Las Vegas Teachers Health Trust Can’t Cover Claims From Before July
Clark County teachers learned their health insurance trust has no money to cover claims made before July. In other news, Washington state kills its first "murder hornet" nest; Florida hasn't spent $820 million to benefit low-income children; pushback on San Francisco's homeless plan; and more.
Las Vegas Review-Journal:
Teachers Health Trust: No Money For Past Claims
The health insurance trust that covers thousands of Clark County teachers and their dependents does not have the money to cover claims made prior to July, according to a recent letter to medical providers. “To be fully transparent, these claims are not currently funded,” the letter reads. “We are working tirelessly and evaluating any available option to resolve this situation.” THT Health, formerly Teachers Health Trust, is a teacher-run nonprofit providing coverage to 18,000 educators and their families, totaling about 34,000 people. Described as a “self-funded health trust,” the plan debuted in 1983 and is overseen by the teachers union, Clark County Education Association. According to the union’s most recent collective bargaining agreement with the Clark County School District, a large portion of the trust’s funding comes from contributions made by the district on a weighted scale. (Lacanlale, 8/26)
In news from Washington, Florida and California —
Reuters:
Washington State Eradicates First 'Murder Hornet' Nest Of The Year
Washington state eradicated its first Asian giant hornet nest of the year by vacuuming out 113 worker hornets and removing bark and decayed wood near the nest, Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) officials said on Thursday. The so-called stinging "murder hornets," the world's largest hornets, can grow to two inches (5 cm) in length and prey on native bee and wasp populations, consuming honeybee hives and threatening agriculture. (8/26)
WUSF Public Media:
$820M Left On Table For Low-Income Children, Food Assistance Groups Warn
Florida has yet to submit an application for a federal program that would provide $820 million to the state's low-income children. The Summer Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program provides federal funding, at no cost, to states to provide grocery benefits to children who missed out on free or reduced-price meals while their schools or child care facilities were closed. “During the initial onslaught of the pandemic last March, and April, when schools shut down, one of the unintended outcomes was many children suddenly had no place to get food," said Thomas Mantz, president and CEO of Feeding Tampa Bay. (Miller, 8/26)
San Francisco Chronicle:
S.F. Wants To Put Homeless Hotels Around The City. These Are The Neighborhoods Pushing Back
Many Japantown community leaders, business owners and residents are opposing San Francisco’s plan to buy a tourist hotel in the neighborhood and convert it into permanent affordable housing with social services for people experiencing homelessness. Locals say their opposition isn’t “anti-homeless,” pointing out many supported using the Buchanan Hotel to house homeless people during the pandemic. But they’re worried about the demise of tourism if one of the neigborhood’s two hotels is permanently lost, and critical of what they feel is a rushed process in a historically marginalized community. (Moench, 8/26)
KHN:
Democrats Say Abortion Is On The Line In Recall Election. But Rolling Back Rights Wouldn’t Be Easy.
As the election to recall California Gov. Gavin Newsom approaches, abortion-rights groups are warning that Californians’ right to an abortion is on the ballot. Newsom, a Democrat, himself tweeted that “abortion access” is at stake. “There’s no question that if a Republican is elected, access to abortion in California will be restricted,” Jodi Hicks, president of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, said at a press conference in July. But this message is strategic and is more about firing up left-leaning voters than it is about policy, said Rob Stutzman, a Republican political strategist. (Bluth, 8/27)
