State gets 1.6m grant for 'Health Care Innovation Plan'

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CONCORD -- Gov. Maggie Hassan announced today that the state Department of Health and Human Services has been awarded up to $1.6 million in federal funds to develop a State Health Care Innovation Plan to improve quality and reduce growth in health care costs through improved coordination.

The grant program is issued by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation through the Affordable Care Act.

The governor's office said the funds "will allow New Hampshire to develop a strategy to transform the health care delivery system through multi-payer payment reform and other state initiatives."

"Innovating in health care is critical for reducing the growth in health care costs and improving the quality of care for all of our people," Hassan said in a prepared statement. "New Hampshire has led the way in health care innovation through initiatives like accountable care organizations, and these federal funds will allow us to develop a comprehensive strategy to continue our progress and strengthen our health care system."

The governor's office said New Hampshire's plan will lay out a framework for aligning consumer access across delivery system "silos," payer support for outcomes-based long term care services, and global accountability for cost-effectiveness and outcomes."

The governor's office said:

"A central tenet of the transformation activities will target opportunities for improved coordination across systems for individuals who are either in need of or at-risk for needing long-term support services; this population will be targeted due to the complex health needs and the cross-cutting nature of the services and payments needed to coordinate their care. Through this process, New Hampshire will leverage ongoing activities in the development of the new system and align the ongoing state and national quality initiatives with the new system."

New Hampshire has six months to submit its plan to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and will use its Health Care Innovation Plan to apply for an anticipated second round of awards

For more information on the grant, visit: http://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/State-Innovations <http://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/State-Innovations> . To learn more about other innovative models being tested by the CMS Innovation Center, please visit: innovation.cms.gov.

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State gets 1.6m grant for 'Health Care Innovation Plan'

Govs to Hear Oregon Health Care Plan

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SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber will brief other state leaders this weekend on his plan to lower Medicaid costs, touting an overhaul that President Barack Obama highlighted in his State of the Union address for its potential to lower the deficit even as health care expenses climb. The Oregon Democrat leaves for Washington, D.C., on Friday to pitch his plan that changes the way doctors and hospitals are paid and improves health care coordination for low income residents so that treatable medical problems don't grow in severity or expense. Kitzhaber says his goal is to win over a handful of other governors from each party. "I think the politics have been dialed down a couple of notches, and now people are willing to sit down and talk about how we can solve the problem" of rising health care costs, Kitzhaber told The Associated Press in a recent interview. Kitzhaber introduced the plan in 2011 in the face of a severe state budget deficit, and he's been talking for two years about expanding the initiative beyond his state. Now, it seems he's found people ready to listen. Hospital executives from Alabama visited Oregon last month to learn about the effort. And the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday that it's giving Oregon a $45 million grant to help spread the changes beyond the Medicaid population and share information with other states, making it one of only six states to earn a State Innovation Model grant. Kitzhaber will address his counterparts at a meeting of the National Governors Association. His talk isn't scheduled on the official agenda, but a spokeswoman confirmed that Kitzhaber is expected to present. "The governors love what they call stealing from one another - taking the good ideas and the successes of their colleagues and trying to figure out how to apply that in their home state," said Matt Salo, director of the National Association of Medicaid Directors. There's been "huge interest" among other states in Oregon's health overhaul, Salo said, not because the concepts are brand new, but because the state managed to avoid pitfalls that often block health system changes. Kitzhaber persuaded state lawmakers to redesign the system of delivering and paying for health care under Medicaid, creating incentives for providers to coordinate patient care and prevent avoidable emergency room visits. He has long complained that the current financial incentives encourage volume over quality, driving costs up without making people healthier. Obama, in his State of the Union address this month, suggested that changes such as Oregon's could be part of a long-term strategy to lower the federal debt by reigning in the growing cost of federally funded health care. "We'll bring down costs by changing the way our government pays for Medicare, because our medical bills shouldn't be based on the number of tests ordered or days spent in the hospital - they should be based on the quality of care that our seniors receive," Obama said. The Obama administration has invested in the program, putting up $1.9 billion to keep Oregon's Medicaid program afloat over the next five years while providers make the transition to new business models and incorporate new staff and technology. In exchange, though, the state has agreed to lower per-capita health care cost inflation by 2 percentage points without affecting quality. The Medicaid system is unique in each state, and Kitzhaber isn't suggesting that other states should adopt Oregon's specific approach, said Mike Bonetto, Kitzhaber's health care policy adviser. Rather, he wants governors to buy into the broad concept that the delivery system and payment models need to change. That's not a new theory. But Oregon has shown that under the right circumstances massive changes to deeply entrenched business models can gain wide support. What Oregon can't yet show is proof the idea is working - that it's lowering costs without squeezing on the quality or availability of care. The state is just finishing compiling baseline data that will be used as a basis of comparison. One factor driving the Obama administration's interest in Oregon's success is the president's health care overhaul. Under the Affordable Care Act, millions more Americans will join the Medicaid rolls after Jan. 1, and the health care system will have to be able to absorb the influx of patients in a logistically and financially sustainable way. The federal government will pay 100 percent of the costs for those additional patients in the first three years, and 90 percent thereafter. "There are a lot of governors who are facing the same challenges we're facing in Oregon," Kitzhaber said. "They recognize that the cost of health care is something they're going to have to get their arms around."

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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Govs to Hear Oregon Health Care Plan

UPAC-Moultrie recognized for quality health care

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ATLANTA Alliant GMCF, the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for Georgia, has recognized UPAC-Moultrie for improving the quality of health care for Georgians.

We are very proud of our dedicated employees and their focus on resident-centered care. UPAC-Moultrie is committed to delivering the highest quality service, said Vickie Patterson, administrator.

UPAC-Moultrie is truly committed to improving the quality of care for Georgians, noted Anne Hernandez, deputy QIO director. By working to improve quality, UPAC-Moultrie improved residents lives and helped to reduce health care costs.

Alliant GMCF and the Georgia Health Care Association (GHCA) present quality awards each year to select Georgia nursing homes. Facilities are judged on results of state surveys, CMS quality measures and performance on internal quality improvement projects. Quality of care measures for all nursing homes are tracked and reported publicly on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Nursing Home Compare website. To view Nursing Home Compare, visit http://www.medicare.gov and select Find Nursing Homes.

Alliant GMCF, the Medicare QIO for Georgia, is a not-for-profit, physician-sponsored organization dedicated to continuously improving health care. In operation since 1970, Alliant GMCF provides innovative health care solutions focused on quality improvement, utilization management, medical review, and health care outcomes research. For more information, please visit http://www.gmcf.org.

Founded in 1953, the Georgia Health Care Association is a not-for-profit organization representing long-term and post-acute care providers located throughout the state of Georgia. The association is dedicated to enhancing the ability of providers to provide competent and compassionate care and advocates for quality care and services for frail, elderly and disabled Georgians. GHCAs more than 350 members serve more than 58,000 individuals annually. For more information visit http://www.GHCA.info.

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Health care worker pleads guilty to selling Medicare information in Detroit-area scheme

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DETROIT, MI -- A health care worker pleaded guilty Friday to selling seniors' Medicare information for $200-$300 per beneficiary, according to the FBI.

Clarence Cooper of Detroit was accused of playing a role in a scheme to submit fraudulent Medicare claims for home health care services that were either unnecessary or never provided.

The now-defunct First Choice Home Health Care Services Inc. and Reliance Home Care, LLC used the information of hundreds of Medicare beneficiaries provided by Cooper to bill the government nearly $1 million in fraudulent claims between 2008 and 2012, investigators found.

Cooper, 54, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud, according to an FBI news release.

He faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Cooper is scheduled to be sentenced July 23.

Federal investigators believe the scheme was part of a larger operation that cost the government more than $24.7 million in fraudulent Medicare claims for home health care, psychotherapy and other medical services.

Some other recent federal health care fraud prosecutions:

-Seven arrested in Medicare fraud scheme involving four Oakland County health care agencies

-Livonia doctor accused of luring fraudulent patients with fast food ordered to pay back $3 million in Medicare costs

-Farmington Hills woman pleads guilty in $4.7 million Medicare scheme

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Health care worker pleads guilty to selling Medicare information in Detroit-area scheme

A Very Neo-Futurist Christmas Carol – "Cheney is Gone" 2008 – Video

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A Very Neo-Futurist Christmas Carol - "Cheney is Gone" 2008
Lyrics By Jonathan Mastro A Very Neo-Futurist Christmas Carol conceived by Kristie Koehler Vuocolo Directed by Chloe Johnston Written by Kristie Koehler Vuocolo, Jessica Anne,Bilal Dardai, Emjoy Gavino, Alex Goodrich and Seth Zurer

By: Kristie Vuocolo

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A Very Neo-Futurist Christmas Carol - "Cheney is Gone" 2008 - Video

Freedom In The World 2013 Ranks China As Worst – Video

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Freedom In The World 2013 Ranks China As Worst
Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com On Feb. 20th, in the European Parliament, US-based human rights organization Freedom House released "Freedom in the world 2013" report. China continued to be labeled as "Not Free". Freedom House analyzes the political and civil freedom of each country, classifying it from 1 to 7 . 1 point is the lowest, 7 is the highest. China received a 7 for political rights and 6 for civil liberties. This was rated the worst out of 187 countries. The report said that the bright spot in China was the determination of not only high-profile dissidents but also large numbers of ordinary citizens to assert their rights and challenge injustice. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Selectively Tolerant Of Christian Evangelists In Tibet On Feb. 22nd, the UK #39;s Guardian newspaper published an investigation report written by Jonathan Kaiman. The report said the CCP was thought to be selectively tolerant of Christian missionaries seeing them as a counterforce to Buddhists. The report said, since 1949, Mao Zedong declared western missionaries "spiritual aggressors" and deported them en masse. Proselytizing has been illegal in #39;China since then. Most of the 400 foreigners living in Xining, are missionaries. The report said, more than 10 people interviewed said that the CCP were selectively tolerant of missionaries. The reasons range from pragmatic to borderline sinister. The report cited Robbie Barnett, a Tibet expert at Columbia ...

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Freedom In The World 2013 Ranks China As Worst - Video

Weinstein Co. acquires "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom"

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LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - The Weinstein Company has acquired distribution rights to "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" in North America, Australia and New Zealand, the studio said Friday.

The biopic of Nelson Mandela's life draws on the anti-apartheid leader's autobiography of the same name and is directed by Justin Chadwick ("The Other Boleyn Girl") and produced by Anant Singh. William Nicholson ("Gladiator") wrote the script.

Shot in South Africa, the film stars Idris Elba ("The Wire") in the title role and Naomie Harris as his wife Winnie.

"I am extremely passionate about 'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,'" TWC Co-Chairman Harvey Weinstein said in statement. "Anant Singh first gave the book to me in 1994, when the first edition came out. We have been talking about making this film since 1999. There have been a number of stop and goes, but sometimes things work out for a reason, and Anant Singh has done a masterful job in producing this epic story of our times. Through Anant and Bob De Niro, I met Nelson Mandela, and it was one of the best experiences of my life."

The deal was negotiated in London by David Glasser and Michal Steinberg for TWC and Anant Singh and Alan Grodin of Weintraub Tobin for Distant Horizon. Pathe has acquired the UK and French rights and is handling international sales.

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Weinstein Co. acquires "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom"

Freedom falls in girls basketball state semifinals

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By NICK WILLIAMS | Tribune staff Published: February 22, 2013 Updated: February 22, 2013 - 6:28 PM

In the waning seconds of her team's Class 7A state semifinal girls basketball game Friday against Gainesville Buchholz, Freedom High senior forward Faith Woodard stared at the scoreboard, a glimmer of hope still dancing in her eyes.

Until the very end, Woodard and the Patriots battled Buchholz for an opportunity to play in the state title game, but time proved to be the enemy for Freedom down the stretch as its dream season came to an end in a 79-73 defeat.

Buchholz took a 58-39 lead with just more than 2 minutes remaining in the third quarter. Just as a comeback seemed impossible, Freedom went on a 29-14 run that extended into the fourth quarter to bring them within five with just more than a minute remaining. Senior Whitney Ivey Turntine cut Buchholz's lead to 72-67 on a 3-point basket, but the Patriots were forced to foul to stop the clock.

Buchholz (26-4) made 6 of 8 free throws in the final 55 seconds to seal the win and advance to the state championship.

Freedom, which was making its first state tournament appearance in program history, finished its season 25-4.

"A lot of teams down 19 in the state semifinals would have quit," said Freedom coach Laurie Pacholke.

Woodard, a 6-foot-2 forward who will play at Georgetown, played all 32 minutes and finished her high school basketball career with a double-double, leading the Patriots with 26 points and 15 rebounds along with three blocks. Sophomore Taylor Emery added 21 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, and eight rebounds.

"Coming to this school with this team and this amount of talent, it was definitely something that I'll never forget," said Woodard, fighting back tears. "To know that we got this far, it means everything."

In the most recent state poll, Freedom was ranked the third overall best team in 7A while Buchholz ranked No. 7 according to the Florida Association of Basketball Coaches. On Friday, however, Buchholz's up-tempo style and defensive pressure disrupted Freedom's game plan.

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Freedom Classic begins today

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Freedom Classic Organizer Jenny Inabinet hangs bunting at Historic Grainger Stadium Thursday afternoon. While it was sunny Thursday, the threat of inclement weather has rearranged the schedule of the four-game baseball series between the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy. Game 1 is today at 1 p.m.; Game 2 is Saturday at 5 p.m.; and a doubleheader begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday.

For the third year in a row, two of Americas finest academies will convene on Kinston.

For the second consecutive year, their baseball series will have to dodge the elements.

The third annual Freedom Classic this year a four-game series between Air Force and Navy begins at 1 p.m. today at Grainger Stadium.

The teams will square off Saturday at 5 p.m. and again with a doubleheader on Sunday morning beginning at 10.

Those times vary from the original schedule. Tournament organizers pushed todays opener up four hours and moved the doubleheader from Saturday to Sunday because most of the rain forecasted to fall in the area is predicted to fall during that time.

Rain caused Game 1 of the Freedom Classic to be postponed last year.

One thing about athletics, you cant control the weather, Kinston/Lenoir County Parks and Recreation Director Bill Ellis said. You do the best you can and then you go play.

Sunday is supposed to be beautiful so one great day out of the weekend wont be bad. Well still get them in and have a good time.

Ellis said he got the idea to bring the event to Kinston which is surrounded by military bases when his son, Kyle, played baseball at Navy from 2003-06 and was playing at East Carolina University.

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Freedom Classic begins today

Freedom National Insurance Services, Inc. Appoints New Regional Marketing Manager

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Freedom National Insurance Services, Inc. Appoints New Regional Marketing Manager in Utah

Newport Beach, CA (PRWEB) February 22, 2013

Kim joins Freedom National as a Regional Marketing Manager to continue Freedom Nationals recent success providing cutting edge insurance offerings to many of the top agencies in Utah. Kim comments I am excited to start a new challenge within Freedom National and look forward to working with the team to further develop their auto insurance book profitably while adding new agencies to their network of offices. I am fortunate to be joining such a respected company that prides itself on top quality service and leading edge technology. It will be great to be out and visiting with agencies once again, something I truly love to do.

Jason Wootton, VP of Sales and Marketing said Kims wealth of experience and industry knowledge has already made him a key addition to the Freedom National family. We view Kims addition to the company as a sign of our commitment to being the leading company in Utah. Our new innovations and the increasing demand from our agencies and producers led us to look for an addition to our team who will fit in with our ethos of innovation, integrity and exceptional service, and it is very fortunate that we were able to find someone of Kims caliber to fulfill this role. Im confident that he will play a key role in growing our auto insurance book working with our existing agents and new agents.

About Freedom National Insurance Services, Inc.

Freedom National Insurance Services, Inc., founded in 1999 and headquartered in Southern California, is a technology driven, service oriented company focused on the non-standard auto insurance market. Freedom National Insurance offers customers, producers and agencies a range of quality products and services to suit their auto insurance needs. They currently offer and serve auto insurance products and clients in Arizona, California, Colorado and Utah with additional states being added in 2013. For more information or to learn more please visit http://www.freedomnational.com.

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Contact: Jason Wootton

Freedom National Insurance Services, Inc.

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Freedom National Insurance Services, Inc. Appoints New Regional Marketing Manager

Freedom Home Healthcare Merges Select Services and Locations with Epic Health Services

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DALLAS, Feb. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Freedom Home Healthcare announced today that its Pennsylvania operations as well as its private duty nursing services in New Jersey have merged with its sister company and will now be known as Epic Health Services. Freedom Home Healthcare, however, will retain its name for its concierge-level services for older adults in New Jersey.

Although new to the northeastern U.S., Epic is not new to home health care. The company has been a leading provider of pediatric home care services for the past 10 years and is a rapidly growing provider of adult home health care services.

"Rebranding Freedom's Pennsylvania operations and private duty nursing services in New Jersey as Epic Health Services will enable both organizations to more clearly define their core services," said John C. Garbarino, Epic's president and chief executive officer. "Although the Freedom name is changing for select services and locations, Freedom will continue to be the premier provider of elder care services throughout New Jersey."

Current clients will not experience any disruption in care, and will continue to receive the outstanding care and support they have come to know and trust. The office staff, nurses and services will remain the same. The only thing changing is the name.

About Epic Health Services Since 2001, Epic Health Services (www.epichealthservices.com) has been a leading provider of pediatric and adult home health care. The company's portfolio of services includes private duty nursing, pediatric therapy and personal care services. With offices located throughout Texas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, Epic is committed to providing the highest quality care delivered with compassion and extraordinary service.

About Freedom Home Healthcare Founded in 2003, Freedom Home Healthcare (www.freedom-homehealthcare.com) is a premier provider of in-home care for older adults, their families and professional referral sources. The company's full spectrum of concierge-level services includes hourly, respite and live-in care, as well as long-distance caregiving and geriatric care management. With three offices located throughout New Jersey, Freedom provides both short- and long-term care.

Media Contact: Debra Brown Epic Health Services Phone: 214-466-1376 E-mail: debra.brown@epichealthservices.com

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Freedom Home Healthcare Merges Select Services and Locations with Epic Health Services

Today’s Eugenics Movement Under Agenda 21: GMOs, Sterilization, Chem-Trails,

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Today #39;s Eugenics Movement Under Agenda 21: GMOs, Sterilization, Chem-Trails, More
In a peer-reviewed paper by the American Institute of Biological Sciences titled "Social Norms and Global Environmental Challenges" (available ahead of print), to be published in the march 2013 edition of the Institute #39;s yearly journal BioScience, a group of well-known scientists calls on government and scientists to start with the planned social engineering of "norms" and "values" in regards to environmental policies. In addition, they propose putting into effect all sorts of environmental fines and regulations in the spirit of Agenda 21 to hasten the social acceptance of increased governmental control. Also, they propose that the scientific community as a whole should align itself with government "through a concerted effort to change personal and social norms". The group of scientists involved in the upcoming publication include two Nobel Prize winners, economist Kenneth Arrow and political scientist Elinor Ostrom, as well as behavioral scientists, mathematicians, biologists- not to mention population scientists, the most well-known of whom are Paul Ehrlich and Gretchen C. Daily- whose professional relationship dates back to the Ecoscience days. explosivereports.com Published on Feb 22, 2013 by Alex Jones/InfoWars.com http://www.youtube.com

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Today's Eugenics Movement Under Agenda 21: GMOs, Sterilization, Chem-Trails,

Injustice: Gods Among Us – Aquaman vs Cyborg – Video

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Injustice: Gods Among Us - Aquaman vs Cyborg
Aquaman and Cyborg throw blows with the winner advancing in the Injustice: Gods Among Us Battle Arena. Follow Injustice: God Among Us at GameSpot.com! http://www.gamespot.com Developer Site - http://www.netherrealm.com Visit our other channels: Gameplay Guides - http://www.youtube.com Trailers - http://www.youtube.com MLG, NASL eSports - http://www.youtube.com Mobile Gaming - http://www.youtube.com Like - http://www.facebook.com Follow - http://www.twitter.com Stream Live - twitch.tv http://www.gamespot.com

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Metal Gear Rising: Unlock Cyborg Ninja DLC Free *Working On UK Release Date* – Video

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Metal Gear Rising: Unlock Cyborg Ninja DLC Free *Working On UK Release Date*
Get your Free Metal Gear Rising Free DLC Code Here: Link 1: http://www.youtube.com Link 2 : http://www.youtube.com Link 3 : http://www.youtube.com Link 4 : http://www.shreddybrek.com Unlock the Cyboring Ninja from MGS (Metal Gear Solid) In Metal Gear Rising Revengance. In this video I show you how to unlock the Cyborg ninja dlc for Free.

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Metal Gear Rising: Unlock Cyborg Ninja DLC Free *Working On UK Release Date* - Video