jilibet777
jilibet777
Thitikul finishes eagle-birdie to win CME Group Tour Championship and claim record $4M prizeEmma McKeon is determined to “have an impact” on people striving for success in the next phase of her life after Australia’s most successful Olympian confirmed her retirement from all swimming. With an unsurpassed haul of 14 Olympic medals, McKeon’s record outstrips every other Olympian in Australian history – more than 4300 athletes across 120 years. The 30-year-old was also an eight-time record holder and declared herself satisfied with her achievements and now ready to pass on everything she has learnt about overcoming hardships and working hard to achieve success. Watch SailGP FREE & LIVE on Kayo Freebies. Register free now, no credit card required. “If I look back at that young person – I think I was 17 when I missed London – you couldn’t have told her that I was going to go on to do this,” she said. “It’s just persisting, you have ups and you have downs. You just keep going along and you keep ticking the boxes. I can’t believe where I’m at right now and how I got here. “Leading in to Paris was definitely the hardest preparation I have had. I lost a lot of confidence in my swimming and felt a lot of pressure to back up what I had done in Tokyo. But I’m proud of how I handled it and proud I could still step up for my team while feeling the self-doubt. “Great things take time, and the long road there is where all the necessary things are learnt to take us to the next level. I will definitely miss it ... It’s brought me a lot of great relationships and shaped me into the person I am. “But I’m definitely ready for the next part of my life, which I’m excited for. I don’t think I’ve had the time to reflect on everything yet. “I want young kids to know that I was once in the same position they are – dreaming of one day doing something big. “And I want to have an impact on people’s lives by encouraging them to push hard and go after their dreams and what they are passionate about. Don’t be afraid to take on hard things and set aspirational goals that may at time be scary. This is how we push ourselves to achieve our dreams.” Swimming Australia head coach Rohan Taylor said there couldn’t be a better role model for younger athletes. “She always carried herself with dignity, and while we all saw her grace, the public cannot truly appreciate how tough she is,” he said. “Emma is a fierce competitor and she pushed herself through so many challenges during her career – the 100m freestyle gold in Tokyo was one of her best performances, but for me what stands out is her commitment to the team. “In Tokyo, she swam 50m free semi and then eight minutes later lined up for the 4x100m mixed medley relay. “Emma chose to do that ... she said ‘I’ve got this’, she wanted to help the relay team and they won bronze. It was a clutch performance and there was no question of her wanting to save herself for the 50m free final the next day ... which of course she won. “She always put her hand up to do the difficult things. And in Paris, to see her jump in the pool with her good mates and training partners was a special moment ... Emma has a high level of care towards her teammates that will be missed.” McKeon finished her Olympic career with three medals in Paris – gold in the women’s 4x100m relay, silver in the women’s 4x100m medley relay and a bronze as a heat swimmer in the mixed 4x100m medley. He longtime coach Michael Bohl said she was a “quiet achiever” despite her stunning success. “Hated any fuss, didn’t want any notoriety but she took great pride in representing her country and supporting her teammates,” he said. “Winning that 100m free in Tokyo was a standout for me ... her first gold medal in Rio, how do I pick one outstanding moment? “What Emma has done is unsurpassed, she set the standard for the world for so long and along the way never turned anyone away from an autograph or thought she was bigger than the team. “And while I coached her for 9-10 years, I must acknowledge the superb work her father did in crafting her technique early in her career ... he didn’t work her too hard or too long and this meant she could keep swimming until she was 30 years of age. “What she has achieved is our sport is unsurpassed.”
Seibert misses PAT late as Commanders lose to Cowboys in chaotic finish
Putin says Russia will keep testing new missile in combatBest Altcoins to Buy This Weekend: Qubetics Presale Revolution, Cosmos’ Big Move, and Filecoin’s DeFi Power
Northwest Pipe Co Stock Hits 52-Week High at $57.09 Amid GrowthWhat is an ID Buzz? The ID Buzz is an all new electric minivan built in the Hanover, Germany, assembly plant and sold worldwide by Volkswagen. The 2025 ID Buzz is considered a minivan class vehicle, with a retro design inspired by the classic 1960’s VW Microbus that includes modern features and a focus on pure EV electric power. The ID Buzz is based on the same platform as the other VW electric cars, including the ID 4 SUV. The American version of the ID Buzz has 3 rows of seats and can carry up to 7 people in the RWD models. It’s about the same length and width as the VW Atlas Cross Sport, and is roughly 195 inches long, 78 inches wide, and 75 inches high. Then add a few inches for the roof top cross bars and some more for the surfboards too. To showcase this all new minivan, this week Volkswagen sent me a 2025 ID Buzz to test drive and review. The base window sticker price for this 1st Edition 4Motion van is $69,995. There are no extra cost options on the 1st Edition models, as the only thing you can choose from is the color you want, and pick either RWD or AWD. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), including the $1,550 delivery charge, is: $71,545. After adding in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealer fees, the out the door and in your driveway total purchase price came to: $80,488. At $488 over $80 Grand this 1st Edition VW minivan ain’t cheap. Used VW microbus’s cost around $800 bucks when they all went to Woodstock in upstate New York back in 1969, but that was like 55 years ago. Time flies, we all got older, and prices have gone up. But, hey, $80,000 in cash today is like $800 bucks back then, right, kinda, maybe? The 2025 Volkswagen ID Buzz 1st Edition comes in 5 two tone exterior color combo’s: Candy White top with Cabana Blue, Candy White top with Energetic Orange, Candy White top with Mahi Green, Candy White top with Metro Silver, or Candy White top with Pomelo Yellow. I got to test drive a yellow and white one and it looks fantastic. The 1st Edition Buzz comes with a groovy Dune color interior, with light gray and dark gray piping on the seats and saddle colored dashboard and door trim. The ID Buzz also offers 3 single tone exterior colors in: Candy White, Deep Black Pearl, or Metro Silver. All 1st Edition models come with a set of 1st Edition 20′′ alloy wheels with all season tires, 1st Edition exterior badging and trim, a set of 2 roof rack carrier bars, a panoramic fixed glass roof with electrochromic smart glass, and a set of Heritage premium edition woven sisal floor mats that make the ID Buzz 1st Edition models look extra special. The VW ID Buzz starts with an electric vehicle driveline with a 91 kWh Lithium-ion battery pack that makes 282 horsepower in the rear wheel drive (RWD) model, while the all wheel drive (AWD) 4 Motion vans with 2 electric motors, can produce up to 335 horsepower. The battery pack can be charged in 9 hours on a 240 volt level II charger. It gets 74 MPGe on the highway, 87 MPGe in the city and 80 MPGe in combined driving, with a driving range of 231 miles on the 1st Edition 4 Motion AWD models. The AWD 1st Edition has responsive steering, a low center of gravity, and 2 powerful electric motors, that make it a joy to drive on any road. Plus the ID Buzz comes with a lot of smart technology, including driver assistance, DC fast charging, SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless phone charging, 5G connections, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system with 700 watts of power driving 14 speakers and a subwoofer. If you want to take a ride back in time, and remember the 1967 Summer of Love in San Francisco, then you should buy an ID Buzz 1st Edition, and relive your past in a VW Microbus for the 21st century. Then you can be groovin’ on a Sunday afternoon, at the corner of Haight & Asbury, just like you did back in the good old days, or last week. Call, click or visit your local Volkswagen dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on the 2025 ID Buzz 1st Edition 4Motion Microbus. And remember that the base price for a new ID Buzz starts at only $59,995. Volkswagen – Drive Bigger. Be smart, stay safe, and just breathe. Remember, You Are What You Drive, and maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should Drive one, Buy one, Today. Have a great day, drive safely, and enjoy the ride, as the future looks nice and bright – Tony the Car Guy. This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense editorial provided by Tony Leopardo. Tony the Car Guy is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net and visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net
French Prime Minister Michel Barnier said the country faces a “storm” in financial markets if an “unlikely but possible” alliance of lawmakers across the political spectrum rejects his government’s budget proposals and votes it out of power. The premier’s political survival hangs on whether French far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s will back a potential no-confidence vote when he presents final versions of the 2025 government and social-security budget bills in coming days and weeks. “There will probably be a rather serious storm and serious turbulences in financial markets” in case of a no-confidence vote, Barnier said in an interview with French TV channel TF1. “If the government falls, emergency measures will be taken,” which won’t cover the full year. Barnier went on TV after his boss, President Emmanuel Macron, reportedly said he believed that Le Pen would carry out her threats, and that Barnier would be out soon. Macron’s office denied he made such comments. The French prime minister also said he’ll probably have to use a constitutional provision known as 49.3 to bypass a parliamentary vote and adopt next year’s budget as his government lacks a majority in the lower house. But using the tool could lead to a no-confidence vote, which would need the backing of both the far right and the left-wing alliance New Popular Front to go through. Both groups have criticized Barnier’s budget proposals. Barnier repeated his aim to lower the budget deficit to about 5% of GDP next year, compared with 6.2% expected in 2024, through €60 billion in cuts and additional taxes. On Tuesday, the European Commission called his plan “realistic and credible.” This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
An anti-corruption probe into one of the state’s busiest hospitals is examining claims that surgeons charged the Transport Accident Commission for operating on multiple patients at the same time. This masthead revealed on Sunday that the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission was investigating a handful of surgeons at the Royal Melbourne Hospital over allegations they billed the TAC for medical procedures never carried out on patients, and fraudulently claimed assistant surgeon fees. IBAC is investigating claims that surgeons fraudulently billed the TAC. Credit: iStock Four sources – speaking on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal – have revealed that surgeons would simultaneously run multiple theatres, often staffed by registrars, and then claim to the TAC they had operated in all theatres at the same time. This, the sources said, enabled them to attract higher rebates from the public insurer. Registrars are not allowed to charge the TAC. “The primary surgeon is jumping from one theatre to the next and not being meaningfully involved in the actual surgery but just writing operation reports,” one hospital source said. “They might write these reports from the tearoom. It is really disgusting.” The government-owned TAC is funded by Victorian motorists to pay for the treatment of road accident victims, and reimburses hospitals, surgeons and anaesthetists for each TAC patient they treat. Surgeons and anaesthetists bill the TAC for this work in addition to receiving an hourly rate from their hospital, an arrangement insiders say creates a perverse financial incentive for some surgeons to harvest TAC patients. It can also be revealed that IBAC is looking into concerns that some surgeons at the Parkville hospital cherry-picked lucrative TAC patients, prioritising them over public patients waiting for urgent surgery. “Some surgeons have monopolised the trauma ... they have gone out of their way to treat TAC cases ... to make sure they are the only ones who bill for it,” said one hospital source, who did not want to be identified for fear of reprisals. This masthead has seen evidence of one injured TAC patient being moved to a rehabilitation facility before their operation and then transported to the Royal Melbourne Hospital to allegedly coincide with a particular surgeon being rostered on. A hospital source claimed this was orchestrated to allow the particular surgeon to bill the TAC for the patient’s surgery. “Everyone knows what happens; they are too frightened to say anything,” another hospital source said. Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas. Credit: Nine On Sunday, Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas welcomed the IBAC investigation, saying that while there was no evidence the alleged behaviour was widespread, if the allegations were true that would be “a gross misuse of public funds and breach of trust”. “If this is true, I’m absolutely devastated. This is a breach of trust with the Victorian people,” she said. “The integrity of our health system is absolutely paramount, and it’s important that Victorians can have the highest trust in our healthcare system.” Both Thomas and TAC Minister Danny Pearson said they were not aware of the allegations before Friday, despite three hospital sources telling The Age the accusations were the worst-kept secret among Melbourne’s medical community. Thomas said there was no reason to believe the TAC incentives gave surgeons and anaesthetists the opportunity to abuse the state’s system. Pearson told media he would not comment on an ongoing investigation other than to say he had not been aware of the allegations until he read about them in this masthead. “I think it’s appropriate that that investigation be allowed to run its course without providing a running commentary,” he said. Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier called on IBAC to release its findings and said she believed the alleged scam was costing taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars a day. “These allegations were reported to the TAC years ago, reported to IBAC years ago, reported to the Royal Melbourne Hospital executive years ago,” she said. Credit: Paul Harris “Victorians deserve better than a health system that is mired in corruption and scandals like this ... we’ve got corruption rorting in one of Victoria’s largest and most prominent hospitals – and it’s just not acceptable.” Crozier said the relevant ministers should be stepping in to resolve these issues. While the exact scale of the IBAC investigation is unknown, medical fraud and compliance expert Dr Margaret Faux said better technology was needed to crack down on incorrect claims. While the TAC has adopted the Medicare Benefits Schedule items, definitions and rules for services provided by medical practitioners, Faux said it did not have a rigorous system to interrogate claims. “As soon as they have a TAC number, it is open slather,” said Faux, who runs a company that processes medical bills for doctors and hospitals. “They do as many things as they can to these patients because they are cash cows.” A recent hospital patient, who did not receive treatment at the Royal Melbourne, contacted The Age after reading about the claims and agreed that the system was open to “all kinds of manipulation”. The Victorian resident, who requested anonymity, said that after managing to check their surgery item numbers, they were surprised by how many there were. “What other business transaction can be made without the receiver seeing an account?” A Royal Melbourne Hospital spokesperson said the health service upheld strict governance and was proud to deliver exceptional care. Both IBAC and the TAC have said it would be inappropriate to comment on an any investigation. The TAC finalised 14 prosecutions last financial year, resulting in $484,124 in restitution payments for the public insurer. Thirty warning letters were sent over the same period in cases that did not meet the prosecution threshold. With Selina Zhang Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter .Jetlinerimages GE Aerospace ( NYSE: GE ) reported its third quarter earnings on the 22nd of October. Revenues missed analyst estimates by $440 million, but earnings per share of $1.15 beat estimates by $0.02. The stock price fell the day prior to the earnings report If you want full access to all our reports, data and investing ideas, join The Aerospace Forum , the #1 aerospace, defense and airline investment research service on Seeking Alpha, with access to evoX Data Analytics, our in-house developed data analytics platform. Dhierin-Perkash Bechai is an aerospace, defense and airline analyst. The Aerospace Forum Learn more Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of BA, EADSF, GE either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Carter Wilkie had a big stat line against Robert Morris last season
jilibet777
Thitikul finishes eagle-birdie to win CME Group Tour Championship and claim record $4M prizeEmma McKeon is determined to “have an impact” on people striving for success in the next phase of her life after Australia’s most successful Olympian confirmed her retirement from all swimming. With an unsurpassed haul of 14 Olympic medals, McKeon’s record outstrips every other Olympian in Australian history – more than 4300 athletes across 120 years. The 30-year-old was also an eight-time record holder and declared herself satisfied with her achievements and now ready to pass on everything she has learnt about overcoming hardships and working hard to achieve success. Watch SailGP FREE & LIVE on Kayo Freebies. Register free now, no credit card required. “If I look back at that young person – I think I was 17 when I missed London – you couldn’t have told her that I was going to go on to do this,” she said. “It’s just persisting, you have ups and you have downs. You just keep going along and you keep ticking the boxes. I can’t believe where I’m at right now and how I got here. “Leading in to Paris was definitely the hardest preparation I have had. I lost a lot of confidence in my swimming and felt a lot of pressure to back up what I had done in Tokyo. But I’m proud of how I handled it and proud I could still step up for my team while feeling the self-doubt. “Great things take time, and the long road there is where all the necessary things are learnt to take us to the next level. I will definitely miss it ... It’s brought me a lot of great relationships and shaped me into the person I am. “But I’m definitely ready for the next part of my life, which I’m excited for. I don’t think I’ve had the time to reflect on everything yet. “I want young kids to know that I was once in the same position they are – dreaming of one day doing something big. “And I want to have an impact on people’s lives by encouraging them to push hard and go after their dreams and what they are passionate about. Don’t be afraid to take on hard things and set aspirational goals that may at time be scary. This is how we push ourselves to achieve our dreams.” Swimming Australia head coach Rohan Taylor said there couldn’t be a better role model for younger athletes. “She always carried herself with dignity, and while we all saw her grace, the public cannot truly appreciate how tough she is,” he said. “Emma is a fierce competitor and she pushed herself through so many challenges during her career – the 100m freestyle gold in Tokyo was one of her best performances, but for me what stands out is her commitment to the team. “In Tokyo, she swam 50m free semi and then eight minutes later lined up for the 4x100m mixed medley relay. “Emma chose to do that ... she said ‘I’ve got this’, she wanted to help the relay team and they won bronze. It was a clutch performance and there was no question of her wanting to save herself for the 50m free final the next day ... which of course she won. “She always put her hand up to do the difficult things. And in Paris, to see her jump in the pool with her good mates and training partners was a special moment ... Emma has a high level of care towards her teammates that will be missed.” McKeon finished her Olympic career with three medals in Paris – gold in the women’s 4x100m relay, silver in the women’s 4x100m medley relay and a bronze as a heat swimmer in the mixed 4x100m medley. He longtime coach Michael Bohl said she was a “quiet achiever” despite her stunning success. “Hated any fuss, didn’t want any notoriety but she took great pride in representing her country and supporting her teammates,” he said. “Winning that 100m free in Tokyo was a standout for me ... her first gold medal in Rio, how do I pick one outstanding moment? “What Emma has done is unsurpassed, she set the standard for the world for so long and along the way never turned anyone away from an autograph or thought she was bigger than the team. “And while I coached her for 9-10 years, I must acknowledge the superb work her father did in crafting her technique early in her career ... he didn’t work her too hard or too long and this meant she could keep swimming until she was 30 years of age. “What she has achieved is our sport is unsurpassed.”
Seibert misses PAT late as Commanders lose to Cowboys in chaotic finish
Putin says Russia will keep testing new missile in combatBest Altcoins to Buy This Weekend: Qubetics Presale Revolution, Cosmos’ Big Move, and Filecoin’s DeFi Power
Northwest Pipe Co Stock Hits 52-Week High at $57.09 Amid GrowthWhat is an ID Buzz? The ID Buzz is an all new electric minivan built in the Hanover, Germany, assembly plant and sold worldwide by Volkswagen. The 2025 ID Buzz is considered a minivan class vehicle, with a retro design inspired by the classic 1960’s VW Microbus that includes modern features and a focus on pure EV electric power. The ID Buzz is based on the same platform as the other VW electric cars, including the ID 4 SUV. The American version of the ID Buzz has 3 rows of seats and can carry up to 7 people in the RWD models. It’s about the same length and width as the VW Atlas Cross Sport, and is roughly 195 inches long, 78 inches wide, and 75 inches high. Then add a few inches for the roof top cross bars and some more for the surfboards too. To showcase this all new minivan, this week Volkswagen sent me a 2025 ID Buzz to test drive and review. The base window sticker price for this 1st Edition 4Motion van is $69,995. There are no extra cost options on the 1st Edition models, as the only thing you can choose from is the color you want, and pick either RWD or AWD. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), including the $1,550 delivery charge, is: $71,545. After adding in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealer fees, the out the door and in your driveway total purchase price came to: $80,488. At $488 over $80 Grand this 1st Edition VW minivan ain’t cheap. Used VW microbus’s cost around $800 bucks when they all went to Woodstock in upstate New York back in 1969, but that was like 55 years ago. Time flies, we all got older, and prices have gone up. But, hey, $80,000 in cash today is like $800 bucks back then, right, kinda, maybe? The 2025 Volkswagen ID Buzz 1st Edition comes in 5 two tone exterior color combo’s: Candy White top with Cabana Blue, Candy White top with Energetic Orange, Candy White top with Mahi Green, Candy White top with Metro Silver, or Candy White top with Pomelo Yellow. I got to test drive a yellow and white one and it looks fantastic. The 1st Edition Buzz comes with a groovy Dune color interior, with light gray and dark gray piping on the seats and saddle colored dashboard and door trim. The ID Buzz also offers 3 single tone exterior colors in: Candy White, Deep Black Pearl, or Metro Silver. All 1st Edition models come with a set of 1st Edition 20′′ alloy wheels with all season tires, 1st Edition exterior badging and trim, a set of 2 roof rack carrier bars, a panoramic fixed glass roof with electrochromic smart glass, and a set of Heritage premium edition woven sisal floor mats that make the ID Buzz 1st Edition models look extra special. The VW ID Buzz starts with an electric vehicle driveline with a 91 kWh Lithium-ion battery pack that makes 282 horsepower in the rear wheel drive (RWD) model, while the all wheel drive (AWD) 4 Motion vans with 2 electric motors, can produce up to 335 horsepower. The battery pack can be charged in 9 hours on a 240 volt level II charger. It gets 74 MPGe on the highway, 87 MPGe in the city and 80 MPGe in combined driving, with a driving range of 231 miles on the 1st Edition 4 Motion AWD models. The AWD 1st Edition has responsive steering, a low center of gravity, and 2 powerful electric motors, that make it a joy to drive on any road. Plus the ID Buzz comes with a lot of smart technology, including driver assistance, DC fast charging, SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless phone charging, 5G connections, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system with 700 watts of power driving 14 speakers and a subwoofer. If you want to take a ride back in time, and remember the 1967 Summer of Love in San Francisco, then you should buy an ID Buzz 1st Edition, and relive your past in a VW Microbus for the 21st century. Then you can be groovin’ on a Sunday afternoon, at the corner of Haight & Asbury, just like you did back in the good old days, or last week. Call, click or visit your local Volkswagen dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on the 2025 ID Buzz 1st Edition 4Motion Microbus. And remember that the base price for a new ID Buzz starts at only $59,995. Volkswagen – Drive Bigger. Be smart, stay safe, and just breathe. Remember, You Are What You Drive, and maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should Drive one, Buy one, Today. Have a great day, drive safely, and enjoy the ride, as the future looks nice and bright – Tony the Car Guy. This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense editorial provided by Tony Leopardo. Tony the Car Guy is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net and visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net
French Prime Minister Michel Barnier said the country faces a “storm” in financial markets if an “unlikely but possible” alliance of lawmakers across the political spectrum rejects his government’s budget proposals and votes it out of power. The premier’s political survival hangs on whether French far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s will back a potential no-confidence vote when he presents final versions of the 2025 government and social-security budget bills in coming days and weeks. “There will probably be a rather serious storm and serious turbulences in financial markets” in case of a no-confidence vote, Barnier said in an interview with French TV channel TF1. “If the government falls, emergency measures will be taken,” which won’t cover the full year. Barnier went on TV after his boss, President Emmanuel Macron, reportedly said he believed that Le Pen would carry out her threats, and that Barnier would be out soon. Macron’s office denied he made such comments. The French prime minister also said he’ll probably have to use a constitutional provision known as 49.3 to bypass a parliamentary vote and adopt next year’s budget as his government lacks a majority in the lower house. But using the tool could lead to a no-confidence vote, which would need the backing of both the far right and the left-wing alliance New Popular Front to go through. Both groups have criticized Barnier’s budget proposals. Barnier repeated his aim to lower the budget deficit to about 5% of GDP next year, compared with 6.2% expected in 2024, through €60 billion in cuts and additional taxes. On Tuesday, the European Commission called his plan “realistic and credible.” This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
An anti-corruption probe into one of the state’s busiest hospitals is examining claims that surgeons charged the Transport Accident Commission for operating on multiple patients at the same time. This masthead revealed on Sunday that the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission was investigating a handful of surgeons at the Royal Melbourne Hospital over allegations they billed the TAC for medical procedures never carried out on patients, and fraudulently claimed assistant surgeon fees. IBAC is investigating claims that surgeons fraudulently billed the TAC. Credit: iStock Four sources – speaking on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal – have revealed that surgeons would simultaneously run multiple theatres, often staffed by registrars, and then claim to the TAC they had operated in all theatres at the same time. This, the sources said, enabled them to attract higher rebates from the public insurer. Registrars are not allowed to charge the TAC. “The primary surgeon is jumping from one theatre to the next and not being meaningfully involved in the actual surgery but just writing operation reports,” one hospital source said. “They might write these reports from the tearoom. It is really disgusting.” The government-owned TAC is funded by Victorian motorists to pay for the treatment of road accident victims, and reimburses hospitals, surgeons and anaesthetists for each TAC patient they treat. Surgeons and anaesthetists bill the TAC for this work in addition to receiving an hourly rate from their hospital, an arrangement insiders say creates a perverse financial incentive for some surgeons to harvest TAC patients. It can also be revealed that IBAC is looking into concerns that some surgeons at the Parkville hospital cherry-picked lucrative TAC patients, prioritising them over public patients waiting for urgent surgery. “Some surgeons have monopolised the trauma ... they have gone out of their way to treat TAC cases ... to make sure they are the only ones who bill for it,” said one hospital source, who did not want to be identified for fear of reprisals. This masthead has seen evidence of one injured TAC patient being moved to a rehabilitation facility before their operation and then transported to the Royal Melbourne Hospital to allegedly coincide with a particular surgeon being rostered on. A hospital source claimed this was orchestrated to allow the particular surgeon to bill the TAC for the patient’s surgery. “Everyone knows what happens; they are too frightened to say anything,” another hospital source said. Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas. Credit: Nine On Sunday, Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas welcomed the IBAC investigation, saying that while there was no evidence the alleged behaviour was widespread, if the allegations were true that would be “a gross misuse of public funds and breach of trust”. “If this is true, I’m absolutely devastated. This is a breach of trust with the Victorian people,” she said. “The integrity of our health system is absolutely paramount, and it’s important that Victorians can have the highest trust in our healthcare system.” Both Thomas and TAC Minister Danny Pearson said they were not aware of the allegations before Friday, despite three hospital sources telling The Age the accusations were the worst-kept secret among Melbourne’s medical community. Thomas said there was no reason to believe the TAC incentives gave surgeons and anaesthetists the opportunity to abuse the state’s system. Pearson told media he would not comment on an ongoing investigation other than to say he had not been aware of the allegations until he read about them in this masthead. “I think it’s appropriate that that investigation be allowed to run its course without providing a running commentary,” he said. Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier called on IBAC to release its findings and said she believed the alleged scam was costing taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars a day. “These allegations were reported to the TAC years ago, reported to IBAC years ago, reported to the Royal Melbourne Hospital executive years ago,” she said. Credit: Paul Harris “Victorians deserve better than a health system that is mired in corruption and scandals like this ... we’ve got corruption rorting in one of Victoria’s largest and most prominent hospitals – and it’s just not acceptable.” Crozier said the relevant ministers should be stepping in to resolve these issues. While the exact scale of the IBAC investigation is unknown, medical fraud and compliance expert Dr Margaret Faux said better technology was needed to crack down on incorrect claims. While the TAC has adopted the Medicare Benefits Schedule items, definitions and rules for services provided by medical practitioners, Faux said it did not have a rigorous system to interrogate claims. “As soon as they have a TAC number, it is open slather,” said Faux, who runs a company that processes medical bills for doctors and hospitals. “They do as many things as they can to these patients because they are cash cows.” A recent hospital patient, who did not receive treatment at the Royal Melbourne, contacted The Age after reading about the claims and agreed that the system was open to “all kinds of manipulation”. The Victorian resident, who requested anonymity, said that after managing to check their surgery item numbers, they were surprised by how many there were. “What other business transaction can be made without the receiver seeing an account?” A Royal Melbourne Hospital spokesperson said the health service upheld strict governance and was proud to deliver exceptional care. Both IBAC and the TAC have said it would be inappropriate to comment on an any investigation. The TAC finalised 14 prosecutions last financial year, resulting in $484,124 in restitution payments for the public insurer. Thirty warning letters were sent over the same period in cases that did not meet the prosecution threshold. With Selina Zhang Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter .Jetlinerimages GE Aerospace ( NYSE: GE ) reported its third quarter earnings on the 22nd of October. Revenues missed analyst estimates by $440 million, but earnings per share of $1.15 beat estimates by $0.02. The stock price fell the day prior to the earnings report If you want full access to all our reports, data and investing ideas, join The Aerospace Forum , the #1 aerospace, defense and airline investment research service on Seeking Alpha, with access to evoX Data Analytics, our in-house developed data analytics platform. Dhierin-Perkash Bechai is an aerospace, defense and airline analyst. The Aerospace Forum Learn more Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of BA, EADSF, GE either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Carter Wilkie had a big stat line against Robert Morris last season
-
"> -
"> -
"> -
">
