All Posts in "Press Release"

Two of Washington’s largest nonprofit health insurers are each sitting on record surpluses of more than $1 billion.

“At a time when people are paying more for their health premiums and getting less, these companies have stockpiled huge assets,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler.  State law requires Kreidler’s office to ignore insurer surpluses when reviewing proposed premiums. Kreidler has repeatedly tried to change the law.  “It’s like trying to ignore an elephant in the room,” he said. “And the elephant’s getting bigger.”

The surpluses have grown dramatically and steadily from around $400 million in 2000 to their current levels.  Premera Blue Cross has a surplus of $1,015,692,693, according to its most recent quarterly filing with the insurance commissioner’s office and Regence BlueShield’s surplus is $1,048,103,555.

“Some insurance lobbyists like to describe these surpluses as `reserves,’” said Kreidler. “That’s simply not true. A company’s surplus is above and beyond what the company has set aside in its reserves.”  Kreidler has proposed legislation three times to allow his office to consider surpluses when reviewing rates. The most recent was Substitute Senate Bill 5247, which died in the Senate Rules Committee earlier this year.  “Families are clearly struggling to afford insurance,” said Kreidler. “More than a million Washingtonians have no health coverage at all. Yet very few people know how much these nonprofit health insurers are sitting on.”

Kreidler intends to propose the legislation again next year.  “The larger these surpluses grow, the harder it is to make the case that we should ignore them,” he said.

Press Release by — June 12, 2012 in Everything Else

For the third year in a row, Tacoma Art Museum, Museum of Glass, and Washington State History Museum are joining forces with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and more than 1,500 museums across America to offer free admission to members of the U.S. Armed Forces. From Memorial Day, May 28, through Labor Day, September 3, 2012, active-duty military personnel and up to five of their immediate family members are eligible for this offer, which is valid for all military branches—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and active-duty National Guard and active-duty Reserve members.

“Through Blue Star Museums, the arts community is extending a special invitation to military families this summer,” said NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman. “This is both an opportunity to thank military families for their service and sacrifice, as well as a chance to create connections between museums and these families that will continue throughout the year. Especially for families with limited time together, those on a limited budget, and ones that have to relocate frequently, Blue Star Museums offers an opportunity to enjoy one another and become more fully integrated into a community.”

This year museums in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa are taking part in the initiative, including more than 300 new museums this year. Blue Star Museums represent not just fine arts museums, but also science museums, history museums, nature centers, and children’s museums.

Local Blue Star Museums include Tacoma Art Museum, Museum of Glass, Children’s Museum of Tacoma, Seattle Art Museum, The Museum of Flight, Wing Luke Museum, and The Henry Art Museum. For a full listing of Blue Star Museums both in Washington and around the country, visit http://www.arts.gov/national/bluestarmuseums.

Press Release by — May 25, 2012 in Everything Else

Tacoma @ TAGRO
2201 Portland Avenue, Gate 6
June 9, 10-Noon: Garden Bugs: The Good, the Bad, and the Slugly
July 14, 10-Noon: Planting and Planning Your Fall Garden
July 26, 6-8 p.m.: Recycled Arts and Crafts for the Garden

Gig Harbor @ Sehmel Homestead Park
10123 78th Avenue NW
June 19, 6-8 p.m.: Garden Bugs: The Good, the Bad, and the Slugly
July 21, 10-Noon: Planting and Planning Your Fall Garden
July 31, 6-8 p.m.: Recycled Arts and Crafts for the Garden

Puyallup @ WSU Master Garden Demonstration Garden
2606 West Pioneer
June 12, 6-8 p.m.: Garden Bugs: The Good, the Bad, and the Slugly
July 10, 6-8 p.m.: Planting and Planning Your Fall Garden
July 17, 6-8 p.m.: Recycled Arts and Crafts for the Garden

To give us an idea of how many students to expect,
please call or e-mail Kristen McIvor to put your name on the list
kmcivor@forterra.org
(253) 363 1846

For more information, go to www.growlocaltacomapierce.com

Press Release by — May 23, 2012 in Everything Else

Good eye health doesn’t just happen. Good eyesight is an important part of well-being and a significant factor in retaining independence and quality of life.  Vision loss does not need to be an accepted part of life.  Vision can deteriorate for many reasons.  Even when loss is associated with the aging process, many interventions are available.
Pierce County Aging & Disability Resource Center and Pacific Northwest Eye are sponsoring “Can You See What I See,” a free informational workshop for all ages.  Find out what can be done when vision does change, what options are available, and how consumers can evaluate those choices. Topics include cataracts, macular degeneration, dry eyes, diabetes, glaucoma and eye surgeries.  No RSVP is required.  It will be repeated four times:
· June 4 –12:10-12:50 p.m.
County-City Building, 7th Floor Rainier Conference Rm., 930 Tacoma Ave S., Tacoma
· June 12 – 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Merrill Gardens at Tacoma,7290 Rosemount Circle, Tacoma
· June 18 – 12:10-12:50 p.m.
Pierce County Annex, Main Conference Room, 2401 35th Street, Tacoma
Dr. Victor W. Chiu, M.D. will be speaking about a variety of eye conditions that people of any age must consider: cataracts, macular degeneration, blurry or double vision, diabetes, glaucoma, LASIK, surgeries and more.  Dr. Chiu is on the staff of Pacific Northwest Eye.  He is board certified in ophthalmology.  His memberships include the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.
All three presentations of the workshop are free and open to the public.  No RSVPs are necessary.  For more information contact the Pierce County Aging & disability Resource Center at (253) 798-4600 or (800) 562-0332.

Press Release by — May 23, 2012 in Everything Else