Declarations

Not Wasting Time

“I will not waste time with those who have made the calculation that it’s better politics to kill this plan than improve it.”

—President Barack Obama, in a Sept. 9 speech before Congress outlining his plan for overhauling the country’s health care system. He called on federal lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to end their political bickering, and work together and quickly on health care reform.

The Bottom Line

“The bottom line is that health care premiums are for health care, they are not for expensive retirement parties, corporate jets, risky hotel investments or a compensation structure that rewards senior management regardless of BCBS’s financial performance.”

—North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm, commenting on a report issued by the state insurance department showing that Noridian Mutual Insurance Company, doing business as Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBS), racked up more than $15 million in excessive expenses paid with policyholders premiums. The department noted that the main areas of excess include compensation, travel policies, investments and severance packages. It said premiums were used to cover $15 million in employee bonuses, a $35,000 retirement party, travel and other uses the department found objectionable.

Two Years, Great Strides

“In just two years, BWC and our board of directors have made great strides in making Ohio’s workers’ compensation system more insurance-like.”

—Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Administrator Marsha Ryan. The BWC was created by Ohio’s 127th General Assembly to overhaul the state’s workers’ comp system. In August, BWC marked successes achieved during its first 24 months of operation, including the establishment of “fair and stable rates for all employers,” Ryan said.

Lost Sleep, More Injuries

“One hour of lost sleep may not seem like a lot. But our findings suggest it could have an impact on people’s ability to stay alert on the job and prevent serious injuries.”

—Christopher Barnes, PhD, author, along with David Wagner, PhD, of a new study shows that losing just an hour of sleep could pose some dangerous consequences for those in hazardous work environments. “Changing to Daylight Saving Time Cuts Into Sleep and Increases Workplace Injuries” appears in the September issue of the Journal of Applied Psychology, which is published by the American Psychological Association. Barnes and Wagner were both doctoral students in organizational behavior at Michigan State University when they conducted this research.