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Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Jersey's Phil Murphy takes heat from all sides in final budget as governor
TRENTON, New Jersey — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday night signed his final budget — and faced rare and biting criticisms from within his own administration and longtime allies. Two members of his own Cabinet called parts of the $58.8 billion spending plan a 'terrible idea' and 'a great disappointment.' And over the course of Monday, unions Murphy counted among his strongest supporters came out to attack the governor — showing how vulnerable the term-limited Democrat is to criticism as he heads toward lame-duck status. "He remains a Wall Street banker at heart and has put the interests of the insurance companies and CEO's above the interests of everyday working people,' Steve Tully, executive director of AFSCME New Jersey Council 63 union, said in a statement related to a disagreement in cuts to health care spending for state workers. 'While Governor Murphy heads to his villa in Italy this summer, tens of thousands of workers will be worrying how they are going to be able to afford the astronomical health care increases that are coming.' Murphy and the state's top legislative Democrats were eager to point out the spending plan includes a full $7.2 billion payment into the state's notoriously underfunded pension fund for public workers, $12 billion in record funding for public schools and a continuation of popular property tax relief programs. And the state surplus stands at $6.7 billion — magnitudes larger than the $409 million surplus Murphy got when he came into office. 'This budget exemplifies our dedication to fiscal responsibility, affordability, and opportunity for all New Jerseyans,' Murphy said in a statement. 'Over nearly eight years in office, we have maintained a steadfast commitment to building a stronger and fairer New Jersey and righting our fiscal ship. I'm proud that this budget caps off an eight-year journey to turn our state around and delivers greater economic security and opportunity to every family.' The final spending plan had similar broad strokes to what Murphy proposed in February, with $727 million added in recent days by Democratic lawmakers. It also has a $1.5 billion structural deficit, meaning it spends more than it collects in revenue. Last-minute additions made public late Friday drew the ire of a top Democratic lawmaker, two members of Murphy's Cabinet and a group of public-sector unions and environmental groups that have traditionally been allied with Murphy and Democrats. Ironically, Murphy also faced criticism from a Senate Republican for not doing enough to prepare the state for Medicaid cuts likely to be imposed by fellow Republicans in Washington. Sen. Declan O'Scanlon, the Monmouth County Republican who serves as his party's chief budget officer, proposed an amendment on the Senate floor Monday to cut hundreds of millions of dollars in 'pork' spending and set it aside in part to deal with federal cuts Democrats have been warning about but this budget deal does not prepare New Jersey for. The proposal was rejected by legislative Democrats. It's the criticism from within the Democratic governor's own house and his longtime allies that is most striking and a sign of Murphy's limited time left in Trenton. The biggest internal criticism came from Attorney General Matt Platkin, a longtime Murphy ally, who called out plans to give hospitals money he helped win in opioid litigation. 'Last night, I learned — to my great disappointment — that the budget the Legislature is considering would deplete our hard-won opioid settlement dollars by sending $45 million to hospital systems for uses that have not been identified,' Platkin said in a statement Monday morning. 'My office fought for years against companies who profited off the deaths and addiction of thousands upon thousands of New Jerseyans.' On Sunday, acting Comptroller Kevin Walsh called out another part of the budget deal that allows state money to go to low-rated nursing homes. 'This budget provision is a terrible idea,' Walsh said in a statement. 'It is a giveaway to the nursing home industry and will worsen care in nursing homes.' The Legislature's top lawmaker was quick to push back against the critiques from cabinet officials. 'When did they run for office? Did they run for office?' Senate President Nick Scutari — who played a key role in budget negotiations — said. 'Because I didn't see that. I think that one of them is the chief law enforcement officer, and the other one is kind of more of an auditor, so I don't think that's within their purview to do.' The nursing home industry — and Murphy — were under considerable scrutiny during the Covid-19 pandemic for poor care in nursing homes and the state's handling of Covid-19 patients. The nursing home industry in particular has been the subject of continued scrutiny in the state and nationwide. It's unusual for one much less two Cabinet members to speak out. Platkin and Walsh, though both nominated by the governor, have offices with independence from the governor. Platkin's criticism was aimed at plans to send $45 million to Hackensack Meridian Health, RWJ Barnabas, Cooper University Health Care and Atlantic Health. The budget language says it must be in line with the opioid settlement requirements. Platkin said the budget deal 'ignores' recommendations released by the state's Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund Advisory Council, which was created to advise how to spend the settlement funds. He also explicitly called on the Legislature and Murphy to 'reject' the proposal. The state is set to receive over $1 billion through 2038 stemming from several settlements related to the opioid crisis, with state leaders adamant that the funds be used to treat opioid addiction and not plug budget holes like the infamous tobacco settlements from decades ago. Senate Budget and Appropriations Chair Paul Sarlo said the funds would help hospitals provide harm reduction services for opioid treatment and suggested that it would help with possible federal Medicaid cuts. 'These hospitals — they're gonna be on the front line of these Medicaid cuts,' Sarlo told reporters. But it wasn't just administration officials that were displeased with the newest changes. Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Chair Joe Vitale said that sending opioid settlement funds to four hospital systems was 'an awful addition to the budget' that he would seek to prevent in following years. He similarly criticized the changes for nursing homes. 'It undermines the ability to make nursing homes safer in a manner that's cooperative,' said Vitale, who went on to vote for the budget. 'This is an attack on public safety. And I'll do everything I can to undo it.' The state's long-term care ombudsperson — who was nominated by Murphy — said the budget deal on nursing homes was a 'complete giveaway to the nursing home industry.' 'The rich get richer and the poor get nothing,' the ombudsperson, Laurie Facciarossa Brewer, said in a statement over the weekend. 'At this point, the Legislature is throwing money at nursing home owners and stripping away the state's own ability to ensure better quality.' The spending plan comes amid the governor's race to succeed Murphy and as all seats in the state Assembly are up for election this fall. Legislative Democrats will be eager to highlight continuation of funding for popular property tax relief programs — like the ANCHOR program, which provides rebates of $1,500 to homeowners and $450 for qualifying renters, with another $250 for seniors. The budget also included $280 million for Stay NJ, the program that will cut property taxes in half for seniors making up to $500,000, and the Senior Freeze program, which also provides direct property tax relief for seniors. But the budget is not without its potential political risks. Another last-minute addition — one of several options proposed by Murphy and agreed upon by Assembly Democrats — requires the state government workers' health program to find $100 million in savings through a committee that has labor and management representatives. The government covers most of the health care costs for employees on the state-run public worker health insurance program, which has seen rising expenses. The program — especially for local governments — is teetering on the brink of insolvency. The $100 million cut has ruptured Murphy's longtime relationship with public-sector unions. After the budget was passed, a group of unions representing state workers — including the CWA, Rutgers AAUP-AFT, AFSCME New Jersey Health Professionals & Allied Employees and Policemen's Benevolent Association — blasted the measure. Tully, the AFSCME director, said Murphy is 'out of touch' and Democratic Assemblymember Wayne DeAngelo, who is closely aligned with labor interests, abstained on the budget over the proposal. In a statement, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin said he would hold hearings in July to discuss government worker health insurance and suggested that unanticipated revenues could subsidize increased costs. The budget also redirects $190 million from the Board of Public Utilities' clean energy fund to prop up NJ Transit and pad the budget surplus. Groups like Environment New Jersey and the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters criticized the decision as a gimmick and accused Democrats who are usually their allies of treating the ratepayer dollars the BPU collects like a slush fund. The budget includes modified versions of tax increases sought by Murphy. The two major tax increases raised the tax rate for online sports and online gambling as well as the sale of real estate valued over $2 million. The state budget could soon be upended, with state lawmakers keeping a close eye to the Congressional Republicans' bill that could upend Medicaid or federal funding cuts from the Trump administration. 'I think what concerns people is what's going to come out of the federal government,' Scutari said. 'Far as I can tell, that surplus can't make up for humongous federal budgetary cuts.' The budget passed 26-13 in the Senate and 52-27-1 in the Assembly on Monday. Two GOP lawmakers, Assemblymember Sean Kean and Sen. Bob Singer, crossed party lines to support it.
The Independent
17-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Premium insurance demand surges across the world amid travel disruptions
Travel disruptions are on the rise, leading leisure travellers to be more selective about their insurance coverage, while businesses seek specialist advice to mitigate risks. Since 2019, a series of events, including Covid-19, extreme weather, volcanic eruptions, military conflicts, jet safety concerns, computer malfunctions, and airport fires, have caused widespread travel disruptions, grounding planes and stranding millions. In the United States, air traffic controller shortages and outdated technology have contributed to significant disruptions. In May, Newark Liberty Airport, a major hub serving New York City, experienced flight cancellations, diversions, and delays due to equipment outages, runway construction, and staffing shortages. Recently, an attack by Israel on Iran led to the cancellation or diversion of thousands of flights to avoid conflict in the Middle East. Many insurance policies have numerous exemptions in the fine print. Consequently, travellers are opting for higher-end insurance policies, often with higher premiums, to ensure better protection, according to insights from travel executives, insurance companies, and analysts. "We're in times that are quite unstable so people are cancelling more frequently than previously," said Duncan Greenfield-Turk, CEO of Global Travel Moments, a luxury travel agency based in London. European tourists have increased their purchases of travel insurance for this summer by three per cent compared with last year, according to German insurer Allianz Partners. Squaremouth, the largest travel insurance marketplace in the US, has seen a 34 per cent year-over-year increase globally in purchases of "Cancel For Any Reason" protection. British and US holidaymakers in particular are more willing to pay a higher premium to protect their trip, said Anna Kofoed, the CEO of Travel for Allianz Partners. About 32 per cent more travellers globally requested an insurance quote from January to April compared to the same period in 2024, according to data from online travel insurance broker InsureMyTrip. Businesses seek travel advice There has also been a rise in demand for bespoke travel advice as US President Donald Trump has announced a number of immigration-related restrictions including tighter visa vetting procedures and travel bans. World Travel Protection (WTP), a global firm that advises businesses on travel risk, said it has seen a rise in US residents being detained at US borders and told their documents were no longer valid as visa rules were changing. WTP has worked with US government representatives to help those individuals return home, according to Frank Harrison, the company's regional security director for the Americas. "We're seeing a very strong uptick in organizations coming to us wanting to know how to navigate the landscape of the US within the wider business," Harrison said. CIBT, which provides non-legal visa and immigration guidance, has seen a 50 per centrise in inquiries since November from companies seeking to better prepare their employees for travel to the US, according to CEO Steven Diehl. High-end insurance products emerge One of the newest areas of business is in parametric insurance, which pays compensation automatically after a "trigger" event such as a flight delay without the need to file a claim. Parametric insurance took off in some countries during the COVID-19 pandemic and in recent months more insurers around the world have begun to offer it. When testing the market last year, Spanish insurer Mapfre's Mawdy unit in Ireland said about 11 per cent more customers opted for higher-tier travel insurance packages when instant compensation was included. Travel destinations have also spotted an opportunity in this burgeoning market. Marriott Bonvoy's villa rentals and waterparks offer parametric weather insurance at the point of booking, automatically paying out on rainy days. Sensible Weather, one of the providers of such coverage, reported its weather guarantees were added to 30 per cent of theme park bookings and 10–15 per cent of higher-value accommodation bookings when they were offered in 2024. In March, Squaremouth launched a new insurance product with cruise-specific benefits such as coverage for being confined on a cruise ship or missing the port of call. "Everyone is trying to make it easier for people to understand that each trip (...) is going to have a different set of concerns whether it's hurricanes or blizzards or what's going on with air traffic controllers," Suzanne Morrow, CEO of online insurance broker InsureMyTrip told Reuters.
Health Line
16-06-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Does Medicare Cover Psyllium?
Original Medicare does not usually cover psyllium and other over-the-counter (OTC) fiber supplements. If you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, you may have coverage options for OTC products, such as psyllium. Psyllium, or psyllium husk, is a popular nutritional supplement that people may take to help relieve constipation, treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or manage cholesterol. In this article, we discuss Medicare coverage options for psyllium and how to save money on psyllium supplements. Medicare coverage for psyllium In general, Medicare does not cover psyllium, but there may be some exceptions. Part D Part D prescription drug plans are offered by private insurance companies to help cover the cost of prescription medications. These plans will not cover OTC drugs or supplements, such as psyllium. Original Medicare Original Medicare includes Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). If you have Original Medicare, your plan will not cover the cost of OTC products, including psyllium. Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) is a separate plan that helps cover the out-of-pocket costs of Original Medicare. Since Original Medicare does not cover psyllium, a Medigap plan won't either. Medicare Advantage Medicare Advantage plans are private insurance policies offered as an alternative to Original Medicare. In addition to including the base coverage of Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans offer a range of other benefits, including dental, vision, and hearing care. The exact details will vary based on the specific insurer, the plan, and your location. Many Medicare Advantage plans also include OTC benefits. Health policy research group KFF reported that 88% of Medicare Advantage plans included OTC benefits in 2024. If your plan has OTC benefits, there's a good chance you'll be able to apply those benefits to fiber supplements, such as psyllium. Different Medicare Advantage plans have different rules regarding how their OTC benefits work. Typically, you'll get a benefits card that functions like a debit card. Your plan will load funds onto your card at predetermined intervals, and you can use the card to buy a range of products from participating retailers. As an example, if your plan partners with Walgreens, you'll be able to use OTC benefits to buy a range of psyllium products. To learn whether your plan includes OTC benefits and how those benefits work, check your Evidence of Coverage (EOC) documentation or contact the plan and speak with a representative. How to save on psyllium Psyllium is widely available at pharmacies and big-box stores. The cost of psyllium can vary based on brand, form, and quantity, but it may range from $10 to $30 for a month's supply. If your Medicare plan does not include coverage for psyllium, you may be able to save on it in a few ways. Consider looking into the following: Generics: Generic psyllium typically offers the same benefits as brand-name psyllium but at a lower price point. Bulk buying: Buying psyllium in bulk could potentially lower your costs. Discount programs: Pharmacy discount cards may help you save on OTC products. Patient assistance programs: Some manufacturers offer coupons or rebates for individuals who qualify based on income. Frequently asked questions What is the downside of psyllium husk? Psyllium husk may cause side effects in some people, though these are typically mild. Possible side effects include gas, bloating, and abdominal discomfort. Psyllium husk may cause side effects in some people, though these are typically mild. Possible side effects include gas, bloating, and abdominal discomfort. Does Medicare cover Metamucil? Metamucil is a brand-name psyllium fiber supplement. Since Metamucil is an OTC product, Medicare does not typically cover it. However, if you have a Medicare Advantage plan with OTC benefits, you may be able to use those benefits to buy Metamucil. To do so, your plan's participating retailer will need to include Metamucil in its OTC benefits product list. Metamucil is a brand-name psyllium fiber supplement. Since Metamucil is an OTC product, Medicare does not typically cover it. However, if you have a Medicare Advantage plan with OTC benefits, you may be able to use those benefits to buy Metamucil. To do so, your plan's participating retailer will need to include Metamucil in its OTC benefits product list. Summary Medicare does not generally include coverage for OTC products like psyllium. Part D drug plans only help with the cost of prescription medications, and Original Medicare covers various inpatient and outpatient medical services. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan with OTC benefits, you may be able to use your benefits to buy psyllium. Check your plan details or speak with a representative to learn more about your coverage.
