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MARKEY INTRODUCES CREDIT CARD RATE FREEZE ACTDenver Daily News staff reportThursday, October 29, 2009 | |
MARKEY INTRODUCES CREDIT CARD RATE FREEZE ACT: Congresswoman Betsy Markey, D-Fort Collins, yesterday introduced The Credit Card Rate Freeze Act, legislation that would immediately freeze interest rates on consumer credit card accounts ahead of federal credit card reform legislation slated to go into effect early next year. The Credit CARD Act — slated to take effect in February — requires 45-day notification of interest rate increases and lengthens from 14 days to 21 days the amount of time before the due date that a statement must be delivered. Markey’s bill would force companies to immediately freeze rates on existing balances until the remaining provisions in the Credit CARD Act go into effect.
FLU CASES PEAKED? While officials at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment expect the total number of H1N1 hospitalized cases and deaths to increase, there are indications that influenza activity has peaked in the Denver-Boulder metropolitan area. Data from several surveillance activities indicate the peak of hospitalizations and influenza-like illnesses occurred during the week ending Oct. 10. Officials noted that this is only the beginning of a decline and Colorado still is in the middle of a historic influenza season. Chief Medical Officer Ned Calonge said it is still important for those in the vaccine priority groups to get the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. While the initial vaccine deliveries to Colorado have amounted to less that anticipated, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Monday that eventually there will be enough supplies for everyone who wants to get vaccinated. Individuals with questions about H1N1 are encouraged to call CO HELP at 1-877-462-2911.
QWEST REPORTS FINANCIAL RESULTS: Qwest Communications yesterday reported its financial results for the third quarter 2009. In the quarter, the company’s net income was $136 million. Overall reported revenues declined 10 percent compared to the prior year. Total operating revenues declined 1 percent this year compared to last year.
XCEL FILES PLAN TO MEET RES: Xcel Energy yesterday filed its plan for meeting Colorado’s Renewable Energy Standard (RES) of producing 20 percent of energy from renewable resources by 2020. Currently, the RES requires that 5 percent of retail energy sales must come from renewable resources. Xcel’s plan looks to add 257 megawatts of new on-site solar power, as well as an additional 700 megawatts of new wind power and approximately 350 megawatts of utility-scale solar power.
BENNET URGES SUPPORT FOR MEDICARE CARE TRANSITIONS ACT: U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., yesterday urged support for his Medicare Care Transitions Act, which would implement a model of patient care developed in Colorado. The legislation, which is included in the Senate Finance Committee’s health care bill, would offer incentives to communities that hire and train health care professionals to provide follow-up care visits with patients released from the hospital. The Medicare Care Transitions Act is based on a system implemented in Grand Junction.
LEAP GETS MORE FUNDING: Colorado’s Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP), which provides financial assistance with home heating bills, has received increased funding for the 2009-2010 winter season. This increase means that more money is available to assist hard working Colorado families with their heating bills this winter. LEAP will begin accepting applications on Nov. 2. For more information, call 1-866-HEAT-HELP.
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