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Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI Security: Seven People Charged with Over $40 Million in Medicare and Medicaid Fraud

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Ronald King, 51, formerly of Berlin, New Hampshire, and now residing in Bangor, Maine, Victor Roiter, 55, of Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, Tina Wellman, 51, of Mayfield, New York, Adam Shorr, 55, of Dunedin, Florida, Robert O’Sullivan, 55, of Lake Sherwood, California, Bradley Edson, 66, of Mesa, Arizona, and John Gautereaux, 59, of Temecula, California were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to defrauding Medicare and Colorado Medicaid.

    According to the indictment, the defendants were involved together through a variety of corporate entities including as owners of Tesis Labs, LLC, a parent company that owned and operated genetic testing labs, including Claro Scientific Laboratories, Inc., based in Lafayette, Colorado, and 303 Diagnostics LLC, based in Aurora, Colorado. The indictment alleges that defendants King, Roiter, Wellman, and Shorr conspired to defraud Medicare and Colorado Medicaid through several means, including by paying kickbacks and bribes to purported marketing companies for referrals for fraudulent and medically unnecessary genetic testing. These referrals in turn led to more than $40 million in false and fraudulent claims paid by Medicare and Colorado Medicaid to the laboratories for the genetic testing claims.  The indictment alleges that all seven defendants participated in a conspiracy to offer and pay illegal bribes and kickbacks in connection with health care benefit programs, including Medicare, Colorado Medicaid, and private health insurance plans.  The defendants agreed to pay kickbacks and bribes to individuals and entities they identified as “marketers” to solicit patients, including elderly Medicare beneficiaries, to participate in unnecessary genetic testing and to obtain doctors’ signatures on testing order forms for these patients. Many of these kickback recipients used call centers to target elderly Medicare beneficiaries. Finally, the indictment alleges that defendants King, Roiter, and Wellman conspired to launder the proceeds of the first two conspiracies described above.

    Defendants King, Wellman, Shorr, O’Sullivan, Edson, and Gautereaux made initial appearances in Denver, Colorado, between August 26 and September 5, 2024, in front of Magistrate Judge Susan Prose.

    The charges contained in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent of the charges unless and until proven guilty.

    The case is being investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Denver Field Division, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Anna Edgar.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: An oral weight loss pill has just passed early trials with promising results – here’s how it works

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Martin Whyte, Associate Professor of Metabolic Medicine, University of Surrey

    Numerous companies are working on developing weight loss pills that would have similar effects as injectable drugs currently on the market. Ljupco Smokovski/ Shutterstock

    The arrival of GLP-1 analogue drugs (such as Wegovy) marked a huge shift in the weight loss drug market. These drugs have been shown to lead to significant weight loss in users – as much as 15% or more of their body weight in clinical trials. For this reason, demand for weight loss drugs has skyrocketed worldwide.

    Most of the GLP-1 analogue drugs on the market are taken as a weekly injection under the skin. But many companies are now working on translating these drugs into a form that can be taken orally, as a pill.

    But will weight loss pills be as effective as the injectable GLP-1 drugs already on the market?

    How do injectable weight loss drugs work?

    When we eat, the gastrointestinal system produces a variety of hormones in response, that go on to signal satiety to the brain. Collectively, these hormones are called “incretins”. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and islet amyloid polypeptide (amylin) are all incretins.

    Incretins signal the hypothalamus (a structure in the brain that links the endocrine and nervous systems) and other brain regions to tell the rest of the body we’re full.

    The drug semaglutide (sold under the brand names Wegovy and Ozempic) mimics the naturally occurring incretin GLP-1. But unlike the GLP-1 the body produces (which is quickly broken down by enzymes after it’s been released), semaglutide has been pharmacologically modified so that the hormone lasts longer in the body – thereby making a person feel fuller for longer after meals.

    Other weight loss drugs can act on more than one incretin receptor. Tirzepatide (sold under the brand name Mounjaro) is the first available “dual” incretin. In other words, it has properties of two incretin molecules – acting on both GLP-1 and GIP receptors. Clinical trials showed tirzepatide is even more effective than semaglutide – leading to an impressive loss of up to 20% of body weight in overweight or obese participants who took the drug for 72 weeks.

    How would a weight loss pill work?

    Novo Nordisk, the makers of Wegovy, recently announced the phase 1 trial results of a new oral weight loss pill they’re developing, called amycretin.

    At the European Association for the Study of Diabetes conference in September 2024, researchers reported that in early trials, amycretin led to a 10.4% loss of body weight in people who were overweight or obese when taken at its lowest dose for 12 weeks. When taken at a higher dose, it led to an over 13% loss of body weight in the same time period. This was compared to participants who were given a placebo, who lost only 1% of their body-weight. The amount of weight lost was faster than when compared to semaglutide injections.

    The oral pill was shown to be more effective than injectable semaglutide.
    Artmim/ Shutterstock

    Amycretin works by targeting two incretin hormone receptors: GLP-1 and amylin.

    Amylin is secreted at the same time as insulin by cells in the pancreas. The hormone plays a key role in blood sugar (glucose) regulation by controlling how quickly food is digested in the stomach and controlling when the hormone glucagon in released. Importantly, amylin receptors are found in specific brain regions that regulate appetite. As such, it can trigger a satiety signal after meals.

    Weight loss from GLP-1 and amylin receptor treatments works through both separate as well as shared brain pathways. Because of this, combining the two therapies is anticipated to have a greater effect on promoting weight loss. Based on the early results from this amycretin trial, it appears this is true.

    As amycretin has been developed to be taken as a pill, it may offer a more convenient option for managing obesity. Furthermore, weight loss had not plateaued by the 12-week period – so people may be able to lose more weight than that shown so far. And, side-effects appear similar to other incretin-based treatments – including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation.

    Larger trials are now taking place to better understand how safe and effective it really is.

    Advances in the field of weight loss drugs are evolving rapidly. Further dual-agonist and even triple-agonist incretin drugs are in development. Trials so far show they lead to a significant loss of body weight. Numerous companies are also working on developing weight loss pills that target incretin receptors – with trial results for some anticipated later this year.

    Amycretin has now advanced to the next phase of clinical trials. If proven to be as safe and effective as it was in phase one trials, it could be good news for patients with obesity. More options available on the market would also be good news as it could help manage global demand for weight loss drugs and ease the resultant shortages of these products.

    Martin Whyte has received research funding from AstraZeneca.

    – ref. An oral weight loss pill has just passed early trials with promising results – here’s how it works – https://theconversation.com/an-oral-weight-loss-pill-has-just-passed-early-trials-with-promising-results-heres-how-it-works-239637

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tonko Announces $549K+ Federal Grant for Albany County to Bolster Mental Health Services & Reduce Recidivism

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Paul Tonko (Capital Region New York)

    ALBANY, NY — Congressman Paul D. Tonko announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded Albany County a $549,998 grant over three years to support a project jointly administered by the Albany County Department of Mental Health and the Albany County Probation Department that aims to reduce recidivism and enhance support for individuals released from incarceration in Albany County. This award comes from DOJ’s Fiscal Year 2024 Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program, which is administered by the Office of Justice Programs’ (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).

    “As a longtime leader in the push to provide support for individuals released from incarceration, I’m thrilled to celebrate this significant infusion of federal funding that will help bring critical services to those who need them most,” Congressman Tonko said. “Many incarcerated individuals struggle with addiction and mental health issues, but too few have access to the resources they need to lead healthy and productive lives after their release. With this grant award, we are working to make certain that individuals released from Albany County Jail are equipped with the tools they need to avoid recidivism and tackle the mental health challenges they face. I’m proud to see Albany County leading the way in this important effort, and I look forward to seeing the benefits this program will bring to our communities.”

    “This initiative will enhance Albany County’s efforts to reduce reliance on emergency services and promote re-entry success,” said Stephen Giordano, Commissioner of the Albany County Department of Mental Health. “This is an important step to provide vital support to individuals transitioning back into society after incarceration by helping individuals who are at higher risk to build relationships and re-integrate. In addition to lowering the likelihood of recidivism, our project will help promote cross-system collaboration and improve overall public safety response. We will strive to reduce stigma, foster understanding, and strengthen the community by encouraging positive change. We’re excited about the impact we will make together!”

    “I would like to thank Congressman Paul D. Tonko for his continued advocacy and assistance with securing this grant,” added William Connors, Director of the Albany County Department of Probation. “The Albany County Probation Department is excited for this opportunity to partner with the Albany County Department of Mental Health to reduce recidivism of the population we serve with mental illness. Probation Officers will facilitate connections to mental health resources and services, with referrals focusing on re-entry matters in the probation process. This may include cases of pretrial release and pre-sentence investigations for individuals with serious mental health needs. We want to improve the lives of all persons we work with at the Probation Department.”

    The core objective of the project being funded by this grant is to develop a new “jail re-entry” case management model for individuals released from Albany County Jail, particularly those with severe and pervasive mental illness. A joint effort from the Albany County Department of Mental Health and the Albany County Probation Department, the program will help connect individuals released from incarceration with community resources and peer support — ultimately aiming to reduce recidivism and address social determinants of health.

    Congressman Tonko has been a steadfast advocate at the federal level for efforts to bolster services for individuals released from incarceration. Tonko is the author and lead House sponsor of the Reentry Act, bipartisan legislation that empowers states to restore access to healthcare through Medicaid, including addiction and mental health treatment, for incarcerated individuals up to 30 days before their release. This lifesaving legislation takes needed action to address alarming data showing that individuals released from prisons and jails are more than 129 times more likely than the general population to die of a drug overdose during the first two weeks after their release.

    Tonko has also worked directly with Albany County in recent years to bring targeted resources to those who need them most. In 2022, Tonko secured a $500,000 grant through the Community Project Funding (CPF) process for the Albany County Sheriff’s Homeless Improvement Program (SHIP) — an effort to provide safe spaces for individuals to access food, shelter, job opportunities, mental health and addiction services, and more.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Barbara Lee Responds to VP Harris’ Interview with the National Association of Black Journalists

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Barbara Lee 13th District of California

    September 23, 2024

    WASHINGTON – Last week, Vice President Kamala Harris was interviewed by the National Association of Black Journalists. During the interview, Harris was asked about race relations and reparations and was asked to specifically comment on efforts made by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) and the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18) to have the Biden-Harris administration take executive action on racial equity and reparative justice legislation.

    Lee and Jackson Lee were joined by 150 organizations and individuals in writing a letter to the administration in February of 2024.

    The Vice President responded to the question by noting the need for a national acknowledgement of truth and history. “We just need to speak truth about history. In spite of the fact that some people try and erase history and try and teach our children otherwise,” Harris said during the 45-minute sit-down interview in Philadelphia. “We need to speak truth about the generational impact of our history in terms of the generational impact of slavery, the generational impact of redlining, of Jim Crow laws.”

    “I am pleased that Vice President Harris acknowledged the important role truth plays in our quest for racial healing and transformation,” said Congresswoman Lee. “My legislation to establish a commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation would usher in a truth-telling moment, educating and informing the public about the historical context for the current racial inequalities we witness each and every day.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How better community engagement can improve emergency management in Canada

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Sayra Cristancho, Associate Professor, Department of Surgery and Faculty of Education Scientist, Centre for Education Research & Innovation, Western University

    Environmental, social and public health emergencies are becoming more frequent and severe around the world. The rapid pace at which emergencies are occurring, compounded by social crises like homelessness, addictions and mental health, are over-stressing our emergency management systems. However, as a society we cannot let this reality become an excuse.

    In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for community engagement. And yet, despite a thriving legacy of volunteerism, Canada is lagging behind. Canada is the only G7 country without a national health security and emergency agency. And without such coordinating agency, communities are left to scramble when emergencies strike.

    When emergencies arise, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are often called up to provide much needed support. However, the military is supposed to be called upon only when demand exceeds provincial capacity. Yet provinces have come to view the CAF as their first, rather than their last resort. Every time the CAF is called for assistance, it diverts time and resources away from attending to Canada’s national security tasks.

    If not the CAF, then what should be the source of this labour? There are four basic models Canada could follow. One of them pertains to mobilizing volunteer and skilled labour at the community level. The reality is that ordinary citizens always find their way to get involved, making emergency management a community concern. This is what the WHO refers to as a “whole-of-society approach.”

    Those in charge of devising the national emergency management strategy are confronted with two major uncertainties: the evolution of grass-roots initiatives to tackle community emergencies, and the lack of integration of those initiatives into emergency management systems.

    Community volunteers still feel that they work as “add-ons” rather than from within emergency management plans. The massive participation of citizens during forest fires and flood emergencies, and the increasing involvement of ordinary citizens in volunteer emergency response groups confirm that Canada enjoys a vibrant civil society. With its access to local networks, and its ability to mobilize others, community volunteers represent a unique and cost-effective resource.

    The Cobourg Community Centre Clinic

    Volunteers in communities across Canada are emotionally invested to help and engage during emergencies, particularly when they perceive poor coordination or lapses in authority by official response organizations.

    This was the case, as colleagues and I recently documented, of the Cobourg Community Centre (CCC) COVID-19 vaccination response in Ontario.

    This community initiative involved 600 volunteers who stepped up to help their community build and run a vaccination clinic when the community sensed that vaccination plans were not moving quickly enough. The Cobourg Rotary Club in partnership with the Northumberland Hills Hospital devised this initiative which involved retrofitting the community centre to serve as a clinic, organizing, and managing volunteer tasks, and assisting health-care providers in distributing vaccines.

    We interviewed volunteers, health-care providers, Rotary club members, public health unit staff, hospital staff, local businesses and city employees to capture the stories behind the clinic. These stories became the catalyst for positioning the CCC as a model of community engagement for crisis response.

    Several lessons were identified but likely the most insightful one for formal emergency agencies and government was the realization that emergency response is not always a complex and difficult task. In the case of the CCC, it was not difficult to drive seniors to the vaccination clinic. It was not difficult for volunteers to assist with documentation at the mobile clinics. It was not difficult for retired teachers to use stuffed toys so children wouldn’t be scared by the vaccine. And it was not difficult for local businesses to donate materials and labour so that the clinic was built according to protocol.

    Therefore, instead of making emergency response seem unduly complex for volunteers, emergency agencies ought to welcome their involvement. In fact, it might even be wise for emergency agencies to learn about the way community volunteers respond – since it seems they can be effective – to welcome their input, and thus enhance a community’s emergency response capacity.

    Three strategies communities can implement to get started

    If you and others would like to help prepare your community to become an effective partner to official emergency responders, here are some strategies to help organize your efforts:

    1. Foster ongoing relationships with community partners, not just during crisis.

    Remember that everyone brings expertise to the table and that partnerships may involve groups you don’t always think of. Therefore, welcome community partners as part of task forces. It helps the community see a different side of government organizations despite their reputation for being slow to pivot, or too bureaucratic.

    2. Maintain a repository of community members’ skills, don’t leave it to chance.

    During crisis, this repository or database will facilitate decision-making regarding distribution of tasks among volunteers and discover unique skills that otherwise would go unnoticed in a large community.

    3. Communicate through diverse channels, even if it feels redundant.

    Emergencies are emotionally draining for everyone. Frequent feedback and debriefing help strengthening engagement and morale. Therefore, use multiple and existing channels, such as huddles, newsletters, appreciation events, etc., and encourage community leaders to spread information to the larger community.

    Communities have shown that they play a vital role to large and small emergency responses: from COVID-19 tracing and vaccination, to organizing post-flood volunteer recovery efforts via digital platforms. However, community initiatives are often not recognized by emergency response organizations, and as a result community volunteers are often under-utilized.

    This tension over how to engage community volunteers to effectively respond to crisis and work with formal emergency response teams requires we all change how we think.

    Contemporary emergency management demands all hands-on deck. As the Cobourg Community Centre clinic initiative demonstrated, instead of warding off community volunteers, the focus should be on ensuring they are ready to respond and educated on the scope of their involvement.

    Throughout her academic career, Sayra Cristancho has received tri-council research funding from the Canadian government as we all research funding from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and internal research funding from Western University.

    – ref. How better community engagement can improve emergency management in Canada – https://theconversation.com/how-better-community-engagement-can-improve-emergency-management-in-canada-239042

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Manitoba Government Renews Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Strategy

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Manitoba Government Renews Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Strategy

    – – –
    New Plan Centres Around Lived and Living Experience, Promotes Dignity: Fontaine

    The Manitoba government is releasing its renewed five-year Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Strategy, which includes immediate investments and ongoing funds for timely and effective supports for Manitobans affected by FASD and alcohol use in pregnancy, Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine announced today.

    “FASD is the most common developmental disability in Canada,” said Fontaine. “But with the right supports, people with FASD can thrive. By centring this strategy around the voices of people with lived and living experience and prioritizing investments in prevention, early intervention and diagnosis, Manitoba’s renewed FASD Strategy will reduce stigma, promote dignity and improve long-term outcomes for Manitobans impacted by FASD.”

    The minister noted Manitoba’s renewed FASD Strategy includes investments in community awareness, wraparound supports for pregnant people and families, and increased specialized supports across the life of people impacted by FASD.

    This includes a $172,000 budget increase for the InSight Mentoring Program, which provides three years of mentorship to help pregnant people stop or reduce alcohol use during pregnancy. The additional funding will support expanded programming at sites in Winnipeg, Portage la Prairie, Dauphin, The Pas, Flin Flon and Thompson including three Indigenous-led service providers offering culturally grounded services. This investment will enable the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre in Winnipeg to support an additional 15 families and offer Indigenous cultural and spiritual support services for participants, aligning with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call to governments to develop culturally appropriate FASD prevention programs, the minister noted.

    FASD is a lifelong disability that impacts people exposed to alcohol prenatally. People with FASD often experience challenges with cognitive and executive functioning that, without appropriate supports, can leave people more likely to experience mental health issues, substance use disorders, contact with law enforcement and a lack of stable housing supports.

    The Manitoba government currently invests $15.5 million annually in the FASD Strategy, which ensures government and community programs and initiatives are working together toward the common goal of supporting Manitobans affected by FASD and alcohol use in pregnancy. An interdepartmental FASD committee supports a whole-of-government approach to FASD awareness, prevention and support.

    September is FASD Awareness Month in Canada, which raises awareness about the risks of drinking alcohol during pregnancy, highlights prevention and support efforts, and encourages individuals to learn more about FASD and its impacts.

    To read Manitoba’s Renewed FASD Strategy for 2024 to 2029, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/fs/fasd/mbstrategy.html.

    To learn more about the InSight Mentoring Program, visit www.gov.mb.ca/fs/fasd/insight.html.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Biden-Harris Administration Makes Emergency Federal Assistance Available to Florida, FEMA Urges Gulf Coast Residents and Visitors to Rush to Complete Preparation

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Biden-Harris Administration Makes Emergency Federal Assistance Available to Florida, FEMA Urges Gulf Coast Residents and Visitors to Rush to Complete Preparation

    Biden-Harris Administration Makes Emergency Federal Assistance Available to Florida, FEMA Urges Gulf Coast Residents and Visitors to Rush to Complete Preparation

    WASHINGTON — In advance of Hurricane Helene’s landfall in Florida, the Biden-Harris Administration approved a pre-landfall emergency declaration for Florida. This declaration enables FEMA to provide federal resources to the state for emergency protective measures and aid initial response and recovery efforts. FEMA urges people to take this storm seriously as it is expected to bring life-threating storm surge and hurricane conditions to Florida and the risk for dangerous flash and urban flooding to Alabama and Georgia. Now is the time for people to activate their hurricane plans and prepare for the storm’s effects. 

    The National Hurricane Center forecasts Helene is likely to bring heavy rain, life-threatening storm surge, hurricane force winds and flash and urban flooding to affected areas starting Thursday. Due to the large size of this system, storm surge, wind and rainfall impacts will extend well away from the storm’s center. The storm will move quickly once it makes landfall and will likely result in strong winds and heavy rain over parts of the southeastern United States. Tornadoes may occur over parts of the western Florida peninsula and southern Alabama. The risk of tornadoes will increase on Thursday, expanding across Florida and into parts of Georgia and South Carolina.

    FEMA, its federal partners and partner organizations are actively coordinating response efforts across Florida. FEMA’s National and Regional Response Coordination Centers are activated to support state requests for assistance. Urban Search and Rescue teams, Health and Medical teams including medical support for patient evacuation and communication assets are prepared to respond as needed. FEMA has pre-positioned Incident Management Assistance Teams and commodities including water, meals, generators, and other critical items in regional distribution centers.

    FEMA is also closely coordinating with Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina and stands ready to provide support as needed.

    NOW is the time to finish preparations: Today is the day to prepare for this storm. Take action immediately to protect yourself, your family, your pets and your home. Finish gathering any supplies like food, water, medication, flashlights and food for your pets now. Include cash in your emergency kit, as ATMs may not work after the storm. You can find hurricane preparedness information on Ready.gov and Listo.gov in Spanish language. 

    Be in the know about your evacuation route. Several counties in Florida issued mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders. Visit Evacuation Orders | Florida Disaster to see the full list. People in Florida, Alabama and Georgia should be prepared to evacuate quickly if they are in the path of this storm and are told to do so. Act now by learning your evacuation routes and identify where you will stay. Make sure everyone in your household knows what to do in case you need to evacuate and that they are familiar with your family’s emergency plan. Learn more about how to evacuate safely on Ready.gov/evacuation and Evacuación | Listo.gov in Spanish language.  

    Have several ways to receive alerts. People in areas along Florida’s Panhandle, west coast and into Alabama and Georgia should follow the forecast carefully and instructions of state and local officials by monitoring local radio or television stations for updated emergency information. Sign up for community alerts in your area and be aware of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA), which require no sign up. You can also download the free FEMA App available in English and Spanish to receive real-time weather alerts and find local emergency shelters in your area. 

    Listen to officials. Stay off the roads if told to do so. Evacuate if told to do so. If you did not evacuate, find a safe location to ride out the storm, such as a designated storm shelter or interior room for high winds. Go to the highest level of the building if you are trapped by flooding. Avoid enclosed areas, such as an attic. You may become trapped by rising flood water. This storm may produce tornadoes. If you are under a tornado warning, go to a safe shelter immediately, such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar or a small interior room on the lowest level of a sturdy building.

    Your neighbors are your lifeline. Check on your neighbors, especially older adults or those who may need additional assistance, to make sure they have what they need to ride out the storm. Have a plan to remain in contact during and after the storm.  

    Have a plan. Consider your family’s unique needs, including anyone who needs medicine or medical equipment. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if you aren’t together when a severe storm hits. Visit Ready.gov or Listo.gov in Spanish language for more information on how to stay safe before, during and after severe weather. 

    Power outage and generator safety. If you lose power, use only flashlights or battery-powered lanterns for emergency lighting. If using a generator, remember to always use them outdoors and keep it at least 20 feet from doors and windows. Additionally, make sure to keep the generator dry and protected from rain or flooding. De-clutter drains and gutters, bring in outside furniture and put up hurricane shutters if you have them.

    Do not focus on the exact track of the hurricane. Hurricanes are immense systems and changes in size, intensity, speed and direction can change quickly. Additionally, areas far from the storm’s center can experience effects such as flooding, storm surge and heavy winds. 

    Keep important documents safe. Save copies of birth certificates, passports, medical records and insurance papers in a safe, dry place. Keep important documents in a waterproof container and create password-protected digital copies. Take photos or videos of your belongings and property on your phone or upload them to the internet. Move valuables like photo albums, heirlooms and other treasured items to higher levels.

    amy.ashbridge

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rhode Island to Receive $500,000 to Improve DNA Evidence Processing & Bring Justice to Victims of Cold Cases

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02)

    WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to help Rhode Island’s law enforcement community close cases on violent crimes that, in many cases, have been left unsolved for decades, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo today announced that the Office of the Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha will receive a $500,000 federal grant for the office’s cold case unit of investigators and prosecutors.

    The federal funds are administered by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA Program. The Attorney General’s Office will utilize the funds for its “Closure Project” to strengthen the state’s DNA analysis capabilities and search capacity, better inventory cold cases, and review and select cases that have developed DNA suspect profiles to assist investigators in prosecuting suspects. The Rhode Island Department of Health will also receive funding from the grant, which will help provide additional capacity for DNA analysis in cold cases.

    “This federal funding for Attorney General Neronha and his skilled team of prosecutors, investigators, and law enforcement personnel will help make Rhode Island safer and will bring justice to victims of violent crimes and their families who have gone too long without answers and deserve closure,” said Senator Reed, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.  “Modern technology is constantly adding new tools that are incredibly useful to investigators. By strengthening Rhode Island’s ability to efficiently process and inventory DNA evidence, we’re making a smart investment in public safety, reducing violent crime, and bolstering our ability to pursue justice.”

    “No victim of a violent crime should have to wait decades for justice to be served,” said Whitehouse, a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and former U.S. Attorney and Rhode Island Attorney General.  “This federal investment will strengthen the state’s ability to process DNA evidence and prosecute violent cold cases, bringing justice and closure to victims and their families – a high priority of Attorney General Neronha’s.”

    “We must always remain dogged in the pursuit of justice for victims of violent crime and their loved ones,” said Rep. Seth Magaziner. “This federal funding will be used to help identify suspects through modern forensic analysis, make Rhode Island safer by holding offenders accountable, and bring closure to families who have been waiting for answers.” 

    “Justice delayed should never be justice denied for victims of violent crime and their loved ones,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “As technology advances and techniques improve to help identify perpetrators, I support investing in our state’s forensic capabilities to pursue cold cases and protect public safety. I’m pleased to join my colleagues in announcing that this grant will support the tireless efforts of the Rhode Island Attorney General’s ‘Closure Project’ initiative.”

    “Cold cases tend to be unique in their complexity, and yet they all have at least one thing in common: delayed justice for victims and their loved ones,” said Attorney General Peter F. Neronha. “New scientific and investigatory advancements have reignited hope in the hearts of those waiting years, sometimes decades, for answers. Since the creation of our Cold Case Unit, a talented team of investigators, prosecutors, and analysts has been working diligently to solve these cases, and already seeing results. I want to thank Senators Reed and Whitehouse and Representatives Amo and Magaziner for their support, and to Rhode Island House Speaker Shekarchi and Senate President Ruggerio for helping to fund this important work on behalf of Rhode Islanders.”

    The DOJ Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA Program provides resources and support for the prosecution of violent cold cases where a suspect of the crime, known or unknown, has been identified through DNA evidence and analysis. Funding from this program can also be used to support investigations and crime and forensic analyses when a DNA profile has been attributed to a known or unknown suspect.

    Last year, Rhode Island Attorney General Neronha launched a new Cold Case Unit within the Office to advance investigations that could benefit from the application of modern DNA analysis. The Unit is comprised of two prosecutors, four investigators, an intelligence analyst, and a Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) employee currently in training at the University of New Haven for Forensic Genealogy.  Since its inception, the Unit has worked with more than 12 municipalities in actively investigating 18 cold cases. These federal funds announced today will assist the unit in strategically improving its ability to identify potential cases ready for prosecution, and when DNA profiles of suspects have been established, can also help to advance investigations.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman David Scott Introduces Legislation for Inclusive Arts Education

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David Scott (GA-13)

    WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman David Scott (GA-13), was joined by Representatives Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), and Donald M. Payne Jr. (NJ-10) to introduce the Reimagining Inclusive Arts Education Act. This critical piece of legislation provides professional development grants to arts educators and creative arts therapists to best include students with disabilities.

    “Students, regardless of ability or disability, deserve the right to receive a well-rounded and comprehensive education—one that is inclusive of music and arts,” said Congressman David Scott. “From music to the visual arts, theater and dance, access to arts education has shown to inspire young learners to think critically and build socialization skills with their peers. This is particularly important for students with disabilities who may struggle with finding ways to express themselves. For this reason, the Reimagining Inclusive Arts Education Act will equip arts educators and creative art therapists with the knowledge and skills to make their content accessible for all students to actively participate together.”

    “Art programs in schools can provide important benefits for intellectual development – especially for young people with disabilities,” said Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon. “Unfortunately, many schools lack basic resources and funding to maintain these programs. I’m proud to partner with Reps. Scott, Frost, and Payne on this legislation to help our schools fill the funding gaps, ensure equitable accessibility for students with disabilities, and set up our children for success in the future.”

    “I am proud to cosponsor the Reimagining Inclusive Arts Education Act to help our schools become more inclusive,” said Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr.  “Students with disabilities need opportunities to express themselves through the arts. This bill would ensure art teachers have resources to make their curriculum more inclusive and provide opportunities to students with disabilities.”

    “As someone who grew up with music as part of my daily life, I know just how critical the arts are to self-expression and its ability to unite our community. Alongside Reps. Scott, Scanlon, and Payne, I’m proud to support the Reimaging Inclusive Arts Education Act to help expand the power of music and arts to ensure that arts education can reach every student who wants it,” said Rep. Maxwell Frost. “This legislation is an inclusive labor of love that will support our schools and help educators put arts, theater, dance, music, and more into the hands of students with disabilities.”

    “The American Music Therapy Association is very pleased to support the Reimagining Inclusive Arts Education Act,” stated Judy Simpson, Director of Government Relations. “This important legislation will support innovative and inclusive creative arts therapies for children with disabilities and will expand unique learning opportunities for students to access education and achieve academic goals.”

    “The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) is a proud supporter of the Reimagining Inclusive Arts Education Act, introduced by Congressman David Scott (GA-13). This legislation is a monumental stride towards creating an inclusive environment where every child, regardless of circumstances, can participate in the transformative power of music. By prioritizing the adaptation of classroom materials and lessons, this bill not only acknowledges the unique needs of children with disabilities but also promotes equity within the classroom. The Reimagining Inclusive Arts Education Act aligns with NAfME’s commitment to advocating for equitable access to music education and supports inclusive practices where the diverse voices of every learner are valued. This legislation is a testament to the belief that music education MUST be accessible to all, including students with disabilities. NAfME urges the 118th Congress to consider and adopt this legislation, which supports an inclusive educational landscape where every student can embrace the joy and significance that music brings to their lives,” said Scott R. Sheehan, NAfME President

    Endorsing Organizations:

    Endorsing Organizations: National Association for Music Educators, Educational Theatre Association, American Music Therapy Association, National Art Education Association, Educational Theatre Association, National Dance Education Organization, Americans for the Arts, National Center for Learning Disabilities, The National Down Syndrome Congress, Council of Administrators of Special Education, Music Teachers National Association, National Media Arts Education Association, Kindermusik International, Hip-Hop Education Center, Percussive Arts Society, J.W. Pepper, JazzSLAM, Kindermusik International, Music Travel Consultants, Georgia Music Educators Association, Michigan Music Educators Association, Montana Music Educators Association, Utah Music Educators Association, Virginia Music Educators Association, Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, Rhode Island Music Educators Association, New York State School Music Association, New Hampshire Music Educators Association, Ohio Music Educators Association, Florida Music Education Association, North Carolina Music Education Association, Oregon Music Education Association, Arts Alliance Illinois, Arts Ed NJ, Arts North Carolina, Ingenuity Inc., TASH, Cure SMA, The Viscardi Center and Henry Viscardi School, Mental Health Association of Central Florida, The Feierabend Association for Music Education, The Lang Lang International Music Foundation,  National Music Council of the United States, Guitars and Ukes in the Classroom, League of American Orchestras, Young Audiences Arts for Learning, Music Will.

    Full text of the bill can be accessed HERE.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 6th Annual IP Excellence in Organizing Awards

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    During the 41st IAM Convention, the 6th Annual International President’s Excellence in Organizing Awards were presented to celebrate a historic achievement in the realm of union organizing—a triumph that embodies the spirit of solidarity, determination, and collective action. It is with great pride and admiration that we honor these Districts for their outstanding contributions to organizing efforts within our union in the year 2023.

    Accepting the award for his district and himself, District 751 Organizer Jesse Cote II

    Western Territory – District 751

    District 751 has emerged as a true leader in the field of union organizing, achieving an unprecedented milestone of organizing 282 new members. Notably, the first private sector acute care organizing victory in healthcare, with 211 new members joining our ranks.

    The success of District 751 in organizing new members within the healthcare sector demonstrates the immense potential of collective action and solidarity in improving the lives of workers across diverse industries. By securing a foothold in the private sector acute care field, District 751 has not only strengthened our union but also paved the way for future organizing victories and advancements in workers’ rights.

    Western Territory – Jesse Cote II

    Cote emerged as a true champion of workers’ rights, leading an impressive eight successful organizing campaigns. Among these victories was a landmark campaign at MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital—an achievement that not only strengthened our union but also empowered hundreds of workers to stand together for fair wages, benefits, and working conditions.

    Throughout Cote’s tenure as a union organizer, he has been a tireless advocate for workers’ rights, a mentor to aspiring organizers, and a steadfast voice for social justice in our communities. Cote’s passion for the cause, his unwavering commitment to our union, and his relentless pursuit of fairness and equality serve as an inspiration to us all.

    Accepting the award for District 78 – ST Mona Burke and Organizer Rootisha Rampat. Territory Grand Lodge Representative Scott Jackson accepting his award.

    Canadian Territory – District 78

    District 78 is one of the most diverse districts in all of Canada. Due to the many contracts they service, they have come up with some unique ways of signing up new members. District 78 shares information with all the other districts in Canada, as well as in the US, in order to constantly “up” their game. District 78 received or shared organizing awards consistently in recent years, and 2023 was no exception. 

    Healthcare, automotive, as well as manufacturing, trucking and labor staff groups are all industries and sectors where they have been feverishly active. The entire teams’ “all hands-on deck” approach has grown the IAM.

    Canadian Territory – Grand Lodge Representative Scott Jackson

    Jackson cut his union teeth in Local 901 in Ajax, Ontario, where he worked as a Machinist rising to the position of local President. Jackson widened the net and expanded the membership to include many diverse groups – including healthcare and labor staff groups. He was appointed Territorial Organizing Leader for Canada in 2020 and has helped to intensify the focus on organizing throughout his many roles and this continues today. With new organizers and new energy, he is helping make the IAM one of the most successful Unions in Canada – and across North America.

    Accepting the award for District 15 DBR and Organizer Norm Shreve and Business Rep and Organizer Cristino Vilorio.

    Eastern Territory – District 15

    This District had a busy 2023! With a 4-2 record. Unit sizes ranged from 15-80 people. Accepting the award is – District 15 Directing Business Representative and Organizer Norm Shreve and Business Representative and Organizer Cristino Vilorio.

    Accepting his award, Special Representative Brent Coleman.

    Eastern Territory – Special Representative Brent Coleman

    While at District 1 as the District Organizer, in 2023, Coleman inspired over 100 members from various fields of work to organize. From service contracts to Vet Techs and IT Professionals. He won them all in 2023. 

    Accepting the award for District 141, Organizer Frank Giannola

    Air Transportation Territory – District 141

    This District is a force to be reckoned with. Their Organizer has made it his mission, along with their organizing team, to organize the organized and to organize the unorganized. Making organizing a top priority, this District continues to grow its membership in the Air Transport Territory.

    Accepting her award, Organizer Tiffany Lopez.

    Air Transportation Territory – Associate Organizer Tiffany Lopez

    Lopez began her organizing career with Air Transport in January 2023 and hit the ground running. Determined to make a difference, she quickly formed an in-house committee for Delta Airlines in Detroit and Minneapolis. She thinks outside the box and constantly searches for new ideas to attract new interactions with those she seeks to organize.

    Accepting the awards for District 1888 and himself, Business Rep and Organizer Ryan McCarthy

    Southern Territory – District 1888

    In 2023 the Southern Territory added over 1,000 members in organizing efforts. District 1888 led the way, not only in the Southern Territory, but in the IAM. Directing Business Representative Ernie Epps and his staff Assistant Directing Business Representative Bill Benson, Business Representative Keith McFarland, Business Representative Ryan McCarthy, Business Representative Billy Givens and Business Representative Chris Harrington added over 600 new members to their District and continue to develop a culture of Organizing that is consistent year to year, this model is an example for all to follow. This District is a great example of the commitment needed in organizing our union into the future.

    Southern Territory – District 1888 Business Representative and Organizer Ryan McCarthy

    In 2023 McCarthy led 332 Lockheed Martin workers at Bluegrass Station, Ky., to a victory. This was a campaign that was hard fought, with many obstacles and a not so friendly employer. McCarthy knew he would need some help and in true Machinists fashion his brothers, sisters, and siblings showed up to help. The team consisted of many dedicated organizers from District 1888, District 776, and the Southern Territory Representatives and Associate Organizers. McCarthy continues to do a Journeyman’s Job to grow the IAM and we look forward to the increased organizing opportunities from this historic victory.

    Accepting the award for District 5 and on behalf of Jeremy Pearson is District Business Rep and Organizer Jeff Hoopman.

    Midwest Territory – District 5

    District 5 is the embodiment of what it means to organize with intention. In 2023, with Grand Lodge Representative Dennis Mendenhall leading, District 5 successfully organized Vaderstad Industries Inc., a 100-person unit that manufactures Agricultural Equipment in Wahpeton, North Dakota. To date, this District has continued organizing both externally and internally. This District’s success is a testament to our collective efforts and commitment, fostering a sense of unity and shared achievement.

    Midwest Territory – District 5 Directing Business Representative Jeremy Pearson

    Pearson’s persistent commitment to his members is better reflected in his work, whether servicing or organizing. He does this with passion and humility, which makes him a compelling and relatable organizer. In late 2023, his versatile approach allowed him to successfully organize Kay & Associates Inc., a group of aviation technicians in South Dakota. His deep dedication to growing our union motivates him to look for opportunities to organize.

    Accepting the award for the Southern Territory is General Vice President Craig Martin

    IAM Top Territory Organizing Distinction 

    The Southern Territory had 14 organizing wins in 2023! Four of those wins were triple digit units, including 332, 248, 176 and 164 new members The Southern Territory successfully organized 1,150 people in 2023!

    Ali Rhodes accepting her awards for Top HQ Organizer and Top IAM Organizer.

    IAM Headquarters Organizer of the Year & the 2023 Top IAM Organizer of the Year Award: Grand Lodge Representative Ali Rhodes

    Rhodes ran a very strategic and comprehensive campaign leading to a monumental victory by successfully organizing nearly 1,000 Patient Care Associates and Psychiatric Care Technicians at the Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center! Rhodes started her IAM career with ExpressJet Airlines in 2011. Over the years, she became actively involved in our union – first as an auditor and later as a committee chairperson. She dedicated her time to organizing, lobbying, and furthering her education at the Winpisinger Center and Eastern Gateway Community College.

    Equipped with her union education and determination to protect fellow workers, she was appointed as a Special Representative with the Organizing Department in 2018.

    “I’ve had the privilege to work closely with this individual during that time and nobody is more committed to growing our Union and helping to improve the lives of workers than her,” said IAM Assistant Organizing Director Juan Eldridge 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaine & McConnell Applaud Final Rule to Raise Minimum Age for Tobacco Sales Set by Their Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) applauded a final rule issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding ID requirements for the purchase of tobacco products at retail establishments. The rule will go into effect on September 30. This rule was required by Kaine and McConnell’s bipartisan Tobacco-Free Youth Act, which became law in December 2019 and raised the minimum age to buy all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, from 18 to 21. Additionally, a recent survey by the FDA and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) concluded the number of young people in America smoking e-cigarettes dropped to its lowest level in the last decade.
    “I’m glad the FDA issued final guidance to implement our bipartisan legislation to raise the tobacco age to 21,” said Kaine. “I was proud to work with Senator McConnell to get this legislation signed into law. Our bipartisan bill has already made a huge difference in keeping tobacco products away from young people, and this final rule will only further these efforts.”
    “Youth e-cigarette use was at its peak just five years ago. That’s when I introduced legislation along with Senator Kaine to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21. Today, the number of young people smoking e-cigarettes dropped to its lowest level in a decade,” said McConnell. “I’m glad to see the FDA finally produce this rule that will help keep even more children from getting their hands on addictive vaping devices. While more work remains, I’m grateful to see our bipartisan legislation making a big impact.”
    In 2022 and again in 2023, Kaine and McConnell pushed the FDA to issue this final rule. The final FDA rule requires retailers to ask for photo identification for anyone under the age of 30 and prohibits retailers from selling tobacco products via vending machines in facilities where individuals under 21 are present or permitted to enter at any time.
    Kaine has long championed policies to limit tobacco use and promote public health. In March 2022, Kaine successfully secured a provision in the Fiscal Year 2022 government funding bill to close a loophole that allowed e-cigarette companies that use synthetic nicotine in their products to avoid government oversight. In September 2021, Kaine and Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) pressed the FDA on its delay of a decision on whether companies with the largest shares of the e-cigarette market can keep selling their products. As Governor of Virginia, Kaine signed a bill into law to ban smoking in bars and restaurants in the Commonwealth and issued an executive order to ban smoking in state buildings and vehicles.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Polis and Division of Criminal Justice Announce $3 Million in Crime Prevention and Crisis Intervention Grants Awarded to 15 Colorado Organizations

    Source: US State of Colorado

    LAKEWOOD — Governor Polis and the Division of Criminal Justice announced the 15 Colorado organizations across ten counties who are the recipients of the State Multidisciplinary Crime Prevention and Crisis Intervention funding (CPCI), a total of $3 million. 

    From Boulder to La Plata County, these grants will support agencies over a 21-month funding period and contribute to implementing community-based programs focused on crime prevention and crisis intervention strategies. 

    “We are committed to making Colorado communities safer for everyone, and that includes investing in the organizations on the ground who are doing effective work to prevent crime. Congratulations to all the recipients and keep up the great work,” said Governor Jared Polis. 

    The CPCI Grant Program aims at improving public safety and creating one of the safest states in the country by investing in crime prevention and crisis intervention programs. Recipients of the grant are based in rural counties and urban areas. 

    “Grants play a crucial role in enhancing the safety of our communities by providing essential resources for crime prevention and intervention programs,” said Matthew M. Lunn, Colorado Division of Criminal Justice director. “They empower local communities to address public safety challenges through innovative solutions and collaborative efforts. By investing in these initiatives, we strengthen the foundation of a safer, more resilient Colorado for everyone.” 

    Here are a few examples of how grant recipients are working to prevent crime. 

    Axis Health System received a CPCI grant in collaboration with the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office to expand its co-responder program. The program dispatches a deputy and a clinician to address mental health and behavioral health crises, and connects individuals to wrap-around services to meet their needs for food, clothing, shelter, and other resources. 

    Similarly, the Public Health Department in Rio Grande County received funding to implement two programs, Botvin’s Life Skills Training and Strengthening Families, in the San Luis Valley. These evidence-based programs are proven to prevent or reduce youth delinquency by targeting known risk and protective factors. This rural, multidisciplinary project involves public health, behavioral health, public schools, Colorado State University (CSU) Extension, CSU prevention researchers, youth and family service providers, and local families, among other stakeholders. 

    The Latino Coalition for Community Leadership (LCCL), a CPCI grant recipient, is known for building collaborative partnerships among some of Metro Denver’s Black and Latino-led grassroots groups that serve communities hardest hit by violence. Through their Violence Interruption and Healing Collaborative project, targeting Denver, Adams, and Arapahoe Counties in areas with high rates of violent crime, LCCL will provide training and technical assistance, as well as subgrants, to violence interruption organizations to build their capacity to implement Community Violence Intervention Strategies, an approach that uses evidence-informed strategies to reduce violence through tailored community-centered initiatives. LCCL will also facilitate working relationships between the organizations and local government agencies, with a focus on public health organizations and local law enforcement. 

    The full list of 2024 grant recipients are listed below. 

    The Colorado Division of Criminal Justice’s 2024 CPCI awards are based on the State’s FY 2025 appropriation for HB24-1421, Modifying Public Safety Program Funding. The Multidisciplinary Crime Prevention and Crisis Intervention (CPCI) Advisory Committee, whose membership is representative of the communities where crime is disproportionately high, reviews applications and makes recommendations based on communities with greatest need, the applicant’s level of cultural and population specific competency, and level of collaboration. 

    The CPCI Advisory Committee approved the awards announced below: 

    Arapahoe County 
    Agency: Second Chance Center, Inc. 
    Project Title: Safe Homes, Safe Communities 
    Grant Amount: $81,468 

    Agency: Collaborative Healing Initiative Within Communities 
    Project Title: Re-Enter, Re-Build, Re-Start (R3) 
    Grant Amount: $200,000 

    Boulder County 
    Agency: Bridge House 
    Project Title: Work and Housing First in Mitigating Recidivism 
    Grant Amount: $148,694 

    Denver County 
    Agency: Apprentice of Peace Youth Organization 
    Project Title: AOPYO Youth Center for Behavioral Health 
    Grant Amount: $81,468 

    Agency: Denver Healing Generations 
    Project Title: Denver Healing Generations Calmecac Program 
    Grant Amount: $81,468 

    Metro Denver (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Jefferson, Gilpin) 
    Agency: Fully Liberated Youth 
    Project Title: Violence Interruption Through School-Based Prevention Services for High-Risk Young People 
    Grant Amount: $200,000 

    Agency: Latino Coalition for Community Leadership
     Project Title: Violence Interruption and Healing Collaborative 
    Grant Amount: $700,000 

    Agency: Tribe Recovery Homes 
    Project Title: Crime Prevention and Crisis Intervention through Peer Support Services 
    Grant Amount: $240,498 El Paso County 

    Agency: Educating Children of Color, Inc. 
    Project Title: A year-round program to reduce juvenile delinquency, achieve educational equity, empower youth, and dismantle the cradle-to-prison pipeline 
    Grant Amount: $120,000 

    Agency: Inside Out Youth Services 
    Project Title: ALLY Up for LGBTQIA2+ Violence Prevention 
    Grant Amount: $150,000 

    Agency: Relevant Word Ministries 
    Project Title: Pursuing Academic & Cultural Excellence (PACE) Mentoring Program for Crime Prevention and Community Resilience 
    Grant Amount: $110,000 

    La Plata County 
    Agency: Axis Health Partners 
    Project Title: Axis + La Plata County Sheriff’s Office Co-responder Program 
    Grant Amount: $300,000 

    Pueblo County 
    Agency: Southern Colorado Harm Reduction Association
    Project Title: SoCo Harm Reduction: Pathways to Multidisciplinary Services 
    Grant Amount: $200,000 

    Agency: Servicios de La Raza, Inc. 
    Project Title: Just and Equitable Approaches to Crime Prevention and Intervention Services for Latinos and other Indigenous Communities 
    Grant Amount: $300,000 

    Rio Grande County 
    Agency: Rio Grande County Public Health Department 
    Project Title: Rio Grande County San Luis Valley: Partnership Strengthening Juvenile Delinquency Prevention 
    Grant Amount: $88,500 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tillis Applauds New 9-8-8 Geo-Routing Implementation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Carolina Thom Tillis

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tillis, founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus, applauded the recent announcement by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to begin implementing geo-routing for incoming calls to the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Network. 

    “From the creation of the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to historic mental health investments included in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, we have made substantial progress in recent years in expanding access to quality mental health care,” said Senator Tillis. “This new geo-routing policy furthers that goal by ensuring those experiencing a mental health crisis receive rapid and localized care when calling the Lifeline.”

    Background:

    Currently, calls to the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline are routed by area code rather than by the caller’s location. This system leads to callers oftentimes being connected to centers that cannot connect them with local mental health resources. Geo-routing allows callers to be connected to crisis call centers and resources closest to their physical location, improving the effectiveness of the crisis care continuum and ensuring more timely, appropriate, and equitable access to crisis services. Importantly, geo-routing does not provide a precise location of the caller and allows callers to maintain their location privacy. Studies have shown that after speaking with a trained crisis counselor, most callers feel more hopeful and less depressed, suicidal and overwhelmed. 

    In North Carolina, the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has received over 112,000 calls, texts, and chats over the last 12 months, with an average response time of 14.2 seconds and a 98% answer rate. 90% of North Carolinians who contacted the hotline with thoughts of suicide reported improvement in how they were feeling by the end of the call.

    In December 2023, Senator Tillis introduced the Local 9-8-8 Response Act of 2023, legislation would expedite the process of connecting callers with their nearest call center so they can receive appropriate care from mental health professionals as quickly and as safely as possible, while still protecting user privacy. 

    In March 2024, Senator Tillis joined Senator Padilla, Health and Human Services Secretary Xaiver Becerra, and Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to announce that the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) address the discrepancies and inefficiencies of the current system by proposing the adoption of a rule that would require a geo-routing solution to be implemented for all wireless calls to the 9-8-8 Lifeline while balancing the privacy needs of individuals in crisis. The FCC is expected to vote on final rules to codify geo-routing on October 17.

    These new rules, if adopted next month, would build on SAMHSA’s announcement, requiring all U.S. wireless carriers to implement geo-routing. In addition, the rules will also establish an implementation timeline for geo-routing calls to the 988 Lifeline of 30 days following the effective date of the rule for nationwide wireless providers and 24 months after the effective date of the rule for smaller, non-nationwide providers.  

    A one-page summary of the bill is available HERE. Full text of the bill is available HERE. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Lebanon/Israel: Fears for safety of civilians grow as devastating death toll in Lebanon continues to rise

    Source: Amnesty International –

    The exponential rise in the death toll in Lebanon over the past three days amid an escalation in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah is a reminder of the crucial need for all parties to the conflict to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law, Amnesty International said today.

    On Monday [23 September] alone, at least 558 people, including 50 children and 94 women, were killed and more than 1,800 injured by Israeli attacks in Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry, as Israel announced the start of Operation Northern Arrows. Scores more have been killed since. Hezbollah attacks on Israel have also significantly intensified and according to Israeli media reports, at least 15 people were injured, the majority by shrapnel or debris and others while trying to access shelter.

    “On Monday, 23 September, Lebanon experienced its deadliest day since the end of the country’s civil war in 1990. We are deeply alarmed by the staggering death toll within a single day, which continues to rise, and the devastating impact on civilians with almost 500,000 displaced from south Lebanon, the Bekaa and other regions that have come under intense bombardment. In northern Israel, due to attacks from Lebanon around 63,000 residents have been displaced since last October. As Israel continues to intensify and expand its bombardment, and Hezbollah continues to launch attacks into Israel, all parties to the conflict must respect international humanitarian law and take all feasible precautions to protect civilian lives,” said Erika Guevara Rosas, Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns.   

    On Monday, 23 September, Lebanon experienced its deadliest day since the end of the country’s civil war in 1990. We are deeply alarmed by the staggering death toll within a single day, which continues to rise

    Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International

    “In the past, conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah have been characterized by serious violations of international humanitarian law. This raises serious concerns that the current escalation in hostilities will inevitably result again in civilian casualties, injuries and widespread destruction in Lebanon and Israel. We urge all states to halt all arms transfers and other forms of military assistance to Israel and Hezbollah due to the significant risk that these weapons could be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law, including war crimes.”

    Since October 2023, Hezbollah and Israel have engaged in hostilities, mostly confined to the south of Lebanon and north of Israel.  As of 10 September, the total death toll due to Israeli attacks had risen to 589 in Lebanon, as of 19 September, the toll due to Hezbollah attacks rose to 34 in Israel. A further 12 people were killed in the occupied Golan Heights. The spike in the death toll in Lebanon over the past three days alone is therefore exponential.

    During the 34-day conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006, the death toll was 1,100 in Lebanon and 43 in Israel. Amnesty International’s investigations revealed that during the conflict, Israeli forces carried out indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks on a large scale, including massive destruction of civilian infrastructure. It also found that Hezbollah carried out direct and indiscriminate attacks on civilians and appeared to fail to take necessary precautions to protect civilians in Lebanon from the effects of Israeli attacks.

    Many of the areas struck by Israeli attacks in recent days were crowded residential areas, according to videos reviewed by Amnesty International. Lebanon’s health minister said that medical facilities and personnel also came under fire, killing four medics and injuring at least 16.

    Respecting international humanitarian law requires ensuring that only military objectives are targeted, avoiding indiscriminate attacks, disproportionate attack, and direct attacks on civilians and civilian objects and taking all feasible precautions to minimize harm to civilians and damage to civilian infrastructure. Using explosive weapons with wide area effects in the vicinity of densely populated residential areas is likely to violate the prohibition of indiscriminate attacks and also can lead to disproportionate attacks.

    The Israeli authorities and Hezbollah and other armed groups need to recognize that the rules of international humanitarian law apply in all circumstances, whatever the reason for the conflict. Nothing can excuse unlawful killing and injury of civilians

    Erika Guevara Rosas

    “On 25 September, the Israeli army spokesperson issued a public warning in Arabic, advising people not to return to their homes “until further notice” and stating that “air strikes are ongoing”. Such warnings do not absolve Israel of its responsibilities under international humanitarian law to distinguish between military objectives and civilians, and to take all feasible precautions to minimize harm to civilians. According to international law, a warning must ensure that sufficient time is granted. Even so, evacuation calls do not render the impacted areas free-fire zones,” said Erika Guevara Rosas.  

    “Israel’s relentless onslaught on Gaza has already seen more than 42,000 Palestinians killed over the past year. The latest assault on Lebanon has brought a fresh wave of horror to the wider region. The Israeli authorities and Hezbollah and other armed groups need to recognize that the rules of international humanitarian law apply in all circumstances, whatever the reason for the conflict. Nothing can excuse unlawful killing and injury of civilians.”  

    Background

    Israel’s Operation Northern Arrows began on 23 September. During the first day, Israeli forces carried out at least 1,600 strikes in areas across Lebanon. Hezbollah also launched more than 200 rockets towards Israel.

    Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in ongoing cross-border hostilities since the group launched attacks into northern Israel following the start of Israel’s offensive in the occupied Gaza Strip in October 2023. As of 10 September 2024, Israeli attacks on south Lebanon and the Bekaa since 7 October 2023 had killed at least 137 civilians, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health and the United Nations. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced from south Lebanon, the Bekaa, and other areas due to the ongoing hostilities, the majority of them fleeing the latest attacks. 

    Across the same period, Hezbollah and other armed groups have fired projectiles at northern Israel and killed at least 14 civilians in Israel, according to the Israeli authorities. On 27 July, 12 civilians, all children, were killed in an attack on Majdal Shams in the occupied Golan Heights. Around 63,000 residents of northern Israel have been evacuated since 8 October. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven, Grassley Urge Biden-Harris Admin to Address Abuses in Unaccompanied Migrant Children Program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven
    09.24.24
    WASHINGTON — Senator John Hoeven joined Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and 43 bicameral Republican colleagues in sending a letter calling on President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to root out abuses in their administration’s unaccompanied migrant children program and stop the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)’s cover-up of the crisis. HHS has failed to comply with two out of three Department of Homeland Security (DHS) subpoenas and other information requests issued amid its investigation into more than 100 suspicious sponsors. The Biden-Harris administration limited background checks for sponsors of unaccompanied children, cut back on familial DNA testing at the border and decreased information sharing with law enforcement.
    The lawmakers are urging Biden and Harris to “make changes to [their] policies and procedures” in order to “end this public safety crisis.” They are specifically calling on the Biden-Harris administration to enhance information sharing with law enforcement and Congress, fully cooperate with DHS’s child exploitation investigation and thoroughly respond to all congressional oversight requests.
    “[The Biden-Harris HHS] must stop its cover-up and cooperate with law enforcement and Congress to end this crisis and protect unaccompanied children and the American people,” the lawmakers concluded.
    Joining Hoeven and Grassley in sending the letter are Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.),  John Thune (R-S.D.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), John Kennedy (R-La.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Roger Marshall (R-Kans.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.).
     Full text of the letter can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Over 90,000 People Displaced by Latest Military Escalation in Lebanon – IOM Scales Up Its Response 

    Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

    Beirut, 25 September – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has released its latest Mobility Tracking displacement update showing at least 90,350 people have become newly displaced since 19 September, following the latest military escalation in Lebanon.  

    According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, nearly 600 people have been killed, including 50 children, and approximately 1,700 injured, since Monday.  

    IOM Director General Amy Pope, speaking from the United Nations General Assembly in New York reiterated a call for diplomacy, peace and de-escalation.   

    “We are deeply alarmed by the military escalation in Lebanon, which has claimed hundreds of lives, including women and children.” DG Pope said.  “The welfare of civilians and protection of related infrastructure must be respected, in line with international humanitarian law and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 which calls for peace and stability in the region.”  

    IOM is working with government authorities and partners to address immediate humanitarian needs. It is responding with the delivery of assistance, services, and protection to internally displaced persons by supporting local authorities and partners.   

    The Organization is distributing essential relief items to internally displaced persons and host families, and protection services, including psychosocial support services. In close coordination with the Government of Lebanon, IOM provided 1,350 mattresses, blankets, and pillows in the past 48 hours to individuals sheltering in schools and other buildings that have been converted into shelters for displaced families.   

    Since October 2023, IOM has delivered lifesaving medicines and supplies to Ministry of Public Health hospitals and health centres across the south, prepositioned vital equipment and more recently, provided logistics support the Ministry’s primary warehouse facility.   

    “Our teams are on the ground, working tirelessly alongside our government counterparts and local partners to deliver vital humanitarian support to those who need it most. We are committed to scaling up our response to meet the growing needs faced by so many across Lebanon” said Mathieu Luciano, IOM’s Head of Office in Lebanon.   

    Prior to the recent displacement across Lebanon, the country was already in the grips of a protracted political and socio-economic crisis, with more than 3.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.    

    In support of the Government of Lebanon, IOM is scaling up its critical humanitarian support to ensure the needs of displaced populations and host communities are met.   

    For more information, please contact:  

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Connolly-Warner Reintroduce Chai Suthammanont Healthy Federal Workplaces Act to Protect Federal Employees During Public Health Emergencies

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gerry Connolly (D-Va)

    Today, Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation, and Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) reintroduced the Chai Suthammanont Healthy Federal Workplaces Act, legislation to better protect federal employees during a public health emergency. The legislation previously passed the House in September 2022.

    “On May 26, 2020, Chai Suthammanont, my constituent and a kitchen staff worker at a childcare facility on Marine Corps Base Quantico, died from COVID-related complications,” said Rep. Connolly. “Confusion and uncertainty surrounding agency guidance during the pandemic emerged as two of the largest contributing factors to Chai’s death. These factors, combined with a general lack of communication with federal workforce staff, led to tragedy. Our Chai Suthammanont Healthy Federal Workplaces Act will ensure federal employees are informed and better protected during any future public health emergency. I want to thank Senator Warner for his partnership, and I want to thank Chai’s widow, Christina, for her continued efforts to transform her family’s loss into a charge to help others.”

    “Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, federal employees remained hard at work, ensuring that the American people could continue to count on their government. But unfortunately, the pandemic highlighted that our federal agencies were widely unprepared to protect these essential workers,” said Sen. Warner. “It’s crucial that we learn from our mistakes. We owe it to our federal workforce to ensure a safe workplace, and when faced with another public health emergency, we must be prepared.”

    The legislation requires each federal agency to establish a plan that describes public health protocols including, but not limited to, testing; identification and notification of individuals who may have been exposed; cleaning; occupancy limits; use of personal protective equipment; protections for employees whose work requires them to travel off-site; and ensuring the continuity of agency operations. The bill would also require each agency’s Office of the Inspector General to report on the extent each agency has implemented the plan and would require the Government Accountability Office to report on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Text of the legislation is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Colombia: ICITAP Conducts Training Exclusively for Judicial Experts in ¨Communication of the Expert During the Criminal Proceeding”

    Source: United States Attorneys General 13

    On July 2, the ICITAP-Colombia mission provided an update on its assistance to the criminal justice system. With funding and support from the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), ICITAP sponsored the participation of nineteen officials from the Colombian National Police (CNP) the Attorney General´s Office (AGO) and the National Institute of Legal Medicine (LM). During the training, participants prepared their expert report collaborating along with the prosecutor, to prepare for their testimony as experts during a mock hearing exercise of an oral trial. During the preparation stage, participants increased their communication skills utilizing logical reasoning and how to prepare demonstrative evidence by means of illustrations, drawings, and flowcharts to present the results of their expert opinions. During the mock oral hearing in front of a judge, participants experienced the interrogation phase, cross-examination, redirect and clarifications, from which they received feedback from judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys and their colleagues. All participants were recorded during their hearing and at the end, they were presented with their recorded video for constructive feedback from their peers, attorneys, and the judge. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Students Provide Dental Screenings to Veterans at Annual Stand Down Event

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    For many veterans across the state, access to essential social, financial, and health services can be hard to come by. Basic oral health care can be especially difficult, as dental benefits through the country’s Veterans Affairs health system are only available to veterans with service-connected oral health issues.

    Working to help close the veterans oral health care gap is the UConn School of Dental Medicine. This past weekend, students and faculty participated in the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs annual “Stand Down” event—a one-stop shop for Connecticut’s veterans to access services with a variety of state and federal agencies, nonprofits, and veterans organizations. From flu shots to legal services, local resources were available to veterans at several sites across the state.

    Third-year dental students Jenna Whelan, Catherine Tang, and second-year student Dylan Hatajik distribute supplies during the 2024 Stand Down event.

    “The Stand Down event was both impactful and memorable. Beyond providing services, we had the opportunity to listen to the veterans share their stories of their time serving,” said student leader and second-year student Stephen Ogarekpe

    This is the second year that the School of Dental Medicine participated in this statewide event to deliver oral health screenings, hand out supplies such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and denture cleaner, and distribute important information on resources for veterans. This year, the students provided over 100 screenings at the Bridgeport, Bristol, Danbury, Norwich, and Stamford locations.

    Dr. John Agar with dental students Marley Esch, Lenka Serdar, and Nick Mattioli.

    “It was an incredible experience to honor our local veterans and be a part of such a wonderful community event,” said student leader and third-year student Lenka Serdar. “It was humbling to see so many veterans thank us for helping to determine their oral health needs and how to access care, when in reality we were most appreciative of their selfless service.”

    Along with connecting with veterans and other vendors, the students met with U.S. Senator Chris Murphy in Danbury, and Mayor Caroline Simmons and State Senator Ryan Fazio in Stamford.

    “It was a fantastic morning, and we were able to provide screenings and answer important questions from veterans regarding their oral healthcare,” said second-year student Dylan Hatajik.

    UConn School of Dental Medicine’s efforts to address the dental care needs of veterans are made possible with philanthropic support, including the Delta Dental Foundation’s support of our Open Wide for Veterans initiative.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Lebanon: ‘deep alarm’ over staggering death toll in Israeli attacks

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have hit crowded residential areas, with children and medics among the dead

    Warnings to Lebanese civilians do not absolve Israel of responsibilities under international humanitarian law

    ‘Nothing can excuse unlawful killing and injury of civilians’ – Erika Guevara Rosas

    The exponential rise in the death toll in Lebanon over the past three days amid an escalation in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah is a reminder of the crucial need for all parties to the conflict to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law, Amnesty International said today. 

    During the first day of its offensive, Israeli forces carried out at least 1,600 airstrikes in areas across Lebanon, while Hezbollah also launched more than 200 rockets towards Israel. On Monday alone, at least 558 people – including 50 children and 94 women – were killed and more than 1,800 injured by Israeli attacks in Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

    Scores more have been killed since. Hezbollah attacks on Israel have also significantly intensified and according to Israeli media reports at least 15 people were injured, the majority by shrapnel or debris and others while trying to access shelter.

    Many of the areas struck by Israeli attacks in recent days were crowded residential areas, according to videos reviewed by Amnesty. Lebanon’s health minister said that medical facilities and personnel also came under fire, killing four medics and injuring at least 16.

    Respecting international humanitarian law requires ensuring that only military objectives are targeted, avoiding indiscriminate attacks, disproportionate attacks and direct attacks on civilians and civilian objects, and taking all feasible precautions to minimise harm to civilians and damage to civilian infrastructure. Using explosive weapons with wide-area effects in the vicinity of densely-populated residential areas is likely to violate the prohibition of indiscriminate attacks and also can lead to disproportionate attacks.

    Erika Guevara Rosas, Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns, said:  

    “We are deeply alarmed by the staggering death toll within a single day, which continues to rise, and the devastating impact on civilians with almost 500,000 displaced from south Lebanon, the Bekaa and other regions that have come under intense bombardment.

    “As Israel continues to intensify and expand its bombardment, and Hezbollah continues to launch attacks into Israel, all parties to the conflict must respect international humanitarian law and take all feasible precautions to protect civilian lives. 

    “We urge all states to halt all arms transfers and other forms of military assistance to Israel and Hezbollah due to the significant risk that these weapons could be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law, including war crimes.

    “Israel’s relentless onslaught on Gaza has already seen more than 42,000 Palestinians killed over the past year. The latest assault on Lebanon has brought a fresh wave of horror to the wider region. The Israeli authorities and Hezbollah and other armed groups need to recognise that the rules of international humanitarian law apply in all circumstances, whatever the reason for the conflict. Nothing can excuse unlawful killing and injury of civilians.”  

    Israeli warnings

    On 25 September, the Israeli army spokesperson issued a public warning in Arabic, advising people not to return to their homes “until further notice”, stating that “airstrikes are ongoing”. Such warnings do not absolve Israel of its responsibilities under international humanitarian law to distinguish between military objectives and civilians, and to take all feasible precautions to minimise harm to civilians. According to international law, a warning must ensure that sufficient time is granted. Even so, evacuation calls do not render the impacted areas free-fire zones.  

    Cross-border hostilities

    Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in ongoing cross-border hostilities since the group launched attacks into northern Israel following the start of Israel’s offensive in the occupied Gaza Strip last October. As of 10 September, Israeli attacks on south Lebanon and the Bekaa since 7 October 2023 had killed at least 137 civilians, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health and the United Nations. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced from south Lebanon, the Bekaa, and other areas due to the ongoing hostilities, the majority of them fleeing the latest attacks. Across the same period, Hezbollah and other armed groups have fired projectiles at northern Israel and killed at least 14 civilians in Israel, according to the Israeli authorities. On 27 July, 12 civilians, all children, were killed in an attack on Majdal Shams in the occupied Golan Heights. Around 63,000 residents of northern Israel have been evacuated since 8 October. 

    2006 conflict

    During the 34-day conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006, the death toll was 1,100 in Lebanon and 43 in Israel. Amnesty’s investigations revealed that during the conflict, Israeli forces carried out indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks on a large scale, including massive destruction of civilian infrastructure. It also found that Hezbollah carried out direct and indiscriminate attacks on civilians and appeared to fail to take necessary precautions to protect civilians in Lebanon from the effects of Israeli attacks. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Blunt Rochester, Kiggans Applaud House Passage of Legislation to Preserve U.S. Coastlines

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL)

    WASHINGTON – Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL) and Congresswoman Jen Kiggans’ (VA-02) bill, H.R. 5490, the Bolstering Ecosystems Against Coastal Harm (BEACH) Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to protect Delaware’s coastline by approving new, expanded maps under the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA). A companion to this bill led by U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-DE), the Strengthening Coastal Communities Act, passed the U.S. Senate unanimously in April.

    CBRA employs a market-driven approach to coastal conservation by prohibiting most federal funds from being used for development in storm prone, ecologically sensitive coastal areas. This not only helps preserve wildlife habitats, but also maintains critical buffers against storms and flooding. Importantly, CBRA does not prohibit or regulate development by state and local governments or private owners; it simply ensures hard-earned tax dollars are not used to fund risky investments in ecologically sensitive areas.

    “As the lowest-lying state in the country, Delaware feels the impact of the climate crisis every day. That’s why I am committed to strengthening our communities against extreme weather events,” said Rep. Blunt Rochester, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “The BEACH Act is a bipartisan effort to help us achieve that goal, not only in Delaware but nationwide. I am confident that the policies I authored in the House-passed bill, such as extending disaster loan eligibility to aquaculture businesses for the first time and authorizing a study on coastal barrier areas vulnerable to extreme weather, will protect Delawareans and our natural resources from hazards including flooding, storm surge, wind erosion, and sea level rise. I appreciate Congresswoman Kiggans’ collaboration on this bill, and I look forward to working with our colleagues to get it passed into law.”

    “For 40 years, the Coastal Barrier Resources Act has not only protected millions of acres of beaches and wetlands, but also prevented billions of dollars in property damage from natural disasters and undoubtedly saved lives,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “I’m proud that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle joined me in making our coastal communities more resilient by passing the BEACH Act unanimously. We owe it to ourselves and the generations after us to take care of the world we live in, and my legislation does exactly that. I urge the Senate to take up this legislation so that we can continue to be good stewards of our environment and taxpayer dollars.”

    In April of 2022, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service identified 96,435 additional acres in Virginia to be included in the Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS), including 1,422 of land and 95,013 acres of wetlands and estuarine areas. The BEACH Act would authorize these maps and related protections for use in the CBRS. Today, 163,589 acres along Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic coast are included in the CBRA system including 974 acres of land and 42,192 acres of wetlands where nearly all federal spending is prohibited. There are also 7,696 acres of land and 112,727 acres of wetlands in “Otherwise Protected Areas,” where only federal flood insurance is prohibited.

    A 2019 economic study reported CBRA has saved U.S. taxpayers $9.5 billion and is projected to save another $11-108 billion over the next 50 years. These protected coastal areas provide habitats for economically important fish and shellfish, recreational opportunities for hunters, and flood protection for nearby coastal communities. Acting as nature’s “speed bumps,” these coastal areas absorb impacts from storms and hurricanes and provide more than $23 billion per year in storm protection services nationwide. During Hurricane Sandy in 2012, coastal wetlands prevented $625 million in property damages from Maine to North Carolina.

    “Coastal barriers provide significant economic and ecosystem benefits,” said Dr. Derek Aday, VIMS Dean & Director. “There is clear scientific evidence that these benefits are enhanced through policies that allow coastal barriers and their associated estuaries, lagoons, tidal flats, and wetlands to remain in their most natural state. Based on the evidence, VIMS supports the BEACH Act.”

    “The BEACH Act is a win-win for birds and people,” said Portia Mastin, Coastal Conservation Policy Manager at the National Audubon Society. “Expanding protected coastal areas not only ensures that shorebirds can nest, feed, and rest safely—it also provides a buffer of healthy beaches and wetlands to absorb storms and flooding that would otherwise put our coastal communities at risk.”

    “Birds tell us we must act on climate, as increased storms, droughts, and sea-level rise puts pressure on both our wildlife and communities around the country,” said Felice Stadler, Vice President of Government Affairs at the National Audubon Society. “These important bills provide balanced solutions to the dual biodiversity and climate crises that we are witnessing, and we are pleased to see them move forward.” 

    “Healthy coastal ecosystems provide numerous protections and benefits to both people and wildlife,” said Emily Donahoe, Policy Specialist for Resilient Coasts and Floodplains at National Wildlife Federation. “Expanding the Coastal Barrier Resources System is an important step to improve the resiliency of our coastlines, protect critical habitats, and save taxpayer dollars.”

    You can view the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposed changes to the CBRA System in Delaware here.

    You can read the full text of the BEACH Act here and a one pager on the bill here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Blunt Rochester, Duckworth, Booker, Tlaib, Dingell, Lee Call for Expedited Review and Implementation of Biden Administration’s Proposed Strengthening of the Lead and Copper Rule

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL)

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE-AL) and U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Cory Booker (D-NJ)—co-founders of the new U.S. Senate Lead Task Force and the U.S. Senate Environmental Justice Caucus—along with, Representatives Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) are calling on the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to expedite its review of the Biden Administration’s proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), which would lower the lead action level to better protect human health and require water systems to replace old and deteriorating lead pipes within a decade. The lawmakers’ bicameral letter underscores the importance of OMB completing its review ahead of the October 16th finalization deadline to not only help ensure these important improvements are implemented as quickly as possible, but also prevent water systems from being forced to temporarily comply with the prior rule proposed by the Trump Administration—also known as the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR)—which would put public health at risk. Congresswomen Blunt Rochester, Tlaib and Dingell are co-founders and co-leads of the Get the Lead Out Caucus in the House.

    In the letter, the lawmakers outlined what’s at stake if the proposed LCRI is not finalized by October 16th: “…water systems and states will be required to start complying immediately with the deeply problematic LCRR. EPA concluded that temporary implementation of the LCRR rule from the prior administration will create bureaucratic complexity and confusion for regulated entities, waste scarce resources, result in widespread non-compliance and risk delaying or failing to realize the full benefits of the LCRI… In addition to the unnecessary potential confusion and complexity, the prior administration’s LCRR would put public health at risk by implementing inadequate policies that do not meaningfully address the lead contamination problems in communities across the country.”

    In addition to preventing water systems from being forced to comply with Trump Administration’s previously proposed LCRR, swiftly finalizing the Biden Administration’s proposed LCRI would help ensure full implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s provisions aimed at removing lead pipes and advancing environmental justice. The lawmakers wrote: “The commitment of the Biden-Harris Administration and EPA extends beyond the LCRI, but a timely final LCRI is necessary to stop the ongoing environmental health crises. The $15 billion in dedicated funding for lead pipe replacement and additional $11.7 billion in grants, loans and principal forgiveness made possible through Congress’s passage of Senator Duckworth’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other sources, need the proposed LCRI to be finalized to ensure safe and expedient implementation.”

    The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included Duckworth’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act (DWWIA) and is the most significant federal investment in water infrastructure in history, including $15 billion for national lead pipe replacement. DWWIA, which focuses on disadvantaged communities, will help rebuild our nation’s crumbling and dangerous water infrastructure and enable communities to repair and modernize their failing wastewater systems.

    Along with Duckworth and Booker, the letter is co-signed in the Senate by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tom Carper (D-DE), Bernie Sanders (D-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

    Along with Blunt Rochester, Tlaib, Dingell and Lee, the letter is co-signed in the House by: Alma Adams (D-NC-12), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL-20), Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09), Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Dwight Evans (D-PA-3), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL-10), John Garamendi (D-CA-08), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Robert Garcia (D-CA-42), Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29), Daniel Goldman (D-NY-10), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-07), Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), Daniel Kildee (D-MI-08), Summer Lee (D-PA-12), Stephen Lynch (D-MA-08), Seth Magaziner (D-RI-02), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), James P. McGovern (D-MA-02), Grace Meng (D-NY-06), Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-At Large), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14), Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Linda Sánchez (D-CA-38), John Sarbanes (D-MA-03), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI-07), Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-01), Haley Stevens (D-MI-11), Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13), Jill Tokuda (D-HI-13), Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15), Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24), Hank Johnson (D-GA-04), Patrick Ryan (D-NY-18), Joe Courtney (D-CT-02), Katie Porter (D-CA-47), David J. Trone (D-MD-06), Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (D-VA-08), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Gerald Connolly (D-VA-11), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18), Gabe Amo (D-RI-01), Sara Jacobs (D-CA-51) and Darren Soto (D-FL-09).

    After leading a dozen of their Senate colleagues in calling on EPA to strengthen and enforce the Lead and Copper Rule, Duckworth and Booker applauded the Biden Administration for heeding their request in November of last year. In February, Duckworth, Booker, Tlaib and Dingell urged the Biden Administration to strengthen the rule further by considering additional provisions that would improve and expedite the Biden Administration’s effort to remove all lead service lines from our nation.

    The letter is endorsed by: Natural Resources Defense Council, League of Conservation Voters, EarthJustice, Protect Kids From Lead Coalition, National Association of Water Companies, BlueGreen Alliance, Environmental Defense Fund, Unleaded Kids and National Center for Healthy Housing.

    The full letter can be found below or on Blunt Rochester’s website:

    Dear Director Young:

    We appreciate the Biden-Harris Administration’s bold leadership and substantial efforts to remove nearly all lead service lines from across our nation within 10 years.  The commitment to ensure safe, lead-free drinking water in every community has been evident through both federal investments and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) proposed rule that was published in December 2023 and submitted for finalization to the White House Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs in August 2024. This proposal represents another critical step forward that will protect public health, create jobs and ensure a better future for our children. We write to underscore the importance of finalizing the LCRI before October 16, 2024, to avoid a default implementation of the previous administration’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR).

    As you know, if the rule is not finalized by October 16, water systems and states will be required to start complying immediately with the deeply problematic LCRR. EPA concluded that temporary implementation of the LCRR rule from the prior administration will create bureaucratic complexity and confusion for regulated entities, waste scarce resources, result in widespread non-compliance and risk delaying or failing to realize the full benefits of the LCRI. See 88 Fed. Reg. at 84,903, 84,967-69. In addition to the unnecessary potential confusion and complexity, the prior administration’s LCRR would put public health at risk by implementing inadequate policies that do not meaningfully address the lead contamination problems in communities across the country. 

    Finalizing the LCRI in a timely way also works to protect our most vulnerable.  Lead service lines are disproportionately located in low-income communities and communities of color. This increased risk of lead-contaminated drinking water factors into disadvantaged communities’ greater cumulative risk of lead exposure. Early lead exposure can lead to lasting behavioral and intellectual disabilities and research shows that children who were exposed to lead are more likely to have lower socioeconomic statuses than their parents in adulthood. But adults are not exempt from lead’s impacts; exposure causes cardiovascular and renal problems as well as an increase in all-cause mortality. There is no safe level of lead exposure.  

    The commitment of the Biden-Harris Administration and its EPA extends beyond the LCRI, but a timely final LCRI is necessary to stop the ongoing environmental health crises. The $15 billion in dedicated funding for lead pipe replacement and additional $11.7 billion in grants, loans and principal forgiveness made possible through Congress’s passage of Senator Duckworth’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other sources, need the proposed LCRI to be finalized to ensure safe and expedient implementation. 

    A timely final LCRI is necessary to immediately and urgently address lead contamination in communities across the country and remove the estimated 9 million service lines across the nation that contain lead. The final rule will ensure that safe and lead-free drinking water is available in all communities and we look forward to continue working with you on this effort. 

    Sincerely,

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Danny K. Davis Introduces Bipartisan Legislation Designating September 2024 as “National Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Danny K Davis (7th District of Illinois)

    Washington, D.C. — Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL), along with a bipartisan coalition of original cosponsors, today introduced a resolution recognizing September 2024 as “National Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.” The resolution highlights the importance of raising awareness about Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), advancing research, improving access to treatments, and providing support for the millions of Americans affected by this life-altering condition.

    Representatives Michael C. Burgess, Barbara Lee, Terri Sewell, Rashida Tlaib, Robin Kelly, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Henry Johnson Jr., Nanette Barragán, Nikema Williams, Emanuel Cleaver, Stacey Plaskett, Cori Bush, Yvette Clarke, and Sanford Bishop are the original cosponsors of the bipartisan legislation.

    “As we mark the 51st anniversary of the National Sickle Cell Anemia Control Act, it’s essential to renew our commitment to those affected by Sickle Cell Disease,” said Congressman Davis. “This resolution ensures that September 2024 will be dedicated to spreading awareness, promoting research, and supporting those individuals and families who face the daily challenges posed by this disease. These ‘Sickle Cell Warriors’ deserve our full support as we move toward improved care and eventual cures.”

    Sickle Cell Disease: A Public Health Priority

    Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects the shape and function of red blood cells, reducing their ability to carry oxygen throughout the body. This condition disproportionately impacts African Americans, with approximately 1 in every 365 African American children born with SCD and 1 in 13 African Americans carrying the Sickle Cell Trait (SCT). Many individuals with SCT may not be aware of their status, increasing the importance of education, screenings, and preventative care.

    “With medical advances on the horizon, including potential gene therapies, now is the time to amplify awareness and support the development of treatments that could significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with Sickle Cell Disease,” Congressman Davis emphasized.

    A Legacy of Advocacy and Care

    Since its discovery in 1910, Sickle Cell Disease has posed significant health challenges, primarily to people of African descent. The passage of the National Sickle Cell Anemia Control Act in 1972 marked the beginning of federally funded research, awareness, counseling, and screening programs aimed at addressing the disease. This resolution continues that legacy by focusing attention on the importance of comprehensive care, research, and the need for federal programs to support SCD patients.

    The average lifespan of an adult living with Sickle Cell Disease is 20 to 30 years shorter than that of the general population. Congressman Davis’s resolution urges Congress to recommit to supporting the medical advances needed to extend and improve the lives of people living with SCD and to ensure equitable access to care for all affected individuals.

    Bipartisan and Bicameral Support

    The introduction of this resolution is the product of bipartisan and bicameral cooperation. “I am grateful for the broad support of my colleagues in both parties who recognize the urgency of this issue,” said Congressman Davis. “We invite additional members to join us in sponsoring this resolution to demonstrate Congress’s unified commitment to fighting this disease.”

    How to Cosponsor the Resolution

    Members of Congress who wish to join as cosponsors of H.Res.1495 are encouraged to contact Caleb Gilchrist in Congressman Davis’s office (Caleb.Gilchrist@mail.house.gov) or Jacquelyn Incerto in Congressman Burgess’s office (Jacquelyn.Incerto@mail.house.gov).

    About Congressman Danny K. Davis

    Congressman Danny K. Davis is the Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Worker and Family Support. He has been a leading advocate for healthcare equity, child welfare, criminal justice reform, and economic development. He has represented Illinois’s 7th Congressional District since 1997. He remains committed to addressing public health challenges, particularly those affecting communities of color.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Whip Clark, House Democrats Take Action to Invest in Child Care, Call Out GOP on Inaction

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Katherine Clark (5th District of Massachusetts)

    CategoriesMIL OSI

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) reintroduced the Child Care Infrastructure Act and the Child Care Workforce Development Act, two bills that address America’s child care crisis with robust investment in early learning facilities and educators. These bills are co-led by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Jennifer McClellan (VA-3), Brittany Pettersen (CO-7), and Jill Tokuda (HI-2).

    “Democrats are focused on one of the most urgent challenges facing everyday families: the outrageous cost of child care,” said Whip Clark. “This pair of bills will build out child care facilities across the country while recruiting talented Americans to pursue careers in early education. This investment would mark a critical step forward in House Democrats’ fight to lower costs for parents, create opportunities for our children, and build an economy that works for working families. While Republicans ignore the child care crisis, we are ready with solutions.”

    “Child care is infrastructure and an important investment for children, families, and the economy,” said Rep. Bonamici. “The ongoing hurdles child care providers and families face are limiting economic growth, threatening employers and small businesses, and holding back working families. I’m grateful to partner with Whip Clark to introduce legislation that will provide funding to improve and build facilities to help meet the demand for affordable, accessible child care.”

    “As a father and the founder of the Dads Caucus, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to find affordable child care, and I know that the working parents of this nation face the same concern. Many families today are living in child care deserts, where there aren’t enough quality, affordable daycares nearby—my colleagues and I are fighting to change that,” said Rep. Gomez. “I’m proud to join Whip Clark on these two bills that will make becoming an early childhood educator more attainable for students, expand our child care provider workforce and fund building new daycares as key infrastructure investments. Working families should rest assured that their children are being looked after in quality facilities with qualified educators who are supported.”

    “As one of the 6 percent of members of Congress who is a mother to young children, I know firsthand the challenges working families face when seeking quality, affordable child care,” said Rep. McClellan. “House Democrats are fighting every day to address the child care crisis and give hardworking American families some relief from exorbitant costs. I’m grateful for Democratic Whip Katherine Clark’s leadership on this pressing issue, as we introduce the Child Care Infrastructure Act and the Child Care Workforce Development Act. These bills will bolster federal investment in our nation’s child care industry and incentivize care workers and early childhood educators to continue their invaluable work.” 

    “As a working mom of a four-year-old son with another child on the way, I know firsthand how difficult it is to find affordable child care and the struggles families in my district are facing, especially in more rural communities,” said Rep. Pettersen. “That’s why I’m proud to help reintroduce these two pieces of legislation to bolster our child care workforce, help lower costs for parents, and ensure every family can access the care they need for their children to thrive. I’m incredibly grateful for the leadership of Whip Clark and my colleagues who joined today.” 

    “The rising cost of child care has made it difficult for millions of parents to balance earning a living with caring for their families. Nonetheless, my Republican colleagues refused to join us in supporting working parents and allowed vital federal child care stabilization funding to expire last year. Our working families deserve better. Without additional action by Congress, the unaffordability and unavailability of child care in the U.S. will only worsen,” said Rep. Tokuda. “As a mother of two boys that has to make tough choices, I’m proud to join our Democratic Whip, Congresswoman Katherine Clark, in introducing the Child Care Infrastructure Act and the Child Care Workforce Development Act. Together, these bills will provide for greater investment in the programs and the people we entrust to take care of our kids so they can continue serving children and families across the country.”

    The Child Care Infrastructure Act would:

    • Direct the Department of Health and Human Services(HHS) to conduct a national needs assessment of early child care and learning facilities to understand the impact of the child care crisis and evaluate the ongoing infrastructure needs of child care facilities across the U.S. 
    • Establish a grant program to award grants to states for the purpose of constructing new or renovating existing child care facilities.
    • Set aside a minimum of 10% and a maximum of 15% of the authorized funds to award grants of up to $10 million to intermediary organizations, including development financial institutions or other organizations that have demonstrated experience in developing or financing early care and learning facilities.
    • Authorize $10 billion over five years to invest in our nation’s child care infrastructure.

    The Child Care Workforce Development Act would: 

    • Authorize HHS to administer a student loan repayment program of up to $6,000 annually for five years for early childhood educators working for providers eligible to receive Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) funding. 
    • Establish a program to provide up to $4,000 annually to eligible individuals pursuing an associate’s degree or a certificate in early childhood education. 

    Whip Clark is the lead champion for child care in Congress. Earlier this year, she launched her Affordable Child Care Agenda, which calls for affordable care for every family, accessible care for every family, and livable wages for early educators. During her seven years on the Appropriations Committee, she increased funding for the CCDBG by $6 billion. At the height of the pandemic, Whip Clark helped save the child care system – keeping 200,000 child care providers in business and 10 million kids in classrooms nationwide. Recently, Whip Clark introduced legislation to expand access to affordable child care for student parents, and she is the proud sponsor of the Child Care Stabilization Act, legislation that would maintain federal investments in the child care system that started during the pandemic. 

    Photos of the press conference can be found HERE, the full press conference can be viewed HERE. 

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MORE THAN 4,700 VETERAN NURSESRECEIVE UP TO $15,000 UNDER ANGEL SCHEME

    Source: Asia Pacific Region 2 – Singapore

          More than 4,700 nurses aged 46 and above who have at least five years in service in the public healthcare sector have received a one-off recognition payout amounting between $5,000 to $15,000 this month, under the Award for Nurses’ Grace, Excellence and Loyalty (ANGEL) scheme.

    2.    The ANGEL scheme was introduced by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to attract and encourage nurses to build a lifelong career in nursing, and was announced by Minister for Health Mr Ong Ye Kung in February 2024.

    3.   24,000 eligible nurses in the public healthcare institutions are currently on the ANGEL scheme, and can receive payouts every three to six years. Nurses who continue to work in the public healthcare sector, including new nurses, can receive a total payout of up to $100,000 over 20 years of their career. The payouts to more than 4,700 nurses in September 2024 aim to recognise the contributions of experienced nurses who have already served a number of years. Nurses who have served fewer years typically join the profession at a young age, and will be able to enjoy the full benefits of the scheme if they continue to pursue a career in nursing.

    4.   Publicly funded Community Care Organisations and Social Service Agencies with nurses funded by the Ministry of Social and Family Development will also be able to participate in the ANGEL scheme. MOH will be working closely with these employers in the coming months to encourage them to come onboard the scheme, so that the 5,000 nurses currently serving in these organisations can also benefit.

    5.   In total, 29,000 nurses from both the public healthcare and community sectors stand to benefit from the ANGEL scheme. We hope to encourage nurses to stay and continue to contribute to the wider public healthcare system, as well as to attract more to take up nursing as a career. We will continue to pursue other efforts, such as growing the local nursing training pipelines for both fresh graduates and mid-career entrants, as well as recruiting foreign nurses to augment our local core.

    MINISTRY OF HEALTH
    25 SEPTEMBER 2024

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Valadao Introduces Resolution to Raise Awareness on Rare Brain Disease

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G. Valadao (California)

    WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) introduced a bipartisan resolution to designate November 12th as Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Awareness Day. Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is a rare brain disease that causes a rapid decline in a person’s cognitive health, and often leads to death within only a few months to one year following the onset of symptoms. Longtime Bakersfield Mayor Harvey L. Hall passed away from CJD in 2018.

    “As the longest serving mayor in Bakersfield history, Mayor Harvey Hall was a beloved member of our community and a dear friend,” said Congressman Valadao. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution to designate November 12th as CJD Awareness Day to honor Mayor Hall’s memory and help raise awareness for CJD patients and their families across the country.”

    “Everyone in Bakersfield knows the influence late Mayor Harvey Hall had on our community, and of the lasting impact he left,” said Congressman Vince Fong. “We lost Mayor Hall too soon to CJD, which is why I am cosponsoring the CJD Awareness Day resolution, to honor a tremendous community leader, raise needed awareness for CJD, and show support for those living with the disease and friends and family who have lost loved ones to CJD.”

    “On behalf of the many families across the United States who have been affected by this horrendous disease, I am honored that our great Central Valley Representatives, who knew and worked with my husband Harvey, are once again leading the way to bring awareness to Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD). Great strides have been made in the past year legislatively, which I believe can be attributed to the attention generated by the inaugural resolution. By combining this legislative support with the groundbreaking medical research taking place on prion disease, I am confident in our collective potential to find a treatment or cure for CJD. I sincerely thank Rep. Valadao for again introducing this year’s resolution, which has the bipartisan support of Rep. Vince Fong and Rep. Jim Costa” said Lavonne C. Hall, widow of Mayor Harvey Hall.

    Congressman Valadao was joined in introduction by Reps. Vince Fong (CA-20), David Joyce (OH-14), Vern Buchanan (FL-16), John Rose (TN-06), Aaron Bean (FL-04), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Ben Cline (VA-06), Jim Costa (CA-21), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Don Davis (NC-01), Julia Brownley (CA-26), and Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon (PR).

    Congressman Valadao spoke in support of the resolution on the House Floor. Watch his remarks here. Download photos of Congressman Valadao signing the resolution here.

    Remarks as prepared:

    M. Speaker,

    I rise today to raise awareness about Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, or CJD. 

    CJD is a rare brain disease that causes a rapid decline in a person’s cognitive health, and often leads to death within only a few months to one year following the onset of symptoms.

    There are about 500 new cases in the United States each year.

    Sadly, one of these cases was a friend of mine and well-known member of the Central Valley community, Bakersfield Mayor Harvey L. Hall.

    In 2018, Mayor Hall lost his life from CJD just two weeks after his diagnosis.

    Mr. Hall was a beloved member of our community, and the longest-serving mayor in Bakersfield’s history.

    His sudden death was a shock to our community and devastating for all who knew him, including his wife of 28 years who is here with us today, Lavonne Hall.

    I’m introducing a resolution today to designate November 12th as CJD Awareness Day.

    I’m proud to honor Mayor Hall’s memory in this way and raise awareness for thousands of CJD patients and the families who have been impacted by this disease.

    Thank you, I yield back.


    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Griffith Announces $1,408,507 HHS Head Start Grant to People Incorporated of Virginia

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

    Griffith Announces $1,408,507 HHS Head Start Grant to People Incorporated of Virginia

    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded People Incorporated of Virginia, based in Abingdon, Virginia, a roughly $1.4 million grant for Head Start projects. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

    “This grant for more than $1.4 million helps People Incorporated of Virginia advance services that promote childhood education and contribute to family development in rural communities.”

    BACKGROUND

    People Incorporated of Virginia has Head Start centers in Abingdon, Bristol, Glade Spring and Lebanon, as well as an Early Head Start program administered in Clintwood.

    In June, People Incorporated of Virginia received an HHS grant of $3,414,040 for Head Start projects.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: B.C.’s plan for involuntary addiction treatment is a step back in our response to the overdose crisis

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Kora DeBeck, Professor, School of Public Policy; Dorothy Killam Fellow; CIHR Applied Public Health Chair, Simon Fraser University

    British Columbia Premier David Eby recently announced that his government plans to open highly secure facilities where people struggling with mental health, serious brain injuries and severe addictions will receive involuntary care.

    The B.C. government describes the move as a new phase of its response to the addiction crisis that includes a promise to change the law to “ensure that people, including youth, can and should receive care when they are unable to seek it themselves.”

    Unregulated drugs kill an average of six British Columbians every day. Since a public health emergency was declared in 2016, more than 15,000 people in B.C. have died from consuming unregulated drugs.

    Interventions and services

    Policymakers along with affected communities are struggling to identify, implement and scale up necessary interventions and services. Many highlight that we need all the tools in our toolkit to respond to this unprecedented crisis.

    Currently, involuntary admissions to care facilities are possible for people with a “disorder of the mind” through B.C.’s Mental Health Act. Between 2011-12 and 2020-21, the number of voluntary admissions in B.C. remained relatively stable (10,000 to 12,000) but involuntary admissions increased from 11,000 to more than 17,000 during this time period.

    Expanding involuntary care to people with addictions is intuitively appealing to some. Supporters of the idea position it as compassionate intervention that keeps the most vulnerable safe. But drug addiction and treatment are complex.

    While parents, policymakers and others rightfully want to do everything they can to protect young people from harmful drugs, in the long run, involuntary treatment will cause more harm than good.

    Involuntary treatment is dangerous

    Scientific evidence is lacking that supports involuntary addiction treatment as an effective approach for reducing substance use and related harms among vulnerable populations. A 2020 study of more than 3,000 people who use drugs in Vancouver found no significant improvements in substance use outcomes among those who were coerced into addiction treatment compared to people who received no treatment.

    We also know that substance dependence is a complex chronic condition and relapse is common. Relapse after a period of abstinence is a particularly dangerous time due to reduced tolerance. Indeed, the risk of overdose death has been found to be highest immediately after discharge from compulsory care, voluntary treatment and hospitals, as well as upon release from prison.

    A lack of effectiveness paired with serious increased risk of a fatal overdose, particularly in the era of illicit fentanyl, are not the only weaknesses of involuntary treatment for people with addictions.

    Involuntary treatment can undermine trust

    Accounts from young people who have experienced being coerced into treatment highlight that involuntary care can be counterproductive and risks pushing vulnerable young people away from the very services they need most.

    After consulting with young people who use drugs, the B.C. Representative for Children and Youth in 2021 cautioned that involuntary care “may create distress in young people to the extent that they may come to distrust the health-care system and be less inclined to seek support when it is needed.”

    Research scientist Danya Fast, who has more than a decade of experience working with young people who use drugs, has described seeing “the lengths that some young people would go to in order to evade or escape from [institutional] places, often with devastating effects. I knew that even the threat of involuntary hospitalization could lead some to avoid calling 911 if someone was overdosing and needed help.”

    Furthermore, a 2023 qualitative study with parents who resorted to involuntary treatment in Alberta describes how for some, forcing their child into treatment harmed their relationship, and for many, did not result in improvements in their children’s risky substance use behaviours.

    Addiction treatment in the era of fentanyl

    In the context of forced addiction treatment, it’s important to recognize that the effectiveness of current medications for opioid dependence (typically methadone and suboxone) is limited, particularly for young people.

    In a study among young people who used opioids in Vancouver between 2005-2018, initiating an opioid agonist therapy (primarily methadone or suboxone) was not found to be protective for non-fatal overdose. In addition, 60 per cent of young people who initiated methadone prematurely discontinue their treatment.

    This is consistent with emerging evidence from B.C. indicating that retention on methadone and suboxone have both been consistently declining over the last decade, which corresponds to the emergence of illicitly manufactured fentanyl in the province.

    Given the volatility of street drugs and increasing exposure to and dependence on highly potent fentanyl, the clinical management of opioid dependence is increasingly complex. This reality makes forcing people into addiction treatment against their will particularly concerning.

    There is also widespread evidence that the existing voluntary addiction treatment system is inadequate and fails to provide appropriate care. It is our view that resources are better directed towards improving the existing voluntary treatment system and ensuring there are comprehensive supports available throughout the continuum of care.

    Alternatives to involuntary treatment

    The safety of our children and communities would be enhanced if governments strengthened and expanded the voluntary treatment system and evidence-based prevention programs. Substance dependence is a chronic relapsing condition. Therefore, accessible harm reduction programs and addressing the toxic supply of drugs are critical steps to prevent overdose deaths and other drug related harms.

    B.C.’s provincial health officer issued a report in July 2024 outlining how a public health approach could be leveraged to provide alternatives to the toxic drug supply.

    While some may think we have already tried drug regulation, current prescribed “safe” supply programs include less than five per cent of the estimated 115,000 people in B.C. with an opioid use disorder.

    Analyses of overdose fatalities also indicate that the majority of people who died from drug poisonings did not have a diagnosed opioid use disorder or use opioids on a daily basis. These individuals would not have been eligible for existing prescribed safe supply.

    This underscores that current initiatives are not reaching the vast majority of the population at risk of a toxic drug poisoning. There are also many different approaches and models that could be considered for drug regulation.

    As we have outlined previously, innovation and transformational policy action to strictly regulate the production, distribution and consumption of currently illegal drugs is a promising way forward.



    Read more:
    Drug prohibition is fuelling the overdose crisis: Regulating drugs is the way out

    We empathize and relate to parents and caregivers who want to do everything possible to protect their children. However, we cannot “treat” our way out of our current crisis and involuntary treatment is a particularly risky and harmful tool.

    Evidence-based interventions across the pillars of early prevention, voluntary treatment and harm reduction, along with rigorous drug regulation that tightly controls the production, distribution and consumption of currently illegal drugs, will give us the most control over the toxic drug supply. This mix of foundational and innovative public health tools will be best positioned to reduce risky substance use and related health and social harms.

    Kora DeBeck receives funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the US National Institutes of Health and the National Killam Program. She is also a Research Scientist with the BC Centre on Substance Use.

    Perry Kendall was a cofounder of Fair Price Pharma, a not-for-profit dedicated to providing low-cost Canadian access to diacetylmorphine morphine as a treatment option for individuals whose treatment needs are not met by first-line available medications for opioid substance use disorder. He is no longer on the board, but remains a vocal advocate for the expansion of evidence-based therapeutics for opioid substance use disorder.

    – ref. B.C.’s plan for involuntary addiction treatment is a step back in our response to the overdose crisis – https://theconversation.com/b-c-s-plan-for-involuntary-addiction-treatment-is-a-step-back-in-our-response-to-the-overdose-crisis-239367

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mullin Leads Colleagues in Urging Biden-Harris Administration to Remove Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Politics from Support Services and Nutrition Programs for Seniors

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)

    Mullin Leads Colleagues in Urging Biden-Harris Administration to Remove Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Politics from Support Services and Nutrition Programs for Seniors

    U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, led his colleagues in authoring a letter to the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to express concern about its recent regulation to require states to prioritize delivering Older Americans Act meal and support services to individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. The lawmakers outline the harmful consequences of this recent change and urge the ACL to reverse its rulemaking.
    The Older Americans Act (OAA) authorizes support services and nutrition programs for older Americans such as congregate meal services, home-delivered meals (e.g. Meals on Wheels), transportation assistance, and caregiver respite. Since all older Americans qualify for services, states and area agencies on aging are required to prioritize the delivery of meals and support services to those with the “Greatest Social Need” and the “Greatest Economic Need.” The Biden-Harris administration’s new regulation under the OAA expands the definition of the “Greatest Social Need” to include social isolation caused by sexual orientation and gender identity among other factors. This expansion has not been approved by Congress and state administrators of OAA services have yet to determine how to comply with this new requirement.
    “The Older Americans Act was designed to fulfill essential services for our seniors, not serve as a vehicle for Kamala Harris’ gender identity politics. This expansion diminishes the prioritization placed on serving rural seniors like those in my state of Oklahoma,” said Sen. Mullin. “The Biden-Harris administration has once again expanded bureaucratic overreach without the consent of Congress or any real plan of how states might carry out this regulation. I want to thank my colleagues for recognizing the harm this haphazard expansion will cause and joining me in this effort to reverse it.”
    Sen. Mullin is joined by Ranking Member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC), and Sen. James Lankford (R-OK).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Passes Rep. Harshbarger’s H.R. 5526, The Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-TN)

    Washington, D.C. – Monday, September 23, The United States House of Representatives passed Congresswoman Harshbarger’s H.R. 5526, The Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act of 2024 which ensures that medicare seniors have access to the critical medications they need. This legislation restores pandemic-era flexibilities issued by the Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that allowed mail delivery of prescribed drugs to Medicare beneficiaries.

    “We shouldn’t have obstacles in the way of patients receiving the prescription medications they need,” said Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger. “The bipartisan Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act simply ensures that cancer patients as well as other patients have timely access to the appropriate oral medications, by allowing delivery of these medications, or allowing family members or caregivers to pick them up on the patient’s behalf.”

    Background

    Under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’s (CMS) interpretation of physician self-referral law (commonly known as “Stark law”), it’s unlawful for a medical practice — such as a community oncology practice — to deliver a prescribed and filled drug to a patient by mail, courier, or UPS. CMS’ interpretation doesn’t even allow for a family member or caregiver to pick up a patient’s drug on their behalf.  

    

    During the pandemic, CMS recognized these barriers and issued a Stark waiver lifting the restrictions that hindered patient access to these crucial medications. H.R. 5526, The Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act of 2024, restores these flexibilities.

    See Rep. Harshbarger’s remarks on the House floor

    MIL OSI USA News –