Latest news with #SB122
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Alaska can't afford these health care bills
Close-up of a nurse pushing patient on wheelchair in hospital. Healthcare worker hand pushing sick patient on wheelchair. Health care in Alaska is expensive. Some say the most expensive in the country. And it's only getting harder for families and businesses to keep up. Now, two bills in the Alaska Legislature, Senate Bills 121 and 122, could make things even worse. They would raise health care costs for nearly everyone with private insurance, without improving access or quality of care. At Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska, we're very concerned about what these bills would mean for Alaskans. Some people think these bills would only affect certain types of insurance, like individual plans or small businesses. But that's not true. At Premera, we use one provider network for all of our Alaska customers, whether they buy insurance on their own, get it through a small business, or work for a large, self-funded employer. That means if these bills force us to pay higher prices to providers, everyone's costs go up; not just the people directly covered by the law. SB 121 would bring back a version of Alaska's old '80th percentile rule.' That rule said insurers had to pay high out-of-network bills, no matter how inflated they were. It led to huge increases in health care costs, and it was finally repealed last year. After the rule was repealed, access to care didn't get worse. In fact, our network of doctors and providers grew. That shows we don't need extreme payment rules to keep providers in the system. Now, SB 121 proposes a similar rule: insurers must pay providers either the 75th percentile of billed charges or 450% of what Medicare pays, whichever is higher. That would raise costs across the board. We estimate that for a family of four in the individual market, this could mean $5,000 more per year in premiums starting in 2026. And because we use one network, those increases would hit all of our customers. SB 122 would force insurers to include almost every provider in the state in their network, even if those providers charge high prices or don't meet our quality standards. It would also limit our flexibility in how we build networks in different regions of Alaska. The end result? Less control over costs, higher prices, and no improvement in the quality of care. Together, SB 121 and 122 would raise costs for almost everyone in Alaska's private insurance market, including large employers, union trusts, and small businesses. They wouldn't improve access to care or help people get healthier. They would just shift more financial burden onto families and businesses who are already struggling. And in a state where the working-age population is shrinking, asking employers to pay even more for health insurance just isn't realistic. If lawmakers want to improve access to care, there are smarter ways to do it: Raise Medicaid payments so providers can keep serving low-income patients Push for higher Medicare rates that reflect Alaska's true cost of care Support innovations that improve care while keeping costs under control Businesses across Alaska face significant challenges in offering good benefits and supporting their employees. Let's keep working together to make health care more affordable for Alaska. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kentucky bill could reverse efforts to curb puppy mill suppliers
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — A bill introduced in the Senate has garnered serious concern from Kentucky animal rescue organizations. Many believe it would endanger previously passed ordinances prohibiting the sale of puppies and kittens from breeders. According to the Kentucky General Assembly, Senate Bill 122 would prohibit pet shops from selling dogs or cats that didn't come from an animal shelter or 'qualified breeder.' The bill would also prohibit local governments from adopting or enforcing rules, regulations, codes, or ordinances to ban the sale of breeders entirely. Is my pet's microchip active? Ky. vet chimes in following servicer's abrupt closure Paws 4 the Cause, a nonprofit in Lexington dedicated to animal rescue, said the suppliers listed in SB 122 are puppy mills disguised as 'qualified breeders.' Animal rights advocates also claim that the bill is being pushed by Petland, a store chain with three Kentucky locations, which is reportedly looking to expand. 'Like last year, it's going to take all of us to keep this bad bill from becoming law!' Paws 4 the Cause wrote on Facebook Wednesday. Kentucky bill could reverse efforts to curb puppy mill suppliers Bill would restrict junk food from SNAP benefits in Kentucky Former Kentucky football player found dead in Las Vegas In 2024, Lexington passed an ordinance banning the sale of puppies and kittens from breeders in a 12 to 1 vote. 'It's not humane to have a mass breeding operation like that,' Perry Lusby, a former Petland employee, told FOX 56. 'It's not fair to the adult dogs; it's not fair to the puppies; they're being thrown around from place to place; it's not moral.' 'Public records, inspection reports from the USDA, and other documents show us clearly that pet shops that participate in the retail sale of dogs and cats in pet shops are by and large sourcing them from puppy and kitten mills,' Kentucky state director of the Humane Society of the United States Todd Blevins told council members back in April 2024. Petland announces plan to fight Lexington retail pet sale ban 'Under this ordinance, people will still be able to arrange to buy a puppy online or over the phone, meeting up in a stranger's home or in a public place. This legislation does NOT prevent bad breeders from selling to Lexingtonians. Rather, it encourages it, because soon, consumers will no longer have the option to visit a pet store like ours, which complies with all state and federal laws,' Elizabeth Kunzelman, vice president of legislative and public affairs for Petland, told FOX 56. 'There is no evidence that a single puppy mill has been shut down because of a ban. HSUS has vilified pet stores in an effort that does nothing to help animal welfare. Now the only regulated source of puppies in Lexington will be gone.' Animal rights advocates in Kentucky are asking voters to call legislators at 1-800-372-7181 and voice their opposition to SB 122. Madylin Goins contributed to this story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Georgia lawmakers work to reform state brewery regulations
Current Georgia law does not allow small brewers, such as brewpubs, to sell their own products on the market. Senate Bill 122, the Craft Beer and Local Economy Revitalization Act, proposed in the 2025 legislative session would change that. The bill would allow brewers and brew pubs to have a limited wholesale license to sell their own products, though it comes with conditions. To have a wholesale license as a small brewer, sales of the products must not be higher than 15% of their overall sales in the previous calendar year. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Additionally, the bill creates a provision to allow event holders selling drinks for charitable events to sell alcoholic drinks on site, so long as they are properly permitted for a 'bona fide nonprofit civic organization.' Brewers and brewpubs will also be able to donate malt beverages to charitable events, though the legislation stipulates that how much is donated 'shall not exceed the amount necessary' for the event itself. Any beverages not consumed during the event must be returned within 24 hours of the event's closure or when the event permit expires, whichever comes later. Sales of malt beverages by brewers will also no longer be subject to a daily maximum if the bill passes. Current law sets a maximum of 288 ounces sold per day. TRENDING STORIES: Cobb County to hold special election for empty commission seat after judge's order Little Caesar's manager defends sign saying suspicious people will be reported to ICE GA lawmakers move to make threats against schools by teens transfer from juvenile court to adult However, they would still be limited to a 6,000 barrels per year cap 'among all brewer's licensed premises making such sales.' In any given calendar year, if SB 122 passes, brewers would be able to sell up to 3,000 barrels of malt beverages produced at their licensed premises to wholesale retailers in Georgia, so long as they are located within 100 miles of the brewery. The businesses will also be able to sell, deliver and ship to other licensed brewers, as well as receive and acquire shipments from others. The Georgia Craft Brewers Guild has come out in support of the legislation, citing both its strong bipartisan support and how they say it would modernize the current craft beer laws in the state. The guild said breweries 'serve as economic drivers, providing jobs, fostering tourism, and creating vibrant community spaces,' but that current law limits their ability to succeed, causing small breweries to 'close at an alarming rate.' RECENT BREWERY CLOSURES: 2 more local breweries to close to end 2024 as craft beer sales struggle Beloved brewery on Atlanta's westside shutting its doors Torched Hop Brewing Company to shut its doors this month Georgia brewery plans to close, says 'prohibition-era' law is holding them back Beloved north Georgia brewery fighting to stay open despite being $1.1M in debt 'Georgia's craft breweries are more than just places to grab a pint—they are vital to our communities. When a brewery closes, it creates a ripple effect that harms local economies and limits consumer choice. Nearly every other state gives breweries more flexibility to grow, and it's time for Georgia to catch up,' Joseph Cortes, Executive Director of the Georgia Craft Brewers Guild, said in a statement supporting the bill. Roswell State Sen. John Albers said he introduced the bill as a way to support Georgia small businesses, saying that 'our breweries deserve an equal chance to compete and deserve our support by reducing burdensome and inconsistent regulations.' [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
