News | United Ag

Request for Review of State’s Workers’ Compensation Anti-Fraud Efforts

Saturday, June 4, 2016 9:00 am Print

A series of news stories highlighting billions of dollars in workers’ compensation fraud in California over the last several years has prompted Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia), Chair of the Senate Labor & Industrial Relations Committee, to call for a comprehensive review of what the state is doing to combat fraud.

In a letter dated May 31st, 2016 and addressed to the Executive Director of the California Commission on Health and Safety and Workers Compensation (CHSWC), Senator Tony Mendoza said, “As was recently detailed by the Center for Investigative Reporting, at least $1 billion in medical fraud has been uncovered by current workers’ compensation prosecutions. These include fraudulent or unnecessary surgeries and compound medicines, as well as the selling of patient referrals to lawyers and doctors.”

House Rejects Bid To Strip California Water Provision From Appropriations Bill

Friday, May 27, 2016 9:00 am Print

Los Angeles Times

By - SARAH D. WIRE

The House voted 247 to 169 Wednesday to keep to a measure affecting California's drought in an appropriations bill.

Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton) had moved to strip the measure from the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2017. He and other Northern California Democrats argue it would have a severe effect on the Endangered Species Act and Clean Air Act.

The House passed Hanford Republican Rep. David Valadao's bill almost a year ago , but the Senate has refused to take it up, and many state Democrats object to it. His legislation focuses on funneling more water to San Joaquin Valley growers by reducing the amount used to support endangered fish populations.

FDA Issues Final Food Defense Regulation

Thursday, May 26, 2016 9:00 am Print

The FDA has finalized a new food safety rule under the landmark, bipartisan FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) that will help to prevent wide-scale public health harm by requiring companies in the United States and abroad to take steps to prevent intentional adulteration of the food supply. While such acts are unlikely to occur, the new rule advances mitigation strategies to further protect the food supply.

California Water Bill Has Three Possible Paths Por Passage

Monday, May 23, 2016 2:47 pm Print

BY MICHAEL DOYLE - mdoyle@mcclatchydc.com

WASHINGTON

House Republicans this week are adding a controversial California water bill to an unrelated Senate energy package, opening a new front in a fight that’s already put Democrats on the defensive.

The unexpected energy bill maneuver gives San Joaquin Valley lawmakers a third vehicle they might propel all the way to the White House. At the least, it builds up steam for the GOP drive to boost California water storage and divert more irrigation deliveries to Valley farms.

H2A program the Department of Labor (DOL) Changes The ETA 9142A Appendix A Form

Friday, May 20, 2016 10:00 am Print

For those of you involved with the H2A program the Department of Labor (DOL) have made changes to the ETA 9142A Appendix A Form. The directions and changes are stated below in the latest news release from DOL. Among the changes, they changed the footer to be signed by the Employer. Please read below for the full explanation and instruction from DOL. DOL made these changes to help agents and attorneys save time from trying to track down the employer to sign the paper forms for a second time.