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星期一, 1月 15, 2018
陳必先鋼琴獨奏會 1/27 喬丹廳
星期六, 1月 13, 2018
MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES 2018 DAY OF CELEBRATION IN HONOR OF REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES 2018 DAY OF CELEBRATION IN HONOR OF REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
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Boston continues tradition of paying tribute to the life, legacy, and influence of Dr. King
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BOSTON - Friday, January 12, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh, in partnership with the Museum of African American History, Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras and Boston University, will present "A Day of Celebration in Honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.," on Monday, January 15, 2018 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Metcalf Hall on the second floor of George Sherman Union at Boston University located at 775 Commonwealth Avenue in Boston.
This event celebrates Dr. King: the man, the minister and the humanitarian. Outstanding performances of classical music, spirituals and freedom songs by young Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras musicians complement readings of Dr. King's words by several distinguished community leaders. The event culminates with a keynote address by The Honorable Leslie E. Harris, former associate justice for the Suffolk Juvenile Court.
"The City of Boston has the great privilege of working with the Museum of African American History and the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras for its Day of Celebration in Honor of Dr. King," said Mayor Walsh. "I am proud to continue this partnership that allows us to celebrate with purpose and reflection. With this day set aside to formally recognize Dr. King's enormous impact and legacy, I encourage us all reflect, and take action -- let's continue to live out the spirit of Dr. King's words, and work to achieve his dreams in all our communities."
"We are very pleased to provide the setting for this community celebration," said Boston University President Robert A. Brown. "Dr. King is Boston University's most famous alumnus; we have the honor of being the custodian of many of his papers. It is vitally important that we celebrate his teaching and his personal example of courage and leadership toward building inclusiveness in America."
"This year's program offers a moment of service, celebration and inspiration," said Marita Rivero, Executive Director at the Museum of African American History. "It is an honor to join with the City of Boston in celebrating this adopted son who was educated here, met his wife here, and spoke here as a civil rights leader. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is among Boston's great leaders, a champion of humanity."
"Dr. King cherished the values of community, justice and equality," said Catherine Weiskel, Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras (BYSO)'s Executive Director. "We at the BYSO also foster these ideals and are honored to celebrate Dr. King's legacy through sharing exceptional music-making with the City of Boston on this special day. "
As part of Boston's effort to recognize the significance of Dr. King's legacy, the City in partnership with MLK Boston released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in December, calling for an artist to create a memorial dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr., and Coretta Scott King. The deadline to respond to the RFQ is Wednesday, February 28.
For further information please visit boston.gov/tourism and boston.gov/visiting-boston, or follow the Mayor's Office of Tourism, Sports and Entertainment on social media @VisitBostonCity.
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CAPAC Condemns Trump’s Racist Statement and Threats to Family Immigration
CAPAC Condemns Trump’s Racist Statement and Threats to Family Immigration
Washington, D.C.— Today, Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) released the following statement condemning President Trump’s racist comments and ongoing threats to the legal, family-based immigration system:
“The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus strongly condemns President Trump’s reprehensible statement about immigrants from African and other countries. It is racist and reveals his thinking that he would like to ‘Make America White Again.’ President Trump would like to take this country backward and end immigration as we know it.
“With his statement, it is now clear why President Trump has moved to end the DACA program, decimate legal immigration, and to end the Temporary Protected Status of countries.
“CAPAC believes strongly that the most urgent business at hand is to pass a clean DREAM Act. We must protect the lives of the 800,000 young people who fear deportation to a country they do not even know, and who not only come from Mexico, but also South Korea, the Philippines, India and many other countries from around the world. We also believe, however that, such a solution should not be done on the back of our family-based immigration system.
“The family-based immigration system has contributed greatly to America, contrary to the pejorative term President Trump uses for it, ‘chain migration.’ Despite what he and his Republican allies claim, family migration is not a flaw in our immigration system – it is a great strength to our economy, our communities and our families. Family-based immigration has often been the only mechanism for women to enter the United States. Today, three quarters of all immigrants to the United States are women and children, and they contribute mightily to our economy, our communities and the stability of our families. If Republicans want to claim to be the party of ‘family values,’ they should embrace this critical part of our system as many Republicans of old have done.
“We should not trade one family’s pain for that of another. Therefore, CAPAC will not support a DACA deal that will make any changes to our family-based immigration system.”
氣象局: 昆士市今日可能淹水
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Quincy with melting snow and the potential of 2 inches to rain to fall over the next 24 hours. DPW crews have spent the last two days uncovering storm drains in low-lying areas across the City and will be on duty throughout the duration of the storm. For flood-related assistance, please call (617) 376-1910. The City is also monitoring the likelihood of a flash freeze on Saturday with salt crews prepared to deploy when temperatures drop.
星期五, 1月 12, 2018
Governor Baker Announces Expansion of CVS Health Medication Disposal Program in Massachusetts
Governor Baker Announces Expansion of CVS Health Medication Disposal Program in Massachusetts
MEDFORD – Governor Charlie Baker, Secretary Marylou Sudders and Attorney General Maura Healey today joined local officials to announce the expansion of CVS Health’s safe and convenient medication disposal program at the first drug take-back unit at the Medford CVS Pharmacy. CVS Health will launch 42 new medication disposal units in CVS Pharmacy locations throughout the Commonwealth for easy disposal of unwanted, unused or expired medications in effort to help fight the opioid epidemic.
“Addiction can often start at home in our own medicine cabinets, and today we are pleased to partner with CVS Health and build on efforts to address this public health crisis across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The units give our residents more safe and reliable ways to discard unwanted medications and using them will prevent unnecessary exposure to addictive opioids for anyone in your home.”
The new units will supplement the nearly 40 units CVS Health has donated to police departments across the state and will be available for drug disposal during regular pharmacy hours. Nationwide, CVS Health will launch more than 750 medication disposal units in its pharmacies and has donated more than 800 units to police departments, collecting more than 220,000 pounds of unwanted medication.
“With a presence in nearly 10,000 communities across the country, we see firsthand the impact of the alarming and rapidly growing epidemic of opioid addiction and misuse,” said Thomas M. Moriarty, Executive Vice President, Chief Policy and External Affairs Officer, and General Counsel, CVS Health. “Expanding our safe medication disposal efforts is an extension of the initiatives in place across our company to fight the opioid abuse epidemic, and we are proud to bring this new disposal program to the Commonwealth. Massachusetts has led the nation in legislation to address this epidemic, including being the first to institute a seven day limit on opioid prescriptions. As we implement this policy here in 2018, we will also build on it by instituting a seven day limit on opioid prescriptions for certain acute conditions for patients we serve nationwide.”
“We need all hands on deck to combat the opioid epidemic,” said Attorney General Maura Healey. “That’s why my office has worked closely with partners across business, law enforcement, and every level of government to disrupt drug trafficking, change prescribing practices, increase access to treatment, and fund prevention and education in our schools. I applaud CVS Health for making it easier for our residents to safely dispose of unwanted medications, and I look forward to continuing our work toward ending this crisis once and for all.”
As part of the company’s broad commitment to addressing the opioid crisis, CVS Health and the CVS Health Foundation also announced $150,000 in grants to programs at Boston Medical Center, Mattapan Community Health Center and Greater Lawrence Family Health Center that support the Commonwealth’s prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery efforts. This work builds on ongoing programs the company operates including the Pharmacists Teach program, which brings CVS pharmacists to local schools to talk to teens and parents about the dangers of abusing prescription drugs. More than 15,000 teens in Massachusetts have already participated in the program.
“We commend CVS Health for its commitment to addressing the opioid crisis,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. “The company’s initiatives to combat the epidemic align with our statewide public health strategy”.
Between 2011 and 2015, nonfatal overdoses increased by about 200% in Massachusetts. CVS Health is one of several pharmacies statewide that has made naloxone, an overdose reversal drug, available without requiring a prescription from a physician. To date, the Baker-Polito Administration has helped train more than 56,000 people statewide to administer the life-saving drug.
For the first time in years, opioid-related deaths declined by 10% for the first nine months of 2017 in Massachusetts. Additionally, opioid prescriptions have dropped by 29 percent since the complete overhaul of the state’s prescription monitoring tool, MassPAT. In November, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the second significant package to fight the opioid and heroin epidemic, including legislation titled “An act relative to Combatting addiction, Accessing treatment, Reducing prescriptions and Enhancing prevention” (CARE Act). The CARE Act builds upon the STEP Act enacted in March 2016, which expanded treatment, created new education programs and instituted the nation’s first seven day limit on opioid prescriptions for adults.
For a list of all Massachusetts Rx/Prescription Medication Drop Box Locations, clickhere. For more information on the state’s response to the opioid epidemic, visitwww.mass.gov/opioidresponse.
MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES PLAN TO MODERNIZE CITY SHELTER SYSTEM
MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES PLAN TO MODERNIZE CITY SHELTER SYSTEM
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BOSTON - Friday, January 12, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that the City of Boston is seeking to redesign the emergency shelter system to better support people experiencing homelessness in exiting shelter as quickly as possible, and to ensure that people seeking shelter are quickly connected with the right resources. In a request for proposals (RFP), the City outlines its goal of modernizing its emergency shelter system. Responses to the RFP are due on February 20, 2018.
"We have made significant progress in our efforts to end chronic and veteran homelessness in the City of Boston," said Mayor Walsh. "There is more work to be done though, and modernizing our shelter system will make sure that if a person becomes homeless, they are assessed and quickly connected with the right services to help them get back on their feet."
Since the implementation of Boston's Way Home, the Walsh administration's plan to end chronic and veteran homelessness, the city has seen significant success, ending chronic veteran homelessness and housing nearly 1,300 formerly homeless people. Despite this significant progress, however, demand for shelter continues to grow each year. Boston's individual shelters now serve seven percent more people annually than they did in June 2015, when the plan was released.
"Pine Street applauds Mayor Walsh's efforts to connect those who are homeless with the best resources to move them out of homelessness," said Lyndia Downie, President and Executive Director of Pine Street Inn. "Our goal is to move people out of shelter as quickly as possible; and better yet, to prevent them from entering in the first place. We look forward to exploring best practices as we work with the city to help people rebuild their lives."
Boston has one of the most intensive emergency responses to homelessness in the country, offering a shelter bed to anyone in need, regardless of sobriety, criminal record, ties to the area, income, or any other barrier that other shelters often impose. For example, more than half of all individuals entering Boston's shelter system report their last known address in a zip code outside of Boston. To that end, a more efficient use of the city's emergency shelter system is critical to achieving the goals of Boston's Way Home.
An 18-month Front Door Triage pilot at the City's four largest adult shelters revealed that there are still individuals entering shelter who have viable alternatives other than entering shelter. Shelter guests may need a different type of assistance, such as family mediation, inpatient treatment, or nursing home care, to become stable in housing. Data shows that in other cases, emergency shelter has become an over-utilized safety net for people exiting other systems of care, such as hospitals, jails, and psychiatric facilities. These facilities provide minimal discharge support, or in some cases, make referrals to shelter with the false expectation that it is a fast track to housing.
It is the goal of this RFP to reach a shelter system that is accessed only by those who need it, reducing demand on shelters and connecting clients with other options and assistance where necessary. Boston's shelters will also be able to operate in a manner that ensures people experiencing homelessness exit to housing as quickly as possible, and with lower rates of return. Should clients return to shelter after becoming housed, they will be connected to the appropriate resources to help them remain housed.
The shelter redesign process will take place after a thorough review of the policies, procedures, operations, staffing, and outcomes in the city's shelters. The proposed plan will be based on proven strategies and outcomes, and will be tailored to the context and resources available within Boston. Shelter management, staff, and clients will be consulted throughout the process.
In his recent inaugural address, Mayor Walsh announced the establishment of the Boston's Way Home Fund, which will raise $10 million over the course of four years. These funds will be used to create 200 new units of supportive, sustainable, long-term housing for chronically homeless men and women. The effort to redesign shelter and to create more permanent housing support one another, as often, the best solution for a chronically homeless individual exiting shelter is to become housed in a unit of permanent supportive housing.
This type of housing combines subsidized rental housing with individualized support services so that people with complex issues can receive the assistance they need to stay housed. The services are designed to build independent living skills and to connect people with services such as community-based health care, support managing mental health conditions, substance use counseling, and employment services.
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NATIONAL DENTAL CHAIN PAYS $1.7 MILLION TO MASSACHUSETTS OVER CLAIMS OF FRAUDULENT BILLING, PERFORMING UNNECESSARY DENTAL WORK ON CHILDREN
NATIONAL DENTAL CHAIN PAYS $1.7 MILLION TO MASSACHUSETTS OVER CLAIMS OF FRAUDULENT BILLING, PERFORMING UNNECESSARY DENTAL WORK ON CHILDRENCompany Allegedly Billed for Unnecessary Tooth Extractions and Baby Tooth Root Canals
BOSTON – A national dental chain has paid $1.7 million to Massachusetts to resolve allegations that it fraudulently billed the state’s Medicaid program for medically unnecessary and expensive dental work on pediatric patients, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.
The payment is part of a $23.9 million global settlement with the United States, the District of Columbia, and 19 other states settling allegations against Benevis LLC (formerly known as NCDR, LLC) and 133 Kool Smiles Clinics across the nation supported by Benevis, including eight in Massachusetts.
“This company made millions by performing unnecessary root canals and other invasive dental procedures on children,” said AG Healey. “With this settlement, we’re recovering more than $1 million for the state and will ensure this company cannot use these practices in the future.”
Benevis is a private company that provides non-clinical practice support services, such as management of clinic finances and administration, to dentists and dental clinics, including Kool Smiles dental clinics nationwide. The Kool Smiles clinics that are part of this settlement are owned by professional corporations that are owned by licensed dentists and provide dental care to children and some adults, including patients covered by Medicaid.
The settlement resolves allegations that Benevis/Kool Smiles knowingly submitted or caused to be submitted false claims to the Medicaid program related to providing stainless steel crowns, tooth extractions and baby tooth root canals to pediatric patients that were either not medically necessary or where less costly treatment options were available. Of the $23.9 million paid by Kool Smiles to resolve these allegations, $1.7 million is attributable to the Massachusetts Medicaid program, MassHealth. Because the Medicaid program is jointly funded by the federal and state government, the total Medicaid settlement for Massachusetts of $1.7 million will be split, with a portion being refunded to the federal government and the remainder being paid to Massachusetts.
The settlement also resolves allegations that Benevis/Kool Smiles failed to implement appropriate controls to prevent the overuse of certain procedures, including offering productivity bonuses based on revenue generated by performed procedures, scheduling practices that maximized patient visits per day, and pressuring dentists to meet production goals and terminating those who failed to meet them.
The investigation stemmed from five qui tam actions, four of which were consolidated in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. The qui tams alleged claims under the federal False Claims Act and various state false claims statutes that Benevis and Kool Smiles submitted false claims relating to dental services provided to pediatric patients. MassHealth also made a fraud referral of Kool Smiles to the AG’s Medicaid Fraud Division.
A National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units (NAMFCU) Team investigated the allegations in conjunction with the Department of Justice and United States Attorneys Offices in Connecticut, the Southern District of Texas, and the Eastern District of Virginia. The NAMFCU Team included representatives from the Offices of the Attorneys General for the states of Texas, Massachusetts, South Carolina, New York and Virginia.
In Massachusetts, this matter was handled by Assistant Attorney General Stephany Collamore and Investigator April Waterhouse, both of AG Healey’s Medicaid Fraud Division, with assistance from MassHealth and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General.
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