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Governor Pence Applauds Amazon’s Decision to Add 2,000 Jobs to Indiana

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Indianapolis – Today, Governor Pence released the following statement applauding Amazon.com Inc.’s decision to add 2,000 jobs in Indiana.

 

“Because of Indiana’s low-cost, low-regulation business environment, Amazon is choosing to locate 2,000 of its new jobs right here in the Hoosier state,” said Governor Mike Pence. “As the Crossroads of America, Indiana is positioned logistically to help Amazon better serve its customers with efficiency. It’s great to see that Amazon, a very strong global company that already employs more than 7,000 Hoosiers, has recognized Indiana as a state that works and a place where it can continue to expand and employ thousands of Hoosiers.”

 

Amazon currently has a presence in Indianapolis, Whitestown, Plainfield and Jeffersonville and employs more than 7,000 Hoosiers. Today, Amazon announced 10,000 new jobs nationwide. 2,000, or 20% of those, will be in Indiana. 1,300 will be in the Greater Indianapolis region and 700 will be in Southern Indiana.

 

Since 2007, Amazon.com Inc. has announced three expansions in Indiana (with IEDC incentives) totaling more than 2,600 new Hoosier jobs.

 

  • In March 2012, Amazon announced plansto locate a new fulfillment center in Jeffersonville, creating up to 1,050 new jobs by 2015 and approximately $150 million in investment in the state.
  • In March 2008, Amazon announced plansto open a new 60,000+ square foot automated fulfillment center in Whitestown, creating more than 1,200 new jobs by 2010.
  • In August 2008, Amazon announced plansto open a new 950,000-square-foot distribution center in Plainfield, creating more than 350 new jobs by 2011.

MissionPoint Health Partners Increase Footprint in Indiana

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MissionPoint increases access and improves health of communities, while lowering costs

 MissionPoint Health Partners has launched its population health management model into Indiana and is expanding access to now more than 250,000 members and 7,700 contracted providers. St.Mary’s partnered with MissionPoint earlier this year.

MissionPoint and St.Mary’s are both members of Ascension, the nation’s largest Catholic and not-for-profit health system. MissionPoint is a population health company that makes healthcare more affordable, accessible and works to improve the overall health of communities.

MissionPoint works with providers, employers and payers to create custom, high-quality healthcare networks that members can access at lower cost. MissionPoint then supports its members with a unique care model, offering personalized care to those who may need clinical and social support beyond traditional healthcare to achieve their best health. The result is an improved healthcare experience for members and stronger care coordination, which typically helps drive down healthcare costs for the entire population.

The hospitals that now offer MissionPoint services in Indiana include:

  • Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St.Vincent
  • St. Mary’s Health
  • St. Mary’s Warrick Hospital
  • St.Vincent Anderson Regional
  • St.Vincent Carmel
  • St.Vincent Clay
  • St.Vincent Dunn
  • St.Vincent Fishers
  • St.Vincent Frankfort
  • St.Vincent Heart Center
  • St.Vincent Indianapolis
  • St.Vincent Jennings
  • St.Vincent Kokomo
  • St.Vincent Mercy
  • St.Vincent Randolph
  • St.Vincent Salem
  • St.Vincent Seton Specialty
  • St.Vincent Williamsport
  • St.Vincent Women’s

“MissionPoint truly helps members, especially those who are vulnerable,” said Dr. Tricia Baird, Chief Medical Officer of St. Mary’s CARE Partners. “By providing an extra layer of support, members gain access to resources, including financial and quality of life programs. MissionPoint is carrying out the Ascension mission to serve all persons through spiritually centered, holistic care, which sustains and improves the health of individuals and communities.”

MissionPoint is now in seven markets across the United States, and will add additional markets in 2016. By expanding into new and existing markets, MissionPoint is able to reach additional underserved and vulnerable populations, particularly those on Medicare. All seven markets, including Indiana, are part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP).

“We believe that healthcare can be better. By continuing to expand into new markets across the country, we are increasing access to members who need our services most,” said Jason Dinger, CEO of MissionPoint Health Partners. “Through our Health Partners, we help members navigate the complex healthcare system and take charge of their health. Health Partners provide both clinical and non-clinical support to members as they transition among healthcare providers, including an assessment of physical, mental and emotional needs.”

For more information on MissionPoint call Vicki Shelton at 317-338-4130 or visit www.missionpointhealth.org.

Fort Wayne hospital loses Medicaid payment appeal

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Dave Stafford for www.theindianalawyer.com

 

Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne was not wrongly denied $27 million in Medicaid payments it sought from the state when it failed to properly and timely document the claims, the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed Tuesday.

The Family and Social Services Administration denied Parkview’s request for disproportionate share hospital payments it sought for 2010 and 2011, a decision affirmed by Allen Superior Judge Nancy Eshcoff Boyer.

In Parkview Hospital, Inc. v. John J. Wernert, in his official capacity as Secretary of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, and The Methodist Hospitals, Inc., 02A03-1408-PL-296, Judge Elaine Brown wrote a 45-page order for the Court of Appeals panel that affirmed the trial court. She wrote that the hospital has received more than $70 million in DSH payments and safety-net programs since 2004 and claims a continuous shortfall of more than $198 million since then from serving Medicaid and uninsured patients.

Nevertheless, the panel rejected the hospital’s argument that denial of the DSH benefits for 2010 and 2011 was an unduly harsh sanction and that Parkview had a contract with FSSA and it suffered a disproportionate forfeiture.

“Based upon the record, the decision of the Secretary of FSSA was not arbitrary, capricious, or unsupported by substantial evidence. In addition, there was no contract or agreement of material terms and conditions regarding DSH payments supporting a forfeiture claim,” Brown wrote.

“For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the July 25, 2014 judgment of the trial court affirming the decision of the Secretary of FSSA.”

Ivy Tech Corporate College to Announce New Evansville Training Program

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Ivy Tech Corporate College will announce an exciting new training program at a press conference tomorrow, Wednesday, July 15th at 9:30 a.m. at Ivy Tech’s main campus in Evansville. Ivy Tech Corporate College community supporters from Lowe’s, Ryder, Atlas Van Lines, Shoe Carnival and more will be in attendance at the event.

St. Mary’s Health Recognized for Excellence in Healthcare by Professional Research Consultants

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St. Mary’s Health has been recognized as a 2015 PRC Five Star Excellence Award winner in two categories during a recent awards celebration.  Healthcare leaders from across the United States gathered to participate in the 2014 PRC Excellence in Healthcare Conference hosted by Professional Research Consultants, Inc. (PRC) in Scottsdale, Arizona.

St. Mary’s Health, part of Ascension, the nation’s largest Catholic and non-profit health system, received the Five Star Excellence Award in Inpatient Services – HCAHPS – Discharge Information. The scoring is in the top 10% nationally for “Excellent” responses for Inpatient Services – HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems).

St. Mary’s 5 East Medical Unit received the Five Star Excellence Award in Inpatient Medical Services – Overall Quality of Care. St. Mary’s scored in the top 10% nationally for “Excellent” responses in this category.

For 15 years, PRC’s annual Excellence in Healthcare Conference has brought together hundreds of healthcare leaders to focus on transforming the patient experience. The awards recognize organizations and individuals who achieve excellence throughout the year by improving patient experiences, healthcare employee engagement and/or physician alignment and engagement based on surveys of their (patients, employees, physicians).

“St. Mary’s is incredibly deserving of these National Excellence in Healthcare Awards,” said Joe M. Inguanzo, Ph.D., President and CEO of PRC. “St. Mary’s is committed to driving improved scores and making their hospital a better place to work, a better place to practice medicine and a better place for patients to be treated. It takes true dedication, determination and hard work to achieve this level of excellence in healthcare.”

About PRC

Professional Research Consultants, Inc. (PRC) is a national healthcare market research company. For more than 35 years, PRC has facilitated millions of interviews, delivered insightful reports and provided customized research solutions to hospitals and healthcare organizations. Services measure community perceptions, brand positions, patient experience, physician alignment and engagement, and employee engagement. PRC is also a certified vendor for government-mandated CAHPS surveys and has partnered with more than 300 communities across the U.S. to conduct Community Health Needs Assessments. 

St. Mary’s Health 

St. Mary’s Health, in partnership with St. Vincent Health in Indianapolis, is a member of Ascension Health – the nation’s largest Catholic and non-profit health system. We are a faith-based health ministry serving communities in Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. With a medical staff of more than 750 physicians, St. Mary’s specializes in cardiac, surgical, orthopedic, rehabilitation, neurosciences, women’s, children’s, seniors, emergency, and trauma services. For more than 140 years, St. Mary’s has been guided by its mission of serving all persons, with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable.

For more information, please visit our website at www.stmarys.org.

About Ascension 

Ascension (www.ascension.org) is a faith-based healthcare organization dedicated to transformation through innovation across the continuum of care. As the largest non-profit health system in the U.S. and the world’s largest Catholic health system, Ascension is committed to delivering person-centered care to all with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable. In FY2014, Ascension provided $1.8 billion in care of persons living in poverty and other community benefit programs. More than 150,000 associates and 35,000 affiliated providers serve in 1,900 sites of care – including 131 hospitals and more than 30 senior care facilities – in 23 states and the District of Columbia. In addition to healthcare delivery, Ascension subsidiaries provide a variety of services and solutions including physician practice management, venture capital investing, treasury management, biomedical engineering, clinical care management, information services, risk management, and contracting through Ascension’s own group purchasing organization.

TOUGH AUSTERITY TERMS

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Secretary Vilsack Proclaims August 2-8 National Farmers Market Week  

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WASHINGTON, July 14, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has declared Aug. 2 through 8, 2015, as “National Farmers Market Week.” The declaration was made official by proclamation signed by Secretary Vilsack. This year marks the 16th annual National Farmers Market Week in honor of the important role that farmers markets play in local economies. Throughout the week, USDA will celebrate thousands of our nation’s farmers markets, the farmers and ranchers who make them possible and the communities that host them.

“National Farmers Market Week is a great opportunity for farmers markets across the country to host special events to showcase all the tremendous services they provide,” said Secretary Vilsack. “Farmers markets play a key role in developing local and regional food systems that support farmers and help grow rural economies. They bring communities together, connecting cities with the farms and providing Americans with fresh, healthy food.”

Throughout the week, USDA officials will celebrate at farmers market locations across the country. On Saturday, Aug. 1, Anne Alonzo, the Administrator of USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) – which conducts research, provides technical assistance, and awards grants to support farmers markets – will kick off the week at the Santa Fe Farmers Market in New Mexico. The Santa Fe Farmers Market is the oldest in New Mexico and is ranked as one of the top ten farmers markets nationwide.

Farmers markets provide consumers with fresh, affordable, convenient, and healthy products from local producers. With support from USDA, more farmers markets offer customers the opportunity to make purchases with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; the Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program; and the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs.

Supporting farmers markets is a part of the USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative, which coordinates the Department’s policy, resources, and outreach efforts related to local and regional food systems. Secretary Vilsack has identified strengthening local food systems as one of the Four Pillars of Agriculture and Rural Economic Development.

PENCE CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCES RECORD FUNDRAISING FIGURE

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Mike Pence for Indiana announces more than $4.2 million cash on hand and more than $1.6 million raised so far in 2015

Indianapolis, IN (July 13, 2015) — The Mike Pence for Indiana Campaign announced today more than $1.6 million raised for the first half of 2015, and a record breaking $4.2 million cash on hand.

The $4.2 million figure is a record for an incumbent governor halfway through his first term. The total raised for this period is $1,634,066.82

“These contributions show broad support from all income levels across Indiana,” said Marty Obst, executive director of Mike Pence for Indiana. “More than 90 percent of our donors call this state home and over 75 percent of our donations came from Hoosiers.”

“Governor Pence enjoys terrific grassroots support,” said Fred Klipsch, treasurer of Mike Pence for Indiana. “In fact, 91 percent of the contributions to our campaign during this fundraising period were for less than $100.”

The Mike Pence for Indiana campaign finance report is available on the Mike Pence for Indiana web site at:

Indiana Black Expo Governor’s Awards Recognize Ten Outstanding Hoosiers

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Indianapolis – Today, Governor Mike Pence presented 10 outstanding African-American Hoosiers and community leaders from across the state with several different awards during the Indiana Black Expo, Inc. 45th Annual Summer Celebration (IBE) Governor’s Reception.

 

“The men and women we honor today are uniquely Hoosier and fully embody the Hoosier spirit,” said Governor Pence. “Their tireless efforts and dedication to their respective communities and this great Hoosier State deserve our utmost gratitude and respect, and I could not be more thrilled to honor them today.”

 

Eight individuals received the Governor’s Award for Achievement in the fields of physical fitness, education, military, religion, entrepreneurship, and community service. The Governor also awarded the Sam Jones Trailblazer Award and the Reverend Charles Williams Community Service Award.

 

Reverend Charles Williams Community Service Award – Former Representative Bill Crawford

Former Representative Bill Crawford served 40 years in the Indiana House of Representatives, after running for office in 1972 at the urging of late Congresswoman Julia Carson. He is currently Indiana’s longest serving African-American legislator. He authored many pieces of legislation and became chairman of the Ways and Means Committee before his retirement in 2012. He was President of the Black Expo for five years before passing it to longtime President Charles Williams.

 

Sam Jones Trailblazer Award – Genois Wilson Brabson

Genois Wilson Brabson is the first female firefighter of the city of Fort Wayne. In the fire department, she exemplified leadership and eventually became a District Chief before she retired. She inspired many other women to become a firefighter, and one of those women was named Chief of the Fort Wayne Fire Department in 2012.

 

Governor’s Award for Achievement in Physical Fitness – Cleveland Harp

For several years, Cleveland Harp has worked as an NBA usher at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. He was also a former professional basketball player and played for the Harlem Globetrotters. During his tenure with the Harlem Globetrotters, Harp was known as “The Deacon” and played with ex-Trotters Marques Haynes and Goose Tatum.

 

Governor’s Award for Achievement in Civic Leadership: Education – Joyce Akridge

Joyce Akridge is a Lead Principal for Carl Wilde Indianapolis Public School-79. Under Akridge, Carl Wilde has been rated by the Indiana Department of Education as an “A” school four years in a row. She has been recognized in Who’s Who Among America’s Educators and has also been nominated by the Federal Department of Education for leading a nationally Distinguished Title I school to higher achievement.

 

Governor’s Award for Achievement in Civic Leadership: Military – Chaplain Obadiah Smith, Jr.

Chaplain (Capt) Obadiah Smith, Jr. is the senior chaplain with the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest reserve refueling wing in the United States Air Force. As senior chaplain, he leads a variety of activities at Grissom, including Sunday morning worship services during the primary Unit Training Assemblies for nearly 1,500 airmen. Among his many awards, he was recognized as the 2010 Outstanding USAFR Chaplain of the Year.

 

Governor’s Award for Achievement in Civic Leadership: Religion – Alphonso Bailey

Alphonso Bailey is the founder and Executive Director of the Down But Not Out, Inc. ministry. He’s an ordained minister and serves as a volunteer chaplain at the Marion County Jail #2, Marion County Juvenile Detention, and the Hamilton County Juvenile Services.

 

Governor’s Award for Achievement in Entrepreneurship – Gil Michel

Gil Michel is the CEO and President of Caleb Group, Inc., a small business solutions firm located in South Bend. Paying it forward, Michel has formed a financial literacy program for teens called TACTT, Inc. which empowers teens in five areas: business/real estate, banking, personal finance, investing, and positive life skills.

 

Governor’s Award for Achievement in Civic Leadership: Community Service – Jesse Moore, Frankye Calloway, Al Polin

Jesse Moore currently serves as the first Director of Supplier Diversity at Purdue University in West Lafayette. He comes to this position armed with many years of experience in economic development, diverse business advocacy, strategic planning, community involvement, and public policy.

 

Frankye Calloway is a retired educator with over 30 years of experience with the Evansville School Corporation. She primarily served minority and at-risk students and coached the Caze Academic Olympics for 15 years. Calloway is the director of the New Hope Baptist Church Vacation Bible School, the church tutoring program and the New Hope Church Youth Program.

 

Al Polin has been fighting crime in the Mapleton Fall Creek Neighborhood Association for 40 years as a block captain. He was part of the night patrol with the Mattie Coney Crime Watch Safe House Program and The IPD Ride Along Program. Polin helped organize several block clubs around the association and was the Weed and Seed Coordinator when it began under former Mayor Stephen Goldsmith.

 

Award recipients were selected by the Governor in collaboration with state and community leaders. Governor Pence and IBE President and Chief Executive Officer Tanya Bell presented the awards during a ceremony at the Indiana Convention Center.

 

Future Is Uncertain As School Board Engages In Union Busting

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UNION FUTURE IS UNCERTAIN AS EVSC ENGAGES IN UNION BUSTING

By David Reitz Ballard

They are supposed to be the body responsible for the education of our youth, but where is there sense of honor and integrity. What the EVSC School Board is attempting to do in their recent negotiations with the Teamsters Local 215 is union busting, plain and simple.

It seems the dynamics have changed between the School Board and the Teamsters, two groups that used to be political allies. By allowing EVSC non-educational staff the ability to opt out of paying representation dues to the Teamsters, the School Board has set a dangerous precedent.

If more and more EVSC custodians, maintenance worker, secretaries and bus drivers decide to opt out of paying dues to the Teamsters, eventually those employees will have little or no collective bargaining power or job security. If this happens they will wish they hadn’t when the time comes and it’s their jobs are on the chopping block.

Another issue at stake concerns the discipline process of EVSC employees. If appearing before the School Board becomes the final stage of discipline, eliminating the current third-party mediator, there will be less objective oversight when it comes to issues of discipline and termination.

By attempting to decrease the power of the Teamsters, the School Board has put the system in turmoil. Morale is poor for nearly 700 members EVSC staff.  We can only hope that the School Board’s decisions do not have a negative impact on our students.

Bottom line: You, as the electorate should take responsibility and have your voice heard! Let the School Board know that by breaking apart the Teamsters’ collective bargaining power and limiting oversight over discipline issues, they are hurting our students chances for success in the future!

Please take time and vote in today’s “Readers Poll”. Don’t miss reading today’s Feature article because it’s always an interesting read. New addition to the CCO is the Cause of Death reports generated by the Vanderburgh County Health Department.

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