More partnerships between doctors. hospitals strengthen coordinated care for Medicare beneficiaries

AFP

Augusta Care Partners LLC has been selected as one of 123 new Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) in Medicare, providing approximately 1.5 million more Medicare beneficiaries with access to high-quality, coordinated care across the United States, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today.

robert hurt

Robert Hurt: Showing appreciation for our troops this holiday season

Robert Hurt

As we gather with friends and family to observe this holiday season and to pray for peace on earth and good will toward men, I thank you for the opportunity to represent Virginia’s Fifth District in the United States Congress. The blessings we enjoy as Virginians are abundant, and I am grateful every day for the natural beauty, the agricultural bounty, and the hardworking entrepreneurial spirit we see all across our great district.

Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce

Local Wendy’s franchise donating $4,000 to help feed local families

AFP

The Shirley May Food Group, a local Wendy’s franchise, will present the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank with a $4,000 donation on Monday. Joe Harris, representing the Shirley May Food Group, said they were inspired to give more after hearing about the success of the Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce in the Governor’s Bowl Food and Fund Drive.

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AAA: Gas prices falling again

Chris Graham

Motorists’ spirits are bright across most of the country as stable, and in some areas somewhat lower, gas pump prices take hold in time for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. This week the national gas price average dropped three cents to $3.22 per gallon Friday, a penny more expensive than one month ago and mirroring the same price as this time last year.

Chris Graham: We almost let JFK happen again

AFP

Whatever you believe happened in Dallas 50 years ago, this much most of us can agree on. Dallas police and the Secret Service failed to protect the President of the United States, and that failure led directly to his assassination. So you’re thinking, We’ve certainly learned our lessons since JFK. We’re not going to ever again let POTUS get into a situation where buildings on a motorcade route haven’t been swept.

Earth Talk: Cheaper natural gas lowering carbon dioxide emissions

Roddy Scheer

Carbon dioxide emissions are indeed lower than at any time since 1994, according to data recently released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). But if you think that the rise of the hybrid car, our embrace of public transit, walking, biking and those new windows on the house are behind the trend, think again.

bob mcdonnell

McDonnell proposes $11M for Richmond slavery and freedom heritage site

AFP

Gov. Bob McDonnell has directed $11 million in his forthcoming biennial budget to the City of Richmond for the development, creation, and enhancement of the Slavery and Freedom Heritage Site in Richmond. The proposed funding continues the governor’s commitment to strengthening Virginia’s tourism industry, which is a major revenue and job-driver in the Commonwealth.