Latest news with #CCM
Telegraph
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The disturbing underbelly of the Christian music business
You may have never heard of Michael Tait. But the 59-year-old musician from Washington DC has been a kingpin of America's Christian music scene since the 1980s. In a career spanning five decades, Tait has had 50 number one singles and 10 number one albums in the Christian charts, sold 18 million LPs and won four Grammys. Tait has prayed on stage with President Trump and his 2011 hit God's Not Dead became an anthem for the Maga movement. The singer's fame and power in the multi-million dollar Christian music industry is hard to overstate. You may also be unaware that Christian music is booming right now. Spotify streams of so-called Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) – that's pop, rap, R&B or guitar music with faith as its lyrical mainstay – have hit record highs, with growth of over 60 per cent in five years. To illustrate, a bluesy ballad released last November called Hard Fought Hallelujah by US singers Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll – 'God, You've been patient/ God, You've been gracious,' go the lyrics – has garnered the largest ever number of weekly streams for a song released by a Christian artist (6.8 million). It has spent 20 weeks in the main US's singles chart while, in the UK, Hard Fought Hallelujah is still number one in a chart compiled by Stoke-on-Trent Christian radio station Cross Rhythms. The accompanying Brandon Lake album reached number 30 in the UK downloads chart last month. God, evidently, rocks. And yet the genre's biblical growth could be torpedoed by the biggest scandal since CCM emerged as a cultural force in the late-1960s. A recent investigation by Christian website The Roys Report accused Tait of grooming and sexually assaulting three men, all aged 22, between 2004 and 2014. The two-and-a-half-year investigation by journalist Jessica Morris, which involved interviews with over 50 sources and was published on June 4, opened with the words: 'It's been called Nashville's worst-kept secret.' In an Instagram post titled 'My Confession' six days after Morris's piece ran, Tait shocked observers even more. He admitted that the reports of his 'reckless and destructive behaviour', including drug and alcohol abuse and sexual activity, are 'sadly, largely true'. For two decades, Tait wrote, he 'at times, touched men in an unwanted sensual way'. He called it a 'sin' and said he'd been leading a double life, adding: 'While I might dispute certain details in the accusations against me, I do not dispute the substance of them.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michael Tait (@michaeltait) Things didn't end there. Three days later the Guardian published a second investigation, accusing Tait of sexually assaulting more men, two of whom believed they were drugged, and engaging in inappropriate behaviour with others. Within days, The Roys Report published a third story in which a woman accused Tait of drugging her and watching while she was raped in a third-floor Fargo, North Dakota hotel room in 2014. Tait has not responded to these later accusations. The Telegraph approached him for comment. The allegations have shocked the Christian music world to the core. 'I hope the CCM industry crumbles. And f--- all of you who knew and didn't do a damn thing,' wrote an incandescent Hayley Williams of Paramore, a rock band who supported Taylor Swift on her Eras tour and some of whose members grew up around Nashville's Christian music scene. 'How many stories like this from this VERY small corner of the music industry will we hear before we realise that capitalising on people's faith and vulnerability is the 'sin',' Williams also wrote. Speaking from Australia where she lives, Morris, the journalist behind the original Roys Report article, tells me that her investigation is drawing comparisons to a previous high profile entertainment industry scandal. 'Sources said to me that this is the 'Me Too' of Christian music,' says Morris, referring to the 2017 viral campaign against sexual abuse and harassment that took off following abuse allegations against the all-powerful Hollywood film mogul Harvey Weinstein, currently in prison. People were initially afraid of speaking out against Weinstein for fear of never working again. 'That was one of the reasons [my sources] were so scared to speak up – not because they wanted to do the right thing, but they knew that if this didn't pan out, they could lose their career.' Rather than comparing Tait to Weinstein, though, Morris compares him to 'Michael Jackson in terms of status, celebrity, power and influence.' Given the persistent abuse allegations against Jackson, it's not a comparison that fares much better. 'Monumental' is how Morris sums up her investigation's impact. 'I don't want to overstate that because I knew this was a big story. But even I was shocked,' she says. People at her 'tiny' local Christian radio station near Melbourne are even talking about it, such is Tait's stature. To understand the shockwaves this story is having, you need to understand how big Christian music is and where it came from. At the dawn of rock and roll in the 1950s, pop music was routinely dismissed as sinful by conservative religious groups, who saw themselves as defenders of the nation's morality. Even Elvis Presley, who had a spiritual upbringing, was branded 'morally insane' by a Des Moines reverend in 1956 for his on-stage hip-swivelling. But as the 1960s progressed, so-called 'Jesus Music' grew in popularity among hippies. Unlike older forms of religious music like gospel, which had its roots in actual church services, Jesus Music was a deliberate melding of Christian lyrics with the radio-friendly pop and folk music of the time. The blend proved useful: rather than building walls between the secular and the sacred, religious groups realised that co-opting trendy sounds was a useful way of spreading the word. In 1969, Texan musician Larry Norman released an album called Upon This Rock, which came to be known as the 'Sgt Pepper of Christianity'. In 1972 Norman released probably his most famous song Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music, an Elvis-like boogie in which he sang that 'Jesus is the rock and he rolled my blues away.' A new industry was born. In 1978 Jesus Music became codified as Contemporary Christian Music with the launch of CCM Magazine. The broad genre covered everything from Christian rock and R&B to, later, Christian hip hop and heavy metal. Evangelical record labels proliferated, some sprouting from so-called megachurches – vast churches with huge congregations and social or educational activities beyond plain worship. One such label was Bethel Music, which released music by congregation members or preachers from California's Bethel Church, a literal ministry of sound. Spurred by Christian radio stations (there are an estimated 2,400 in the US today), the genre mushroomed. In 2003, Billboard magazine launched the Hot Christian Songs chart, giving CCM its own weekly music chart. In recent years popular religion's growth has been supercharged by social media influencers and reality TV. Bishop Jakes, the founding paster of The Potter's House of Dallas megachurch, has 5.9 million Instagram followers. Over on TikTok the 'Tradwife' aesthetic, which celebrates traditional gender roles, has tens of thousands of videos by gingham-clad wives about how to live in traditional domesticity. A recent reality TV smash has been The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, about a group of Utah-based TikTok influencers navigating religious expectations with the constructed reality of their drama-filled lives. Here in the UK, Rev Chris Lee has been dubbed 'the viral vicar of Instagram' due to his 162,000 followers and 60-second sermons. At the same time, Christian themes are increasingly seeping into mainstream pop. Benson Boone's Beautiful Things – a hit around the world in 2024, 2.3 billion Spotify streams – contains the line 'I thank God every day/ For the girl he sent my way'. And Alex Warren's inescapable Ordinary, which was a UK number one for 13 weeks this year, references the Lord, angels, holy water and Heaven's gate. 'At your alter, I will pray/ You're the sculptor, I'm the clay,' Warren sings. Neither he nor Boone, raised Catholic and Mormon respectively, are CCM artists. But they could be. An integral part of this world was Tait. In 1987 when in his early 20s he co-founded the wildly popular Christian pop-rap trio DC Talk, who released five albums and looked like MTV stars. They disbanded in 2001 and Tait toured with his solo band, also called Tait. In 2009, and to significant fanfare, he was announced as the new lead singer of Newsboys, a pre-existing band who'd released albums such as Hell Is For Wimps and Boys Will Be Boyz. Tait's first full album with Newsboys, 2010's Born Again, reached number four in the mainstream US album chart, sharing the top 10 with the likes of Eminem, Justin Bieber and Sting. As Morris says, millions of Americans' 'entire faith experience has been built around this man's music'. So, yes, his scandal has dumbfounded the Christian music community. The fallout has been rapid and widespread. Tait actually quit Newsboys in January, the day after a TikToker outed him as being gay (although Tait didn't mention this post on announcing his departure). Following the June revelations, Newsboys were dropped by their label Capitol Christian Music Group, part of the world's biggest record label Universal Music Group. The vast Christian radio network K-Love said it was 'resting' playing songs by Newsboys and CD Talk. And the Svengali behind Newsboys, Wes Campbell, resigned from the board of the influential Gospel Music Association after he was accused of allegedly covering up the Tait allegations, something he vehemently denies (Campbell and his family have also been hit with a separate lawsuit by a Tennessee pastor). Some in the industry, like Paramore's Williams, have spoken out. Darren King, former drummer of Mutemath, a band with roots in alternative Christian music, said he believed that someone could only engage in Tait's 'level of predation' with a 'team of helpers' who spent their time cleaning his reputation and suppressing criticism. Still, many people don't want to talk about it. The Telegraph approached a dozen Christian artists, record labels, radio stations and magazines in the US and UK asking for comment on this story. None wanted to speak. You get the feeling that shock and incredulity remain the dominant emotions. The big unknown is whether this story will permeate beyond the CCM world. Christian music symbolises a wholesome and God-fearing side of America that, crucially, occupies a great chunk of the political spectrum too: the 'religious right'. Just look at that Trump photo, taken during an Evangelicals for Trump event in Miami in 2020. Christians made up 72 per cent of the US electorate and gave 56 per cent of their vote to Trump in 2024, according to research by Arizona Christian University. If Christianity is undermined by the CCM scandal, what impact might this have on politics? It's too early to tell. As far as Morris is aware, no police charges have been levelled against Tait (although I have seen a police report about the alleged Fargo incident in 2014). But she says there's more bad stuff to come from across the CCM sector. 'This is probably the biggest part of it […] Now I'm trying to work quickly to get to the next part because I've had so many new leads come forward honestly,' she says. What the Christian music industry needs to do, she says, is to put in place 'policy and procedure' to stop people of influence from abusing their power. 'I took on this story not with the hope of dismantling an industry – I don't want that – but with the hope of maybe bringing more accountability and light to it,' says Morris. It sounds like things are going to get darker before that light arrives.
Time Business News
15-07-2025
- Health
- Time Business News
Chronic Care Management Program: Benefits, Process, and Impact
Chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, and heart disease have become increasingly prevalent, affecting millions of individuals and placing significant pressure on healthcare systems globally. In response to this growing concern, healthcare authorities have introduced structured care models to improve outcomes, among which the Chronic Care Management (CCM) Program has gained prominence. Launched by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), this initiative provides continuous care coordination for patients with two or more chronic conditions. The program not only improves quality of care but also reduces hospital readmissions and healthcare costs. The Chronic Care Management (CCM) Program is a Medicare-supported initiative that focuses on providing comprehensive and continuous care to patients with multiple chronic conditions. These conditions must be expected to last at least 12 months or until the patient's death and significantly impact the patient's health or daily functioning. The program involves non-face-to-face services provided outside of the traditional office visit, such as: Coordinating care across providers and settings Medication management and reconciliation Developing and updating a personalized care plan Regular communication with patients through phone calls or digital platforms 24/7 access to clinical staff To qualify for CCM services, patients must: Be enrolled in Medicare Part B. Have at least two or more chronic conditions that are expected to last 12 months or more. Provide written or verbal consent to receive CCM services. Once enrolled, the patient can receive services from their primary care provider or a care management team coordinated by the provider. 1. Comprehensive Care Plan A personalized, electronic care plan is created for each patient outlining the management of their chronic conditions. This plan is accessible to all healthcare providers involved in the patient's care. 2. Continuity and Coordination of Care Care coordination is central to CCM. The program ensures that all healthcare providers are aware of the patient's medical history, current treatments, and future care plans, which helps prevent duplication of tests or conflicting treatments. 3. Enhanced Communication Patients have access to their care team around the clock. Whether it's a question about medications or a health concern during the night, help is available 24/7. 4. Non-Face-to-Face Services The program includes at least 20 minutes of clinical staff time each month that may consist of phone consultations, chart reviews, patient education, and follow-ups. 1. Improved Health Outcomes Regular monitoring and early intervention help in preventing complications, ensuring better disease management, and reducing hospital admissions and emergency room visits. 2. Patient Empowerment Patients are more engaged in their healthcare with ongoing education and support, which helps them better understand and manage their conditions. 3. Reduced Healthcare Costs By preventing complications and avoiding unnecessary hospital visits, CCM can lead to significant cost savings for both patients and the healthcare system. 4. Better Quality of Life Continuous support improves the patient's daily life by reducing symptoms, managing medications efficiently, and offering mental and emotional support. 5. Provider Reimbursement For healthcare providers, CCM presents an opportunity to receive monthly reimbursement for care management services, ensuring sustainable, value-based care delivery. Technology plays a pivotal role in the success of CCM programs: Electronic Health Records (EHRs): Streamline documentation and access to patient data. Streamline documentation and access to patient data. Patient Portals and Apps: Allow real-time communication and monitoring. Allow real-time communication and monitoring. Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM): Enables care teams to track vital signs such as blood pressure and glucose levels from a distance. Enables care teams to track vital signs such as blood pressure and glucose levels from a distance. Secure Messaging and Telehealth: Enhance communication between patients and providers without needing in-person visits. Challenge 1: Patient EngagementSome patients may not fully understand the benefits of CCM or be hesitant to consent. Solution: Educate patients through detailed orientation, testimonials, and informational materials. Challenge 2: Staffing and Time ConstraintsManaging a CCM program can be time-consuming. Solution: Employ dedicated care coordinators or partner with CCM service vendors to streamline workflows. Challenge 3: Compliance and DocumentationMaintaining accurate documentation is crucial for billing and care continuity. Solution: Utilize EHR-integrated tools and automated tracking systems to ensure accuracy. The Chronic Care Management program aligns seamlessly with the goals of value-based care, which emphasizes outcomes and cost-efficiency rather than volume. CCM helps practices transition from traditional fee-for-service models to more patient-centered, proactive care approaches. The program encourages practices to focus on preventive care, long-term management, and patient satisfaction—core pillars of modern healthcare. Assess Patient Eligibility: Use EHR tools to identify patients with qualifying chronic conditions. Obtain Consent: Educate patients and obtain the necessary verbal or written consent. Develop a Care Plan: Create a comprehensive plan tailored to each patient's specific conditions and needs. Provide Monthly Services: Ensure that at least 20 minutes of non-face-to-face services are provided monthly. Document Everything: Keep detailed records of all services provided for compliance and billing purposes. Bill Medicare Appropriately: Use the proper CPT codes (99490, 99491, 99487, etc.) to ensure timely reimbursement. The Chronic Care Management Program is a vital innovation in the evolving landscape of healthcare. It provides a structured, patient-centric approach to managing long-term conditions, resulting in better outcomes, improved patient satisfaction, and reduced healthcare costs. For healthcare providers, it offers an opportunity to deliver high-quality care while being reimbursed for their time and effort. For patients, it means having a partner in their healthcare journey—one that's available, engaged, and proactive. With the support of technology, proper implementation, and a dedicated team, CCM can significantly transform how chronic diseases are managed, paving the way toward a healthier, more resilient population. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Qatar Tribune
14-07-2025
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
WCM-Q clinician scientist ranked number one medical researcher in Qatar for 3rd year running
Tribune News Network Doha Dr. Rayaz Malik, professor of medicine and assistant dean for clinical research partnerships at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) and senior consultant physician in endocrinology and diabetes at Hamad Medical Corporation, has been ranked the number one researcher in medicine in Qatar for the third year in a row by an independent research portal that compiles a global list of high-achieving scientists each year. The list also ranked Dr. Malik among the top 10,000 researchers in medicine in the world, placing him at number 8,350. The ranking is based on an analysis of the number of influential pieces of research authored by the scientist, combined with awards, fellowships and academic recognition they have received from leading research institutions and government agencies. To date, Dr Malik has published 729 scientific papers, and his work has been cited 40,188 times. The majority of his research (over 350 papers) has been published since he joined WCM-Q from the University of Manchester, UK in June 2014. Dr. Malik said: 'Our clinical research programme is now recognized internationally, with Qatar ranking second in the world for publications in diabetic neuropathy, with a Relative Publication Output per capita (RPOP) of 18.01 publications per inhabitant. I am very grateful for the support from WCM-Q and the investment in research infrastructure made by Qatar Foundation and the Ministry of Public Health.' Dr. Malik added: 'According to the Global Burden of Disease study published in Lancet Neurology in 2024, neurodegenerative diseases affect 3.4 billion people across the world and diabetic neuropathy, characterized by pain, numbness and ulcers with lower leg amputation, has witnessed the biggest increase (92%) in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from 1990 to 2021. The key to improving patient's lives with neurodegenerative diseases is earlier diagnosis and treatment.' With this as a key focus, Dr. Malik and his team have pioneered use of the Corneal Confocal Microscope (CCM), a rapid eye scan to diagnose and predict progression of diabetic neuropathy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, dementia, schizophrenia and autism, among other conditions. Dr. Malik also said: 'Our clinical research program could not have been so successful without our very positive collaborations with clinicians and researchers in major healthcare institutions across Qatar, including diabetes and endocrinology and neurology and the Clinical Trials Unit in Hamad Medical Corporation; endocrinology and gastroenterology in Sidra Medicine and several key departments in Hamad Bin Khalifa University and Qatar University.'
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
CareAtlas Transitional Care Management and Remote Monitoring Now Available at Hendrick Health
AUSTIN, Texas, July 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CareAtlas (formerly known as 1 True Health – Care Management), a leader in Patient Relationship Management (PRM), has partnered with Hendrick Health to provide Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), Chronic Care Management (CCM), and assist in the coordination of Transitional Care Management (TCM) services for discharged patients. Transitional Care Management (TCM) helps patients navigate the critical adjustment from hospital to home by providing consistent guidance, medication oversight, and care coordination. Care Navigators coordinate with patients, caregivers, and authorized providers using phone, text, email, video chat, or mail. The timing and method of each contact are tailored to the patient's needs. With secure connected devices, Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) provides real-time insight into patients' health status, connecting care providers outside of traditional office settings and allowing for early detection and faster intervention if issues arise. "We're excited to offer this extension of our care through CareAtlas for patients after they are discharged from the hospital," said Hendrick Health's Assistant Chief Medical Information Officer Joshua Reed, DO. "Through this partnership, we're able to help ensure our patients and their loved ones have the necessary support and resources after a hospital stay." CareAtlas focuses on patients with chronic conditions and those being discharged from an acute- care facility. CareAtlas and Hendrick Health's goals are to communicate with and work alongside providers to ensure patients receive the best possible outcomes, reduce hospital readmissions, and facilitate rapid and complete patient recovery. "As we launch this partnership with Hendrick Health, CareAtlas is proud to bring our virtual-first preventative care platform—including remote physiological monitoring and comprehensive chronic care management—to support patients as they transition home," said Travis Owen, the CEO of CareAtlas. "Our shared commitment to delivering compassionate, timely and personalized care ensures that every individual receives the support they need for a smooth recovery and lasting health. We look forward to working closely with the Hendrick Health team to set a new standard for patient experience and outcomes in transitional care." About Us: CareAtlas is a leader in Patient Relationship Management, offering 24/7/365 chronic care management and remote patient monitoring services in California and Texas. Formerly known as 1 True Health – Care Management, CareAtlas delivers personalized, technology-enabled care for patients with chronic conditions and those transitioning from acute care settings. Our human- first approach combines compassionate Care Navigators with AI-driven insights to improve health outcomes, reduce hospital readmissions, and empower patients to thrive at home. Visit our website to learn more at For media inquiries, please contact: Travis Owen, CEO, travis@ 500 E. 4th Street #455, Austin, Texas 78701 (833) 313-9509 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE CareAtlas Inc Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tanzanian PM to step down in surprise move
Tanzania's Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa has announced that he will not seek re-election in the forthcoming parliamentary elections, effectively preventing him from being re-appointed. Majaliwa had earlier said that he would defend his legislative seat for a fourth time in October before making the surprise announcement on Wednesday. The 64-year-old was appointed prime minister in 2015 and was seen as a possible successor of the late President John Magufuli after his death in 2021. He has continued to hold the position under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is seeking to retain the presidency under the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM). Majaliwa, who has represented the coastal Ruangwa region since 2010, said his decision was guided by God and he had made it "in good faith". "It is time to give others the opportunity to unite and build on the development foundation we've established," said Majaliwa, without elaborating on his reasons to pull out from the elections. It comes just a week after Majaliwa said that he would seek another term in parliament. Why Samia's hesitant reforms are fuelling Tanzanian political anger Could this be the end of the road for Tanzania's great survivor? He also told Ruangwa residents last September that he would run again, with his unexpected withdrawal sparking speculation of a power struggle within the ruling party. Majaliwa said he would continue serving as a senior CCM official and support Samia's presidential bid. In Tanzania, the prime minister leads the government business in parliament and is appointed by the president from among the elected MPs. Seen as a quiet but firm leader, Majaliwa is credited with ensuring a smooth and calm political transition after Magufuli's death. The former teacher rose to become an influential figure within the CCM party, which has governed Tanzania since 1977. He served as a junior minister under former President Jakaya Kikwete. His exit follows that of Vice-President Philip Mpango, who in May announced his retirement from politics. Analysts say the withdrawal of the two senior politicians gives President Samia space to consolidate her control of CCM and craft her second-term leadership line-up. The country is due to vote in parliamentary and presidential elections, with CCM expected to retain power. The main opposition party, Chadema, has been banned for refusing to sign up to a code of ethics because it wants a series of electoral reforms. Initially praised for easing the restrictions Magufuli had imposed on the opposition and the media, Samia has been criticised for what rights groups see as renewed repression. She took up power in 2021 after Magufuli's death, becoming the country's first female president. Senior Chadema politicians have been arrested and several opposition figures abducted and murdered. Samia's government defends the crackdown on opposition as a move to ensure peace in the country. Additional reporting by Alfred Lasteck in Dar es Salaam Are East African governments uniting to silence dissent? 'Struggling to be alive': Kenyan activist speaks of 'sexual torture' in Tanzania Kenyan president apologises to Tanzania over deportation row 'Manhandled and choked' - Tanzanian activist recounts abduction Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
