New Maine health insurer finds success under law

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Consumers signing up for health insurance on the marketplaces created under President Barack Obama's landmark health care law have consistently turned to big-name insurers over smaller nonprofits and startups. But Maine has gone the other way, with a vast majority of residents putting their trust in the new co-op Maine Community Health Options over well-known Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

The co-op signed up nearly 20,000 of the Mainers who enrolled on the state's federally run marketplace as of the beginning of March, or about 80 percent of the total in that time. Residents have been drawn to the co-op's outreach efforts, nonprofit model and broad network of providers, experts say.

"The notion of the nonprofit appeals to people," said Trish Riley, the former director of the Governor's Office of Health Policy and Finance who helped craft Maine's Dirigo Health Insurance Program, a subsidized program with similarities to the federal health care overhaul that was phased out at the end of the year. Thousands of Mainers who had plans under the program were forced to find new coverage, Riley said.

"They naturally turned to the co-op," she said. "That makes us unique here."

Ken Voorhees, 58, of Litchfield, said he chose the co-op in part because he liked that it's locally owned and operated and he believes the profits will go toward improving his benefits.

"Some of the money is going to trickle down to the services that we receive," said Voorhees, who operates a timber frames business.

The co-op is one of 23 that were created under the new law and loaned $2 billion to start up in order to spur competition on the marketplaces, also known as exchanges. But they've stumbled in many states, in part due to difficulties developing brand recognition, compounded by restrictions on lobbying and advertising that were conditions of accepting the loans.

Connecticut's nonprofit grabbed only 3 percent of the people who enrolled on the exchange before the end of the open enrollment period on Monday. Similarly, in Maryland, the co-op signed up only about 650 people through early March.

In Maine, the co-op's efforts to sign up customers began months ago with outreach and marketing funded in part by a $300,000 grant from the board of the Maine Health Access Foundation. The co-op reached out to communities that weren't being targeted by other insurers or brokers, said Wendy Wolf, president and CEO of the foundation.

"It's almost like no group was too small," she said. "They really tried to lay the foundation with groups who were sort of on the margins of getting good benefits."

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield declined to provide its enrollment numbers but said it's received an increase in applications for plans both on and off the exchange over the past week. Rory Sheehan, a spokesman for the insurer, said its plans were developed with "an eye toward continued long-term sustainability and they reflect our long-term commitment to the success on the Affordable Care Act."

Kevin Lewis, CEO of Maine's co-op, said he believes that residents embrace the company's plan design, which encourages consumers to address small health problems early before they turn into more serious — and expensive — conditions. Among other things, the company provides lower out-of-pocket costs for medication and office visits for people with asthma and diabetes in the hopes of reducing ER visits down the line.

"What's contributing to our enrollment numbers is certainly our ability to deliver a value both on price and the benefit design," Lewis said.

Others in the health care industry point to op Maine Community Health Options' broad provider network as contributing to attractiveness to customers.

The nonprofit's network extends to every hospital in the state, and even some in New Hampshire, while Anthem's network excludes six Maine hospitals.

Anthem said the narrow network allowed it to offer insurance premiums that cost 8 percent less than if it had crafted a broader network, but experts say the prices offered by two companies are comparable.

"Given that (Anthem) had a tighter network and high prices, it just wasn't that compelling," said Riley, who chose the co-op for her own health insurance policy.

Associated Press writer Susan Haigh in Hartford, Conn., contributed. Follow Alanna Durkin on Twitter at http://bit.ly/1lnEwaj

Pyongyang opens marathon to tourist-runners

TOKYO -- Runners of the world, unite!

For the first time ever, North Korea is opening up the streets of its capital to runner-tourists for the annual Pyongyang marathon, undoubtedly one of the most exotic feathers in any runner's cap.

Tourism companies say they are getting inundated by requests to sign up for the April 13 event, which this year will include amateur runners from around the world. The race includes a full marathon — with a handful of world-class, invitation-only athletes — a half marathon and a 10-kilometer run.

The opening of the race to recreational runners is in keeping with the North's ongoing, but sometimes sporadic, effort to earn cash revenue by boosting tourism, usually with well-orchestrated group tours to major arts performances or attractions the North wants to show off.

Earlier this year, North Korea's government announced a plan to create special trade and tourism zones across the country and unveiled its first luxury ski resort, aimed largely at luring ski enthusiasts from abroad. Under the watch of young leader Kim Jong Un, the North has also been giving sports in general a higher profile. Simple recreational sports facilities, such as outdoor basketball courts and roller skating rinks, have been popping up lately in Pyongyang and some other cities.

Much of North Korea remains off-limits to foreigners, but Pyongyang, with its broad avenues and ubiquitous monuments, is a showcase city and more accessible than other places in the secretive and isolated country.

"I think a lot of the attraction is the 'Pyongyang' part rather than the 'marathon' part," said Simon Cockerell, a Beijing-based agent for the Koryo Tours travel agency. "A lot of the people going along to take part are interested in simply doing something a bit unusual, something that would cause a bit of cognitive dissonance in friends of theirs when they tell them they ran a marathon in North Korea."

Known officially as the Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon, the race is sanctioned as a bronze label event by the International Association of Athletics Federations and has been held annually for 27 years.

The generally flat, full-marathon course entails four loops around the center of the city of 2.5 million.

The race starts at the 70,000-seat Kim Il Sung Stadium and moves on past the Monument to Chinese Soldiers to the Kim Il Sung University area. After that, the runners cross a bridge over the Taedong River to the east side of the city and wind their way along the river bank to the stadium.

Spectators back in the stadium will be treated to soccer games, volleyball and martial arts exhibitions while they wait for the runners to return.

Cockerell said nearly 200 foreigners have signed up for the event, which coincides with commemorations of the April 15 birthday of North Korea's first leader, Kim Il Sung. That is an unusually large number, though the North's famous mass games are also often a big draw.

As a practical matter, aspiring runners had to apply through agencies familiar with the North Korean bureaucracy in order to get the proper visas. Cockerell said most are joining packaged group tours to see the sights while they are in Pyongyang.

In the past, the main race has been restricted to a select group of elite runners. Recreational jogging isn't a part of ordinary North Korean life, but past events have included races for local students and junior runners.

Though many national teams are reluctant to come to North Korea for political reasons, times in the elite part of the race have been up to the international standards. Last year's marathon was won by Ethiopia's Ketema Nigusse in 2:13:04. North Korea's own Kim Mi Gyong won the women's title for the second straight year, with a personal best of 2:26:32.

What's new this year is the decision to open up the marathon, half-marathon and 10-kilometer courses to recreational runners of any nationality. The only requirement for marathon runners is that they finish in four hours; those who don't will be escorted back to the stadium. In 1995, South Korean runners were allowed to participate in a road race in the North, but that was a one-off, Koreans only event. Because of South Korea's travel restrictions to the North, participation from south of the border this time was unlikely.

"The marathon has traditionally been open only to professional runners with 2:27 male and 2:38 female cutoff times, making it impossible for even the best recreational runner to participate," said Andrea Lee, head of Uri Tours, an American company offering tours to North Korea. It is bringing 20 runners, most of them American.

"Generally, the country has become more friendly for tourism," she said. "This change in policy is in line with what we've seen to be the tourism administration's willingness to explore different tour programs and other avenues to attract tourism."

Cockerell warned against reading too much into the North's decision to ease its restrictions. It was unclear whether the same rules would apply next year.

"Maybe (it's) just because they wanted more people in the marathon," he said. "Maybe the powers that be didn't expect there to be so many runners entering."

Talmadge is The AP's Pyongyang bureau chief. Follow him on Twitter at http://bit.ly/1or43Ee.

Add Your Name: America Deserves a Raise

This afternoon, Secretary of Labor Tom Perez sent the following message to the White House email list, explaining why we need to raise the minimum wage.

Didn't get the email? Make sure you're signed up for White House updates.

Hey, all --

Last Friday, I spoke at a rally in Cleveland about raising the minimum wage. While I was there, I had the opportunity to talk with 11-year-old Jesseca Hudson, who came out to show her support.

Before I'd even boarded my plane back to D.C., she had already emailed me, telling me how she wanted to help in the fight to give millions of workers the wages they deserve.

Jesseca doesn't think that someone working full-time should struggle to make ends meet. But full-time workers earning the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 only earn about $14,500 a year in wages -- below the poverty line for a family of two.

That's unacceptable. And it's why the President has called on Congress and state governments to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour -- and on businesses to act on their own to increase the pay of their workers.

If you agree, then add your name, and share why you think we need to raise the wage.

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Who's Packing What: The Weapons in the Leland Yee Scandal

Not many FBI documents read like crime thrillers , but the criminal complaint of the FBI's case against the Chee Kung Tong in California could have sprung from the mind of a screenwriter. In the affidavit, undercover FBI agents discuss alleged firsthand meetings with a shady Chinese community leaders, felonious political operatives, and a state senator who now stands accused of taking bribes and brokering an international arms deal. To read the document is to enter a world of drug smuggling, gun running, political favors, murder-for-hire plots, and quid pro quo election fundraising.

And it's got weapons. Scores of them. To understand the weapons at play is to understand this scandal and its players. With that in mind, here's a rundown of who's packing what.

Common Core repeal, wiretapping among dead bills

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- A repeal of the Common Core curriculum standards and a cap on payday loan interest rates are among the legislative proposals that are dead for the session.

With just two days remaining in the 2014 regular legislative session, time has run out for many of the 1,103 bills introduced.

Legislative proposals that have not passed at least one chamber are dead for session. Lawmakers will meet Wednesday night and plan to wrap up the session Thursday.

Notable bills that didn't make it this session include:

WIRE TAPPING — A bill to give state law enforcement the power to do wiretaps during murder, drug and other certain investigations fell flat among lawmakers. Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange made the bill one of his legislative priorities, but it never got voted out of committee. Strange said in January that Alabama is one of only seven states where state law enforcement cannot conduct wire taps.

COMMON CORE REPEAL — A Senate bill to repeal, or at least let local school boards opt out of, the Common Core curriculum standards did not get a floor vote after hitting opposition in the Alabama Senate.

MIDWIFERY — A bill that would allow non-nurse midwives to assist with home births did not get out of committee again this year. Women seeking to be able to deliver their babies at home have been pushing the change for several years without success.

PAYDAY LOAN INTEREST CAP— A proposed new cap on the amount of interest that can be charged by payday lenders failed to get out of committee. However, advocates came back with a watered-down bill that would create a state database to enforce the state's existing $500 limit on how much people can borrow at one time. The database bill is still alive with two session days remaining.

DEATH PENALTY APPEALS —The proposal was aimed at shortening the appeals process in death penalty cases. It was voted out of committee but did not get a floor vote.

MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE — The proposed constitutional amendment would let voters decide on increasing the Alabama minimum wage. It did not get out of committee.

MARIJUANA — A proposal to do away with criminal penalties for possession of one ounce or less of marijuana did not get a vote. A medicinal marijuana bill has also died for the session.

GAMBLING PENALTY — The bill sought to raise the penalty for possession of an illegal gambling devise from a misdemeanor to a felony.

TEACHER LAYOFFS — The bill would have specified that seniority couldn't be the most significant factor considered by city and county school boards when they write policies for laying off teachers due to funding problems or declining enrollment. Teacher evaluations, which took into account student scores, would also have to be a factor. House and senate committees approved the proposal, but it never got a floor vote.

MEDICAID EXPANSION — The bill pushed by Democrats would have put the issue of whether to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act before Alabama voters.

Mudslide homeowners still on hook for mortgages

SEATTLE -- Property owners who lost their houses in the Oso mudslide probably still owe payments on their home loans.

Lyn Peters of the state Department of Financial Institutions says mortgages are legally binding contracts,even if the homes are gone.

The Seattle Times reports (http://bit.ly/Pjbeyw ) the state is advising survivors or their heirs to call their banks to work something out.

The CEO of Coastal Community Bank, which has branches in Arlington and Darrington, says it's willing to write off the debt if insurance doesn't help homeowners. Other banks may offer a temporary break on payments.

The newspaper reports a preliminary damage assessment found that 30 of the 42 homes in the destroyed neighborhood were primary residences and none of the 30 had landslide insurance.

A State Fossil For S. Carolina Faces Mammoth Obstacle

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hide captionA fossil of a Columbian Mammoth in the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits, Los Angeles.

Wikimedia Commons

A fossil of a Columbian Mammoth in the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits, Los Angeles.

Wikimedia Commons

The Columbian Mammoth is facing extinction as South Carolina's proposed state fossil unless the elephant-sized Ice Age mammal can survive the efforts of creationist lawmakers.

South Carolina is one of only 10 states that doesn't currently have an official state fossil, something an 8-year-old South Carolinian girl suggested the legislature remedy by adopting the Columbian Mammoth. The prehistoric pachyderm is a cousin of the better-known Woolly Mammoth (already Alaska's state fossil). The girl's rationale was that fossilized teeth of the tusked creature were discovered in a South Carolina swamp as far back as 1725.

But as the proposal was being debated last week, Republican state Sen. Kevin Bryant tried unsuccessfully to amend the bill to include a quotation from the book of Genesis about God's creation of the animal kingdom.

"I attempted to recognize the creator," Bryant writes on his website. "However, the amendment was ruled out of order."

In tossing the amendment, Bryant's fellow senators cited his introduction of "new and independent matter," to the bill.

Undaunted, Bryant has rewritten his amendment, proposed language that refers to the mammoth — which paleontologists believe was the product of millions of years of evolution before disappearing about 12,500 years ago — "as created on the sixth day with the beasts of the field."

"I think it's an appropriate time to acknowledge the creator," Bryant tells The Greenville News.

According to the newspaper:

"Bryant said he thinks his latest amendment will pass muster as a logical extension of the bill because, "Since we're dealing with the fossil of the woolly mammoth then this amendment would deal with the beginning of the woolly mammoth."

"The original version of the bill referred to the woolly mammoth, but it was later changed to honor the Columbian mammoth.

"'The courts have upheld using Old Testament scripture because it doesn't point to a single religion,' he said. 'If I used text from the New Testament, if somebody challenged it in court you might lose on those grounds.'"

Another South Carolina Republican, Sen. Mike Fair, who initially supported Bryant's amendment, now says he is willing to support the measure with or without the additional language.

The newspaper, however, says Fair has made news before "for his views that evolution shouldn't be taught as scientific fact in public schools.

The News writes:

"Regardless of how the state fossil controversy turns out, a larger issue over state science standards in public schools remains to be fought, and Fair serves on the state Education Oversight Committee, the panel of educators and lawmakers that will decide it.

"The committee has approved new science standards including all of the section on evolution, except on the issue of natural selection, which Fair argues should be taught as theory rather than as scientific fact. He argues that natural selection can make biological changes within species but that it can't explain the whole progression from microbes to humans.

"'This whole subject should be taught as a pro and con,' he said."