Latest news with #RHD
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NIOSH division in charge of screening for miner lung diseases restored
MORGANTOWN, (WBOY) — Several jobs at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in Morgantown have been officially restored following certification earlier this week that Reductions in Force (RIF) at the institution would not happen. So what's next? On Monday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sent out a court document certifying that the RIFs have been rescinded, a move that fully restores the Respiratory Health Division (RHD). This move is in compliance with a court injunction ordered in mid-May as part of a larger case against the cuts. The plaintiff's original suit sought the restoration of RHD, saying that RHD facilitates federally mandated coal miner lung screening programs and job transfer rights. The plaintiff's legal counsel, Samuel Petsonk, told 12 News that even despite this restoration, he is still concerned that NIOSH still doesn't have the ability to perform all of its federally mandated services as well as it did before the RIFs. He added that his office and client are weighing their options. Elderly and disabled residents trapped without functioning elevator in Clarksburg apartment building The rescinded RIFs for RHD accounted for 51 RHD employees, while hundreds of other NIOSH employees were originally impacted. The President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3430 Cathy Tinney-Zara, which represents the Morgantown NIOSH office, told 12 News that they were pleased with this rescinding of the RIFs, but that there are components of NIOSH still missing, such as the Health Effects Laboratory Division, which does research focused on evaluating, controlling, and preventing workplace safety and health hazards. Tinney-Zara added that AFGE is waiting for the Supreme Court decision on the broader legality of the federal downsizing. In the statement to 12 News, she said: 'While we await the court's decision, we are ready to return to work and continue our mission of protecting the health and safety of America's workers. We firmly believe that the value we provide to the government, to workers, and to their families will be recognized.' Tinney-Zara added that NIOSH's efforts 'significantly' reduce financial burdens on the federal government by lowering Social Security payments, workers' compensation claims and healthcare expenses. She said that 'by keeping the workforce safer and healthier, we not only save money but also safeguard lives.' You can read the full document certifying the restoration of RHD below. show_multidocsDownload Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NIOSH head: Workers back at black lung program, efforts continue to restore services cut by DOGE
The NIOSH Coal Worker's Health Surveillance Program offered periodic black lung screenings at no cost to coal miners in the U.S. (NIOSH photo) A certification was entered in federal court this week proving that at least 50 employees at the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety's Respiratory Health Division have had their terminations rescinded, meeting requirements set in a court order last month. Those returning to work include 'most' employees who worked within the RHD before April 1, which is when reduction in force notices were issued throughout multiple NIOSH divisions as a result of the new federal Department of Government Efficiency's cost-saving measures. Many of those workers were slated to be terminated on Monday, the same day NIOSH director John J. Howard signed and filed the certification in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. The certification was entered to meet requirements in a preliminary injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Irene Berger last month. That injunction came from a class action lawsuit filed on April 7 against the federal government and led by Harry Wiley, a Raleigh County coal miner. In May, Wiley's attorneys argued in a hearing that the closure of the CWHSP by DOGE meant responsibilities mandated by congress for coal worker health and safety were illegally going undone, robbing Wiley and other coal miners of their hard-fought rights. The federal government argued that the stoppage at the CWHSP and other NIOSH divisions was only temporary as the federal Department of Health and Human Services worked through a 'reorganization.' Berger ruled in favor of Wiley and the other coal miners. She ordered that all RHD employees return to work and that the division — including the CWHSP — continue all work congressionally mandated by the federal Mine Safety and Health Act. If there are future moves to 'reorganize' the agency, Berger ordered that there must be 'no pause, stoppage, or gap in the protections and services mandated to be performed by the RHD.' That work includes providing free black lung screenings and certifying black lung x-ray results for miners like Wiley who have been diagnosed with black lung disease so they can exercise their Part 90 rights. Part 90 allows miners who have black lung to be transferred to a different, less dusty part of a coal mine without facing repercussions from their employers. NIOSH is the only agency that can certify test results for miners to receive a Part 90 transfer. In the certification declaration on Monday, Howard said that the agency is once again accepting test results necessary to certify Part 90 transfer requests. But other work, according to the certification declaration, has yet to return completely. Howard wrote that NIOSH was 'working through' the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the federal DHHS to 'fully restore' several of the RHD's functions. Those functions include reestablishing contracts necessary for RHD to offer, review and manage chest x-rays through its mobile clinic; promoting events to alert miners of the free testing opportunities and ensuring funding can be accessed and spent for the agency to meet its requirements. On Tuesday, according to WV MetroNews, Sam Petsonk — one of several attorneys representing the miners in the case — told 'Talk of the Town' on WAJR Radio that it's critical for all CWHSP services to return as soon as possible. 'They say they're trying. They say that they understand the court has ordered them to do this, but they have not restored the X-ray reading programs, the mobile unit that travels around the coal mines,' Petsonk said. '… We are experiencing hundreds of layoffs across the mining industry right now. This is just the moment where miners often look to see what kind of lung damage they have so that they can take stock before they find their next job. And we really need these programs right now, and we don't have them.' The CDC estimates that about 20% of coal miners in Central Appalachia are suffering from black lung — the highest rate detected in more than 25 years. One in 20 of the region's coal miners are living with the most severe form of the condition. And the resurgence of black lung is hitting coal miners at younger ages than ever before. This is due to miners, because of a lack of easily accessible coal, being forced to dig through more silica-rich sandstone than their predecessors in order to reach what little coal remains. While the RHD employees are back to work, other fights are continuing against the federal government's cuts. Workers and those affected by the services they provide have been decrying the cuts for weeks now, saying they'll leave people in certain industries — including mining, firefighting and more — vulnerable to preventable accidents and illnesses. Some of these fights, like that for the CWHSP, have already proven successful. Last week, following continued pushback from black lung organizations and other mining advocates, the Trump administration reversed its plan to close 34 Mine Safety and Health Administration offices nationwide. Those offices employ mine inspectors whose jobs are to ensure that coal mine operators are meeting industry standards known to lower the risks of accidents and injuries for coal miners. But other battles have proven more difficult. In Pennsylvania, workers at the Pittsburgh-based Mining Research Division within NIOSH — which studies the best ways to prevent injuries, illnesses and death in coal mines — are still slated to be terminated. Several of the services that are now going undone at NIOSH as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are congressionally mandated through the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Multiple labor unions — including the United Mine Workers of America — filed suit on May 14 against DHHS and the federal government. They're using similar arguments to Wiley's attorneys, which proved successful in getting services started back up: since the cuts are stopping work that is required by Congress, they say, they are illegal and should be reversed.
Associated Press
7 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Inperium Announces its Affiliation with RHD to Expand its Human Services Networks
06/02/2025, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania // PRODIGY: Feature Story // Ryan D. Smith, Executive Chairman and CEO of Inperium Inperium, Inc., one of the country's fastest growing nonprofit human services networks, officially announces its affiliation with Resources for Human Development (RHD), a multi-state provider of behavioral health and social support services. The affiliation marks a significant milestone in the nonprofit sector, combining the strengths of both organizations and forming a network that spans 20 states and, according to the company, is expected to generate in excess of $800 million in annual revenue. Under the new partnership, Inperium will integrate RHD into its national platform, investing in operational upgrades while preserving RHD's mission and local impact. The collaboration comes after a year-long turnaround effort led by Inperium through a Transitional Services Agreement, during which RHD's financial health was stabilized and operational inefficiencies were addressed. 'Too often, nonprofits expand beyond their core geography without the systems or infrastructure needed to scale sustainability,' said Ryan D. Smith, Executive Chairman and CEO of Inperium. 'RHD had strong roots and mission alignment, but like many others, they experienced the compounding effects of overexpansion, delayed tech upgrades, and rising operational costs; challenges that were intensified by COVID-19. We stepped in to provide bridge financing and implement structural reforms that would create long-term sustainability.' Through its integration plan, Inperium executed a series of cost-saving measures, including the migration of RHD's health records and IT systems to Inperium's secure network, the consolidation of HR and accounting systems under a renowned multinational computer technology company, and the centralization of insurance and procurement services. These changes created operational efficiencies and significantly reduced overhead, allowing RHD to continue its mission without disruption. Inperium's model, what Jay Deppeler, Chair RHD Board, describes as 'professionalizing without compromising', aims to support nonprofits in distress by providing the infrastructure, tools, and capital to thrive, without altering their core identity or community presence. 'Their approach involves strengthening local culture,' said Deppeler. 'They bring the behind-the-scenes support and financial discipline so these organizations can focus on what they do best: serving people.' While Inperium's network includes nearly forty organizations across the United States, Smith shares that the company is intentionally keeping its focus domestic for now, despite interest in international expansion. 'We have the tools and capacity to evaluate thousands of nonprofits using real-time data,' said Smith, referencing Inperium's proprietary AI-driven assessment platform. 'But we're focused on supporting U.S.-based partners, especially those that are struggling and in need of strategic, values-aligned solutions.' Jay Deppeler, Chair RHD Board Deppeler concluded: 'Combining the RHD and Inperium service networks will enhance the continuum of care for the people we support. I commend and thank the RHD Board for the enormous energy and determination it invested to lead this transformational undertaking to a successful conclusion.' This affiliation, one of four deals completed by Inperium in the first half of Fiscal Year 2025, is part of the organization's broader strategy to surpass a billion dollars in annualized revenue by 2026. As Smith noted, 'The nonprofit sector is facing unprecedented headwinds. The organizations that survive and thrive will be those willing to adapt and innovate without losing sight of their mission. That's what we're here to do.' Media Contact Name: Jennifer Gassen Email: [email protected] Source published by Submit Press Release >> Inperium Announces its Affiliation with RHD to Expand its Human Services Networks
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Inperium Announces its Affiliation with RHD to Expand its Human Services Networks
Inperium announces its affiliation with Resources for Human Development, a strategic partnership to expand its impact. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ryan D. Smith, Executive Chairman and CEO of InperiumInperium, Inc., one of the country's fastest growing nonprofit human services networks, officially announces its affiliation with Resources for Human Development (RHD), a multi-state provider of behavioral health and social support services. The affiliation marks a significant milestone in the nonprofit sector, combining the strengths of both organizations and forming a network that spans 20 states and, according to the company, is expected to generate in excess of $800 million in annual revenue. Under the new partnership, Inperium will integrate RHD into its national platform, investing in operational upgrades while preserving RHD's mission and local impact. The collaboration comes after a year-long turnaround effort led by Inperium through a Transitional Services Agreement, during which RHD's financial health was stabilized and operational inefficiencies were addressed. 'Too often, nonprofits expand beyond their core geography without the systems or infrastructure needed to scale sustainability,' said Ryan D. Smith, Executive Chairman and CEO of Inperium. 'RHD had strong roots and mission alignment, but like many others, they experienced the compounding effects of overexpansion, delayed tech upgrades, and rising operational costs; challenges that were intensified by COVID-19. We stepped in to provide bridge financing and implement structural reforms that would create long-term sustainability.' Through its integration plan, Inperium executed a series of cost-saving measures, including the migration of RHD's health records and IT systems to Inperium's secure network, the consolidation of HR and accounting systems under a renowned multinational computer technology company, and the centralization of insurance and procurement services. These changes created operational efficiencies and significantly reduced overhead, allowing RHD to continue its mission without disruption. Inperium's model, what Jay Deppeler, Chair RHD Board, describes as 'professionalizing without compromising', aims to support nonprofits in distress by providing the infrastructure, tools, and capital to thrive, without altering their core identity or community presence. 'Their approach involves strengthening local culture,' said Deppeler. 'They bring the behind-the-scenes support and financial discipline so these organizations can focus on what they do best: serving people.' While Inperium's network includes nearly forty organizations across the United States, Smith shares that the company is intentionally keeping its focus domestic for now, despite interest in international expansion. 'We have the tools and capacity to evaluate thousands of nonprofits using real-time data,' said Smith, referencing Inperium's proprietary AI-driven assessment platform. 'But we're focused on supporting U.S.-based partners, especially those that are struggling and in need of strategic, values-aligned solutions.' Jay Deppeler, Chair RHD Board Deppeler concluded: 'Combining the RHD and Inperium service networks will enhance the continuum of care for the people we support. I commend and thank the RHD Board for the enormous energy and determination it invested to lead this transformational undertaking to a successful conclusion.' This affiliation, one of four deals completed by Inperium in the first half of Fiscal Year 2025, is part of the organization's broader strategy to surpass a billion dollars in annualized revenue by 2026. As Smith noted, 'The nonprofit sector is facing unprecedented headwinds. The organizations that survive and thrive will be those willing to adapt and innovate without losing sight of their mission. That's what we're here to do.' Media Contact Name: Jennifer Gassen Email: info@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Despite 5L govt cover, heart patient relies on charity for op
Mumbai: Riddled for a decade with a heart ailment described by doctors as a "poor man's burden", 24-year-old Rinki Sudhar finally got treated at civic-run Sion Hospital last week. The rheumatic heart disease (RHD) she contracted at age 13 had constricted her mitral heart valve, leading to persistent cough, sleeplessness and breathlessness. Multiple misdiagnoses meant the UP resident had visited multiple hospitals across India, but the disease stayed true to its moniker. Despite her family being insured for Rs 5 lakh per year under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), she needed charity for the procedure. Doctors led by cardiologist Dr Milind Phadke at Sion Hospital arranged for Rs 50,000 through a donor for a balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BMV). You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Public hospitals don't charge surgeon's fees or levy room charges, but patients require to pay for medical devices or instruments. This is where public insurance schemes like the state's Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MPJAY) or PMJAY come in. But Rinki was only eligible for the latter as she was not a Maharashtra resident. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Insurance Gaps Sudhar's case highlights the gaps and inadequacies in India's public health insurance schemes. According to PMJAY documents, the reimbursement for BMV was Rs 27,500 in 2020 and increased to Rs 35,700 recently. However, Sion Hospital's latest internal records show reimbursement of up to Rs 27,500 under PMJAY; in practice, only Rs 20,000 is allowed. The cost of the balloon catheter alone is Rs 50,000, but even the state scheme (MPJAY) didn't cover BMV completely until last year. "When Rinki's case came up, there was a kind donor who wished to fund complete treatment of a cardiac patient. All the costs were taken care of by them, and that saved her life," said Dr Phadke, who operated on Sudhar. Poor Man's Burden RHD is rooted in deprivation. It begins with a sore throat caused by an untreated streptococcus infection, which can trigger an immune response that damages the mitral heart valve over time. Rinki's father Ram (57), a watchman at an Andheri housing society, said her condition was often misdiagnosed. "Some doctors told us she had TB, some gave her vitamin injections," said Ram, who hails from Amethi. Dr Pratap Nathani, head of the cardiology department at Sion Hospital, said, "Factors such as malnutrition, lack of early access to diagnosis and treatment contribute to RHD." Although Rinki's condition became unbearable in the past six months, it was only last month that RHD was diagnosed through a 2D-echo scan at a hospital in Sultanpur. She was referred to a govt hospital in Kanpur. "There was a long wait list, so we were sent to Lucknow," said Ram. In the meantime, they got their Ayushman Bharat card, and rushed to Mumbai. A resident at the building he works at helped him with Sion Hospital. Recurring Troubles State-run JJ Hospital, Byculla, treated around 200 RHD patients last year. "Most were covered by MJPJAY," said a cardiologist, adding problems arose when a patient was from outside Maharashtra. "We struggle with PMJAY as we need to approach trusts and donors to cover costs." A cardiologist from Parel's civic-run KEM Hospital said they used cross-subsidisation. "For some patients, the insurance amount is more than enough, so we use the excess amount to fund the deficit in another patient's coverage." A former CEO of National Health Authority, which implements PMJAY, said, "There is a well-established mechanism in NHA to fix the rates. NHA doesn't fix the rates unilaterally and state considerations are taken into account.'' MJPJAY CEO Aannasaheb Chavan said there were similar issues at state-level, but most have been resolved since the state and union schemes merged. "We are also in the process of reviewing rates in the combined scheme,'" he said. A committee, headed by public health department head Amgothu Sri Ranga Naik, has been set up. Dr Soumitra Ghosh from TISS's Centre for Health Policy, Planning and Management said, "It's common for patients under PMJAY to incur hefty out-of-pocket expenditures.'' Although PMJAY budget increased over the years, its beneficiaries too increased. "But the rates for specific procedures didn't increase accordingly," he said, adding, "Some health economists estimate that if the scheme truly offers coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family as promised, then the entire health budget would need to be allocated to it in order to keep it functional without any issues. Since that is not the amount of money currently allocated, the actual coverage cost is much lower than what is promised." Not the End Rinki, who is still in hospital, said she can now sleep without coughing. "I will look for a job, hopefully as a worker in a school," she said. But her cycle of deprivation has far from ended: The new valve will hold for at least 10 years before the narrowing restarts.
