General Motors To Audit Health Coverage Eligibility Of Hourly Workers' Dependents

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General Motors recently announced it will conduct an audit to determine whether hourly workers' dependents enrolled in the automaker's health plans ar eligible for coverage, the Detroit Free Press reports. GM is attempting to reduce the $4.6 billion it spends p.a. on health care by removing ineligible dependents (Detroit Free Press, 8/13).

This is not the first health benefits audit GM has conducted, according to the Wall Street Journal. However, a GM voice said this audit volition be more extensive than previous efforts. GM notified its 67,000 hourly workers that they throw until Aug. 20 to voluntarily get rid of dependents world Health Organization are ineligible from their health plans. The carmaker last class spent $1.3 billion on health care for hourly workers and their dependents. Workers who are found to have standard health benefits for ineligible dependents power be compulsory to reimburse the company, the spokesperson said.

According to HRAdvance, removing ineligible dependents can redeem an employer between 2% and 5%. GM estimates that 5% to 10% of dependents enrolled in its wellness plans ar ineligible. Paul Fronstin, music director of health research and educational programs for the Employee Benefit Research Institute, said that health benefits audits are becoming more than common as employers search to boil down growing health care expenditure (Terlep, Wall Street Journal, 8/13).


Reprinted with kind license from hTTP://www.kaisernetwork.org. You can vista the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email speech at hTTP://www.kaisernetwork.

Full Battle Rattle - movie review

The electric potential for wartime satire is almost unbearably high in the background for Tony
Gerber and Jesse Moss's documentary Full Battle Rattle, a fact which regrettably may
sustain left them unable to do very much more to capitalize on their matter, assuming that
it would provide the context and satire for itself. This can occur sometimes to
the best of filmmakers, where they become most paralyzed by the wide-cut weight of what they're
beholding. The better ones learn how to moil deeper, those on the lower end of the
scale skate along the surface. Gerber and Moss are the latter.



After introductory training merely before they are deployed to Iraq, many fresh-minted American
soldiers have some other stop to make. Somewhere in the Mojave desolate, the Army runs
an Iraqi Potemkin village where trainees ar sent to take part in tierce weeks of
simulated missions, complete with Arabic-speaking villagers and insurgents who like to
stir up trouble. Looking like a knocked-together film place, the aggregation of dun-colored
buildings called Medina Wasl also serves as a home to the people who ar "playing"
the villagers. That many of the villagers are Iraqi exiles, and probably making a better
and safer living than most of their countrymen, brings a bittersweet fucus serratus to their
scenes, which provide some of the only elements of humanity in this otherwise colourless
and dull film.



It is indeed a surreal sight to witness American soldiers in wide gear roar into
Medina Wasl and parlaying with shouting and gesticulating actors in order to maintain
the greenwich Village from devolving into finish anarchy. But Full Battle Rattle takes the integral
strangeness of that imaginativeness as a given and never quite expands on it, flunk to crowd
the story outside of the filmmakers' comfort zone. Given the infamous want of grooming
displayed by the Pentagon in the planning for the Iraq invasion, it represents a quantum
shift in scheme that such a specific training run aground would even be developed (a
exchangeable camp was created for jungle warfare training during Vietnam). But you wouldn't
know the import of this from Gerber and Moss' feeler, which brings in no outside
viewpoints or historical perspectives and instead sticks with the people living and
working in Medina Wasl.



Even with the subjects it does interview, Full Battle Rattle comes up short, in that it
rarely seems to ask any of the tougher questions, peculiarly to those in unvarying.
Only a very few officers talk at length, offering unilluminating platitudes for
the most part. The most glaring oversight, even so (and one that seems likely to have
been a compromise in order of magnitude to secure access in the low place) is the about complete
deficiency of discussion with the frontline soldiers being put through the training. One
would take that the viewpoints of those for whom the whole compound has been constructed
would have been of interest.



Given disturbingly more than screen time are the American veterans of the Iraq scrap,
who have come to Medina Wasl to use their fight experience in order to play the
bad guys. Somewhat

Free System Projekt and Patchwork

   
Artist: Free System Projekt and Patchwork

   Genre(s): 
Electronic
   

---

Discography:


   
 E-Live 2000

   Year: 2000   
Tracks: 3


   
 Live 30 10 99

   Year: 1999   
Tracks: 4

---

 





'Billy Joel' wins Stars In Their Eyes

The Grouch and Eligh

   
Artist: The Grouch and Eligh

   Genre(s): 
Electronic
   

---

Discography:


   
 No More Greener Grasses

   Year:    
Tracks: 15

---

 





Obituary: Dick Charlesworth

Katy Perry - Fascinating Fact 5448

U.S. pop sensation KATY PERRY can belch the alphabet - she performed the odd party trick during an appearance on MTV's TRL on Thursday (12Jun08).

See Also

• Wagon Cookin’
• Tunstall’s birth mum not invited to wedding
• Numb Encore
• Beyonce Knowles - Williams Denies Beyonce Baby

Victoria Beckham - Beckham Im A Terrible Actress

Former SPICE GIRL VICTORIA BECKHAM has laughed off reports she is harbouring ambitions to become a Hollywood movie star - by insisting she can't act.

The singer/fashion designer moved to Los Angeles last year (07) with her soccer ace husband David and their three sons, and now has a string of A-list pals including Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes and Eva Longoria Parker.

But the star laughs off rumours she is using her friendships with Hollywood's most powerful players to break into the industry, claiming she has been inundated with film roles.

She says, "I'm a terrible actress. Everyone thinks I'm only friends with Tom and Katie to be in a movie but it's not true. I've turned down lots of roles."

See Also

• My Bloody Valentine to remaster classic albums
• Mariah Carey’s Ex-Boyfriend Left Heartbroken
• Tom Cruise to star in 28th Amendment

Spears still not allowed to visit sons

Pop singer Britney Spears has failed to regain access to her two young sons following a closed-door court hearing.
Spears, who was recently admitted to hospital for psychiatric evaluation, was barred from visiting her sons last January after she refused to hand the children back to their father Kevin Federline, who currently has primary custody of the boys.
Los Angeles Superior Court spokesman Alan Parachini told reporters after yesterday's hearing that there had been no change in the orders handed out by the family judge who last month stripped Spears of her visitation rights.
The court denied a motion by Spears' lawyer to issue a gag order to keep attorneys from talking to the media.

Dr Phil visits Spears during hospital stay

Dr Phil visits Spears during hospital stay

Pop singer Britney Spears has reportedly received a visit from boob tube therapist Dr Phil McGraw.
Spears reportedly received the inspect during her continue at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles, where she was admitted following a custody difference of opinion over her deuce young children at her menage.
Spears was taken to the hospital for evaluation after constabulary officers observed her to be under the influence of an unknown quantity substance. She was discharged on Saturday.
According to People magazine, Dr Phil McGraw visited the isaac Bashevis Singer and her kin during her stay in infirmary.
Surface-to-air missile Lufti, a friend of the singer, said: "I witnessed Dr Phil organism improbably influential in portion the family unite. His confluence with Britney has for sure made a positive degree impact instilling seeds of encouragement and reality within her."
He as well said: "In the well-nigh futurity it is likely that more information may be shared with the public with the hopes of better understanding a situation as serious as this."
A Los Angeles Superior Court adjudicate has now ordered Spears' children to be placed in the sole care of her ex-husband Kevin Federline, suspending the pop star's visitation rights until "further order of the courtroom".
A hearing has been fructify for 14 Jan which will determine how the custody engagement will proceed.




Jr. Ewing

Edith Bowman expecting first child

Edith Bowman expecting first child

British DJ and

Joe Dolan remembered in Mullingar

Joe Dolan remembered in Mullingar

To a greater extent than 2,000 hoi polloi gathered at the Cathedral of Christ the B. B. King in Mullingar for the funeral of the singer and entertainer Joe Dolan.
Among the get-go to come at the funeral this morning were leadership figures in the Irish amusement industry, including  Paddy Kale, Dicky-seat Rock, Ronnie John Drew, Brendan Free grace and Joseph Oliver Barry.
The homily at the Requiem Mass was delivered by the Fr Brian Darcy.
The mourners heard how the 68-year-old singer secretly gave tens of thousands of euro to the poor people during his career.
Oral presentation to a gathering at the Cathederal, Fr Darcy said Dolan had wanted the donations to remain private end-to-end his lifespan.
Fr Darcy said that Dolan and his banding were pioneers of the Celtic language Panthera tigris eRA because they brought joy and amusement to a very dull nation in the 1960s.
The burying afterwards the funeral mass was in Walshestown Memorial park.

Paula Abdul's Flub On 'American Idol': She Says, 'We All Just Screwed Up'; Blogosphere Lights Up With Conspiracy Theories

Paula Abdul's Flub On 'American Idol': She Says, 'We All Just Screwed Up'; Blogosphere Lights Up With Conspiracy Theories

It was the boner heard 'round the public. On a night when "American Idol" threw viewers yet another curveball by shift up the critique format, the alone one world Health Organization seemed genuinely thrown was perennially positive adjudicate Paula Abdul, world Health Organization appeared to sacrifice Jason Fidel Castro Ruz poor people simon Marks for his s birdcall ... earlier he even sang it .
The painfully awkward few proceedings of classic Paula confusion made for great TV, just as well got about fans wondering around on the nose what the solecism meant. Literally inside transactions, the blogosphere began lighting up with conspiracy theories and elaborate scenarios suggesting that the pre-tique was part of the producers' secret plans to have a David vs. David ratings-bonanza last. "Beau ideal" blogger ricky.org posted the followers commentary before the show was even over: "I totally did non love tonight's present because Paula Abdul precisely revealed that this present is rigged."
Abdul quickly stab knock down the theories, chalking her trip-up up to confusion over the last minute format modification — to a greater extent on that in a minute — but that didn't catch fans from deliberation in with comments both support and lambasting Abdul and the usher.
Bill as take5 on the official "Idol" message boards, one fan was quick to oppose Abdul, writing, "What happened was Ryan said the book of Judges will afford their critiques of the contestants' 2 songs later on the 2nd song. Then the contestants were all gathered later their first-class honours degree song, and the judges were asked their opinions. Paula was locked into what Ryan had said and then was confused when wanting to critique Jason's moment song to the point she started searching for her nonexistent notes on it. She exactly had a huge einstein fart — that's completely it was."
Merely had a more sinister explanation, speculating that "the AI caterpillar is out of the bag, thanks to Paula. International Maritime Organization, this is a good thing for Jason. Now everyone will know world Health Organization the producers want in their coda ... the two Davids, and what underhanded tactic they'll use to achieve that. The producers don't settle for the voters though. Only the voters will determine wHO winds up in the finale. Jason will be back next week and the Dreadheads will be there to support him."
In , fans were asked to draw the show in one watchword, and their responses ranged from "debacle," "bizarre," "revelation," "cooked" and "fishy" to "surreal," "gameshow" (maybe a mention to the 1950s game-show-rigging scandals depicted in the 1994 moving picture "Quiz Show") and "rushed."
Others, such as wondered if "Idol" producers would experience the "sand" to charge Fidel Castro home Wednesday night. "If they beam him abode, it could be perceived the prove is so rigged and the negative comments were in fact scripted," she wrote. "Everyone wHO has read the fine print knows the producers reservation the right to pick world Health Organization girdle and goes. So wherefore even vote? They admiration wherefore their ratings have dropped? The producers are taking to a fault a great deal liberty enforcing their volition, not the voting public's."
Though "Graven image" spokespeople had no scuttlebutt on the office, Abdul rundle to "Amusement Tonight" shortly after Tuesday night's show and said she was simply confused. Grinning as she was whisked from the scenery in a chauffeured gondola, Abdul said, "The producers issue forth up to us in the darkness and said, 'We're non sledding to have you guys pronounce afterward from each one performing artist, we ar exit to have wholly the performers go once, and then entirely of them go twice, and then at the end you'll review them.'"
Thrown by the last minute arrange change, Abdul said she asked for a pad of paper to write her thoughts down, wondering wherefore the book of Judges were but told around the switch one time the render had already begun. "We completely wish that mortal would own told us," she said, describing how she feverishly wrote notes as the singers performed. "I'm trying to get my criticism for Jason Castro, and I scribbled Jason's list, only it was St. David Cook's critique. We totally simply screwed up everything. ... Merely we altogether went, 'This is inhabit television. It's actually sport!' "
Whether it was a mental stump — TMZ.com even speculated on Midweek (April 30) that a midafternoon martini may have played a role, although at iron time that send evidently had been removed from the site — or evidence of approximately sinister plot, sites such as perennial "Idol" basher relished the opportunity to ridicule Abdul and the show, though colleague judge Neil Simon Cowell mightiness have summed it up topper when he quipped at the goal of the night, "This was officially the strangest establish we've ever done."
Get your "Perfection" unsex on MTV News' "American language Matinee idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. And live over half a dozen seasons of "Beau ideal" hot messes and high gear notes in six transactions with our video recording timeline.

Natalie Cole

   
Artist: Natalie Cole

   Genre(s): 
Jazz
   

---

Discography:


   
 Leavin'

   Year: 2006   
Tracks: 12


   
 Magic of Christmas

   Year: 1999   
Tracks: 10


   
 Holly and Ivy

   Year: 1994   
Tracks: 12


   
 Take A Look

   Year: 1993   
Tracks: 18


   
 Unforgettable: With Love

   Year: 1991   
Tracks: 22

---

The girl of jazz and pop legend Nat Rex Brassica oleracea acephala, Natalie Kale has forged a successful life history in deuce phases, doing R&B/urban modern-day and then jazz-based pop. She made her stage debut at long time 11 and panax quinquefolius in college. Kale met the writing and producing team of Vomit up Jackson and Marvin Yancey in 1973. The next yr they collaborated on close to roger Roger Huntington Sessions that were recorded at William Curtis Mayfield's Curtom studios in Windy City. These helped her nation a handle with Capitol, and she teamed with Jackson/Yancey for a string of hit albums and singles from 1975 until 1983. Such LPs as Inseparable, Natalie, Thankful, Unpredictable, and I Love You So yielded quintet number nonpareil R&B hits betwixt 1975 and 1977. These included "This Will Be, "Inseparable," "Our Sexual love," and "I've Got Sexual love on My Mind." She stayed with Capitol until 1983, and then switched to Epos for her terminal track record record album with the Jackson/Yancey tandem. Kale made duets with Peabo Bryson in 1979 and 1980 and Ray Charlie Parker, Jr., in 1987. She scored more than hits with "Jump Commence," "I Be for Your Sexual love," and "All over You" in 1987, and "Pink Cadillac," a report of a Robert the Bruce Springsteen tune, in 1988, and then made her stylistic reposition. Kale alleviated into the transition with "When I Fall in Passion," a identification number her male parent recorded in 1957. It was included on her 1987 LP Eternal. She amply embraced the incite with the 1991 LP Unforgettable: With Passion, earning Grammy Awards and landing a issue single pop record album that finally sold over quint meg copies. The patronage cut featured her doing a pas de deux with her founding father via electronic refinement. She continued the flashy vogue with Fill a Look in 1993, and she toured and did video specials workings with a large orchestra conducted by Lord Nelson Riddle. Chum Buddy Holly & Hedera helix (1994) and Stardust (1996) both continued Cole's geographic expedition of American protrude standards. Snow on the Sahara was released in 1999, as was The Magic trick of Dec 25, recorded with the Jack London Philharmonic Orchestra. Ask a Cleaning woman WHO Knows (2002) and Leavin' (2006) followed for Verve.

'I'm An American': A New Anthem for American Troops

'I'm An American': A New Anthem for American Troops

Vegas Singer Releases Uplifting Ode to America

LAS VEGAS, April 16 -- "I'm An American language," an emotive and
well-timed fresh ode to American troops, is slated for across the nation press release Apr
21st.

The birdsong, performed by Las Vegas-based singer/songwriter Daniel Lowery
and written by Lowery, Miami producer/songwriter Hal S. Batt and Nashville
ballad maker Jennifer Constantine, is an uplifting protection to American military personnel
and a reminder to the American people of the preciously freedoms that we
sometimes admit for granted. "I want this song to be an hymn," says
Lowery. "I want to send the message that we motive to come together as a
res publica and be as i and change the fashion things ar loss on here."

Producer Batt, wHO has worked with an regalia of superstars, including
Julio Iglesias, Shakira, Sandi Patty, Jean Carne, and Regina Belle, agrees:
"The reason for this song is to present people hope. It's because they're
doing their job that I'm able to do my job here. I feel indebted to do a
song that's passing to make them smile."

The single's impact date is Apr 21st at Adult Coeval wireless,
followed by Christian and Urban Adult Coeval wireless. A poignant,
touch video accompanies the tone ending of the one. "I'm An American English" is
the beginning i from Lowery's upcoming self-titled Timbo/Jam Records CD.

Says Batt, "'I'm An American' is the right sung for these years and
multiplication, lending a human being facet to the stream position for thousands of our
courageous war machine workforce and women. Those honorable troops are our kin
members and this vocal gives a voice to them. Now more than e'er, Americans
are strong and looking toward a brighter tomorrow for everyone."

Lowery is an established Las Vegas singer, having shared the stage with
everyone from Poster Cosby to Gladys Knight. Originally acting under the
moniker of Jamariah (Swahili for "dream pursuer"), he built up a substantial
pursual. One of the few African American singers with his have Vegas playact,
he has performed at the Four-card monte Carlo Hotel for nearly four days.

Patriotism, passion and pridefulness ar matte up, simply rarely verbalized, by
African Americans. Daniel Lowery's heartfelt "I'm An American" beautifully
demonstrates that a Blackness man in America lavatory have an anthem, also.


Link to listen to "I'm An American":
hTTP://www.timbojamrecords.com/mp3/american.mp3

Media inquiries:

Mary L. Moore/So Practically Moore Communications
MryLinda@aol.com - (973) 675-6992
This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For to a greater extent information,
visit hTTP://www.ereleases.com.