Podcasts about victim compensation fund

One of the most difficult tasks facing our legal system is determining the compensation to provide individual victims of many of the large-scale tragic events that our country has faced in recent years.  In this episode of Law, disrupted, John is joined by attorney Kenneth (Ken) Feinberg, a mediator extraordinaire who has settled some of the most high-profile mass tort and disaster disputes the US legal system has ever seen as well as managing the claims administration programs for terrible events that did not result in litigation. He has managed the victim compensation funds in high-profile tragedies including the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, the BP oil spill fund, and the victim assistance funds established in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings and the Sandy Hook shooting. Mr. Feinberg also resolved victim compensation issues in the General Motors ignition switch cases, the VW diesel emissions cases, the Boeing 737 MAX crash cases, the Eli Little DES cases, the Shoreham Nuclear Plant cases, Agent Orange, asbestos, among many others.  Podcast Link: Law-disrupted.fmHost: John B. Quinn Producer: Alexis HydeMusic and Editing by: Alexander Rossi

Want free negotiation coaching? Text John here.In this special episode of Negotiation Made Simple, host John Lowry sits down with renowned attorney and mediator Ken Feinberg, whose expertise has helped shape the outcomes of some of America's most tragic and high-profile cases, from the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund to the Boston Marathon bombing and Deepwater Horizon spill. Over the course of an insightful conversation, Feinberg shares the lessons he's learned from decades of negotiating for victims and their families, the importance of empathy in the negotiation process, and how to manage complex emotions in high-stakes situations.Feinberg offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to navigate sensitive, high-profile disputes, emphasizing the power of patience, transparency, and active listening. He reflects on how his early inspirations from President Kennedy have guided his commitment to public service and why he believes that, even amid tragedy, the role of the mediator is ultimately about creating paths for healing. This episode dives deep into the essence of peacemaking, the value of empathy, and the unifying power of community, leaving listeners with practical strategies for negotiating in any arena.Join us for a powerful exploration of negotiation that goes beyond tactics and strategies, illustrating the profound impact of compassion and humanity at the negotiation table.Kenneth R. Feinberg, one of the nation's leading lawyers, specializes in mediation and alternative dispute resolution and has helped to administer the response to some of the most complex public crises in recent American history, including Agent Orange, executive compensation following the 2008 financial crisis, the BP Deepwater Horizon Gulf oil spill, the Boston Marathon bombings, and, notably, the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund.  A former prosecutor and member of two Presidential Commissions, he is also adjunct Professor of Law at Georgetown University, the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, and New York University. He lives in Washington D.C.Get My Newest Book: Negotiation Made SimpleSchedule a Live WorkshopSchedule a Private WorkshopGet Private Coaching from MeGain Access to My Online CourseFollow Me on LinkedIn

Boyd reflects on a conversation he had a while back with Kenneth Feinberg, the man who was entrusted with the monumental task of administering the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. Initially met with skepticism and anger, Feinberg's compassionate approach and tireless efforts over three years transformed the Fund into a resounding success with over 97% of eligible families participating. Through this extraordinary experience, Feinberg gained profound insights into the complexities of human grief, resilience, and the limits of monetary compensation in healing deep emotional wounds.  

Kenneth R. Feinberg is a renowned alternative mediation and dispute resolution attorney, best recognized for his pivotal role as Special Master of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund.  His work, however, spans a wide range of other major settlements, including overseeing compensation efforts for the Agent Orange case, the BP Deepwater Horizon spill, and the Boston Marathon bombing — managing the distribution of billions to victims and their families. In this timely encore edition episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael Mogill and Ken discuss: The deeply subjective nature of assigning monetary value to human life The often underappreciated influence individuals truly possess Key takeaways from the groundbreaking initiative to compensate 9/11 victims ---- Show Notes: 00:00 – Introduction to Ken Feinberg and the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund 02:52 – Ken Feinberg's Journey to Becoming a Lawyer 04:12 – The Challenges and Emotional Toll of the 9/11 Fund 07:21 – Pro Bono Work and Financial Sacrifices 08:44 – Calculating Compensation and Legal Complexities 13:32 – The Emotional Impact and Mistakes Made 25:58 – Lessons Learned and Future Outlook 29:35 – Ken Feinberg's Personal Reflections and Advice 36:26 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts ---- Links & Resources Watch Worth on Netflix What is Life Worth? by Kenneth R. Feinberg Agent Orange Settlement Fund Deepwater Horizon Settlement Boston Marathon Settlements  ---- Listening to this episode but want to watch it? Check it out on Spotify.  Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel. ---- Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O'Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more. ---- If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: #33 Robert Bilott – Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed: The 20-Year Battle Against DuPont #107 Randi McGinn – Authenticity is the Advantage #268 AMMA – Resilience in the Face of Uncertainty

Kenneth R. Feinberg, renowned mediation expert and Special Master of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, sat down with Travelers Institute® President Joan Woodward to discuss his experience overseeing high-profile victim compensation funds, including for 9/11, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the Boston Marathon bombing. Feinberg discussed the personal and professional challenges of taking on these cases and the difficult process of deciding compensation after the tragic loss of human life. Referenced in the show:Read “Who Gets What: Fair Compensation after Tragedy and Financial Upheaval” by Kenneth R. Feinberg: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/kenneth-r-feinberg/who-gets-what/9781586489779/Watch the movie “Worth”: https://www.netflix.com/title/80226212---Visit the Travelers Institute® website: http://travelersinstitute.org/Join the Travelers Institute® email list: https://travl.rs/488XJZM Connect with Joan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joan-kois-woodward/

Deadlines and ensuring the right parties are at the table are two crucial ingredients for successful mediations, according to Ken Feinberg, who was the Special Master of the Federal September 11 Victim Compensation Fund and has helped administer some of the most complex public crises in American history. He discussed mass tort's intersection with Chapter 11 with Bloomberg Intelligence Bankruptcy Litigation Analyst Negisa Balluku (6:00). Prior to that, BI's Noel Hebert and Phil Brendel discuss the risk-on euphoria in the credit markets, exemplified by half the US high yield universe now sporting spreads below 200 bps. The podcast concludes with Noel, Negisa and Phil reviewing ongoing bankruptcy and distressed situations, including Yellow, Genesis, Rackspace, Gol, WeWork, and Rite Aid (36:25).

On this episode, Derek sits with Anne-Marie Principe.  Anne-Marie is a survivor of the September 11th, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center and has agreed to come on the show to tell her story as part of my ongoing "Derek Duvall Show 9/11 Outreach Project".  Anne-Marie will be discussing where she was when American Airlines Flight 11 hit the North Tower, the horrors she was exposed to, being caught in the toxic dust cloud from the collapse of the South Tower and the years long health struggles that came from that exposure.  Anne-Marie is also a fierce advocate for 9/11 Survivors having been a part of numerous 9/11 Legislation, the most notable being working with Jon Stewart and his team to get the "The Never Forget the Heroes Bill" passed which establishes the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.  Anne-Marie will touch your life like she did mine after you hear her powerful story.Website: https://www.aha-us.org/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemarieprincipeTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/amprincipeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amprincipe/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annemarie.principe/Jon Stewart's Speech to Congress: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uYpDC3SRpM&t=29sSPONSOR - Go to https://betterhelp.com/derekduvallshow for 10% off your first month of therapy with @betterhelp and get matched with a therapist who will listen and help #sponsored

Forhad speaks with attorney Michael Barasch of Barasch & McGarry about his career and work with 9/11 victims. Michael talks about the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF), how you may qualify and the steps you need to take to receive benefits. Many, many people who qualify don't even know it. We would highly recommend this episode to anyone who spent time in any of the areas affected by the events of 9/11. Share with your friends and connect with Michael's team if you believe you qualify. To connect with Michael and learn more about his firm, visit the links below: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-barasch/ https://www.post911attorneys.com/ Send your comments and/or questions to info@integrasintel.com. We want to hear from you. Please subscribe to our podcast and follow us on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/integras-intelligence-inc. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/integrasintel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/integras_intel/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/integrasintel Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIBx0BlZB_u1qolio6LPbsA ⁠#security⁠ ⁠#integrasintelligence⁠ ⁠#duediligence⁠ ⁠#privateinvestigators⁠ ⁠#investigationinsiders⁠ ⁠#podcast⁠ ⁠#privateinvestigations⁠ ⁠#backgroundchecks⁠ ⁠#litigationsupport⁠ ⁠#employmentscreening⁠ ⁠#riskmanagement⁠ ⁠#executiveprotection⁠ ⁠#securityassessment #FBI #911VCF

More illnesses continue to be added to the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. Former President Trump will officially be on Connecticut's Republican primary ballot. Long Islanders sound off on plans for a casino at the Nassau Hub. And a Pentagon report attributes a large number of military suicides to legal and administrative troubles.

The latest episode of ABI's "Party in Interest" podcast features ABI Executive Director Amy Quackenboss talking with Kenneth R. Feinberg, one of the nation's leading experts in alternative dispute resolution. Currently the court-appointed mediator in both the Imerys/Cyprus talc bankruptcy case in Delaware, and the Honx asbestos bankruptcy case in Texas, Feinberg's distinguished career includes previously having served as Special Master of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, the Department of Justice Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Fund, the Department of Justice Boeing 737 Max Crash Victim Beneficiaries Compensation Fund and many other high-profile complex disputes over the past 40 years.

Thousands of 9/11 first responders are living with post traumatic stress disorder. The 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund has paid $12 billion to survivors of the terror attacks. And it's primary election day in Connecticut tomorrow.

Lawyers for people suffering cancer and other diseases blamed on the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the Pennsylvania crash site are on notice: Get your clients' paperwork in order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marcia Franklin talks with attorney Kenneth Feinberg, the special master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund and the administrator of the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Trust and the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund at Virginia Tech. Mr. Feinberg also has served as special master in the Agent Orange, TARP executive compensation, asbestos personal injury, Dalkon shield, and DES (pregnancy medication) cases. The two discuss how Feinberg found himself developing the field of mass tort compensation, what factors he took into account when designing the programs he administered, how the nature of his assignments has affected him, whether there is a role for government in compensating victims of disasters and whether he thinks the funds he's administered are appropriate models for the future. Feinberg has written two books about his experiences, "What is Life Worth?" and "Who Gets What," and has served as adjunct professor of law at Georgetown University, the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, New York University, and the University of Virginia. He was in Idaho in October to present the annual Bellwood Memorial Lecture at the University of Idaho College of Law. Originally aired: 11/16/2012

Amid mounting claims for reparations for slavery and colonialism, historian Zoe Strimpel asks how far reparative justice should go. Should we limit reparations to the living survivors of state atrocities, such as the Holocaust, or should we re-write the rulebook to include the ancestors of victims who suffered historical injustices centuries ago? Alongside testimony from a Holocaust survivor and interviews with lawyers, historians and reparations advocates, Zoe hears about the long shadow cast by slavery - lumbering Caribbean states and societies with a legacy that they are still struggling with today. Are demands for slavery reparations just another front in the culture war designed to leverage white guilt? Will they inevitably validate countless other claims to rectify historical grievances? Or are they a necessary step for diverse societies to draw in the extremes of a polarised debate so we can write a common history that we can all live with? Presenter: Zoe Strimpel Producer: David Reid Editor: Clare Fordham Contributors Mala Tribich, Holocaust survivor. Michael Newman, Chief Executive, Association of Jewish Refugees. Albrecht Ritschtl, Professor of Economic History, London School of Economics Dr. Opal Palmer Adisa, former director, University of West Indies. Kenneth Feinberg, Master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Tomiwa Owolade, journalist and author of "This is not America". Alex Renton, journalist, author and co-founder of Heirs of Slavery. Dr Hardeep Dhillon, historian, University of Pennsylvania. James Koranyi, Associate Professor of modern European History at the University of Durham.

Mr. Kenneth R. Feinberg, one of the US's leading experts in alternative dispute resolution. Over the past 25 years, Mr. Feinberg has been designated by the US Federal Government to serve in various public Compensation and Related funding programs. His notable roles include serving as the Special Master of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund of 2001, overseeing compensation for victims of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion and BP oil spill, and mediating and administering a wide variety of federally Related Compensation Programs. Additionally, Mr. Feinberg has also served as the administrator of 23 Catholic Church diocese independent reconciliation and compensation funds, aimed at compensating victims of church sexual abuse.Join us as we dive into Mr. Feinberg's unique and inspiring journey, exploring how he came to be known as the "Master of Disasters" and the go-to person for judges and presidents alike in handling complex and sensitive situations. From a chance encounter on an airplane to sharing his experiences and wisdom, Mr. Feinberg's story is a testament to thriving in the face of adversity. Tune in to hear about his career path, the challenges he's faced, and the insights he's gained from his exceptional work in dispute resolution.www.saradavison.com

A bonus podcast where we look into the untimely deaths of Beverly Eckert, whose husband was killed on 9/11, and then she died in a plane crash just days after meeting Obama. She was one of the first in the 9/11 truth movement. She turned down $1.8 million to fight for the truth. We compare her plight to Senator Wellstone's. We also look at Kenneth Feinberg, who was in charge of the Spetember 11th Victim Compensation Fund. He also had ties to Sandy hook, Aurora, Virginia tech, BP Oil Spill, the United Methodist Church split, and much more.Show notes:https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-11718755/Seat-seat-scientists-reveal-risk-dying-airplane-crashes.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9/11_Family_Steering_Committeehttp://falsificationofhistory.co.uk/geopolitics/the-murder-of-beverly-eckert/https://www.lewrockwell.com/2018/06/joachim-hagopian/tribute-to-the-last-honorable-us-senator-the-story-of-paul-wellstones-suspected-assassination/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Feinberg

The All Local midday update for March 14th, 2023.

The former special master for the Sept. 11 Victim Compensation Fund and Deepwater Horizon disaster made clear in an interview that he saw no need for a similar process to take place with respect to the highly classified documents found in former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago property."I think that this is judicial overreach, especially in a case involving highly sensitive classified documents," prominent attorney Kenneth Feinberg, who has served as a special master in high-profile litigation and government appointments, says on the podcast. "The court should not be intervening in such a executive branch function, traditionally and historically."A little more than a week ago, Trump-appointed U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon did just that, finding judicial oversight justified by the "undeniably unprecedented" nature of an investigation of a former president. The government has appealed the order to the 11th Circuit, warning that the disclosure of the documents with "TOP SECRET" markings alone would cause "exceptionally grave damage" to U.S. national security. Prosecutors did not seek a stay of the ruling as to the more than 11,000 government documents without classification markings that the FBI found inside Mar-a-Lago.With a special master review imminent in at least some form, Feinberg answers questions about the process going ahead — starting with, what is a "special master," anyway? Though he disagrees with the judge's ruling and Trump's legal team, he also articulates what he believes their strongest arguments are.SUBSCRIBE TO OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Court JunkieSidebarThey Walk Among AmericaCoptales and CocktailsThe Disturbing TruthSpeaking FreelyLAW&CRIME NETWORK SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawandcrime/Twitter: https://twitter.com/LawCrimeNetworkFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/lawandcrimeTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/lawandcrimenetworkTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lawandcrimeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What is the value of a life? In the days following the 9-11 attacks on the World Trade Center... Kenneth Feinberg was tasked with assigning a monetary value to the life of each life lost that day. Boyd looks back at what Kenneth told him about his experience administering the federal 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and lessons learned about the value of human life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a tragic week for Saskatchewan's Cree Nation, following the stabbing spree that killed 10 and injured another 18 on Sunday. Both suspects are deceased. Tribal Chief Mark Arcand is the head of the Saskatoon's Tribal Council, and also a mourner who lost a sister and nephew in the attacks. Arcand joins us. And, the Netflix film "Worth" tells the story of attorney Kenneth Feinberg who administered the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. The film is based on Feinberg's book "What is Life Worth." We revisit our 2021 conversation with Feinberg and his office administrator, Camille Biros.

As we honor the 21st anniversary of September 11th, we will be hearing from Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals® finalist Rupa Bhattacharyya, who revitalized the federal program responsible for awarding claims to victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks, including the families of those who were on site or responded that day, as well as people who lived, worked or went to school near the attack sites. Serving as the special master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund at the Department of Justice from 2016 until 2022, Bhattacharyya and her team transformed the fund from an under-resourced, limited and short-term endeavor into a unique long-standing federal program with an unlimited pool of funding. Bhattacharyya discusses how she overcame enormous challenges to ensure that the program continues to meet its obligations to the 9/11 community, expand its outreach to eligible claimants, and have sufficient funding through 2090 to compensate those whose health may be affected even decades later. This episode is the second of four highlighting some of our incredible 2022 Service to America Medals® finalists. Nominate an outstanding public servant for a 2023 Sammies Medal today through our nomination form! A transcript of this episode can be found here. Additional resources: Read Rupa Bhattacharyya's Service to America Medals finalist bio. Learn more about the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Learn more about The World Trade Center Health Program federal health program. Watch Jon Stewart's testimony for expanding funding for benefits for 9/11 first responders. Read a message from Special Master Bhattacharyya.

Preparing for future climate disasters Alice Hill, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, discusses President Biden's climate agenda and recommendations with respect to climate change   Revitalizing the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Rupa Bhattacharyya, former special master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund at the Department of Justice, discusses managing and successfully addressing issues with the fund   Air Force Gaming: Connecting Airmen and Guardians Capt. Zach “ZB” Baumann, co-founder of Air Force Gaming, describes what sparked the creation of Air Force Gaming and how the initiative is helping connect people across the Air Force

One of the most difficult tasks facing our legal system is determining the compensation to provide individual victims of many of the large-scale tragic events that our country has faced in recent years.  In this episode of Law, disrupted, John is joined by attorney Kenneth (Ken) Feinberg, a mediator extraordinaire who has settled some of the most high-profile mass tort and disaster disputes the US legal system has ever seen as well as managing the claims administration programs for terrible events that did not result in litigation. He has managed the victim compensation funds in high-profile tragedies including the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, the BP oil spill fund, and the victim assistance funds established in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings and the Sandy Hook shooting. Mr. Feinberg also resolved victim compensation issues in the General Motors ignition switch cases, the VW diesel emissions cases, the Boeing 737 MAX crash cases, the Eli Little DES cases, the Shoreham Nuclear Plant cases, Agent Orange, asbestos, among many others.  The conversation begins with exploring the ways that cases come to Mr. Feinberg, including defendants who realize they need to resolve a situation but first have to resolve how to divide the money they have available, plaintiffs who wish to avoid years of uncertain, costly litigation or when the government allocates money to compensate victims of a tragedy without any adversarial proceedings at all.  The two then discuss the need to establish consensus on clear procedures for the mediation before turning to the merits of the dispute and why 90 percent of cases settle on the second day of mediation.Mr. Feinberg and John then explore the extremely emotional and complicated problem of allocating the money among hundreds or thousands of claimants in these cases.  In particular, they explain the crucial role that transparency of the process plays in assuring claimants that there is no hidden agenda in how the proceeds will be divided up.  They detail how issues of criteria of eligibility, the methodology for calculating damages, proof requirements, and the right to a hearing all must be established at the outset for a settlement to succeed.  They then turn to objective ways to calculate damages for the death of a loved one and injury damages for large numbers of claimants without evaluating medical charts for every claimant.The two men then explore how these principles played out in high profile cases including the Boston Marathon bombings, the Pulse Nightclub attack, the Virginia Tech shootings, the 9/11 fund and the BP oil spill.  They explain how, in some cases, the number of potential cases might require hiring thousands of claims adjusters to determine which claimants are eligible for compensation and to screen for fraud as well as the need for a procedure to hear the appeals of those who believe their compensation under the process is not adequate.  Mr. Feinberg also explores in detail why, despite the magnitude of the disaster, the speed at which the families of the affected would receive the payment is vital in maintaining trust and belief in the entire process.Together, Mr. Feinberg and John examine potential court oversight to the process including situations such as 9/11 where there was no such oversight, identifying comparisons with the examples of the BP oil spill and the General Motors car recall. Throughout the podcast and especially at the end, Mr. Feinberg provides specific examples of the devastating personal stories he has heard from the victims of these horrific events and they discuss the emotional toll claims can and have had on Ken.www.law-disrupted.fm  Created by: Podcast Partners & www.alexishyde.com  

More than two decades after the 9/11 attacks, some victims have not been compensated. My next guest took over the Victim Compensation Fund when it was foundering a few years back. Now tens of thousands of people have received payments from the fund. Rupa Bhattacharyya is special master for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund at the Justice Department … and a finalist in this year's Service to America Medals program.

Episode 26 of the "Everything Except The Law" podcast has arrived! This time we're speaking with Andrew Finkelstein, an accomplished litigator, author and lecturer. In this episode, Andrew and podcast host Nick Werker discuss advising individuals going through the aftermath of a devastating catastrophe, helping clients overcome the fear of making the wrong decision, the role virtual trials should play in the future of legal and much more! About our guest: Andrew Finkelstein, a managing partner of five law firms (Finkelstein & Partners, LLP; Jacoby & Meyers, LLP; Fine, Olin & Anderman, LLP; Finkelstein, Blankinship, Frei-Pearson & Garber, LLP; and Diller Law, LLP), a noted consumer activist, and accomplished litigator, represents victims in wrongful death and catastrophic personal injury cases. He teaches advanced trial practices at the Trial School and is a frequent lecturer, serving pro bono for a variety of organizations, including the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. Purchase Andrew's book "I Hope We Never Meet: Client Stories of Tragedy, Recovery and Accountability From a Life in Deterrence Law" here: http://ow.ly/9CNQ30skqVy Learn about the Trial School here: http://ow.ly/R44b30skqVz Subscribe to the Answering Legal Channel so you never miss an episode of Everything Except the Law. Read more helpful stuff from Answering Legal here: The Lawyer's Complete Guide To 2022: http://ow.ly/Aw3Q30s9hKy A Guide To Lawyer Wellness: http://ow.ly/ZxeS30rNBny 11 Best Legal Softwares: http://ow.ly/djSP30rNBnZ Interested in learning more about Answering Legal? Book an appointment to speak with us here: http://ow.ly/LSUq30sjviN Give us a call at 631-400-8000 or go to www.answeringlegal.com

The head of the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund is stepping down after almost 6 years on the job.

My next guest, Kenneth Feinberg, literally stopped me in my tracks.  Ken is a prominent attorney, a world-renowned MEDIATOR and the one time chief of staff of the late U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy.  But when we all stood still on 9/11 after one of the most horrific terrorist attacks the world has ever seen, Ken stood up and wanted – indeed asked - to be counted.Ken was appointed as the Special Master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund just a few weeks after the attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon.  In this role, Ken met with nearly every family who was a victim of 9/11 at the absolute height of their grief.  He listened.  He empathised.  He held space for their sorrow.  He travelled the length and breadth of the country to make it easier for families to meet with him.  He enlisted the support of others, including clergy, when victims' families were simply too broken to apply for their share of the Fund.  He even offered to fill in the forms on behalf of the victims.  Whilst Ken could never return a father to a grieving child, or a son to an inconsolable mother, or a husband to a pregnant wife, what he could do was ensure that some of victims' dreams would continue in their absence and that financial hardship would not be another challenge for these all, but shattered, families.  Ken presided over this unprecedented Fund that ultimately awarded over $7.1 billion DOLLARS of public taxpayer money to the families of 2,983 killed and approximately 2,400 physically injured and maimed, in the most devastating of ways on 9/11.The administration of this Fund took 33 months.  Ken Feinberg was never paid a cent for his efforts, insisting he take on the role on a pro bono basis.  His epic story, now memorialised in his memoir – WHAT IS LIFE WORTH – has inspired the extraordinary Netflix film WORTH starring Michael Keaton and Stanley Tucci.On a more personal note, from the first instance I had the pleasure of coming across Ken, I have been overwhelmed by his warmth, generosity and his impeccable character.  His Solomonic efforts in fighting for fair for every single claimant is just incredible.So it is with immense humility and gratitude that I welcome Kenneth R Feinberg to the BRAVE JOURNEYS family.This is Ken's story…. BUT BEFORE YOU GO…Find out more about Ken hereFind Ken's books hereFind out more about Tam hereFollow Tam on InstaDefinition of "mensch" -a person of integrity and honour.Follow BRAVE JOURNEYS on InstaJoin the conversation and chat about the episode hereNEED MORE INSPIRATION?Find other BRAVE JOURNEYS episodes hereCREDITS: Creator, Host & Executive Producer: Tammi Faraday With thanks to my special guest: Kenneth R FeinbergAudio Editor: Zoltan FecsoWith very special thanks to George Weinberg and Ursula FergusonBRAVE JOURNEYS acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we record this podcast on, the Yaluk-ut Weelam Clan of the Boon Wurrung who are part of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respect to their Elders, both past, present and

Michael Barasch of Barasch & McGarry, who are leading the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund joins the show to tell Bernie & Sid about representing people affected by 9/11 and how they can be taken care of!

Phil Alvarez is the brother of the late Luis Alvarez, after whom the law, Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act, was named. Currently, Mr. Alvarez is the Director of 9/11 Outreach and Education for Hansen & Rosasco, LLP law firm. Previously Phil served 32 years in the Suffolk County Police Department, 25 of which were as a detective. Mr. Alvarez gave an update on the September 11th VCFA and its impact going forward. Such meaningful work being performed by Mr. Alvarez. Thank you! #NombergLawLive #PhilAlvarez #9/11 #LuisAlvarez #NewYork #September11thVictimCompensationFundAct #Alabama #NombergLawFirm Lawyers Representing the Injured Men and Women of Alabama Since 1967. If you have any questions or concerns about this issue or other issues on the law, please call the Nomberg Law Firm at 205-930-6900. Our website is www.NombergLaw.com. Follow us on Twitter https://bit.ly/3gObVwS or like us on Facebook https://bit.ly/322csqy. Alabama State Bar, Rules of Professional conduct, Rule 7.2 (e), requires the following language in all attorney communications: No representation is made that the quality of the legal service --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nomberg-law-firm/message

On September 9th, 2021 – nearly 20 years to the day of September 11th, 2001 – 700 attendees, the New York Chapter of the United Federation of Teachers, and the law firm of Barasch & McGarry– leading advocates for the 9/11 community – came together for an event to bring awareness to the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and World Trade Center Health Program. In this episode we hear from Michael Barasch, the final speaker of this event. Michael Barasch is the founder and managing partner of Barasch and McGarry and he is an outspoken legal advocate for the 9/11 community.

On September 9th, 2021 – nearly 20 years to the day of September 11th, 2001 – 700 attendees joined the New York Chapter of the United Federation of Teachers, and the law firm of Barasch & McGarry – leading advocates for the 9/11 community – for an event to bring awareness to the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and World Trade Center Health Program. Lila Nordstrom was a high school senior when the Twin Towers fell on 9/11 and now she is an advocate for 9/11 victims, particularly the youngest amongst them. She has appeared in front of Congress alongside Jon Stewart advocating for Healthcare for 9/11 victims and she was a speaker at the event that day. Here's what she had to say.

On September 9th, 2021 – nearly 20 years to the day of September 11th, 2001 – 700 attendees, the New York Chapter of the United Federation of Teachers, and the law firm of Barasch & McGarry – leading advocates for the 9/11 community –came together for an event to bring awareness to the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and World Trade Center Health Program. In this episode, we're continuing to showcase the speakers from this Health Event. This next speaker is Partner and Managing Attorney for Barasch and McGarry's 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, Lee London.

On September 9th, 2021 – nearly 20 years to the day of September 11th, 2001 – 700 attendees, the New York Chapter of the United Federation of Teachers, and the law firm of Barasch & McGarry – leading advocates for the 9/11 community – came together for an event to bring awareness to the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and World Trade Center Health Program. In this episode we highlight Richie Alles, Retired New York Fire Department Chief, 9/11 Advocate, and Director of 9/11 Community Affairs at Barasch & McGarry.

On September 9th, 2021 – nearly 20 years to the day of September 11th, 2001 – 700 attendees, the New York Chapter of the United Federation of Teachers, and the Law Firm of Barasch & McGarry– leading advocates for the 9/11 community– came together for an event to bring awareness to the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and World Trade Center Health Program. One of the speakers at this event was Ken Muller, who was Vice President of Goldman Sachs on 9/11. Now retired, Ken was on his way to work when the first tower was struck. Here's what he had to say.

On September 9th, 2021 – nearly 20 years to the day of September 11th, 2001 – 700 attendees, the New York Chapter of the United Federation of Teachers, and the law firm of Barasch & McGarry– leading advocates for the 9/11 community – came together for an event to bring awareness to the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and World Trade Center Health Program. One of the speakers on that day was Laura Mooney, a 9/11 Advocate who founded the Staten Island Multiple Myeloma Support Group after her husband was diagnosed with the condition. Multiple Myeloma is a blood cancer that can be hard to catch. Here is Laura Mooney with her journey.

On September 9th, 2021 – nearly 20 years to the day of September 11th, 2001 – 700 attendees joined the New York Chapter of the United Federation of Teachers, and the Law Firm of Barasch & McGarry– leading advocates for the 9/11 community – for an event to bring awareness to the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and World Trade Center Health Program. One of the speakers at this event was John Feal, who participated in the cleanup process following the attacks and sustained injuries in an accident that led to the loss of his foot. In the years since, he's been advocating for 9/11 victims' healthcare rights, founding the FealGood Foundation, and making multiple trips to Congress to speak on behalf of the survivors and first responders who were living and working during that time.

On September 9th, 2021 – nearly 20 years to the day of September 11th, 2001 – 700 attendees joined the New York Chapter of the United Federation of Teachers, and the Law Firm of Barasch & McGarry– leading advocates for the 9/11 community – for an event to bring awareness to the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and World Trade Center Health Program. The first speaker at the event was Ellie Engler, she is the Director of Staff at the United Federation of Teachers and worked as an industrial hygienist for the schools in the aftermath of the attacks. Here is her 9/11 story.

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://marruda3.wordpress.com/2021/09/26/worth-2021-story-of-9-11-victim-compensation-fund-subdued-but-worth-a-look/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Kenneth Feinberg served as the Special Master of the U.S. government's September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. He has also been responsible for compensation programs for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing, the Virginia Tech massacre, and other tragedies. He is also the subject of the documentary "Playing God" as well as the new Netflix film “Worth”. Ken Feinberg reflects on how he navigates the pressures and difficulties of deciding the literal financial value and material worth of a person's life. He also shares his thoughts on negotiating and the fine art of listening and being a better communicator. And Ken Feinberg offers some life wisdom about the importance of family, what is means to be “working class”, mistakes people make when deciding to become a lawyer, and how his upbringing shaped his values and the man he would become. Chauncey DeVega reflects on why so many people hate Hillary Clinton even though she was correct in warning about the damage to American society and democracy that is being caused by Donald Trump's “deplorables” and other neofascist cult members. And Chauncey continues to warn that mass denial (especially by the corporate news media) about Trump's coup, Jan. 6, and escalating political violence by the Jim Crow Republican fascists and their movement will not save the American people. SELECTED LINKS OF INTEREST FOR THIS EPISODE OF THE CHAUNCEY DEVEGA SHOW CNN Poll: Most Americans feel democracy is under attack in the US White terror: Millions of Americans say they'd support violence to restore Trump to power Robert Pape on insurrectionist movement in U.S. - "Intelligence Matters" The Entire United States Is Now the Reichstag Building Will the mainstream media ever face its failure to tell the truth about Jan. 6? WHERE CAN YOU FIND ME? On Twitter: https://twitter.com/chaunceydevega On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chauncey.devega My email: chaunceydevega@gmail.com HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT THE CHAUNCEY DEVEGA SHOW? Via Paypal at ChaunceyDeVega.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thechaunceydevegashow Music at the end of this week's episode of The Chauncey DeVega Show is by JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound. You can listen to some of their great music on Spotify.

Guest Kenneth Feinberg was appointed by President George W. Bush to administer the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund after one of our greatest tragedies. In a very special episode of Workers' Comp Matters, he shares how his team raced to administer $7.1 billion to families and victims of the 2001 terror attacks.  Feinberg compares the unique, Congressionally mandated process to current Workers' Compensation and the raw emotions that made his charge painfully difficult. Working with thousands of survivors and injured victims, his team worked thr`ough their anger, sadness, and skepticism to resolve virtually every claim in 33 months. He calls his pro bono service “a patriotic obligation.”  The podcast is the first of two commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy and how a nation came together to support the victims, grieve, and heal.

Guest Kenneth Feinberg was appointed by President George W. Bush to administer the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund after one of our greatest tragedies. In a very special episode of Workers' Comp Matters, he shares how his team raced to administer $7.1 billion to families and victims of the 2001 terror attacks.  Feinberg compares the unique, Congressionally mandated process to current Workers' Compensation and the raw emotions that made his charge painfully difficult. Working with thousands of survivors and injured victims, his team worked thr`ough their anger, sadness, and skepticism to resolve virtually every claim in 33 months. He calls his pro bono service “a patriotic obligation.”  The podcast is the first of two commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy and how a nation came together to support the victims, grieve, and heal.

Reflecting on Sept. 11, 2001 twenty years later, we watched three films depicting the post-9/11 psyche at its most charged and wounded. "25th Hour" (2002), "Worth" (2021) and "Reign Over Me" (2007) consider 9/11 from grieving standpoints, but they also tell on themselves, revealing how difficult meaningful reflection actually is, whether from swaggering New Yorkers, bereaved Adam Sandlers, or the lawyers overseeing the Victim Compensation Fund.

This week on BEHIND THE LENS, a reflection on 9/11 and the Victim's Compensation Fund and Special Master Ken Feinberg with our prerecorded exclusive interview with director SARA COLANGELO talking about WORTH, and then a shift to something lighter as writer/director JON SHERMAN is live talking about his new film THEY/THEM/US. First up this week is a surprise non-scheduled prerecorded exclusive interview with director SARA COLANGELO talking in-depth about one of the complex issues surrounding the attacks of 9/11, the Victim Compensation Fund, now brought to the big screen with the narrative film WORTH. Written by Max Borenstein and adapted from Special Master attorney Ken Feinberg's memoirs, WORTH is a film that's more than worth your time and your compassion. Already known for her exemplary storytelling with the acclaimed Little Accidents and The Kindergarten Teacher, with WORTH, Colangelo ups the ante to deliver a powerful and compelling cinematic telling of this chapter in the history of 9/11. With a cast led by Michael Keaton in an award-worthy turn as Ken Feinberg, WORTH also stars Stanley Tucci, Amy Ryan, Tate Donovan, Laura Benanti, Shunari Ramanathan, and Talia Balsam, each brings a humanized emotional resonance to each character and the film as a whole. Watching Keaton is a master class in acting. Then a big post-world premiere welcome to writer/director JON SHERMAN who joins us live talking about his latest comedy, THEY/THEM/US! Take a listen as Jon goes into the laughs, foibles, fun, and frenzy that the blending of families brings to the story, the genesis of the film, structuring story, crafting the comedic elements while never forgetting the drama of family, the considerations of visual design and working with his cinematographer, score and needledrops, editing comedy, casting, shooting as one of the first films approved to film during pandemic lockdown with industry protocols in place, the challenges of shooting on a 20-day schedule but with the bonus of having a first-rate union crew who would normally be tied up with larger projects were it not for the pandemic, budgeting struggles with finding an additional $75-100K beyond the budgeted film exclusively for covid protocols with safety and testing, incorporating local Ohio community into the film, and more. http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com

Nathan Eckersley sits down with American lawyer Ken Feinberg who was Special Master of the 9/11 Victim's Compensation Fund, and the subject of the new Netflix film "Worth". Kenneth Feinberg is an American attorney, specializing in mediation and alternative dispute resolution. Feinberg was appointed Special Master of the U.S. government's September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, where his role was to literally decide how much human life was worth. Since then he has led compensation funds for victims of disasters including the BP Deepwater Horizon Disaster, the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, the Boeing 737 Max Crash and the Volkswagen emissions scandal. He is portrayed by Michael Keaton in the Netflix film "Worth". DISCLAIMER: Any facts, statistics and news stories mentioned in this episode are true and relevant as of the time it was recorded. All opinions stated on this podcast are representative only of the people they are credited to and are not a representation of any sponsors, advertisers or partners involved in The Nathan Eckersley Podcast, including W!ZARD Studios and Nathan Eckersley. Please do not try to send in a message or opinion whilst listening to this podcast as your message won't be read but you might still be charged. For our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions, please visit: www.wizardradio.co.uk Spotted a mistake on this podcast? Let us know and we'll try to fix it. Message us using the Contact Form on: www.wizardradio.co.uk/about Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Richard Alles, Retired FDNY Deputy Chief & 9/11 First Responder & Director of Community Affairs at Barasch & McGarry Topic: His experience as a first responder on 9/11  Bernard Kerik, Former New York City Police Commissioner Topic: Remembering the 9/11 terrorist attacks 20 years later Michael Barasch, Managing Partner at Barasch & McGarry, Lawyers for the 9/11 Community                                                                                             Topic: The Jason Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, recovering more money from the Victim Compensation Fund (over $2 billion) than any other law firm in the country See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ken Feinberg, Lawyer specialising in mediation and alternative dispute resolution, and former Special Master of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, joined Sean on the show... Listen and subscribe to Moncrieff on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify.    Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

WORTH MOVIE REVIEW How much is life worth? What price can you put on a human life to bring peace to those left behind? To be clear, we didn't record a new philosophy podcast. This is the question asked by the true story of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Following the horrific 2001 attacks… Read More »Screener Squad: Worth

WORTH MOVIE REVIEW How much is life worth? What price can you put on a human life to bring peace to those left behind? To be clear, we didn't record a new philosophy podcast. This is the question asked by the true story of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Following the horrific 2001 attacks… Read More »Screener Squad: Worth

The new Netflix film "Worth" tells the story of attorney Kenneth Feinberg, who administered the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. We speak with Feinberg and his office administrator Camille Biros. And, climate change in Nigeria has led to seasons of drought and excess flood, impacting agriculture and causing loss of farmland. Environmentalist Nnimmo Bassey talks about the impact climate change is having on the country and the government's response to the crisis.

Welcome to Flash Back Friday! With 600+ episodes, we're excited to revisit some of our favorites with our new listeners (and maybe new to our regular listeners).Today we're bringing you back to the Sundance Film Festival in 2020, when we spoke with director Sara Colangelo from the emotional film Worth. Worth follows a lawyer (played by Michael Keaton) fighting for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. It's based on real events and actual victims, and brings you right back to that horrible moment, 20 years ago. We get into how she got connected with this project, it's emotional impact, and what it was like to work with such incredible talent. You can watch Worth right now on Netflix.Follow director Sara Colangelo on IGThanks for listening and for your support! We couldn't have reached 600 episodes without your help! --Be well, stay safe, Black Lives Matter, AAPI Lives Matter, and thank you for being vaxxed!--SUPPORT US HERE!Subscribe to our channel on YouTube for behind the scenes footage!Rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts!Visit our website! www.bitchtalkpodcast.comFollow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.Listen every other Thursday 9:30 - 10 am on BFF.FMPOWERED BY GO-TO Productions 

In this week's conversation with Courtney Lanning, film critic for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, we hear about the new adaptation of Cinderella on Amazon and Worth, a biopic about the creator of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, available on Netflix.

As the nation approaches the 20th anniversary of 9/11, the podcast features a multipart series that includes interviews with survivors of the terrorist attacks exploring the question, ‘What can the lives that were tragically lost during the 9/11 attacks still teach us about living and working meaningfully?'”This series includes conversations with Fred Price, an executive from investment firm Piper Sandler, which lost 66 people on 9/11; representatives of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, Jackie Zins and Stacy Pervall; and, with Jennifer Tosti-Kharas of Babson College, with whom Michaelson has collaborated on research about meaningful work.In part two of this series, Christopher Michaelson speaks with Fred Price,  managing director in the financial services group at Piper Sandler. Price was a managing principal and a founding principal of Sandler O'Neill + Partners, L.P., as well as a member of the firm's executive committee when the World Trade Center was attacked on 9/11.  He has been extensively involved in the firm's capital markets activities and provides senior oversight to the firm's client support services and other business affairs.

As the nation approaches the 20th anniversary of 9/11, the podcast features a multipart series that includes interviews with survivors of the terrorist attacks exploring the question, ‘What can the lives that were tragically lost during the 9/11 attacks still teach us about living and working meaningfully?'”This series includes conversations with Fred Price, an executive from investment firm Piper Sandler, which lost 66 people on 9/11; representatives of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, Jackie Zins and Stacy Pervall; and, with Jennifer Tosti-Kharas of Babson College, with whom Michaelson has collaborated on research about meaningful work.In part one of this series, Christopher Michaelson has a discussion with academic colleague and research collaborator, Jennifer Tosti-Kharas. Tosti-Kharas is an Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior at Babson College. She teaches organizational behavior and leadership in the undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs. Prior to joining Babson, she was an Assistant Professor of Management at San Francisco State University. Jen earned her Ph.D. in Management with an emphasis on Organizational Behavior from New York University's Stern School of Business, and her B.S. in Economics with concentrations in Management and Finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Jen's research explores career development, with a focus on meaningful work and work as a calling.

As the nation approaches the 20th anniversary of 9/11, the podcast features a multipart series that includes interviews with survivors of the terrorist attacks exploring the question, ‘What can the lives that were tragically lost during the 9/11 attacks still teach us about living and working meaningfully?'”This series includes conversations with Fred Price, an executive from investment firm Piper Sandler, which lost 66 people on 9/11; representatives of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, Jackie Zins and Stacy Pervall; and, with Jennifer Tosti-Kharas of Babson College, with whom Michaelson has collaborated on research about meaningful work.In part three of this series, Christopher Michaelson and former representatives of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, attorneys Jackie Zins and Stacy Pervall, discuss the extremely difficult work of monetizing a human life.The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) provides compensation to individuals (or a personal representative of a deceased individual) who were present at the World Trade Center or the surrounding New York City Exposure Area; the Pentagon crash site; and the Shanksville, Pennsylvania crash site, at some point between September 11, 2001, and May 30, 2002, and who have since been diagnosed with a 9/11-related illness.  The VCF is not limited to first responders.  Compensation is also available to those who worked or volunteered in construction, clean-up, and debris removal; as well as people who lived, worked, or went to school in the exposure zone.   

Michael Barasch of Barasch & McGarry, who are leading the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund joins the show to encourage those in the area on September 11th to apply for relief before the upcoming deadline.

Independent Americans is your trusted, independent source for news, politics, culture and inspiration. It’s a smart, fun, candid perspective you won’t find anywhere else in the media.  Guest Ken Feinberg is a master of disaster. He’s a leader who has been asked multiple times, by multiple Presidents, to do the impossible: to determine the dollar value of a human life after an unimaginable tragedy.  From Agent Orange after Vietnam, to 9/11, to the BP oil spill, to the Boston Marathon bombing, to the Aurora, Colorado movie theater shooting, to the Sandy Hook massacre, now, to the church sexual assault scandals and the opioid epidemic, Ken has been tasked with the mammoth assignment of determining the worth of an individual life. He is the author of What Is Life Worth?: The Inside Story of the 9/11 Fund and Its Effort to Compensate the Victims of September 11th and Who Gets What: Fair Compensation after Tragedy and Financial Upheaval, was profiled in the documentary Playing God, and will be played by actor Michael Keaton in the upcoming Netflix film, Worth. The movie---the first feature film presented by Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions with Netflix--explores Ken’s leadership in administering the unprecedented $7 billion Victims Compensation Fund for 5,300 people. Worth also stars Stanley Tucci and Amy Ryan and premieres on Netflix later this year on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Ken Feinberg is a voice of reason, a conscience, a mediator and a uniquely independent leader on the American political stage. And a voice we need now more than ever.  Ken joins his former student, our host and 9/11-First Responder, Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff), for a thoughtful and candid conversation about the calls for a 9/11-style January 6th Commission, the appointment of Merrick Garland to lead the Dept of Justice, whether or not there will be civil lawsuits after the attack on the Capitol, how to lead in times of partisanship, and how to face pain in life. And, of course, what he drinks, his first car, and how he got to where he is in life.  America is more divided, more angry, and more violent than ever before. But Independent Americans is adding light to contrast the heat. Every episode brings the Righteous Media 5 I’s: independence, integrity, information, inspiration and impact--and explores the most pressing issues of the day with important, inspiring and iconic leaders who are shaping what America has been, is now and will be in the future. We invite you to join us and be a part of the solution.  If you’re among the 40% of Americans that are independent, this is your show. If you’re a Republican or Democratic Party, but you’re not a die-hard partisan, this is your show. If you’re a concerned American who cares about the future of your country, this is your show. All are welcome.  And join us for exclusive access and activities by becoming a member of the Independent Americans Patreon community. For just $5, you get unique access to events, our guests, merch discounts, and exclusive content.  See video of this conversation with Ken Feinberg and over 100 episodes with music, political, business and media leaders from Chuck D to Chuck Hagel; Sarah Jessica Parker to Meghan McCain; Stephen Colbert to Mayor Pete Buttigieg on the Righteous Media YouTube page. Independent Americans connects, informs and inspires all Americans--and is powered by Righteous Media. Stay vigilant, America. Join the movement:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndependentAmericansUS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/IndependentAmericansUS Twitter: https://twitter.com/indy_americans Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrlrGIJcmgIsJQgOR1ev-ew On the web: http://IndependentAmericans.us Watch the Conversation: https://youtu.be/C8PDU16ZWB0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 155, Dave & Jessica discuss Jeffrey Epstein’s Victim Compensation Fund, Ron De Santis’ honorary nomination as ‘Loser of the Week,’ the loophole to close the loophole in Georgia’s hands-free law, and the effort to stop transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports in the Peach State. PLUS - Marjorie Taylor Greene’s removal from her assigned committees and Dave & Jessica’s tips on ‘how to be influential in Congress.’

President of the FealGood Foundation, John Feal, discusses the origins of the FGF, the long road to passing the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, and its most recent battle advocating for Veterans affected by toxic burn pits. The episode contains Jon Stewart's FULL testimony (June 11th, 2019) in front of a House Judiciary subcommittee on funding for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Available on Apple | Spotify | Anchor | Google | Amazon Music or anywhere podcasts are available. IG: @GoodForNowCasts Twitter: @GoodForNowCasts Enjoy. Share. Good for now... Photo Credit: FealGoodFoundation.com Jon Stewart Testimony Audio: C-Span --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/good-for-now/message

The National Defense welcomes comedian Jon Stewart to the show alongside John Feal of the FealGood Foundation to discuss their work on Capitol Hill to get legislation passed for the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. Randy talks with Jon and John about the process of HUNDREDS of trip to Washington D.C. to support our first responders, as well as them turning their eyes towards more military focused legislation and support. Then, Randy welcomes the host of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Stephen Colbert himself, to the show to talk about killing time in arcades, shaving one's head for veterans fundraisers and much, much more!   For more great content, visit us online at thenationaldefense.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

This week, Jersey Mike's founder and CEO Peter Cancro joined to talk about the looming meat shortages and the impact on the food supply chain for restaurants. Scott Minerd, Guggenheim Global chief investment officer, came on to offer his immediate reaction to the Federal Reserve's rate decision. Nick Maroutsos, co-head of global bonds at Janus Henderson, explained why this week was a tale of two central banks and why he thinks "the ECB has its head in the sand." Then Ken Feinberg, attorney and former Special Master for both the TARP Executive Compensation and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, came on to discuss the U.S. government's response to the Covid-19 crisis.

So talking to one of your best friends in the world makes for a different type of interview. We laughed,we cried,we cursed ( A F**KING LOT) but hopefully you leave this one with a smile and light and love ( and I am no GOOP.. I don’t use those words lightly).   We started off talking about her background of being raised by a single mom who emigrated to the US from El Salvador with limited English and how that forced her to grow up very early and  the strength and “never give up” mentality she developed from her experiences. Then we fast forward to Sept 11, 2001, when she and her husband’s lives changed forever, but her indomitable spirit led to her commitment to thriving and living in NYC and making a good life for her, her husband and 3 boys.  Then we come full circle to 17 years later when in the Fall of 2018 she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer from the enduring impact of the chemicals & trauma. We get into why it’s so important to listen to your body like your life depends on it and be your own advocate even when doctors think you’re crazy, and how remembering that she was born to fight allowed her to quickly make the pivot from victim to thriving mentality. That mindset, along with her support squad tribe and lifestyle changes, has been the key to her wellness this past year, and we talked about how she actually feels better now than she did before.   So she wanted to share some words of wisdom and Jedi mind tricks for people living with disease, as well as their loved ones, and resources for people affected with illnesses related to Sept 11th.   Books & Resources How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease  by Dr Michael Greger Crazy, Sexy Cancer Tips by Kris Carr September 11 Victim Compensation Fund:https://www.vcf.gov/ SongEsta Loca by The Latin Agehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiAOPqrbtp8   Guest Bio:Lydia Castillo-Galloza is one of my all time BFF’s. We’ve known each other since we are 16, and everyone who meets her is changed my her, especially me. She’s worked in operations for real estate in NYC for some of the largest and most recognized firms for the last 20 years. She’s also a tiny but mighty powerhouse…. mom, wife, sister, friend, cat mom and non-stop dancing house-music head. She grew up in The Bronx raised by a single mom who emigrated from El Salvador, and has been Boldly Spoken ever since. You can reach Lydia on Instagram at @lydsleo_319 Charity Highlight:  St Jude Children’s Research Project Www. Stjude.org The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay.

Before the dust even settled on Lower Manhattan in the aftermath of 9/11, the streets and office buildings were filled with people whose job it was to prove that nothing could hold New York City and the rest of country back from making sure we were all getting back to work. Richie discusses the importance of the Victim Compensation Fund and World Trade Center Health Programs and how those working in Financial Services on 9/11 can get the care they are entitled to. Don't forget to rate, review subscribe and share!

Episode SummaryWhen extraordinary events cause extraordinary compensations to be made, Ken Feinberg is the man on the world's speed dial for action. Ken talks candidly about the emotional toll that comes with administering of some of the largest and most well-known compensation funds and how he established a career of being fair and objective in the face of extreme criticism in this episode of The Sydcast.Syd FinkelsteinSyd Finkelstein is the Steven Roth Professor of Management at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. He holds a Masters degree from the London School of Economics and a Ph.D. from Columbia University. Professor Finkelstein has published 25 books and 90 articles, including the bestsellers Why Smart Executives Fail and Superbosses: How Exceptional Leaders Master the Flow of Talent, which LinkedIn Chairman Reid Hoffman calls the “leadership guide for the Networked Age.” He is also a Fellow of the Academy of Management, a consultant and speaker to leading companies around the world, and a top 25 on the global Thinkers 50 list of top management gurus. Professor Finkelstein's research and consulting work often relies on in-depth and personal interviews with hundreds of people, an experience that led him to create and host his own podcast, The Sydcast, to uncover and share the stories of all sorts of fascinating people in business, sports, entertainment, politics, academia, and everyday life. Ken FeinbergKenneth R. Feinberg is one of the nation's leading experts in alternative dispute resolution, having served as Special Master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, the Department of Justice Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund, the Department of the Treasury's TARP Executive Compensation Program and the Treasury's Private Multiemployer Pension Reform program. In 2010, Mr. Feinberg was appointed by the Obama Administration to oversee compensation of victims of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Most recently, he has served as Administrator of the New York State Dioceses' Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Funds (along with dioceses in four other states), the One Orlando Fund, the GM Ignition Switch Compensation Program, and the One Fund Boston Compensation Program arising out of the Boston Marathon bombings. He has been appointed mediator and arbitrator in thousands of complex disputes over the past 35 years.He has had a distinguished teaching career as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Harvard, Georgetown, The University of Pennsylvania, New York University, the University of Virginia and Columbia. He has also taught as a visiting lecturer at various other law schools, including UCLA, Vanderbilt, Duke and New York Law School.Mr. Feinberg was designated “Lawyer of the Year” by the National Law Journal (December, 2004). He is listed in “Profiles in Power: The 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America” (National Law Journal, May 2, 1988; March 25, 1991; April 4, 1994; June 12, 2000; June 19, 2006). He is the author of numerous articles and essays on mediation, mass torts and other matters and is the author of two books: What is Life Worth? The Unprecedented Effort to Compensate the Victims of 9/11 (Public Affairs 2005); Who Gets What: Fair Compensation After Tragedy and Financial Upheaval (Public Affairs 2012).Mr. Feinberg's book detailing his work as Special Master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund has been the subject of a major motion picture (to be released in Spring 2020). He is also the subject of a movie documentary, “Playing God,” released in 2018.Insights from this episode:Details on the compensation formulas and distribution processes Ken has used to adminster funds from programs such as the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund and the One Fund Boston Compensation Program.How to maintain professional objectivity and process the emotions that come with challenging assignments.Strategy for overcoming criticism when you are administering funds from controversial programs. Benefits of being one of the nation's best known names in dispute resolution when it comes to negotiating with companies in crisis.Details on how people have tied to their self-worth and identity to their careers and salary, making those values their only definition of self.Secrets to dealing with people who have suffered emotional trauma and financial loss. Quotes from the show: “You learn in these programs that the toughest challenge by far is the emotional context of doing this work.” – Ken FeinbergOn facing challenges: “Brace yourself for what you're going to hear and what you're going to be asked to do.” – Ken Feinberg“The [September 11th Victim Compensation] Fund is now a part of American history rather than contemporary affairs but it [has] not lost its impact on the American people.” – Ken Feinberg“An entire generation will remember where they were when they heard about the [September 11th] attacks in the same way that a previous generation knew where they were when [President John F.] Kennedy was shot.” – Syd Finkelstein “Nothing is more effective in challenging criticism of a program than by pointing to the generosity of the program, the speed of the program, the efficiency of the program.” – Ken FeinbergOn working with so many challenging programs: “If you can handle the emotional part … the rest of it kind of falls into place.” – Ken Feinberg“We are in a crisis now with the level of [wage] inequality that exists in this country.” – Syd Finkelstein On self-worth being tied with career compensation: “I would have thought that people have other anchors of self-worth; community church, community work, family love, it doesn't work that way.” – Ken FeinbergOn job as identity: “The identity that these people have, how they define themselves as human beings, is completely interconnected to their job even though our identity has so many other dimensions.” – Syd Finkelstein Ken's feelings towards his work: “I think what I do is not really fair or just, it's mercy; mercy is what I'm dispensing on a financial plane.” – Ken Feinberg“You learn, in what I do, empathy is a valuable commodity. The less you say the better.” – Ken FeinbergStay Connected: Syd FinkelsteinWebsite: http://thesydcast.comLinkedIn: Sydney FinkelsteinTwitter: @sydfinkelsteinFacebook: The SydcastInstagram: The Sydcast Ken FeinbergLinkedIn: Ken FeinbergIMDB: What is Life WorthWebsite: feinberglawoffices.comSubscribe to our podcast + download each episode on Stitcher, iTunes, and Spotify.This episode was produced and managed by Podcast Laundry (www.podcastlaundry.com)

What is the mission of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund? How can those sick and injured from the 9/11 terrorist attacks apply for compensation funds? What benefits are offered under the VCF Permanent Authorization Act? Join host Michael Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Rupa Bhattacharyya, Special Master of the September […]

Join host Michael Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Rupa Bhattacharyya, Special Master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.

The Battle to Compensate Ground Zero First RespondersGuest: Bill Groner, founder &CEO, SSAM Alternative Dispute Resolution, co-author “9/12: The Epic Battle of the Ground Zero Responders”When the World Trade Center's Twin Towers fell to terrorists on September 11, 2001, an army of first responders rushed to Ground Zero. First it was a rescue effort. But for months and months after that –well into the following year –thousands of people worked in and around Ground Zero and at the landfill where debris was dumped and sorted. Construction workers, coroners, fire and police officers. All breathing dust that we now know contained toxic chemicals. In the years that followed, many would develop serious lung illnesses –and even cancers. Finding fake volcanoes and dealing with the real onesGuest: Janine Krippner, PhD., Volcanologist at the Smithsonian Institute Volvanologist Program and host of the Popular Volcanics podcastThere are fewer volcanoes today than there were just a few weeks ago thanks to people like volcanologist Janine Krippner. She works at the Smithsonian and one of her jobs is to sniff out imposters on the official list of volcanoes. Yes, there's an official list. And best beware if you're a volcano-wannabe, cause Krippner has no qualms killing your dream. Is Compassionate Release an Option for Aging Prison Populations?Guest: Tina Maschi, PhD, Associate Professor at the Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service in New York City The number of elderly prisoners in the US is going up, and fast. Some projections estimate that by 2030, one third of prisoners will be age 55 and up. As those inmates get older, many will get sick and some will die in prison. Not only does that mean more taxpayer dollars to take care of them, but it also creates a moral dilemma: do you let someone die alone behind bars? President Trump Says Deal with Taliban is Dead. What Next?Guest: Michael Kugelman, Deputy Director and Senior Associate for South Asia, Wilson Center in Washington, DCIt's been 18 years since Al Qaeda's terrorist attacks on US soil. And 18 years since the US struck back in Afghanistan, where the Taliban was giving safe haven to Al Qaeda. That's now America's longest war. But a peace deal between the US and the Taliban had been close at hand. Imminent, we were told. And American troops would be coming home soon. But now? “(The talks) are dead, as far as I'm concerned they're dead,” said President Trump on Monday. “(The Taliban) thought they had to kill people in order to put themselves in a little better negotiating position. When they did that they killed 12 people. One happened to be a great American soldier.” Kenneth Feinberg on Deciding What a Life is WorthGuest: Kenneth Feinberg, Former Special Master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, Author of “What Is Life Worth?” And “Who Gets What?”2,977 people died when terrorists hijacked commercial airplanes and crashed them into the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. More than 6,000 others were injured. Just eleven days after the attacks, Congress created a $7 billion fund to compensate those victims and their families. The man tasked with deciding who would get what –how much each life was worth in dollars and cents –was Kenneth Feinberg. Since then, he's overseen victim compensation funds for mass shootings in Aurora, Newtown, Orlando and Las Vegas and for the Boston Marathon Bombing. BP hired him to award compensation to victims of the Gulf Oil spill. He's now handling compensation for victims of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church and for the families of people who died in the Boeing 737 plane crashes.

Facts (care of CNN): Nineteen men hijacked four fuel-loaded US commercial airplanes bound for west coast destinations. A total of 2,977 people were killed in New York City, Washington, DC and outside of Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The Victims: At the World Trade Center (WTC) site in Lower Manhattan, 2,753 people were killed when hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 were intentionally crashed into the north and south towers, or as a result of the crashes. Of those who perished during the initial attacks and the subsequent collapses of the towers, 343 were New York City firefighters, 23 were New York City police officers and 37 were officers at the Port Authority. The victims ranged in age from two to 85 years. Approximately 75-80% of the victims were men. At the Pentagon in Washington, 184 people were killed when hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the building. Near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, 40 passengers and crew members aboard United Airlines Flight 93 died when the plane crashed into a field. It is believed that the hijackers crashed the plane in that location, rather than their unknown target after the passengers and crew attempted to retake control of the flight deck. As of July 2019, 1,644 (60%) of 2,753 WTC victims' remains have been positively identified, according to the medical examiner's office. Timeline: September 11, 2001 8:46 a.m. ET - American Airlines Flight 11 (traveling from Boston to Los Angeles) strikes the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. 9:03 a.m. ET - United Airlines Flight 175 (traveling from Boston to Los Angeles) strikes the south tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. 9:37 a.m. ET - American Airlines Flight 77 (traveling from Dulles, Virginia, to Los Angeles) strikes the Pentagon Building in Washington. 9:59 a.m. ET - South tower of WTC collapses in approximately 10 seconds. 10:03 a.m. ET - United Airlines Flight 93 (traveling from Newark, New Jersey, to San Francisco) crashes in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. 10:28 a.m. ET - North tower of WTC collapses. The time between the first attack and the collapse of both World Trade Center towers is 102 minutes. https://timeline.911memorial.org/#Timeline/2 December 13, 2001 - The US government releases a tape in which Osama bin Laden takes responsibility for the attacks. December 18, 2001 - Congress approves a measure to allow the president to designate September 11 as "Patriot Day" on each anniversary of the attacks. December 2001-June 15, 2004 - The original Victims Compensation Fund processes death and injury claims from families and relatives of September 11 victims. Families of those killed had until December 22, 2003, to apply for compensation. The fund reopens in 2011. May 24, 2007 - The Chief Medical Examiner of New York City, Dr. Charles S. Hirsch, rules that the death of Felicia Dunn-Jones in 2002, from dust exposure, is directly linked to the 9/11 attack and therefore a homicide. July 19, 2007 - The New York Medical Examiner's Office announces that the remains of three more people are positively identified. 1,133 victims, 41% of the total, remain unidentified. January 2009 - The medical examiner's office rules that Leon Heyward, who died the previous year of lymphoma and lung disease, is a homicide victim because he was caught in the toxic dust cloud just after the towers collapsed. January 2, 2011 - President Barack Obama signs the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, reopening and expanding the scope of the Victim Compensation Fund. June 17, 2011 - The New York medical examiner rules that Jerry Borg's death on December 15, 2010, is a result of inhaling toxic substances from the dust cloud generated by the collapsing twin towers. May 10, 2014 - The unidentified remains of those killed in the attacks are returned to the World Trade Center site where they will be kept in a repository under the jurisdiction of the Office of Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York. August 7, 2017 - The New York City medical examiner's office announces that the remains of a man killed at the World Trade Center are positively identified due to more sophisticated DNA testing being available. September 11th Victim Compensation Fund: The original fund operated from December 2001 to June 2004. The initial Victim Compensation Fund received 7,408 applications for both death claims and personal injury claims. The fund made awards in 5,560 of those cases. The reopened and expanded fund has operated since January 2, 2011. Information on total awards is updated regularly and posted here. Families who agreed to get compensation from the federal fund agreed not to sue the airlines. Economic Impact: $500,000 - Estimated amount of money it cost to plan and execute the 9/11 attacks. $123 billion - Estimated economic loss during the first 2-4 weeks after the World Trade Center towers collapsed in New York City, as well as decline in airline travel over the next few years. $60 billion - Estimated cost of the WTC site damage, including damage to surrounding buildings, infrastructure and subway facilities. $40 billion - Value of the emergency anti-terrorism package approved by the US Congress on September 14, 2001. $15 billion - Aid package passed by Congress to bail out the airlines. $9.3 billion - Insurance claims arising from the 9/11 attacks. Cleanup at Ground Zero: May 30, 2002 - Cleanup at Ground Zero officially ends. It took 3.1 million hours of labor to clean up 1.8 million tons of debris. The total cost of cleanup was $750 million. Homeland Security: The Department of Homeland Security was created in response to September 11. It merged 22 governmental agencies into one, including the Customs Service, the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the US Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Through the Container Security Initiative, over 80% of imported maritime containerized cargo is prescreened before entering the US. March 12, 2002 - The Homeland Security Advisory System is introduced. April 26, 2011 - The National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) replaces the color-coded Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS). Links https://www.cnn.com/2013/07/27/us/september-11-anniversary-fast-facts/index.html https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/11/us/sept-11-firefighter-michael-haub-identified/index.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_workers_killed_in_the_September_11_attacks

As everyone is mourning the atrocity of the Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting, the Left is more concerned with coming up with ways to blame conservatives. The shooter posted about a book by Ragnar Redbeard, and the Left decided that means the shooter was a conservative. The truth is that the book was a work of deranged, anti-Christian, pro-socialism garbage. Then, Chris Cillizza and the writers at Vox continue to smear Trump with blatantly false “reporting” on the president's comments during the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund bill signing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we talk about Iran, Africa, and China. In the United States we’ll focus on Immigration and Border Patrol Policy, Review of the Justice Department and Mueller fall-out, as well as BIG Tech and the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. Our economic discussion will focus on the student debt crisis, China’s GDP and Silk Road policy, as well as BIG Tech and European responses. Much more and an announcement of a new product! 00:20 Intro 02:04 Global News: Iran 03:47 Africa - Ebola and Violence 06:26 China - Straight of Taiwan 07:24 US News: Immigration 13:13 Big Tech 19:22 Justice Department 23:12 9/11 Victims Fund 25:23 Economy: Uber 26:31 Student Debt 29:13 China GDP 32:27 Big Tech and Europe 24:22 Upcoming Events

Congress needs to put their money where their mouth is, and remonetize the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund to #NeverForget the heroes who are still dying. More people have now died since 9/11, due to illnesses from exposure to toxins at Ground Zero, than were actually lost on that day. First responders and others who selflessly and courageously devoted themselves to psychologically and physically debilitating feats of rescue, recovery and remediation, are still suffering, while the Victim Compensation Fund is drying up. Hear about the interesting history of this fund, which began as an Act of Congress to compensate victims or families in exchange for them not to sue the airlines whose planes were overtaken by terrorists. And hear about the controversies that have plagued the fund, as they’ve struggled to figure out how much each life is worth. Jon Stewart and retired NYPD officer, Lou Alvarez, recently gave impassioned pleas, begging Congress to replenish the fund to cover the remaining victims. Sadly, Mr. Alvarez died of his 9/11-related cancer only days later. The House then voted to extend the fund until 2090, as the Never Forget the Heroes Act, and it is now up to the Senate. Ironically, while this was happening, a Syrian refugee’s terrorist plot to bomb a Pittsburgh church, was foiled. Mustafa Mousab Alowemer planned a second bomb to go off when first responders came, and to leave an ISIS flag with a sign, “We’ve arrived."

Barry Closes In On Gulf Coast; Could Dump 20 Inches Of Rain; Labor Secy. Resigns Amid Outcry Over Sex Case Plea Deal; Sr. Admin Official: Pres. Trump's Confirmation Of Immigration Raids Is "Head-Scratching," Could Jeopardize Operation; Video Shows Crowded Conditions Inside Migrant Detention Facility; Mueller Public Hearing On Capitol Hill Delayed; "Life Threatening" Storm Could Test Louisiana's Levees With Up To 20 Inches Of Rain & Storm Surge; Mueller Public Hearing On Capitol Hill Delayed One Week; Prosecutors: Epstein Paid $350,000 To Potential Witnesses Against Him; Barry Expected To Make Landfall As Hurricane; New Orleans Ordering Residents To Shelter In place; "Life Threatening" Storm Could Test Louisiana's Levees With Up To 20 Inches Of Rain & Storm Surge; Barry Expected To Make Landfall As Hurricane; New Orleans Ordering Residents To Shelter In Place; Key Vote On Capitol Hill; Helping The Heroes; House Passes Bill To Extend 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund

A former New York City police detective who worked at Ground Zero following the Sept. 11 attacks and fought for the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund has died, just weeks after testifying before Congress. Luis Alvarez was in hospice care after battling cancer, recently undergoing his 69th round of chemotherapy. He was 53.

Almost 40% of Americans WITH health insurance reported they had received a surprise medical bill in the past year from a doctor or hospital for a service they thought was covered by their insurance plan. Why is this happening? And what can we do about it?  Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Click here to contribute monthly or a lump sum via PayPal Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to: $CongressionalDish or Donation@congressionaldish.com Use your bank's online bill pay function to mail contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North, Number 4576, Crestview, FL 32536 Please make checks payable to Congressional Dish Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Additional Reading Article: Went to the ER? You may be hit with a surprise medical bill by Tami Luhby, CNN, June 20, 2019. Press Release: House Supports Porter Amendment to Improve Affordable Care Act Enrollment by Representative Katie Porter, Porter House News, June 13, 2019. Article: Alexander-Murrary Bill, by Tammy Luhby, CNN, May 23, 2019. Bill: Bill S. 1531 Stopping The Outrageous Practice of Surprise Medical Bills Act of 2019 by Senator Bill Cassidy, Govtrack.us, May 16, 2019. Press Release: Trauma Coalition Press Release, by Trauma Association of America, May 16, 2019. Article: Trump calls for an end to surprise medical bills by Tami Luhby, CNN, May 9, 2019. Article: UnitedHealth's David Wichmann buys record $4.6 million worth of UNH stock by Alex Wittenberg, Biz Journals, May 7, 2019. Article: After Vox reporting, California moves forward on plan to end surprise ER bills by Sarah Kliff, Vox, April 24, 2019. Article: How to fight an outrageous medical bill, explained by Sarah Kliff, Vox, April 1, 2019 Bill: Bill S. 1266 Protecting Patients from Surprise Medical Bills Act 116th Congress, March 1, 2019. Bill: Bill H.R. 861 End Surprise Billing Act of 2019  116th Congress, January 30, 2019. Article: A $20,243 bike crash: Zuckerberg hospital’s aggressive tactics leave patients with big bills by Sarah Kliff, Vox, January 24, 2019.  Article: After Vox story, Zuckerberg hospital rolls back  by Sarah Kliff, Vox, January 24, 2019. Document: NBER Working Paper No. 23623 Surprise! Out-of-Network Billing for Emergency Care in the United States by Zach Cooper, Fiona Scott Morton and Nathan Shekita, NBER, January 2019 Article: LifePoint merges with RCCH, goes private by Ayla Ellison, Becker Hospital Review, November 16, 2018. Article: “It’s unacceptable”: Sen. Maggie Hassan explains her plan to end surprise ER bills by Sarah Kliff, Vox, October 29, 2018. Article: Gov. Rick Scott took responsibility? No, he took $300 million | Randy Schultz by Randy Schultz, Sun Sentinel News, October 2, 2018. Article: UnitedHealthcare issues warning to hospitals about out-of-network coverage for ER physicians by Susan Morse, Healthcare Finance News, September 25, 2018. Article: Three Ways Self-Insured Plans Can Leverage State Laws to Protect their Members from Balance Billing  by Matthew Albright, The Self-Insurer, September 2018. Article: The Last Company You Would Expect Is Reinventing Health Benefits  by Reed Abelson, NY Times, August 31, 2018. Article: As Health and Financial Challenges Grow, More Older Adults File for Bankruptcy by Lindsey Copeland, Medicare Rights Center, August 9, 2018. Article: A baby was treated with a nap and a bottle of formula. His parents received an $18,000 bill by Jenny Gold, Kaiser Health News and Sarah Kliff, Vox, July 20, 2018. Article: Air Ambulances Are Flying More Patients Than Ever, and Leaving Massive Bills Behind  by  John Tozzi, Bloomberg News, June, 11 2018. Case Docket: Case Proceeding Air Medical Group, KKR North America, and AMR Holdco, In the Matter of Federal Trade Commission, May 3, 2018. Article: Are Physician Staffing Companies Killing the Patient Experience and Bottom Line? by Berta Bustamante, InsideArm, April 10, 2018. Press Release: Ambulance Companies Air Medical Group Holdings, Inc. and AMR Holdco, Inc. Agree to Divest Air Ambulance Services in Hawaii as a Condition of Merger  Federal Trade Commission, March 7, 2018. Document: Letter to Christopher Holden-President and Executive Officer for Envision Healthcare US Senate, September 20, 2017 Bill: California Assembly Bill 72 by Ann Whitehead,JD,RN.,CAP Physicians, August 30, 2017. Report: AIR AMBULANCE Data Collection and Transparency Needed to Enhance DOT Oversight  Government Accountability Office, July 2017. Article: The Company Behind Many Surprise Emergency Room Bills by Julie Creswell,Reed Abelson and Margot Sangor-Katz, NY Times, July 24, 2017. Article: AB 72: No More Balance Billing for Out-of-Network Care In-Network by Staff, Word&Brown, July 14, 2017. Report: Health Policy Report Up in the Air: Inadequate Regulation for Emergency Air Ambulance Transportation Consumer Reports, March 2017. Article: One In Five Inpatient Emergency Department Cases May Lead To Surprise Bills by Christopher Garmon and Benjamin Chartock, Health Affairs, January 2017. Article: Trauma fees growing across the nation at 'absurd' rate by Alexander Zayas and Kris Hunley, Tampa Bay Times, November 21, 2014. Article: 10 Things to Know About HCA Becker's Hospital Review, April 16, 2014. Article: HCA to Eliminate Trauma Fees for Uninsured Patients Becker's Hospital Review, April 10, 2014.   Resources Profile Link: Connie Potter Profile, RN, BSN, MBA-HCA Link  Linkedin. Profile Link: Sherif Zaafran Profile, MD, FASA  Linkedin. Contact Us: Physicans for Fair Coverage  End of the Insurance Gap.org About Us: Independence Company (IBX)  IBX.com Document: License Agreement: Use of Current Procedural Terminology, Fourth Edition ("CPT®")  Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 2013-2018 Contributor List: Sen. Rick Scott Election Contributor List   Opensecrets.org Campaign Money Data Table: David Wichmann Political Campaign Contributions 2016 Election Cycle  Campaign Money.com Online Review Score: Regence Health Plan Company Profile Review  BestCompany.com False Claims Act: Nation’s Largest Healthcare Fraud Settlement Doesn’t Stop Medical Behemoth, WhistleBlowerJustice.net Visual Resources   Sound Clip Sources Hearing: NO MORE SURPRISES: PROTECTING PATIENTS FROM SURPRISE MEDICAL BILLS, Not on C-Span, Committee on Energy and Commerce, June 12, 2019. Watch on Youtube Witnesses: Sonji Wilkes: Patient Advocate Sherif Zaafran, MD: Chair of Physicians for Fair Coverage Rick Sherlock: President and CEO of Association of Air Medical Services James Gelfand: Senior Vice President of Health Policy at The ERISA Industry Committee Thomas Nickels: Executive Vice President of the American Hospital Association Jeanette Thornton: Senior Vice President of Product, Employer, and Commercial Policy at Americas’ Health Insurance Plans Claire McAndrew: Director of Campaigns and Partnerships at Families USA Vidor E. Friedman, MD: President of American College of Emergency Physicians Transcript 47:54 CEO Rick Sherlock: Emergency air medical services are highly effective medical interventions appropriate in cases where getting a patient directly to the closest most appropriate medical facility can make a significant difference in their survival in recovery. Today, because of air medical services, 90% of Americans can reach a level one or level two trauma center within an hour. However, since 2010, 90 hospitals have closed in rural areas and an estimated 20% more are at risk of closing. Our members fill the gap created by closures, but this lifeline is fraying as 31 air medical bases have also closed in 2019. 48:31 CEO Rick Sherlock: Emergency or medical providers never make the decision on who to transport. That decision is always made by a requesting physician or medically trained first responder. Air medical crews then respond within minutes, 24 hours a day, seven days a week without any knowledge of a patient’s ability to pay for their services. 48:45 CEO Rick Sherlock: Our members are unique in the healthcare system. The services heavily regulated by the states for the purposes of healthcare, as ambulances and the federal government for aviation safety and services as air carriers. It is their status as air carriers that allow rapid transport of patients over significant distances. Over 33% of our flights cross state lines every day. For that reason, the Airline Deregulation act uniform authority over the national airspace is essential to the provision of this lifesaving service. Exempting air medical services from the ADA would allow states to regulate aviation services, including where and when they’re able to fly, limiting access to healthcare for patients in crisis. 49:54 CEO Rick Sherlock: To prevent balance billing, our members are actively negotiating with insurance companies to secure in-network agreements. One member alone has increased their participation from 5% to almost 43% in the last three years. Despite that, some insurers have refused to discuss in-network agreements. That hurts both patients and caregivers. 50:30 CEO Rick Sherlock: Uh, covering air medical services in full, represents about a $1.70 of the average monthly premium. 51:50 CEO Rick Sherlock: $10,199 was the median cost of providing a helicopter transport. While Medicare paid $5,998, Medicaid paid $3,463 and the uninsured paid $354. This results in an ongoing imbalance between actual costs and government reimbursement and is the single biggest factor in increasing costs. 53:45 Senior VP James Gelfand: We’re focused on three scenarios in which patients end up with big bills they couldn’t see coming or avoid. Number one, a patient receives care at an in-network facility, but is treated by an out of network provider. Number two, a patient requires emergency care, but the provider’s facility or transportation are out of network. And number three, a patient is transferred or handed off without sufficient information or alternatives. It’s usually not the providers you’re planning to see. It’s anesthesiologists, radiologists, pathologists, or emergency providers or transport or an unexpected trip to the NICU. Many work for outsourced medical staffing firms that have adopted a scam strategy of staying out of networks, practicing at in-network facilities and surprise billing patients. It’s deeply concerning, but the problem is narrowly defined and therefore we can fix it. 54:40 Senior VP James Gelfand: The No Surprises Act nails it. It takes patients out of the middle and creates a market based benchmark rate to pay providers fairly. The benchmark is not developed by government and it is not price setting. The committee might also consider network matching. It’s simple. If a provider practices at an in-network facility, they take the in-network rate or they go work somewhere else. Or base the benchmark on Medicare, you could set the rate higher, say 125% of Medicare and still make the system more affordable, sustainable and simpler. These approaches will eliminate the surprise bills. That’s a huge win for patients. 54:50 ** Senior VP James Gelfand: But not everyone wants to stop the surprise bills. Some provider specialties are saying, “let us keep doing what we’re doing, just use binding arbitration to make someone else pay these bills”. They’re asking for a non- transparent process that could force plans and employers to pay massive and fake medical list prices. It’s essentially setting money on fire. Funds that would have been used to pay for healthcare will instead be spent on administrative costs such as lawyers, arbitrators, facility fees, and on reasonable settlement amounts. Make no mistake, patients will pay these costs. 55:20 Senior VP James Gelfand: The ground and air ambulance companies are asking Congress to let them keep surprise billing too. Do nothing, wait for another study, another report, and there have already been four. They know patients cannot shop for them and many participate in no networks. State insurance commissioners are begging for help with air ambulances, but Congress has tied their hands. Employers think Congress should end this. Treat medical transport the same as emergency care. We should end surprise billing in the ER and on the way there. 56:30 Senior VP James Gelfand: Other providers figure they’re willing to stop surprise billing, but only if they can increase in-network rates. They’re calling for network adequacy rules to force insurers and employers to add more providers to their networks, even if those providers demand astronomical payments. Does anyone here actually believe that these hospital based doctors who services cannot be shopped for, who are guaranteed to see our patients, are begging to be included in our networks, but nobody will return their calls? That they have no choice but to go and join these out of network Wall Street owned firms? It doesn’t make sense. 57:00 Senior VP James Gelfand: Employers design health benefits to help our beneficiaries. We don’t sell insurance. We want networks that meet our patients’ needs. Why would we want to cover an operation, but leave out the anesthesia? We want our employees to be able to afford their health insurance too, and that means we must be able to say no when providers are gaming the system. 1:08:10 Dr. Vidor Friedman: Unlike most physicians, emergency physicians are prohibited by federal law from discussing with a patient any potential costs of care or insurance details until they are screened and stabilized. This important patient protection known as Emtala, ensures physicians focus on the immediate medical needs of patients. However, it also means that patients cannot fully understand the potential cost of their care or the limitations of their insurance coverage until they receive the bill. 1:10:40 Dr. Vidor Friedman: The goal should be a system in which everyone is in-network, or essentially that. That requires a level playing field between providers and insurers. Insurers are concerned that benchmarking the even median charges, favors providers. Providers are concerned that benchmarking the median in-network rates, favors insurer’s. What’s Congress to do? ACEP supports a system that has already proven to be balanced between insurers and providers. That is a baseball style independent dispute resolution process similar to that used in New York and noted in the legislative proposal put forth by Doctors, Ruiz Rowe and Busan. 2:02:30 Rep. Brett Guthrie: If there does become a federal arbitration system, what do you think congressional oversight should be? And I don’t know if that should be something that I’m supposed to talk about or…Sonji Wilkes: Well, I’ve been sitting here listening, thinking I pay my insurance premiums, I do my part and I expect the bill to be paid. I mean, there’s only so much I can do to control that and I don’t really care how the reimbursement works. And quite frankly, I think the insurance industry is doing probably better in their bottom line than my bottom line. Um, I want to go to the best provider possible and I want the best care possible. I don’t really care how the payment works. 2:34:50 Dr. Sherif Zaafran: Well, I can tell you that from the physician’s standpoint, for emergency room physicians for example; the average weighted cost of every visit is about $155. 3:49:00 CEO Rick Sherlock: The median cost of a helicopter air transport is $10,199 according to a study conducted in 2017. If you look at the cost of uncompensated care, because Medicare pays less than $.60 on the dollar of that 10,199. About $5,998, Medicaid pays significantly less than that. Less than $3,500 on average, and the uninsured pay about $350. Those make up…those three groups make up 70% of air medical transports. So when you take that cost of uncompensated care and you add it to the median cost of $10,200, that’s the average charge of $36,000 that the representative from New Mexico referenced earlier. When you…when those kinds of situations happen, no one in our industry wants to see a patient or their family placed in jeopardy because they’ve just had a health emergency. Our members will sit down with each individual and their families and work out a solution tailored for them. 3:54:30 Dr. Sherif Zaafran: Again, there is no such thing as an out of network provider. There is a provider who may happen to be out of network with that specific product. So the only one who knows what the product is, is of course the patient and the insurance carrier and they’re the only ones who really have the information as to whether they’re in-network or out of network. Hearing: The Need to Reauthorize the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, June 11, 2019 Hearing: Hearing on September 11 Victims Compensation Fund, June 11, 2019 Hearing: Watch on CSPAN-Surprise Medical Bills House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health-May 21, 2019 Committee website Watch on YouTube Witnesses: Rep. Katie Porter (CA) James Patrick Gelfand: Senior Vice President, Health Policy, ERISA Industry Committee Dr. Bobby Mukkamala: Board of Trustees, American Medical Association Tom Nickels: Executive Vice President, Government Relations and Public Policy, American Hospital Association Jeannette Thornton: Senior Vice President for Product, Employer, and Commercial Policy at America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) Transcript *7:15 Chairman Lloyd Doggett (TX): Fortunately, there now appears to be a growing consensus. Most recently joined by president Trump that holding the patient harmless should form the foundation for any surprise billing proposal. Under the legislation that I advanced, patients would only be charged in network cost sharing rates in emergency situations and non-emergency situations out of network charges would be permitted only when the patient has agreed in advance after receiving effective notice regarding any providers and services together with estimated charges. No other bill addressing this issue has yet been filed here in the house, but there is a very useful discussion draft proposal that is being circulated on a bipartisan basis by the House Energy and Commerce Committee and there’s several proposals that have service in the Senate. While every proposal currently begins with the basic premise of the enterprise billing act, conflict remains over how to resolve insurer provider disputes. *13:40 Rep. Katie Porter (CA): I’m concerned about surprise billing, as someone who’s dedicated my life to protecting consumers, but also because I have had to fight my own battle with surprise billing. On August 3rd last year when I was on the campaign trail, I started to feel pain in my abdomen. At 1:00 PM I could not continue and I went home. At 4:31, I texted my campaign manager that I needed to go to the emergency room. I couldn’t safely drive through the pain and I remember sitting on my front porch, so if I lost consciousness, somebody might find me and I wouldn’t be home alone. I didn’t call an ambulance because I was concerned about the cost. I could not drive and I asked my manager to please take me to Hoag hospital. I chose that hospital even though it was farther away from other providers, because I knew Hoag was an in-network facility. When I got to the hospital, I waited six hours alone in the emergency exam room without treatment. When I finally went to surgery, my doctor told me it was nothing to worry about, just a routine appendectomy. I was given anesthesia and when I awoke, the team around me was panicking. They couldn’t get my temperature to drop and they couldn’t get my blood pressure to rise. My appendix had ruptured hours before causing an infection that was making my whole body very sick. I spent the next five days in the hospital receiving powerful IV antibiotics. A few weeks later, I received the bill from my insurance company. The idea of an astronomical hospital bill had weighed heavily on me and I was happy to see that the cost of my emergency room treatment and assessment and hospital charges, and nearly all of my inpatient services, were covered. I remember sitting at my kitchen table and taking a deep breath filled with relief, but a few days later I received another bill. This one from my surgeon. While the hospital I had gone to was in-network, the insurance company now claimed the surgeon was not, even though they had sent me a notification telling me that my surgeon was in-network . Enclosed in that bill for nearly $3,000, was a handout from my surgeon detailing the steps I would have to take while recovering in order to fight to have my insurance company cover the care. So many of his patients had been put in this situation, that this medical doctor had used his staff to address patient billing problems. That’s not what he trained for in medical school. Your so-called explanation of benefits and the surgeon’s handout explained that he was being treated as an out of network provider even though he was employed by and worked at an in-network hospital. As someone in an emergency situation, I had no ability to assess whether he was in or out of network, and in those cases insurers are supposed to cover the costs, but I got that bill because my insurer put profits before patients. I called insurance company to request an appeal. The benefits manager kept asking me questions to guide me and coach me towards saying that it was my surgeon’s fault to blame him for overcharging me. She asked me to call the surgeon and attack my doctor for his bill. Apparently, to Anthem Blue Cross, $3,000 was too high a price for saving my life. The tens of thousands in premiums I’d paid to that company over the years were not enough to have them, cause them to cover the lifesaving care. Nearly five months after I was hospitalized, the surgeon simply requested payment, and at that point I reached out to my employer of the University of California Irvine. That’s when I learned that U.C. Irvine has a designated patient advocate, a medical doctor, whose sole job is to help university employees get the health insurance that the university and the employees pay for. Can we just reflect on that for a moment? The university is paying a medical doctor to do nothing but navigate insurance. Finally, the patient advocate, invoking the fact that I had just been just elected to Congress, was able to get the insurance company to agree to pay my surgeon’s bill. But here’s what I learned from getting sick. I am well educated. I had an employer prepared to help me. I have professional experience fighting for consumer rights, but there are thousands of Americans with fewer resources than me who are surprised with bills far more devastating than mine. I’m here today because they refuse to accept this as the status quo. I refuse to stand idly by while families go bankrupt because of surprise medical bills. Any solution to this issue must rely, must not rely, excuse me, on the patient’s ability to go to war with the insurer or with their provider. That is not the solution. It’s time we start putting patients first. 31:00 Jeanette Thornton: We ask that federal legislation focus on four things. First, balanced billing should be banned in situations where inpatients are involuntarily treated by an out of network provider. This includes emergency health services at any hospital, any health healthcare services or treatment performed at an in-network facility by an out of network provider, not selected by the patient and ambulance transportation in an emergency. Second, health insurance providers should be required to reimburse out of network providers inappropriate and reasonable amount in those above scenarios. Third, state should be required to establish an independent dispute resolution process that works in tandem with the established benchmark. Fourth hospitals or other healthcare providers should be required to provide advanced notice to patients of the network status of the treating providers. We appreciate the health sub-committee chairman Lloyd Doggett has introduced legislation to end surprise billing act or HR 861, which would establish a role for hospitals in providing such notices, along with banning balanced billing. AHIP supports this bill. 46:00 Chairman Lloyd Doggett (TX): What I’m referring to is the difference… Dr. Bobby Mukkamala: Right. Chairman Lloyd Doggett (TX): …in charges and why one one price for those who are in network and another for those that are out. Dr. Bobby Mukkamala: Right. So there is a benefit for me to be in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for example. I get something from that. They sit with me, they show me their data. We had…we worked together on incentive programs to sort of curb costs. If there’s an insurance company that’s in town that does none of that activity to improve the care of the population in my town, but yet wants to benefit from the same rate of compensation to me, they’re doing nothing to earn that discount. Blue Cross sits across from me on a weekly or monthly basis to improve the care of my population. But Golden Rule insurance, that’s new in town for example, doesn’t do any of that work and yet wants to benefit from having the same provider rates. No, I mean, I take a discounted rate from Blue Cross because of all this other robust activity. But if you’re not offering me anything to participate in your network, then naturally, you should be expected to pay more for my services. Right? I get something from Blue Cross. I get nothing from Golden Rule. 53:05 Dr. Bobby Mukkamala: Medicare is usually sort of the foundation upon which all the other insurance companies tend to set their rates. So when I participate in network, like with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, it’s usually about 110/ 115% of Medicare rates. So that’s one step higher. If I don’t participate with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, then that rate is so I can get the assigned rate from them and then I have a choice about what to do with the balance. And usually in my practice, I write that off. I don’t balance bill the patient. Uh, but Blue Cross Blue Shield sort of sets their rate and that’s it. My point is that, if-in Blue Cross Blue Shield, I have a great relationship with, we do a lot of constructive work together. But if a new insurance company comes into town and puts up billboards and markets their product and says, here, come, come buy our policy, and then they get 15,000 patients to sign up, but has never come to my door to say, you know, when they have an ear, nose and throat problem, we’d like you to be in-network and provide their care. Why should they get the benefit of the in-network price that Blue Cross Blue Shield gets? So, my point, is that that out of network price for this new insurance company that wants me to take care of their patient, but never came to sit down with me to sign a contract, ought to be something that I negotiate with them, not something that’s dictated to me. 55:50 Rep. Mike Thompson (CA): A staff person of mine went to the emergency room. He has insurance. His insurance covered nearly everything, including a cat scan. But a few weeks later, he got two separate bills from physicians he never saw and didn’t ask to see. They reviewed some of his test results and the bill for those two physicians was larger than the bill for his total ER visit. 56:15 Rep. Mike Thompson (CA): It’s also alarming that, uh, according to one study, 20% of hospital visits, one of every five of those visits, uh, that began in the ER, resulted in a surprise bill. 58:30 Dr. Bobby Mukkamala: Uh, yes, sir. So, in answer to your question, there are multiple already cases documented of insurance companies shrinking their network in California because they can get the same service at that rate with physicians that are out of their network. And so, contracts are already not being renewed for physicians that have had contracts for 20 years, and then they go to renew it and they’re dropped from the network. 1:03:00 Dr. Bobby Mukkamala: My wife and I, we contract with probably about 30 insurance companies. When I take a kid’s tonsils out, one insurance company may be $200- may pay me $200, one pays me about $450 and everything in between. I can’t have a different fee in my fee schedule for each of those. So my fee for tonsillectomy is about $475, so that when I do it, I know that the highest paying payer, I’m still-they’re still within that threshold, right? Because if I charge $400, they’re not going to send me $450. They’re going to send me $400. 1:07:00 Jeanette Thornton: So it’s very interesting what we’ve seen and when it comes from a hospital perspective. It’s maybe only 15% of the hospitals nationwide that are causing this issue that results in, you know, 80% of the visits. One of the statistics had cited a lot that result in a surprise medical bill. So this is not every doctor. This is not every hospital that are resulting in these surprise medical bills. It’s really more of a targeted problem. 1:09:15 Tom Nickels: In terms of how much of this is really going on, I think there is a certain level of frustration. I don’t know that we all know with certainty. The only federal study that I’ve seen, that we’ve seen, is from the Federal Trade Commission, which basically said that they studied ambulances going to hospital emergency departments. 99% of hospital emergency departments in that study were in-network. So it’s not the hospital itself that is out of network. it is people, physicians who practice in our institution. 1:22:20 Tom Nickels: The federal government-state government need to acknowledge that they underpay. I mean, Medpack and others acknowledges that this isn’t just industries talking about ourselves. AMA has said the same thing on the physician side, but I think that the federal government and state governments have a responsibility to pay more adequately. The truth of the matter is, and we haven’t even talked about this, is the cost shift is that private insurers pay more than costs and the government pays less. That should end. The government should take responsibility. 1:38:00 Tom Nickels: We cannot force by law, physicians who are not employed by us to take in-network rates. That is-if we did that, um, we would be sued. It would be restraint of trade. Um, however, what we’re trying to suggest here and I think what the other panelists are trying to suggest, is we have a way to protect the patient from that surprise bill. To your question about who are these physicians that you don’t even know about who are treating you, if you come in in an emergency, you don’t know what’s going on. And you need to be taking care of it, who’s ever there is going to take care of you. The other situation which we’ve talked about is when you knowingly come into an inpatient in-network facility. You did all the right things, but an out of network physician, (anesthesiologists, perhaps radiologists, pathologists) takes care of you. And that’s where the, uh, the bill is generated from. So we cannot make people do that. We try to get physicians to be in our networks-in the same networks. But again, this is an issue of private contracting. 1:42:05 Rep. Mike Kelly (PA): I do agree with you. If there’s limited talent there to take care of that specific problem, there has to be a way of compensating for it. Because at the end of the day, it is a business. Dr. Bobby Mukkamala: Right. So the solution is if an insurance company is going to come into Flint, Michigan and sell insurance, they know that eventually they’re going to need a hand surgeon, right? How do they sell insurance to a town that’s an industrial based town, where there’s a lot of hand injuries and not have any hand surgeons in their network? When they put up the billboard saying, “we’re selling insurance here”, they should have at the same time look at their provider list and say, “you know what”?, we’re missing an orthopedic hand surgeon. "Let’s go find one and figure out how to get him in-network or get her in-network. Right? And that’s a step that’s skipped routinely, right? They’ll sell the product for years and then fill in this way with lack of a good provider network by trying to negotiate out of network rates that are the same as in-network because they’d skip that first step, right? Maintain a network adequacy-establish a network adequacy before you sell your product. 1:48:30 James Gelfand: Many of the hospitals are not doing what Zuckerberg hospital was doing. The hospital will be in-network, but they will have outsourced their emergency room to a Wall Street owned private company and that company won’t take insurance. And those guys are definitely making enough profits that Wall Street is suggesting that people should invest in those companies because of these relationships they have with the in-network hospitals and the out of network emergency rooms. Trump remarks on medical billing-Watch on C-SPAN, May 9, 2019 13:00 President Donald Trump: Today I’m announcing principles that should guide Congress in developing bipartisan legislation to end surprise medical billing. And these senators and congressmen and women that are with us today are really leading the charge. And I appreciate that they’re all here. Thank you all. Thank you all for being here. This is fantastic. And I think it’s going to be a successful charge. From what I understand, we have bipartisan support, which is rather shocking. That means it’s very important. That means it’s very good. But that’s great. First, in emergency care situations, patients should never have to bear the burden of out-of-network costs they didn’t agree to pay. So-called balance billing should be prohibited for emergency care. Pretty simple. Second, when patients receive scheduled, non-emergency care, they should be given a clear and honest bill upfront. That means they must be given prices for all services and out-of-pocket payments for which they will be responsible. This will not just protect Americans from surprise charges; it will empower them to choose the best option at the lowest possible price. Third, patients should not receive surprise bills from out-of-network providers that they did not choose themselves. Very unfair. Fourth, legislation should protect patients without increasing federal healthcare expenditures. Additionally, any legislation should lead to greater competition, more choice — very important — and more healthcare freedom. We want patients to be in charge and in total control. And finally, in an effort to address surprise billing, what we do is, all kinds of health insurance — large groups, small group, individual markets, everything. We want everything included. No one in America should be bankrupted and unexpectedly by healthcare costs that are absolutely out of control. No family should be blindsided by outrageous medical bills. And we’ve gone a long way to stop that. Examining Surprise Billing: Protecting Patients from Financial Pain-Not on C-SPAN, House Committee on Education and Labor, April 2, 2019 Watch on YouTube Witnesses: Christen Linke Young: Fellow at USC-Brookings Schaeffer Initiative on Health Policy Ilyse Schuman: Senior Vice President for Health Policy at American Benefits Council Frederick Isasi, Executive Director at Families USA Professor Jack Hoadley: Research Professor Emeritus at Georgetown University’s Health Policy Institute Transcript 7:15 Chairman Frederica Wilson (FL): This is the first hearing the United States Congress has held on surprise billing. 7:30 Chairman Frederica Wilson (FL): Surprise medical bills occur when patients covered by health insurance are subject to higher than expected out of pocket costs for care, received from a provider who is outside of their plan’s network. The victims of surprised medical billing often have no control over whether they’re medical provider is in or out of network. 8:15 Chairman Frederica Wilson (FL): A young San Francisco woman named Nina Dang suffered a severe bike accident. She was barely lucid when a bystander called an ambulance and took her to an emergency room at a nearby hospital. Before she knew it, doctors had done x-rays and scans and put her broken arm in a splint and then sent her on her way. A few months later, Nina was hit with a $20,000 medical bill because the hospital, which she did not choose, was an out of network facility. 8:30 Chairman Frederica Wilson (FL): But even patients who are able to take precautions to avoid out of network costs during a medical emergency, are not immune from surprise bills. Scott Cohan suffered a violent attack one night in Austin, Texas. He woke up in an emergency room with a broken jaw, a throbbing headache, and staples in his head. Despite his shock and immense pain, Scott took out his phone and searched through his insurer’s website to make sure he was laying in an in-network hospital bed. When he found out it was, he proceeded with unnecessary jaw surgery. Imagine Scott’s frustration and devastation when he received a surprise medical bill for nearly $8,000. It turned out that the emergency room was in his insurance network, but the oral surgeon who worked in the ER was not. 16:00 Rep. Tim Walberg (MI): 39% of insured working age adults reported they had received a surprise medical bill in the past year from a doctor, hospital, or lab that they thought was covered by their insurance. Of the 39% of individuals who received surprise medical bills, 50% owed more than $500. 27:05 Ilyse Schuman: While a number of states have sought to address this problem or risk that exempts self insured plans from State Insurance Regulations to ensure that national employers can offer uniform health benefits to employees residing in different states. Accordingly, the problem of surprise billing cannot be left to the states to solve. 33:20 Frederick Isasi: So what’s most important to remember about this issue? We are talking about situations in which families, despite enrolling in health insurance, paying their premiums, doing their homework and trying to work within the system, are being left with completely unanticipated and sometimes financially devastating healthcare bills. And this is happening in part, and I want to say this really clearly because hospitals, doctors and insurers are washing their hands of their patient’s interest. 33:50 Frederick Isasi: Take for example, one significant driver of this problem. The movement of hospitals to offload sapping requirements for their emergency departments to third party management companies. These hospitals very often make no requirements of these companies to ensure the staffing of the ED fit within the insurance networks that the hospitals have agreed to. As a result, a patient who does their homework ahead of time and rightly thinks they’re going to an in network hospital, received services from an out of network physician and a surprise medical bill follows. 34:20 Frederick Isasi: Let me give you one real world example. Nicole Briggs from Morrison, Colorado outside of Denver. Nicole woke up in the middle of the night with intense stomach pain. She went to a freestanding ER. She was told she needed an emergency appendectomy. She went to a local hospital. She did her due diligence. Confirmed repeatedly that the hospital and its providers were in network. However, months later she received a surprise bill from the surgeon who ended up, was out of network. The bill to Nicole was $5,000. Nicole tried to work it out with her insurance company, but within two years, a collection agency representing the surgeon took her to court and won the full amount, including interest. As a result, a lien was placed on her home and the collection agency garnished her wages each month. This came right before Nicole was about to deliver a baby and go on maternity leave. And by the way, this investigation found that there were over 170 liens placed on people’s homes in the Denver area by emergency department physicians. 38:05 Professor Jack Hoadley: Our research shows that today, 25 states have acted to protect consumers from surprise bills in at least some circumstances. Nine of these 25 meet our standards as offering what we consider to be comprehensive protection. For protections to be comprehensive, we look to number one, whether they apply in both emergency situations and an in-network hospital setting, such as electing an in-network surgeon, but being treated by another clinician who’s out of network. Second, that these laws apply to both HMO’s, PPO’s and all other types of insurance. Third, that the law does address both insurers by requiring them to hold consumer’s harmless from balanced bills and providers by barring them from sending balanced bills. And fourth, that the laws adopt some kind of a payment standard. Uh, either a rule to determine payment from insurance provider or an arbitration process to resolve payment disputes. Although these four conditions don’t guarantee complete protection for consumers, they combine to protect consumers in most emergency and network hospital settings that the states can address. But as you’ve already heard, state protections are limited by federal law, ERISA, which exempt states from state regulation’s, self insured, employer sponsored plans. 43:30 Chairman Frederica Wilson (FL): Under current law, who is responsible for making sure that a doctor or a hospital is in-network? Is it the doctor, the insurance company or the patient themselves? Frederick Isasi: Uh, chairman Wilson, thank you for the question. To be very clear, it is the patient themselves that has a responsibility and these negotiations are very complex. These are some of the most important and intense negotiations in the healthcare sector between a payer and a provider. There is absolutely no visibility for a consumer to understand what’s going on there. And so the notion that a consumer would walk into an emergency department and know, for example, that their doctor was out of network because that hospital could not reach agreement on an in-network provider for the ED is absurd, right? There’s no way they would ever know that. And similarly, if you walk in and you received surgery and it turns out your anesthesiologist isn’t in-network, there’s no way for the consumer to know that. Um, and I would like to say there’s some discussion about transparency and creating, you know, sort of provider directories. We’ve tried to do that in many instances. And what we know is that right now the healthcare sector has no real way to provide real actual insight to consumers about who’s in-network, and who’s out of network. I would-probably everybody in this room has tried at some point to figure out if a doctor’s in-network and out of network and as we know that system doesn’t work. So this idea that consumers can do research and find out what’s happened behind the scenes in these very intensive negotiations is absurd and it doesn’t work. 46:30 Professor Jack Hoadley: Provider directories can be notoriously inaccurate. One of the things that, even if they are accurate, that I’ve seen in my own family is you may be enrolled in Blue Cross-You ask your physician, "are they participating in Blue Cross? They say “yes”, but it turns out Blue Cross has a variety of different networks. This would be true of any insurance company, and so you know, you may be in this one particular flavor of the Blue Cross plan and your provider may not participate in that particular network. 47:30 Christen Linke Young: Notice isn’t enough here. Even if a consumer had perfect information, which is not a reasonable expectation, but even if they did have perfect information, they can’t do anything with that information. They can’t go across town to get their anesthesia and then come back to the hospital. Um, their-even with perfect information, they may be treated by out of network providers. And so we need to set a standard that limits how much providers can be paid in these out of network scenarios that makes it sort of less attractive for providers to remain out of network. And so instead, they are subject to more normal market conditions. 1:01:25 Rep. Phil Roe (TN): I’ve had my name in networks that I wasn’t in. That you-that you use, and many of those unscrupulous networks, will use that too to get people to sign up because this doctor, my doctor is in there when you’re really not. 1:10:25 Frederick Isasi: Um, there is a concept here, which is, what does in network mean, right? When you sit down with your husband or your partner and decide what kind of insurance do we want for our kids, right? We want to make sure that they can go to the ED if they’re playing soccer, they get hurt, all those sorts of things. The question is when you make that decision and you say, "Oh, look, this hospital is in-network, right? But what does that mean? If you can go to that hospital and all the services they’re providing are out of network, right? And I think as you’ve said, and as we’ve heard from other folks, the patient is not the person who should be responsible for that. It’s the folks who are negotiating. It’s the hospital, it’s the doc’s and the payers that should bear that responsibility. So let’s start by clarifying what does in-network mean, so that we have some way of making educated decisions about the insurance that we’re purchasing and putting our trust in. 1:29:30 Professor Jack Hoadley: There may be instances where consumers get bills sent to them, aren’t aware that they don’t need to pay them, so don’t start the process. And that goes to this sort of point of how do you really make sure it’s not the consumer’s responsibility to figure out that, oh, I don’t, by law, I don’t actually have to pay this bill. Now what do I do to make sure that happens? If you don’t know that, uh, that doesn’t really help you. And so what some other states like California has done, is to include a provision that says the provider really can’t send a bill and if they do end up sending a bill and the consumer pays it, there’s an obligation on that provider to refund the amount that was paid back to the consumer. And that’s something we haven’t seen in some of the other states. 1:39:15 Rep. Joe Courtney (CT): ERISA really has to be dealt with if we’re going to really have a comprehensive solution for America’s patients. Is that correct? Ilyse Schuman: That’s exactly right. Um, for the self funded plan too 60% of employer based plans that are not subject to these state laws, like in Connecticut or other states, we have to have a federal solution that addresses ERISA, so that we deal with this problem in a uniform nationwide way. Documentary: This is a clip from the documentary: 911, Toxic Legacy which aired on Canadian CBC 9/10.2006, September 10, 2006 Community Suggestions See Community Suggestions HERE. Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio)

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has agreed to meet with 9/11 first responders this week about reauthorizing the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, an advocate told The Post on Sunday. Feal said McConnell’s staff agreed to a Tuesday afternoon meeting with “myself and a couple of team leaders” in the wake of Jon Stewart’s recent shaming of the powerful Kentucky Republican.

DC 37 Safety & Health Dir. Veronica Foley on House panel passing the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund permanent funding legislation.

RUNDOWN Mitch & J-Ham tee off today's episode with reaction to the U.S. Open which featured a first-time major winner, a near-three peat, and some frowned-upon behavior by some of golf's biggest names. With three down and one to go, the guys update you on the standings of the Mitch Unfiltered Majors Challenge. Guests include 9/11 first responder Rob Serra, ESPN NBA writer Kevin Pelton, & author Anya Kamenetz. Later, they dive into the Anthony Davis trade & how the Lakers fit into the list of contenders next season. Also, the guys pull out their crystal ball to predict how Golden State management will handle the contracts of their two injured stars. Finally, Jason D. makes an announcement that will shake things up on Mitch Unfiltered. GUESTS Rob Serra | 9/11 first responder & advocate for the Victim Compensation Fund Kevin Pelton | Seattle-based NBA writer for ESPN  Anya Kamenetz | Author of The Art of Screen Time: How Your Family Can Balance Digital Media and Real Life TABLE OF CONTENTS 7:07 | How did Movie Mogul Max's mitigation letter for "the rolling stop" turn out? 15:40 | Episode 44 - let's name it! 18:28 | Gary Woodland keeps his composure down the stretch to fend off Brooks Koepka who played with what looked like a wad of tobacco in his mouth in the 119th U.S. Open.  25:36 | Golfers behaving badly: Patrick Reed releases inner Bo Jackson after errant shot and Spieth lashes out at caddy. 31:45 | Update on the Mitch Unfiltered Majors Challenge. 36:26 | Jon Stewart blasts Congress for not extending the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. 45:10 | 9/11 first responder Rob Serra shares his heroic story at Ground Zero and the lifechanging impact it has had nearly two decades later. 1:00:54 | ESPN's Kevin Pelton weighs in on the trade sending Anthony Davis to the Lakers for Ball, Ingram, Hart, and the number four pick in the draft. Will it pay off for LA?  1:14:49 | Author Anya Kamenetz discusses parenting strategies in the digital age outlined in her book The Art of Screen Time: How Your Family Can Balance Digital Media and Real Life. 1:26:20 | The Unibrow & King James unite in Lala-land - are they instant title favorites next season? 1:30:25 | The Warriors front office has a major dilemma on their hands...what's next for KD & Klay?  1:32:28 | J-Ham makes an announcement that will impact Mitch Unfiltered moving forward.

The 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund is being rationed due to a lack of funding and an approaching end date for the program. In this episode, learn about the shocking, growing number of 9/11 victims, understand why these victims are in danger of having to bear the financial consequences of their injuries on their own, and examine the details and status of H.R. 1327, the bill that would solve this problem for good. Jamie Kilstein joins Jen for the thank you's. _________________________________________________  Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Click here to contribute monthly or a lump sum via PayPal Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to: $CongressionalDish or Donation@congressionaldish.com Use your bank's online bill pay function to mail contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North, Number 4576, Crestview, FL 32536 Please make checks payable to Congressional Dish Thank you for supporting truly independent media! ____________________________________________________ Recommended Podcast Episodes  Jamie Kilstein Podcast  _____________________________________________________  Additional Reading Article: Schumer calls for Senate vote on 9/11 victim fund by Jordain Carney, The Hill, June 12, 2019. Bill: House Bill 1327 Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act by 116th Congress, June 12, 2019. Article: After emotional testimony from 9/11 responders, House panel votes to replenish victims fund by Devlin Barrett, Washington Post, June 12, 2019. Bill: House Bill 1327 extend authorization for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 through fiscal year 2090, and for other purposes.  by 116th Congress, February 25, 2019. Document: Federal Register Docket: 911 Victim Compensation Fund: Compensation of Claims by Department of Justice, October 3, 2018. Article: Former EPA head admits she was wrong to tell New Yorkers post-9/11 air was safe by Joanna Walters, The Guardian, September 10, 2016. Bill: House Bill 1786 James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act, 114th Congress, Congress.gov, June 11, 2015. Bill: House Bill 2029 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 by 114th Congress, Congress.gov, April 24, 2015. YouTube Video: 911 Airport Hijackers by Mcdlover4, March 23, 2012. Article: EPA Regulators Say They've Learned From 9/11 Blunders, but Critics Remain Unconvinced by Jeremy P. Jacobs, New York Times, September 9, 2011. Article: Ex-EPA Chief Is Ruled Not Liable for 9/11 Safety Claims by Robin Shulman, Washington Post, April 23, 2008. Document: EPA’s Response to the World Trade Center Collapse by Office of Inspector General, August 21, 2003. Bill: House Bill 2926 Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act by 107th Congress, Congress.gov, September 21, 2001.   Sound Clip Sources Hearing: The Need to Reauthorize the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, June 11, 2019 Watch on C-SPAN Witnesses: Rupa Bhattacharyya: Special Master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, Department of Justice Dr. Jaqueline Moline M.D.: Chair of Occupational Medicine, Epidemiology and Prevention at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Lila Nordstrom: 9/11 Survivor Anesa Maria St. Rose Henry: Widow of Candidus Henry, Construction Worker and 9/11 Responder Thomas Mohnal: Special Agent, FBI and 9/11 Responder Michael O’Connell: Retired Lieutenant and 9/11 Responder, FDNY Luis Alvarez: Retired Detective and 9/11 Responder, NYPD Jon Stewart: 9/11 Responders and Survivors Advocate    YouTube: This is a clip from the documentary: 911, Toxic Legacy which aired on Canadian CBC 9/10.2006, September 10, 2006 Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations   Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio)

Former Daily Show host Jon Stewart went to Capitol Hill this week to ask Congress for a permanent 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. Veteran homelessness sees some improvement thanks to federal vouchers. Could a self-declared Socialist ever win a general election? Plus, a look at the #ChurchToo movement at the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting. Libby Denkmann, veterans and military reporter at NPR member station KPCC, and Tonya Mosley, co-host of the KQED podcast Truth Be Told, join Sam to wrap up this week in news.

On Tuesday, comedian Jon Stewart was in DC to testify before the House Judiciary Committee, and his impassioned lecture to Members went viral in a matter of hours. Here to talk about the subject of his testimony, the reauthorization of the Sept. 11th Victim Compensation Fund, is Tom O'Connor, President of the FBI Agents Association and current FBI Special Agent. We cover the prolonged health issues from first responders in NYC, DC, and Shanksville, PA; the importance of the CDC's World Trade Center Health Program; and the need for permanent reauthorization of the Sept. 11th Victim Compensation Fund.

Jesse and Brittany discuss Popeye’s incoming blindness, Donald Trump’s interview with George Stephanopoulos, Donald Trump’s shady business dealings and likely ethical violations, the news of the week related to Jared Kushner, Elaine Chao, and Mitch McConnell, and Jon Stewart’s testimony regarding the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON: http://www.TeamDollemore.com Get your DOLLEMORE/PAGE... The post #519 – “Blind Popeye, Trump vs. Stephanopoulos, Elaine Chao and Mitch McConnell’s Shadiness, and Jon Stewart’s Advocacy.” appeared first on I Doubt It with Dollemore Podcast.

This ain't your everyday episode of CULTURE BINGE. Jared geeks out about the much-welcome Keanussiance and Final Fantasy VII remake, while Alec and Surbhi explore deep fakes, 9/11 compensation and so much more!   Email us your questions, thoughts, and random brain farts at: culturebinge@wisecrack.co Leave us a voicemail, which we may feature on the air: +1 (213) 534-8807 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:02 Slaps and Chaps 00:01:26 Deep Fakes 00:05:23 Staged Snake Attack Videos 00:06:38 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund 00:08:52 Final Fantasy VII Remake 00:13:03 Google Stadia 00:24:18 Gwyneth Paltrow 00:30:03 The Keanussaince 00:38:19 Celebrities in Video Games 00:48:19 Japanese Grief Phonebooth 00:52:46 Mailbag 00:53:34 Educational Video Games 00:58:41 Incels 01:04:42 Outro © 2019 Wisecrack

Jon Stewart went viral yesterday as he passionately begged Congress to permanently authorize the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. He's a good man and I was really touched by his appeal, but unfortunately, he's wrong. The victims who desperately need help are being held hostage by politicians pursuing their own ends, because that's how the government operates. That is the nature of the beast, whether you like it or not. So stop relying on the government to solve your problems. Do you feel obligated to support 9/11 victims? Then remove the middle man and directly support them with your own money. Support the show.

Jon Stewart was on Capitol Hill today once again joining 9/11 first responders to press Congress to renew the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. The congressional subcommittee heard from first responders like Luis Alvarez, who shamed Congress for making him come down to remind them they promised to “never forget.”Support the show.

In the days after September 11, 2001, Kenneth Feinberg took on an unenviable task. Congress had created the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, and it was his job to figure out who should receive money and how much they should get. But much of his time was spent doing something else: listening to people’s stories. Nearly two decades later, he’s still the person we turn to in the wake of our worst catastrophes.

In the days after September 11, 2001, Kenneth Feinberg took on an unenviable task. Congress had created the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, and it was his job to figure out who should receive money and how much they should get. But much of his time was spent doing something else: listening to people’s stories. Nearly two decades later, he’s still the person we turn to in the wake of our worst catastrophes.

New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento joined 9/11 responders and survivors and members of Congress in Washington DC on February 25th to unveil the Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Ensuring that all 9/11 first responders and survivors who have been injured by the toxins at the crash sites get their full compensation is a priority of organized labor. In this episode, we hear from former NYC firefighter Rob Serra, who like so many others, suffers from a long list of illnesses as a result of responding to ground zero. Learn more about the Victim Compensation Fund at www.renew911health.org Learn more about the Ray Pfeifer Foundation at www.theraypfeiferfoundation.org

After being denied help for years, 90,000 9/11 Responders and Survivors from around the country who went to the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the Shanksville crash site are now getting medical monitoring, treatment and compensation for their injuries. They are in every State and in 434 out of 435 Congressional Districts. On February 25, 2019 bipartisan legislation “Never Forget the Heroes: Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act was introduced. The Victim Compensation Fund is a priority of the New York State AFL-CIO. NYS AFL-CIO Political Director Ryan Delgado explains who is behind the bill, what it will do and why it’s so important. Learn more about the Victim Compensation Fund at www.renew911health.org Learn more about Union Strong and receive your free union strong hat for subscribing at unionstrongNY.com 

Michael Rozen, the Superstar Lawyer, Special Master, International Man of Mystery, and Entrepreneur joins the show to share his experience settling some the most challenging disputes in American history, including the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001, BP’s Gulf Coast Compensation Fund, the Jerry Sandusky Scandal, and more. Hear how to solve complex problems, the differences between being a lawyer and a CEO, the importance of having a mentor, and how to maintain an incredible work ethic. Connect with Michael at TRGPcap.com

Listen NowSoon after the 9/11 attacks the Congress created the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF).  Initially, the VCF was created to award moneys to 9/11 victims or their families.   Awards were made through 2004.  In 201o1 the Congress passed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, named after a 34-year old NYC policeman who died in 2006 of 9/11 related illness, was created to compensate first responders and individuals who later developed 9/11-related health problems including numerous forms of cancer and PTSD.   The fund was re-authorized in 2015 by President Obama for five years (it will will sunset in December 2020).  Because of the ever-increasing number of 9/11-related illnesses the VCF Special Master, Rupa Bhattacharyya, recently noted the fund could run out of moneys before all claims are resolved.  Ms. Bhattacharyya recently posted a Federal Register notice soliciting comments asking the public how the remaining funds should be allocated.  During this 28 minute interview, Mr. Barasch discusses his firms 9/11 experience.  Located at ground zero, half his employees have since succumbed to cancer or are currently battling the disease.  He provides an explanation why the EPA came to determine the air quality at ground zero was safe (it definitively was not), provides an overview of the VCF and the related World Trade Center Health Program, his firms work in representing 9/11 victims seeking VCF settlements, efforts to solicit the Congress to further fund the VCF and the prospects of a wrongful death civil suit filed against the Saudi Arabian government (15 of the 19 9/11 terrorists were Saudis).  Michael Barasch is the Managing Partner of Barasch & McGarry, lawyers for the 9/11 community.  His firm has represented over 11,000 victims of 9/11 in their pursuit of a VCF settlement.  Ms. Barasch is a graduate of Fordham Law School.  For more on Barasch & McGarry go to: https://www.personalinjuryjustice.com/ Barasch and McGarry's VCF-related work can be found at: 911victimfund.comThe Department of Justice's VCF info is at: www.vcf.gov  & DOJ's VCF helpline is: 1.855.885.1555. Concerning the Federal Register notice "September 11th Victim Compensation Fund: Compensation of Claims" (comments due December 3), see:  https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/10/03/2018-21490/september-11th-victim-compensation-fund-compensation-of-claims  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thehealthcarepolicypodcast.com

Recorded in June 2017 - Sheila Birnbaum ’65 is currently a partner at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, where she practices primarily int he areas of products liability, toxic torts, and insurance coverage litigation and is co-chair of the firm's Global Product Liability and Mass Torts Practice. She was previously a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and has also served as a professor of law and associate dean at NYU Law. Her many professional achievements include arguing successfully three times before the US Supreme Court and serving as special master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund as well as chair of the New York State Commission on Legislative, Judicial, and Executive Compensation. She is the recipient of multiple awards, including the ABA's Margret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award and NYU Law's Judge Edward Weinfeld Award. In this podcast, Sheila Birnbaum was interviewed by her nieces Sara Lubetsky and Lauren Lubetsky.

In today's Federal Newscast, the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General conducts an audit to see how well DOJ is handling the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.

Truth Foretold, Specious Journalism, And Spurious Assertions:The Case of Jonathan Bernstein, Bloomberg View, and The Charlotte Observer While it is true that I was “booted” by pro-war Democrats who worked in concert with like-minded Republicans, your assertion of my being booted for “peddling conspiracies” deserves a deeper look. My booting, by the way, resulted in the GOP takeover of my home State of Georgia, an outcome that seemingly makes both pro-war Democrats and Republicans (now called “globalists”) comfortable. Therefore, I want to take a deeper look at what I did “peddle:” 1. That Presidential candidate George W. Bush worked with his Florida Governor brother, Jeb, to orchestrate election theft in the 2000 Presidential election. Now that the public has caught up with the facts that I put on the table in 2000 and 2001 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdPhXuTzQeI), this position is supported by evidence that is available to all;2. That President George W. Bush received warnings about an impending attack on the US (http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/11/cia-directors-documentary-911-bush-213353) and actively blocked an investigation (http://edition.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/01/29/inv.terror.probe/) into the September 11, 2001 attacks. Now that the public has caught up with the facts that I put on the table in 2001, this position is supported by evidence that is available to all;3. That the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (https://www.vcf.gov/faq.html) was really set up to thwart 9/11 wrongful death lawsuits because it prevented victims' survivors from getting justice in US Courts; I felt that victims and victims' survivors should be able to sue the culprits as well as receive support from the Fund. The President recently vetoed legislation that would allow lawsuits to move forward against Saudi Arabia and Congress just overrode his veto. Fourteen years later, I am pleased that, once again, my position has been supported by evidence that has been clearly available to all for at least a decade;4. That the US was not justified in attacking Iraq in 2003. The most thorough investigation into the 2003 decision to go to war against Iraq is the Chilcot Report (http://www.iraqinquiry.org.uk/the-report/) which found that war was not the last option and that U.S. allegations of Saddam Hussein possessing weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in Iraq were not justified. Now that the public has caught up with the facts that I put on the table in 2002, this position is supported by evidence that is available to all;5. That the then-Secretary of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff, failed to perform his job during Hurricane Katrina and that thousands needlessly died because he failed the Gulf States and the country. After joining with Republicans and writing a Congressional Report on the subject that is available to the public (www.nola.com/katrina/pdf/mainreport.pdf), my position is supported by evidence that is available to all;6. That a specific allegation had been made to my Congressional Office that thousands of bodies had been dumped in Louisiana swamps after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Now, we know that 9/11 human remains were dumped in a landfill (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/29/us/panel-recommends-more-oversight-and-training-at-dover-mortuary.html?_r=0) with such action having been deemed “dereliction of duty,” so who has conducted an independent investigation into what happened in Louisiana, in particular, with respect to body disposal?7. That racism exists in Capitol Hill Police Department similar to what exists in other police departments around the U.S. and that I was a victim of that discrimination after I supported a lawsuit filed by Black police officers after one of their superior officers used the word “nigger.” Black police officers have been waiting fifteen years for justice and recently held a demonstration in support of their claim (http://www.rollcall.com/news/policy/former-capitol-police-call-attention-discrimination-lawsuits). One need only hear the moving testimony of the U.S. Senate's lone Black GOP Member and his interactions with the Capitol Hill Police (http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/floor-speeches/tim-scott-black-republican-emotional-powerful-dramatic-race-speech-targeted-capitol-police) to understand that my experience was surely possible. Now, again—after the fact— that the public has caught up with the evidence that I put on the table in 2006, my position is supported by evidence that is available to all, sadly now most of all, the family of Keith Lamont Scott and all of those young people who were just recently in Charlotte's streets. If only the press had decided to investigate my assertions rather than castigate me for making them! Maybe things would be far different than they are today in Iraq, Libya, Louisiana, and elsewhere. But, instead of investigation of the inconvenient or unpleasant facts that I repeatedly put on the table, the response was a frenzy of specious journalism and spurious assertions where true journalism was needed. Your column, with mention of my name, is an example of that. Such “reporting” is precisely why Trump's attacks on the media resonate so well with the American and global public. The polling data on the public perception of the U.S. media is a damning indictment of the role the media has played in this country for too many years. That is why the U.S. public more and more now seeks its information from foreign media outlets, the internet, “alternative” media, and less and less from “newspapers” like yours.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/1198501/advertisement

You’ve made it to Day 3 of our Listen Up! bootcamp week. Thanks for sticking with us. If you’re here for the first time, it’s not too late. Here’s how to participate. The Challenge: Take three minutes of silence by yourself. Do it before before you head off to work, or before an important conversation. Tune in to your breathing or the layers of sound you hear, like the drip of the coffee maker, or the traffic outside. Silence gives your ears and your mind a chance to recalibrate. So often we scramble to fill up that space with something, anything. But the best listeners know when others just need to be heard. It’s something Ken Feinberg relies on to do his job. He’s the lawyer and mediator who oversaw the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. He had a similar role after the massacre at Virginia Tech, the Sandy Hook shootings, and the Boston Marathon bombing.  Feinberg has listened to countless stories from victims' families — stories full of grief, anger, resentment — and then has the difficult task of having to put a dollar amount on that loss. After one exchange with a man who had lost a son during 9/11, Feinberg learned an important lesson: "Without thinking, I said to this man, 'Mr. Jones, This is just terrible. I know how you feel.' He looked at me, tears coming down his cheeks. He said, 'Mr. Feinberg, you have a tough job. But I have some friendly advice.  Don’t tell anybody like me that you know how I feel. Mr. Feinberg, you have no idea how I feel.'"  Truly empathetic listening, Feinberg says, is not just about saying the right thing, but knowing when the other person just needs to be heard. And one thing that helps give people an empathetic ear? A little solitude. "I think contemplation and silence while you sort out life’s dilemmas is a positive. It certainly is for me," Feinberg says. So take a breather. Even better take a few. The more often the better. How hard is it to find your three minutes? Where does your mind go during that time? And most important: does taking three minutes help you in the conversations you’re having today?Tweet us @onlyhuman or leave a voicemail at (803) 820-WNYC.  

Oct. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Bloomberg View columnist Barry Ritholtz interviews Kenneth Feinberg, who is best known for serving as the Special Master of the Federal September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001. They discuss grief and compensation. This interview aired on Bloomberg Radio.

Kenneth Feinberg is best known for the work that he did as the Special Master of the Victim Compensation Fund that was established by Congress to distribute billions of taxpayer dollars to those who were either injured or lost loved ones during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Since then he has presided over the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund to compensate the victims of the Virginia Tech shootings, the BP Oil Spill Fund, the Aurora Victim Relief Fund, and the Boston Marathon Fund. Currently, Feinberg is working with General Motors to vet the claims that are now being made as a result of a defective ignition switch that has so far been blamed for at least 13 deaths. In January, Feinberg spoke with UC Hastings law professor Evan Lee about the challenges he's faced. Series: "Legally Speaking" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 28448]

Kenneth Feinberg is best known for the work that he did as the Special Master of the Victim Compensation Fund that was established by Congress to distribute billions of taxpayer dollars to those who were either injured or lost loved ones during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Since then he has presided over the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund to compensate the victims of the Virginia Tech shootings, the BP Oil Spill Fund, the Aurora Victim Relief Fund, and the Boston Marathon Fund. Currently, Feinberg is working with General Motors to vet the claims that are now being made as a result of a defective ignition switch that has so far been blamed for at least 13 deaths. In January, Feinberg spoke with UC Hastings law professor Evan Lee about the challenges he's faced. Series: "Legally Speaking" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 28448]

Special Master of the Federal September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 Kenneth Feinberg discusses how the law values human life and how compensation can reflect self-worth in the eyes of the recipient. Kenneth Feinberg is interviewed by Steve Clemmons.

Just days after the devastation of September 11, 2001, the federal government created the Victim Compensation Fund, a fund designed to help grieving families get through the tragedy. From this tragedy a documentary titled, Out of the Ashes: 9/11 was born. On Lawyer2Lawyer, attorney and co-host Bob Ambrogi welcomes executive producer, writer and co-director of this documentary, Marilyn J. Berger from the Seattle University School of Law and Debra Brown Steinberg, partner with the firm, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, to get an in-depth look at the making of the incredibly compelling documentary. This documentary examines the legal, moral, and ethical ramifications of the Victim Compensation Fund and its impact on the civil justice system.