Sex Abuse Survivors Reject Boy Scouts’ $2.7B Payout Offer
Seventy-five percent of the nearly 54,000 claimants in the case needed to approve the payout, but just 73% did. Meanwhile, as the surprise medical billing law comes into effect, some lawmakers are already pushing for changes to the process, to "line up" with what they say was Congress' intent.
Los Angeles Times:
Boy Scouts Sex Abuse Survivors Reject Settlement
The Boy Scouts of America’s bid to emerge from bankruptcy appeared to fall just short Tuesday when a $2.7-billion settlement offer failed to garner enough votes from thousands of men who say they were sexually abused in Scouting. Although 73% of the nearly 54,000 claimants who cast ballots voted to accept the settlement, the proposal needed at least 75% to ensure confirmation by the bankruptcy judge presiding over the case, according to plaintiffs’ lawyers. (Christensen, 1/4)
In updates on "surprise billing" —
Roll Call:
Lawmakers Push For Surprise Billing Changes As Law Takes Effect
All Americans are protected as of Jan. 1 from unexpected out-of-network medical bills, thanks to the implementation of legislation to ban surprise medical billing, but many lawmakers want the Biden administration to make more changes to line up with what they argue was Congress’ intent in crafting the law. “At this point, it’s another principle involved. Can you just really totally reject that which Congress has said because you don’t like it? Or because maybe a couple of members of Congress who didn’t get their way and influence you?” Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., told CQ Roll Call, expressing his frustration. (Cohen, 1/5)
KHN:
Listen: How The New ‘No Surprises’ Law Tackles Unexpected Medical Bills
The federal No Surprises Act, which aims to eliminate unexpected out-of-network medical bills, took effect Jan. 1, and KHN correspondents hit the airwaves to explain the new law. KHN senior correspondent Julie Appleby appeared on NPR’s “Weekend Edition” on Sunday to give background on why the law was necessary: Surveys showed that up to 1 in 5 emergency department visits and 1 in 10 elective surgeries resulted in an unexpected, out-of-network bill. (1/5)
In other public health news —
Stateline:
More Americans Can Use Food Stamps For Restaurants, Prepared Meals
Maryland resident Rhona Reiss began speaking out about gaps in the food stamp program the day she learned it wouldn’t cover rotisserie chicken. Under long-standing federal policy, benefits can’t be used to buy hot or prepared foods—even for older adults like Reiss, who is 77. But that policy is shifting in Maryland and in states across the country. In the past two years, six states have opted in to a little-used federal program that allows older adults to use their food benefits on select, low-cost restaurant meals. The Restaurant Meals Program, as it’s known, also covers people with disabilities and people experiencing homelessness. The program is most widely available in California and Arizona, with newer entrants such as Maryland and Illinois still ramping up their operations. (Dewey, 1/4)
Bloomberg:
Should You Quit Your Job? Record Number Americans Resigned In Nov. 2021
A record 4.5 million Americans quit their jobs in November while openings remained elevated, highlighting persistent churn in the labor market. The increase in departures was broad across industries and pushed the quits rate up to 3%, matching the most in data back to 2000. Meanwhile, the number of available positions fell to 10.6 million from an upwardly revised 11.1 million in October, the Labor Department’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTS, showed Tuesday. (Rockeman, 1/4)
Las Vegas Review-Journal:
Las Vegas Weather: 2021 Ties For 6th Hottest Year In History
The year 2021 tied for the sixth warmest year on record in Las Vegas, according to the National Weather Service.
The average temperature was 71.5 degrees, well ahead of the normal 70.1 degrees. The record average temperature was also reached in 2020. Harry Reid International Airport has reached its six hottest years nearly every year since 2016, the lone exception being 2019. The hottest year was 2017 with an average temperature of 72.3. While global warming might be considered a factor, the growth of Las Vegas has a major impact, says weather service meteorologist Andy Gorelow. (Clemons, 1/5)
