“The state and federal governments should implement a plan to replace the benefits of the Lower Snake River Dams to enable breaching to move forward,” Gov. Jay Inslee said.
Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray and Gov. Jay Inslee released the findings and recommendations of the months-long Joint Federal-State Process that evaluated the feasibility of breaching the Lower Snake River Dams as a way of protecting endangered salmon and steelhead species. The recommendations emphasize that breaching of the Lower Snake River Dams is only feasible after state and federal officials have replaced or mitigated the benefits of the dams
The senator and governor’s recommendations include three key themes:
Status quo is not an option. Changing economic, energy and climate conditions require leaders to plan for changing circumstances in the Columbia Basin region during the coming decades.
Saving salmon and other iconic species in the Columbia Basin is imperative. The scientific review affirms that breaching these specific dams offers the greatest benefit to the salmon.
The impacts and benefits of breaching the dams are significant, but they can and must be mitigated or replaced. Until the energy and economic benefits of the dams are replaced or mitigated, breaching is not a feasible or responsible option.
“The question of whether to breach the Lower Snake River Dams is deeply personal to the many communities and Tribes engaged in this debate. The stakes are high and the debate often devolves into a binary choice to breach now to save the salmon or not breach and maintain the status quo. Neither of those options are responsible or feasible,” Gov. Jay Inslee said in a statement. “The state and federal governments should implement a plan to replace the benefits of the Lower Snake River Dams to enable breaching to move forward.
“We must recognize that breaching the dams does in fact offer us the best chance at protecting endangered salmon and other iconic species that run through these waters. But the hydropower and economic benefits of the dams are significant, and breaching them before we have other systems in place to replace those benefits would be disastrous.
“Many of the actions required to mitigate and replace those benefits will require federal and congressional action. For our part, I’m committed to ensuring we find a way to replace the energy benefits and invite the community and Tribal leaders of the area to help us navigate the siting and planning challenges associated with building that infrastructure. This is work that is already required for us to comply with our Clean Energy Transformation Act. I will also continue working with state leaders on salmon recovery investments and policies so we can continue the urgent work of protecting our salmon today.
“In addition, I’ve been tremendously heartened in recent months by the Biden administration’s commitment to negotiate a regional salmon recovery strategy, the year-long stay that litigants have agreed to in the current lawsuit, and the historic investment opportunities presented by passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. These developments should give us all reason to be hopeful about planning our path forward.
“I appreciate the incredible work of the consultant team who compiled this report, and I thank everyone who offered comments and suggestions during this process. The hardest work is always in figuring out the details, and I hope that people continue to come together in good faith so we can achieve the mutually important goals of a thriving economy, adequate clean electricity supplies for the region, and healthy salmon runs that honor the Tribal treaties agreed to by the federal government decades ago.”
IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES.
Pest alert: Everett area residents asked to report sightings of oversized, striped-eyed grasshopper.
AG Ferguson seeks to halt expansion of methane gas pipeline by company behind Keystone XL pipeline
Commerce awards over $1.8 million to improve energy efficiency in public buildings.
Ecology and Energy reach agreement to address Hanford’s leaking underground tanks.
Salmon fishing off Westport (Marine Area 2) will switch to coho non-select beginning Aug. 27.
State revokes, suspends licenses, certifications, registrations of health care providers.
NEWS FROM OUR STATE DELEGATION TO DC.
WORLD HEADLINE NEWS.
Ukraine: Top UN aid official appeals for access across contact line.
Chad: Unprecedented flooding affects more than 340,000 people.
WMO: Greater Horn of Africa drought forecast to continue for fifth year.
UN independent expert proposes action plan to boost human rights in Cambodia.
Guterres underlines need for peace as Ukraine marks six months of ‘senseless war’
Remarks by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield at Chicago State University.
Remembering the Loss of 13 American Heroes.
NATIONAL & BUSINESS HEADLINES.
U.S. Should Not Surrender Clean Energy Technology to China, DOD Official Says.
FDA Removes N95 Respirators from Medical Device Shortage List, Signaling Sufficient Supply.
RAD transaction supports construction of new affordable rental homes at Cherokee Place property.
HUD RELEASES ALLOCATION STRATEGY AND PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW STABILITY VOUCHERS
DHS Issues Regulation to Preserve and Fortify DACA.
BUSINESS HEADLINES.
President and Treasurer of Super PAC Sentenced for Dark Money Scheme
Treasury Announces Cyber Security Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding with the State of Israel.
Inflation Is Creating a ‘Perfect Storm’ of Challenges for Small Business Owners
FTC Publishes New Strategic Plan, Performance Plan, and Performance Report.
Commerce Department Launches CHIPS.gov for CHIPS Program Implementation.
IN FOCUS!
AG Ferguson: Health care giant Centene to pay Washington $19 million for overcharging state Medicaid program in 2nd largest Medicaid fraud recovery in WA history.
Fortune 50 company allegedly overcharged for pharmacy benefit management services
SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson and the Washington State Health Care Authority announced today that managed health care giant Centene will pay $19 million to Washington state. The payment resolves allegations that the Fortune 50 company overcharged the state Medicaid program for pharmacy benefit management services.
The resolution is the second-largest Medicaid fraud recovery for Washington state.
The Health Care Authority (HCA) contracts with managed care organizations like Coordinated Care of Washington, a Centene subsidiary, to manage its Medicaid program. Coordinated Care of Washington in turn contracts with pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, that negotiate prescription drug prices and other pharmacy related costs, including negotiating rebates and discounts on the cost of drugs.
The Attorney General’s Office and HCA’s Program Integrity Team began investigating pharmacy benefit managers in 2019 after a whistleblower provided information that they were failing to disclose true pharmacy benefits and services costs. Centene allegedly failed to pass on discounts it received to the state Medicaid program and inflated dispensing fees. The whistleblower later filed a separate claim against Centene.
The resolution was the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Washington Attorney General’s Office’s Medicaid Fraud Control Division and the Health Care Authority.
“Medicaid dollars are a precious resource meant to fund care for the most vulnerable among us,” Ferguson said. “My office works to ensure that these dollars go where they are intended — not toward fraud.”
“We commend the AG for their continued partnership in stewarding state resources,” said HCA Director Sue Birch. “Controlling health care expenditures, especially prescription drug costs, remains a top priority for HCA.”
Centene’s payment to Washington
As part of the resolution, Washington recovers a total of $18,999,999.80. Like all recoveries by the Medicaid Fraud Control Division, the amount goes back to the state through the state Medicaid Fraud Penalty Account.
As part of the resolution, an additional $13 million from Centene will be paid to the federal government for administration of Medicaid in Washington state. Ferguson’s resolution with Wyeth in 2016 is the only Medicaid fraud recovery larger than Centene.
Centene has resolved cases with 10 other states over the same conduct.
Senior Counsels Carrie Bashaw, Angela Coats-McCarthy and Bill Stephens, Principal Forensic Analyst David McDonald and Legal Assistant Kim Sobol handled this case for the Attorney General’s Office. HCA’s Program Integrity team has been integral in ensuring appropriate use of Washington State’s Apple Health (Medicaid) funds.
Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Division
The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Division is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of health care provider fraud committed against the state’s Medicaid program. The Washington State Medicaid Fraud Control Division receives 75% of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $8,196,720 for federal fiscal year FY 2022. The remaining 25%, totaling $2,732,240 for FY 2022, is funded by Washington state Medicaid fraud recoveries.
Since the implementation of the false claims act in 2012 through Oct. 31, 2021 MFCD recovered $166,392,717.18, of that $87,466,084.22 went to the state.
The Medicaid Fraud Control Division also investigates abuse and neglect of persons residing in residential facilities and in connection with the provision of Medicaid services.
Report suspected Medicaid fraud at 360-586-8888 or MFCUreferrals@atg.wa.gov.
You can also report provider fraud via the AGO website at www.atg.wa.gov/medicaid-fraud.
LOCAL MEETINGS.
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS.
Clallam County work session for 8/29/22
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1330
Clallam County Board meeting for 8/30/22
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=7332
Weekly devotional
BIBLE VERSE: Isaiah 26:3 (New King James Version)
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
Weekly Bible Study
Jephthah's Daughter, by Jeff Hamilton
The story of Jephthah recorded in Judges 11:29-40 has caused difficulties for Bible students. Jephthah, by the Lord's leading, is about to wage a major battle against the Ammonites. Before going off to battle, Jephthah makes a vow to God.
http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVarticles/JephthahsDaughter.htm
Free bible studies (WBS)
https://www.worldbibleschool.org/
Learn English using the bible as text (WEI)
http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/
(Join us in worship every Sunday starting at 10:30AM Church of Christ)
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The Chosen: About the life of Christ
https://studios.vidangel.com/the-chosen
The Port Angeles Globe is a weekly Publication, every Saturday-- Publisher, Peter Ripley
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This Week's Video:
Glenn: THESE news stories show America has ‘GONE INSANE’
123,005 views Aug 25, 2022 While prepping his radio show, Glenn says he realized that something about today feels different: ‘It feels like the most important day of my life, of my career.’ In this clip, Glenn describes some of the most INSANE news stories from around the world — like Joe Biden giving MORE money to Ukraine, Spotify ignoring Joe Rogan, and farmers protesting in Europe — to show just how much our world is changing. And if America doesn’t end this insanity soon, we’re at risk of becoming one of the darkest nations in the world…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeyWGpz4KJg
HEADLINES FROM OTHER SOURCES:
New York Times Columnist Gets First Freedom Wrong.--Daily Signal
US Returning to the Moon: Artemis I Set to Launch Monday.--WJ
CONFIRMED: FBI Colluded With Big Tech To Prevent Voters From Learning About Hunter Biden’s Laptop.--The Federalist
