Podcasts about victims compensation fund

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

The Jeffrey Epstein Victims Compensation Fund has paid out over 120 million dollars to the survivors as of September of this year and only three cases remain against it. While that seems like a very large sum of money, when you look at it in context with the payout that the USVI received, things start to come into focus.In this episode, we take a look at the money paid out by the compensation fund and also at lawsuits that the estate remains embroiled in.(commercial at 7:09)to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Over $150 Million Paid to Jeffrey Epstein Victims by His Estate | Inside EditionBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

The Jeffrey Epstein Victims Compensation Fund has paid out over 120 million dollars to the survivors as of September of this year and only three cases remain against it. While that seems like a very large sum of money, when you look at it in context with the payout that the USVI received, things start to come into focus.In this episode, we take a look at the money paid out by the compensation fund and also at lawsuits that the estate remains embroiled in.(commercial at 7:09)to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Over $150 Million Paid to Jeffrey Epstein Victims by His Estate | Inside EditionBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

An emergency bill in Connecticut will fund heating assistance programs this winter. More folks are enrolling in the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. And environmental advocates push for more green spaces in Connecticut's urban areas.

The Jeffrey Epstein Victims Compensation Fund has paid out over 120 million dollars to the survivors as of September of this year and only three cases remain against it. While that seems like a very large sum of money, when you look at it in context with the payout that the USVI received, things start to come into focus.In this episode, we take a look at the money paid out by the compensation fund and also at lawsuits that the estate remains embroiled in.(commercial at 7:09)to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Over $150 Million Paid to Jeffrey Epstein Victims by His Estate | Inside Edition

The crawl through the sludge known as Jeffrey Epstein's criminal enterprise continues in this episode as we take a look at th expedited motion to establish the victims compensation fund. to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:DisplayFile.aspx (vicourts.org)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/5080327/advertisement

The crawl through the sludge known as Jeffrey Epstein's criminal enterprise continues in this episode as we take a look at th expedited motion to establish the victims compensation fund. to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:DisplayFile.aspx (vicourts.org)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/5003294/advertisement

On tonight's edition of the evening update, we take a look at the compensation fund and hear from the person who administered it and how the monetary amounts were determined.(Commercial at 25:47)To contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comSource:https://www.insider.com/inside-jeffrey-epstein-victims-compensation-program-fund-2022-1This 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/5003294/advertisement

On tonight's edition of the evening update, we take a look at the compensation fund and hear from the person who administered it and how the monetary amounts were determined.(Commercial at 25:47)To contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comSource:https://www.insider.com/inside-jeffrey-epstein-victims-compensation-program-fund-2022-1This 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/5003294/advertisement

This week Mary and Alex speak with Barasch & McGarry Partner, Sara Director as well as 9/11 Survivor diagnosed with uterine cancer, Karen Smith-Hagman to discuss the World Trade Center Health Program recently naming Uterine and Endometrial cancer to the list of conditions covered by the Victims Compensation Fund. #Podcast #Spotify #Anchor #research #advocacy #cancer #911 #compensation #BaraschandMcGarry #uterinecancer #endometrialcancer #MemorialSloanKettering #WorldTradeCenter  Stay Connected  Email Us: downthereaware@gmail.com Instagram:@downthereaware  Facebook: Down There Aware  Twitter: @downthereaware Pinterest: Down There Aware TikTok: Down There Aware Episode Links https://www.911victims.com Episode Highlights Intro [0:13] Welcome Back! [1:21] Guest introductions [1:29] Uterine cancer [2:22] 9/11 Bill: Victim Compensation [2:42] World Trade Center Health Program [4:10] Compensation [4:20] Educated and informed doctors [4:32] “Never forget” [5:40] Men vs Women [6:15] 69 qualifying conditions [8:06] Karen's story [8:50] Uterine/Endometrial cancer diagnosis [10:35] Memorial Sloan Kettering [10:45] 5 years NED [13:15] Initial symptoms [16:10] Transvaginal ultrasound [18:40] Total hysterectomy [20:51] Chemotherapy [23:01] Adding uterine cancer [27:16] Accommodations for employees with cancer [29:27] 1 in 3 people get cancer [30:31] Who is eligible for compensation? [33:35] Providers who KNOW what to look for [37:23] Autoimmune and heart conditions [38:57] Incredible work [39:34} Who to contact [40:10] Thank you! [42:58] Summary Keywords  Podcast, Spotify, Anchor, research, advocacy, cancer, 911, compensation,  Barasch and McGarry, uterine cancer, endometrial cancer, Memorial Sloan Kettering, World Trade Center --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/downthereaware/message

Only 10% of eligible civilians have taken advantage of the benefits from the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. New Haven will expand their crisis team. Wesleyan University will end legacy admissions at the school. And how Stony Brook researchers will document the status of the region's climate goals.

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.

In this look back episode, we head back in time to April 2020 and the first reports of survivors getting compensated through the fund. When all was said and told, over 125 million dollars was paid out to those who were abused by Epstein but even with that amount being doled out, one must ask how is it possible that only 1/6 of the estate goes to the people who were wronged the most? (Commercial at 11:13)To contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/11468592/jeffrey-epstein-estate-settlement-victim-compensation-fund/

In this look back episode, we head back in time to April 2020 and the first reports of survivors getting compensated through the fund. When all was said and told, over 125 million dollars was paid out to those who were abused by Epstein but even with that amount being doled out, one must ask how is it possible that only 1/6 of the estate goes to the people who were wronged the most? (Commercial at 11:13)To contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/11468592/jeffrey-epstein-estate-settlement-victim-compensation-fund/

In this episode we look back at how the Government ended up with the lion's share of the money from the compensation fund. (Commercial at 13:40)To contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comSource:https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article248960184.html

In this episode we look back at how the Government ended up with the lion's share of the money from the compensation fund. (Commercial at 13:40)To contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comSource:https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article248960184.html

Micheal Keaton is our big selling point this week, he leads in this story of the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. Let's not forget about Stanley Tucci too!

In the spring of 2019, former host of The Daily Show Jon Stewart gave an impassioned speech during his testimony to the U.S. Judicial Committee, where he criticized Congress for not providing aid to thousands of sick and dying 9/11 First Responders. Jon's speech went viral almost immediately.  However, the journey that brought him to that fateful hearing began eighteen years earlier by the most unlikely of people: a construction worker named John Feal. For nearly two decades, John Feal dedicated his life fighting for the rights of First Responders and volunteers who came to help in the 9/11 rescue and recovery operations. John wasn't just an advocate, he was also a fellow responder who was injured working on the pile. Together, John Feal and Jon Stewart put an international spotlight on the injustices being served to the entire 9/11 community. Their relentless activism resulted in the U.S. Senate passing the Zadroga Act and Victims Compensation Fund, a health and compensation bill that gives medical and financial assistance to thousands of terminally ill 9/11 First Responders. NO RESPONDERS LEFT BEHIND follows John and Jon over the span of several years during their grassroots social advocacy campaigns. These two unsung heroes inspire and encourage a whole new generation of people to dedicate their lives to activism. John and Jon never took no for an answer. Instead, they fought tirelessly for years so that all the heroes of 9/11 were taken care of. NO RESPONDERS LEFT BEHIND shines a light on a group of grass root social activists who took on the government and won—simply because it was the right thing to do. Director Rob Lindsay stops by to talk about the protracted and insanely frustrating journey for the men and women who devoted their waking life to securing the legislation to provide appropriate medical care, as well as how the making of No Responders Left Behind changed him. For news and updates go to: paradoxpictures.net/no-responders-left-behind

A short, spoiler free review on Worth (2020), directed by Sara Colangelo, starring Michael Keaton, Amy Ryan, Stanley Tucci, Tate Donovan, and Shunori Ramanathan. Washington D.C. attorney Ken Feinberg, is appointed Special Master over the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund, and is tasked with determining what each life lost in the 9/11 attacks, is worth. Rated: PG-13 REEL Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 Time: 1hr 58mins Viewable On: Netflix Show Notes: • You can reach me at reelfilmpkc@gmail.com or on twitter @reelfilmpkc • You can find the host on Twitter @SoulO_327 • If you're enjoying REEL Film Reviewed and want to support the show, visit my Linktree Site - https://linktr.ee/REEL_Film_Reviewed - Your support is extremely appreciated! • Become a member of our community by joining our Discord. You can converse via text or voice channels, network, and promote in many different channels! Join here - hey come check out Discord with me https://discord.gg/HZZTW74xhZ - thank you for listening!

James and Al examine the legacy of September 11th by welcoming the Special Master of the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund, Ken Feinberg, and his law partner Camille Biros.  Portrayed in the Netflix hit movie “Worth” by Amy Ryan and Michael Keaton Overcoming the daunting challenge of making sure the families received the right and just compensation.  What did it take?  And is something like it even possible today? Email your questions to James and Al at politicswarroom@gmail.com or tweet them to @politicon.   Make sure to include your city, we love to hear where you're from! Get More From This Week's Guest: Ken Feinberg: Website | Netflix's “Worth” | Author Camille Biros: Website | Netflix's “Worth”  Please Support This Week's Sponsor: Magic Spoon Get $5 off your order at magicspoon.com when you use our promo code: WARROOM

The deadline to register for certain benefits from the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund is tomorrow. Will we be going back to wearing masks again? Connecticut's attorney general is still in the fight against Purdue Pharma, and the new vaccine mandate for government workers in New York.

All Local 12pm July 14, 2021 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

As states across the nation open up their economies, we are just beginning to get a sense of the toll on the families of essential workers, like nurses and firefighters, who either died in the pandemic or maybe permanently disabled from their bout with COVID19. It should come as no surprise that the members of Congress from our region that led the charge for the passage of the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund are teaming up to introduce the Pandemic Heroes Compensation Act. WBGO News Director Doug Doyle chats with WBGO contributor Bob Hennelly who is also a reporter with the Chief Leader, where he covers City Hall, transportation and emergency services. DOYLE: Thanks for joining us Bob. So, this would be a national program and who would it cover? HENNELLY: It would indeed. We are talking about health care workers, first responders, postal workers, grocery workers, pretty much anyone who had to leave their home to go to work while their state was under an emergency stay at home order.

A Career Retrospective Conversation with Amy Ryan, currently starring in Lost Girls, on March 5, 2020. Moderated by Mara Webster. Amy Ryan is an Academy Award nominated actress, well-known for her work on the big and small screen, as well as her Tony-nominated work on stage. Ryan will next be seen in the Netflix Independent film, LOST GIRLS, which premiered at Sundance in January 2020 to critical acclaim. The Liz Garbus-directed film recounts a true story of the “Craigslist Killer,” who used the waterfront roadside on Long Island's South Shore as the dumping ground for his victims. Amy Ryan stars as ‘Mari Gilbert’ who tries to uncover what happened to her daughter following her sudden disappearance. LOST GIRLS will officially premiere on March 13, 2020. Amy Ryan also starred in a second film premiere at Sundance this year; WORTH, starring opposite Michael Keaton and Stanley Tucci. Keaton and Ryan play famed attorneys Ken Feinberg and Camille Biros who oversaw the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. Additional past film credits include the critically-acclaimed Amazon film, BEAUTIFUL BOY, opposite Steve Carrell, Timothée Chalamet and Maura Tierney and directed by Felix van Groeningen. She was also seen in Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Oscar®-winning BIRDMAN, for which she received the 2015 SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in A Motion Picture, STRANGE BUT TRUE, CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE, LOUDER THAN BOMBS, Steven Spielberg's BRIDGE OF SPIES, GOOSEBUMPS, DON VERDEAN, and ABUNDANT ACREAGE AVAILABLE. Ryan is perhaps best known on the big screen for her performance in Ben Affleck’s GONE BABY GONE, for which she was recognized with Academy Award, Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress. She also won numerous Best Supporting Actress awards for this role, including those from the National Board of Review, the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the New York Film Critics Circle and the L.A. Film Critics. Her other film credits include LATE NIGHT opposite Mindy Kaling, Emma Thompson and Reid Scott, BREATHE IN with Guy Pearce and Felicity Jones, CLEAR HISTORY directed by Greg Mottola and co-starring with Larry David, DEVIL’S KNOT directed by Atom Egoyan and co-starring with Colin Firth, Tom McCarthy's WIN WIN, MOSTER TRUCKS, THE INFILTRATOR, ESCAPE PLAN, BOB FUNK, THE MISSING PERSON, GREEN ZONE, JACK GOES BOATING, CHANGELING, BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU’RE DEAD, CAPOTE, DAN IN REAL LIFE, WAR OF THE WORLDS, KEANE, and YOU CAN COUNT ON ME. Amy is also widely acclaimed for her work on the small screen, including her memorable portrayals as Holly Flax on THE OFFICE, Adele on IN TREATMENT and Officer Beatrice ‘Beadie’ Russell on THE WIRE. Additional television credits for Ryan include HIGH MAITENANCE, ROBOT CHICKEN, BROAD CITY, CLEAR HISTORY, MILDRED PIERCE, KIDNAPPED, LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT, M.O.N.Y., AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, LAW & ORDER, THIRD WATCH, HACK, BASEBALL WIVES, 100 CENTRE STREET, LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT, HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET, THE NAKED TRUTH, ER, and I’LL FLY AWAY. On stage, Amy Ryan had her Broadway debut in Wendy Wasserstein’s The Sisters Rosensweig. She received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her work in the 2000 production of Uncle Vanya, and she received her second Tony nod for her portrayal of ‘Stella’ in A Streetcar Named Desire. Ryan has also appeared in London’s West End during Neil LaBute’s The Distance From Here and Lisa D’Amour’s critically-acclaimed play Detroit, directed by Anne Kauffman at Playwrights Horizons.

Attorney Michael Barasch wants to hear from anyone working, living or going to school near Ground Zero on September 11, 2001. He says the Victims Compensation Fund and World Trade Center Health Care Program is not only for first responders.

In a story that inspired the nation, New York City police detective Lou Alvarez advocated in support of the first responders who served at Ground Zero following the 911 attack.  Helen and Jerry were honored to sit down with his brother Phil Alvarez, and talk about the Alvarez's family's journey. As a veteran detective with the Suffolk County Police Department, Phil knows the meaning of duty and sacrifice.  His brother made the ultimate sacrifice, walking through treatment for stage 4 cancer, and finally, time in hospice care. Phil shows his dedication to carrying on Lou's legacy by reaching out to any first responders that might be experiencing health effects after working with rescue and recovery efforts in New York.  If you served at Ground Zero and need information about benefits available to you, contact Phil at (855) 585-1399.  You can find additional information on the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund website  or The Feal Good Foundation.  The Heart of Hospice salutes the first responders that serve our country and we honor the legacy of Lou and Phil Alvarez.  You are The Heart of Hospice.

Executive Director of DASAS Rose Ludwick brings information on the Crime Victims Compensation Fund in this episode of I'm Not In An Abusive Relationship. The Crime Victim Services Commission (CVSC) Compensation Program may help crime victims, who sustained a personal physical injury, and their immediate families with the financial costs of crime. Costs that may be eligible include medical treatment, counseling, funerals, crime scene clean-up, grief counseling and loss of income or support not paid by other sources. Contact Information:Victims-Only Toll-Free Number: 1-877-251-7373Fax: 517-373-2439Email: MDHHS-Michigancrimevictim@michigan.gov   If you need help, please call our 24-hour hotline at 800-828-2023 or visit https://www.dasasmi.org/ for resources. I'm Not In An Abusive Relationship published a new episode every Wednesday morning at 8:00am EST. Please subscribe on your podcast player of choice or sign up for our email list for new episodes each week. We appreciate reviews and social shares, to help us spread the word on domestic and sexual abuse awareness.

Welcome to the LI Law Podcast.  We feature legal issues and developments which affect Long Island residents and business owners.  The podcast focuses on Long Island law topics and includes greater New York court and legislative happenings.  If you are one of the approximate 8 million residents of Long Island (Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and Kings counties), or want to enjoy all law-related matters on Long Island, this podcast is for you! Your host, Zehava Schechter, is an attorney admitted to the New York Bar for 30 years.  She concentrates her private practice in estate planning, administration, and litigation; real estate law; contracts, and business formation and dissolution.  If you like this podcast, you may want to look for Zehava's monthly articles in the Malverne/West Hempstead Herald and the Beacon newspaper. Our guest on this 20th episode is Carl Gerrato, Community Activist for Nassau County Legislative District 8, which includes Elmont, Franklin Square, and West Hempstead, as well as Town of Hempstead sections of the Villages of Bellerose, Bellerose Terrace, Floral Park, and New Hyde Park and the Village of Stewart Manor.  Carl is also Trustee of the Franklin Square Public Library, Board Member of the Central Nassau Rotary Club, a Nassau County Corrections Officer and former Volunteer Firefighter, and a 9/11 hero! Carl discusses his experiences as a Nassau County Corrections Officer and suggestions for prison reform, as well as the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. Contact information for Carl Gerrato: Telephone: CarlGerrato@gmail.com Thank you, Carl, and welcome to the podcast! Please contact us with your general questions or comments at LILawPodcast@gmail.com.  W. Zehava Schechter, Esq. specializes in estate planning, administration and litigation; real estate law; and contracts and business law. Her law practice is located on Long Island. No podcast is a substitute for competent legal advice.  Please consult with the attorney of your choice concerning specific legal questions you may have.  

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

This week, the clash of the Democratic political titans finally happened in Detroit. The leading candidates fighting to take on Donald Trump in 2020 battled on two massive nights in Detroit. And Angry Americans is channeling our inner Joe Rogan, Max Kellerman and Tyler Durden and breaking down all the political fighting from a unique, informed and independent viewpoint. Paul Rieckhoff (@Paul Rieckhoff) leads the charge and is joined by Democrat whisperer Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08). Tommy is one of the hosts of the groundbreaking podcast sensation, Pod Save America (@PodSaveAmerica, hosts Pod Save the World and is a founder of Crooked Media with Jon Favreau and Jon Lovett. He evaluates the candidates, takes us deep inside the strategies and tactics of the Democratic leaders and pulls back the curtain of debate prep from his experiences working directly alongside President Obama as only an experienced insider can. We also check in with 9/11 First Responder Rob Serra, just after leaving the White House Rose Garden signing of the historic 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund extension bill--an issue we’ve covered closely for months. We dive into the fighting spirit and resurgence of Detroit and as in every episode, Paul has a recommendation for how to turn your righteous anger into positive action. This rocking new episode of Angry Americans is supported by the innovators at Mizzen+Main (@MizzenAndMain). Mizzen+Main is an American company headquartered in Texas that makes awesomely comfortable dress shirts on the planet. Shirts that are must for every man now that the heat of summer has hit. Check out Mizzen+Main’s website at www.Comfortable.AF Yes, that’s really their website, Use code ANGRYAMERICANS at check-out to get $10 off a dress shirt now. Mizzen and Main. It’s never felt better to look your best. Join the movement. Download the pod now. And see behind-the-scenes videos with guests Sarah Jessica Parker, Friday Night Lights Director Peter Berg, NBC’s Willie Geist, get some cool merch, check out what’s next and more at AngryAmericans.us. If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention. Angry Americans is connecting, uniting and empowering people of all backgrounds nationwide and is powered by Righteous Media.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael is tired of the misinformation being spread about the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. He supports it for first responders, but not others. And, he wants to know what you think by going to his Facebook page. Antifa wants a civil war, but MoveOn.org says it’s Donald Trump pushing for a civil war. House Judiciary Committee continues to push for impeachment. There is now a cooling gel for your bra. Men​ think gifts. Some are suggesting we refreeze the Arctic to stop climate change. It doesn’t make sense to Michael. A killer amoeba is on the loose. But no reason to be scared. An asteroid passes earth and astronomers didn’t see it coming?

Purple states can swing either way and often end up deciding our elections. So, it's worth asking what people in those states think about the issues dominating politics. Heritage Action for America, the sister organization of The Heritage Foundation, recently carried out a wide survey of Americans in five purple states, asking them about immigration, health care, political correctness, and much more. In this episode, our editor-in-chief Kate Trinko sits down with Nate Rodgers from Heritage Action to unpack it all.We also cover the following stories:-President Trump ramps up his war of words with Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings-California shooting leaves three dead, including a 6-year-old-9/11 Victims Compensation Fund gets extended to 2092The Daily Signal podcast is available on Ricochet, iTunes, SoundCloud, Google Play, and Stitcher. All of our podcasts can be found at DailySignal.com/podcasts. If you like what you hear, please leave a review. You can also leave us a message at 202-608-6205 or write us at letters@dailysignal.com. Enjoy the show! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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)

U.S. Rep. Peter King speaks to Jeff and Celeste about the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund and assistance for survivors of the World Trade Center attack. Then NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams discusses the latest on the Central Park Five case, followed by your calls.

This is Angry Americans on drugs. Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) explores the roller coaster history of the drug reform movement and the rapidly-changing landscape of drug policy with the visionary leader Rolling Stone describes as “the driving force for the legalization of marijuana in America.” As the Presidential candidates and the national political landscape on drugs shift by the day, Ethan Nadelmann (@EthanNadelmann) has been called America’s real Drug Czar. He is the mastermind behind the biggest changes to drug policy in US history. A Harvard PhD and the son of a rabbi, Ethan founded the groundbreaking Drug Policy Alliance (‪@DrugPolicyOrg) in 1994 and was a lead architect behind 30 years of reform to include California’s historic Prop 47 referendum—which in 2014 reduced drug possession for personal use to a misdemeanor. This defining political victory proved to be the first domino to fall in a string of historic national legal changes and unleashed a wave of legalization of marijuana in 10 states across America—with inevitably more to come. Ethan has advised Presidents and Presidential candidates—and shares the fascinating inside story of building the early days of the drug reform movement, and of building powerful (and unlikely) political coalitions uniting conservative icon William F Buckley and liberal icon George Soros. With New Jersey, New York and others debating legalization right now, this conversation couldn’t be more timely. As with every episode of Angry Americans, it delivers the 4 I’s: integrity, information, impact and inspiration. Rieckhoff pushes, probes and challenges. He breaks down the latest on a potential war with Iran, the shocking resignation of Acting Secretary of Defense Shanahan and the historic NBA Finals ending. And Rieckhoff continues to be among those national leaders leading the charge with his fellow First Responders to pass the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund extension in Washington. It’s the latest episode of the groundbreaking political and social podcast that is sparking conversation nationwide and has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, the Associated Press and Variety. Listen now and step inside the innovative and entertaining show that takes you behind media, politics and change-making at the highest levels. This episode of Angry Americans is supported by our friends at Oscar Mike. Oscar Mike (@WeAreOscarMike) is the exclusive provider of the awesomely comfortable Angry Americans t-shirts worn by Paul Rieckhoff, Ron Perlman, Rachel Maddow and other recent guests and fans of the show worldwide. And for behind-the-scenes videos from this episode and exclusive video content featuring Wes Moore, Rachel Maddow, Tom Collicio, Sarah Jessica Parker and other recent guests, visit AngryAmericans.us. If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention. Angry Americans is connecting, uniting and empowering people of all backgrounds nationwide and is powered by Righteous Media.  Join the movement now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In May 1989, KCBS Radio reporter Mike Sugerman looked into a controversy surrounding the California Victims Compensation Fund and whether it was properly paying out claims.

On the one year anniversary show, Dr. Sean Hays Phd. and Mark LaRue talk Phoenix PD officers social media post controversy, Rep. Paul Gosar's pro-forced childbirth push poll, should abortion be a litmus test for Dems, the Justice Department agreeing to hand over some evidence, Trumps immigration deal with Mexico to avoid tariffs, and Jen Hays' very personal story about the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund and Jon (I call him Jonathan because I'm formal) Stewart's empassioned speach. All that and a recipe. @PlasticCupPod Subscribe Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher “Learned by your examples And we learned by your mistakes Argue our positions It's a decision that we have to make It's not a mistake” Thank you to The Get Up Kids for the title

On the one year anniversary show, Dr. Sean Hays Phd. and Mark LaRue talk Phoenix PD officers social media post controversy, Rep. Paul Gosar’s pro-forced childbirth push poll, should abortion be a litmus test for Dems, the Justice Department agreeing to hand over some evidence, Trumps immigration deal with Mexico to avoid tariffs, and Jen Hays’ very personal story about the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund and Jon (I call him Jonathan because I’m formal) Stewart’s empassioned speach. All that and a recipe. @PlasticCupPod Subscribe Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher “Learned by your examples And we learned by your mistakes Argue our positions It's a decision that we have to make It's not a mistake” Thank you to The Get Up Kids for the title

US President Donald Trump's arms deals benefiting Saudi Arabia will face their first test in Congress, world leaders seem to be trying to facilitate talks between the US and Iran, and is National Security Advisor John Bolton expected to resign? The House Foreign Affairs Committee split along partisan lines Wednesday over how sharply to criticize the State Department for finalizing 22 arms sales despite congressional objections, as Democrats accused the Trump administration of creating a “phony” emergency to funnel weapons to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.A federal court jury can't reach a verdict in the case of an Arizona aid worker accused of human smuggling. The judge declared a mistrial Tuesday after jurors in Tucson said they were deadlocked, with four voting to convict and eight voting to acquit Scott Warren of the charges of harboring undocumented immigrants and conspiracy to transport them. Warren, 36, is an instructor at Arizona State University and volunteers with the Arizona-based humanitarian aid group No More Deaths. He was arrested and charged after US Border Patrol agents saw him giving directions to two undocumented immigrants who'd taken refuge at a No More Deaths shelter in January of last year. He was charged with harboring the Central American men at the shelter. The bill to permanently extend funding for the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund is moving forward in Congress. The House Judiciary Committee unanimously voted Wednesday on the measure. The bill will need to be scored by the Congressional Budget Office before it can get a full vote in the House, but it is expected to pass. The Senate is working on a similar measure. Wednesday's vote comes a day after comedian and advocate Jon Stewart blasted some members of a Judiciary subcommittee for not being present for testimony from 9/11 first responders. Trump is thinking about sending 2,000 US troops to Poland. During a meeting with the president of Poland at the White House Wednesday, Trump said the US forces would likely be pulled from Germany. He declined to say whether the US would be keeping a permanent military presence in Poland, which has long hoped for a US military base as a deterrent against Russian adventurism. Meantime, Poland has agreed to buy more than 30 US F-35 fighter jets. GUESTS: John Kiriakou — Co-host of Loud and Clear on Radio Sputnik. Maru Mora-Villalpando — Nationally known immigrant-rights activist, co-founder of the Latinx organization Mijente and community organizer with Northwest Detention Center Resistance. André Vltchek — USSR-born American political analyst, investigative journalist and filmmaker. Mark Sleboda — International affairs and security analyst. John Feal — President and founder of The Feal Good Foundation.

Next week marks the 16th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. But the Justice Department program Congress set up to compensate first responders and others injured or disabled by exposure to toxic substances at the attack sites is still getting new claims. Rupa Bhattacharyya, the special master of the September 11 Victims Compensation Fund, told Federal Drive's Jarod Serbu the program is now in its second iteration after the passage of the James Zadroga Act in 2011.