BlueCross glitch mails wrong health records
A computer system error at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee caused wrong information to be included in recent mailings to 657 customer employer groups in violation of protected health information standards.
BlueCross spokeswoman Mary Danielson said Friday the improper mailings sent out June 30 included data on about 2,100 individuals with coverage from BlueCross, incuding the members’ birth dates and insurance coverage information. But Danielson said no sensitive information, such as social security numbers, addresses, bank account or other financial information, or health or claim information, was contained in any report.
“BlueCross immediately initiated a diagnostic review of the system error and began to take steps to protect against this issue happening again,” she said. If any member receives a notification letter and has questions, the member can call or email BlueCross’ privacy office at 1-888-455-3824.
Tennessee among top job growth states
Tennessee and Michigan had the biggest declines in their jobless rates last month with Michigan’s rate falling from 4.2 percent to 3.8 percent. Tennessee’s dropped from 4 percent to 3.6 percent.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics also said Friday that Tennessee and North Dakota were the only two states where unemployment fell to record lows in June. North Dakota’s unemployment rate fell to 2.3 percent, a record low for the state dating back to 1976 and tying for lowest in the nation with Colorado. Tennessee’s rate of 3.6 percent is also a record low.
Nationwide, employers added 222,000 jobs in June, the most in four months. The unemployment rate ticked up to a still-low 4.4 percent from 4.3 percent.
Nevada, Iowa and Georgia reported the largest percentage job gains last month.
U.S. orders Wells Fargo to rehire whistleblower
The U.S. Labor Department has ordered Wells Fargo & Co. to reinstate another former employee who alleged she was fired after reporting part of the widespread fraud that engulfed the bank in a major scandal.
The whistle-blower, a former branch manager in Pomona, Calif., will be reinstated and paid $577,500 in back wages, damages and other compensation, the agency said, based on an investigation by the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The Labor Department does not release the names of whistle-blowers.
The government’s ruling came three months after OSHA ordered Wells Fargo to reinstate another former manager, this one in Los Angeles, and pay him $5.4 million in back earnings, damages and attorneys’ fees.
Ford vows to fight latest Takata recall
Ford is fighting the latest expansion of the Takata air bag inflator recall.
Earlier this month Takata filed documents with the U.S. government adding 2.7 million vehicles to the recall from Ford, Nissan and Mazda. But Ford says none of its inflators have shown signs of problems and a recall isn’t necessary.
Trump to review risks of fewer U.S. factories
President Donald Trump plans to review the U.S. manufacturing base and supply chains because of possible national security risks.
The president signed an executive order Friday for a 270-day review to be led by the Defense Department. The order joins a Commerce Department review of imposing steel tariffs on national security grounds as a possible way the administration could reshape global trade without having to negotiate new agreements with foreign countries.
Administration officials said the country lacks domestic companies that can produce flat panels, repair submarine propellers and print circuit boards, among other possible shortages in the event of war. But those officials said they would wait until after the report was issued in order to determine next steps in terms of policy.
Peter Navarro, the top White House aide on trade and industrial policy, said the possible vulnerabilities are the result of factory closings since 2001.