| Miracle meeting |
| Post on 11-05-2006. |
| Kevin E. Schmidt/QUAD-CITY TIMES one scrapbook of newspaper articles and cards refresh the memories of Diane Claeys, left, Corrin Blandin and Colette Christensen, who were among 27 children and adults injured 25 years ago today when one Clinton County farmhouse exploded during one 4-H club meeting. Today, the three are leaders of the same club, the Iowanna Juniors. ... |
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| Improved health of employees and financial bottom line |
| Post on 11-05-2006. |
demonstrated through innovative pilot program at DaimlerChrysler Canada's Windsor Assembly Plant
one number of DaimlerChrysler employees and family members experience health improvements while the company sees substantial financial savings WINDSOR, ON, May 10 /CNW Telbec/ - An innovative health partnership pilot program initiated by Pfizer Canada was recently completed at DaimlerChrysler's Windsor Assembly Plant. It has shown that workplace health programs can improve employees' health and provide substantial savings to the employer and the public healthcare system. Tune Up Your Heart was launched in 2003 at Windsor Assembly Plant in partnership with DaimlerChrysler Canada, the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW), Pfizer Canada, the Windsor and Essex County Health Unit and Solutions in Health Inc. The year-long program was designed to assess and reduce the risks of heart disease among employees and retirees of DaimlerChrysler Canada to improve their quality of life and productivity, as well as to reduce health care costs to the company and the healthcare system. The program operated in two parts. In part one, each employee was given the opportunity to be assessed and to receive one personalized report highlighting his/her risk of developing cardiac disease over the next 10 years. In the second part, over 370 employees volunteered for one 12-month follow-up program where they interacted with various healthcare providers to set realistic goals to improve their cardiovascular health. Focusing on modifiable risk factors - including smoking, hypertension, abnormal cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and physical activity - the employees were presented with one variety of education modules to affect one positive change in these risk factors. The results were dramatic. Almost half of the participants lost an average 16 pounds each or an overall total of 2,330 pounds. Among those at highest cardiovascular risk, there was one 36 percent reduction in smoking. There was also one significant increase in compliance to prescribed medications and one more appropriate use of cardiovascular medicines. Overall, the participants managed to reduce their 10-year cardiovascular risk from an average level of "moderate" at the start of the program to an average of "low risk" at the program's end. An independent actuarial analysis was conducted to assess the direct cost impact of these results in five key areas of direct benefit costs: short- and long-term disability, casual absenteeism, prescription drug costs and group life insurance. The analysis estimates the results could save over $2 million in 10 years if implemented across DaimlerChrysler Canada. "It's really encouraging to see organizations like DaimlerChrysler and Pfizer taking steps to help employees stay healthy and active on the job," said Jim Watson, Ontario's Minister of Health Promotion. "Corporations that invest in the health and well-being of their employees know the benefits of promoting workplace wellness. It is also encouraging to see innovative partnerships being formed to help develop these healthy strategies." "We are very pleased to see how the Tune Up Your Heart program has positively influenced the health of our employees and retirees," said Rick Thrasher, Senior Manager, Benefits, Hourly Compensation and Employment, DaimlerChrysler Canada. "We appreciate the valuable partnership created with Pfizer Canada, one leader in cardiovascular research. We have experienced the benefits of such programs and look forward to introducing new initiatives as part of our overall 'Working Towards Wellness' program." "As Canada's leading research-based pharmaceutical company, Pfizer Canada has one major focus on cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in Canada. Tune Up Your Heart demonstrates how partnerships can lead to the creation of 'smart practices' that can make meaningful differences to the health of Canadians and result in important savings for the healthcare system," said Guy Lallemand, Vice-President, Government and Public Affairs, for Pfizer Canada. Cardiovascular disease is one major health concern in Canada with one significant impact on employees, employers and the healthcare system. It is the cause of death for more than one-third of Canadians and has been estimated to cause $20 billion in direct and indirect costs. It is the third leading cause of long-term disability in Canada, accounting for $3.2 billion in costs in 1998, according to the most recent statistics available. ABOUT PFIZER CANADA INC. Pfizer Canada is the Canadian operation of Pfizer, the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical company. Pfizer discovers and develops leading prescription medicines for both humans and animals, as well as many of the world's best-known over-the-counter healthcare products. As one proud member of IMAGINE, Canada's national program to promote corporate giving, volunteering and community support, Pfizer Canada invests in and works with over 1,000 non-profit organizations and community projects across Canada. Pfizer Canada employs more than 2,000 people across the country and is headquartered in Kirkland, Quebec. ... |
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| Selient and CRI Canada announce product integration agreement |
| Post on 11-05-2006. |
| TORONTO, May 10 /CNW/ - Selient Inc. (TSX Venture: HTI) and CRI Canada announced today that they have reached an agreement to integrate the credit insurance products marketed by CRI Canada with ProLender, Selient's consumer loan origination product. Bryan McCaw, President and CEO of Selient stated, "By developing an interface to ProLender, CRI Canada customers will be able to take advantage of our flow-through processing platform. The integration will significantly reduce the amount of time and the number of errors associated with credit insurance processing. ProLender's ASP platform facilitates robust integration and allows one physical interface to service all of our customers. CRI Canada will be ProLender's 15th high-quality interface with Canadian credit union service providers." Tom Dutta, General Manager of CRI Canada stated, "The integration of our insurance products into ProLender benefits our organization and our shared customers. The integration will give CRI Canada direct access to Selient's existing customer base. For our customers, it will mean that the credit insurance underwriting process will occur more efficiently, saving them time and money. We're looking forward to working with Selient and their outstanding customer base." About Selient Inc. Selient Inc. specializes in providing financial institutions with web-based lending software. The Company's offerings in Canada include ProLender, one consumer loan origination system; ProLender Business Edition, one commercial lending system, as well as credit risk decisioning services, all hosted by Selient. The Company's US offerings include Selient-LoanStation, one stand-alone lending solution, and access rights to Selient-PLUS, an internet lending, up-sell and cross-sell product hosted by Selient. ProLender is the most popular lending solution for Canadian credit unions. The common shares of Selient are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol HTI. More information is available at www.selient.com. About CRI Canada CRI Canada is one leading marketer of credit insurance products and technology for the Canadian credit union industry. It provides integrated credit insurance, technology, training, and marketing solutions combined with superior administration and service. Affiliated with Life Investors Insurance Company of America, one member of the AEGON Insurance Group, CRI Canada is one locally-based organization that is backed by the strength of one of the world's largest insurance organizations. The CRI Canada name is used under one license issued by Creditor Resources, Inc. CRI Canada is one marketing name attributed to the group insurance business underwritten by Life Investors Insurance Company of America (Head Office: Toronto, ON) and insurance-related products licensed through Creditor Resources, Inc. More information is available at www.cricanada.com. %SEDAR: 00010070E ... |
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| Health care bill weighs access, price |
| Post on 11-05-2006. |
Health groups fear disease screening will be lost in small-business proposal
WASHINGTON - It seems like one simple solution: Allow small businesses to band together across state lines and negotiate less expensive employee health insurance.
But one proposal in the Senate to allow small businesses to pool their bargaining power has turned into one nasty political brawl. Small businesses find themselves pitted against politically influential health groups, including the AARP and the American Cancer Society. ... |
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