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Sheldon Jacobson: America’s health care system benefits the insurance industry, not patients or doctors

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:01:59 GMT

Could this be the year when America starts to shift away from the employer-sponsored health insurance model?To be sure, health care is an issue that concerns most people. Whether it is accessing care or paying for health care services, few people are free of the anxiety that comes when they or a loved one must undergo treatment for an acute life-threatening or debilitating chronic condition.In spite of the $4 trillion spent in 2021 on health care in the United States, the highest per capita spending in the world, life expectancy in our nation continues to languish in comparison to other industrialized countries.So what are the issues that demand discussion and resolution?For many people, health insurance is tied to their employment. When they take on new employment, their health insurance coverage moves as well. This creates a patchwork of coverage that is susceptible to cracks during any transition. If there is a gap in employment, COBRA is available to provide coverage, at the per...

5 things to know this Friday, May 26

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:01:59 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — It was a very chilly morning across the Capital Region, but Meteorologists Jill Szwed and Matt Mackie are calling for a significant warmup this afternoon—and they said the heat isn't going anywhere over the long weekend! Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The driver in the Northway crash that killed two Shenendehowa high schoolers in 2012 is out of prison. Meanwhile, travelers are flocking to local airports—and roads—for Memorial Day Weekend. Read more, in today's five things to know.1. Dennis Drue, driver in fatal 2012 Northway crash released from prisonDennis Drue, the drunk and drugged driver who caused the fatal crash that killed Shenendehowa students Christopher Stewart and Deanna Rivers and seriously injured their close friends Bailey Wind and Matt Hardy was released on Thursday. Dennis Drue, driver in fatal 2012 Northway crash released from prison 2. Parents react to Dennis Drue being released ...

'Iron Chef Saratoga' raises $32k for Wellspring

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:01:59 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Chefs from three well-known area restaurants and bartenders from two popular local bars competed Wednesday night at Airosmith Development's third annual Iron Chef Saratoga event to raise funds for Wellspring, the county's domestic violence and sexual assault resource agency. All proceeds from ticket sales—over $32,000—will go toward the agency's mission to support survivors and engage the community to end relationship and sexual abuse. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Much like the classic Iron Chef culinary game show, chefs were given a secret ingredient, and each round was timed. The competing chefs, from well-known Saratoga restaurants 30 Lake, Osteria Danny, and Salt & Char, were a new addition to this year's Iron Chef. This year's competition also featured a specialty cocktail competition between bartenders from Spa City Tap and Barrel and Lucy's Bar. In addition to the specialty c...

Coroner IDs man and woman killed in Highway 1 crash near Castroville

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:01:59 GMT

CASTROVILLE — The Monterey County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office has identified two individuals killed Tuesday in a head-on collision near Molera Road.Dorothy Cousins, 79, of Soquel, was driving southbound on Highway 1 when a driver operating a GMC Sierra pickup traveled directly into the path of her car, a Mazda CX-5. The cause of the crash remained under investigation by the California Highway Patrol Monterey area this week.Both Cousins and her backseat passenger, James Hendrickson, 76, of Dandridge, Tennessee, were killed in the crash. Cousins’ front-seat passenger, a 73-year-old woman from Tennessee, suffered major injuries and was transported to an area trauma center for care. The driver of the GMC, a 69-year-old Santa Cruz man who had been driving northbound around 12:30 p.m., also was taken to the hospital for treatment of major injuries. Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | I-580 lanes reopen after crash following a road-rage shooting Crashes and Disasters | ...

Fugitive charged with posing as ICE agent, scamming California immigrants

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:01:59 GMT

A federal grand jury indicted a San Diego County fugitive for impersonating a federal agent and defrauding more than 25 victims in Orange County seeking work permits, legal residency and U.S. citizenship, prosecutors announced Thursday, May 25.Davyd George Brand Jimenez, 52, who pretended to be a special agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, primarily targeted undocumented Latino victims, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.Brand Jimenez, of San Ysidro, was named in a 25-count indictment, with 10 counts of false impersonation of a federal officer or employee, three counts of mail fraud, two counts of wire fraud, seven counts of fraudulent possession and use of U.S. government seals, three counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of misusing a United States passport, the office said in a news release.From April 2019 to November 2020, Brand Jimenez charged each victim – most of whom were illegally in the United States – between $10,000 and $20,000, accordi...

Del Taco’s Independence Poppers are part of a campaign to help veterans

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:01:59 GMT

Just in time for Memorial Day, Del Taco has added a splash of red, white and blue to its menu.Independence Poppers are the latest flavors in the chain’s Popper series of boba drinks. They are made with strawberry-flavored boba pearls and blue raspberry flavoring added to Sprite, Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade or a vanilla shake, according to a news release.They will be available through July 12 in partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation, which serves wounded veterans, first responders and their families. Del Taco, which is based in Lake Forest, will make a minimum $20,000 to the foundation and encourage customers to support it, the news release said.Sinise, an actor known for his role as a wounded Vietnam veteran in “Forrest Gump,” has engaged in several projects for veterans in Southern California and served as grand marshal of the 2018 Rose Parade in recognition of his efforts.Prices are around $2.49-$3.49 but vary by location.Information: deltaco.com 

Firefighters’ mental health is at risk. A California bill could help.

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:01:59 GMT

By Julie Cart | CalMattersA state Senate bill that would expand workers’ compensation coverage for California first responders experiencing post traumatic stress — aimed at addressing what Cal Fire officials call a mental health crisis — has cleared its first legislative hurdle and been sent to the Assembly.Authored by Sen. John Laird, a Salinas Democrat, the bill is one of a growing number of state initiatives attempting to address the cause of mental health struggles and the difficulty first responders encounter when seeking medical care through state-run insurance.The bill would extend by seven years a provision in existing state law that says PTSD qualifies as an occupational illness that is covered by workers’ comp for firefighters, police and other first responders. The extension would last through Jan 1, 2032, rather than expiring in 2025. The bill also would add more categories of dispatchers, peace officers, investigators and public security officers in claims for psycholog...

‘Little Mermaid’ Happy Meals are on sale at McDonald’s

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:01:59 GMT

McDonald’s is selling “The Little Mermaid” Happy Meals featuring characters from the Disney musical opening Friday.The meals include one of eight figures from the movie: Ariel, the mermaid; King Triton, her father; Prince Eric, the human; Ursula, the villain; Sebastian, the crab, Flounder, the fish; Scuttle, the seagull; and Max, the dog.Related ArticlesRestaurants, Food and Drink | After burglary, Oakland’s Michelin-listed Hi Felicia shuts down indefinitely Restaurants, Food and Drink | BottleRock Exclusive: Here’s what’s really cooking on Culinary Stage in 2023 Restaurants, Food and Drink | 7 amazing Bay Area things to do over Memorial Day weekend Restaurants, Food and Drink | 20+ Bay Area beer and wine events to enjoy this summer Restaurants, Food and Drink | How to get deals for Hamburger Month 2023 and Hamburger Day, May 28 The toys are incorporated into an online game at HappyMeal...

California lawmaker opens legal fund over Facebook feud

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:01:59 GMT

By Alexei Koseff | CalMattersA first-term state senator is raising money from interest groups to fight ongoing litigation related to complaints that she blocked critics on social media in her previous job as a mayor.Sen. Catherine Blakespear, who was elected to the Senate in November to represent southern Orange County, opened the legal defense fund at the end of January and has raised $17,500 so far, in addition to receiving legal assistance from the California Democratic Party, according to campaign finance records.Blakespear appears to be the only legislator with an active legal defense fund. The contributions include $12,000 from the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters and $5,500 from the Pechanga Band of Indians, both of which lobby at the state Capitol.Blakespear declined to discuss the case in depth because it is still active, but she defended using her legislative position to fundraise for her legal bills.“This is a politically motivated lawsuit,” Blakespear told CalMat...

17-year-old boy in custody after California bus driver stabbed during argument

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:01:59 GMT

An argument that started on a Metro bus and spilled outside in Woodland Hills left the driver stabbed and in critical condition and a 17-year-old boy in custody, police said.The confrontation occurred about 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, near Erwin Street and Topanga Canyon Boulevard, with the driver stabbed more than once, officials said. It’s unclear what ignited the dispute.Suspect pic.twitter.com/fW54nRX4xw— LAPD PIO (@LAPDPIO) May 25, 2023 Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who also serves as a Metro board member, was at the hospital Wednesday night. She met the family of the driver, who had surgery that night. He is a husband and a father.“The driver is still not out of the woods yet,” the mayor said during Metro’s Board of Directors meeting on Thursday. “We need to keep him in our prayers.”LA Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins said at the meeting she had heard from doctors on Thursday morning: “He did try to open his eyes this morning, and the doctor said that was a good sign,” she...