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ISSUED #86 JULY 2019
A TENNESSEE HOSPITAL SUES ITS OWN EMPLOYEES WHEN THEY CAN’T PAY THEIR MEDICAL BILLS. Applications Now Open for the 2020 Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Awards
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FINANCIAL PROSPERITY ELUDES MANY AMERICANS DESPITE GROWING ECONOMY AND DECLINING UNEMPLOYMENT
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s the gap between the Haves and the Have-nots continues to widen, cash-strapped Americans are failing to save money, struggling with student loan debt and facing decreasing financial literacy, despite economic growth and declining unemployment over the past 10 years, according to new research from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation (FINRA Foundation). The study, “The State of U.S. Financial Capability,” finds that key indicators of financial capability are no longer improving in step with the economy. “This year marks a decade since one of the most significant financial downturns brought financial crisis and loss to millions of Americans,” said Gerri Walsh, President of the FINRA Foundation. “While we’ve seen improvements in key measures of financial capability over the years, the 2018 findings suggest we have hit a plateau — and that not all Americans have recovered at the same rate.” The nationwide survey of more than 27,000 respondents is conducted every three years and is one of the largest and most comprehensive financial capability studies in the U.S. Originally developed in 2009, it measures key indicators of financial capability and evaluates how these indicators vary with underlying demographic, behavioral, attitudinal and financial literacy characteristics — both nationwide and state-bystate. Some of the key findings from the study include: The divides between the Haves and Havenots are persisting or widening. Trends from the past four waves of the financial capability study show signs of widening or persistent gaps among certain groups on key measures of financial capability. While Americans,
as a whole, have seen their ability to cover monthly expenses and bills improve since 2009, the 2018 data show that younger Americans, those without a college degree, African-Americans and those with lower incomes are struggling financially, calling into question the improved economy’s ability to work as needed for all. Americans are not saving. Despite improvements in the ability to make ends meet, there has not been an increase in the number of Americans’ saving. Nearly half of Americans have not set aside money to cover expenses for three months. Moreover, Americans are stressed about money. More than half (53%) of those surveyed reported that just thinking about their finances makes them feel anxious. A majority of Americans have not planned for retirement. More than half of Americans (54%) have not tried to determine what they need to save for retirement, and only 58% of Americans have a retirement account, based on the survey. The study reveals a gender gap for retirement preparedness may be widening in a way that favors men. High education costs are causing buyer’s remorse for many. Among Americans with student loans, nearly half (47%) wish they had chosen a less expensive college. Among those with student debt, a similar percentage (48%) is concerned they will not be able to pay off their loans, and many did not fully understand what they were getting into when they got their loans, the survey shows. Meanwhile, late loan payments are rising. Financial literacy has declined. Only 34% of respondents could answer at least four of five basic financial literacy questions on topics such as mortgages, interest rates, inflation
and risk — compared to 42% in 2009. This drop in scores appeared most pronounced among younger Americans ages 18 – 34, who have had little exposure to high interest rates or inflation as adults. Financial education matters. Americans who have participated in a substantial amount of financial education are more likely to save and less likely to overdraw their checking accounts. Nearly half of Americans (49%) who have received more than 10 hours of financial education report spending less than they earn, compared with 36% of those people who received less than 10 hours of financial education. “The financial capability survey is an invaluable tool for researchers, policymakers and advocates to deepen our understanding of financial capability on both national and state levels,” said Walsh. “The 2018 survey’s insights underscore that a growing economy is not sufficient to improve people’s financial lives, leading us to further explore how fintech innovations, quality financial education offerings and the rise of the gig economy may impact the financial decisions and behaviors of millions of Americans.” Until Next month,
JD Harper
Black Mayors to Trump Admin: Do Not Circumvent the Supreme Court on the Census Citizenship Question
ll WASHINGTON, July 12, 2019 / PRNewswire/ -- The African American Mayors Association celebrates that the Supreme Court’s decision requiring the Department of Commerce to remove the citizenship question from the 2020
Census will not be challenged by the Trump Administration. African American mayors from across the country previously highlighted the danger of including a question like this in a letter to Commerce Secretary, Wilbur Ross; and director of the U.S. Census Bureau, Steven Dillingham. With the Trump Administration’s attempts to circumvent the Court’s ruling, AAMA cautions against any and all efforts to target vulnerable populations with citizenship data. “We were happy to know that the highest Court in the land had struck down a flagrant attempt by the Trump Administration to undermine and undercount millions of people of color making their home in our country. The
ruling reaffirmed the rule of law and the checks and balances that make our nation great,” said AAMA President, Mayor Hardie Davis, of Augusta, Georgia. “Now is the time for the Trump Administration to comply with the letter and spirit of the ruling to prevent disenfranchisement for the communities we lead.” AAMA commends the advocates who are continuing to fight for a fair and accurate census. Latinos, AfroLatinos, as well as those from the African and Asian Diasporas, deserve to have resources allocated fairly in their communities and have equitable representation in government. African American mayors will continue to fight to ensure we have an accurate census
count and that citizenship data is not used to target vulnerable populations. About AAMA The African American Mayors Association (AAMA) is the only organization exclusively representing over 500 African-American mayors across the United States. AAMA seeks to empower local leaders for the benefit of their citizens. The role of the AAMA includes taking positions on public policies that impact the vitality and sustainability of cities; providing mayors with leadership and management tools; and creating a forum for member mayors to share best practices related to municipal management.
Rep. Robin Smith To Hold Public Meeting On Impact Of Railroads On District 26 And Tennesseans
ll Tennessee Representative Robin Smith will be hosting a public meeting from 5:30-7 p.m. on Tuesday, JULY 16, 2019 in the Awaken Center
at Abba’s House, 5208 Hixson Pike. Rep. Smith is holding this meeting, which is open to the general public, to discuss the growing issues with delays and detours related to trains and other infrastructure problems in District 26 and across other communities in Tennessee. “More and more residents in District 26 and other nearby communities are encountering times where our taxpayerfunded roads are being blocked by trains for extended periods of time, some that often exceed 30 minutes,” said Rep. Smith. “I encourage the general public to attend this forum so we can have an open and honest discussion with individual representatives from various stakeholders who can address
this issue. It’s my hope that this meeting will help us take the first step to finding a short-term and long-erm solution to this issue rather than just keep talking about this problem.” In addition to Rep. Smith, the following participants have been confirmed for the public meeting: • Paul Degges, deputy commissioner and chief engineer with the Tennessee Department of Transportation • Senator Bo Watson, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee • Representative Dan Howell, chairman of the House Transportation Committee • Representative Patsy Hazlewood, vice chairman of the House Finance
Committee • Representative Esther Helton • Tim Andrews, director of Hamilton County Rail Authority • Eddie Tate, senior engineer with the Chattanooga Department of Transportation • Kevin Comstock, director of the Smart Cities Initiative with the City of Chattanooga Rep. Smith has also invited the following individuals and companies, and she hopes to confirm their attendance for this community meeting in the coming days: • CSX Transportation • Norfolk Southern • Tennessee Railroad Association
Tennessee Governor Faces Backlash for Honoring Confederate General And KKK Leader ll Tennessee’s Republican governor, Bill Lee, is facing public backlash after he declared Saturday “Nathan Bedford Forrest Day,” continuing a decades-old tradition honoring the Confederate general, slave trader and onetime leader of the Ku Klux Klan. Under state law, governors are required to recognize Forrest on July 13 as part of one of six “days of special
observance” each year. The law also calls for a “Robert E. Lee Day” on January 19, and a “Memorial Day” or “Confederate Decoration Day” on June 3. For years, opponents have been calling to change the law, citing Forrest’s history of suppression and violence towards blacks. Forrest was a general for the Confederacy during the Civil War, and led Confederate forces in the
Fort Pillow Massacre, where soldiers killed several hundred black troops after they surrendered, according to survivors’ accounts and a federal investigation. He was also a prominent slave owner and the first Grand Wizard of the KKK. The proclamation, which Gov. Lee signed on Wednesday, identifies Forrest as a “recognized military figure in American history.”
Nashville Mayor David Briley, a Democrat, urged lawmakers to repeal the law, tweeting, “Nathan Bedford Forrest was a slave owner and a racist, and no law should force us to honor him.”
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University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Awared DENSO Foundation STEM Education Grant
SS SOUTHFIELD, Mich., June 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- DENSO, the world’s second largest mobility supplier, announced today it awarded more than $1 million in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education grants to 26 colleges and universities across North America. The grants are made possible by DENSO’s philanthropic division, DENSO North America Foundation (DNAF), and support the company’s mission to help cultivate tomorrow’s workforce. These donations deliver critical funds to programs that will help expose students to the rewarding careers available in automotive and manufacturing and prepare them to lead in fast-evolving fields. “To achieve our 2030 goal of creating and inspiring new value for the future of mobility, we need to be inspiring our next generation of employees,” said Jack Helmboldt, president of DNAF. “By awarding grants to these educational institutions, we’re equipping students – and possible future DENSO employees – with
opportunities, skills, and knowledge that will help create a generation of innovators poised to transform the mobility industry.” Grants will be used towards programs focused on design, materials management, mechanical and electrical engineering principles, thermodynamics, robotics and more. DENSO hopes these funds will help cultivate and encourage a new generation of engineers and skilled workers. Recipients of this year’s grants include: Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University Arkansas State University Auburn University California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Cleveland State Community College Conestoga College FIME Jackson State University Kennesaw State University Kettering University Lawrence Technological University
Pellissippi State Community College Southeast Missouri State University TecMilenio University Tennessee Technological University University of Michigan-Dearborn University of Alabama University of Alabama-Huntsville University of Tennessee University of Tennessee-Chattanooga “DENSO is highly focused on developing software and products that not only enhance safety but reduce environmental impact,” said Bill Foy, senior vice president of Engineering at DENSO and a DENSO North American Foundation board member. “To do this, we will equip potential future employees with the skills to create these kinds of products. By investing in tomorrow’s workforce, we’re investing in DENSO’s future.” DNAF has supported STEM education through grants at colleges and universities since 2001, enabling students to access tools, technology and experiences that better prepare them for technical careers after
graduation. DENSO education grant proposals are invite-only and evaluated based on technical merit, student experience and alignment with industry needs. DENSO is looking to hire new talent across North America as it continues its pursuit to shape and improve future mobility solutions for all. Positions are available in a variety of roles, business units and locations. Those interested can apply at www. densocareers.com. DENSO is a $48.3 billion global mobility supplier that develops advanced technology and components for nearly every vehicle make and model on the road today. With manufacturing at its core, DENSO invests in its 221 facilities in 35 countries to produce thermal, powertrain, mobility, electrification, & electronic systems, to create jobs that directly change how the world moves. The company’s 170,000+ employees are paving the way to a mobility future that improves lives, eliminates traffic accidents, and preserves the environment. Globally headquartered in Kariya, Japan, DENSO spent 9.3 percent of its global consolidated sales on research and development in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019.
Applications Now Open for the 2020 Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Awards LOS ANGELES, July 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Calling all small to mid-sized towns and cities across America: show us how you’ll transform an underused public space through the power of free, live music! Now in its sixth year, the Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Awards is an exciting matching grant opportunity created by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, a pioneer in the creative placemaking movement. Nonprofits serving small to mid-sized towns and cities will receive $25K each in matching funds to produce their own Levitt AMP [Your City] Music Series—an outdoor, free concert series featuring a diverse lineup of high caliber entertainment. And just like in previous years, the public will decide the Top 25 finalists through an online voting process taking place this November. So get ready to rally your family, friends, colleagues and neighbors to vote and bring free, live music to your community! “We’re thrilled to once again bring the joy of Levitt to more towns and cities across America,” says Sharon Yazowski, executive director of the Levitt Foundation. “Levitt concerts create a shared sense of community and connectedness that is needed now more than ever. We’ve seen how past Levitt AMP winners are making a meaningful impact in their communities, creating welcoming gathering spaces that attract people of all ages and backgrounds.” The Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Awards is an annual creative placemaking grants competition to activate underused public spaces through free concerts. Since 2015, the Levitt Foundation has awarded $1.8 million total to 33 communities across America through the Levitt AMP grant program. The acronym “AMP” speaks to the goals of the program: Amplify community pride and the
city’s unique character Enrich lives through the power of free, live Music Illustrate the importance of vibrant public Places While Levitt’s celebrated program of permanent outdoor music venues, each presenting 50+ free concerts annually, is tailored to large metro areas with populations of over 400,000 (due to financial sustainability and audience development considerations), the Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Awards are specifically designed to meet the needs and capacity of small to mid-sized towns and cities, with each Levitt AMP winner presenting 10 free outdoor concerts. 2019 winners included 14 returning Levitt AMP grantees*, and four new grantees: Berea Arts Council, Berea, KY* Brewery Arts Center, Carson City, NV* RISE, Chattanooga, TN* Earlham Chicks with Checks, Earlham, Iowa Galva Arts Council, Galva, IL* On Broadway, Green Bay, WI Middlesboro Main Street,
Middlesboro, KY* Marion Cultural Alliance, Ocala, FL* AMP Concerts, Santa Fe, NM* John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI* Vision Soldotna, Soldotna, AK Downtown Springfield Heritage Foundation, Springfield, IL Catamount Arts, St. Johnsbury, VT* Create Portage County, Stevens Point, WI* Trenton Downtown Association, Trenton, NJ* Utica Monday Nite, Utica, NY* Cowan Community Center, Whitesburg, KY* NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley, Woonsocket, RI* Past winners are eligible to reapply for a 2020 Levitt AMP grant. Since these are matching grants, each applicant must secure a dollar for dollar match of $25K from other sources such as foundations, businesses, municipalities, individual donors, etc. Up to half of the matching requirement may
be in-kind, such as donated sound equipment or contributed marketing. Yazowski says the matching grant requirement reflects the Foundation’s overall commitment that Levitt projects be “community-driven with local support.” In addition to the monetary award, Levitt AMP grant recipients receive the Levitt AMP Toolkit containing valuable resources to help them effectively produce their concert series. The most competitive submissions will depend upon a variety of factors, including: The characteristics of the public space where the free concert series is to be presented—preference will be given to spaces that are easily accessible to a range of socioeconomic groups. A programming philosophy that is inclusive, family-friendly and represents a wide range of music genres. Outreach strategies that are inclusive of all members of the community. A proven track record presenting professional quality concerts or community events, or partnering with an individual or organization that has done so. Online applications are due September 20. Learn more and view the 2019 Levitt AMP Music Series, currently underway: levittamp.org. Online public voting will determine the Top 25 finalists in November. The Levitt Foundation will then review the Top 25 applications in December and the 2020 Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Awards winners will be announced December 20, 2019.
LOW-WAGE WORKERS ARE BEING SUED FOR UNPAID MEDICAL BILLS BY A NONPROFIT CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL THAT EMPLOYS THEM MEMPHIS, Tennessee — Nonprofit hospitals pay virtually no local, state or federal income tax. In return, they provide community benefits, including charity care to low-income patients. In Memphis, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare has brought 8,300 lawsuits for unpaid medical bills in just five years. Methodist runs six hospitals in Memphis, making it the largest health provider in the city. The nonprofit, which made $86 million after expenses in 2018, filed more than 8,300 lawsuits for unpaid medical bills from 2014 to 2018. Methodist also owns its own collection agency to pursue debtors, who are often low-income patients and even employees of the hospital. This year, a Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare housekeeper left her job just three hours into her shift and caught a bus to Shelby County General Sessions Court. Wearing her black and gray uniform, she had a different kind of appointment with her employer: The hospital was suing her for unpaid medical bills. In 2017, the nonprofit hospital system based in Memphis sued the woman for the cost of hospital stays to treat chronic abdominal pain she experienced before the hospital hired her. She now owes Methodist more than $23,000, including around $5,800 in attorney’s fees.
It’s surreal, she said, to be sued by the organization that pays her $12.25 an hour. “You know how much you pay me. And the money you’re paying, I can’t live on,” said the housekeeper, who asked that her name not be used for fear that the hospital would fire her for talking to a reporter. From 2014 through 2018, the hospital system affiliated with the United Methodist Church has filed more than 8,300 lawsuits against patients, including its own workers. After winning judgments, it has sought to garnish the wages of more than 160 Methodist workers and has actually done so in more than 70 instances over that time, according to an MLK50-ProPublica analysis of Shelby County General Sessions Court records, online docket reports and case files. Some of the debts were accrued while the employees worked at Methodist; others predated their time there. The figures do not include debts incurred by onetime Methodist employees who have since moved on. Between January and mid-June, a reporter observed more than a dozen Methodist employees in court to defend themselves in suits brought by the hospital over hospital bills. That includes a Methodist Le Bonheur employee who owes more than $1,200. In January, she proposed
paying $100 a month, even though her sworn affidavit listed monthly expenses that exceeded her $1,650 monthly income. After conferring with an attorney for Methodist, Judge Betty Thomas Moore agreed to the worker’s proposal, but she has already missed a payment. A few weeks later, a Methodist employee appeared for an initial hearing wearing hospital scrubs. The hospital had sued her for more than $4,000. When she left the courtroom, she was annoyed. Her employer knew where she worked, she said, and should have contacted her before suing her. “I don’t know why they can’t come upstairs,” she said outside the courtroom. And in May, an employee who has worked for Methodist for more than four years carried a large envelope full of bills with her into the courtroom. She owed more than $5,400, which included a 2017 hospital charge from the newborn unit. That is the same year that her daughter was born, according to her sworn affidavit, which also listed a checking account balance of less than $4. She offered to pay $10 biweekly, or $20 most months, but Methodist’s attorney wanted $200 per month. The judge ordered her to pay $100 per month.
An expert in hospital billing practices said that if the hospital is suing a fair number of its own employees, it’s time to look both at the insurance provided to workers and the pay scale. “One would hope that if this is an action being taken against a significant amount of employees, the hospital would look at the insurance they provide workers,” said Mark Rukavina, an expert in nonprofit hospitals and a manager at Community Catalyst, a health care advocacy organization. Methodist declined requests for an interview. It did not respond to specific written questions about the lawsuits it files against its workers or about how its policies reflect the values of the United Methodist Church. Instead, in a statement, it said it is committed to working with patients who are having trouble paying their medical bills. “As the second largest private employer in Shelby County, we recognize the responsibility we have as an organization to contribute to the success of the diverse communities we serve and are purposeful about creating jobs in our community — intentionally choosing to keep services like printing, laundry and others in-house that are typically outsourced by the healthcare industry,” the hospital said. Methodist also declined to answer a question about whether it has any policy that prohibits employees being sued by Methodist from talking to a reporter about the lawsuits filed against them by the hospital. Employer and Legal Adversary On a single January day, there were 10 defendants on the docket whose place of employment was listed in court records as Methodist. Employees in scrubs sat just feet away from the attorneys in dress suits whom their employer hired to sue them. The hospital’s role as a tax-exempt organization that both employs the defendants and is suing them went unremarked upon by judges, attorneys and the defendants themselves. Methodist’s financial assistance policy stands out from peers in Memphis and across the country, MLK50 and ProPublica found. The policy offers no assistance for patients with any form of health insurance, no matter their out-of-pocket costs. Under Methodist’s insurance plan, employees are responsible for a $750 individual deductible and then 20% of inpatient and outpatient costs, up to a maximum out-of-pocket cost of $4,100 per year. The Nonprofit Hospital That Makes Millions, Owns a Collection Agency and Relentlessly Sues the Poor In Memphis, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare has brought 8,300 lawsuits for unpaid medical bills in just five years. The housekeeper’s story is documented in Shelby County General Sessions Court records, including online docket reports and online payment history. A reporter interviewed the housekeeper multiple times in person and on the phone. The employee gave the reporter six years of itemized Methodist hospital bills, her credit report and other past-due medical bills. Most of her debts were incurred before she started working at Methodist. Five times between 2012 and 2014, she visited the hospital for stomach problems, according to the itemized bills. (Years later, she had surgery to treat diverticulitis.) At those times, she had insurance through
her job at a hotel, where she cleaned rooms for $10.66 an hour. After insurance paid its share, she owed just over $17,500. In 2015, the housekeeper left the hotel job and lost her insurance. Three times that year she went to Methodist’s ER, but since she was uninsured and had little income, she qualified for financial assistance. Methodist wrote off more than $45,000 in hospital bills. In a statement, Methodist said it gives an automatic 70% discount to uninsured patients and free care to uninsured patients at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. For a single adult with two dependents, that would be just over $26,600. Uninsured patients who earn more than that, but less than twice the poverty limit, are also eligible for discounts, it said. In 2016, unable to find work, the housekeeper left Memphis. For more than a year, she said, she and her son were homeless, bouncing between relatives in Chicago, where she was born, and Texas. But she missed her daughter and grandchildren in Memphis, so in 2017, she returned. In August 2017, Methodist sued her for the bills she accumulated when she was insured years earlier. Later that month, she was hired at a Methodist hospital, starting at $11.95 an hour. The hospital’s collections agency, which it owns, didn’t have her correct address and was unable to serve notice that she had been sued, but last year, Methodist tried again. This time, it had the right address. In November, a process server handed her the civil warrant at her South Memphis apartment. At the process server’s recommendation, she called the hospital’s collection agency and offered to pay $50 every two weeks. “But they said it wasn’t enough,” she recalled. “I would just have to go to court. They said I’d be owing them all my life,” she recalled. In a sworn affidavit filed with the court this year, the housekeeper listed her dependents as a grandson and her 27-year-old son, who she said has bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. She told the court she earned $16,000 in 2017, which puts her more than $4,000 below that year’s federal poverty level for a family of three. (Because she had insurance, though, she was ineligible for assistance under the hospital’s policy.) A man who had a court hearing regarding an unpaid bill to Methodist University Hospital holds the paperwork he received. (Andrea Morales for MLK50) Fred Morton, a retired Methodist minister in Memphis, said he was surprised to learn that Methodist is suing its own employees. “The employees should be paid an adequate minimum wage at the very least,” he said. “Certainly they should not be predatory to their own employees on medical bills. That’s very much contrary to Scripture.” He said that Methodist bishops who serve on its board bear responsibility for reminding it of the denomination’s values. “It’s a matter of the church pushing on its own,” Morton said. Three United Methodist Church bishops serve on the hospital’s board. Bishop Gary Mueller’s office referred a reporter to Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare’s communications office. Bishop Bill McAilly declined to comment. Bishop James E. Swanson did not respond to multiple requests for comment. When the housekeeper appeared before a General Sessions Court judge this year, she’d filed a motion
offering to pay $50 biweekly, or $100 in most months. When the hospital’s attorney asked for a $200 per month, she was stunned. “This is my only job, this is my only income, so how am I supposed to live?” she remembered thinking. Nervous that the judge would side with the hospital, the housekeeper made another offer. “I could do $75 every two weeks,” she said quickly. The attorney agreed and the judge signed the order. Being an employee and defendant is “really kind of sad,” the housekeeper said. Asked how she manages to make ends meet, she says she doesn’t. “It’s killing me, killing me softly,” she said. She said she didn’t reach out to the hospital’s payroll department or a manager about the hospital bills she’s being sued for. “They don’t care about that. … That I do know.” “I Don’t Want to Be Homeless Again” Part of what makes paying medical bills so hard for some Methodist employees is that their wages are low, lagging behind several other large employers in the Memphis market. In December, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital announced it was raising its minimum pay for full and part-time workers to $15 an hour. St. Jude’s decision followed a similar commitment by the Shelby County government, Shelby County Schools and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee. At Methodist, which operates five hospitals in Shelby County, the lowest-paid employees make $10 an hour and about 18% of workers make less than $15 an hour, the hospital reported in response to MLK50’s 2018 Living Wage Survey. As recently as 2017, the Greater Memphis Chamber advertised on its website that the city offered a workforce at “wage rates that are lower than most other parts of the country.” The United Methodist Church’s Social Principles, which state the denomination’s position on everything from climate change to the death penalty, speak directly to what employees should earn. “Every person has the right to a job at a living wage,” it states. This Memphis Hospital System Flouts IRS Rules by Not Publicly Posting Financial Assistance Policies Nonprofit hospitals must post financial assistance policies for the public to see, including in emergency rooms. But Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare’s five Shelby County emergency rooms had no signs or displays when a reporter checked. The Living Wage Model statement on the church’s website says, “Exploitation or underpayment of workers is incompatible with Christ’s commandment to love our neighbor.” Methodist, which made Forbes’ 2019 list of Best Employers by State, did not answer specific questions about pay for employees. On its website, it says, “It is the policy of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare to pay its employees competitive, market-based wages.” Neither Methodist, nonprofit Baptist Memorial Healthcare or Regional One, the public hospital, pay all their employees at least $15 an hour. Even that figure would make it impossible to make ends meet for an employee trying alone to support a household with dependents, according to MIT’s Living Wage Calculator and another created by the Economic Policy Institute, both of which take into account local living expenses.
Helen Ross McNabb Center, University of Tennessee Medical Center and the United Health Foundation to Expand Access to Substance Abuse Treatment Services in Eastern Tennessee By Rebekah Barber Contributing Writer KNOXVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To help thousands of Tennesseans and their families fight substance abuse and addiction, Helen Ross McNabb Center, The University of Tennessee Medical Center and the United Health Foundation are partnering to expand access to care providers and behavioral health services throughout East Tennessee. A three-year, $1.05 million grant from the United Health Foundation to Helen Ross McNabb Center will help expand The University of Tennessee’s Medical Center’s Emergency Room Substance Misuse Harm Reduction and Engagement Program. “Every day we see the devastating effects of substance abuse and addiction on East Tennesseans,” said Jerry Vagnier, president/CEO of the Helen Ross McNabb Center. “We are grateful to have a partner like the United Health Foundation to help us expand the reach of our resources and services to meet the needs of our neighbors and their families. Together we will improve the lives of the people we serve.” According to America’s Health Rankings, Tennessee ranks 38th in drug related deaths – with a rate of 22
per 100,000 in 2018. The drug-related death rate in Tennessee has nearly doubled over the previous 12 years. Funding Supports Hiring of Peer Support Specialists, Expansion of Behavioral Services and Education The three-year grant partnership will support Helen Ross McNabb Center’s mission by: educating people seeking care at UT Medical Center’s Emergency Room about available resources and services to help address their substance abuse/addiction, particularly individuals addicted to opioids; engaging more than 250
patients per year, with the goal of 100 of these patients accepting a referral to outpatient, residential or other treatment options per year; and, hiring addiction and peer support specialists to work within the emergency department to directly engage patients with needed resources and support. “The United Health Foundation has built a critical partnership with the McNabb Center and the University of Tennessee Medical Center to provide resources for substance abuse addiction,” said Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. “These efforts provide muchneeded support in the fight against the
opioid crisis and will do significant work in creating pathways to healing.” “We’ve worked very hard to provide optimal care for those in our community who seek treatment at the medical center for medical issues associated with opioid and substance use, but we know the problem of addiction remains after we’ve treated a patient’s medical issue,” said Dr. James Shamiyeh, senior vice president and chief quality officer at The University of Tennessee Medical Center. “We are proud this joint effort with the United Health Foundation and the Helen Ross McNabb Center will bring much-needed onsite and ongoing education, as well as treatment, to help many in our community work to overcome their addiction to opioids and other substances.” “Helen Ross McNabb Center and The University of Tennessee Medical Center work every day to help people fight substance abuse and addiction, and we are honored to partner with them in their efforts,” said Heather Cianfrocco, United Health Foundation board member and CEO of UnitedHealthcare Community & State. “Through this partnership, we are helping to expand access to mental and behavioral health services that are critical to helping build healthier communities in East Tennessee.”
BlueCross Healthy Place Program Accepting Proposals CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.-(BUSINESS WIRE)--The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation will begin accepting proposals for BlueCross Healthy Place projects on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019. Interested parties can submit proposals for 2020 funding through Saturday, Aug. 31. All proposals must be submitted through the foundation’s online portal. The BlueCross Healthy Place program supports the wellbeing of Tennesseans by creating active, healthy spaces in both urban and rural areas across the state. These spaces provide places for neighbors to connect, develop relationships and strengthen bonds that form the backbone of communities.
Through the program, the BlueCross Foundation works with both government entities and nonprofit partners to develop and revitalize public spaces. Each year, the foundation will award up to $7.5 million to fund BlueCross Healthy Place projects across the state. To qualify for funding, spaces will need to be free and open to the public, and proposed projects must demonstrate a community benefit and include community input. Applicants must provide evidence of land ownership and community engagement. Additional eligibility requirements are available on the project website. “Public spaces have the power to bring people together, strengthen
community ties and improve the overall wellbeing of Tennesseans,” says Scott Wilson, director of community relations and BlueCross foundation. “We look forward to creating and enhancing these spaces throughout the state in the coming years.” Work is underway on two 2019 BlueCross Healthy Place projects: the BlueCross Healthy Place at Huntland City Park and the BlueCross Healthy Place at Highland Park in Chattanooga. The first project under the program, the BlueCross Healthy Place at David Carnes Park in Memphis, will celebrate its grand opening soon. To apply for 2020 funding from the BlueCross Healthy Place program, please visit www.
bluecrosshealthyplaces.com. For questions or additional information, contact bluecrosshealthyplaces@bcbst. com.
Unity Group “Highly Concerned” About Incident Of Alleged Excessive Force ll CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Unity Group members said they are “highly concerned” about alleged excessive force used by two county deputies in a drug arrest of a black citizen. Officials said, “The Unity Group is highly concerned about video that has surfaced which displays the unlawful apprehension of two community members. This incident went far beyond the basic procedural parameters defined in section 40-7-103 (Grounds for arrest by officer without warrant), or those which delineate the proper procedures for conducting a strip search in 40-7-119. “This incident was a direct violation of constitutional and civil rights. In addition, Tennessee Annotated Code 40-7-121 specifies in section B: “No person shall be subjected to a body cavity search by a law enforcement officer or by another person acting under the direction, supervision or authority of a law enforcement officer unless the search is conducted pursuant to a search warrant issued in accordance with Rule 41 of the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure.” “Further, the Constitution of the United States clearly conveys in the 4th Amendment which prohibits unlawful Search and Seizures that, “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated.” “There are also 14th Amendment concerns such as the lack of Due Process and Equal Protection under the law. In fact, just a month ago, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in Campbell v. Mack (2019), issued a decision which denied qualified immunity to a law enforcement officer who engaged in unlawful search and seizure. Correspondingly, the International Association of Chiefs of Police has described use of force as the “amount of effort required by police to compel compliance by an unwilling subject” Likewise, the National Institute of Justice has stated, “Law enforcement officers should use only the amount of force necessary to mitigate an incident, make an arrest, or protect themselves or others from harm. The levels, or continuum, of force police use include basic verbal and physical restraint, lesslethal force, and lethal force.”
“The Advancement Project in, “The Change We Need,” notes that 5 issues should be part of efforts to reform policing in our local communities. Accountability and Transparency because of lack of trust, systemic failures to adequately address community issues and accountability systems should be directed by the communities that police departments are supposed to protect and serve. “Transparency includes, “Improved data collection and reporting practices are necessary to expose interactions with law enforcement and as a tool of accountability. There is no federal database tracking the number of people killed by law enforcement, use of force, or stop-and-frisks.” They note that, “Many local departments do not keep this important data either,” and that, “Departments should collect and release this data to the public annually.” “The Advancement Project also summaries that other issues that should be a part of reforming policing includes banning: (2) excessive use of force; (3) discriminatory stop and frisk policies and practices; (4) broken windows policing; (5) and inadequate training. “Similarly, in March 2019, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights began a new campaign, “New Era of Public Safety,” which is aimed at increasing “trust, fairness, justice, and mutual respect between police departments and the communities they serve.” The recommendations from this report include: End “broken windows policing” and other models that emphasize quantity over quality. Maintain and optimize a range of community partnerships. Tailor policing strategies to meet the needs of specific neighborhoods. Encourage communities to participate in the development and delivery of community policing training. Ensure officers inform community members of their rights to refuse or revoke consent and to document it. Develop stand-alone policies for fair and objective interactions with specific groups. Collect, analyze, and publicly report data relating to bias-based policing. “The unlawful use of excessive force by law enforcement officers can no longer be sustained in our
community. The lack of accountability and transparency eviscerates public trust between law enforcement and the communities they are sworn to protect and serve. As the ACLU notes, “Police should use force only when unavoidable and to the extent necessary. Police training, policies and equipment should emphasize avoidance of force and de-escalation rather than condoning excessive use of force.” We will continue to work with the many stakeholders, community members, and city elected and appointed officials to address concerns about the use of force as a part of current landscape of policing. “Further, we call for a full independent and impartial investigation that is transparent and accountable
which includes the abstention of qualified immunity for any and all parties who acted outside of acceptable and lawful practices. We call for the HCSD to uphold the Standards of Conduct. “We call for the legal and constructional rights of all persons to be upheld. We call for a change in the culture of law enforcement and policing that recognizes this incident, like Ferguson, Baltimore and others that have surfaced across the nation, serves to necessitate a full and immediate change in the culture of policing.”
Atlanta Tech Village Congratulates Spring ‘It Takes a Village’ PreAccelerator Cohort
ll ATLANTA, -- Atlanta Tech Village (the Village), America’s fourthlargest tech hub, is excited to announce its third graduating class from its „It Takes A Village” pre-accelerator program. The four-month program helps diverse founders hurdle the obstacles preventing them from getting to the next level by providing space to work with like-minded individuals, advice from seasoned professionals and educational workshops to strengthen skills. Manifesting Diversity & Inclusion It Takes A Village is Atlanta Tech
Village’s diversity and inclusion initiative that emphasizes the importance of supporting diverse perspectives and inclusive work environments in technology. Launched in 2018, the program operates on the belief that a community with different skill sets, backgrounds and cultures is needed to produce the most productive and innovative companies. Additionally, the initiative prepares participating startups for milestones that include admission into an accelerator program, seed investment and pilots. “We launched the It Takes A Village program to give early-stage startups led by women and people of color the opportunity to gain direct access to community, education, mentorship and capital at no cost or equity exchange to them,” notes Karen Houghton, vice president of Atlanta Tech Village. “This was an incredibly strong cohort of founders that have now become part of the Village family. The program now has a combined $450,000-plus raised
in seed investments and $1.8 million generated in revenue with this third cohort. We are so proud to know all of these founders and look forward to celebrating their continued progress.” Graduating 2019 Spring “It Takes A Village” founders include: Construwise – Dana James ScrapSports – Niesha Butler Activvely – Stefanie Jewett Spirit – Connor Ford Omodé – Justina Olatunde-Davis SweatPack – Umama Kibria Musicbuk – Dumarkus Davis Click-A-Shift – Ariam Sium Smart Convos Inc. – Danielle Major The It Takes A Village Scholarship This year, the Village welcomes a new partner of the graduation. Audi will sponsor a full-year scholarship at the Village valued at more than $3,500 for the winner of the live-vote crowdfavorite pitch at spring graduation – Umama Kibria, founder of SweatPack. Applications are now open for the It Takes A Village pre-accelerator program
2019 fall cohort. Learn more and apply here: https://atlantatechvillage.com/ programs/pre-accelerator-program/. About Atlanta Tech Village Atlanta Tech Village (the Village) is a community of technology innovation powered by a 103,000-square-foot office building in the heart of Buckhead dedicated to fostering the growth of new, disruptive technology startups. As one of the fastest-growing technology startup centers and co-working communities in the Southeast and the fourth-largest in the United States, the Village is dedicated to fostering innovation, encouraging collaboration and driving economic development in the Atlanta community and beyond.
Memphis-Area Rapper, Mr. Macnificent, Captures Attention From Music Executives and BET NETWORKS! ll MEMPHIS, Tenn., - Mr. Macnificent, a Memphis-area rapper with a growing global following and well-known record, How It Feel, has captured the attention of Block Entertainment and BET NETWORKS, two of the biggest names in the industry! Block Entertainment, is the worldwide entertainment powerhouse brand spanning over 20 years. Jump starting the careers of Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Ciara and more. His latest EP, Most Wanted, has captured the attention of fans around the globe. Music Executives within the music industry continue to rave about his hip-hop and rap ingenuity and lyrical style, as several notable critics and artists such as, Jazzy Pha and 8Ball, describe his musical performances as „one of a kind.” Mr. Macnificent has continued to rise in popularity with hit singles like „Kush” and „How It Feel,” all now available for streaming on key digital platforms. Fast-forwarding to sharing the same studio and recording with Tokyo Vanity, and Just Brittany. With upcoming press engagements, including a recent interview with Allhiphop, Mr. Macnificent
In attention to this latest EP Most Wanted, Mr. Macnificent finished filming a movie last year with Columbus Short,coming out in the coming year; launching his career in the television and film industry, and continues to pursue the release of his own clothing line later this year. Jerry Miller, known as Mr. Macnificent, was born and raised in the town of Memphis, Tennessee. Currently living in Detroit-Lanta, a geographical area between Detroit and Atlanta, Mr. Macnificent is a music artist with whit and rhyme. From the infamous „Chain on Ice” video, Mac broke out with 100,00 views in less than a week on YouTube and captured the attention of fans and industry leaders. For more information, please visit macnificentlifestyle.com or @mrmacnificent74 on social media platform Instagram. continues to share his latest projects in music, acting, and business, as well as his personal story. With a lifetime of experience under his belt, Mac’s skills and talents have not gone unnoticed, even in the infancy of his career when
he played a behind-the-scenes role managing artists like the late Young Greatness, whose 2015 hits earned national attention, and Jazzy Pha, as well as other industry icons such as 8Ball & MJG Bonecrusher.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY/LEGAL Want to Do Business with your Local Government? REQUEST FOR BIDS
Sealed Bids in duplicate will be received by the City of Chattanooga, Purchasing Department Suite G13 City Hall. Chattanooga, Tennessee until July 9, 2019 Time_2:00 P. M._ for the Contract of: Contract for: Mercury Verado 250hp Marine Engine Parts & Installation Bid forms and additional specifications may be obtained by contacting the Purchasing department G13 City Hall 101 E 11th Street, Chattanooga TN. The City of Chattanooga, at its discretion, may not open a single bid. The City of Chattanooga reserves the right to reject any and/or all bids received, Waive any informalities in the bids, and to accept any bid which in its opinion May be the best interest of the city. The City of Chattanooga will be non-discriminatory in the purchase of all goods and services on the basis of race, color, or natural origin. City of Chattanooga Mark McKeelBuyer/ Purchasing20190628
Legal Notice
Sealed Bids in Duplicate will be received by the City of Chattanooga Purchasing Department, 101 East 11th Street, Suite G-13, Chattanooga, Tennessee until July 9, 2019. Time_2:00 P. M. Req: #185432 At that time Bids will be publicly opened and read for: Commercial Food Services/SFSP & CACFP Programs Twelve (12) Month Blanket Contract For Commercial Food Services With The Option To Renew Two (2) Additional Years. Bid forms and additional specifications may be obtained by contacting the Purchasing Department. The City of Chattanooga, at its discretion, may not open a single bid. The City of Chattanooga reserves the right to reject any and/or all bids received, waive any informalities in the bids received, and to accept any bid that, in its opinion may be for the best interest of the city. The City of Chattanooga will be non-discriminatory in the purchase of all goods and services on the basis of race, color, or natural origin. City of Chattanooga Dedra Partridge Buyer 20190624
REQUEST FOR BIDS
Sealed Bids in duplicate will be received by the City of Chattanooga, Purchasing Department Suite G13 City Hall. Chattanooga, Tennessee until July 9, 2019Time_2:00 P. M._ for the Contract of: Contract for: Environmental Services Bid forms and additional specifications may be obtained by contacting the Purchasing department G13 City Hall 101 E 11th Street, Chattanooga TN. The City of Chattanooga, at its discretion, may not open a single bid. The City of Chattanooga reserves the right to reject any and/or all bids received, Waive any informalities in the bids, and to accept any bid which in its opinion May be the best interest of the city. The City of Chattanooga will be nondiscriminatory in the purchase of all goods And services on the basis of race, color, or natural origin. City of Chattanooga Amanda Berkowitz Buyer/Purchasing20190624 REQUEST FOR BIDS Sealed Bids in duplicate will be received by the City of Chattanooga, Purchasing
Department Suite G13 City Hall. Chattanooga, Tennessee until July 11, 2019Time_2:00 P. M._ for the Contract of: Contract for: Road Plating Services Bid forms and additional specifications may be obtained by contacting the Purchasing department G13 City Hall 101 E 11th Street, Chattanooga TN. The City of Chattanooga, at its discretion, may not open a single bid. The City of Chattanooga reserves the right to reject any and/or all bids received, Waive any informalities in the bids, and to accept any bid which in its opinion May be the best interest of the city. The City of Chattanooga will be non-discriminatory in the purchase of all goods And services on the basis of race, color, or natural origin. City of Chattanooga Amanda Berkowitz Buyer/ Purchasing20190701
Public Notice of Meetings Committee Meetings and Regular Meetings
Hamilton County Board of Commissioners Hamilton County, Tennessee Pursuant to TCA 8-44-103, public meetings of the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners and Commission Committees will be held, and will transact such business as may lawfully come before them. Wednesday, July 10, 2019, 9:30 AM, Recessed Meeting. Wednesday, July 10, 2019, 9:30 AM, 9:30 AM, Agenda Preparation Session. Wednesday, July 17, 2019, 9:30 AM, Regular Meeting. Committee Meetings Board of Commissioners Committees may meet prior to said meetings at 8:30 AM and/or immediately following said meetings. Meeting Locations: Regular and Agenda meetings, Courthouse, Room 402, 625 Georgia Avenue, Chattanooga, Tennessee Committees, 8:30 AM meetings, County Commission Office, Room 401, County Courthouse. Committees, after Regular meetings, Commission Conference room adjacent to Room 402, County Courthouse. To discuss auxiliary aids or services needed to facilitate participation, those with disabilities may contact the ADA Coordinator, Joseph Brellenth in, 317 Oak Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee, 37403, (423) 209-6135 or josephb@hamiltontn.gov. Hearing impaired callers may use the Tennessee Relay Service, (800) 848-0298 or (423) 209-6131. W.F. (Bill) Knowles County Clerk June 28, 2019 Mor20297
PUBLIC NOTICE OF MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CHATTANOOGA AREA REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY AND THE CHATTANOOGA PARKING AUTHORITY Take notice pursuant to Chapter 442, Tennessee Public Acts of 1974, the Sunshine Law, that the regular board meeting of the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation
Authority and the Chattanooga Parking Authority will convene and meet in open session on Thursday morning, July 18, 2019, at 10:00 a.m., in the Tom Dugan Conference Room, 1617 Wilcox Boulevard, Chattanooga, Tennessee, where and at which time and place said Board of Directors will transact such public business as may lawfully come before it. John Bilderback Chairman CARTA Board of Directors20190714
REQUEST FOR BIDS Sealed Bids in triplicate will be received by the City of Chattanooga,
Purchasing Department Suite G13 City Hall. Chattanooga, Tennessee until July 24, 2019 Time_2:00 P. M._ for the Contract of: Contract for: Pest & Rodent Control Services Pre-Bid Conference will be conducted on July 17, 2019 at 10:00 AM at City Hall, Purchasing Conference Room, 101 East 11th Street, Suite G13, Chattanooga, TN 37402 Bid forms and additional specifications may be obtained by contacting the Purchasing department G13 City Hall 101 E 11th Street, Chattanooga TN.The City of Chattanooga, at its discretion, may not open a single bid. The City of Chattanooga reserves the right to reject any and/or all bids received, Waive any informalities in the bids, and to accept any bid which in its opinion May be the best interest of the city. The City of Chattanooga will be non-discriminatory in the purchase of all goods And services on the basis of race, color, or natural origin.City of Chattanooga Mark McKeel Buyer/Purchasing20190715
REQUEST FOR BIDS
Sealed Bids in duplicate will be received by the City of Chattanooga, Purchasing Department Suite G13 City Hall. Chattanooga, Tennessee until July 25, 2019Time__2:00 P. M._ for the Contract of: Contract for: Moyno Pump Parts Bid forms and additional specifications may be obtained by contacting the Purchasing department G13 City Hall 101 E 11th Street, Chattanooga TN. The City of Chattanooga, at its discretion, may not open a single bid. The City of Chattanooga reserves the right to reject any and/or all bids received, Waive any informalities in the bids, and to accept any bid which in its opinion May be the best interest of the city. The City of Chattanooga will be non-discriminatory in the purchase of all goods And services on the basis of race, color, or natural origin.City of Chattanooga Amanda Berkowitz Buyer/ Purchasing20190711
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE FOR THE CREATION OF A BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT Take notice, pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 7 Consolidated Governments and Local Governmental Functions and Entities, Special Districts, Chapter 84 Central Business Improvement District Act of 1990, Part 5, Section 7-84-514, the Chattanooga City Council will hold a public hearing on July 30, 2019, at 6:00 p.m., local time, in the
City Council Assembly Room, City Council Building, located at 1000 Lindsay Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402, to discuss the creation of a business improvement district to be located in District 7 and part of District 8, City of Chattanooga, based upon a resolution of the City Council pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated ยง 7-84-511(2) to be known as the Downtown Central Business Improvement District. The District shall include the following boundaries or territory: A portion of Downtown Chattanooga bounded roughly by the Tennessee River to the North, US-27 to the West, 11th Street to the South, and primarily Cherry Street and Georgia Avenue to the East. The boundary shall extend through the centerline of 11th Street, Cherry Street, Georgia Avenue. The District will promote the successful and continued revitalization of Downtown Chattanooga, thereby furthering the health, safety, and general economic welfare of Downtown Chattanooga through a special assessment collected from the property owners in the District. The estimated cost of the initially proposed improvements, service projects, and other permitted uses of special assessment revenues is One Million and No/100 Dollars ($1,000,000.00). The City Council will consider the creation of this Downtown Central Business Improvement District by ordinance and by resolution. All interested persons are invited to attend and express their views. For additional information, contact: Phillip A. Noblett, 100 E. 11th Street, Suite 200, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402, telephone (423) 6438250.20190708 Public Notice of Meetings Committee Meetings and Regular Meetings Hamilton County Board of Commissioners Hamilton County, Tennessee Pursuant to TCA 8-44-103, public meetings of the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners and Commission Committees will be held, and will transact such business as may lawfully come before them. Wednesday, July 31, 2019, 9:30 AM, Recessed Meeting. Wednesday, July 31, 2019, 9:30 AM, 9:30 AM, Agenda Preparation Session. Wednesday, August 7, 2019, 9:30 AM, Regular Meeting. Committee Meetings Board of Commissioners Committees may meet prior to said meetings at 8:30 AM and/or immediately following said meetings. Meeting Locations: Regular and Agenda meetings, Courthouse, Room 402, 625 Georgia Avenue, Chattanooga, Tennessee Committees, 8:30 AM meetings, County Commission Office, Room 401, County Courthouse. Committees, after Regular meetings, Commission Conference room adjacent to Room 402, County Courthouse. To discuss auxiliary aids or services needed to facilitate participation, those with disabilities may contact the ADA Coordinator, Joseph Brellenthin, 317 Oak Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee, 37403, (423) 209-6135 or josephb@hamiltontn.gov. Hearing impaired callers may use the Tennessee Relay Service, (800) 848-0298 or (423) 209-6131.