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ST. LOUIS NEWS TODAY - Sunday, January 6, 2007
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Health Care Services May Be Expanded for Low Income Missourians
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), January 6, 2008 - Nearly a quarter of one billion dollars has been recommended in core funding increases with a focus on continuing quality health care services for Missourians enrolled in Mo HealthNet.
The funding increase will support ongoing access to care for the nearly 830,000 Missourians served by Mo HealthNet and represents just a portion of the governor's Mo HealthNet plan to improve health care in Missouri.
In a statement, Governor Matt Blunt said, "Not only have we saved the taxpayer supported health care safety net from bankruptcy, but we have also created a new, innovative health care system to deliver 21st Century health care to Missourians."
In addition to several proactive investments the governor will announce in the coming days that are targeted to improve care, Gov. Blunt's funding recommendations for Mo HealthNet will include $247.8 million in core increases for important programs and services. When taken together all the governor's recommendations to support health care in Fiscal Year 2009 will total $7.2 billion. This investment includes standard growth in the program, such as:
- $112.8 million for core rate increases in managed care, hospice, NEMT, and Medicare premiums
- $73.3 million for increases in pharmacy needs
- $13.5 million for caseload growth in the Department of Health and Senior Services for home and community based services
- $.5 million for caseload growth in the Department of Mental Health
Gov. Blunt also recently announced Mo HealthNet physician services rate increases and his plans to expand women's health services. He is expected to call for additional investments in Mo HealthNet to further enhance services. Mo HealthNet is greatly improving the taxpayer funded health care program for low income Missourians. Innovative solutions like a health care home, expanded access to care for foster children and increased use of technology are improving health care for participants.
"I am pleased with the Governor's proposed budget to address some critical needs of Missouri's citizens. The Governor's recommendations show that he is addressing health care needs in a progressive way," said Gwendolyn Crimm, placement coordinator for Construction Career Center Charter High School and co-chair of the Mo HealthNet Committee.
Talbots to Close Toys and Men's Stores
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), January 6, 2008 - The Talbots, Inc. has announced that after a thorough evaluation of its business, it will exit its Talbots Kids and Talbots Mens concepts by September 2008. Three stores will close in the St. Louis area. The decision is part of Talbots strategic business review that was announced on October 9, 2007, which is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2008.
The strategic review revealed that these concepts did not demonstrate the potential to deliver acceptable long-term return on investment. The executive management team, with the full support of the Company's Board of Directors, determined that discontinuing these businesses will enable The Talbots, Inc. to redirect resources and capital towards its core businesses, including Talbots Misses, Petites, Womans, Collection, Accessories & Shoes and J. Jill Missy, Petites and Womans.
Trudy F. Sullivan, The Talbots, Inc. president and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "This is a very important strategic move that will greatly contribute to our ability to focus and reinvigorate our core brands and provide sustainable long-term shareholder value. By exiting these concepts, we can focus exclusively on our company's core strength - the age 35 plus female market, where we believe there is significant opportunity for profitable growth in both our Talbots and J. Jill brands.
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"I would like to sincerely thank everyone, who over the years invested considerable time and effort in developing Talbots Kids and Mens. Regrettably we must make these difficult decisions that will help grow and improve our core business."
The Talbots, Inc. will close approximately 78 stores throughout the U.S. as a result of this decision, including 66 Talbots Kids and 12 Talbots Mens stores. The closures will impact approximately 800 full- and part-time positions, or approximately 5% of The Talbots Inc. total workforce. The Company is considering ways to offer the affected associates other opportunities, where feasible.
Great Lakes Region Sees More People Leaving
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), January 6, 2008 - Movement out of the Great Lakes region increased in 2007, while the South and West generally showed an inbound migration trend.
The statistics are among the findings of Fenton-based United Van Lines' 31st annual "migration" study that tracks where its customers, over the last 12 months, moved from and the most popular destinations. The findings were announced by Carl Walter, vice president of United Van Lines, the nation's largest household goods mover.
United has tracked shipment patterns annually on a state-by-state basis since 1977. For 2007, the accounting is based on the 212,917 interstate household moves handled by United among the 48 contiguous states, as well as Washington, D.C. In its study, United classifies each state in one of three categories -- "high inbound" (55% or more of moves going into a state); "high outbound" (55% or more of moves coming out of a state); or "balanced." Although the majority of states were in the "balanced" category last year, several showed more substantial population shifts. Missouri (51.4%) continued its 13-year outbound trend.
The South emerged as a top migration spot in 2007, with North Carolina coming in as the top destination (61.6% inbound). Alabama (57.9%) experienced its fifth year as a high-inbound location, while South Carolina (57.8%) continued its 14-year inbound tradition. West Virginia (55.7%) witnessed its highest inbound percentage since 1993, and Tennessee, with 55.1%, rounded out the high-inbound list for the South.
Although not considered "high inbound," other Southern states also greeted new residents. Kentucky (53.0%) continued its six-year inbound trend; Georgia (52.3%) continued its 26-year trend as an inbound state; Mississippi (50.1%) saw the same inbound percentage as it did in 2006; and Florida (50.1%) returned to being an inbound state after witnessing increased departures last year.
The Western portion of the country also was a popular destination spot. Capturing the No. 2 inbound ranking, Nevada (59.4%) continued its high-inbound trend that began in 1986. Oregon (58.4%) sustained its 20-year, high-inbound trend, and Arizona (55.8%) maintained its six-year position on the high-inbound list. Wyoming (57.2%) boasted a 2.8% increase over last year's percentage, and South Dakota (57.4%) continued its two-year, high-inbound trend.
Although not considered "high inbound," other Western states witnessed an influx of residents. Colorado (53.8% inbound) continued its five-year inbound trend, and Montana (53.1% inbound) retained its six-year inbound status. Utah (53.5% inbound) saw a slight decrease (2.5%) as compared to last year, and Idaho (54.3%), which was high-inbound for 19 consecutive years, had fewer people move in than move out.
Rounding out the high-inbound list is Washington, D.C. (58.5%), which has remained inbound since the inception of the study.
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