Unamused 49ers GM: Cool it with Kyle Shanahan 'hot seat' talkAmericans react to Trump's HHS Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s plan to 'Make America Healthy Again' in the role, and what it would take to make this happen. Everyone's blaming health insurance company greed for the soaring claims denials and roadblocks to care. That's naive. Follow the money to find the real culprits: lying politicians. In 2013, before Affordable Care Act regulations kicked in, insurers denied roughly 1.5% of claims, according to the American Medical Association. But under ACA rules, denials increased tenfold. Now nearly 15% of claims are denied, reports Premier, an insurance consultant firm. Some insurers deny a third or more of claims, according to Kaiser Family Foundation research. Insurers are also demanding preauthorizations for a wide range of treatments and medications, tying your doctor's hands and dangerously delaying your care. THE YEAR IN CANCER: ADVANCES MADE IN 2024, PREDICTIONS FOR 2025 Your doctor has to call the insurer before beginning treatment or ordering medication. Seldom is the person on the other end of the phone a specialist in the disease or treatment in question. It could be an OB-GYN overriding what your neurosurgeon recommends, warns the AMA. Anger against healthcare insurance companies is misplaced. People should hold politicians responsible for problems they caused. (iStock) Dr. Debra Patt prescribed a drug combination for a patient with metastatic breast cancer but had to wait weeks for prior authorization. In the meantime, reports the AMA, she had to settle for standard chemotherapy, to no avail: Her patient died. "You have health plan representatives who have never met the patient, have never been at the bedside or practiced medicine but are now making treatment decisions," objects Tina Grant, senior vice president of public policy and advocacy at Trinity Health, a system of 92 Catholic hospitals. According to House Committee on Energy and Commerce testimony, 80% of the preapprovals Cigna denied for Medicare Advantage customers were overturned on appeal, a sign that legitimate care is being withheld. Cigna uses an algorithm called PxDx to deny prior authorizations in bulk. Denials and prior authorization requirements escalated after the ACA went into effect. But don't blame profit maximization. The ACA regulates underwriting profits, and if profits go up, insurers have to send customers rebates. Giants like United Healthcare have grown into money-making behemoths by buying physicians' practices, hospitals and pharmacy chains, not by selling health plans, according to IBISWorld industry research. The actual reason your health insurance is becoming unreliable is that politicians backing Obamacare knowingly made a promise that was impossible to keep without insurers resorting to predatory practices. Obamacare advocates promised everyone would be charged the same regardless of their "preexisting conditions." The math doesn't work. Every year, 5% of the population uses over 50% of the healthcare. That's a fact of nature, politics aside. Politicians, like President Barack Obama, pushed Obamacare knowing it would be difficult for insurance companies. FILE: Obama celebrates after accepting his party's nomination during the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, September 06, 2012. (Photo by Christopher Evans/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images) Telling insurers to cover the 5% for the same price they charge healthy people is like providing monthly groceries to a skinny fashion model and the winner of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest for the same price. Ridiculous. Five percent more premium payers and 50% more medical needs. The federal government should have stepped in with extra payments to cover people with preexisting conditions. Instead, insurers were hit with a mountain of new claims and told to make it work. They adopted Draconian cost-cutting methods. The winners? Democratic politicians. Covering preexisting conditions at no extra charge is popular. The losers? Everyone else who has to worry that their next treatment will be delayed or their next claim denied. The biggest losers, sadly, are the seriously ill who suffer disproportionately from managed care's tight controls, according to a National Bureau of Economic Research paper on Medicaid managed care. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION More than half of states are now passing laws to limit prior authorization. That's a step in the right direction. But Americans need to reassess managed care. Denials and prior authorization requirements escalated after the ACA went into effect. But don't blame profit maximization. The ACA regulates underwriting profits, and if profits go up, insurers have to send customers rebates. There is next to no evidence that it improves health. President Joe Biden's assistant secretary of health policy boasts that the ACA's coverage expansion -- mostly in managed care -- reduced "morbidity and mortality." That's a blatant lie. Americans are sicker and living shorter lives than they were before the ACA. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP One alternative is to allow low-cost catastrophic insurance, which kicks in only for the large bills. Healthy people who get coverage at work would benefit from fewer interactions with an insurer and more take-home pay in lieu of a whopping $25,000 plan -- the cost this year for family coverage. Democrats try to label catastrophic coverage as "junk insurance." The Biden administration made it almost impossible to buy. But Americans are beginning to see that health plans that turn down claims and make you wait a dangerous amount of time for preauthorization are the real "junk." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM BETSY McCAUGHEY Betsy McCaughey is a former lieutenant governor of New York and chairman of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths. Follow her on Twitter @Betsy_McCaughey .
A view of the DUN Sarawak Complex where the members of the Assembly convened in May and November this year. — Photo by Roystein Emmor 2024 Revisited Logo yearender 2024 THE State Legislative Assembly (DUN) convened two impactful sittings in 2024, passing a total of nine Bills aimed at addressing crucial aspects of governance, public health, natural resources management, and fiscal planning. These legislative measures reflect the state government’s commitment to advancing Sarawak’s development goals and addressing the needs of its people. (From right) Abang Johari, Uggah and Dr Sim share a light moment in the DUN chambers after the tabling of the 2025 State Budget. — Information Department photo People-centric, inclusive budget In November, the DUN unanimously passed an expansionary State Budget of RM15.8 billion for 2025, marking the largest budget in Sarawak’s history. Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state anticipated a revenue of RM14.2 billion in 2025, projected to be the highest revenue collection to date. “The 2025 State Budget, which is expected to generate a surplus of RM486 million, indeed marks the largest budget in Sarawak’s history, reflecting the success of our revenue reengineering strategies and prudent financial management. “Through this expansionary Budget, we are making substantial investments in infrastructure while placing the well-being of the ‘rakyat’ (people) at the forefront of our priorities,” he said when tabling the budget at the DUN sitting on Nov 11. The Premier announced several initiatives under the 2025 State Budget such as one-off financial assistance in the form of pocket money worth RM1,200 to all Sarawakian university-level students next year; the Sarawak government continuing to provide National Higher Education Corporation Fund (PTPTN) loan repayment discounts of 30 per cent for graduates who have repaid 30 per cent and above of their loans; and book vouchers worth RM500 and free laptop initiatives for university students from the Bottom 40 Per Cent (B40) income group to be extended into next year. Abang Johari tabling the 2025 State Budget during the DUN sitting on Nov 11. — Information Department photo Abang Johari also announced a new financial assistance called Sarawak Basic Needs Contribution (SKAS), meant to alleviate the financial burden of low-income groups most affected by the rising cost of living. He said the financial aid would range from RM250 to RM800 annually according to the recipient’s eligibility, and that most of the SKAS recipients would also be receiving financial contributions under the ‘Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah’ (STR). Full autonomy over environmental governance The November DUN sitting also saw the passing of the Natural Resources and Environment Bill 2024, out to enable Sarawak to exercise full autonomy over its environmental governance. Awang Tengah tabling the Natural Resources and Environment Bill 2024 during the November DUN Sarawak sitting. — Information Department photo The passing of the Bill, tabled by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and seconded by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, received unanimous support from all the members of the Assembly present. Awang Tengah said this autonomy would strengthen Sarawak’s ability to preserve its unique ecosystems while fostering sustainable economic and social development. “This Bill represents a significant step in Sarawak’s commitment to sustainable development, offering a comprehensive framework that strengthens environmental protection laws and promotes long-term socio-economic growth. “By instituting these stringent legislations, this Bill addresses the critical need to combat climate change and environmental degradation,” he said in his third reading of the Bill. The Second Natural Resources and Urban Development Minister also said that the Bill would provide Sarawak with the tools needed to minimise environmental degradation while encouraging economic development. “By regulating emissions, waste, and pollution from industries, it ensures a cleaner, healthier environment for Sarawak’s citizens, fostering a better quality of life. “This Bill demonstrates that economic growth and environmental sustainability are not mutually exclusive but can, in fact, complement each other, ensuring that future generations inherit a thriving, resilient environment,” he said. Establishing legal framework to regulate hydrogen distribution Also passed unanimously at the sitting last month was the Distribution of Gas (Amendment) Bill 2024, which sought to establish a legal framework to regulate the distribution of hydrogen generated in Sarawak using feedstocks produced, obtained or imported into Sarawak; the premises to be used for the generation or storage of hydrogen; and the transportation of hydrogen for distribution and delivery to consumers in Sarawak and for export. Julaihi shows a copy of the Distribution of Gas (Amendment) Bill 2024. — Photo by Roystein Emmor Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, who tabled the Bill, said the amendment would allow Sarawak to be empowered to regulate hydrogen activities, reinforcing the state’s commitment to growing its hydrogen economy through a transparent and investor-friendly regulatory framework to support clean energy development. He emphasised Sarawak government’s dedication to establishing a robust regulatory framework that prioritised public safety, while fostering the hydrogen industry’s growth. “Hydrogen is not a new fuel, and international safety standards are already in place to manage the risks related to its production, storage, transportation, and use. “The safety systems and protocols that Sarawak will adopt will align with those for other fuels, ensuring that hydrogen can be produced, stored, and used safely in accordance with international standards,” said Julaihi. Authority to manage all ports in Sarawak In the first meeting of the third term of the 19th DUN held in May, the Assembly passed the Sarawak Ports Authority Bill 2024, which sought for a central port authority known as the Sarawak Ports Authority to be established to manage, regulate, control and administer all ports in the state. Uggah (second right) in a group photo with (from left) Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sebastian Ting; Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom; and Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu at the DUN Complex lobby. — Photo by Chimon Upon The Bill was tabled by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who told the august House that this authority would serve as a regulatory body and that the operations of ports would be managed by a separated operator. He said the new centralised port authority would replace all existing port authorities, and that this model of centralisation could help Sarawak ports become more competitive and efficient, aligning with the broader economic goals of the regions. “The regulatory control over all ports in Sarawak will be exercised through a licensing regime provided by this Ordinance, which would facilitate the corporatisation and eventual privatisation of the operations of the port and port undertakings to enable our ports to be operated as commercial entities embracing good corporate governance and financial discipline.” Uggah, also the state Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, added that the functions of the authority would include planning, streamlining and coordinating the development, expansion and improvement of ports in Sarawak; promoting and facilitating the development of business of the port and its hinterland and connectivity with other ports and transportation hubs outside Sarawak; and to license all port operators and port undertakings. “Its role would also be to promote efficiency and reliability of services and facilities in accordance with recognised international standards and best practices; to act as an authority for any free zone established under and subject to section 3(2) of the Free Zones Act 1990; and to adopt low carbon solutions in the management and operation of port undertakings,” he said. Streamlining SFC’s roles Awang Tengah, in the DUN sitting held in May, had tabled the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (Amendment) Bill 2024, which was passed by the state Legislature. The Bill meant to streamline and refine the roles of Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC). Awang Tengah (left) and Uggah chatting at the lobby of the DUN Sarawak Complex. Seen between the two is Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development Datuk Len Talif Salleh. — Photo by Chimon Upon Awang Tengah highlighted the need to amend the Sarawak Forestry Corporation Ordinance 1995 [Cap. 17], as in 2020, the government had mandated that the Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) would assume all responsibilities previously held by the SFC. “This is provided for under Forests Ordinance 2015, which includes forest management, research and development, compliance, engineering, and revenue collection. “Conversely, the SFC was tasked with duties specified under the National Parks and Nature Reserves Ordinance 1998, and the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998. “Hence, to give effect to this mandate, amendments to the Sarawak Forestry Corporation Ordinance 1995 are necessary to streamline the overlapping functions between the FDS and the SFC,” he said. Awang Tengah also said that the amendment would have the interpretation referring to the words ‘director’ and ‘forest produce’ be deleted to reflect the current structure of SFC as an agent of the government to enforce the provisions under the National Parks and Nature Reserves Ordinance 1998, and the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998. “The forestry functions such as sustainable forest management, reforestation, forestry research and forestry policy under the Ordinance, are to be taken out with this amendment; in other words, these functions would be under the purview of the FDS so as to make a clear demarcation on the roles and functions between SFC and FDS. “SFC is optimally positioned under natural resources, aligning with its mandates of sustainable natural resource management and biodiversity conservation. “The scope of the SFC’s responsibilities includes managing natural resources such as flora and fauna within national parks, and the protection of wildlife throughout Sarawak. “This is in tandem with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development’s focus on balancing conservation with economic uses like tourism,” he said. Dr Sim (centre) shows a page from a DUN document while joined by Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang (left) and Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Francis Harden Hollis. — Photo by Chimon Upon Penalty, enforcement on public health matters The Assembly, in May, also saw the passing of the Protection of Public Health (Amendment) Bill 2024, which was tabled by Dr Sim, also the state Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister. He said the amendment to the Public Protection of Public Health 1999 Ordinance was necessary in order to update and strengthen the provisions in the Ordinance to meet the changes and expectations of the present situation. The Ordinance had never been amended since it was passed on Dec 6, 1999, and came into force on Nov 1, 2000. Dr Sim said the amendment was aimed at strengthening certain provisions related to penalty and enforcement on public health matters. During the second reading, he said among the features of the Bill was to amend Section 2 of the Ordinance to reflect the new Strata (Subsidiary Titles) Ordinance 2019, which repealed the Strata Title Ordinance 1995. “Under the Bill, there is a proposed new provision to enable local authorities to issue a temporary licence to food premises operators by giving them a timeframe to comply with the requirements of other relevant laws. “Some of these food premises operators cannot be issued with a licence just because they are unable to comply with the provisions under the Local Authorities Ordinance 1996 and Building Ordinance 1994 or any other relevant laws. “The amendment is to Section 23 by adding the new Sub Paragraph (3), which is to prohibit animals or pets from entering any food premises. This is to ensure the health of the public and consumers are protected from unacceptable and unhygienic food premises,” he said. Other amendments included the licensing of funeral parlours and cemeteries with a proposed new Subsection (3) of Section 38 to add the word ‘columbarium’, and to ensure that any land used as a licensed funeral parlour, cemetery, etc., to be maintained and cleaned regularly; amendment to Section 56, which was to strengthen the power of inspection and investigation, enabling any person to be authorised by the director or the chief administrative officer of the ministry; and amendment to Section 58, which was to make it an offence for non-compliance with any closing order or notice to any person and to impose a penalty and upon conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding RM500,000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding five years, or to both. Other Bills passed were the Supplementary Supply (2024) Bill 2024 and Supplementary Supply (2023) Bill 2024 in May to authorise additional allocations for the state, ensuring continued funding for priority programmes and addressing unforeseen financial needs; and the Supplementary Supply (2024) Bill 2024 in November, which was approved to address additional funding requirements for ongoing projects and new initiatives. Members of the Assembly in a group photo with Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who is flanked by DUN Sarawak Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar and Abang Johari, taken on May 6 at the opening ceremony for the first meeting of the third term of the 19th DUN Sarawak. — Photo by Roystein Emmor
UNITY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The team looking for a missing Pennsylvania woman believed to have fallen into a sinkhole has determined that an abandoned coal mine is too unstable for people to safely search underground, authorities said Wednesday while still expressing hope Elizabeth Pollard will be found alive. Rescue workers continue to search for Elizabeth Pollard, who is believed to have disappeared in a sinkhole while looking for her cat, Wednesday in Marguerite, Pa. Emergency crews and others have been trying to find Pollard, 64, for two days. Her relatives reported her missing early Tuesday and her vehicle with her unharmed 5-year-old granddaughter inside was found about two hours later, near what is thought to be a freshly opened sinkhole above the long closed, crumbling mine. Authorities said in a noon update that the roof of the mine collapsed in several places and is not stable. The sinkhole is in the village of Marguerite, about 40 miles east of Pittsburgh. “We did get, you know, where we wanted, where we thought that she was at. We’ve been to that spot," said Pleasant Unity Fire Chief John Bacha, the incident's operations officer. “What happened at that point, I don’t know, maybe the slurry of mud pushed her one direction. There were several different seams of that mine, shafts that all came together where this happened at.” Trooper Cliff Greenfield said crews were still actively searching for Pollard. “We are hopeful that she’s found alive,” Greenfield said. Searchers were using electronic devices and cameras as surface digging continued with the use of heavy equipment, Bacha said. Search dogs may also be used. Rescue workers search through the night in a sinkhole for Elizabeth Pollard, who disappeared while looking for her cat, Tuesday in Marguerite, Pa. On Wednesday afternoon, machinery was removing material from the area around the hole while police and other government vehicles blocked a clear view of the scene. Sinkholes occur in the area because of subsidence from coal mining activity. Rescuers had been using water to break down and remove clay and dirt from the mine, which has been closed since the 1950s, but that increased the risk “for potential other mine subsidence to take place," Pennsylvania State Police spokesperson Trooper Steve Limani said. Crews lowered a pole camera with a sensitive listening device into the hole, but it detected nothing. Another camera lowered into the hole showed what could be a shoe about 30 feet below the surface, Limani said. Searchers have also deployed drones and thermal imaging equipment, to no avail. Marguerite Fire Chief Scot Graham, the incident commander, said access to the immediate area surrounding the hole was being tightly controlled and monitored, with rescuers attached by harness. The top of a sinkhole is seen Tuesday in the village of Marguerite, Pa., where rescuers searched for a woman who disappeared. “We cannot judge as to what’s going on underneath us. Again, you had a small hole on top but as soon as you stuck a camera down through to look, you had this big void,” Graham said. “And it was all different depths. The process is long, is tedious. We have to make sure that we are keeping safety in the forefront as well as the rescue effort.” Bacha said they were “hoping that there’s a void that she could still be in.” Pollard's family called police at about 1 a.m. Tuesday to say she had not been seen since going out at about 5 p.m. Monday to search for Pepper, her cat. The temperature dropped well below freezing that night. Her son, Axel Hayes, said Pollard is a happy woman who likes going out to have fun. She and her husband adopted Hayes and his twin brother when they were infants. Hayes called Pollard “a great person overall, a great mother” who “never really did anybody wrong.” He said at one point Pollard had about 10 cats. “Every cat that she’s ever come in contact with, she has a close bond with them,” Hayes said. His mother worked for many years at Walmart but recently was not employed, he said. “I’m just hoping right now that she’s still with us and she’s able to come back to us,” he said. Police said they found Pollard's car parked behind Monday's Union Restaurant in Marguerite, about 20 feet from the sinkhole. Hunters and restaurant workers in the area said they had not noticed the manhole-size opening in the hours before Pollard disappeared, leading rescuers to speculate that the sinkhole was new. “It almost feels like it opened up with her standing on top of it,” Limani said. Searchers accessed the mine late Tuesday afternoon and dug a separate entrance out of concern that the ground around the sinkhole opening was not stable. “Let’s be honest, we need to get a little bit lucky, right?” Limani said Wednesday. “We need a little bit of luck on our side. We need a little bit of God’s good blessing on our side.” Pollard lives in a small neighborhood across the street from where her car and granddaughter were located, Limani said. The young girl “nodded off in the car and woke up. Grandma never came back," Limani said. The child stayed in the car until two troopers rescued her. It's not clear what happened to Pepper. In an era of rapid technological advancement and environmental change, American agriculture is undergoing a revolution that reaches far beyond the farm gate. From the food on consumer plates to the economic health of rural communities, the transformation of U.S. farming practices is reshaping the nation's landscape in ways both visible and hidden. LandTrust explores how these changes impact everyone, whether they live in the heartland or the heart of the city. The image of the small family farm, while still a reality for many, is increasingly giving way to larger, more technologically advanced operations. According to the USDA, the number of farms in the U.S. has fallen from 6.8 million in 1935 to about 2 million today, with the average farm size growing from 155 acres to 444 acres. This shift has profound implications for rural communities and the food system as a whole. Despite these changes, diversity in farming practices is on the rise. A landmark study published in Science , involving data from over 2,000 farms across 11 countries, found that diversifying farmland simultaneously delivers environmental and social benefits. This challenges the longstanding idea that practices boosting biodiversity must come at a cost to yields and food security. The adoption of precision agriculture technologies is transforming how farmers manage their land and resources. GPS-guided tractors, drone surveillance, and AI-powered crop management systems are becoming commonplace on many farms. These technologies allow farmers to apply water, fertilizers, and pesticides with pinpoint accuracy, reducing waste and environmental impact while improving yields. However, the digital divide remains a challenge. More than 22% of rural communities lack reliable broadband internet access, hindering the widespread implementation of AI and other advanced technologies in agriculture. While technology offers new opportunities, farmers are also facing significant economic challenges. The USDA's 2024 farm income forecast projects a 4.4% decline in net farm income from 2023, following a sharp 19.5% drop from 2022 to 2023. This financial pressure is compounded by rising production costs and market volatility. Climate variability adds another layer of complexity. Extreme weather events, changing precipitation patterns, and shifting growing seasons are forcing farmers to adapt quickly. These factors could reduce agricultural productivity by up to 25% over the coming decades without significant adaptation measures. But adapting requires additional financial resources, further straining farm profitability. In the face of these challenges, many farmers are turning to diversification as a strategy for resilience and profitability. The Science study mentioned earlier found that farms integrating several diversification methods supported more biodiversity while seeing simultaneous increases in human well-being and food security. Agritourism is one popular diversification strategy. In 2022, 28,600 U.S. farms reported agritourism income, averaging gross revenue of $44,000 from these activities. Activities like farm tours, pick-your-own operations, and seasonal festivals not only provide additional income but also foster a deeper connection between consumers and agriculture. The changing face of agriculture is directly impacting consumers. The rise of farm-to-table and local food movements reflects a growing interest in where our food comes from and how it's produced. If every U.S. household spent just $10 per week on locally grown food, it would generate billions of dollars for local economies. However, the larger challenges in agriculture can also lead to price fluctuations at the grocery store. The USDA's Economic Research Service projects that food-at-home prices will increase between 1.2% and 2.2% in 2024. Looking ahead, several innovations are poised to reshape agriculture: The transformation of American agriculture affects everyone, from the food we eat to the health of our environment and rural communities. Consumers have the power to support sustainable and diverse farming practices through our purchasing decisions. As citizens, they can advocate for policies that support farmers in adopting innovative and sustainable practices. The challenges facing agriculture are complex, but they also present opportunities for innovation and positive change. By understanding and engaging with these issues, everyone can play a part in shaping a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable food system for the future. This story was produced by LandTrust and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!