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DOD worker assessed Fort Hood suspect months ago- A Defense Department investigator on a terrorism task force looked into Fort Hood shooting suspect Nidal Hasan's background months ago, officials said Tuesday - providing fresh evidence the military knew worrisome details about the Army psychiatrist before last week's deadly rampage.
DC sniper's Muhammad's execution set for tonight- Virginia's governor refused to spare the life of John Allen Muhammad and cleared the way for his execution Tuesday night for the sniper attacks in 2002 that left 10 dead and spread such fear people were afraid to go shopping, cut grass or pump gas.
Police: Man opens fire at Ore. lab, killing woman- A man opened fire with a rifle Tuesday at a drug-testing laboratory in suburban Portland, killing one woman and wounding two other people before fatally shooting himself, police said. No names were immediately released.
- Former President Bill Clinton urged Senate Democrats on Tuesday to pass health care legislation by year's end, pointedly telling skittish lawmakers that an imperfect bill is preferable to another failure like the one he and the party endured in 1994.
US imam wanted in Yemen over al-Qaida suspicions- A radical American imam who communicated with the Fort Hood shooting suspect and called him a hero was once arrested in Yemen on suspicion of giving religious approval to militants to conduct kidnappings. Yemeni authorities are now hunting for Anwar al-Awlaki to determine whether he has al-Qaida ties.
White House: Obama eyeing host of Afghan choices- President Barack Obama is considering four options for realigning U.S. strategy in Afghanistan, his spokesman said Tuesday, while military officials said the choices involve several ways the president could employ additional U.S. forces next year.
- Police said an East Texas man has outsmarted himself in trying to get a quicker response from officers to an alleged assault. Tyler police said 38-year-old Mark Anthony Johnson called 911 on Monday night and reported that he'd just committed a homicide and was armed with a weapon.
Jeter, Teixeira win Gold Gloves; Mauer honored- Derek Jeter sure is stuffing his trophy case this year. The steady Yankees shortstop won his fourth Gold Glove on Tuesday, joining New York first baseman Mark Teixeira among the American League players rewarded for fantastic fielding.
Insurers Support Strengthened Federal Regulation and Oversight for Marketing to Medicare Beneficiaries
WASHINGTON
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(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040830/AHIPLOGO )
The proposal calls for a prohibition of door-to-door marketing, cross-selling, cold calls, and any inducements for beneficiaries to enroll. In addition, the statement calls for strengthening consumer disclosures, verifying that beneficiaries intended to enroll, additional agent and broker training and other protections.
Karen Ignagni, President and CEO of AHIP, said that the AHIP Board wanted to send a strong message to Medicare beneficiaries that health insurance plans are calling for more government regulation to enhance consumer protections for every beneficiary who is considering Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug plans.
"Seniors need to have complete confidence that they will be given the information they need to make the Medicare coverage decision that is best for them," Ignagni said. "Moreover, our members want to ensure that seniors will be given accurate information in an environment that further enhances safeguards to protect beneficiaries from unscrupulous marketing practices."
The AHIP Board also recommended that states be provided with additional tools to monitor sales activities and address market conduct issues. Specifically, AHIP supports the appointment of agents and brokers marketing Medicare Advantage and Part D plans consistent with state law so state insurance regulators know which company(s) an agent or broker is marketing for and can act quickly to address any inquiries or abuses.
AHIP also supports requiring Medicare Advantage and Part D plans to comply with state information requests about the performance of a licensed agent or broker as part of a state investigation into the individual's conduct. The Board also recommended the establishment of a process for a state to trigger a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) targeted audit of marketing activities.
To ensure that compensation arrangements do not provide incentives for inappropriate marketing activities, AHIP also supports regulations that will reform agent compensation structures to better protect consumers. Specifically, AHIP supports requiring CMS to consult with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and other stakeholders on new requirements for agent commissions.
AHIP and its members look forward to continue working with Congress, CMS, state regulators and other stakeholders to advance this proposal.
To review AHIP's proposal, Strengthening Oversight of Medicare Advantage and Part D Marketing, click here: http://www.ahip.org/content/pressrelease.aspx?docid=22559.
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