Tesla shares fall as court rejects Musk's $56 bln pay packageWhen Andrew Westphal's Costa Rica honeymoon was over last May, you could say the honeymoon was really over. "Traveler's trots. Let's just say again, gastrointestinal distress," Westphal said. He and his new bride were experiencing the same stomach symptoms and decided to go to an urgent care near them. "And it ended up being a $4 antibiotic that solved the issue completely in a day," Westphal recalled. But then, Westphal said, the real pain began when he received his first bill: $1,888. What really stood out, though, was the difference between what his insurance covered compared to his wife's insurance for the medical testing. "So mine ended up being just about $1,700 to $1,800, and she paid $21 for those labs," Westphal said. "I'm trying to just wrap my head around how I could get such a large bill for such a simple service." His insurance carrier is Anthem while hers is Cigna. They both have high-deductible plans, and neither has met their deductibles. RELATED STORY | Murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO ignites online fury over health insurance industry "I, unfortunately, am not surprised," said Adam Fox, the deputy director of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative. Fox said Westphal's story underscores the idea that insurance plans are not negotiating better costs for the people they are serving, putting consumers at risk of unpredictably high bills. Additionally, Fox said, there is a larger issue with the rates being charged at so-called "Hospital Outpatient Departments." In a letter to Westphal regarding his urgent care bill, UC Health stated that he had "received these services within a Hospital Outpatient Department." Fox said Medicare charges about $440 for the same tests Westphal was billed $1,840. "They're basically charging four times what Medicare does," said Fox. "I think those services can be provided at a much lower cost. And I think what we are seeing is as hospitals acquire more facilities and doctors offices, they are charging higher costs for the same level of service to patients. And that puts Coloradans at financial risk." A UCHealth spokesperson clarified that its urgent care centers are not Hospital Outpatient Departments, but the labs in certain cases are at the hospital. UCHealth and Anthem declined our requests for interviews, but in an email, a UCHealth spokesman pointed to high-deductible health insurance plans, stating, "This shifts more of the burden of paying medical bills onto patients." UCHealth said it offers billing estimates for anyone who wants to know individual responsibility for a service. An Anthem statement also references high-deductible plans, stating that Westphal's "claim was therefore processed correctly." Anthem said, "We are transparent with Anthem members about the price of health care services." Westphal said he had no idea that what he thought was a simple doctor's visit for antibiotics could cost so much. After his appeals were denied, he said he is learning a frustrating lesson. "You need to find out how much your services are going to cost, even if you think it's something that should be very simple, cost so little," Westphal said. "And yet this insurance company or this provider can really do whatever they want." Full statement from Anthem: This story was originally published by Jaclyn Allen at Scripps News Denver .Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has said the Government is open to suggestions on helping the local private sector transport their goods from ports in Trinidad and Tobago, where an industrial dispute has resulted in delays in shipments to Guyana. “We are open to ideas, working with the private sector to get their goods out of Trinidad and Tobago,” Jagdeo told a press conference on Thursday. The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) in a statement on Monday explained that the over two months’ long industrial dispute between workers and port authority in the twin island Republic has resulted in significant delays in the clearance of containers carrying goods intended for Guyana. The GMSA added that businesses in Guyana are experiencing “substantial financial losses, particularly during this critical Christmas season when import volumes are significantly higher.” The private sector body then called on the Guyana Government to work with their counterparts to urgently intervene and facilitate a resolution. But Jagdeo explained that there is “very little” the Government can do to intervene in an industrial dispute in another country. He said the Vreed en Hoop Shorebase facility should provide some relief soon by allowing for greater movement of containers in and out of the country. Jagdeo added that when the new Demerara River Bridge is opened, containers can land on the west side of the Demerara River and then be easily transported to Georgetown and other areas. However, he said the ultimate goal is to have a deep water harbour. Jagdeo explained that the new idea is to build a causeway to mitigate challenges with dredging the mouth of the Berbice River. He previously told reporters “we’re looking at a causeway proposal where you build out into the Atlantic, in the deep, so we don’t have to have dredging costs.” A causeway is a raised path, railway or road across wet ground, in this case, the ocean. This differs from a bridge since there is little or no opening underneath, instead, it consists of a crest with embankments on either side. With such a facility, Jagdeo said large vessels can come directly to Guyana, instead of having to dock in the islands and then containers be transshipped to Guyana. “We can then become a hub for regional trade for goods coming to Guyana and then being transshipped from here back into the islands and to Suriname and some going into northern Brazil. That’s the concept we’re working on now but when you look at the cost of doing that, its significant,” he noted. According to the Vice President, this project may have to await the next term of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration but the idea will be further explored in the meantime.WILLIAMSPORT—A man caught on video striking another man in the head eight times with a hammer on a Williamsport street has been sentenced to 10 to 20 years in state prison. Kareem Anthony Hutt, 44, of Philadelphia, had been found guilty in August on aggravated assault and other counts but acquitted on an attempted homicide charge. A video showed Hutt about 5:35 p.m. on Feb. 6, 2021, running after and hitting Bernard Daniels after he fell on the sidewalk in the 700 block of West Fourth Street. Hutt, who is a mechanic, testified during his jury trial he used a hammer with a plastic head, thought he hit Daniels only once and did not intend to injure or kill him. Lycoming County Judge William P. Carlucci in sentencing Hutt on Tuesday referenced the video in saying it appeared he was trying to prevent violence but he changed and became the instigator. The video that was played several times during the trial showed: Daniels standing on the sidewalk when Hutt and his wife Nikita Valencia drive up. The couple disappears into an apartment building entrance briefly and come out with a shopping cart filled with toys and other items. As they move it to their car, Valencia and Daniels get into a verbal altercation. There was testimony Daniels had dated her in the past. Hutt steps between them as the confrontation escalates and at one point is seen pulling back his wife, who he said was pregnant. Daniels takes off his coat and moves closer but then starts running away when Hutt grabs from the trunk of his car the hammer he uses in auto body work. He runs after Daniels who fell and that is when the assault occurs. As his wife starts toward them, Hutt returns, the two get into their car and drive off leaving Daniels lying on the sidewalk. Hutt testified he tried to act as a peacemaker and Daniels made threatening comments to him and his wife. RECOMMENDED • pennlive .com Pittsburgh Steelers defense dealt huge blow before Bengals game with likely loss of star pass rusher Nov. 29, 2024, 3:51 p.m. Pa. man pleads guilty to federal drug charge, is facing 10-year prison sentence Dec. 2, 2024, 4:13 p.m. Daniels testified at the trial he did not recall suffering a head injury or going to the hospital. He said he did not want to testify because he cannot remember things and can’t read or write. Besides aggravated assault, Hutt was found guilty of possession an instrument of crime and recklessly endangering another person. Hutt, who will receive 521 days of credit, has previous convictions in Delaware County and in New Jersey.
United States shares mixed at close of trade; Dow Jones Industrial Average down 0.29%A number of prominent pundits, including former City defender and club ambassador Micah Richards, have questioned why the Belgium international has not been starting games amid the champions’ dramatic slump. City have not won in seven outings in all competitions – their worst run since 2008 – with De Bruyne featuring only as a substitute in the last five of those matches after recovering from a pelvic injury. The latest came with a 12-minute run-out in Sunday’s demoralising 2-0 defeat at Premier League leaders Liverpool, a result which left City 11 points off the pace and fifth in the table. Richards said on The Rest is Football podcast it appeared “there’s some sort of rift going on” between De Bruyne and Guardiola while former England striker Gary Lineker added: “It seems like all’s not well.” Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said he felt “something isn’t right” and fellow Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville, the ex-Manchester United right-back, described the situation as “unusual, bizarre, strange”. Guardiola, speaking at a press conference to preview his side’s clash with Nottingham Forest, responded on Tuesday. The Spaniard said: “People say I’ve got a problem with Kevin. Do you think I like to not play with Kevin? No, I don’t want Kevin to play? “The guy who has the most talent in the final third, I don’t want it? I have a personal problem with him after nine years together? “He’s delivered to me the biggest success to this club, but he’s been five months injured (last season) and two months injured (this year). “He’s 33 years old. He needs time to find his best, like last season, step by step. He’ll try to do it and feel better. I’m desperate to have his best.” De Bruyne has not started since being forced off at half-time of City’s Champions League clash with Inter Milan on September 18, having picked up an injury in the previous game. Both the player and manager have spoken since of the pain he was in and the need to ease back into action, but his spell on the bench has been unexpectedly long. The resulting speculation has then been exacerbated because De Bruyne is in the final year of his contract but Guardiola maintains nothing untoward has occurred. He said: “I’d love to have the Kevin in his prime, 26 or 27. He would love it to – but he is not 26 or 27 any more. “He had injuries in the past, important and long ones. He is a guy who needs to be physically fit for his space and energy. You think I’m complaining? It’s normal, it’s nature. “He’s played in 10 or 11 seasons a lot of games and I know he is desperate to help us. He gives glimpses of brilliance that only he can have. “But, always I said, he himself will not solve our problems, like Erling (Haaland) won’t solve it himself. We attack and defend together. “We want the best players back. Hopefully step by step the confidence will come back and we’ll get the best of all of us.”ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — In a season that began with many questions and lowered expectations , it was apt watching Bills quarterback Josh Allen join coach Sean McDermott lay on the cold, wet sideline to make snow angels in celebrating Buffalo’s earliest clinching of a division title in team history. That Allen took part was no surprise. The newly engaged 28-year-old has maintained the happy-go-lucky approach he brought with him to Buffalo as a raw-talented athlete in 2018, while gradually blossoming into one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks. For McDermott, it was a pleasant surprise to see the usually reserved eight-year coach finally let his hair down — figuratively, because the few jokes he does make are usually about being bald. With his latest do-it-all three-TD outing — one rushing, one receiving and, the coup de grace, being credited with receiving his own pass for a score off a lateral from Amari Cooper — in a 35-10 win over San Francisco on Sunday night , Allen continued making his strongest NFL MVP case. What’s also becoming apparent is how much McDermott deserves consideration for coach of the year honors. Without the two, the Bills (10-2) wouldn’t be in this position in becoming just the eighth NFL team — and first since Indianapolis in 2009 — to clinch a division title with at least five games remaining in their schedule. It’s reflective of how the two have grown together in what, on the outside, could be perceived as an odd couple relationship between an offensive-minded, swashbuckling quarterback and a defensive-minded coach, too often knocked for being too conservative. Perhaps, it’s Allen’s boyish nature that has brought out the risk-taker in McDermott, who has carried over the aggressive approach he takes to defense by placing trust in his quarterback. It’s become apparent in everything the Bills have accomplished so far in having at least 10 wins through 12 games for just the fifth time in team history, and first since 1991, when Buffalo was led by eventual Hall of Famers in coach Marv Levy and quarterback Jim Kelly. Buffalo has won seven straight since consecutive losses to Baltimore and Houston. And the Bills have scored 30 or more points in six straight outings, matching the team record set in 2004. Allen is doing more with less on an offense that was supposed to be hampered following the offseason departures of receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis and center Mitch Morse. The Bills are more balanced in leaning on their running attack, while Allen has also curtailed his turnover-prone ways. He's lost two fumbles and thrown just five interceptions after being picked off a career-worst 18 times last season. Meantime, McDermott has taken a different approach to fourth down situations. The Bills have converted 13 of 15 fourth down attempts after going 9 of 16 last season and 7 of 13 in 2022. The most fourth down attempts during McDermott’s tenure came in 2021, when Buffalo converted just 11 of 22. This is but an example of the bond the quarterback and coach have built in a shared objective of overcoming past playoff failures. Clinching a division title is but one step, with the Bills now focused on catching the Kansas City Chiefs (11-1), whom they’ve beaten already , for the AFC’s top seed. In calling it the team’s next goal, McDermott went off script from his usual game-at-a-time message by noting the importance of celebrating a division-clinching win, if only for one day. “Being 50 years old and 20-plus years in this league, I’ve learned to try and enjoy the moments,” McDermott said. “And this is a moment, right?” It certainly was. Turnover differential. Buffalo’s defense forced three fumbles, including one at its goal line, while the offense didn’t commit a giveaway. The Bills upped their league-leading turnover differential entering Monday to plus-17. Run defense. Though the conditions were snowy and slick, the Bills allowed 119 yards rushing in the first half before the 49ers were forced to start passing the ball once the score became lopsided. Buffalo particularly struggled in stopping Christian McCaffrey, who had 53 yards on seven carries before leaving the game with a potential season-ending knee injury . LB Matt Milano was in on five tackles while playing 37 of 48 defensive snaps in his first outing in nearly 14 months after being sidelined by a broken right leg and torn left biceps. CB Kaiir Elam, the 2022 first-round pick was a healthy inactive for a second straight outing, and still having difficulty finding a regular role. None reported. 9-0 — The Bills' home record going back to last season, marking their second-longest run in team history. Hit the road for two outings, starting with a trip to face the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
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