Tag: expansion

Sep282017 by adminNo Comments

Europe plans Sentinel satellite expansion

Europe has begun the process of scoping an expansion to its Sentinel Earth observation network. Six new satellite concepts will be studied, including a constellation of spacecraft that can monitor emissions of carbon dioxide. Invitations to tender (ITTs) for the feasibility work will be sent out to industry in the coming weeks. The European Space Agency hopes to put a list of satellites for implementation before ministers in late 2019. Those platforms that are selected would launch in the mid-2020s. Precisely how many of the six will make it to the launch pad will depend on the funds available, but Esa's Earth observation director is bullish about what can be achieved. "I'm not thinking about down-selection at this stage," said Josef Aschbacher. "I'm preparing six candidates and I want to...

Jul142017 by adminNo Comments

Social Security expansion is possible despite future funding woes, advocates say

Finance

Advocates for increasing Social Security's benefits are counting on today's release of the annual trustees report to provide some fodder for their cause.While the yearly analysis confirmed the program's long-term funding woes, proponents for expansion say it also proves the government can afford it."The numbers make it clear that the question about whether to expand or cut Social Security is a question of values, not affordability," said Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works and chair of the Strengthen Social Security Coalition.The report, released this afternoon, echoed last year's projected revenue shortfalls starting in the mid-2020s and leading to a depleted surplus by 2035. At that point, unless Congress has taken steps to shore it up, the program will be able to fund about...

Jun272017 by adminNo Comments

Study: Michigan Medicaid expansion improved health, job performance

Health

June 27 (UPI) -- Low-income Michigan residents enrolled in the state's expanded Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act are seeing benefits to health and employment, researchers found in a recent study.Researchers at the University of Michigan found that 69 percent of the 4,090 Medicaid recipients surveyed, who had jobs prior to enrollment reported doing better at work after enrolling in the Healthy Michigan Plan, the state's Medicaid expansion plan under the ACA, sometimes referred to as Obamacare.The study, which was presented June 27 at the AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting, showed nearly half of the newly covered residents reported improvements in their physical health in the first year of coverage and close to 40 percent reported improvements in their mental and dental heal...