Fuel tanks explode at Virgin Islands gas station

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AP/September 15, 2013

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands (AP) Authorities say fuel tanks at a U.S. Virgin Islands gas station have exploded, resulting in a huge blast and fire but causing only two injuries.

Residential areas around the Gas Works station in the St. Thomas community of Bovoni were evacuated and traffic was diverted after the explosion on Saturday night.

Firefighters and other emergency personnel contained the blaze shortly before midnight, about three hours after the tanks ignited.

Government spokesman Jean Greaux said there was a flare-up early Sunday but it was quickly extinguished.

An all-clear has been issued, allowing residents to return home.

Authorities say a man who was at the gas station received burns to 18 percent of his body. A woman also received injuries.

Investigators were scouring rubble Sunday looking for the cause of the blast.

Copyright 2013 Globe Newspaper Company.

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Fuel tanks explode at Virgin Islands gas station

NGOs call on the health ministry to urgently intervene in the health care system. – Video

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NGOs call on the health ministry to urgently intervene in the health care system.
For more on this and other stories please visit http://www.enca.com/ September 11 -- Sasha Stevenson, an attorney at NGO Section 27, analyses the healthcare ...

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NGOs call on the health ministry to urgently intervene in the health care system. - Video

Spokane Valley call center fielding questions about Affordable Health Care Act – Video

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Spokane Valley call center fielding questions about Affordable Health Care Act
If you #39;re like most people you have questions about the Affordable Health Care Act, set to take full effect January 1, which is why the State of Washington o...

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Spokane Valley call center fielding questions about Affordable Health Care Act - Video

POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Health care law brings out criticism

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Georgias senators want to make sure union rules are followed in the new health care laws.

U.S. Sens. Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss co-sponsored the Union Bailout Prevention Act, which would prevent the Obama administration from granting unions request for special Obamacare premium tax subsidies for union members health care plans, a press release said.

The two pointed out that a section of the reform law says that multi-employer union health plans are not qualified health plans, but the Obama administration is reportedly working on regulations to give taxpayer-subsidized premium tax credits on top of generous union plans that already receive the employer tax exclusion, ultimately forcing taxpayers to double-subsidize union members health plans, the release said.

This unfair provision that allows labor unions to receive special treatment is yet another reason why I have voted nearly 60 times to repeal, replace or dismantle Obamacare, Isakson said. The American people should be outraged that their tax dollars are going to give President Obamas biggest campaign supporters an Obamacare bailout. I will continue to fight every day to repeal and replace this terribly flawed law with a step-by-step approach that makes health care more accessible and affordable.

Chambliss said he also supports a full repeal.

This administrations blatant favoritism toward labor organizations undermines the hard work and efforts of small business owners and non-union individuals across America, Chambliss said. While we must address the skyrocketing costs of health care, we must do so for all Americans, not just labor-union members. I hope President Obama will realize that taxing many to pay for the privileges of a few is unacceptable.

Protest held about commissioners comments

State Democrats last week blasted Georgias insurance commissioner for statements that he would block the Affordable Care Act.

Ralph Hudgens, the Republican official who formerly represented Barrow in the Senate, said he was working to be an obstructionist of the law.

During a rally Thursday, several political officials and community advocacy groups said Hudgens should put aside partisan politics and do what is in the best interests of the residents of Georgia.

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POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Health care law brings out criticism

Utah businesses prepare for effects health care act

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SALT LAKE CITY Beginning next month, employers large and small will start open enrollment for health care benefits a process that will involve the implementation of the controversial Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

While passage of the law requiring most employers to provide health insurance has been seen by some as a major victory for workers, the reality of putting the plan into place has been a big headache for many companies forced to follow the 2,700-page measure that even members of Congress have said they don't completely understand.

The aim of the ACA, also known as Obamacare, is to increase the quality and affordability of health insurance, lower the uninsured rate by expanding public and private insurance coverage, and reduce the costs of health care for individuals and the government.

However, some critics argue the measure could increase insurance premiums for many employers and individuals because the law requires insurance companies to cover all applicants within new minimum standards and offer the same rates regardless of pre-existing conditions or age.

Speaking Tuesday at a news conference at the annual Small Business Summit at the Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake Chamber president and CEO Lane Beattie said the new law will be a big change from the way employer-based health insurance has been handled traditionally.

This is a significant shift in the way that we have done health care in this country for many, many years, Beattie said.

Eric Sessions, co-owner of Intelitechs

According to a survey conducted by the Cicero Group for SelectHealth, 90 percent of local business leaders say it's very important to provide health care for their employees, but the ACA is perceived negatively by the majority of businesses.

Many are unhappy because they have to comply with confusing and unfamiliar rules and regulations, said Greg Matis, senior counsel for SelectHealth.

Matis said some business owners believe the ACA will cause greater confusion for employees health coverage, largely due to more paperwork and hassle.

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Utah businesses prepare for effects health care act

Garry Rayno's State House Dome The new face of health care

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The new face of health care is beginning to emerge from the corners of the Affordable Care Act, and New Hampshire had its glimpse the past two weeks.

First, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield revealed aspects of its Pathway program, developed for the health insurance marketplace, or exchange, and then Harvard-Pilgrim, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and Elliot Health Systems rolled out their ElevateHealth plan.

The Pathway program is the backbone of the health plans Anthem will offer beginning Oct. 1 to those buying insurance through the state's electronic marketplace. Anthem is the only health insurer on the state's exchange, although Delta Dental is an approved dental insurer.

ElevateHealth will be available only to employers initially, but is expected to be available on the marketplace in 2015 for individuals. The plan is touted as promoting high-quality health care at a roughly 10 percent lower premium cost.

Anthem says the Pathway program will lower premiums by 25 percent from what individuals could have expected to pay for the additional benefits mandated for exchange policies and to absorb the state's high-risk pool of 3,000 individuals who have been denied private health insurance.

The Harvard-Dartmouth-Elliot project is what is called an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) - integrated health systems that coordinate patient care and chronic-disease management through a "patient-centered medical home" or primary care physician. Something like managed care on steroids.

The idea is to provide better care for less money, and the ACA provides significant up-front money to establish ACOs.

The Pathway program is not technically an ACO, but the concept is pretty much the same because Anthem decided which hospitals and affiliated physician practices and services would be in the network. Not included are some small rural hospitals, the state's two for-profit hospitals in Portsmouth and Derry, Concord Hospital, Southern NH Medical Center in Nashua and Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

The Pathway network includes 16 of the state's 26 hospitals, as well as Lahey Clinics.

The Harvard-Dartmouth-Elliot group also includes Southern NH Medical Center, Cheshire Medical Center and New London Hospital.

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Garry Rayno's State House Dome The new face of health care

First Human Application of SDF1 Gene Therapy to promote healing of open heart surgery. – Video

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First Human Application of SDF1 Gene Therapy to promote healing of open heart surgery.
September 12, 2012 Stewart Manning was the first person in the world to receive SDF1 Gene Therapy. It was used to promote healing after Dr. Amit Patel MD, MS...

By: Schmocter MED

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First Human Application of SDF1 Gene Therapy to promote healing of open heart surgery. - Video