additional items that were not mentioned in the Lowes or Pepsico agreements; however it’s been over a year and perhaps their agreements have expanded. Transplant surgeries will all be performed at the Mayo Clinic. The full press release can be read here. Now all Walmart needs is more employees covered as many are part time and do not work enough hours to qualify for health insurance coverage. Not all but some part time employees qualify for health insurance and that’s still the big problem is getting more covered. BD

Walmart employees will now be able to get heart, spine and transplant surgeries at six of the nation's most prestigious hospitals at no cost, the world's largest retailer announced Thursday.

Under what Walmart calls the "Centers of Excellence" program, employees and dependents enrolled in the company's health benefits won't pay out-of-pocket for medical care or related travel when they receive complex, expensive procedures including open-heart surgery, spinal fusion and organ transplants at select facilities. The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa., are among the health systems participating in the program.

Walmart employees who undergo surgery at one of the six selected medical centers will save between $5,000 and $12,000 because they'll be exempt from health insurance deductibles and cost-sharing payments, Walmart spokesman Randy Hargrove said. Workers will gain access to the new benefit at the beginning of 2013.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/11/walmart-surgery-workers_n_1958673.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003&ir=Money