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Medicare Model Helps States Control Costs – Within Limits

Eric Seaborg

November 22, 2021 |

The American Leader |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Montana

A cost-negotiation approach similar to the one used by the federal Medicare program has saved states like Montana and New Jersey millions of dollars negotiating their state employee health insurance plans. In Montana, the state fired its major insurance carrier and set the rates it would pay health providers for care and procedures, rather than vice versa. In New Jersey, a much bigger state, the program was modified by requiring hospitals and providers to reveal its prices and then grouping hospitals by zip code and asking the state's big insurance carrier for bids geographically on that basis.

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Coloradans have been purchasing their own mobile home parks to keep them affordable. But the resident-owned model also comes with challenges, and limitations

Lucas Brady Woods

November 16, 2021 |

KSJD |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Colorado

As rents at mobile home parks continue to rise, a Colorado law giving park residents first dibs on buying the park has led to resident-owned parks across the state. Several of these parks are run as co-ops, with resident-elected governing boards that have a mandate to keep rents low. A governing body made up of residents creates community buy-in and accountability for how the park is run. Purchasing and running a park is expensive, so organizations like Homes Fund help residents find funding for the initial purchase.

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Hounslow £20 vouchers bring new customers to Chiswick shops

Matt Smith

November 01, 2021 |

The Chiswick Calendar |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, Hounslow

The Hounslow council sent £20 vouchers to every household to help the local economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Households had about two months to spend the voucher, which could purchase products or services at a range of businesses from cafes and cinemas to retailers and laundromats. Retailers can use an app to scan the vouchers and eventually redeem them for payments.

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Community land trusts: What are they and how do they work?

Nadeen Yanes

September 20, 2021 |

WKMG-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Winter Park, Florida

To help families achieve home ownership in a volatile real estate market, the Hannibal Square Community Land Trust acquires land in Winter Park, Fla., and the surrounding area and then builds or renovates homes on the properties to sell to qualified buyers. The program allows families to purchase homes at an affordable price that is not typically available in the current market because buyers are responsible only for the cost of the house, with the land itself remaining in the trust's ownership.

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Sexually Abused Women Are Running To This 'Secret Safe House' For Healing

Ekpali Saint

September 04, 2021 |

Prime Progress |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Nigeria, Ibadan, Oyo State

In Nigeria's Oyo state, survivors of sexual abuse and gender-based violence can find emergency shelter and a host of services at Women Safe House. The stigmas attached to these crimes and the government's failure to enforce the relevant laws leave women and girls with emotional challenges that can be addressed through counseling and support groups. The safe house supplements its limited bed space with a network of volunteers willing to house survivors. The safe house's services include low-interest loans to help women achieve independence by starting their own small businesses.

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Wight Gift Card helping local businesses emerge from the pandemic

Lori Little

July 30, 2021 |

Isle of Wight County Press |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, Isle of Wight

For 50p a month, businesses can be part of the Wight Gift Card scheme which offers £50 gift cards to spend in participating shops. Residents purchase the gift cards to support local businesses and the data shows that for every £50 gift card, people actually spend £82.50. Similar gift card schemes have successfully helped businesses in other cities withstand COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns. Initial data show that the Wight program has increased purchases at local businesses.

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Financially Challenged But Fierce, Griffin Hospital Innovates Its Way Through Pandemic

Carol Leonetti Dannhauser

July 12, 2021 |

Connecticut Health Investigative Team |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Derby, Connecticut

Griffin hospital used innovative strategies to test, vaccinate, and care for patients during the coronavirus pandemic. The hospital stocked up early, including with donated ventilators, and repurposed unused spaces and object to help care for COVID-19 patients. They offered large-scale testing, at the height administering 35,000 weekly tests at five drive-through locations. They also provided testing at 124 nursing homes to stem high infection rates. Once vaccinations were ready, Griffin set up clinics where people were, vaccinating thousands in nursing homes, local shops, schools, parks, and at churches.

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For a fragile child care system, shared services and legislative activism show potential

Jack Rooney

June 26, 2021 |

Sentinel Source (The Keene Sentinel) |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Hampshire

The State Early Learning Alliance is a membership organization of about 30 independent child care centers that pools resources to save money on essential services and free up time to focus on providing high-quality care. The group harnesses shared purchasing power to negotiate better deals for a wide range of necessary goods and services, including building maintenance, insurance, payroll and administration, food, and classroom supplies. Providers save thousands of dollars a year, which can help with skyrocketing child care costs and staff shortages due to low pay.

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Italian volunteers transform an old custom of generosity into a powerful weapon in the battle against Covid 19

Lorenzo Di Stasi

June 17, 2021 |

News48 |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Italy, Milan

Milan’s tampone sospeso or “suspended test” initiative provides rapid COVID-19 tests to stop the spread of the virus. The initiative sets up in highly visible public areas of Milan and is based on a model of mutual support where everyone pays what they can. It is run with the help of over 50 volunteers and Medicina Solidale, a group of medical professionals who provide free medical advice to those who can’t afford to access care. The project has raised 24,000 euros from 436 donors, which has enabled them to administer rapid antigenic swabs to more than 3000 people.

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Local Platforms for Online Food Delivery Are Eating the Big Guys' Lunch

Oscar Perry Abello

June 15, 2021 |

Next City |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Lexington, Kentucky

Locally owned restaurant delivery platforms charge lower commissions than national giants like GrubHub, allow customers to order food on smart-phone apps, and have found ways to be profitable while also keeping money in local economies. While platforms differ by locale, cooperative models are increasingly popular. For example, Delivery Co-op in Lexington, KY provides customers with unlimited deliveries for a monthly fee, charges participating restaurants a flat monthly fee, and pays drivers a base salary plus tips, with benefits kicking after three months of full-time work and profit-sharing after one year.

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