Latest news with #Pitman
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Presumptive Medicaid eligibility for pregnant Arkansans set to go into effect
Rep. Lee Johnson (left), R-Greenwood, an emergency medicine physician and the Joint Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee's House chair, asks Department of Human Services officials a question about presumptive Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. At right is Rep. Cameron Cooper, R-Romance. (Screenshot/Arkansas Legislature) Arkansas lawmakers reviewed two rules Wednesday in response to a new law aimed at improving the state's maternal health care landscape for low-income pregnant women. The Joint Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee spent nearly an hour discussing Arkansas' new policy of presumptive Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women, part of the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act that will go into effect in August. Presumptive eligibility assumes 60 days of Medicaid eligibility and shortens the process of applying for coverage. The policy was among several recommendations to improve the state's maternal health care landscape that a task force convened by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued in September 2024. More than half of births in Arkansas are covered by Medicaid, the federal-state health insurance system for low-income Americans. A federal budget bill moving through Congress would make deep cuts to Medicaid spending, reducing the program by $625 billion over 10 years. U.S. House Republicans push through massive tax and spending bill slashing Medicaid Elizabeth Pitman, director of the Division of Medical Services for Arkansas Medicaid, said she anticipates the proposed cuts will affect the state's Medicaid expansion population but not pregnant women on Medicaid. Arkansas has among the nation's highest maternal mortality and infant mortality rates. Rep. Jack Ladyman, R-Jonesboro, said he found this frustrating and considered presumptive Medicaid eligibility 'a very good cornerstone' for improving these statistics. Ladyman and Rep. Lee Johnson, R-Greenwood, asked Pitman and other Department of Human Services officials how they plan to ensure that pregnant Arkansans statewide have the information and resources they need to opt into presumptive Medicaid eligibility if applicable. 'I want to support this rule, but I also want to be realistic in what we expect the outcome of this rule to be,' said Johnson, an emergency medicine physician and the joint committee's House chair. 'If we pass this eligibility category and nobody's applying for it any more often than they're currently applying for Medicaid, then it's not moving the needle.' Pitman said DHS can address Johnson's concerns about access to information in its focus groups with pregnant Arkansans. She also said the agency will work with community health workers, doulas and other local health care providers and community organizations to ensure the option of presumptive Medicaid eligibility is as widely known as possible. Committee outlines recommendations, actions taken to improve maternal health in Arkansas DHS learned during the three-year public health emergency of the COVID-19 pandemic that spreading information about public health resources via social media, digital billboards and doctor's offices successfully reaches the agency's target audience, state Medicaid Director Janet Mann said. In January, Arkansas received a 10-year, $17 million federal grant aimed at improving maternal health outcomes for Medicaid recipients. Applying for the grant was among the maternal health task force's recommendations last year. The grant includes payments to healthcare providers as incentives for improved data-sharing on maternal health outcomes, Pitman said. In response to more questions from Johnson, Pitman said DHS does not have data on whether pregnant Arkansans' first interactions with prenatal health care occur in primary care providers' offices or emergency rooms. Arkansas remains the only state that has taken no action to adopt the federal option of extending postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months after birth, according to KFF. The maternal health task force did not recommend this policy, and a bill to create it failed in a Senate committee in April after Pitman and Mann expressed DHS' opposition to it. Arkansas Senate committee rejects 12-month postpartum Medicaid coverage The other rule the joint committee reviewed Wednesday was the 'unbundling' of billing rates for labor and delivery, a policy also put forth by the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act. The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services authorized a 70% increase in Arkansas' maximum reimbursement rate for obstetrical care 'to include prenatal, delivery and postpartum care,' according to the rule. All of these services will be billed separately in all cases, Pitman said. CMS' approval of such a stark increase was 'very unusual,' but Arkansas' shortage of maternal health care providers in rural areas, closure of seven labor and delivery units since 2019 and high maternal and infant mortality rates led the agency to grant DHS' request without question, Pitman said. Higher reimbursement rates should 'improve Medicaid's data collection on utilization of prenatal and postpartum services,' the rule states. 'We're really hopeful that this will give us better data and insight into what is happening in the prenatal care space: when women are going [to the doctor], if it's the first, second or third trimester, who are they seeing and what are their diagnoses,' Pitman said. 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Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hereford Pegasus appoint Jamie Pitman as new head coach
HEREFORD Pegasus have appointed former Hereford United player and manager Jamie Pitman as their new head coach. Pitman spent two stints playing for Hereford United and played over 181 games for the Edgar Street side. He was then appointed as caretaker manager in 2010 before later becoming the permanent manager. Pitman now takes over the first team coach role at Old School Lane from Mark Hibbard. The club's social media page stated: 'Jamie brings outstanding experience and leadership, and we're confident he's the right person to lead us into an exciting new era. 'He'll be joining Paul Willetts, who comes on board as first team coach, bringing further expertise and energy to the management team. Additional support staff will also be linking up as we continue to drive the club forward. 'This appointment is a key part of our long-term vision and reflects our commitment to building a strong, sustainable future. With infrastructure improvements already underway and a clear focus on growth, we're laying the foundations for lasting success. 'We also want to express our heartfelt thanks to Mark Hibbard, whose leadership guided us to promotion into the Hellenic Premier Division. That unforgettable play-off win over Worcester Raiders will always be a proud moment in our club history.' Pegasus recently held their end of season presentation at a packed Lynchpin Lounge at the KGD Stadium. The first team men and women's player of the year were Jordan Williamson and Ellie Davies respectively. Last season Hereford Pegasus finished 14th in the Hellenic Premier with 10 wins from their 38 league matches. Pegasus finished five points behind city rivals Westfields and the pair are set to battle again this season in the same division.
South Wales Argus
17-05-2025
- South Wales Argus
Caerphilly shoplifter targets Morrisons to steal vodka
Shay Pitman, 21, is a menace at Morrisons in Caerphilly, Newport Crown Court heard. He was being sentenced for two thefts at the store two months ago. The first offence took place on March 21 when he pinched a £19.50 bottle of Smirnoff vodka. The second incident happened a week later on March 28 when he took a bottle of Glenmorangie whisky, two bottles of Smirnoff and a bottle of Glen's Vodka which were worth £87. Emma Meadows, prosecuting, said: 'The defendant made no attempt to pay for the items.' Pitman was recognised immediately when police officers studied CCTV footage of the thefts. The defendant had been accompanied by a woman during the second offence who had provided a pink bag for him to carry the spirits. He was also being sentenced for a third shoplifting incident when he pinched coffee valued at £4 from Iceland in Caerphilly on April 14. The total value of the goods taken was £110.50. 'When he was arrested and interviewed, the defendant admitted all the three offences,' Miss Meadows added. 'He explained he had stolen the items in the first two offences after planning to sell them in Lansbury Park.' Victim impact statements were provided to the court. Lewis Duke from Morrisons said: 'This shoplifter is a prolific offender who targets us to steal high value spirits.' He added: "We can't stop him without police assistance.' Rhys Williams from Iceland said: 'Incidents like this take away employees from the shopfloor and from our customers.' Shoplifting, he revealed, results in reduced profits and the knock-on effect of staff hours having to be reduced to compensate. Pitman, formerly of Dol Yr Eos, Mornington Meadows, Caerphilly pleaded guilty to three counts of theft. He committed the offences while he was the subject of a suspended custodial sentence for burglary with intent. That jail sentence was activated last month and he appeared in court via video link from prison. Abigail Jackson representing Pitman said he was homeless and had been sleeping in a shed. Judge Carl Harrison jailed the defendant for four weeks which will be served consecutively to his current prison term. Pitman will also have to pay a £154 victim surcharge following his release.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Concerns raised over Fort Regent development plans
Public concerns have been raised during a government presentation of its vision to develop a prominent part of St Helier. At an event on Tuesday, Jersey Development Company outlined its plans for Fort Regent, including a cinema, bowling alley, bars and restaurants, a skate park and cable cars connecting the fort with the town. Some islanders at the meeting expressed unhappiness with the plans and sports clubs which use the fort said they had not been properly consulted. Constable Andy Jehan, infrastructure minister at the States of Jersey, said he was confident solutions could be found to the issues raised. Roisin Pitman, 63, said she been involved with Fort Regent for 54 years and founded her Aikido club there in 1987. She said she was unhappy to be asked to relocate her club to another venue. "We feel, as long standing users, that we have been forgotten and just farmed out to what they said are suitable premises," said Ms Pitman. "But with the martial arts side of it, we've been told we will be one of seven groups that are fighting for space in just one room at Oakfield." Ms Pitman was also unsure about the future vision for Fort Regent. She said: "I'm not sure about having so many cinemas at Fort Regent, the current users of Fort Regent are not being given a second thought. "By giving health and well-being possibilities we are taking the strain off health and social services, but we could go out of business if we don't find suitable homes." James Evans, 39 said the government should put more focus on keeping sports clubs at the fort. "The government said they have spare rooms they aren't utilising and they have no plans for them, yet they are pushing these people out into various parts of the island that they don't want to be and can't use," he said. Michael Kidman, 65, also expressed concerns about the plans. He said: "I think they are unrealistic, they look marvellous but in looking marvellous I don't think they are workable. "The expense sheet is too big, I think you want to utilise the money progressively and there are 40 groups up there who have nowhere to go and if you lose those you lose a lot of money." Mr Kidman said he felt the government had not made enough effort to engage with groups currently using the site. He said: "They haven't made the effort to contact the support groups. "I've been there every step of the way and I said tonight let's start on a fresh footing so we will see." Jehan said he had taken the various concerns raised on board and would be looking for solutions. He said: "I need to do more engagement personally, there is no doubt about that. "I have been given assurances that things have happened but from what I hear tonight maybe they haven't happened as well as I'd been told. "So I'm going to spend time with user groups and individual sports to see if we can find solutions for them. "I'm confident that with the large estate we have on the island we can find solutions." Jehan said he wanted to hear more opinions on the proposed uses for Fort Regent, including the cinema. He said: "I think we are going to wait for the feedback from all islanders, clearly tonight we had a lot of people that have got an interest in Fort Regent from a sport perspective." Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to New £110m redevelopment plans for Fort Regent Fort Regent plans backed by entertainment boss
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Judge: High heat in Texas prisons unconstitutional
(The Hill) — A federal judge found the extreme heat in Texas prisons is 'plainly unconstitutional' but did not order the state to begin installing air conditioners. While U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman affirmed some of the claims about incarcerated conditions in the state, advocates will have to continue pressing their lawsuit in a trial, The Associated Press reported. 'This case concerns the plainly unconstitutional treatment of some of the most vulnerable, marginalized members of our society,' Pitman said in his ruling, noting that he believes excessive heat is an unconstitutional punishment. The suit was originally filed in 2023 by Bernie Tiede, a former mortician serving a life sentence, until prisoner rights groups joined his effort. The lawsuit argues the heat in Texas prisons can amount to cruel and unusual punishment. Summer heat can easily be above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the state, particularly as summers continue to get warmer due to climate change. Trump administration revokes state and local health funding The plaintiffs are asking the state to install air conditioning in state facilities, and while the judge stopped short of ordering the state to spend the billions of dollars on the installation, Jeff Edwards, the lead attorney for prisoners, said it was a victory. 'We proved our case,' he said. 'The court made it very clear what the state is doing is unconstitutional and endangering the lives of those they are supposed to be protecting.' Edwards said he wishes they could have protected prisoners for the upcoming summer months but will continue to work on their goal. Pitman noted that it would take months to install temporary air conditioning and billions for a permanent solution. He expects the case to go to trial, where advocates can continue their case, though the state Legislature has not made moves on the matter for years. The AP noted that about a third of the state's roughly 100 prison units are fully air conditioned, and the rest only have partial air conditioning or no electric cooling. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
