Audit of Information Systems General and Application Controls at Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
AUDIT OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS
GENERAL AND APPLICATION CONTROLS AT
MEDCO HEALTH SOLUTIONS, INC.
Pharmacy I3enefit Manager for:
•   BlueCross BlueShield Federal Employee Program
•   American Postal Workers Union Health Plan
•   Government Employees Health Association
•   SAMBA Federal Employee Benefit Association
•   Foreign Service Benefit Plan
Report No. lA-1O-OO-ll-OS2
Date:                March 1 4, 201 2
--CAUTION-
This audit report has been distributed to Federal and l\on-Federal officials who are responsible for the administration of the audited
contract. This audit report may contain proprietary data which is protected by ."ederallaw (18 ES.C. 1905). Therefore. while this audit
report is available under the Freedom of Information Act and made available to the public on the OIG webpage. caution needs to be
exercised before releasing the report to the general public as it may contain proprietary information that was redacted from the publicly
Of1ice of the
MEDeo HEALTH SOLUTIONS, INC.
Pharmacy Benefit Manager For:
BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD ASSOCIATION
CONTRACT 1039: CODES 104, lOS, 111, 112
AMERICAN POSTAL WORKERS UNION HEALTH PLAN
CONTRACT 1370: CODES 471, 472, 474, 475
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES HEAL TH ASSOCIATION
SAMBA FEDERAL EMPLOYEE BENEFIT ASSOCIATION
FOREIGN SERVICE BENEFIT PLAN
CONTRACT 1062: CODES 401, 402
Report No. lA-lO-OO-ll-052
Date:           03/14/12
www.opm.gov                                                                   www.usajobs.gov
Ortice of the
BLUECROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION
CONTRACT 1039; CODES 104, 105, 111, 112
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES HEALTH ASSOCIATION
CONTRACT 1062; CODES 401, 402
Report No. lA-lO-OO-ll-OS2
Date:             03/14/12
This final report discusses the results of our audit of general and application controls over the
information systems at Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
Our audit focused on the claims processing applications used to adjudicate Federal Employees
Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) claims for Medco, as well as the various processes and
information technology (IT) systems used to support these applications. We documented
controls in place and opportunities for improvement in each of the areas below.
www.opm.gov                                                                             www.usajobs.goll
Medco has established a comprehensive series of IT policies and procedures to create an
awareness of IT security at the Plan. We also verified that Medco has adequate human resources
policies related to the security aspects of hiring, training, transferring, and terminating
We found that Medco has implemented numerous physical controls to prevent unauthorized
access to its facilities, as well as logical controls to prevent unauthorized access to its
information systems. However, we found that Medco’s data center does not require two-factor
authentication for access and that there is no documented review of system administrator
activity.
Medco has developed formal policies and procedures providing guidance to ensure that system
software is appropriately configured and updated, controlling system software configuration
changes, and monitoring configuration through vulnerability scanning.
We reviewed Medco’s business continuity plans and concluded that they contained the key
elements suggested by relevant guidance and publications. We also determined that these
documents are reviewed, updated, and tested on a periodic basis.
Claims Adjudication
Medco has implemented many controls in its claims adjudication process to ensure that FEHBP
claims are processed accurately. However, we found that Medco does not use the Office of
Personnel Management (OPM) debarred provider listing to update its master pharmacy database.
We also recommend that Medco implement several system modifications to ensure that its
claims processing systems adjudicate FEHBP claims in a manner consistent with the OPM
contract and other regulations.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Nothing came to our attention that caused us to believe that Medco is not in compliance with the
HIPAA security and privacy regulations.
Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................... i
I. Introduction .................................................................................................................................1
Background ................................................................................................................................ 1
Objectives ................................................................................................................................... 1
Scope .......................................................................................................................................... 2
Methodology .............................................................................................................................. 2
Compliance with Laws and Regulations .................................................................................... 3
II. Audit Findings and Recommendations .......................................................................................4
A. Security Management ............................................................................................................ 4
B. Access Controls ..................................................................................................................... 4
C. Configuration Management ................................................................................................... 6
D. Contingency Planning ........................................................................................................... 7
E. Claims Adjudication ............................................................................................................. 7
F. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ......................................................... 14
III. Major Contributors to This Report ..........................................................................................15
Appendix: Medco’s December 1, 2011 response to the draft audit report issued October 5, 2011.
This final report details the findings, conclusions, and recommendations resulting from the audit
of general and application controls over the information systems responsible for processing
Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) claims by Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
(Medco).
The audit was conducted pursuant to applicable FEHBP contracts; 5 U.S.C. Chapter 89; and 5
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Chapter 1, Part 890. The audit was performed by the U.S.
Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) Office of the Inspector General (OIG), as established
by the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended.
The FEHBP was established by the Federal Employees Health Benefits Act (the Act), enacted on
September 28, 1959. The FEHBP was created to provide health insurance benefits for federal
employees, annuitants, and qualified dependents. The provisions of the Act are implemented by
OPM through regulations codified in Title 5, Chapter 1, Part 890 of the CFR. Health insurance
coverage is made available through contracts with various carriers that provide service benefits,
indemnity benefits, or comprehensive medical services.
Medco is the pharmacy benefit manager responsible for processing prescription drug claims on
behalf of the following FEHBP insurance carriers:
•    Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Federal Employee Program - contract CS 1039;
•    American Postal Workers Union Health Plan - contract CS 1370;
•    Government Employees Health Association (GEHA) - contract CS 1063;
•    SAMBA Federal Employee Benefit Association - contract CS 1074; and
•    Foreign Service Benefit Plan (FSBP) - contract CS 1062.
This was our first audit of Medco’s general and application controls. We also reviewed Medco’s
compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
All Medco personnel that worked with the auditors were particularly helpful and open to ideas
and suggestions. They viewed the audit as an opportunity to examine practices and to make
changes or improvements as necessary. Their positive attitude and helpfulness throughout the
audit was greatly appreciated.
The objectives of this audit were to evaluate controls over the confidentiality, integrity, and
availability of FEHBP data processed and maintained in Medco’s IT environment.
We accomplished these objectives by reviewing the following areas:
•       Security management;
•       Access controls;
•    Configuration management;
•    Segregation of duties;
•    Contingency planning;
•    Application controls specific to Medco’s claims processing systems; and,
•    HIPAA compliance.
This performance audit was conducted in accordance with generally accepted government
auditing standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States. Accordingly, we
obtained an understanding of Medco’s internal controls through interviews and observations, as
well as inspection of various documents, including information technology and other related
organizational policies and procedures. This understanding of Medco’s internal controls was
used in planning the audit by determining the extent of compliance testing and other auditing
procedures necessary to verify that the internal controls were properly designed, placed in
operation, and effective.
The scope of this audit centered on the information systems used by Medco to process
prescription benefit claims for FEHBP members. The business processes reviewed are primarily
located in Medco’s Franklin Lakes, New Jersey facility.
The on-site portion of this audit was performed in June and July of 2011. We completed
additional audit work before and after the on-site visits at our office in Washington, D.C. The
findings, recommendations, and conclusions outlined in this report are based on the status of
information system general and application controls in place at Medco as of September 9, 2011.
In conducting our audit, we relied to varying degrees on computer-generated data provided by
Medco. Due to time constraints, we did not verify the reliability of the data used to complete
some of our audit steps but we determined that it was adequate to achieve our audit objectives.
However, when our objective was to assess computer-generated data, we completed audit steps
necessary to obtain evidence that the data was valid and reliable.
In conducting this audit, we:
•       Gathered documentation and conducted interviews;
•       Reviewed Medco’s business structure and environment;
•       Performed a risk assessment of Medco’s information systems environment and applications,
and prepared an audit program based on the assessment and the Government Accountability
Office's (GAO) Federal Information System Controls Audit Manual (FISCAM); and,
•       Conducted various compliance tests to determine the extent to which established controls and
procedures are functioning as intended. As appropriate, we used judgmental sampling in
completing our compliance testing.
Various laws, regulations, and industry standards were used as a guide to evaluating Medco’s
control structure. This criteria includes, but is not limited to, the following publications:
•   Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-130, Appendix III;
•   OMB Memorandum 07-16, Safeguarding Against and Responding to the Breach of
Personally Identifiable Information;
•   Information Technology Governance Institute’s CobiT: Control Objectives for Information
and Related Technology;
•   GAO’s FISCAM;
•   National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Special Publication (NIST SP) 800-12,
Introduction to Computer Security;
•   NIST SP 800-14, Generally Accepted Principles and Practices for Securing Information
Technology Systems;
•   NIST SP 800-30, Risk Management Guide for Information Technology Systems;
•   NIST SP 800-34, Contingency Planning Guide for Information Technology Systems;
•   NIST SP 800-41 Revision 1, Guidelines on Firewalls and Firewall Policy;
•   NIST SP 800-53 Revision 3, Recommended Security Controls for Federal Information
Systems;
•   NIST SP 800-61, Computer Security Incident Handling Guide;
•   NIST SP 800-66 Revision 1, An Introductory Resource Guide for Implementing the HIPAA
Security Rule; and,
•   HIPAA Act of 1996.
In conducting the audit, we performed tests to determine whether Medco’s practices were
consistent with applicable standards. While generally compliant, with respect to the items tested,
Medco was not in complete compliance with all standards as described in the “Audit Findings
and Recommendations” section of this report.
II. Audit Findings and Recommendations
A. Security Management
The security management component of this audit involved the examination of the policies and
procedures that are the foundation of Medco’s overall IT security controls. We evaluated
Medco’s ability to develop security policies, manage risk, assign security-related responsibility,
and monitor the effectiveness of various system-related controls.
Medco has implemented a series of formal policies and procedures that comprise a
comprehensive security management program. Medco’s security management program is
developed, maintained, and annually reviewed by Medco Global Security; their responsibilities
include creating policies to protect against threats or improper use of protected health
information, HIPAA compliance, and to provide central governance and coordination. Medco
has also developed a thorough risk management methodology, and has procedures to document,
track, and alleviate or accept identified risks. We also reviewed Medco’s human resources
policies and procedures related to the security aspects of hiring, training, transferring, and
terminating employees.
Nothing came to our attention to indicate that Medco does not have an adequate security
management program.
B. Access Controls
Access controls are the policies, procedures, and controls used to prevent or detect unauthorized
physical or logical access to sensitive resources.
We examined the physical access controls of a Medco office complex and a separate data center
facility, both in New Jersey. We also examined the logical controls protecting sensitive data in
Medco’s network environment and claims processing related applications.
The access controls observed during this audit included, but were not limited to:
•   Procedures for granting and revoking physical access privileges to the data centers;
•   Adequate intrusion detection and incident response capabilities;
•   Controls over firewall configuration and security;
•   Use of software tools to monitor and filter e-mail and Internet activity; and
•   Strict identification and authentication requirements.
However, we did note several opportunities for improvement related to Medco’s physical and
logical access controls.
•   Controls for securely managing changes to the operating platform and claims processing
application;
•   Controls for monitoring privileged user activity on the operating platform;
•   Procedures for routinely updating and patching the operating platforms; and
•   Procedures for monitoring configuration through vulnerability scans.
Nothing came to our attention to indicate that Medco does not have adequate controls related to
configuration management.
D. Contingency Planning
We reviewed the following elements of Medco’s contingency planning program to determine
whether controls were in place to prevent or minimize damage and interruptions to business
operations when disastrous events occur:
•   Business continuity plans for several business units, data center operations, pharmacies, and
customer service;
•   Business continuity plans for the check writing facility;
•   Disaster recovery plan for the claims processing system;
•   Disaster recovery plan tests conducted in conjunction with the recovery site; and
•   Emergency response procedures and training.
We determined that the service continuity documentation reviewed contained the critical
elements suggested by NIST SP 800-34, “Contingency Planning Guide for IT Systems.” Medco
has identified and prioritized the systems and resources that are critical to business operations,
and has developed detailed procedures to recover those systems and resources.
Nothing came to our attention to indicate that Medco has not implemented adequate controls
related to contingency planning.
E. Claims Adjudication
The following sections detail our review of the applications and business processes supporting
Medco’s claims adjudication process.
Application Configuration Management
The OIG evaluated the policies and procedures governing software development and change
control of Medco’s claims processing applications.
Medco has extensive policies and procedures related to application configuration management.
Medco has adopted a traditional systems development lifecycle methodology that IT personnel
follow during routine software modifications. The following controls related to testing and
approvals of software modifications were observed:
•   Medco has adopted practices that allow modifications to be tracked throughout the change
process;
•   Code, unit, system, and quality testing are all conducted in accordance with industry
standards; and
•   Medco uses an automated tool to move the code between software libraries and ensure
adequate segregation of duties.
Claims Processing System
We evaluated the input, processing, and output controls associated with Medco’s claims
adjudication systems. We determined that Medco has implemented policies and procedures to
help ensure that:
• Claims scheduled for payment are actually paid;
• Claims are monitored as they are processed through the systems with real time tracking of the
system’s performance; and
• Paper claims that are received in the contracted mail room are tracked to ensure timely
processing (aging reports).
Medco employees download the Health and Human Services (HHS) OIG debarment list every
month and compare it to the Medco pharmacy master database. Any debarred pharmacies that
appear in Medco’s pharmacy master database are promptly removed. Removing the pharmacy
from the master database prevents claims submitted by that pharmacy from processing
successfully during the claims adjudication process. However, Medco’s procedures only
consider the HHS debarment list and not the debarred provider listing maintained by the OPM
OIG. Failure to update the debarment database with the OPM OIG exclusion list increases the
risk that claims are being paid to providers that are debarred by OPM but not by HHS.
We recommend that Medco implement procedures to routinely update its pharmacy master
database with OPM OIG’s debarred provider listing.
Note: this recommendation does not apply to Medco’s BCBS contract, as Medco does not
process retail pharmacy claims for BCBS.
Medco Response:
“Medco notes that in addition to screening against the HHS OIG list referenced in the audit
finding, Medco also checks the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) maintained by the
General Services Administration. It is Medco’s understanding that all executive agencies of
the federal government provide information relating to exclusion, debarment or suspension
for inclusion on the EPLS. Medco notes that OPM is included in the list of agencies in EPLS.
Medco believes that by screening against the EPLS, Medco meets OPMs requirements. Please
refer to the attached monthly review memo (Attachment 1) that was provided to OPM OIG.
The memo notes that the General Services Administration list is checked monthly.”
OIG Reply:
Although the EPLS contains much of the same data as the OPM OIG’s debarred provider listing,
the EPLS is not acceptable for use by FEHBP contractors when making decisions that impact
FEHBP members.
The EPLS is a public site that contains limited data regarding OPM suspended and debarred
providers. It does not provide FEHBP contractors with all the data elements needed to make
decisions regarding payment/nonpayment of FEHBP claims.
OPM requires its contracted insurance carriers to process all FEHBP claims against a sanctions
database that is updated monthly with OPM’s debarment and suspension data. OPM uses a
secure webpage to electronically disseminate debarment/suspension/termination information to
FEHBP carriers, and this webpage is OIG’s exclusive method for distributing debarment and
suspension data to FEHBP carriers.
OPM may also post messages on the secure webpage concerning debarment and suspension-
related operational matters, as well as corrections to prior data. Therefore, it is important that
contractors visit the webpage periodically between the regular postings.
We continue to recommend that Medco implement procedures to routinely update its pharmacy
master database with OPM OIG’s debarred provider listing.
Special Investigations and Fraud
The OIG evaluated the Medco policies and procedures governing special investigations and
fraud. We determined that Medco has substantial policies and procedures in place to detect,
manage, and report fraud. There were no opportunities for improvement noted during our
Application Controls Testing
We conducted a testing exercise on Medco’s claims adjudication applications to validate the
systems’ claims processing controls. The exercise involved developing test claims designed with
inherent flaws and evaluating the manner in which Medco’s systems processed the claims.
The sections below document opportunities for improvement related to Medco’s application
controls.
a) Invalid Prescriber
Medco’s claims processing applications do not have the ability to detect prescriptions
containing invalid prescriber identifiers (identifiers not assigned to an active licensed
provider).
We submitted test claims for prescriptions written by non-existent prescribers. The National
Provider Identifier (NPI) numbers for these providers had a valid structure (last number was
a correctly calculated check digit), but they were not assigned to a valid prescribing doctor.
We also submitted test claims that contained an NPI number without an accurate check digit.
Medco’s system appropriately suspended the claims containing NPI numbers with incorrect
check digits. However, all claims with an accurate check digit were processed and paid
without encountering any system edits or suspensions, even though the NPI numbers were
not assigned to a valid prescriber.
Although retail pharmacies should validate prescribers before submitting a prescription
claim, we believe that it is the responsibility of Medco to verify that prescriptions are written
by valid prescribers prior to authorizing a claim for payment. A centralized method of
verifying NPI numbers would be more efficient than relying on the efforts of various
pharmacies whose processes Medco cannot control, and would also provide Medco assurance
all claims are verified with consistent quality.
The weakness in the current control structure could be exploited by individuals submitting
fraudulent prescriptions from an invalid prescriber. If the pharmacist filling the prescription
does not detect the anomaly, Medco will pay benefits for the claim and the individual will
gain unauthorized access to prescription drugs. This risk of fraudulent activity is even
greater for mail order claims, where Medco is also the pharmacy filling the prescription and
there is no second level of control added from a retail pharmacist. Medco confirmed that the
only validation it does of prescriber identifiers on both retail and mail order claims is to
validate the NPI check digit and verify that the prescriber is not on the OIG debarred
provider list.
We recommend that Medco make the appropriate system modifications in order to detect
claims being processed with invalid prescriber identifiers. Prescriber identifiers include:
NPI, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) number, Unique Provider Identification Number
(UPIN), or state license number.
Claims that do not contain a valid prescriber identifier should not be rejected at the point of
sale, but Medco should attempt to retroactively obtain a valid identifier for these claims.
When unable to obtain a valid prescriber identifier, Medco should pursue reimbursement
from the pharmacy or member that submitted the claim. All funds recovered should be
returned to OPM via the FEHBP carriers.
“Medco notes that each plan determines the edits that are in place for that plan. Currently,
no plan has requested the type of edit described above. Moreover, the recommendation, if
implemented by the plans, will result in patients not obtaining drugs from prescribers who
are licensed prescribers. This is because not all prescribers have NPI numbers at this
time. Furthermore, while the above recommendation directs Medco to the CMS file, it
does not take into account that the CMS file (1) is furnished only every 4-6 weeks, and
thus does not provide current information; (2) does not require that the prescriber register
using the exact name that might be on the patient’s prescription; (3) does not provide all
the addresses at which a prescriber practices (it only has one location); (4) does not
provide termination dates for NPI numbers; and (5) does not provide clear practice area
information. Thus, relying on this database would result in legitimate claims being
rejected at point of sale. The recommendation also does not take into account instances
where, for example, a vaccine is administered at a pharmacy so the NPI number for the
prescriber could be the same as the NPI of the pharmacy.
For 2012, CMS continues to instruct plans not to reject a claim at point of sale for invalid
NPI numbers, so OPM’s recommendation runs counter to CMS’s requirement and will
result in patients not receiving drugs to which they are entitled that are prescribed by
licensed prescribers. However, if the plans choose to implement this recommendation,
Medco will implement it.”
Additional comments from Medco’s FEHBP clients:
GEHA: “We concur with Medco’s response and would not want to implement an edit that
would prevent enrollees from receiving medications to which they are entitled.”
Medco is correct that for 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Center
for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) instructed plans not to reject Medicare Part D
claims at a point of sale for invalid NPI numbers. The 2012 CMS Final Call Letter to all
Medicare prescription drug plan sponsors states that “sponsors should not reject a pharmacy
claim solely on the basis of an invalid prescriber identifier unless the issue can be resolved at
point-of-sale.” However, this same document referenced by Medco also states that
Prescription Drug Event (PDE) records submitted to CMS must contain one of four types of
prescriber identifiers (including NPI), and that plans must ensure that these identifiers are
active and valid. Therefore, if a valid prescriber ID is not included on the Part D claim, the
sponsor must retroactively acquire a valid ID before submitting the PDE to CMS. The Call
Letter also states that CMS is considering limiting acceptable prescriber identifiers to NPIs in
Furthermore, an audit report from the Inspector General at HHS recommended that Part D
plans “institute procedures to (1) identify invalid identifiers in the prescriber identifier field
on Part D drug claims and (2) flag for review Part D drug claims that contain invalid
identifiers in the prescriber identifier field1.”
Our draft audit report recommended that Medco make the appropriate system
modifications in order to detect claims being processed with invalid NPIs. In order to be
consistent with HHS, we modified the recommendation so that it does not explicitly require
NPI numbers to be validated. Rather, we recommend that Medco’s validation of the
HHS OIG Audit Report “Invalid Prescriber Identifiers on Medicare Part D Drug Claims.”
http://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-03-09-00140.pdf (page 4/25)
prescriber can be done by any of the four valid prescriber identifiers allowed by HHS (DEA,
NPI, UPIN, or state license numbers). We also recommend that claims should not be
rejected at the point of sale for missing a valid prescriber identifier, but Medco should
attempt to retroactively obtain a valid identifier for these claims. When unable to obtain a
valid prescriber identifier, Medco should pursue reimbursement from the pharmacy or
member that submitted the claim.
b) Expired Prescriptions
Medco’s claims processing applications do not have the controls in place to accurately
process claims based on state laws for expired prescriptions.
We submitted several test claims for prescriptions where the fill date was between 5 months
and 2 years after the prescription was written. Medco’s system denied all claims that were
filled more than one year after the issue date, and paid all claims that were less than one year
old. However, several U.S. states and territories have prescription laws that do not conform
to the one year expiration timeline, and Medco is not accurately processing claims from these
For example, prescriptions from Puerto Rico expire after 6 months, but Medco’s system
would inappropriately process and pay claims from there that were between 6 and 12 months
In addition, prescriptions from the states listed below expire at a point in time greater than
one year. Medco’s system inappropriately denies claims for prescriptions older than one year
but within the legal limit for that area. This practice could prevent FEHB members from
receiving medication that they are legally entitled to.
States where prescriptions expire later than one year:
•      Alabama (no expiration)              •    Massachusetts (no expiration)
•      California (no expiration)           •    New Mexico (no expiration)
•      Connecticut (no expiration)          •    New York (no expiration)
•      District of Columbia (no             •    Oregon (24 months)
expiration)                          •    South Carolina (24 months)
•      Georgia (no expiration)              •    South Dakota (no expiration)
•      Idaho (15 months)                    •    Wyoming (24 months)
•      Iowa (18 months)
•      Maine (15 months)
We recommend that Medco make the appropriate system modifications to alert pharmacies in
Puerto Rico when they attempt to submit claims for expired prescriptions (those more than
six months old).
“Medco notes that effective November 2011, the edit that previously allowed claims at
Puerto Rico pharmacies to be filled up to 12 months after the prescription was written was
changed in our system. Going forward, any claims submitted from a Puerto Rico
pharmacy will now reject if the fill date would be more than 6 months from the date on
which the prescription was written. With regard to mail service, as per the case law from
2000, the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed a district court decision that
the Pharmacy Act of PR is not applicable to mail-order services based outside of Puerto
Rico that supply pharmaceuticals to customers within Puerto Rico.”
As part of the audit resolution process, we recommend that Medco provide OPM’s HIO with
evidence that its systems have been modified to alert pharmacies in Puerto Rico when they
attempt to submit claims for expired prescriptions.
We recommend that Medco make the appropriate system modifications to approve and pay
claims greater than one year old if allowed by the prescription laws in that state.
“First, pharmacy regulations in the states in which the back end pharmacies are located
do not allow a prescription that is over one year from when it is written to be transferred
into the pharmacy. Thus, Medco is adhering to pharmacy law. For retail pharmacies,
plans have the ability to determine coverage for a prescription, even if the coverage limits
are more stringent than provided by pharmacy law. So, for example, pharmacy law might
allow a member to obtain a refill of a prescription a few days after obtaining the original
fill; however, the plan, as a matter of plan design, might use a refill too soon edit to
prevent that refill from being paid for by the plan. Similarly, pharmacy law would allow
any valid prescription to be filled, but the plan design might not cover a particular drug if
it were off the formulary; or required prior authorization. The same logic applies for
payment of claims for prescriptions that are over a year old. This might be allowed by
pharmacy law in certain states; however, it is generally not contemplated by our plans.
If the plans decide to implement this recommendation and allow prescriptions over a year
old to be filled at retail pharmacies, Medco will implement the request of the plans.”
GEHA: “Since the majority of the Plan’s prescription spend is through mail order, we
would need to maintain a standardized one year renewal period for all prescriptions.”
FSBP: We wish “to keep within our contract and allow only one (1) year for prescription
refills.”
We acknowledge the fact that individual plans maintain the right to set coverage limits that
are more stringent than state pharmacy laws, and that GEHA and FSBP have done so. We
recommend that APWU and SAMBA inform Medco whether they wish to continue the one-
year expiration limit or to allow claims to adjudicate based on prescription expiration dates
outlined in state laws.
F. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
The OIG reviewed Medco’s efforts to maintain compliance with the security and privacy
standards of HIPAA.
Medco has implemented a series of IT security policies and procedures to adequately address the
requirements of the HIPAA security rule. Medco has also developed a series of privacy policies
and procedures that directly addresses all requirements of the HIPAA privacy rule. Each line of
business, subsidiary, and some departments have designated a Privacy Official who has the
responsibility of ensuring their area is compliant with HIPAA Privacy and Medco's HIPAA
Privacy policies. Medco employees receive HIPAA-related training during new hire orientation,
as well as annual refresher training.
various requirements of HIPAA regulations.
III. Major Contributors to This Report
This audit report was prepared by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Office of Inspector
General, Information Systems Audits Group. The following individuals participated in the audit
and the preparation of this report:
•                  , Group Chief
•                     , Senior Team Leader
•                        , IT Auditor
•                     Auditor
•                         , IT Auditor
•                   , IT Auditor
100 Parsons Pond Drive
Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
www.medco.com
finding, Medco also checks the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) maintained by the General
Services Administration. It is Medco’s understanding that all executive agencies of the federal
government provide information relating to exclusion, debarment or suspension for inclusion on
the EPLS. Medco notes that OPM is included in the list of agencies in EPLS. Medco believes
that by screening against the EPLS, Medco meets OPMs requirements. Please refer to the
attached monthly review memo (Attachment 1) that was provided to OPM OIG. The memo notes
that the General Services Administration list is checked monthly.
Invalid Prescriber: Recommendation 4
containing invalid (non-existent) prescribers. We submitted test claims for prescriptions written
by non-existent prescribers. The National Provider Identifier (NPI) numbers for these providers
had a valid structure (last number was a correctly calculated check digit), but they were not
assigned to a valid prescribing doctor. We also submitted test claims that contained a NPI
number without an accurate check digit. Medco’s system appropriately suspended the claims
containing NPI numbers with incorrect check digits. However, all claims with an accurate check
digit were processed and paid without encountering any system edits or suspensions, even
though the NPI numbers were not assigned to a valid prescriber.
all claims are verified with consistent quality. The weakness in the current control structure
could be exploited by individuals submitting fraudulent prescriptions from an invalid prescriber.
If the pharmacist filling the prescription does not detect the anomaly, Medco will pay benefits for
the claim and the individual will gain unauthorized access to prescription drugs.
A current database of valid NPI numbers is actively maintained by the Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services. Medco could leverage this resource to make improvements to its
claims adjudication process.
claims being processed with invalid NPIs.
Medco notes that each plan determines the edits that are in place for that plan. Currently, no plan
has requested the type of edit described above. Moreover, the recommendation, if implemented
by the plans, will result in patients not obtaining drugs from prescribers who are licensed
prescribers. This is because not all prescribers have NPI numbers at this time. Furthermore,
while the above recommendation directs Medco to the CMS file, it does not take into account
that the CMS file (1) is furnished only every 4-6 weeks, and thus does not provide current
information; (2) does not require that the prescriber register using the exact name that might be
on the patient’s prescription; (3) does not provide all the addresses at which a prescriber
practices (it only has one location); (4) does not provide termination dates for NPI numbers; and
(5) does not provide clear practice area information. Thus, relying on this database would result
in legitimate claims being rejected at point of sale. The recommendation also does not take into
account instances where, for example, a vaccine is administered at a pharmacy so the NPI
number for the prescriber could be the same as the NPI of the pharmacy.
For 2012, CMS continues to instruct plans not to reject a claim at point of sale for invalid NPI
numbers, so OPM’s recommendation runs counter to CMS’s requirement and will result in
patients not receiving drugs to which they are entitled that are prescribed by licensed prescribers.
However, if the plans choose to implement this recommendation, Medco will implement it.
Expired Prescriptions: Recommendation 5
Medco notes that effective November 2011, the edit that previously allowed claims at Puerto
Rico pharmacies to be filled up to 12 months after the prescription was written was changed in
our system. Going forward, any claims submitted from a Puerto Rico pharmacy will now reject if
the fill date would be more than 6 months from the date on which the prescription was written.
With regard to mail service, as per the case law from 2000, the US Court of Appeals for the First
Circuit affirmed a district court decision that the Pharmacy Act of PR is not applicable to mail-
order services based outside of Puerto Rico that supply pharmaceuticals to customers within
Puerto Rico.
First, pharmacy regulations in the states in which the back end pharmacies are located do not
allow a prescription that is over one year from when it is written to be transferred into the
pharmacy. Thus, Medco is adhering to pharmacy law. For retail pharmacies, plans have the
ability to determine coverage for a prescription, even if the coverage limits are more stringent
than provided by pharmacy law. So, for example, pharmacy law might allow a member to obtain
a refill of a prescription a few days after obtaining the original fill; however, the plan, as a matter
of plan design, might use a refill too soon edit to prevent that refill from being paid for by the
plan. Similarly, pharmacy law would allow any valid prescription to be filled, but the plan design
might not cover a particular drug if it were off the formulary; or required prior authorization. The
same logic applies for payment of claims for prescriptions that are over a year old. This might
be allowed by pharmacy law in certain states; however, it is generally not contemplated by our
plans.
If the plans decide to implement this recommendation and allow prescriptions over a year old to
be filled at retail pharmacies, Medco will implement the request of the plans.


Jonathan Wyner
Jonathan Wyner is an associate professor in the Music Production and Engineering department at Berklee College of Music and owner of M Works Mastering Studios in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Throughout his career, he has worked with artists both well-known and more esoteric, including James Taylor, David Bowie, Aerosmith, Kiri Te Kanawa, Pink Floyd, Cream, Richard Stoltzman, Miles Davis, Nirvana, Aimee Mann, Juliana Hatfield, Tiny Tim, Snakefinger, John Cage, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk. Wyner mastered the first interactive CD game (“Play It by Ear”), the first recorded opera (“Madame Butterfly,” recorded in 1912 by the BBC), and what’s believed to be the longest CD (80:32 for Razormaid Records). He holds a bachelor’s degree in French horn and composition from Vassar College.
http://www.m-works.com
Audio Mastering: Essential Practices
Improve the sound of your recordings.
Related Technology and Production Books
Producing Drum Beats: Writing & Mixing Killer Drum Grooves
Recording and Producing in the Home Studio: A Complete Guide
Writer. Producer. Engineer.: A Handbook for Creating Contemporary Commercial Music


On 23 March 2015, Singapore declared a week long period of national mourning for the passing of the country’s founding father, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. “The Longest Night” attempts to capture the physical and emotional state of half a million people queue up to pay their last respect at Singapore’s Parliament House. The series repetitive use of barricades, umbrella, police tape etc to represent the relationship between the State and the people they serve, and to symbolize the country in anxiety, sadness and despair.
This work was selected for the book "Thank you Mr Lee" Published by Platform / Basheer Graphic Books [2015]


Since April 28, 2017, the Non-Governmental Museum Named after Nicholas Roerich went defunct with the illegal seizure of its building and territory.
Truth about the International Centre of the Roerichs
International Congress of Public Resolution. 24.03.2018
Press conference of the International Centre of the Roerichs. 30.01.2018
The Lopukhins Estate Restoration. Booklet
Photochronology of the damage of the Non-Governmental Nicholas Roerich Museum
On the Verge of Bankruptcy
Anton Nadtocheev
Tax Inspectorate demands 59 million rubles
from the International Center of the Roerichs for paintings donated by the patron
The ICR is in distress for the Federal Tax Service is claiming payment of 59 million rubles, which was not paid by the organization as a tax on the paintings donated by the patrons of the arts. If the amount is not found within the prescribed period, the ICR will face bankruptcy and sale of its property.
The International Center of the Roerichs (hereinafter the ICR) is a non-governmental organization known not only in Russia, but also outside its borders. It was found by Svetoslav Roerich himself, who took this step in order to preserve and promote the heritage of his father Nicholas Roerich and other members of his family. In the spring of 2017, the ICR lost its building located in the Lopukhins' estate. But the Ministry of Culture decided to place there the State Museum of Oriental Art. Now the center is faced with new, equally serious, problems. Back in 2016, the Federal Tax Service, charged the organization with taxes in the amount of 59 million rubles. The center must pay this amount for the use of the Roerichs’ paintings in museum activities. This is an unprecedented case, because no museum pays taxes for exhibiting works of its funds. Indeed, the amount assessed by the tax authorities is completely impracticable for a non-governmental organization.
The Ministry of Culture seized the Roerichs' heritage together with the property of the ICR in 2017. As a result the organization has essentially lost the opportunity to realize its property and pay off tax arrears at the expense of this money. This might indicate the intentional bringing the ICR to bankruptcy, as well as the fact that the Ministry of Culture was interested in this. The tax authority, having made sure that the organization is currently not able to cover the full amount of its arrears, granted interim measures of protection on its property, commenced enforcement proceedings to offset its arrears at the expense of the ICR’s property and sent the relevant document to the bailiffs.
The BFM.ru edition is citing the head of tax practice of the International Tax Associates Rustam Vakhitov, who explained why the tax authorities had claims against the ICR:
“From the point of view of the property tax, which constituted the lion’s share of the additional charges, it follows from the definition that, theoretically, the possibility of exemption from this tax would have existed if these paintings had been registered with the Museum Fund. But for some reason this has not been done. That is, the property may not be in State ownership, but at the same time taken into account in the Museum Fund. It is not a transfer of property into State ownership, it is rather a registration.”
Delay in two months
On January 24th the Moscow Arbitration Court held a hearing on the lawsuit of the Federal Tax Service, according to which the Federal Tax Service required to adjudge the ICR bankrupt. The Center applied to the court to postpone the proceedings, and it was accepted. The meeting was postponed until April 2nd. If the ICR find 59 million rubles during this period, the Tax Service will enter into a consent decree.
Thus, the ICR has about two months left to collect the necessary amount. Another way to solve the problem is to search for those (individuals or organizations) willing to put up the collateral sufficient to pay the debt.
To date about 10 million rubles have been collected. The money was donated by those sympathizing with the ICR. Taking into account the penalties that are accrued on a day-to-day basis, it remains to collect 49.9 million rubles. If the amount is not found, the court will initiate the ICR’s bankruptcy proceedings. As a result, its property, including the Roerichs’ paintings, will be auctioning off. The center itself will be liquidated. And this is very likely what the Ministry of Culture of Russia has been seeking for a number of years.
In this regard, the International Center of the Roerichs is requesting everyone who is not indifferent to the culture of Russia to support the ICR financially in order to prevent the sale of cultural property. This is the only way to save the ICR for it to go on restituting the Roerichs' heritage and reviving the activities of the museum, destroyed by the Ministry of Culture. The information on donations can be found on the ICR website.
The Ministry of Culture against the ICR
After the Director General of the non-governmental Nicholas Roerich museum and the executor of Svetoslav Roerich’s will Lyudmila Shaposhnikova died in 2015, the Ministry of Culture, according to the ICR, began its endeavors to liquidate the center to appropriate the Roerich's heritage. During this period, a number of serious events relevant to the fate of the ICR occurred. The Ministry of Culture actually destroyed the museum, having captured its territory that of the Lopukhins' estate together with the Roerichs' heritage. On March 7–8th staff members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (numbering sixty) and those of riot police, together with the representatives of the Ministry of Culture and the State Museum of Oriental Art appeared in the non-governmental Nicholas Roerich museum. The case of “Master Bank”, the President of which Boris Bulochnik was supporting the center as a philanthropist for many years was the cause of this visit. They smashed the front door with a sledgehammer, blocked the guard and rushed inside. The building was searched, after which the law enforcement officers took out about 200 exhibits from the museum, according them the status of corpus delicti. Subsequently, all the items were transferred to the State Museum of Oriental Art for safekeeping. At that, the Ministry of Culture claimed that their department was irrelevant to the March events, occurred in the Lopukhins' estate, and their representatives were present at the withdrawal of exhibits only as "experts." The leadership of the ICR draws attention that not only the pictures donated by Bulochnik were transferred to the State Museum of Oriental Art. The items that have no relevance to the patron were also subject to confiscation. Although, according to the official version, the withdrawal was connected precisely with the criminal case initiated against the banker.
After this episode the materials discrediting the activities of the ICR began to appear in mass media.
On April 28–29th, 2017 the Lopukhins' estate was seized. On April 28th the director of the State Museum of Oriental Art A.V. Sedov accompanied by law enforcement officers in uniforms without military insignias, came to the territory of the ICR. The entrances were blocked, and the museum staff was deprived of access to their workplaces. No documents justifying such actions were provided. Private security and police intervened in the situation, but on April 29th the officials of the Ministry of Culture and the special police units joined in. The estate was seized, and all cultural values, documents and the ICR’s property were transferred for safekeeping to the State Museum of Oriental Art. Neither takeover certificates nor inventory of transferred property were compiled in this case.
The non-governmental Nicholas Roerich museum was actually destroyed. The unique exposition, being created for twenty years, was lost. A part of the museum equipment and exhibits were damaged. Their subsequent restoration is impossible. The ICR does consider the incident a raider seizure.
After that, the Ministry attempted to liquidate the ICR, accusing the organization of conducting extremist activity and violating the requirements of the registering body to amend the organization’s charter. However, these attacks could not destroy the ICR. And then the Ministry undertook such measure as adjudging the organization bankrupt. With that, before the Tax Administration decision for the ICR to pay the tax in the amount of 59 million rubles came into force, the leadership of the Ministry of Culture and the State Museum of Oriental Art seized all the property of the ICR. Thus, in the present context this means a forced bringing the organization into a state of bankruptcy.
Letter to Mayor
Before the capture of the Lopukhins’ Estate and all subsequent events the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Vladimir Medinsky wrote a letter to the Mayor of Moscow Sergey Sobyanin, dated September 10th 2015. In it, the head of the Ministry of Culture requested the Mayor to transfer the Lopukhins' estate from the property of the city of Moscow to the federal one. He emphasized that the Ministry of Culture intended to “re-construct the integrity of the estate complex and locate the works of Nicholas and Svetoslav Roerichs from federal museums and private collections in it, so that in the future it would become a “center of cultural attraction for the citizens of Moscow and the guests of the capital” and “a venue for meetings and scientific discussions” for all Roerichs’ admirers. Medinsky pointed out that the plans of the Ministry of Culture regarding the estate corresponded to the wish of Svetoslav Roerich about locating the heritage of his family there.
A month later, the estate buildings were transferred to federal property. Immediately after, the Federal Agency for State Property Management transferred the above – mentioned objects to the operational management of the State Museum of Oriental Art for the State Museum of the Roerichs to be established there as its branch. In February 2016, the Ministry of Culture approved the concept of the State Museum of Oriental Art to create the State Museum of the Roerichs in the area of the non-governmental Nicholas Roerich museum. At that, the officials were not at all disturbed by the fact that these actions contributed to the apparent destruction of the non-governmental organization, and grossly violated the will of Svetoslav Roerich, who believed that such a museum could exist only in a non-governmental status.
However, as the Vice-President of the ICR A.V. Stetsenko noted in his article, it was commonly understood that the Ministry of Culture was not going to create a State museum of the Roerich family in the Lopukhins' estate, and all the promises of Medinsky and the leadership of the State Museum of Oriental Art, due to which the Roerichs’ heritage transferred to Russia would be allegedly collected in this place, were untrue. At the moment there is official information that in 2019 the estate will be closed for refurbishment.
According to mass media with reference to the director of the department of museums of the Ministry of Culture, Vladislav Kononov, the object will subsequently be transferred to the joint use of the State Museum of Oriental Art and the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts. Currently, according to the official, the staffs of both museums, lacking exhibition space, are working on the concept of collaboration in the premises of the Lopukhins' estate. V. Kononov warned that the process of placing the above – mentioned museums there will be delayed for two or three years.
With regard to the situation with the ICR, Ex-Director of the Sakharov Museum and the Civic Center Yury Samodurov commented:
“It was the largest non-governmental museum in our country. I say was because, unfortunately, the Ministry of Culture in 2017 began to destroy it and was a success in it. All the pictures, the entire archive, all materials of the Roerich family were taken out of this museum. Now all this is stored in the State Museum of Oriental Art. But whether all the items are there, no one knows. No one can see them today either.
Museum at the Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy
As for the State Roerichs’ Museum, a space for it will be allotted to the State Museum of Oriental Art at the Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy. Although at first such plans were not aired. The requirement of the State Museum of Oriental Art to remove the Roerichs’ monument and the Roerichs’ busts from the territory of the estate has become one more confirmation that the Ministry of Culture intends to purge the people's mind of any memories that there ever was the non-governmental Nicholas Roerich museum.
By the way, the second term of Svetoslav Roerich’s agreement when transferring the heritage of his family to Russia was to provide the ICR with the necessary buildings in Moscow, from which he himself chose the Lopukhins' estate. Thus, the Ministry of Culture violated this condition also.
The question arises why it was impossible from the very beginning to create a new State Museum at the Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy. Was there any necessity to destroy the non-governmental Nicholas Roerich museum? And why did they need to mislead the Mayor of Moscow and the wide public?
The ICR believes that the leadership of the Ministry of Culture, together with the State Museum of Oriental Art has been conducting a focused and systematic struggle against the Roerichs' heritage. And it’s still early to talk about its completion. The ICR representatives have already appealed for help to the country’s top officials, asking to stop the outrage that has been happening in relation to the non-governmental Nicholas Roerich museum.
The ICR has launched the virtual project “The Museum that Russia Lost”. On the site you can see the exposition that was presented in the Lopukhins' estate. The exposition was created thanks to the support of patrons and the public. It included paintings, books, personal belongings, photographs and archival documents of the Roerichs’ family. In addition, there is a chronicle of the Museum destruction, which, as noted on the site, can be regarded as one of the world's largest crimes against Culture.
Тranslated by N. Shnaider
The source: Versiya. February 1, 2019
Publications in mass media:
Medinskiy against the Roerichs // Ruspress, February 5, 2019


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Medical Batteries Moving Forward
Save the Date: November 10–12, 2020
These highly specialized battery systems are benefitting from the development of lithium-ion batteries for laptops and EVs.
By: Kevin Clemens | October 1, 2020
Zinc-air batteries are commonly used in medical devices such as hearing aids. Lightweight and powerful these single-use batteries are also environmentally friendly. (Image source: ReportsandMarkets.com)
The medical battery business is a very conservative one. That’s a good thing, because you don’t want implanted pacemakers to fail catastrophically, or medical devices to perform unreliably. A whole gamut of battery chemistries is used for medical purposes, including nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel-metal hydride (Nimh), and alkaline-manganese batteries. Lithium-ion batteries, the choice for EVs, personal electronics, and increasingly grid-scale electrical storage, are becoming popular.
Non-rechargeable primary batteries are used in many medical devices. Zinc-air batteries, for example, are commonly found in hearing aids. These single-use batteries can provide high energy densities, are very light, and are relatively inexpensive to manufacture. The materials they contain are also relatively safe for disposal in the environment.
Here’s how they work. As a zinc-air battery discharges, zinc particles form a porous anode, which is saturated with an electrolyte. Oxygen from the air reacts at the cathode and forms hydroxyl ions which migrate into the zinc paste and form zincate (Zn(OH)4), at the same time releasing electrons that travel to the cathode. The zincate decays into zinc oxide and water returns to the electrolyte. The water and hydroxyl from the anode are recycled at the cathode, so the water is not consumed. If the battery is kept sealed it can be stored for long periods. Removing the seal allows air to flow into the cell so that it can begin to produce electricity.
Primary batteries that are designed for implants are specifically designed to have an extremely long life and added stability, with wider margins for safety than typical commercial batteries. Battery maker EaglePicher supplies primary cells for implantable cardiac monitors and pacemakers and neurostimulators. It was also the first company with an FDA-approved implantable lithium-ion battery (2004).
Medtronic is another company that has embraced lithium-ion batteries—since 2004, all of Medtronic’s rechargeable batteries are lithium-ion. The company uses inductive charging—the recharge system is sent home with the patient and is worn over the area where the device is implanted, recharging right through the skin.
Last year, Dr. Marissa Caldwell, a battery research and technology scientist at Medtronic, told Design News, “For us, reliability is one of the first things that comes to mind. It means looking at reliability from all of the different facets, including what the requirements are from the device level and circuit level to how can we anticipate people using this device. What are the different recharge modalities? What are the possible failure modes that could happen? And all of this then gets wrapped up into the testing and modeling and designing. Most batteries that we design to be implantable are designed very conservatively. In order to build in this reliability, we do give up a lot of margins for, say, energy density. We will not be the most energy-dense cell on the market. But we will last longer and be more reliable.”
Batteries come in incredibly small sizes and can power a variety of wearable and implantable medical devices. (Image source: EaglePicher)
Rapidly Growing Market
The market for medical batteries is a rapidly growing one. First, medical technology is moving forward at a blinding pace, and most of the new devices that are under development require the mobility that a battery-powered system can provide. Secondly, there are a growing number of lifestyle-related health issues such as cardiac disease, diabetes, and obesity that require electronically powered monitors and other medical devices. Some of these devices regularly use hospital power from the wall socket but can switch to battery power when the patient needs to be moved from their room for testing or procedures.
North America dominates the market for medical batteries, primarily because of a broad application of medical technology in both the US and Canada. The large and increasing population in regions with growing economies, like Southeast Asia, China, and India, are expected to experience high growth in the medical battery market. As healthcare facilities in China, India, and the region improve, along with government funding for health care, the application of top-level medical technology will be a key driving force for medical batteries.
A Number of Players
Medical batteries, particularly the latest lithium-ion cells, come in a variety of shapes and sizes, powering everything from cardiac monitors and pacemakers, bioengineering devices, infusion pumps to external and implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Thin film and printed batteries are finding applications for miniaturized wearable and healthcare devices. There are many key players in the global medical batteries market. They include:
Panasonic Corp
Quallion LLC
Stmicroelectronics N.V
Ultralife Corp
Electrochem Solutions
EaglePicher Technologies
Shenzhen A&S Power Technology Co., Ltd.
Although the global recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a decline in the medical battery market, this is expected to only be temporary as health care spending rapidly increases into 2021 and beyond, due to a need for electrically powered and portable diagnostic and therapeutic devices.
Helping Move Forward
For a long time, the specialized nature of medical batteries has made them expensive to develop and manufacture. With the big push presently taking place to develop ever-improving, more powerful, and reliable batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, for applications like personal electronics and electric vehicles, the medical battery market will benefit. Improvements and cost reductions in raw material extraction and processing will help medical battery production on the manufacturing side. A push to recycle the materials from lithium-ion batteries will eventually help further reduce costs and environmental impacts. Better energy densities and power outputs from more compact battery cells, needed for longer range, better performing EVs, can only help when the same technologies find their way into medical batteries.
There will always be a lag between the latest technology and what is acceptable for medical batteries. There are a host of different medical-specific requirements from different medical working groups and especially the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It’s important to prove that the batteries for medical devices will perform in the manner claimed. “It’s really hard to make a battery that’s going to last a long time, and it’s even harder to prove that it is going to last a long time,” summarized Caldwell.
Kevin Clemens is an engineering consultant who has worked on automotive and environmental projects for more than 40 years.
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Sarah Jo Tripp Williams
Lakewood Funeral Home
Lakewood Funeral Home & Lakewood Memorial Park
Sarah Jo Tripp Williams, 85, passed peacefully from this world on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at Clinton Healthcare surrounded by loving family.
She was born to Annie McNair Trippe and Ben J. Trippe on August 26, 1932 in Lena, MS. She married the love of her life, Charles Edward Williams on March 3, 1949. They moved to Jackson, MS and began their life together. Her first job was as a secretary for the Lamar Life Insurance Company. Sarah’s most devoted career was as the secretary/receptionist at the Addie McBryde Rehabilitation Center for the Blind. Her friendly demeanor and gift of conversation were an asset to her profession. During her employment she was an active member and officer in the Lions’ Club. She retired after 25 years of unforgettable memories. In 1984 she fulfilled her goal of receiving her associate’s degree from Hinds Community College graduating with honors. Sarah and her husband were founding members of Boling Street United Methodist Church. A church home filled with many of their family members. She enjoyed singing in the Chancel choir and participating in the Ladies Auxiliary. As her husband was a Jackson firefighter, she was actively involved in the Wives’ Association serving as president in 1960. In her free time she enjoyed cooking, gardening, traveling, dancing and spending time with friends and family. In 1987, Sarah and Charles moved to Brandon, MS where they built their dream home together.
Mrs. Williams is survived by her daughter, Pam Williams McClellan and husband, Jeff of Raleigh, NC. Her two very loved granddaughters, Jessie McClellan Tate (Peter) of Slab City, CA/Elora, ON and Brenna Caitlin McClellan of Raleigh, NC. Sarah is also survived by her brothers, Benjamin Tripp (Dianne), Michael Tripp (Carolyn) and Billy Wayne Porter; one sister Elaine Cockrell (James). She leaves dear to her heart nieces and nephews and many fondly loved great nieces, great nephews and cousins.
Her cherished husband, Charles, and her beloved sister, Janie Lee Tripp Brown, preceded her in death.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church of Clinton, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Lions Club International or Alzheimer's Association.
The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Clinton Healthcare for the loving, excellent care she received before her departing from this earthly world.
May you and Dad enjoy twirling around heaven’s dance floor for eternity.
Visitation will be on Saturday, January 13 from 1:30 to 2:30 at Lakewood Memorial Chapel. The service will immediately follow the visitation at 2:30 and burial will follow at Lakewood Memorial Park.
Please visit lakewoodfuneralhomes.com for online guestbook.
To the Williams family,
It is very clear that Sarah was dearly loved by all who knew her. May you find comforting in knowing you are in the thoughts and prayers of many, and that God cares about you as you endure this difficult time. Psalm 94:19
Michael Gandy
Hello Pam and family
I am all ready to come to the visitation and service and my bum back has been going out over the last few days and right now I cannot stand for any period of time. What I would tell you if I could make it is that Sarah was one of the most delightful people I've ever known and that she made a huge difference in the lives of thousands of blind people and in the lives of us privileged to work with her. And, having gone out with her and other coworkers after the day was done, I can attest to what the obit said...she was a terrific dancer! Love to you all.
Patricia Boyd
I love You and God Bless you .
We always loved you and will miss you.
In Memory Of Sarah Jo Tripp Williams
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/jackson-ms/sarah-williams-7714432


8 July 1983, 19:21 (1983-07-08UTC19:21Z) UTC
9 July 1983[1]
Kosmos 1481 was launched from Site 43/3 at Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Russian SSR.[3] A Molniya-M carrier rocket with a 2BL upper stage was used to perform the launch, which took place at 19:21 UTC on 8 July 1983.[3] The launch successfully placed the satellite into a molniya orbit. It subsequently received its Kosmos designation, and the international designator 1983-070A.[4] The United States Space Command assigned it the Satellite Catalog Number 14182.[4]
This satellite did not reach its working orbit and self-destructed. As well as its main entry this satellite has catalogued debris such as:
COSPAR [4]
Satcat[4]
1983-070E 14192
1983-070F 20412
1983-070G 26633
1983-070H 27906
1983-070J 27907
1983-070K 33531
^ a b Podvig, Pavel (2002). "History and the Current Status of the Russian Early-Warning System" (PDF). Science and Global Security. 10: 21–60. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.692.6127. doi:10.1080/08929880212328. ISSN 0892-9882. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 March 2012.
^ a b c d e "US-K (73D6)". Gunter's Space Page. 8 March 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2012.


A Slow-Growth America Can't Lead the World
After World War II, the U.S. promoted international economic growth through reliance on the market and the incentives it provides. Times have changed.
David Gothard
By John B. Taylor
When President Obama meets with his counterparts from other G-20 countries in Cannes later this week, American economic leadership will, unfortunately, largely be absent.
At the most recent meeting a year ago in Seoul, the G-20 rejected the president's pleas for a deficit-increasing Keynesian stimulus and instead urged credible budget-deficit reduction and a return to sound fiscal policy. And on that trip he had to defend the activist monetary policy of the Federal Reserve against widespread criticism that its easy money was damaging to emerging-market countries, causing volatile capital flows and inflationary pressures.
With a weak recovery—retarded by new health-care legislation and financial regulations, an exploding debt, and threats of higher taxes—the U.S. is in no position to lead as it has in the past.
By contrast, in the years after World War II, the U.S. led the world in promoting economic growth through reliance on the market and the incentives it provides, the rule of law, limited government, and more predictable fiscal and monetary policy. It created a rules-based, open trading system by helping to found the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, which slashed tariffs multilaterally. The miraculous postwar European and Japanese recoveries came from greater adherence to these principles of economic freedom and direct support from the U.S.
After getting off track with interventionist policies in the 1970s, the U.S. put its economic house in order in the 1980s, adopting pro-growth policies and creating a long boom that lasted through the 1990s. Again its economic ideas were contagious, not just in Britain under Margaret Thatcher but in the developing world. Seeing the advantages of American-style economic liberty over state intervention and control, Deng Xiaoping expanded his initial and tentative market-based reforms in China and created an economic renaissance. The U.S. helped the countries in Central and Eastern Europe implement market-based reforms, and it encouraged other countries and the international financial institutions to do the same in Africa and Latin America.


Boris Johnson to prorogue Parliament again next week
Boris Johnson plans to prorogue Parliament for a second time. Picture: PA
The prime minister is set to suspend Parliament for a second time in order to bring forward a Queen's Speech on 14 October.
Boris Johnson's plan will see prorogation commence on Tuesday 8 October and last until the following Monday when the Queen will deliver her speech.
The chosen date for the monarch's speech is three days before the start of a crucial EU summit on 17 October.
It will also mean that Prime Minister's Questions on 9 October will not go ahead, meaning the Conservative leader will have only faced the Commons for a weekly interrogation once since taking office.
Prorogation will last from the evening of 8 October until 14 October. Picture: PA
Downing Street said: "The Prime Minister has been consistently clear that he wants to set out a fresh legislative programme in a Queen's Speech.
"He therefore intends to request that the current session of Parliament be prorogued from the evening of Tuesday October 8, with a Queen's Speech on Monday October 14."
Mr Johnson's first attempt to push through his new legislative programme via prorogation was ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court only last week.
In that judgement the justices decided that five weeks without proper justification was too long and therefore a shorter suspension of the Commons would be permitted.
He has repeatedly said he would abide by the ruling of the court despite "strongly disagreeing with it".
Mr Johnson said: "I want to deliver on the people's priorities.
"Through a Queen's Speech, the Government will set out its plans for the NHS, schools, tackling crime, investing in infrastructure and building a strong economy.
A Queen's Speech is needed to push through the government's legislative agenda. Picture: PA
"We will get Brexit done on October 31 and continue delivering on these vital issues."
The prime minister was in conversation with the Queen whilst in New York last week with the government "looking at the precise implications" of the Supreme Court judgment.
A senior minister told The Sun that "everything will be done by the book" this time and two or three days was "the minimum time" needed for the government to set out their agenda.
Parliament resumed last Wednesday to fiery scenes with emotions running high on both sides of the House and debates about MPs' language arising in the following days.
Talking about a second prorogation, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn previously said: "I think we should have the shortest possible gap between the end of this parliamentary session and the start of the new one."
Mr Johnson set out his "final offer" to the EU in a conference speech this morning during which he laid down his plan for an alternative to the Irish backstop.


Baseball: BPCC’s season comes to a close
The Bossier Parish Community College Cavaliers closed the 2015 baseball season last week.
The Cavaliers were swept by Navarro College in three close games, 4-2, 6-5 and 5-4. BPCC finished the season 17-34-1 overall and 8-22 in Region XIV.
Kiefer Moore had two hits and two RBI in the 4-2 loss. Josey Langston also had two hits. Taylor Roy and Spencer Goodwin had doubles.
Former Benton star Andrew Close went 3-for-3 with a home run and four RBI in the 6-5 loss. Eric Goree had a double.
Cole finished the season with a .311 batting average, the highest on the team among players who played 30 or more games. He had six doubles and 17 RBI.
Roy went 3-for-4 with a double in the 5-4 loss. Langston had a two-RBI double. Goodwin also had a double.
Former Airline standout Landon Lewis allowed eight hits in five innings but only one earned run. Navarro scored all five of its runs in the sixth when the Cavs made all three of their errors.


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Catalytic Converter dot org
Millions of people worldwide who enjoy the benefits provided by cars and trucks also suffer the miseries of traffic pollution.
But advances in automotive technology are helping to stem the tide of pollution and recent U.S. research into the effectiveness of one particular anti-pollution automotive component has uncovered one of the planet’s greatest environmental success stories which may have far-reaching global implications for as markets for new cars expand.
The device in question is the catalytic converter, which cleans gases passing through vehicles’ exhaust systems.
Engineers estimate that during the last 11 years 130 million catalytic converters used in the U.S. have eliminated automotive pollutants that-if unchecked and unabated-could have covered the country with a toxic blanket of carbon monoxide more than 500 feet deep.
The carbon monoxide was captured from exhaust streams by catalytic converters and converted into harmless carbon dioxide.
Engineers say that between 1975 and 1996, emissions control technology cleaned automotive exhaust streams in the U.S. of about 195 million tons of carbon monoxide; nearly 42 million tons of hydrocarbons; and at least 37 million tons of oxides of nitrogen. The carbon monoxide, at standard pressure and temperature (one atmosphere at 32 degrees Fahrenheit) and 100 parts per million concentration (the toxic level) would pile 512 feet high over the 50 states.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data shows that due to emission controls, vehicles now sold in the U.S. emit 96 per cent less carbon monoxide, 98 per cent less hydrocarbons, and 90 per cent less oxides of nitrogen than vehicles sold in the early 1970s.
The improvement in air quality is continuing, as new vehicles are equipped with the latest emission control technology and older cars are scrapped. Currently, 85 per cent of automotive air pollution in the U.S. comes from the oldest 50 per cent of vehicles on the road.
Catalytic converters typically consist of a ceramic or metal honeycombed monolith substrate that carries precious metal catalysts. The coated substrate is wrapped in an intumescent mat that expands when heated, securing and insulating the substrate which is packaged in a stainless steel shell and fitted into the engine exhaust system.
As exhaust gases pass over the catalysts, they promote chemical reactions that convert pollutants into harmless gases and water. Hydrocarbons combine with oxygen to become carbon dioxide; oxides of nitrogen react with carbon monoxide to produce nitrogen and carbon dioxide; and with hydrogen to produce nitrogen and water vapour.
The catalyst formulation, which promotes a faster chemical reaction at a lower temperature, is usually a mixture of the noble metals platinum, palladium and rhodium, and sometimes other catalysts such as the rare earth ceria.
A catalytic converter is not a stand-alone cure-all for emissions control. Unleaded fuel is required. And to operate properly, a converter is fitted as part of an engine management subsystem - an integrated set of specific-purpose emission control components.
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Catalytic Converters dramatically reduce harmful exhaust emissions
Catalytic converters typically consist of a ceramic or metal honeycombed monolith substrate that carries precious metal catalysts.


Carson Marshall Violin
Violinist Carson Marshall aims to inspire audiences with generous and passionate performances in both formal and unconventional concert settings. Originally from Western Massachusetts, from a young age Carson joined his father doing outreach presentations, recently giving side-by-side presentations for school children on what life is like as a professional musician. It was this early exposure to outreach that sparked Carson’s passion for teaching. While participating in the Aspen Music festival in 2012-15 he was involved with the P.A.L.S program, which gives lessons to young students in the Roaring Fork River Valley. In 2016 he participated in the MERIT program at Music Academy of The West where he mentored young students in a nine day intensive chamber music and private lesson program, giving master classes and weekly coaching’s. Carson also recently gave a performance with the KINETIC ensemble, which invited young members of the Houston community to participate in a side-by-side performance. In addition, Carson is a violin coach for the Houston Youth Symphony.
As a performer, in 2012 he was invited to perform on the PBS radio show “From the Top” and is a recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke young artist award. In 2011 He performed Ein Heldenleben as concertmaster with the World Youth Symphony Orchestra, and is a recipient of the Interlochen Center for the Arts, Maddy Award. In the summer of 2012 he attended Greenwood music camp, and in 2013-15 he attended the Aspen Music festival and was a member of the Aspen Chamber Symphony. In 2016 Carson attended the Music Academy of the West where he studied with Kathleen Winkler, Jorja Fleezanis and Glenn Dicterow. In 2017 he served as Co-Concertmaster of the National Repertory Orchestra.
Carson is an avid Fly-Fisherman and tea enthusiast, and is currently pursuing a MM at Rice University, studying with Paul Kantor.


Toru Dutt
9 Sydney Place
London, SW7 3NL
Cambridge, CB2 1AQ
52° 11' 58.362" N, 0° 7' 37.5636" E
St Leonards on Sea TN38 0PJ
50° 52' 22.9332" N, 0° 31' 59.556" E
Torulata Dutt
Current name city of birth:
9 Sydney Place, Brompton, London (1870)
Regent Street, Cambridge (1871-2)
St Leonards-On-Sea (1873)
Toru Dutt was born into the well known Dutt family of Rambagan. Many of her uncles and cousins as well as her father, Govin Chunder Dutt, published poetry and prose. Her education and upbringing were rather unusual for even progressive mid-nineteenth century Bengal. Toru Dutt’s family had converted to Christianity, which in some ways led to a feeling of social alienation for the Dutt family in India. In 1869, a few years after the death of their elder brother Abju, Govin Chunder Dutt took his wife and two young daughters Aru and Toru to travel in Europe. They spent a few months in Nice where both sisters attended a French Pension and learnt French. In 1870 the family travelled to Brompton, England via Boulogne. It was unusual for Indian women of the time to travel abroad and also to gain an education abroad.
In England both sisters continued their French Studies. While living in Cambridge between 1871-3 they attended the Higher Lectures for Women at the University. Toru Dutt met and befriended Mary Martin, the daughter of Reverend John Martin of Sidney Sussex College. The friendship that developed between the two girls at this time continued in their correspondence after Toru’s return to India, until the time of Toru’s death. Toru Dutt seemed to have acquired a good set of acquaintances whilst attending the lectures at Cambridge as she mentions quite a few names in her correspondence with Mary Martin after her return to India. Amongst these names are Mr and Mrs Baker, the proprietors of Regent House where the Dutt family lodged in Cambridge; the son, Reginald, and daughters of Rev H. Hall of St Paul’s Church, Cambridge; Mr Clifford who later comes to officiate at the church near the Dutt’s Garden House outside Calcutta, and Sir Richard Claverhouse Jebb who was then Professor of Greek at Trinity.
A collection of Toru Dutt’s correspondence includes her letters written from England to her cousins in India. Toru Dutt was a natural linguist and in her short life became proficient in Bengali, English, French and, later on, Sanskrit. Although she died at an exceptionally early age she left behind an impressive collection of prose and poetry. Her two novels, the unfinished Bianca or The Young Spanish Maiden written in English and Le Journal de Mademoiselle d’Arvers, written in French, were interestingly based outside India with non-Indian protagonists. Her poetry comprises of A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields consisting of her translations into English of French poetry, and Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan which compiles her translations and adaptations from Sanskrit literature.
A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields was published in 1876 by the Saptahik Sambad Press, Bhowanipore without any preface or introduction. At first this collection attracted little attention but later it famously fell into the hands of Edmund Gosse who gave it a splendid review in The Examiner of August 1876. When her collection of Sanskrit translations Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan was published posthumously in 1882 Edmund Gosse wrote an introductory memoir for it. In this he wrote of Toru: ‘She brought with her from Europe a store of knowledge that would have sufficed to make an English or French girl seem learned, but which in her case was simply miraculous’ (Gosse, p xiii).
Clarisse Bader (Toru Dutt corresponded briefly with the French writer Clarisse Bader after reading her book Le Femme dans L'Inde Antique (Women in Ancient India). Dutt offered to translated Bader's book into English), Edmund Gosse, Mary E. R. Martin.
Attended Higher Lectures for Women at Cambridge University, 1871-3
Published works:
A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields (Bhowanipore: Saptahik Sambad Press, 1876)
Bianca or the Young Spanish Maiden, serialized in the Bengal Magazine vi (January-April 1878)
Le Journal de Mademoiselle D’Arvers (Paris: Didier, 1879)
The Diary of Mademoiselle D’Arvers, trans. by N. Kamala (Penguin Books, India, 2005)
Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindusthan (London: Kegan Paul, 1882)
‘An Eurasian Poet’, The Bengal Magazine iii (5 December 1874), p. 164
‘A Scene from Contemporary Life’, The Bengal Magazine (June - July 1875)
‘Bianca ,or The Young Spanish Maiden’, The Bengal Magazine (August 1877 - July 1878)
Dutt contributed regularly to The Bengal Magazine and The Calcutta Review between March 1874 and March 1877 and her translations often appeared signed with the letters TD. The Late Rev Lal Behari Dey was then the editor and he reserved a place for her translations in what was known as the ‘Poets Corner’. Her final contribution to the magazine was the translation of Barbier’s ‘La Cavale’ which was found amongst her papers and sent in by her father Govin Chunder Dutt after her death.
The only work Toru Dutt saw published in her brief lifetime was her collection of translations of French Poetry A Sheaf Gleaned In French Fields in March 1876. It received mixed reviews from India, England and France.
Bengal Magazine
Madras Standard
Indian Charivari
Friend of India
Courier de L’Europe
London Quarterly Review
Lokuge, Chandani, Toru Dutt: Collected Prose and Poetry (New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2006)
Das, Harihar, The Life and Letters of Toru Dutt (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1921)
Chaudhuri, Rosinka, Gentlemen Poets in Colonial Bengal- Emergent Nationalism and the Orientalist Project (Calcutta: Seagull Books, 2002)
De Souza, Eunice and Pereira, Lindsay (eds), Women’s Voices Sections from Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Century Indian Writing in English (New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2002)
Dwivedi, A. N., Toru Dutt: A Literary Profile (New Delhi: B R Publishing Corporation, 1998)
Naik, M. K., A History of Indian English Literature (New Delhi: Sahitya Academi, 1982)
Ramachandran Nair, K. R., Three Indo-Anglian Poets: Henry Derozio, Toru Dutt and Sarojini Naidu (New Delhi: Sterling Publishers, 1987)
Sen Gupta, Padmini, Toru Dutt (New Delhi: Sahitya Academi, 1968)
Sharma, Alpana, ‘In-Between Modernity’, in Ann L. Ardis and Leslie W. Lewis (eds) Women’s Experience of Modernity, 1875-1945 (Baltimore: John Hopkins University press, 2003), pp. 97-110
Mukherjee, Meenakshi, ‘Hearing Her Own Voice: Defective Acoustics in Colonial India,’ in The Perishable Empire: Essays in Indian Writing In English (New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2000)
From Harihar Das, Life and Letters of Toru Dutt (Oxford: OUP, 1921)
Letter Dated: 11th May 1874, Baugmaree Garden House
This was one of Toru Dutt’s early letters to her friend Mary Martin after her return to India.
We all want so much to return to England. We miss the free life we led there; here we can hardly go out of the limits of our own garden, but Baugmaree happily is a pretty big place, and we walk round our own park as much as we like. If we can fulfil our wishes and return to England, I think we shall most probably settle in some quiet country place. The English villages are so pretty. But before we go, we have to get quite well, and sell our property here, for it is very expensive keeping up two houses here, we being in England in another.
In Toru Dutt’s correspondence with her friend Mary Martin she not only gives a detailed picture of her life in Calcutta but also of her yearnings to return to England. In her letters she expresses a sense of confinement, not only because she was unwell but also because of the fact that the Dutt family were quite secluded from society as they had converted to Christianity. The sense of freedom she associated with Europe came from the brief education she received at Cambridge and the friends she made at the time.


In earning the elite designation, Raley's Mann joins just 53 other Masters of Wine in the United States.
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Raley’s gets its own ‘Master of Wine’
Wine buyer Curtis Mann earns elite global wine certification
Russell Redman 1 | Mar 04, 2020
In a rarity for a supermarket chain in the United States, Raley’s now has its own “Master of Wine.”
Curtis Mann, director of alcohol and beverage at West Sacramento, Calif.-based Raley’s, has been certified as a Master of Wine (MW) by the Institute of Masters of Wine. He joins just 53 other Masters of Wine in the U.S. out of the 396 worldwide, the retailer said yesterday.
Related: Raley’s marks its 85th anniversary with ‘Good Never Stops’ campaign
The MW designation is considered “the most prestigious wine certification in the world,” according to Raley’s.
Curtis Mann, director of alcohol and beverage at Raley's. (Photo courtesy of Raley's)
Related: Raley’s sets out on foodservice exploration in store remodel
"We want to congratulate Curtis on this impressive achievement,” Paul Gianetto, senior vice president of sales and merchandising at Raley’s, said in a statement. “Curtis’ perspective and knowledge will continue to enhance our wine category, bringing in new varietals from all over the world at a price point that meets our customers’ needs.”
Mann has been with Raley’s since 2013. As the wine buyer, he gained much of his knowledge for the MW certification through his experience at the grocery chain, as well as from global travel in search of unique wines and meetings with winemakers and winery owners, according to Raley’s.
“Becoming a Master of Wine is an incredible honor,” Mann commented. “Passing this exam has inspired me even more to share my passion for wine with our Raley’s customers and team members.”
The MW exam, first held in 1953, tests the breadth and depth of knowledge and skills in the art, science and business of wine. The three-part exam encompasses theory and tasting tests plus a research paper on an in-depth study on a wine-related topic. Mann wrote his paper on California consumer understanding and preference for U.S. chardonnay styles, the London-based Institute of Masters of Wine said.
“As director of alcohol and beverage, he has reshaped the chain's wine offerings with the help of in-store wine stewards and educational tastings, leading to a growth in sales over the last six years,” the institute said in announcing the latest Masters of Wine. “The wine press has noticed his efforts with awards such as the 2016 Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Award for U.S. retailer of the year and the 2018 Market Watch Leader Award.”
Mann is one of seven MWs, and two from the U.S., announced in the first crop of certifications for 2020, the Institute of Masters of Wine said. The other five are from the United Kingdom (two), Finland, France and Canada. The top six countries with MWs are Australia, France, Germany, New Zealand, the U.K. and the U.S.
Among grocery chains in the U.S., Raley's isn't the first to have a Master of Wine. Germany-based hard discount grocer Lidl had MW Adam Lapierre when it launched U.S. stores in 2017. "Adam developed up our entire wine program and continues to be closely involved in the selection and rating of every bottle on our shelves," Lidl U.S. spokesman Will Harwood told Supermarket News. An SN search of the profiles of the 53 MWs in the U.S. found no others working for a U.S. grocery retailer.
*Editor's Note: Article updated with more information on U.S. Masters of Wine in grocery.
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Intolerance in Academia
If you need an accurate update on some of the madness at the nation's institutions of higher learning, check out Minding the Campus, a nonprofit independent organization. John Leo, its editor in chief, says that the organization's prime mission is dedicated to the revival of intellectual pluralism and the best traditions of liberal education at America's colleges and universities. Leo's most recent compilation of campus madness leaves one nearly breathless.
In a USA Today op-ed, Emily Walton, a sociology professor at Dartmouth University, said that all college students should take a mandatory course on black history and white privilege. She says that by taking her class, white students "come to understand that being a good person does not make them innocent but rather they, too, are implicated in a system of racial dominance." Walton adds, "After spending their young lives in a condition of 'white blindness,' that is, the inability to see their own racial privilege, they begin to awaken to the notion that racism has systematically kept others down while benefiting them and other white people." This is inculcating guilt based on skin color. These young white kids had nothing to do with slavery, Jim Crow or other horrible racial discriminatory acts. If one believes in individual responsibility, he should find the indoctrination by Walton offensive. To top it off, she equates the meritocratic system of hard work with white discrimination against minorities.
If you thought integration was in, check out the University of Nevada. Based on a report in the College Fix, John Leo describes how integration on that campus is actively discouraged — and at taxpayer expense. The university provides separate dorms for different identities including Howell Town for black students, Stonewall Suites for LGBTQ students, the women-only housing of Tonopah community, the Healthy Living Floor for tofu and kale lovers and study-intensive floors for those who want to graduate.
According to a New York Post report, New York City school administrators have been taught that pillars of Western Civilization such as objectivity, individualism and belief in the written word all are examples of white supremacy.
All school principals, district office administrators and superintendent teams were required to attend the anti-white supremacy training put on by the city Department of Education's Office of Equity and Access. They learn that a belief in an "ultimate truth" (objectivity) leads to a dismissal of "alternate viewpoints or emotions" as "bad" and that an emphasis on the written word overlooks the "ability to relate to others" and leads to "teaching that there is only 'one right way' to do something." Administrators learn that other "hallmarks" of white supremacy include a "sense of urgency," "quantity over quality" and "perfectionism." Richard Carranza, New York City school superintendent, says the workshops are just about "what are our biases and how we work with them."
Michael Bloomberg, former New York City mayor, says that political rage and increasingly polarized discourse are endangering our nation. Americans used to move forward productively after elections regardless of which side won. Now, we seem paralyzed by absolute schism and intolerance. Bloomberg pointed to colleges as a prime example of a rising level of intolerance for different ideas and free speech. Steven Gerrard, a professor at Williams College in Massachusetts, serves as an example of campus intolerance. Students declared Gerrard "an enemy of the people" after he suggested that Williams College join other schools in signing onto what's called the Chicago Principles. The statement, published by the Committee of Freedom of Expression at the University of Chicago, calls for free speech to be central to college and university culture. Williams college students said free speech is a part of a right-wing agenda as a "cover for racism, xenophobia, sexism, anti-Semitism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism and classism." Bloomberg pointed out that fewer than 70 of America's 4,000 colleges and universities have endorsed or adopted the Chicago statement.
State governors and legislators can learn something from their Alaskan counterparts, who slashed public spending on the University of Alaska by 41%. There's nothing better than the sounds of pocketbooks snapping shut to bring a bit of sanity to college administrators.