Revolutionary HIV Testing Bill Passes

Bill to 'Revolutionize' HIV Testing Passes California Legislature Unanimously

AB 2899 (Portantino, D-Pasadena), Sponsored by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), Overhauls Counseling Model for HIV Testing Programs; Bill Eliminates Outdated 'One Size Fits All' Approach for More Prudent Public Health Approach

SACRAMENTO, Calif.-- August 12, 2008 --AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the operator of the largest non-government HIV testing program in California, today praised the California Legislature for its passage this week of Assembly Bill 2899 (Portantino, D-Pasadena).

"AB 2899 will revolutionize the way we do HIV testing in California, and we strongly urge the Governor to sign this bill," said Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation. "Today, in government-funded programs, extensive education and counseling is required for every person regardless of how many times they might have been tested. Treating the young person, who is testing for the first time the same as a person in their forties or fifties who has been tested dozens of times doesn't make sense. This important reform will allow AHF, the largest HIV tester in California, to do three times as many tests per hour as we do now. The unanimous approval of the legislature for this common sense approach to HIV testing is very encouraging."

The bill, known as the Sexually Transmitted Diseases and HIV/AIDS Counseling Reform Bill, unanimously cleared both chambers of the Legislature this week-clearing the California Assembly (64-0) earlier today after clearing the Senate in a 36 to 0 vote yesterday.

"This bill brings the requirements for HIV counseling in line with where we are today in our knowledge and understanding of HIV/AIDS and other STDs, and it will allow us to focus our counseling efforts where they are most needed-to those at high risk and those who may test positive," said Joey Terrill, Acting Director of Public Affairs for AIDS Healthcare Foundation, co-sponsor of the bill. "The California Legislature has recognized the importance of this prudent public health legislation with its unanimous passage in both chambers. When this bill is chaptered into law, it will allow the Department of Public Health and the State Office of AIDS far more flexibility in its counseling regulations to best serve and reflect the needs of communities throughout California."

AB 2899 codifies the changes that testing organizations need to conform their practices to current needs and to facilitate the swift introduction of newer counseling models by the Office of AIDS.

About AHF

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the nation's largest non-profit HIV/AIDS healthcare provider. AHF currently provides medical care and/or services to more than 80,000 individuals in 20 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean and Asia. Additional information is available at www.aidshealth.org
Contacts

AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Ged Kenslea, 323-860-5225
Mobile: 323-791-5523
gedk@aidshealth.org
or
Lori Yeghiayan, 323-860-5227
Mobile: 323-377-4312
lori.yeghiayan@aidshealth.org

Families Informed About Insurance Coverage With Medical Reimbursement Resource

Medical Reimbursement Resource LLC of Houston Helps Families Stay Informed, Choose Right Insurance Coverage

Company Educates Consumers of Medicare Part C Advantage Plan Enrollment Period Deadline - March 31, 2008

Houston, TX  -  March 12 -- Medical Reimbursement Resource (MRR) LLC, a leading patient advocacy company in Houston, advises the Medicare community of March 31st Medicare Part C enrollment deadline and helps educate consumers on the best health insurance choices for their situation.

MRR professionals explain that the Medicare program is a federal program that helps senior citizens and other qualifying individuals pay for health care. Divided into parts, A, B, C, and D, Part C is an alternative to Parts A and B. Under Part C, private health insurance companies can contract with the federal government to offer Medicare benefits through their own policies.

"Medicare Part C Advantage Plans are not for everyone. Generally the choice of providers is more limited than with traditional Medicare Parts A & B. Individuals with special health problems and working with physicians that are important to them are recommended to remain on Medicare Parts A and B," said MRR owner Jane Lehto.

"However, it's great to have another insurance option available for Medicare beneficiaries. This is where Medicare Part C comes in," Lehto added.

Lehto and her staff help clients choose the right insurance coverage and receive all benefits to which they are entitled under their particular policy. With over 40 plans from which to choose in Texas, it is an often difficult process through which to navigate for the unknowing consumer.

Lehto further explained that the type of candidates qualifying for the Medicare Part C, particularly the Medicare Part C Advantage Plus plan, would be those in fragile health and on fixed incomes. The relatively new plans include either HMO's or PPO's and come with modest premiums. A vast number of physicians and hospitals participate in the plans.

"And effective this past January is the option for those switching from Medicare Parts A and B to return to their plans for whatever reason during the enrollment period from November 15 through December 31, 2008," said Lehto.

MRR also assists patients and their families with problem health insurance claims and medical bills, benefit issues, along with insurance choices and a myriad of issues that the consumer faces in today's challenging and complex insurance world. To learn more about Medical Reimbursement Resource LLC, call 1-713-526-0955 or log onto www.mrrmedical.com today.

Press Contact: Philip O'Hara
Company Name: Medical Reimbursement Resource LLC 
Texas Phone: 713-526-0955
Website: www.mrrmedical.com

Government Rejects Request to Clean up Asbestos

LegalView Reports About the Government's Rejection of a Monetary Request to Clean up An Asbestos-Tainted Site

LegalView updated its mesothelioma blog to include news of the government denying federal funds to an area in Arkansas that was left tainted with asbestos after nearly 150 World War II structures were destroyed in a fire. The government rejected the requests from the town of Chaffee Crossing where citizens are currently at risk of contracting mesothelioma cancer.

Denver, CO - LegalView.com, the number one resource for everything legal on the Web, recently reported on its mesothelioma blog that federal funds were denied to cleanup an asbestos-tainted town in Arkansas. Chaffee Crossing is the site of a recent fire, which destroyed nearly 150 World War II (WWII) structures, releasing asbestos fibers and dust into the area potentially increasing the risk of citizens developing mesothelioma. The city requested federal funds from the government to assist the cleanup of the town, which is considered by several citizens there to be a Superfund Site. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is refusing to deem the site a Superfund because it claims that levels of asbestos in the air after the fire were too low to be deemed as such. However, the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality found asbestos contamination in some areas to be much higher than EPA tests recorded. For those who live in the area or who have previously been exposed to asbestos, using LegalView's mesothelioma portal to locate a mesothelioma attorney is the best way to protect oneself.

Asbestos is a material that is derived from vermiculate, a mineral often mined for uses in construction and as building insulation. Asbestos was widely used as insulation in many early 20th Century constructions, such as those burned in Chaffee Crossing. However, after discovering the link of inhaling asbestos to an incurable form of lung cancer, the use of asbestos was discontinued and the EPA has spent billions of dollars in the removal of asbestos across the country. Individuals who have been exposed to asbestos are advised to contact an experienced mesothelioma law firm to receive an attorney consultation on developing a mesothelioma lawsuit in which compensatory damages can be sought. Mesothelioma is a painful and deadly illness that takes decades to reveal itself, by which time it can be too late to find ways in paying for medical expenses. Use the mesothelioma portal to learn more about this and other recent asbestos-related news.

Additionally, LegalView offers several other information portals relating to a range of issues such as the Baxter Heparin recall, traumatic brain injury (TBI) treatments and Erb's Palsy jury verdicts. Heparin is a blood thinner injected into patients undergoing heart surgery or similar procedures. It is used to prevent blood clots, which can be fatal during surgery. Recently, the Baxter Healthcare Corporation issued a Heparin recall because several patients had reported severe allergic reactions to the drug, which has been associated with at least 19 patient deaths. LegalView.com reported updates continually to readers as this story unfolded, providing insightful and imperative news for victims of the Heparin recall. Similarly, individuals can use the TBI practice area to learn the most up-to-date news on brain injury lawsuits, jury verdicts, treatments as well as how to locate brain injury lawyers.

For information on Erb's Palsy, a condition that usually develops because of labor complications, visit Erb's Palsy lawsuit as the condition is usually preventable and caused by a physician pulling on a baby during birth.

About LegalView:
LegalView.com is a public service brought to you by Legal WebTV Network, LLC, a Limited Liability Corporation created by a group of the nation's most highly respected law firms: Anapol Schwartz; Brent Coon and Associates; Burg Simpson; Cohen, Placitella and Roth; James F. Humphreys and Associates; Lopez McHugh; and Thornton and Naumes. For more information on the accomplishments and track records of LegalView.com's superior sponsoring law firms and to get in touch with LegalView attorneys, visit LegalView at www.LegalView.com.

Press Contact: Katie Kelley
Company Name: LegalView
Phone: 720-771-3246
Website: http://mesothelioma.legalview.com

Foundation Funds Follow-up Care in Revolutionary Cancer Vaccine Study

Onyx and Breezy Foundation Funds Follow-up Care in Revolutionary Cancer Vaccine Study

The Onyx & Breezy Foundation recently funded after-care for dogs engaged in a revolutionary research study to develop a cancer vaccine that may be given to both humans and animals when successful. The study is being conducted at The Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital, a small animal teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Tuxedo Park, NY and Philadelphia, PA  -  March 14 -- The Onyx & Breezy Foundation has announced a gift to The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. The gift will cover the expense of follow-up care for 12 dogs that are currently enrolled in the School's cancer vaccine study.

"Thanks to this generous gift, more participants in our lymphoma cancer vaccine clinical trial will be able to return for follow-up care," said Dr. Karin Sorenmo, chief of oncology at the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital. "This means that we can capture all the data that is needed for the study while pet owners are helped financially."

Prior gifts to The Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital from the Foundation have been a respirator for their ICU department and a mast cell tumor research study.

Dr. Sorenmo treated Breezy, who had mast cell tumors. "Thanks to Dr. Sorenmo, Breezy lived another 2 years, of quality life, after other vets gave her only 6 weeks to live," said Wanda Shefts. "We are glad that this project will help owners of dogs in remission from lymphoma and help advance Dr. Sorenmo's work on the cancer vaccine.

Dr. Sorenmo stated that she was encouraged by the results and she is hoping that this is just the beginning of more trials that can benefit dogs and ultimately help people. Thanks to this study, a number of the participating dogs are now cancer free. The researchers now estimate that they are within two years of testing the vaccine on humans. Without the dogs, they would be more than a decade away.

"We have a tremendous amount of respect for the work they do at the Hospital and we are glad to be able to fund another project for them", said Mark Shefts.

For more information about Penn Vet, please visit www.vet.upenn.edu; for more information about The Onyx and Breezy Foundation, please visit www.onyxandbreezy.org.

The Onyx and Breezy Foundation Background

The Foundation was created in 2004 and named after the trustees Mark & Wanda Shefts' two Labrador Retrievers. The Foundation lends financial support to organizations that benefit the welfare of animals.

The University Of Pennsylvania School Of Veterinary Medicine Background

Penn's School of Veterinary Medicine is one of the world's premier veterinary schools. Founded in 1884, the School was built on the concept of Many Species, One MedicineTM. The birthplace of veterinary specialties, the School serves a distinctly diverse array of animal patients, from pets to horses to farm animals.

Press Contact: Barbara Kauffman
Company Name: The Onyx & Breezy Foundation
Phone: 201-782-7400
Website: www.onyxandbreezy.org

New, Flexible Individual Health Insurance Plans

HumanaOne Introduces New, Flexible Individual Health Insurance Plans in Nine States

Individual insurance plans from HumanaOne meet a wide range of consumer needs.

Louisville, KY  -  March 11 -- Humana (NYSE: HUM) today announced the introduction of a new portfolio of individual health insurance plans under its HumanaOne® brand in nine states -- Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Indiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Utah. In 2007, Humana introduced the individual health insurance coverage options in 15 other states (listed below), where they have been popular with consumers.

The variety of plans makes it easy for individuals and families to select a plan according to their own personal preferences, lifestyles and budgets. HumanaOne plans are designed specifically for self-employed entrepreneurs, small-business employees, part-time workers, students and early retirees. Humana markets HumanaOne plans through insurance agents and brokers, as well as directly to consumers. Health insurance quote applications for the plans are available online or by phone.

HumanaOne's new personal health insurance plan portfolio includes a broad spectrum of benefits -- with three in-network coinsurance levels and 17 annual deductible choices -- organized into three, distinct packages, for:

•    People who are security-minded and want benefits like those provided by big employers
•    People who want flexibility to fit their financial plan, including HSA-qualified offerings
•    People who want a low-cost plan with a safety net "just in case"

The plans can be further customized with optional benefits such as dental insurance, life insurance, and supplemental accident coverage.

"With the U.S. market for individual health insurance at 18 million and growing, we recognize that individual health insurance plans cannot be 'one size fits all,'" said Jerry Ganoni, president of HumanaOne, Humana Small Business and HumanaDental. "That's why we created three separate families of plans, each tailored for a particular kind of consumer, but at the same time highly customizable. This represents the most significant product expansion for HumanaOne since its inception in 2002."

In 2007, Humana launched the new products in 15 other states -- Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin. Soon, the company plans to introduce the new product portfolio in the remaining two states where HumanaOne currently operates. At present, HumanaOne serves more than 250,000 health plan members in 26 states.

The new plans from HumanaOne are designed to appeal to a variety of consumers -- from those who desire the security, coverage and service commonly found in health plans from large employers, to those wanting a simple safety net in the event of a major health problem.

The new portfolio of HumanaOne plans offers deductibles ranging from $1,000 to $7,500 for single coverage, and from $2,000 to $15,000 for family coverage. Premiums start as low as $30 per month for single coverage and increase according to the plan, its features and level of benefits.

"This new portfolio of products positions HumanaOne to serve a much larger portion of the individual health insurance market, which we believe will continue to grow at a rate of five to eight percent annually over the next five years," said Steve DeRaleau, chief operating officer of HumanaOne. "As more people leave group health plans, retire early, become self-employed or work part-time, they will increasingly look to individual health plans, and HumanaOne will be there to serve them with a plan ideally suited to their distinct needs."

Humana guarantees monthly premium rates on its HumanaOne plans for one full year after purchase, as long as the member remains in the same area and keeps the same benefits. Thanks to Humana's large network of doctors and hospitals, HumanaOne policyholders who move to a different state can simply take their plan with them, and in most cases, those who work or travel away from home can receive in-network benefits by seeing any of the more than 400,000 Humana-contracted doctors, hospitals and other health care providers across the country.

HumanaOne members have 24-hour access to online tools and resources, enabling them to check claims status, medical expenses, compare hospital, doctor and prescription costs and more. HumanaOne accepts applications by phone or via its Website at http://www.humana-one.com/.

About Humana

Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the nation's largest publicly traded health and supplemental benefits companies, with approximately 11.5 million medical members. Humana is a full-service benefits solutions company, offering a wide array of health and supplementary benefit plans for employer groups, government programs and individuals.

Over its 47-year history, Humana has consistently seized opportunities to meet changing customer needs. Today, the company is a leader in consumer engagement, providing guidance that leads to lower costs and a better health plan experience throughout its diversified customer portfolio.

More information regarding Humana is available to investors via the Investor Relations page of the company's web site at Humana.com, including copies of:
•    Annual reports to stockholders
•    Securities and Exchange Commission filings
•    Most recent investor conference presentations
•    Quarterly earnings news releases
•    Replays of most recent earnings release conference calls
•    Calendar of events (includes upcoming earnings conference call dates and times, as well as planned interaction with research analysts and institutional investors)
•    Corporate Governance Information

Press Contact: Jim Turner
Company Name: HumanaOne
Phone: 502-476-2119
Website: http://www.humana-one.com/