Al's Morning Meeting

"Some 2 million American workers are victims of workplace violence each year. Workplace violence can strike anywhere, and no one is immune. Some workers, however, are at increased risk. Among them are workers who exchange money with the public; deliver passengers, goods, or services; or work alone or in small groups, during late night or early morning hours, in high-crime areas, or in community settings and homes where they have extensive contact with the public. This group includes health-care and social service workers such as visiting nurses, psychiatric evaluators and probation officers; community workers such as gas and water utility employees, phone and cable TV installers, and letter carriers; retail workers; and taxi drivers."

Investigative reporter Paul Aker, my old friend, started nosing around tow truck lots in Columbus, Ohio, and found a juicy little story about towing companies charging about 30 percent more than the law intended.

Companies are tacking on administrative fees and towing charges that local governments didn't anticipate, and car owners have little choice but to pay the inflated fines.

 

With Congress only weeks away from votes on health care reform, small businesses are learning that their health care insurance costs for 2010 will be sharply higher. "Many small businesses say they are facing the steepest rise in insurance premiums they have seen in recent years," The New York Times said:

"Insurance brokers and benefits consultants say their small business clients are seeing premiums go up an average of about 15 percent for the coming year -- double the rate of last year's increases. That would mean an annual premium that was $4,500 per employee in 2008 and $4,800 this year would rise to $5,500 in 2010."

Read on to find out how important the fine print can be.

USA Today reported that "phishing attacks suddenly spiked 200 percent from May through September, according to IBM's X-Force research team. Phishers are going after log-ons to Web mail, social networking and online gaming accounts, security experts say."

Read on to find out how to counter the latest onslaught.

Hey Al,

The RI Department of Health and the school district I cover, South Kingstown, RI, are refusing media access to school-based H1N1 clinics, citing HIPAA concerns.

I went first to the school, as I do for any school event. I was referred to the Superintendent, who told me we would not be allowed inside the clinic area, nor would I be able to shoot the line of students and their parents waiting. She cited HIPAA. I pushed back, and the Supt. sent me the district lawyer's interpretation, which backed her up.

Meanwhile, I obtained parental consent to photograph a couple of kids -- and again, the district said that didn't matter, we would not be allowed in.

I complained to DOH, who did not respond directly, but issued a media advisory saying no media would be allowed in the clinic area. Site coordinators were given instructions to block all media from the room, and to refuse photos of parents/children waiting in line.

I'll note the DOH issued this edict while saying they want to quell fears about H1N1, and get the word out about the clinics!

My paper has shot seasonal flu clinics for years, and, in the past, has obtained patient permission to shoot many other medical images, including surgeries. We do not see how this is any different.

A neighboring town, Narragansett, is interpreting it differently -- saying they interpreted the DOH guidelines as guidelines, and the Superintendent has the final say about access, and will allow it with parental consent. Their clinic is this afternoon, and so far, they are allowing us access.

Wondering if you're hearing about reporters in other areas getting this runaround.

Cheers,

Liz Boardman
Independent Staff Writer

South County Independent

According to The Wall Street Journal, the momentum appears to be with those who seek to guard alimony payers' shrinking resources.