Thousands Protest Across Cuba Demanding The Right To Have Rights

January 13, 2021

MIAMI, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ —

What:	Cuba Decide releases video summarizing 2020 citizen mobilization efforts
Who:	Cubans on the Island and in the diaspora, general community
When: Where:	January 13, 2021 Miami, FL, USA

The following is a statement from Rosa María Payá, founder and promoter of Cuba Decide. The citizen initiative for democracy in Cuba, Cuba Decide, released a video summarizing how Cubans on and off the island are mobilizing to protest the repression they have been subject to for over six decades. Public protests saw exponential growth near the end of 2020 with 42 protests in the month of September, 88 in October, 110 in November and 122 in December.¹ Among the demands of the protests are: the right to define the course of the country, the release of political prisoners, freedom of speech and artistic expression, economic liberty and access to basic resources in the midst of a deep humanitarian crisis caused by communist policies and aggravated by COVID-19.

Protesters have been raising their voices in opposition to systemic political, civil, economic and social issues affecting our daily lives and in favor of a change of the system. These protests are evidence that the opposition movement and the Cuban people’s desire for change have continued to expand to a point where it cannot be ignored any longer.

Even so, as recent history has demonstrated, citizens cannot confront a criminal group that holds totalitarian power by themselves – the support of the international community is necessary as well. The international actions and pressure on the regime with the goal of protecting lives and supporting citizens’ demands for freedom is required. That is why it is very important that our request to reinstate the Cuban regime to the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism – a list from which it should never have left – has been heard.

For years, I requested that the Obama administration, and later the Trump administration, to reincorporate the Cuban regime on this list because it is the correct and coherent thing to do. Many other Cubans have also asked for this designation, as it recognizes the obvious ties the Castros and the military leadership of the regime have with activities related to terrorism. These actions include: offering sanctuary to U.S. terrorists, refusing the continuous extradition requests of ELN leaders linked to the deadly attack on the Bogotá cadet school in 2019, and systemically applying State Terrorism against civilians in the Island.

State terrorism to which I am not only a witness, but also a direct victim. In 2012, members of the Ministry of the Interior of the dictatorship, by orders that could only come directly from Raúl and Fidel Castro, carried out an attack in which my father, the recognized opposition leader Oswaldo Payá, lost his life. Today, the lives of hundreds of activists, artists, journalists and citizens on the Island are permanently are risk. Those who dare to confront the regime could suffer police harassment, torture, prison, expatriation or even death.

What has been stated above are not opinions, but facts. They do not depend one political party or another. Moreover, denouncing these events and designating the Cuban regime as a state sponsor of terrorism benefits both the protection of the Cuban people against impunity, and the national security of several countries in the hemisphere. In fact, these countries should come together in support of this designation and in solidarity with the Cuban people, because democracy in Cuba is a benefit to all.

While placing Cuba on this list is not enough, nor is it the solution to the situation on the Island, it is, however, a step in the right direction. It is up to us Cubans, and Cubans alone, to decide and define the destiny of our country, something that we have not been able to do for more than 60 years because of the dictatorship’s prohibition of free elections and all political parties apart from Communism. For this reason, Cuba Decide’s strategy is to mobilize Cubans through non-violent, peaceful actions to change the totalitarian system towards democracy and be able to hold free elections.

The Cuba Decide platform is non-partisan, nor is it involved in the domestic politics of any foreign country. We do, however, promote a foreign policy for governments of the world towards Cuba: the policy of direct solidarity with the needs of the Cuban people; and the use of all the mechanisms available through international law to generate maximum pressure on the dicators to make them submit to the will of the citizens.

We work so that all nations of the free world will join in support of the Cuban people’s fight for change. The victory of democracy in Cuba is essential to the peace, prosperity and stability of the entire Western Hemisphere. As the United States undergoes a change in administration, we hope to extend the communications that we maintain with the current administration to members of Congress as well as the President-Elect Joe Biden, who now has one more tool against the dictatorship to support the demands for democratic change. The demands that have originated from the citizenry and are multiplying in the streets of Cuba.

The heart of Cuba has already changed and is entering into a new era. Hundreds of protests have occurred throughout the Island and across the world. Citizens will continue to take action because they already know that the only way out of the crisis is to change the system.

Help Cubans amplify their voices. Like and share our page on social media @CubaDecide

You too can be a champion for the cause. Let the world know that Cubans demand the right to freely decide their future.

About CUBA DECIDE

Cuba Decide is a citizen initiative to change the political and economic system towards democracy and the rule of law.

THE STRATEGY
Generate the necessary pressure to force the regime to submit to the will of the people through the joint non-violent action of citizens and the international community.

THE TOOL
Cubans must decide their future and be free.

Cuba Decide proposes that the will of the Cubans be expressed and complied with through a binding plebiscite – a direct vote of the people – in Cuba to make a concrete change in the system, by answering the following question:

Do you agree that free, fair and plural elections should be called by exercising freedom of expression and the press, and freely organizing into political parties and social organizations with total plurality? Yes or no?

Join Us!
A mass mobilization effort is underway!

Learn more and join cubadecide.org

Be part of our conversations on Facebook.com/CubaDecide and on Twitter and Instagram following @CubaDecide and using the tag #CubaDecide.

FDP is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes the Cuba Decide platform together with thousands of Cubans.

¹ Observatorio Cubano de Conflictos, https://www.observatoriocubano.com/2021/01/05/cuba-es-de-todos-122-manifestaciones-publicas-de-protestas-en-diciembre/

Contact:

Leandra Solano

[email protected]

305.209.5649

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrrJCbfckeA
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1056038/Cuba_Decide_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Cuba Decide

Attorney Victor Recondo Advises Foreign Investor on Record Setting Miami Beach Lot Sale for $15M

January 12, 2021

MIAMI, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Attorney, Victor Recondo, partner of Miami-based law firm Solomon, Cooperman & Recondo represented the seller of two vacant lots located at 228 and 302 West Dilido Drive on the Venetian Islands in Miami Beach, Florida. The sale of the waterfront lots, for $15.2 million, appears to beat the prior record sale in the area of $6.5 million for property located at 412 West Dilido Drive in 2016.

“Selling vacant land is never easy for a seller. Buyers will spend considerable amounts of time performing due diligence to ensure acceptable development conditions. Our firm represented the seller in their initial acquisitions of these properties, so we were well positioned to ensure the transaction proceeded swiftly and without any issues,” stated Mr. Recondo.

The lots were sold to well-known California based developer, Zach Valle, who has been on Bravo’s “Million Dollar Listing” series. Mr. Valle plans to develop the lots into a single-family home mansion for his family.

“This sale represents the continued resiliency of the ultra-high-end market in Miami Beach, despite capital market restrictions fueled by COVID-19. Miami and Miami Beach remain a preferred destination for developers like this, while Florida, as a whole, continues to attract businesses and individuals seeking to take advantage of Florida’s favorable tax benefits.”

Victor Recondo focuses his practice on complex commercial real estate transactions. Mr. Recondo regularly advises clients on the acquisition, disposition, and financing of commercial real estate. Solomon, Cooperman, & Recondo also represents top real estate developers and homebuilders, as well as major banks, REITS and other investors. The firm advises clients on over $10 billion in real estate assets and projects.

For more information on Solomon, Cooperman & Recondo, please visit the firm’s website www.scr-firm.com or contact Mr. Recondo at [email protected].

SOURCE Solomon, Cooperman & Recondo

NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises Expands Revenue Strategy And Distribution Leadership Team

January 12, 2021

Ezequiel Fonseca Zas, Senior Vice President, Revenue Strategy & Distribution, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises

MIAMI, Jan. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises today announced the appointment of two new executives as it expands its Revenue Strategy and Distribution business unit to develop and grow content monetization opportunities in the U.S. and around the world. Effective immediately, Ezequiel Fonseca Zas joins Telemundo in the newly created role of Senior Vice President of Revenue Strategy and Distribution, and Malu Carmona-Botana is appointed to the new position of Vice President of Content Monetization. Both executives will be based in Miami, Florida. Fonseca Zas will report directly to Peter Blacker, EVP, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of DTC Licensing, and Carmona-Botana will report to Fonseca Zas.

“I am thrilled to welcome these two exceptionally qualified media experts to the Telemundo team,” said Blacker. “Ezequiel and Malu each bring a unique and deep set of media expertise in Spanish and English, which will help us expand the formats and multilingual experiences across AVOD, SVOD and DTC platforms that Telemundo has pioneered for over ten years in the US and across the globe.”

Fonseca Zas will be responsible for growing and managing Telemundo Enterprises’ content monetization and distribution strategies, in close coordination with Telemundo’s Content Owners (Entertainment, Global Studios, Sports and News) as well as NBCUniversal Distribution and Licensing teams. He will also oversee sourcing and development of future large-scale revenue-generating projects across the business, taking advantage of the transformation of the U.S. and global media markets.

Carmona-Botana will be responsible for strategic planning and managing key partnerships including development, implementation, and short to long-term growth strategies. Carmona-Botana will also work closely with the content teams to align the network content strategies and NBCUniversal’s Peacock team in order to increase the company’s income across all platforms.

Fonseca Zas was most recently at ViacomCBS International where he was General Manager of Streaming Platforms and Senior Vice President of Mobile Partnerships. In that role, he led the international streaming/OTT strategy and business plans for AVOD (Pluto TV) and SVOD platforms (Paramount+ & Noggin). Previously, he served in several leadership roles with oversight of emerging businesses, multiplatform and digital strategies. Prior to that, Fonseca was at La Nación newspaper in Argentina for over a decade, where he held multiple positions in the company’s marketing, branding and digital divisions.

Carmona-Botana joins Telemundo from A+E Networks, where she was previously Director of Content Distribution Strategy. In that role, she provided strategic support to the President of Distribution. Prior to A+E, she worked at a myriad of companies around the world including Gedeth in Shanghai, Zebra Producciones in Madrid, Televisa in Mexico City and Viacom in New York.

Fonseca Zas and Carmona-Botana will be joining Telemundo’s existing Revenue Strategy and Distribution leadership team including Borja Perez, Senior Vice President of Revenue Strategy and Innovation, Francisco Rivera, Vice President of Emerging Business, Gustavo Granados, Vice President of Digital Productions and Tania Paz, Vice President of Distribution Operations.

About NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises:
NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises is a world-class media company leading the industry in the production and distribution of high-quality Spanish-language content to U.S. Hispanics and audiences around the world. This fast-growing multiplatform portfolio is comprised of the Telemundo Network and Station Group, Telemundo Deportes, Telemundo Global Studios, Universo, and a Revenue Strategy & Innovation unit. Telemundo Network features original Spanish-language entertainment, news and sports content reaching 94% of U.S. Hispanic TV households in 210 markets through 30 local stations, 50 affiliates and its national feed. Telemundo also owns WKAQ, a television station that serves viewers in Puerto Rico. Telemundo Deportes is the designated Spanish-language home of two of the world’s most popular sporting events: FIFA World Cup™ through 2026 and the Summer Olympic Games through 2032. Telemundo Global Studios is the company’s domestic and international scripted production unit including Telemundo Studios, Telemundo International Studios, Telemundo International, Underground Producciones, an internationally renowned production boutique based in Argentina as well as all of the company’s co-production partnerships. As the #1 media company reaching Hispanics and millennials online, the Revenue Strategy & Innovation unit distributes original content across multiple platforms, maximizing its exclusive partnerships with properties such as BuzzFeed, Vox, and Snapchat. Through Telemundo Internacional, the largest U.S.-based distributor of Spanish-language content in the world; and Universo, the company reflects the diverse lifestyle, cultural experience and language of its expanding audience. NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises is a division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Malu Carmona-Botana, Vice President, Content Monetization, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1419143/NBCUniversal_Telemundo_Enterprises_Ezequiel_Fonseca_Final.jpg

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1419144/NBCUniversal_Telemundo_Enterprises_Malu_C.jpg

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/456061/NBCUniversal_Telemundo_Logo.jpg

SOURCE NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises

(Español) Univision anuncia PrendeTV, el primer servicio premium y gratuito de streaming con publicidad de Estados Unidos, creado exclusivamente para los hispanos del país

January 12, 2021

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

NIH study suggests using cannabis while trying to conceive may reduce pregnancy chances

January 12, 2021

BETHESDA, Md., Jan. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Women who use marijuana could have a more difficult time conceiving a child than women who do not use marijuana, suggests a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health. Marijuana use among the women’s partners—which could have influenced conception rates—was not studied. The researchers were led by Sunni L. Mumford, Ph.D., of the Epidemiology Branch in NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The study appears in Human Reproduction.

The women were part of a larger group trying to conceive after one or two prior miscarriages. Women who said they used cannabis products—marijuana or hashish—in the weeks before pregnancy, or who had positive urine tests for cannabis use, were around 40% less likely to conceive per monthly cycle than women who did not use cannabis. The authors noted that although the findings suggest cannabis could affect women’s fertility, they should be tempered with caution as the study observed a relatively small number of cannabis users. However, the authors say their results suggest that women trying to conceive should exercise caution with cannabis use until more definitive evidence is available.

The researchers analyzed data from a broader study of more than 1,200 women ages 18 to 40 with one or two pregnancy losses. The women participated in the study for up to six monthly cycles while attempting pregnancy and throughout pregnancy if conception occurred. After enrolling in the study, the women responded to a questionnaire asking if they had used marijuana, pot, or hashish in the past 12 months, with responses ranging from never, rarely, occasionally, sometimes, often, to daily. Each woman also provided urine samples for analysis when they first entered the study and after six months if they did not conceive or at the time of positive pregnancy test if they conceived.

A total of 62 women (5%) either had a positive urine test or responded that they had used cannabis before conception.

For each monthly cycle, women who had used cannabis while trying to conceive were 41% less likely to conceive than non-users. Similarly, a smaller proportion of cannabis users than non-users became pregnant during the study—42% versus 66%. The authors found no differences in miscarriage rates between users and non-users who had achieved pregnancy.

The authors noted that, compared to non-users, cannabis users also had differences in reproductive hormones involved in ovulation. These differences could potentially have influenced their likelihood of conception. Specifically, users had higher levels of luteinizing hormone and a higher proportion of luteinizing hormone to follicle stimulating hormone.

The authors also noted that animal studies had found that cannabis use could alter the lining of the uterus, making it less likely an embryo to implant and establish a pregnancy. Until more information is available, the authors said, women trying to become pregnant should be aware that cannabis could potentially affect their pregnancy chances.

Reference
Mumford SL et al. Cannabis use while trying to conceive: a prospective cohort study evaluating associations with fecundability, live birth, and pregnancy loss. Human Reproduction. 2020. doi:10.1093/humrep/deaa355

About the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD): NICHD leads research and training to understand human development, improve reproductive health, enhance the lives of children and adolescents, and optimize abilities for all. For more information, visit https://www.nichd.nih.gov.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit https://www.nih.gov.

SOURCE Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; National Institutes of Health (NIH)

If You Purchased Certain Disposable Contact Lenses for Your Own Use From June 1, 2013 to December 4, 2018, this Litigation and a Class Action Settlement Could Affect Your Rights

January 12, 2021

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 8, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The following statement is being issued regarding In re. Disposable Contact Lens Antitrust Litigation.

A class action settlement has been reached with ABB Optical Group LLC (“ABB”), a distributor of disposable contact lenses manufactured by Alcon Vision LCC f/k/a Alcon Laboratories, Inc. (“Alcon”); Bausch & Lomb, Inc. (“B&L”); Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. (“JJVC”); and Cooper Vision, Inc. (“CVI”).

The lawsuit alleges illegal minimum retail pricing policies adopted by contact lens manufacturers called “Unilateral Pricing Policies,” or “UPPs,” for the distribution and sale of certain disposable contact lenses. The safety and effectiveness of contact lenses are not at issue in this lawsuit. For more information, visit the website below. Defendants deny they did anything wrong. The Court has not decided who is right.

Notice was previously provided for settlements with B&L and CVI and the formation of “Litigation Classes.” ABB has since agreed to a settlement, and the Court has permitted those who purchased only contact lenses manufactured by B&L an additional opportunity to opt-out of the Litigation Classes. If you are a Settlement Class Member, you can participate in the ABB Settlement regardless of whether you participated in the earlier settlements.

Who Is Included?

The ABB Settlement Class includes certain persons and entities residing in the United States who made retail purchases of disposable contact lenses subject to a UPP. For a list of the contact lenses subject to a UPP and the dates of purchase included in the settlement, please visit the website below.

How can I get a payment?

The ABB Settlement will establish a $30.2 million Settlement Fund. If you already submitted a timely and valid claim for the B&L and/or CVI Settlements, you do not need to submit another claim. You will automatically be included in the ABB Settlement. If you did not submit a claim in either of the earlier settlements, you must submit a claim for the ABB Settlement in order to receive compensation. You will not be able to share in the B&L or CVI Settlements if you did not submit a timely and valid Proof of Claim in those settlements. You can file a claim at the website. The deadline to file a claim is March 10, 2021. The Net Settlement Fund will be distributed at a later stage of this Action. Please be patient and check the website for updates.

Your other options.

If you do not want to be legally bound by the ABB Settlement you must exclude yourself by March 10, 2021. In addition, consumers who purchased only contact lenses manufactured by B&L have until March 10, 2021 to request exclusion from the Litigation Classes. You may object to the ABB Settlement by March 10, 2021. The Detailed Notice explains how to exclude yourself or object. The Court will hold a Fairness Hearing on July 2, 2021, to consider whether to approve the ABB Settlement. Lead Counsel will ask the Court for attorneys’ fees of up to one-third (33.3%) of the ABB, B&L, and CVI Settlement Funds, after payment of Court-approved costs and expenses. In addition, Lead Counsel will ask the Court for reimbursement of costs and expenses for their work in this Action, and may also seek service awards for the Class Representatives, all subject to the Court’s approval. You may appear at the hearing, yourself or through an attorney you hire, but you don’t have to. For more information, call or visit the website.

www.ContactLensSettlement.com 1-877-253-3649

SOURCE United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida

(Español) La CPSC emite advertencia de seguridad del consumidor: separar las celdas de las baterías de iones de litio de los paquetes de batería para alimentar dispositivos podría causar lesiones graves o incluso la muerte

January 12, 2021

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1973 and charged with protecting the American public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call the CPSC hotline at 1-800-638-2772, or visit http://www.saferproducts.gov. Further recall information is available at http://www.cpsc.gov. (PRNewsfoto/U.S. Consumer Product Safety Co)

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

If you purchased Keurig K-Cup Portion Packs from persons other than Keurig, you may be entitled to payment from a class action settlement

January 12, 2021

SEATTLE, Jan. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — A Settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit called In re: Keurig Green Mountain Single-Serve Coffee Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 2542, Master Docket No. 1:14-md-02542-VSB-SLC, Civil Action No. 1:13-03790-VSB-SLC, pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The lawsuit alleges that Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. (“Keurig”) monopolized or attempted to monopolize and restricted, restrained, foreclosed, and excluded competition in order to raise, fix, maintain, or stabilize the prices of Keurig K-Cup Portion Packs (single-serve beverage portion packs manufactured or licensed by Keurig that are compatible with Keurig brewers and generally displays the Keurig brand name or logo on the package) at artificially high levels in violation of Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1 and 2, Section 3 of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. § 14, and various state antitrust, unfair competition, consumer protection, unjust enrichment, and other laws. Keurig denies the allegations. The Court has not ruled on the merits of the claims.

Who Is A Class Member? All individuals and entities that purchased Keurig K-Cup Portion Packs in the United States and its territories, from persons other than Keurig and not for the purpose of resale, during the period September 7, 2010, to August 14, 2020 (except for claims under Mississippi —which are for purchases during the period from March 24, 2011, to August 14, 2020, and for purchases in Rhode Island —which are for purchases from July 15, 2013, to August 14, 2020) (collectively, the “Settlement Class Members”).

What Are The Terms of the Settlement? Keurig has agreed to pay $31 million into a “Settlement Fund” as described in the Stipulation of Settlement and Release (“Settlement Agreement”). The Settlement Fund will be used to pay Settlement Class Members who submit a timely and valid claim, after attorneys’ fees and costs and other expenses have been deducted. Settlement Class Members will give up certain rights to sue Keurig. Any uncashed checks or amounts remaining in the Settlement Fund after payments are made to Settlement Class Members will be distributed cy pres to Consumer Reports.

How Do You Get a Payment? Go to www.KeurigIndirectPurchaserSettlement.com to file or download the notice and a claim form. Claims must be submitted online or postmarked and mailed no later than July 15, 2021.

What Are My Other Options? If you do not want to be legally bound by the Settlement, you may send a request for exclusion no later than May 14, 2021. If you exclude yourself, you will not receive any money, but you will keep your right to sue Keurig for the claims in the Actions as specified in the Settlement Agreement. If you do not exclude yourself, you may object to the Settlement by writing to the Court explaining why you do not like the Settlement or the attorneys fees no later than May 17, 2021. You will still be bound by the Settlement if your objection is rejected. If you do nothing, you will not receive any Settlement benefits; you will be bound by the Settlement; and you will give up certain rights to sue Keurig. For details on how to opt out or object, please read the long form notice available at www.KeurigIndirectPurchaserSettlement.com.

Final Approval Hearing. The Court will hold a hearing on June 4, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern,, at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Thurgood Marshall U.S. Courthouse, 40 Foley Square, New York, NY 10007, or by telephonic or electronic means, to consider whether to approve the Settlement, attorneys’ fees, expenses, and Class Representative service awards as detailed in the Notice. You or your attorney may ask to appear and speak at the hearing at your own expense, but you don’t have to. The Final Approval Hearing date may change, so check the Settlement website regularly.

For More Information. Visit www.KeurigIndirectPurchaserSettlement.com, write Keurig Indirect Purchasers Antitrust Settlement, c/o JND Legal Administration, P.O. Box 91382, Seattle, WA 98111. or call toll-free 1-833-794-0948. Class Counsel can also be contacted at www.kaplanfox.com, www.whafh.com, www.pswlaw.com, access the court docket through the Court’s PACER System at https://ecf.nysd.uscourts.gov, or visit the office of the Clerk of the Court for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse, 500 Pearl Street, New York, NY 10007.

PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE COURT OR THE COURT CLERK’S OFFICE.

SOURCE JND Legal Administration

Blue Shield of California Expands Collaboration with Dignity Health Hospitals to Make Billing and Payment Easier for Patients, Providers

January 11, 2021

OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Blue Shield of California announced the expansion across California of its innovative program designed to transform the medical payment system into a simple, transparent, and more immediate, retail-like experience for patients and medical providers.

Blue Shield has teamed up with CommonSpirit Health (which operates Dignity Health hospitals) and software startup OODA Health to introduce the high-tech program. The group is buoyed by initial, positive results – the process makes cost share payments more streamlined, which resulted in a 92 percent satisfaction rate from patients who used it.

“Our goal is to make the medical billing process better so providers can focus on delivering care to patients that will improve their health and wellbeing,” said Shayna Schulz, senior vice president of transformation and operations at Blue Shield of California. “We are using the latest technologies and innovations to create a healthcare system that puts the people at the center of it. That is our mission as a nonprofit health plan: creating a healthcare system that is worthy of our family and friends, and sustainably affordable.”

The three organizations launched the “Member Payments” pilot program in September 2019 at two Dignity Health hospitals in Sacramento. The program, initially slated to run for 12 months, grew to include six hospitals by the end of that year.

Now, the program has expanded to 20 additional Dignity Health hospitals throughout California. For Blue Shield of California members who receive care at those facilities, they will experience a faster, more concise, and transparent billing process, including additional options on how they pay for their portion of the bill.

“We want to support our patients through the entirety of their medical journey so they can focus on their healing. This collaboration with Blue Shield of California and OODA does just that by using technology to make patient medical bills easier to understand,” said Steve Scharmann, vice president of revenue cycle at CommonSpirit Health. “An important part of caring for our patients is to ensure they have a seamless financial experience that is equal to the high-quality care they receive at our hospitals.”

The Member Payments program works this way:

Blue Shield of California members receive a consolidated, easy-to-read monthly medical bill from Blue Shield. The patient can choose a payment method for the amount owed – in full or in interest-free installments through their Flexible Spending Account card, credit card, check, or ACH direct deposit connection.
Participating healthcare providers receive help managing the financial responsibility owed by Blue Shield members, improving their financial performance, and reducing time spent on paperwork and tracking down unpaid bills.

As part of the collaboration, Blue Shield of California also has implemented new technologies to reduce manual processes and work more efficiently to help create a more consumer-friendly experience for members and providers.

Seth Cohen, co-CEO and co-founder of OODA Health, added, “We are honored to grow this collaboration to help even more patients navigate their medical bills, especially during this turbulent time. And we’re proud to streamline administration and drive tangible results for our collaborators. This expansion further proves how innovative collaboration can catalyze transformation in healthcare.”

The Member Payment program is a first step toward real-time claims settlement that will make medical billing and payment more immediate and simpler. The effort is part of Blue Shield of California’s Health Reimagined initiative, a comprehensive effort to transform the healthcare system for all.

About Blue Shield of California
Blue Shield of California strives to create a healthcare system worthy of its family and friends that is sustainably affordable. Blue Shield of California is a tax paying, nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association with over 4 million members, 6,800 employees and more than $20 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare healthcare service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $500 million to Blue Shield of California Foundation since 2002 to have an impact on California communities.

For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit news.blueshieldca.com.

Or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.

CONTACT:	Jonna Constantine
	Blue Shield of California
	510-607-2359
	[email protected]

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/810201/blue_jpg_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Blue Shield of California

Ángel Amado Pereira Márquez “Enyelove”‘s new book Pasión Abismal, a gripping unveiling of the author’s innermost fears that influenced her life

January 11, 2021

HIALEAH, Fla., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The book Pasión Abismal was created by Ángel Amado Pereira Márquez “Enyelove”. Ángel is an author who was born in the state of Mérida, in a town called Bailadores. She studied and graduated at the National Pedagogical Institute on the career of modern languages with a specialty in English.

Ángel Amado Pereira Márquez “Enyelove” said this about her book: “Fate wanted so much to dream of a series of events that they became, through writing, a narrative legend of those dream episodes. On many occasions, Ángel Amado Pereira Márquez had countless and customary insomnia. In them, she reflected the fear she felt of the dark when she was just a child—the fear of height as well as the panic suffered when dreaming that she fell from a building, a viaduct, or any elevation. All this state of affairs made her drowsy, which turned into terror, anguish, fear, and anxiety.”

Published by Page Publishing, Ángel Amado Pereira Márquez “Enyelove”‘s new book Pasión Abismal unravels the author’s deepest anxieties that birthed evoking parables that treasure pearls of wisdom for the readers to ponder upon.

Consumers who wish to partake in the book’s impassioned narrative about life, emotion, and apprehensions can purchase Pasión Abismal in any bookstore or online at Apple iTunes, Amazon.com, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries, you can contact Page Publishing, through the following number: 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional full-service publishing house that handles all of the intricacies involved in publishing its authors’ books, including distribution in the world’s largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not bogged down with complicated business issues like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and the like. Its roster of authors can leave behind these tedious, complex, and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at www.pagepublishing.com.

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SOURCE Page Publishing

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