By Peter Ripley, Publisher.
This commentary is based in a PDN News Article: Federal agents serve search warrants in Port Angeles in nationwide case
Department of Justice: Action part of ‘one of the largest health care fraud schemes investigated’
Quote from the article posted: "Federal authorities said the $1.2 billion scam involved foreign call centers and doctors who prescribed unnecessary orthopedic braces to hundreds of thousands of elderly or disabled people across the country, defrauding Medicare of hundreds of millions of dollars.
“The defendants took advantage of unwitting patients who were simply trying to get relief from their health concerns,” said U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito in a statement."
Editorial Note: Other than this one news story which was publish this week in the Peninsula Daily News, you would rarely see any other articles being posted in the PDN about welfare fraud. Why is that? Welfare fraud every day, costing the taxpayer billions every year. The topic of welfare fraud shouldn't be appearing in the local media landscape only on occasions when it directly effects Port Angeles, it should be talked about every day in the local media!
Related DOJ Press release:
Federal Indictments & Law Enforcement Actions in One of the Largest Health Care Fraud Schemes Involving Telemedicine and Durable Medical Equipment Marketing Executives Results in Charges Against 24 Individuals Responsible for Over $1.2 Billion in Losses
Hundreds of Thousands of Elderly and/or Disabled Patients Nationwide and Abroad Lured into Criminal Scheme; Center for Program Integrity, Center for Medicare Services, Takes Administrative Action Against 130 DME Companies That Submitted Over $1.7 Billion.
One of the largest health care fraud schemes investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and prosecuted by the Department of Justice resulted in charges against 24 defendants, including the CEOs, COOs and others associated with five telemedicine companies, the owners of dozens of durable medical equipment (DME) companies and three licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud schemes involving more than $1.2 billion in loss, as well as the execution of over 80 search warrants in 17 federal districts. In addition, the Center for Medicare Services, Center for Program Integrity (CMS/CPI) announced today that it took adverse administrative action against 130 DME companies that had submitted over $1.7 billion in claims and were paid over $900 million.
Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Sherri A. Lydon of the District of South Carolina, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito of the District of New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez of the Middle District of Florida, Assistant Director Robert Johnson of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Gary Cantrell of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Chief Don Fort of the IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) and Deputy Administrator and Director of CPI Alec Alexander of the CMS/CPI made the announcement.
Today’s enforcement actions were led and coordinated by the Health Care Fraud Unit of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section in conjunction with its Medicare Fraud Strike Force (MFSF), as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of South Carolina, New Jersey and the Middle District of Florida. The MFSF is a partnership among the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the FBI and HHS-OIG. In addition, IRS-CI and other federal law enforcement agencies participated in the operation.
The charges announced today target an alleged scheme involving the payment of illegal kickbacks and bribes by DME companies in exchange for the referral of Medicare beneficiaries by medical professionals working with fraudulent telemedicine companies for back, shoulder, wrist and knee braces that are medically unnecessary. Some of the defendants allegedly controlled an international telemarketing network that lured over hundreds of thousands of elderly and/or disabled patients into a criminal scheme that crossed borders, involving call centers in the Philippines and throughout Latin America. The defendants allegedly paid doctors to prescribe DME either without any patient interaction or with only a brief telephonic conversation with patients they had never met or seen. The proceeds of the fraudulent scheme were allegedly laundered through international shell corporations and used to purchase exotic automobiles, yachts and luxury real estate in the United States and abroad.
“These defendants — who range from corporate executives to medical professionals — allegedly participated in an expansive and sophisticated fraud to exploit telemedicine technology meant for patients otherwise unable to access health care,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. “This Department of Justice will not tolerate medical professionals and executives who look to line their pockets by cheating our health care programs. I commend the Criminal Division prosecutors and our partners from U.S. Attorney’s Offices and law enforcement agencies across the country for their unrelenting efforts to stop this alleged fraud before more money was stolen from American taxpayers.”
“Simply put, the law applies equally to all in South Carolina,” said U.S. Attorney Sherri Lydon. “The same spoon that serves indictments on drug dealers, felons in possession of firearms, and corrupt officials will also feed those companies and individuals who engage in Medicare fraud. White collar crime is not victimless. All taxpayers will endure the rising cost of health care premiums and out-of-pocket costs as a result of fraud on our Medicare system. I am honored to stand with our partners at the FBI, HHS-OIG, and IRS-CI, who led this outstanding and nationally significant investigation from right here in South Carolina.”
“The indictments we are unsealing today charge the defendants with running a complex, multilayered scheme to defraud our Medicare system and avoid detection by government regulators,” said U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito. “The defendants took advantage of unwitting patients who were simply trying to get relief from their health concerns. Instead, the defendants preyed upon their weakened state and pushed millions of dollars’ worth of unnecessary medical devices, which Medicare paid for, and then set up an elaborate system for laundering their ill-gotten proceeds. We are proud to join our law enforcement partners in New Jersey and around the country to put a stop to this unscrupulous criminal activity.”
“Protecting the integrity of America’s health care programs is necessary to ensure that our citizens receive the care they have paid for and deserve,” said U.S. Attorney Chapa Lopez. “The mammoth coordination and cooperation demonstrated among the various offices, districts, and agencies involved in this case leaves no doubt. We will leverage the full weight of our resources to combat fraud and abuse, wherever it is found.”
“Today, one of the largest health care fraud schemes in U.S. history came to an end thanks to close collaboration and coordination between the FBI and partners including HHS-OIG and IRS-CI,” said FBI Assistant Director Robert Johnson. “Health care fraud causes billions of dollars in losses, it deprives real patients of the critical health care services they need, and it can endanger the lives of real patients so individuals like those arrested today can profit from their criminal activity. Through today’s coordinated national effort, we put an end to this egregious and costly health care fraud scheme, and the public can rest assured the FBI will continue to make health care fraud investigations a top priority.”
“Our law enforcement officers are focused on preventing and uprooting health care fraud schemes like those alleged today,” said Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Gary Cantrell. “These schemes divert money from taxpayer-funded federal health care programs into the hands of criminals. Working closely with our law enforcement partners, our agency will continue to investigate and disrupt attempts to undermine Medicare and target beneficiaries.”
“The breadth of this nationwide conspiracy should be frightening to all who rely on some form of healthcare,” said IRS-CI Chief Don Fort. “The conspiracy described in this indictment was not perpetrated by one individual. Rather, it details broad corruption, massive amounts of greed, and systemic flaws in our healthcare system that were exploited by the defendants. We all suffer when schemes like this go undiscovered and I’m proud of the work our agents did in working with our partners to uncover this complex scheme.”
“The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Center for Program Integrity (CPI) is proud to work very closely everyday with our law enforcement partners to stop exploitation of vulnerable patients and misuse of taxpayer dollars,” said Deputy Administrator and CPI Director Alec Alexander. “In this case CMS has taken swift administrative action and has suspended payments to 130 distinct providers thereby likely preventing billions of additional dollars in losses. CMS remains committed to protecting the millions of beneficiaries we are honored to serve and to preventing fraud of all sorts in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.”
According to allegations in court documents, some of the defendants obtained patients for the scheme by using an international call center that advertised to Medicare beneficiaries and “up-sold” the beneficiaries to get them to accept numerous “free or low-cost” DME braces, regardless of medical necessity. The international call center allegedly paid illegal kickbacks and bribes to telemedicine companies to obtain DME orders for these Medicare beneficiaries. The telemedicine companies then allegedly paid physicians to write medically unnecessary DME orders. Finally, the international call center sold the DME orders that it obtained from the telemedicine companies to DME companies, which fraudulently billed Medicare. Collectively, the CEOs, COOs, executives, business owners and medical professionals involved in the conspiracy are accused of causing over $1 billion in loss.
The Fraud Section leads the Medicare Fraud Strike Force. Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 14 strike forces operating in 23 districts, has charged nearly 4,000 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $14 billion. In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.
Related press release: Billion-Dollar Medicare Fraud Bust
FBI Announces Results of Operation Brace Yourself
FBI and Department of Justice officials today announced the disruption of one of the largest Medicare fraud schemes in U.S. history. An international fraud ring allegedly bilked Medicare out of more than $1 billion by billing it for unnecessary medical equipment—mainly back, shoulder, wrist, and knee braces.
https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/billion-dollar-medicare-fraud-bust-040919
News Spotlight:
Watch News Commentator Candance Owens tear into fellow Democrats( C-Span)
Representatives Kilmer & McCaul, along with Senators Warner & Gardner, Reintroduce Bill Empowering State and Local Governments to Counter Cyberattacks.
Press release issued 4. 9. 19
https://kilmer.house.gov/news/press-releases/representatives-kilmer-and-mccaul-along-with-senators-warner_gardner-reintroduce-bill-empowering-state-and-local-governments-to-counter-cyberattacks
Bipartisan, bicameral legislation would provide grants to eligible governments and address the talent gap in nation’s cybersecurity workforce
Washington, D.C. – Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) was joined today by Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX) in reintroducing bipartisan, bicameral legislation today to encourage state, local, and tribal governments to strengthen their defenses against cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities. The State Cyber Resiliency Act, which was also introduced in the Senate by Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Cory Gardner (R-CO), would create and authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to run a grant program for states seeking to develop, revise or implement cyber resiliency measures—including efforts to identify, detect, protect, respond, and recover from cyber threats.
“America should dedicate far more attention and resources to combating cyber threats,” said Rep. Kilmer. “Cyber-attacks could threaten our election systems, municipally-owned water treatment facilities, local emergency responder networks, or other vital systems that impact our communities. With that in mind, building our cyber resiliency matters to employers, workers, local governments, consumers – and even to our national security. That’s why I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing a bipartisan plan to give state, local, and tribal governments more tools to counter these cyber threats.”
“As our nation continues to face cyber threats, we must ensure all levels of government are prepared to combat the emerging attacks to our cyber networks and other critical infrastructure. The enactment of CISA last year was a positive step forward to recalibrate our federal posture on cybersecurity, however, more needs to be done on a state and local level. Despite playing a vital role in protecting our nation against cyber-attacks, state governments often do not have the vital resources they need to strengthen their cybersecurity capabilities or retain or recruit seasoned cybersecurity professionals,” said Rep. McCaul. “As a co-chair of the House Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus, I will continue to think holistically about protecting our networks on a federal, state, and local level. I am proud to join Senators Warner and Gardner, along with Congressman Kilmer, in introducing the State Cyber Resiliency Act to aid state and local governments with a new grant program to enhance their cyber defenses.”
“As cyber attacks increase in frequency and gravity, we must ensure that our nation—from our local governments on up—is adequately prepared to protect public safety and combat cyber threats,” said Sen. Warner. “Nearly 70 percent of states have reported that they lack adequate funding to develop sufficient cybersecurity. This bill will aim to mitigate that need by providing grants to state and local jurisdictions so that they are better prepared to take on these emerging challenges.”
“It’s critical that our state and local governments invest in cyber preparedness and training, and I’m proud to work with Senator Warner and Representatives Kilmer and McCaul to create a grant program to help our communities with this effort,” said Sen. Gardner. “Colorado is at the forefront of our nation’s cybersecurity efforts and home to the National Cybersecurity Center in Colorado Springs. As the threat of cyber warfare intensifies, it’s important that local governments are properly prepared to deter and protect themselves from cyber-attacks.”
A 2018 survey by Deloitte-National Association recently found that most state cyber budgets are inadequate, with most states allocating between zero and three percent of their overall IT budget for cybersecurity purposes. Additionally, the survey found that budget and staffing remain top barriers to an effective cyber strategy, with nearly half of all states lacking a cybersecurity budget line item, and 28 percent pointing to an inadequate availability of cybersecurity professionals as a “top barrier.” In the past year, hackers have attacked a number of local governments in states such as Colorado, Georgia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. These serious cyberattacks have cost taxpayers millions of dollars and have wreaked havoc on essential local government processes.
The State Cyber Resiliency Act also addresses the nation’s cybersecurity workforce talent gap by ensuring that participating states enhance recruitment and retention efforts. Currently, there are more than 313,000 cybersecurity job openings nationwide, including 33,500 in Virginia, 24,800 in Texas, 10,200 in Colorado, and 6,300 in Washington.
Inslee signs new law that raises legal age to purchase tobacco and vaping products.
Governor's medium page posted on 4. 5. 19
https://medium.com/wagovernor/inslee-signs-new-law-that-raises-legal-age-to-purchase-tobacco-and-vaping-products-8faa349bb1a5
Last Wednesday was a pretty average day for Madison Langer. That is, until the Ridgefield High School senior got a call from her mom during class saying “I’m so proud of you.” Langer said thanks but then asked her mom — proud of me for what?
Her mom broke the news: The state Legislature had just passed a bill that raises the age to buy tobacco and vaping products, a bill that Langer spent two years supporting.
“I went back into the room and said, ‘Guess what, everyone — this bill passed!’” Langer said with a laugh. “Not everyone was jumping up and down because, shockingly, some high school students aren’t excited about their tobacco use being restricted. But I was excited, so it counts.”
Langer joined Gov. Jay Inslee, Attorney General Bob Ferguson, dozens of students, legislators and local health leaders as Inslee signed the bill into law Friday at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. The bill raises the legal minimum age for tobacco purchases from 18 to 21. The Senate passed the bipartisan bill last Wednesday, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2020.
“We know the risks associated with tobacco and nicotine,” Inslee said. “We know how much easier it is to prevent our children from becoming addicted in the first place than to treat the addiction later in life, or even worse, to treat the cancers and diseases caused by these products.”
Ferguson and the Department of Health requested the bill, which the governor and first lady Trudi Inslee have long supported. The bill was considered in five legislative sessions before being passed this year.
Ferguson said the Legislature is saving thousands of Washingtonians from a lifetime of addiction and smoking-related illness through this bill.
“Because 18- to 20-year-olds supply younger teens with tobacco and vape products, this will reduce the number of cigarettes and vape products in our high schools, which will lead to fewer kids getting addicted,” Ferguson said. “I want to thank the large bipartisan group of elected leaders, health advocates, businesses, educators, students and parents for helping us make this happen. Addressing the heavy toll of tobacco-related disease, both in human lives and health care costs, moves us closer to being able to provide universal access to affordable health care for all Washingtonians.”
Rep. Paul Harris, the bill’s primary sponsor in the House, said he’s been concerned for years about the amount of tobacco-related products on school campuses and how accessible they are to youth.
“The most common preventable cause of death in our country today is tobacco,” Harris said. “Tobacco 21 is a big first step in limiting the access our young people have to vapor and tobacco products. The Tobacco 21 movement is growing strong across the country. We have had strong bipartisan support here in Washington.”
John Wiesman, Washington State Department of Health secretary, said the new law will make a significant difference in the health of young adults.
“This bill is a critical step to reduce tobacco and vapor product use among youth in Washington,” Wiesman said. “Youth vaping rates have sharply increased in recent years, and raising the minimum age of sale to 21 will help protect young people from developing a nicotine addiction.”
A student’s story
To 17-year-old Langer, this bill is personal. She volunteers as a national youth ambassador for Tobacco Free Kids and even testified in support of the bill earlier this year. But what makes the bill especially meaningful is that she’s a former drug and tobacco user.
At age 15, Langer said someone offered her a Cap’n Crunch-flavored vaping device. It didn’t look like anything she had seen before — and it definitely didn’t look like a cigarette — so what was the harm?
“It smelled enticing and it was something I wasn’t educated about,” Langer said. “I wasn’t allowed to have Cap’n Crunch as a kid so it was a double rebellion.”
From the first day she took a hit, Langer said it was a “no-brainer” to use the device whenever it was around. She didn’t think the product would cause that much harm. But Langer’s vaping use changed the way she thought about substances and she eventually found herself using drugs, too. When she decided she wanted to get clean, it was tough to get sober around her then-current group of friends.
“When you don’t use drugs, the drug users don’t want to hang out with you,” she said. “So I lost my friend group.”
On top of finishing high school, Langer currently works at an educational service district in Vancouver as a tobacco prevention assistant. Eventually, she wants to work for a marketing agency on social change issues. She now feels like she — and public policy — are moving in the right direction.
“It’s awesome to have the government respond to something that’s such an issue and make change to it,” Langer said. “The truth is, it all started with tobacco for me. Now I’m a youth advocate for prevention. I found my home and my relief in prevention work.”
Science backs tobacco law
The new law affects the 15- to 18-year-old age group the most. That’s because among adults who become daily smokers, about 90 percent report they first used cigarettes before they were 19, according to a 2012 Surgeon General’s report.
Dr. Jonathan Bricker, a smoking cessation researcher at Fred Hutch, said almost all the patients he had treated for nicotine addiction first used tobacco as a minor.
“This landmark state law builds a future generation of Washington youth who are free of nicotine and tobacco and will encourage today’s youth to try quitting,” Bricker said. “As a tobacco control researcher for the past 20 years, I am delighted to see science-informed policy put to immediate use.”
The report also states that close to 100 percent report using their first cigarette before the age of 26. That’s the main reason this bill could be a game changer: An Institute of Medicine report estimates a 15 to 25 percent decrease in tobacco initiation rates for teenagers when the legal age for use is 21.
Sen. Patty Kuderer, primary sponsor of the bill in the Senate, said this new law will save lives.
“The medical science confirms what my parents knew a long time ago: If you haven’t started smoking by the time you turn 21, it’s likely that you never will,” Kuderer said. “For generations, we saw smoking decline among Americans. Now, students are vaping as early as middle school. We simply cannot afford to let this reemerging epidemic gain any more traction than it has already, which is why I am proud that we have finally moved this lifesaving legislation to the finish line.”
Among people who aren’t smoking by age 21, 95 percent will never start, according to that 2012 Surgeon General’s report.
Keith Eaton, clinical director of thoracic, head and neck cancer at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance said Tobacco 21 is a common sense approach that ensures a healthier future for young Washingtonians.
“As a physician caring for patients, I see the suffering that advanced lung cancer causes for patients and their families,” Eaton said. “Reducing the number of smokers is the most effective way to prevent lung cancer. I am often struck by how many patients started using tobacco as teenagers and how addictive it can be.”
Teenagers and vaping
Scott Seaman, executive director at the Association of Washington School Principals, said vaping happens in class, hallways and especially in school bathrooms. Many schools now go to great lengths to patrol restrooms and many students are scared to enter them because of the number of students vaping there.
While vaping interferes with learning and contributes to poor health issues, Seaman said something deeper may be going on with students who vape. It’s why he said this issue shouldn’t be treated as a discipline issue but rather as a mental health crisis
“Kids vape for various reasons,” Seaman said. “But a large reason may be because they lack healthier coping skills.”
With the new bill in place, Seaman said school officials can take back their schools and help students take back their bathrooms. While it may be hard to enforce at first as administrators clamp down, he said the bill was the right move.
Like Langer, high school senior Cami Brix also testified in support of the bill. Brix became involved in tobacco prevention through her work as a student representative of Inglemoor High School’s Parent Teacher Student Association and Tobacco Free Kids. ( read more on the link source)
related Press release
AG FERGUSON STATEMENT ON TOBACCO 21 BEING SIGNED INTO LAW.
http://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-statement-tobacco-21-being-signed-law
“After five years of fighting for change, our agency request Tobacco 21 legislation became Washington law. I’m proud that because of our collective action, fewer children will lose their freedom by getting addicted to nicotine, fewer Washingtonians will suffer from pain associated with smoking-related illnesses, and fewer family members will grieve the loss of loved ones whose lives were cut unnecessarily short. This couldn’t have happened without champions like Rep. Paul Harris, Rep. Tina Orwall, Sen. Patty Kuderer, Secretary of Health John Wiesman, and the countless parents, teachers and students who made their voices heard in Olympia. Today is a testament to what we can achieve when we come together to make our state a better place to live.”
WORLD NEWS HEADLINE
World Must Step Up Action, Investment to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals, Deputy Secretary-General Tells Arab ForumUN Press release issued 4. 9. 19
https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/dsgsm1272.doc.htm
Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks at the opening session of the Arab Forum on Sustainable Development, in Beirut today:
It is my great pleasure to be here today. I thank the Government of Lebanon for its warm welcome and hospitality.
This year, participating in all regional forums, across all five regions, is a priority for me. 2019 is a defining year for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the regional forums pave the way for our first stocktaking on the Sustainable Development Goals during the General Assembly in September.
This region has a key role to play. It is firmly rooted in a shared cultural, linguistic and historical heritage. Its youth, economic growth, vast financial resources, digital infrastructure, innovative technologies and active private sector present boundless potential and opportunities.
And despite the painful effects of crisis and conflicts, I am encouraged to see the persistent commitment of the countries of the region to achieving the 2030 Agenda. Sixteen out of 22 Arab countries have now undertaken or are preparing voluntary national reviews, assessing progress, highlighting gaps and identifying measures required to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.
Governments are also aligning their national development plans with the 2030 Agenda, ensuring greater coordination on Sustainable Development Goals implementation across ministries and departments. We are witnessing commitment and engagement on highly strategic and critical issues such as climate change and migration. We are seeing regional and national initiatives encouraging young people to optimize their talents through small and medium-sized enterprises, innovation labs and entrepreneurship.
Women have greater access to leadership positions than ever before. Egypt and Morocco each have eight women ministers. Here in Lebanon, four women ministers currently sit in the Government, and I commend the Prime Minister for expressing his ambition to reach gender parity in the future.
I also note with great hope that 60 per cent of the region’s population is under the age of 30. I am impressed and inspired by how young people are engaging in peace and reconstruction processes in countries affected by conflict.
This is one of the most powerful messages of the 2030 Agenda: no matter where you are born, or how marginalized your community is today — the world is determined to carry everyone along in our journey to 2030 and leave no one behind.
I encourage you to take advantage of the discussions today to address a few fundamental questions. Who are the “no ones” that we pledge to not leave behind? What determines their exclusion? What does it mean to feel included — or excluded? Are we doing enough, collectively, to empower all members of our human family?
These are not theoretical questions confined to conference rooms in New York, Beirut or elsewhere. These are real-life dilemmas for billions around the world, who look at the 2030 Agenda with hope for a better future.
And let us be frank: We are not on track to deliver on the ambitions we set for ourselves. The data starting to emerge indicate that the world needs a significant step up in action and investment if we are to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
In the Arab region, as in many other regions, countries and communities are struggling to tackle an expanding list of challenges including insufficient growth, unemployment, inequality, climate change and natural disasters. Waves of displacement are a daily — and often devastating — reminder of the shrinking opportunities for a dignified life for so many.
Today, 1 in 4 children in the Arab region experiences acute poverty. One quarter of those aged 5 to 17 are not enrolled in school or have fallen two grades behind.
Women still face high barriers to enter the labour market and are at a higher risk of unemployment than men. Among young women, unemployment rates are the highest in the world, at 48 per cent. The region has the fewest laws protecting women from domestic violence of any region in the world.
The Arab region is also home to 14 of the world’s 20 most water-stressed countries. Rapid urbanization, expected to exceed 68 per cent by 2050, is putting pressure on energy and other natural resources, and 28 per cent of all residents in the region are living in slums or informal settlements.
Conflict in the region not only exacerbates these challenges, but creates new ones. Large-scale losses of life, destruction of infrastructure — in some instance entire cities — as well as displacement and ensuing humanitarian crises are only some of the consequences.
Equitable, inclusive and sustainable development is the surest way to avert such tragedies. And there are abundant examples in this region that point the way forward for empowerment and inclusion. Our shared challenge is to increase ambition and accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Allow me to highlight three drivers of the transformation we seek.
First, we need to break down the silos that constrain policy action across sectoral lines. The paradigm shift ushered in by the 2030 Agenda is not complete. We have not yet fully transitioned from the Millennium Development Goals into the era of the Sustainable Development Goals.
For example, addressing climate change is not only about preventing catastrophic events; reducing the use of fossil fuels also has direct and immediate benefits on health. We must recognize the interdependence of these issues and act on them in a holistic way.
Second, we need to match intentions with finance — both public and private. We are still far from the “trillions” that are required to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals everywhere, for everyone. The Secretary-General’s Strategy for Financing the 2030 Agenda sets out his vision to — together with the United Nations system — support countries [to] mobilize the investments needed to meet their national Sustainable Development Goals targets.
Third, we must take partnerships to the next level. We will not achieve the 2030 Agenda — nor win the race against climate change — without involving all sectors of society towards our common goals. As you take these steps, you can count on the United Nations to continue to transform the way it operates and better support your efforts.
The Secretary-General is leading a wide-ranging reform of the United Nations, placing prevention at the centre and ensuring that the Organization is better positioned to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. We have a road map for change and clear, ambitious mandates from the United Nations General Assembly, and we are moving forward at full speed.
We know many of you are already engaged with United Nations country teams to advance these reforms and promote change on the ground. At the end of this process, you can expect to see more cohesive, effective and accountable United Nations country teams. We want to adapt more closely to the priorities and needs of each developing country, with an empowered leader for development, with much better coordination.
Resident coordinators will be critical to systematically leverage the vast expertise and many assets of the United Nations — including in our regional economic commissions and specialized agencies. We are currently reviewing these regional assets, with the aim of maximizing our impact. The review is about designing tailor-made approaches for each region. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Each region is unique.
We need a twenty-first century architecture that responds to the ambitious demands of the 2030 Agenda. On 1 January of this year, we crossed a major milestone in the reform process with the creation of an independent and empowered system to coordinate all development activities of the United Nations.
Previously, resident coordinators served simultaneously as the representatives of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Now they dedicate their full attention to the coordination, policy and partnerships needs of the Sustainable Development Goals. And UNDP can focus fully on its important development mandate, and reassert its role as a thought leader that is so deeply valued.
Yesterday, I met with resident coordinators from the region, who are here to engage in these regional discussions and return to their countries and teams with new tools to support you. I know they are excited to proceed in this journey with you.
The clock is ticking on the 2030 Agenda, and the true test of our reforms will be results in each country. It is our collective responsibility to show greater urgency and to act now.
In Other world news headlines...
More than four in 10 women, live in fear of refusing partner’s sexual demands, new UN global study findsMore than four in 10 women in 51 countries surveyed, feel they have no choice but to agree to their partner’s sexual demands, the UN sexual and reproductive health agency, UNFPA, said on Wednesday, noting that they are also unable to make basic decisions about getting pregnant and accessing health care for themselves.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/04/1036431
UN’s Grandi slams ‘toxic language of politics’ aimed at refugees, migrants
In a heartfelt briefing to the Security Council on Tuesday, Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, has said that, during his three and a half decades as an international civil servant, he has “never seen such toxicity, such poisonous language in politics, media and social media,” directed towards refugees, migrants and foreigners.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/04/1036391
Libyan national conference postponed, nearly 500,000 children at ‘direct risk’ from fighting around Tripoli
An imminent UN-led Libyan conference seeking to set up elections for the war-ravaged, oil-rich country has been postponed because of ongoing clashes near the capital, the top United Nations official in the country said on Tuesday.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/04/1036371
UN rights chief Bachelet appeals for dialogue in Sudan amid reports ‘70 killed’ in demonstrations
Sudan’s authorities have an “over-arching responsibility” to protect protesters, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, said on Tuesday, amid reports that 70 people have died in the latest anti-Government clashes.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/04/1036341
‘Once-in-a-generation opportunity’ will be squandered, warns Guterres, unless social, economic, environmental challenges are met
Unless the world faces its “social, economic and environmental challenges head-on”, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will not be met.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/04/1036421
📃IN THIS WEEK'S EDITION
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U.S. Chamber Recognizes Rep. Kilmer with Spirit of Enterprise Award
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TRANSPORTATION: Murray, Cantwell, McMorris Rodgers Announce Major Federal Investment for Spokane’s Central City Line.
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Building Better Futures through SNAP Employment and Training
Posted by Joe Tvrdy, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, USDA FNS in Food and Nutrition
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Unlocking the Digital Potential of Rural America--From the US Chamber of Commerce blog posting.
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Senator Murray Blasts Trump Administration’s Proposed Cuts to Health Research
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Inslee and Ferguson denounce Trump assault on the Clean Water Act
Night Owl Comics Presents!
Captain Froghorn: Political Pirates
