HOW THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC HAS AFFECTED OUR COMMUNITY By Dr. Kevin Coleman, Chief Medical Officer, Grand River Health - your health. your life. our mission.
On October 26th of this year, President Trump declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency. This may have been an understatement when you consider that drug overdoses last year were the leading cause of injury death surpassing both motor vehicle accidents and gun related deaths. More people will die this year from opiate overdose then died during the entire Vietnam War. Nearly 224,000 Coloradoan's misuse prescription drugs each year and our drug overdose rate is significantly higher than the national rate. It is spilling over into our children as Colorado kids have one of the highest illicit drug utilization rates in our country. In this century 183,000 deaths have been attributed to prescription opiate overdoses. Don't gloss over this number. That's 183,000 families that will never see their loved one again because they overdosed on a medicine prescribed to treat pain.
So what are we doing about it locally? Grand River Hospital has taken a very deliberate approach to combating this crisis. We are limiting the number of pain pills prescribed for ER visits and do not treat chronic pain in our emergency room. In fact a recent external audit our administration had done suggested we could be even more restrictive in the number of pain medications written for. We have done more and more random drug screens on both ER and clinic patients to test for illicit drugs and require our patients with chronic pain issues to sign a pain contract with their primary care physician. This limits Doctor shopping and hopping from pharmacy to pharmacy. We participate in the Colorado Drug Monitoring Program and use it as a tool to check past or recent inappropriate opiate usage. We have brought in specialists to educate our staff on drug diversion as well as show us the alternatives that are available for the treatment of pain that does not involve a narcotic. Recent studies suggest that opiate pain killers may serve as pain modulators meaning they may actually increase a patient's pain level when they wear off. With this knowledge we find it prudent to limit post-op pain meds. Grand River Health is currently pursuing an addiction specialist to have on staff to help the underserved in this community when they have nowhere to turn. I feel these measures are making a difference and if you look at the state's health outcomes statistics, Garfield county ranks in the lowest 20 percent for age adjusted opioid analgesic death rate and in the second quintile for opioid related ER visits. This of course has come at a price. Patients with pain may go undertreated and have the feeling of judgement levied against them by the medical community.
So how did we get into this crisis? I would start by saying that opiates are a highly addictive medication. It is not a character flaw, nor a sign of weakness to become addicted to this class of drugs. Without question this has to be the number one reason and without available resources to treat people suffering from this, there is no way to break the cycle of addition and subsequent drug seeking behavior. I cannot imagine the hopelessness a person must have when they cannot get out of the grips of their addiction. Lying, stealing and buying drugs off the street become a way of life to prevent withdrawal. For those looking to make a quick buck, prescription opiates are a prime target to acquire with their health insurance copay and then mark up at street value rates.
Doctors have an obvious role in all of this. We have shown poor judgement at times. We are taught to provide compassionate care and alleviate pain with all the means at our disposal. In our quest to heal and help we have given patients the benefit of the doubt all too often. On the other hand we may have been "burned" repeatedly by our desire to help thus forming a potential bias against all pain patients. This proverbial "boy crying wolf" sentiment leaving an entire population of patients with legitimate pain concerns caught in the middle. This thing is, pain is subjective. We can do a physical exam and tests as well as monitor vitals in an attempt to objectify pain but there simply is no lab test to quantify a pain level. I will never understand why one patient gets rolled over by a horse and breaks his back and multiple ribs and gets relief with Tylenol and the next patient rates their pain a ten out of ten with a sprained ankle. That broad of a pain tolerance scale can be immensely difficult to make sense of.
As CMO of Grand River Health, I field complaints on both ends of the spectrum. "The ER ignored my pain and judged me from the minute I walked in". I wholeheartedly agree that all patients should be treated with compassion and dignity and will encourage our staff to approach each patient with a clean slate while adhering to our strict opiate policy, as the other end of the spectrum is that of a teenage child dying of an opiate overdose. ..this leaving the family to wonder why this drug even exists and why was it on the street.
The problem is real, the solution complex.


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All applicants must be aged 18 or over, and they must be no more than 75 years old at the end of the mortgage term.
For applicant(s) that cannot provide evidence of adequate pension income, the maximum age is their stated anticipated retirement age (no greater than 70 years old) or state retirement age, where no anticipated retirement age has been provided.
Additional criteria apply where the mortgage term extends beyond the applicants' retirement age. Please see Lending into retirement.
We require three years' UK address history for all applicants. Where an applicant is not able to provide three years' UK address history, non-UK addresses should be recorded and the case reviewed on its own merits.
Number of applicants
We allow up to four applicants on a mortgage application. However, we will only take into account a maximum of two applicants' income when assessing maximum affordability.
Residency status
Applicants must currently be resident in the UK and have permanent leave to remain.
For foreign nationals (excluding Republic of Ireland) each applicant must have been granted indefinite leave to remain or right of abode to live and work in the UK or settled/pre-settled status to live and work in the UK. We will require one of the following documents as evidence:
Valid Passport containing Indefinite Stamp
Home Office letter with no expiration date
Residence Permit showing Indefinite Leave to Remain
Manual share code check showing Settled or Pre-Settled status – more information can be found here
In addition we require evidence of two years' residency and employment history in the UK.
Applicants must not hold any level of diplomatic immunity.
We will carry out a credit check on all mortgage applicants as well as additional checks to verify the identity of the applicants. Please refer to our privacy notice for further details.
Acceptable credit history
We will consider applications from applicants with previous CCJs, defaults or arrears, provided they do not exceed the limits in the Credit history matrix.
Credit history matrix
Standard acceptable limits
FTB acceptable limits
Repossessions Not acceptable Not acceptable
Bankruptcy Acceptable if discharged for at least 6 years Not acceptable
IVA Acceptable if completed for at least 6 years Not acceptable
CCJs in last 6 months None allowed None allowed
CCJs over 6 months up to 3 years Less than £500 satisfied, less than £250 unsatisfied None allowed
CCJs over 3 years old Considered on an individual basis Considered on an individual basis
Defaults in last 3 years
Less than £500 satisfied Considered on an individual basis
Defaults over 3 years
Less than £1,500 satisfied or not, may be considered on an individual basis Less than £500 satisfied or not, may be considered on an individual basis
Mail order supplier
Credit cards or store cards
Less than £500 satisfied, less than £250 unsatisfied Considered on an individual basis
Defaults over 3 years old
Arrears in last year on unsecured debt 1 month's arrears are allowed 1 month's arrears may be considered on an individual basis
Arrears in last 3 years on secured debt 1 month's arrears are allowed None allowed
Identification and verification
Two forms of identification are required for each applicant - please see Identification and verification - acceptable documents
All documents used for verification must be originals or certified copies of documents that were originally printed at source and posted to the address of the applicant(s). Copies printed from the internet are not acceptable.
If you have examined the original document, you may certify the copy.
If you have not examined the original document, copies of original documents can only be certified by one of the following:
Legal professional (solicitor registered in England and Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland, barrister registered in England and Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland or notary public registered in any country)
Qualified accountant (registered with ICAEW, ICAS, CAI, ACCA, AAT, CIPFA or CIMA)
Public sector official (serving officer of the Armed Services, serving police officer, teacher in employment)
Medical professional (doctor registered with the General Medical Council, dentist registered with the relevant national professional body)
Post Office official (must include Post Office stamp or Post Office certificate)
Embassy official (an embassy, consulate or high commission officer in the country of issue of the relevant document)
Other (local government councillor, Member of Parliament, bank manager, building society manager or minister of religion).
Copies of original documents should have been certified within the last 12 months using the following words: 'I confirm that I have seen the original document'. The certifier must sign their name and include the following details - full name, profession, business address (where applicable), phone number and date.
The person certifying should be in current employment, but we will also accept certification from a person who has retired (unless the list above specifically indicates that the person should still be serving), provided they still hold the qualification (and are a member of the relevant institute).
The person certifying must not be related to you in any way e.g. spouse, partner, sibling, parent, child or in-law, and they must not be named as a joint account holder/borrower on your mortgage. You cannot certify your own identification.
Photographs of Physical Documentation
Photographs of Physical Documentation for identification and verification can only be accepted by Society intermediaries and intermediaries admin.
They must be in a PDF or TIF file format, with a maximum file size of 4MB. We do not accept JPEG files.
CamScanner photo proofs are acceptable.
If the proof is longer than one page they must be uploaded in one go on our Document Upload Facility, or send on one email using our secure email service.
Photo proofs must be certified by the intermediary/intermediary admin only, with direct access to the physical document. Standard security checks must be completed of physical documentation. Photo proofs must not be accepted from customers.
Identification and verification - acceptable documents
List A - Confirmation of identity (must show name and signature)
Passport (UK or foreign) – current, valid and full
Valid (UK or EEA) photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
EEA member state identity card
Full old style paper driving licence (UK) – current, signed
DWP pension entitlement letter – valid for the current year
List B - Confirmation of address (must show name and address)
Full or provisional UK photocard or old style paper driving licence – current, signed
Bank/building society statement – less than 3 months old and not printed off the internet. Those issued by Coventry Building Society are not acceptable
House insurance certificate – valid for the current year
Council/local authority tax bill – less than 12 months old and valid for the current year
Utility bills (i.e. gas, electricity, water) or cable/satellite/phone bill (excluding mobile phones) – less than 3 months old and not printed off the internet
*Documents downloaded from the Internet are not acceptable.
Please note, these lists are not exhaustive. Please contact the Intermediary Development Team for further clarification.
Employment and income
Please also refer to the Acceptable sources of income and Proof of income sections.
Type of employment
Minimum period
(including Limited Liability Partnerships paid via PAYE) Continuous permanent employment for the last 12 months.
No more than one 3 month break in the last 12 months is acceptable.
If the applicant is currently in a probationary period, the application may be considered provided the applicant:
has previously been employed in a permanent position for a minimum of 6 months and is now moving to a similar job.
Contracted Personnel
(including zero hour contracts) Continuous employment in contracting over the last 12 months.
There must be a minimum of 6 months remaining on the existing contract. Where there is less than 6 months remaining, then evidence of two years continuous employment in the same profession is required. Applicants paid via an umbrella company are acceptable subject to meeting the above criteria.
We currently only accept zero hours contract applications from the following key workers:
NHS bank nurses and locums
Non-NHS bank nurses
Care home workers
Supermarket workers, including delivery drivers
Retained/on-call firefighters and Armed Forces Reservists using zero hours income criteria.
Daily rate contractors
Continuous contracting history over the last 12 months in the same profession.
There must be a minimum of 6 months remaining on the existing contract. Where there is less than 6 months remaining, then evidence of 24 months continuous employment in the same profession is required. Applicants paid via an umbrella company are acceptable subject to meeting the above criteria.
Self Employed - Sole Trader, Partnerships (including Limited Liability Partnerships) and Sub-contractors The applicant must have owned the business for a minimum of 2 years and be able to provide proof of income over a minimum period of 2 years.
We will only accept applications from businesses that continue to actively trade and have been for at least 3 months.
Each case will be individually assessed by our underwriting team.
Directors with less than 20% share in the Company Directors of limited companies with a shareholding of less than 20% in the company are treated as employed applicants.
Directors with 20% or more share in the Company The Limited Company must have been trading for a minimum of 2 years and the applicant must be able to provide proof of income over a minimum period of 2 years.
To calculate gross annual income, we take the total of the applicant's share of the latest year's net profit of the company after deduction of Corporation Tax (excluding dividends) and their salary.
(including Limited Liability Partnerships paid via PAYE)
Latest P60 and last month's payslip (latest four weeks' payslips if paid weekly).
Without a P60 we require the latest three month period of payslips (latest 12 weeks' payslips if paid weekly).
Latest 2 months' bank statements (first time buyers)
If the applicant is employed by a family business or a family member we will require 2 months' bank statements. We may ask for further information as well.
For regular overtime, bonuses, shift allowance or commission we require evidence for the last 12 months showing a consistent level of earnings.
For annual bonus income we require 2 years' evidence. Please provide the relevant payslips showing receipt of bonus payments.
(including zero hour contracts)
Copies of contracts demonstrating continuous employment in contracting over the last 12 months.
Latest payslip and P60
There must be a minimum of 6 months remaining on the existing contract. Where there is less than 6 months remaining, then evidence of two years continuous employment in the same profession is required.
For zero hour contracts, documentary evidence confirming a consistent level of earnings over the last 12 months.
Last two months' personal bank statements (first time buyers).
Minimum income £50k (gross annual) using the calculation 'day rate x5 x41'. Day rate' includes hourly/daily paid, if your client is weekly paid they will calculated at weekly rate x 41 weeks.
Copies of contracts demonstrating continuous employment in contracting over the last 12 months in the same profession.
There must be a minimum of 6 months remaining on the existing contract. If there is less than 6 months remaining, evidence of 24 months continuous employment in the same profession is required.
Latest two months personal bank statements (first time buyers only).
Self Employed - Sole Trader, Partnerships (including Limited Liability Partnerships) and Sub-contractors
The latest two years' HMRC Tax Year Calculations plus the Tax Overview documentation (one copy of each piece of documentation is required for each tax year).
We will use the latest year's figures to determine income unless the last two years' figures vary significantly, we may require additional information.
Latest financial year on documentation should be no older than 12 months at the date of application.
The documentation may show a latest financial year up to 18 months old at the date of application when supported with three months' personal bank statements showing income received.
3 months' personal bank statements may be required in other circumstances.
We may ask you to provide some further information, for example, three months' business banking statements.
Directors with less than 20% share in the Company
If applicant is employed by a family business or a family member we will require 2 months' bank statements. We may ask for further information as well.
Where the applicant would like to include dividend income for the company they work for, we will request a reference from the company account.
We take 50% of the average of 2 years' dividends from the company that the applicant has received as their income.
Where the applicant has been receiving payments from the SEISS grant scheme, we will only accept these where business continues to actively trade and has been for at least 3 months.
Directors with 20% or more share in the Company
Accountant's Certificate covering the most recent two years' accounting period.
The Accountant's Certificate may show a latest financial year up to 15 months old at the date of application when supported with 3 months' personal bank statements.
We will request the Certificate directly from the Accountant.
We will use the latest year's figures to determine income unless the last two years' figures vary significantly, in which case we will base our lending decision on all available information, including any additional information that we may request.
Click here to see full details of our Accountant's certificate.
Where the applicant has been receiving payments from the Job Retention Scheme, we will only accept these where the business continues to actively trade and has been for at least 3 months.
Pension Income
State Retirement Pension (SRP)
Private pension
Company/Occupational Pension
Drawdown on pension fund
Widow/Widowers' pension
At least one of the following are required where the applicant is already receiving the pension:
Latest 2 months' bank statements showing monthly pension payment
Latest annual statement from the provider (letter from the Department for Work and Pension for SRP)
Latest Pension slip
Proof of income for Lending into Retirement:
Latest annual statement of pension due from the provider (letter from the Department for Work and Pension for SRP)
Latest P60
Documents provided should be no more than 12 months old and the annual income must be clear from the document(s) received.
Interest from investments
Dividends from shares
Income continuing into retirement from business owned (or has a share of) by the applicant
Net rental income
The documentation may show a latest financial year up to 18 months old at the date of application when supported with three months' personal bank statements.
Accountant's Certificate covering the most recent two year accounting period
The Accountant's Certificate may show a latest financial year up to 15 months old at the date of application when supported with six months' personal bank statements.
The latest year's figures should be used to determine income.
Latest financial year should be no older than 12 months at the date of application.
Three months' personal bank statements may be required in other circumstances.
Dividend income where the applicant is retired
The documentation may show a latest financial year up to 18 months old at the date of application when supported with six months' personal bank statements.
Acceptable sources of income
We will generally accept the following as sources of income.
Employed income including
100% of basic salary
100% of guaranteed income:
Additional duty hours
Nursing bank
50% of regular income:
shift allowance
Annual Bonus - 50% of the average of the latest 2 years' annual bonus, or 50% of the most recent year's annual bonus figure, if lower.
Car allowance is acceptable provided it forms an integral part of the remuneration package but must not include any allowance to refund expenses paid out by the applicant, e.g. mileage allowance.
We will also use 100% of annual non-pensionable allowances forming an integral part of the remuneration package e.g. London weighting allowance, colleague flexible benefit.
Colleague flexible benefit
We will also use 100% of annual non-pensionable allowances forming an integral part of the remuneration package e.g. London weighting allowance.
Self employed income
Child benefit payments (our Affordability model takes child benefit payments into account when calculating the maximum loan amount)
Rental income (the net figure submitted to HMRC for taxation purposes)
Income from a company the applicant owns that will continue to provide an income into retirement
The incomes of a maximum of two applicants will be considered.
Income from multiple sources
We will consider more than one source of income per applicant, provided they meet our acceptable income criteria and can be evidenced in line with our standard proof of income criteria.
Unacceptable sources of income
The following are examples of unacceptable sources of income. Please note this list is not exhaustive. If you are unsure, please call us.
Expenses (travel payments, meal allowances etc)
Child/working family tax credits
Disability allowances
All other state benefits unless otherwise stated
Maintenance, including court ordered
Bursaries and other educational subsidies
Foster income
Income derived from lodgers
Income from temporary employment
Income derived from Employee Benefit Trusts (EBTs)
Income derived from a foreign currency for applications for new borrowing, porting with a further advance and further advances.
Furlough income (with the exception of existing customers in certain circumstances)
Maternity/paternity leave
Where an applicant is on maternity/paternity leave, the income that they expect to receive after their leave finishes should be used when calculating affordability:
If the applicant advises they will return to work on the same terms, the latest payslip prior to going on parental leave, along with the most recent payslip showing the applicant is on parental leave (e.g. Statutory Maternity Pay Information) and the latest P60 will be required.
If the applicant advises they will return to work on reduced hours an employer's reference is required to confirm this.
Approved accountancy bodies
Accountant's certificates should be prepared by an Associate or Fellow of an approved accountancy body:
Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICA)
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA)
Association of Authorised Public Accountants (APA)
Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA)
Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT)
Association of International Accountants (AIA)
Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT)
It is important that all applicants can afford to repay their mortgage before we enter into a regulated mortgage contract with them, and we take a range of factors into account to determine how much an applicant can borrow.
Our affordability assessment aims to ensure that, after the mortgage payment has been made, there is sufficient net income remaining to cover financial commitments and additional outgoings, including general household and lifestyle costs. We will also consider the impact of possible future interest rate increases on the long term affordability of the mortgage.
The actual loan amount will be subject to: a full credit score, affordability assessment, review of current credit commitments and our current lending policy.
Our affordability calculator provides you with both the maximum loan amount and maximum monthly payments, based on your client's individual circumstances. This can be found in the calculators section of our website.
Lending into retirement
Applicant(s) who are currently employed or self-employed (i.e. not yet retired) and the mortgage will continue when the applicant(s) retire(s) and will have:
50% or more of the mortgage term in retirement: the lower of current income or anticipated retirement income (both must be net of any ongoing commitments) will be used to calculate the maximum monthly payment and maximum loan amount.
5 years or more of the mortgage term in retirement: the case will be assessed by an underwriter to ensure that the mortgage is affordable in retirement.
The lower of current income or anticipated retirement income (both must be net of any ongoing commitments) will be used to calculate the maximum monthly payment and maximum loan amount.
If proof of acceptable income past retirement age cannot be provided then the loan term will be restricted to the retirement age (maximum age 70). Please refer to applicant age.
If you would like to discuss individual cases in more detail, please call our Intermediary Development Team on 0800 121 7788 (selecting option 2).
Properties must be situated in England (including the Isle of Wight), Wales (including Anglesey) or Scotland (including the Scottish Isles).
Please note: We accept transcribed valuations for residential purchases in Scotland. Transcriptions must be carried out by a valuer on our approved panel and must be no more than three months old at the date of application.
Freehold (also known as Feuhold, heritable or absolute ownership) tenure is acceptable for houses, bungalows and cottages in England, Wales and Scotland.
Freehold (including the previous Feuhold and Heritable Security Tenures) is the only acceptable tenure for properties in Scotland.
Leasehold tenure is acceptable for houses, bungalows and cottages in England and Wales.
Leasehold is the only acceptable tenure for flats and maisonettes in England and Wales.
Leasehold tenure is acceptable provided:
no sub-leases have been created
all of the properties within the block have a leasehold title
the unexpired leasehold term must be at least 70 years at completion
Properties must be built of brick or stone with a tile or slate roof. For flats, we will also accept a flat mineral felt roof. The mortgage valuation will be used to confirm the suitability of the property.
Construction of brickwork
Single skin brickwork is only acceptable for garages and porches provided they are single storey, or a small proportion of the habitable area subject to valuer's guidance.
Steel framed properties
We will consider steel framed properties provided that they were built on or after 1 January 1990. The cladding must be predominantly (67%) either brick or stone at all levels. Outer cladding specifically excluded includes large concrete panels, timber, plastic, metal sheeting, and tiles. However, areas of less than 33% of the total external wall area formed in these materials may be considered on their own merits provided that the remainder of the walls are constructed of an acceptable material.
Timber framed properties
Timber framed properties built after 1990 can have up to a maximum of four storeys considered.
Houses, Cottages and Bungalows
Timber framed properties built after 1945. Cladding must be predominantly (67%) of either brick or stone at all levels. Outer cladding specifically excluded includes large concrete panels, timber, plastic, metal sheeting, and tiles. However areas of less than 33% of the total external wall area formed in these materials can be considered on their own merits if the remainder of the walls are constructed of an acceptable material.
Flats and Maisonettes
Timber framed construction built pre 1995 up to two storeys maximum and post 1995 up to four storeys maximum. The outer skin must be predominantly (67%) either brick, concrete block or stone block at all levels.
Please note, the information above outlines our general construction criteria. If you have a specific query, please contact our Intermediary Development Team on 0800 121 7788 (selecting option 2).
Applications where solar power panels are installed on the property being purchased, or remortgaged, are acceptable, subject to the valuer confirming the property is suitable security, and where the solar panels have a lease the acting conveyancer confirms that the lease is acceptable.
Flats above shops are restricted to a maximum LTV of 75% and dependent on the nature of the business, we may not be able to lend at all.
We will not consider a mortgage application for ex-local authority flats or ex-housing association flats:
Where there are more than five storeys.
Where the flats are accessed via an external deck or 'balcony access'.
The loan to value on ex-council or housing association flats or maisonettes is restricted to 70%.
We also will not consider the following:
Lending on freehold flats or maisonettes and studio flats/apartments.
Flats in a block of more than ten storeys.
Flats on the fifth storey or above in a block without lift access.
Where the property is in a multi-storey, multi-occupancy residential building (flats) with external wall systems (cladding) or external wall attachments (e.g. balconies) these are subject to review by our valuers who will use the latest RICS guidance on cladding as listed here.
Where an EWS1 form is required, the property is only acceptable where the form is satisfactorily completed by a suitably qualified professional, and the valuer confirms that option A1, A2 or B1 has been selected and confirms that the property is suitable security. A list of the relevant professional bodies is available to download from the RICS website.
We will not accept applications on properties that have been assessed as A3 or B2.
We will not accept applications where a property is undergoing remediation in respect of fire safety issues with the external wall systems or attachments; works must be completed prior to application.
Maximum LTV, criteria, and definition for new build flats, can be found within new build properties (less than or equal to three years old, or first occupation)
New build or converted properties (less than or equal to 3 years old, or first occupation)
Apartments, flats and coach houses
The maximum loan to value for a new build or converted apartment, flat or coach house is 75% LTV.
We define new build as properties that have been built within three years of the mortgage application or are properties to be occupied for the first time. This includes flat conversions where the number of flats in the development exceeds ten.
The maximum loan to value for a new build house is 85%.
We define new build as properties that have been built within three years of the mortgage application or are properties to be occupied for the first time.
Any new build properties must hold either:
a Professional Consultant's Certificate (PCC) which is valid for the first six years, or
an acceptable builder's guarantee which is valid for the first ten years
Full details of acceptable guarantees and PCCs can be found by clicking here.
Second hand properties under ten years old must have been built with the benefit of an acceptable builder's guarantee scheme subject to the following exception:
Where the property was built or converted within the past six years, we will accept the application if it was built with the benefit of a Professional Consultant's Certificate (PCC) where cover was valid for the first six years.
For both new and converted properties the legal representative must confirm:
building regulations' approval has been obtained
planning approval has been obtained and in the case of listed buildings, the relevant consents for changes to listed buildings have been obtained and that the works have been carried out in compliance with those consents
Builder's incentives
The vendor of any new property is required to disclose the full value of any incentive in connection with the purchase of the property.
Where we are notified of any incentives, the value of the incentives will be deducted from the purchase price to ascertain the net purchase price. The maximum loan and mortgage offer will be based on the net purchase price.
Purchase applications
For purchase applications, the vendor must have owned the property for a minimum of six months.
Properties close to commercial outlets
Our ability to lend may be restricted for properties that are in close proximity or influential distance of commercial outlets. We will take advice from our valuers when assessing the property to be mortgaged.
Self-builds and self-build conversions
Applications are not considered where the property offered for security is a self-build property or a self-build conversion, where the construction or conversion of the property is not fully completed at the time of application.
Property exposure limits
Applications where it is identified that the customer owns more than 10% of the development, in which the proposed property will be located, will not be accepted.
Where there are ten or less properties on the development or estate, if the applicant already owns one or more properties in the development or estate, we will not consider lending under these circumstances.
Properties affected by Japanese knotweed, RICS categories 1 and 2, are acceptable subject to a satisfactory valuation report.
Category 1 – Japanese knotweed was not seen on the property, but it could be seen on a neighbouring property or land where it was more than seven metres away from the boundary.
Category 2 – Japanese knotweed was not seen on this property, but it was seen on a neighbouring property or land within seven metres of the boundary but more than seven metres away from habitable spaces, a conservatory and/or a garage.
Properties affected by Japanese knotweed that do not meet the above criteria are unacceptable.
Loan criteria
Acceptable loan purposes
We will consider applications for the following loan purposes providing the application meets all our lending criteria:
to purchase residential properties for owner-occupation, including properties purchased under the Right to Buy scheme
to remortgage residential properties for owner-occupation, including properties originally purchased under the Right to Buy scheme
to improve, repair or maintain residential properties that are owner-occupied
to raise capital on residential unencumbered (mortgage-free) properties that are or will be owner-occupied
to raise capital (including debt consolidation), subject to restricted purposes
to purchase the freehold title of a leasehold property which is already in mortgage to us
to purchase the equity of another party to the mortgage
to purchase additional land
Unacceptable loan purposes
We will not accept applications for the following:
property purchases where vacant possession would not be achieved upon completion (including situations where the property is purchased by a
close relative ToolTip on focus and the present occupier is allowed to remain in the property)
shared equity applications (including the Homebuy scheme and the Key Worker scheme)
shared ownership application
use of the loan for bridging finance
business investments, payment of taxes, replenishment of savings and investment in timeshares
Purchasing from limited companies
We will not consider lending to anyone who wishes to purchase a property in their own name from a limited company in which they have a major interest.
Source of deposit
For property purchases applicants must provide a deposit from their own resources.
The following exceptions apply:
family sale ToolTip on focus purchases at a discounted price where a loan for the full purchase price (e.g. no deposit) may be considered
a gifted deposit from a family member ToolTip on focus who doesn't intend to live in the property. The gift must be genuine and unconditional, except where the gift is provided by a family member and is subject to a second charge or Declaration of Trust arrangement. The only condition is for the repayment of the charge to be upon sale of the property.
a Ministry of Defence (MOD) Forces Help to Buy Scheme (FHTB), provided it is supported by means of a Personal Information Note from the M.O.D. and not secured by a second charge against the property.
Multiple Residential mortgages
Where the applicant is purchasing another property, all existing Residential mortgages must be redeemed or the applicant(s) released from their covenants before completion of the new loan.
Maximum repayment term
Maximum repayment term requirements apply to all loan types. The maximum repayment term is 35 years.
The maximum term may be restricted by the maximum age restrictions.
No minimum income requirement, but your client must have sufficient income to support an equivalent repayment mortgage and meet our repayment affordability checks.
All new applications on an Interest-only basis must have a maximum LTV of 50%. No additional borrowing above this LTV is allowed.
For all new Interest-only applications there must be a minimum of £300,000 equity remaining at completion, regardless of the applicant's chosen repayment plan.
Debt consolidation is not allowed when applying for an Interest-only loan on an Interest-only specific product.
We do not accept new Interest-only applications on a part/part basis.
The maximum term is 35 years (or 40 years if backed by an acceptable repayment plan).
The following are acceptable elements of the applicant's repayment strategy:
Acceptable Interest-only repayment plans
Evidence required
Assessment Method
Stocks and Shares ISA Copy of the latest statement dated within the last 12 months. Maximum of 80% of the accrued value at application
Endowment Policies Copy of the latest statement dated within the last 12 months 100% of the accrued endowment statement value at application
Pension Lump sum
Sale of the mortgaged property None Maximum 50% of the current value of the property to be mortgaged.
Sale of other unencumbered residential property (UK) (commercial premises are not acceptable) Full details of the property to be provided (Address/Construction/Type etc.) to enable an assessment of value to be made Up to a maximum of 60% of the current available property value. The valuation will be determined by a desk top valuation
UK FTSE Listed securities Copy of share certificates, nominee account statement or confirmation from a recognised stock broker containing evidence of shareholdings together with their valuation Maximum of 80% of the accrued value at application
Unit Trust/OEIC/Investment Trust Copy of the latest statement dated within the last 12 months Maximum of 80% of the accrued value at application
There must be a minimum of £300,000 equity within the subject property at all times for all Interest-only applications regardless of the repayment plan. The acceptable Interest-only repayment plans must be paid in pounds Sterling.
Loan to value criteria
These are the maximum LTV limits we apply#. Certain products may have restricted loan to value criteria in which case the lower LTV will be applied.
Further Advances
£ All Cases Without
Borrowing With Additional
Borrowing Employed / Other Self-Employed
Employed / Other Self-Employed
>£1.25m up to £2m 65% 65% 65%** 65%** 65% 65%**
>£1m up to £1.25m 75% 75% 75%** 65%** 75%^ 65%**
>£750k up to £1m 80% 80% 75%** 65%** 80%**^ 65%**
>£500k up to £750k 85% 85% 75%** 65%** 85%**^ 65%**
Up to £400k 95% 95% 75%** 65%** 95%**^ 65%**
# If the mortgage is taken on an Interest-only basis a maximum 50% LTV applies for all applications.
** If the property is unencumbered or there is less than £5,000 outstanding on the current mortgage the maximum LTV is 50%
^ Where the further advance has an element of Debt Consolidation, the Debt Consolidation element is restricted to 75%
Offer validity
Offers of advance for purchases (including Transfers of Equity) and remortgages are valid for a period of six months from the date of application.
Offers for further advances are valid for a period of four months from the date of application.
Please note: Where there is a simultaneous request for a further advance and a transfer of equity, the Transfer of Equity offer will be valid for six months and the further advance offer will be valid for four months.
Mortgage offers will not be extended, completion of the mortgage must take place by the mortgage offer expiry date.
Remortgaging criteria
For applications to remortgage properties for owner-occupation, the applicant (or in the case of joint mortgages, all applicants) must reside in the property at the date of application.
Acceptable capital raising purposes
We accept the following loan purposes (subject to loan amount and LTV limits):
To extend the leasehold title of the property in mortgage to us
We define a first time buyer as an applicant that has never owned a property. For first time buyers applying for products from our Standard Residential and Offset product ranges, normal residential policy applies. In addition to normal lending policy, a FTB will also need to provide the additional requirements set out in policy where applicable (two months bank statements).
The Step-Up facility is no longer available to new customers. However, existing Step-Up customers can still apply for porting, transfers of equity and further advances.
Portability criteria
Portability means that your client can move (or 'port') their existing mortgage scheme to purchase a new property.
Our porting policy varies according to the customer's type of mortgage scheme. Please contact the Intermediary Development Team on 0800 121 7788 (selecting option 2) for any porting queries.
Accountant's certificate for directors with 20% or more shares
Figures must be final, not draft or projected.
We require the following information:
Date business started
Year ending*
Net profit and the Applicant's gross share of the net profit**
Fair value gains or losses
Salary defined as the applicant's gross salary excluding any benefit in kind (e.g. car benefit) or dividends
Spouse's salary
We will also ask the following questions:
If profits/drawings/salary/dividends are not level or rising an explanation will need to be provided, especially where drawings/salary/dividends exceed net profit
In your opinion, is the amount of drawings/salary supported by the on-going performance of the business?
Please confirm that cash flow projections are sufficient to support the forecast growth of the business.
In your opinion, are the level of drawings/dividends sustainable to allow the business to grow and continue to be profitable?
Are there any significant exceptional one-off items of income or expenditure, not expected to recur, reported within the net profit of the periods reported? Details of any such items will need to be provided
If applicable, please provide a breakdown or the source of the applicant's additional income and specify any other factors which may affect the future profitability
*Where the accountant's certificate shows the latest financial year over 12 months and up to 15 months old at the date of application, 3 months personal bank statements showing income received will be required to support the application.
**Net profit figures must be stated prior to dividends, after taking into account the applicant's salary and after the deduction of corporation tax.
Or try our FAQS
Your cases
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If you're not a UK mortgage intermediary or professional advisor and would like information about a mortgage please go to thecoventry.co.uk.
Important information about Coventry Building Society Group

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Record Stores That Sell Rock N Roll Albums And Cd's In The U.S.
Classic record stores may be a thing of the past, but in their heyday, this was the place you went to find the music you crazed. No downloads, just records and later cds.
Voted one of Rolling Stone Magazines "Best Record Stores in the USA".
The place to buy and sell your cd's, records and tapes in Philadelphia.


DERBY -- One by one, they appeared before Superior Court Judge Karen Sequino on Monday.
Many kept their heads down during their brief, five-minute appearance as Assistant State's Attorney John Kerwin read the charges.
Most relied on a Portuguese interpreter to translate the proceedings.
All of the 19 men, including eight from Danbury, arrested July 26 for betting on finches trained to fight each other, had their cases continued until Sept. 1.
They didn't even have to enter a "not guilty" plea. That's because their lawyers have begun negotiating a deal in which all 19 will seek accelerated rehabilitation at their next court appearance.
It will take about three weeks to determine whether they are eligible for the program, which, if successfully completed, would wipe the criminal charges of cruelty to animals and gambling off their records.
To be eligible for accelerated rehabilitation, a defendant must not have a criminal record and must not have applied for the program previously.
But giving them accelerated rehabilitation is not the message Friends of the Animals wants sent.
"They have got to feel it somewhere," said Nancy Rice, the Darien organization's outreach coordinator. "If not psychologically, then financially."
Rice said the organization's position is that each of the 19 men should pay the maximum $5,000 fine. That money would then be turned over to the state and possibly used for caring for the birds seized in the Shelton case or other abused animals.
The state Department of Agriculture took custody of the 150 saffron finches confiscated in Shelton. All of the 19 men waived their right to any ownership of the birds Monday.
"They all agreed not to make any claims to the birds," said Edward Gavin, a Bridgeport lawyer who represents Geraldo Teixeira, 43, of Kearney, N.J.
Gavin said all of the defendants agreed the state could use photographs rather than the actual birds as evidence in the unlikely event that any of the cases proceed to trial.
"We have no objection to the state taking control of the birds," said John Robert Gulash, a Bridgeport lawyer representing Jurames Goulart, 42, of Ripton Road, Shelton. "They could turn them over to a sanctuary, a foster family or new owners."
However, Gulash did ask that Goulart's computer, which contains business records for his J & G landscaping company, be returned as soon as possible.
Goulart is accused of running the bird fights with Sebastian Andrade, 37, and Nonato Raimundo, 51, both of Danbury, on Goulart's property in Shelton and at undisclosed locations in Danbury.
Andrade and Raimundo also had their cases continued.
Goulart ignored repeated questions and requests for comment as he walked several blocks from the courthouse to his car on Elizabeth Street.
Gamblers from Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey would arrive hours before the fights began at 7 a.m. to trade and sell birds, police said, and would party when the fights were over.
In addition to the birds, the police seized cages, as well as food, vitamins and medications for birds.
Elito Goulart, 47, of Bridgeport, Jurames Goulart's brother, told the judge through the interpreter that he could not afford a lawyer because he earns only $350 a week. As a result, he applied for a public defender to represent him.
Also appearing in court Monday were Rogerio DeCarvalho, 35; Ricardo Almeida, 29; Getulio Serra, 62; Gilson Goncalves, 31; Agostinho Gondinho, 35; and Massilon DePaula, 32, all Danbury residents.
The remaining defendants live out of state.


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The War Is Far From Over in "The Walking Dead" #161 (Review)
by Sarah Payne-Mills
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"The Whisperer War: Part 5 of 6" The Walking Dead #161
Art and Lettering by: Charlie Adlard, Stefano Gaudiano, and Cliff Rathburn
Cover by: Charlie Adlard
Variant cover by: Arthur Adams and Nathan Fairbairn
The Whisperers attacked the Hilltop! In the fifth part of the Whisperer War arc, the Whisperers make their move on the Hilltop, and Maggie, Sophia, Aaron, Lydia, and Carl are ready. Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard devote over half of this issue to the battle. But with volleys of flaming arrows, lots of action-packed zombie fighting, and a couple of close calls, it does not disappoint. Each page is exciting. In past issues in this arc, the sixteen-panel grid that runs throughout jumped around to different characters and their role in the Whisperer War. This month, we stay with our group at the Hilltop a little longer than usual to build suspense and get our adrenaline pumping. However, the war is far from over.
In issue 160, we saw Lydia accept the Hilltop as her home. Here, we see her fight for it. As she fights a Whisperer, she screams, "I don't want to live like an animal! I'm better than that! We all are!" Lydia has endured physical and emotional trauma living among the Whisperers but is able to turn a new leaf and call the Hilltop home. And everyone at the Hilltop steps up to fight. Throughout the battle, we get glimpses of several people fighting the Whisperers, and some really neat action shots (lots of zombie heads getting hacked off or in half—SVAASH! SHAKK! SVAKK! WRAKK! panels read) and spreads showcasing the Hilltop burning.
Later, with Dwight's group, we finally get a peek into Negan's reaction to losing Lucille. Dwight finds him crying and doesn't understand his emotion, calling him a "fucking lunatic." As Negan tells him, "You'll never understand what she represented to me . . . why she meant so much." (Those of us reading Image+ know!) At this point, Negan seems inconsolable. Even Jesus seems surprised by how down he is. Is this the new Negan? Did he draw his power and confidence from Lucille? Or is it all a mind game? With only one issue left in the arc, we're sure to find out. And, as we see at the end of the issue, Sherry is getting a bit power hungry. Negan's reaction to losing Lucille and his connection to the Saviors may play a part in how it all shakes out. But, luckily, Rick is aware of the threat from the Saviors, telling Andrea, "When you're out in that bell tower watching for the Whisperers . . . you watch for them too." Kirkman, and the comic's editor Sean Mackiewicz, cleverly cut the scene with Eugene on the page before Rick and Andrea's conversation. As he prepares to deliver bullets to Alexandria, Eugene asks, "People are out there dying for us. We die to get them what they need. Otherwise . . . what are we?" which cuts directly into a conversation with Rick and Andrea, as Rick basically completes Eugene's question with "The Saviors." Exactly.
I've really enjoyed the design choice for this arc. Kirkman and Adlard continue to build suspense by using a sixteen-panel grid. In other comics when characters are spread all over the place, things can get a bit overwhelming and confusing. But that works for this arc, because war isn't something that's neat and organized. Through the design, you can feel the uncertainty and the stress that the characters feel. I particularly love how Adlard depicts the battle scene with the Whisperers, using a variety of shots and showcasing many characters from the Hilltop. The last page of the battle with Maggie staring away from the burning Hilltop and little Hershel tightly embracing her leg is incredibly fitting. "Yay. We won," she says. She's not jumping up and down or celebrating their victory. She's knows there's more to come, and she's exhausted.
Adlard's cover features Maggie and Eugene. He sticks with the primary colors red and yellow we've been seeing throughout the arc. Behind Maggie is the Hilltop aflame with its residents running away from the main house. Perhaps it represents civilization crumbling—or literally burning. When the war is over, our characters will have to rebuild civilization, and that may be the real task. Arthur Adams and Nathan Fairbairn's variant cover features a super-ripped Carl and tough-as-nails Lydia shooting into the horde of zombies.
This issue continues to push the arc forward and lead us to the conclusion. There's only one issue left in the Whisperer War! How will it end? And what's next? Will we finally meet Eugene's radio pen pal?
Comics, Entertainment Reviews
Arthur Adams carl grimes Charlie Adlard Cliff Rathburn Image Comics lucille Michonne Nathan Fairbairn Negan rick grimes Robert Kirkman Stefano Gaudiano The Walking Dead


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The National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD), in partnership with Loyola Press, is pleased to announce St. John Chrysostom Parish in Wallingford, Pennsylvania, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, as the winner of this year's Loyola Press Opening Doors Parish Award. The parish will receive from Loyola Press $1000 and a plaque.
Three judges, representing the Archdioceses of Atlanta and Portland in Oregon, and the Diocese of Toledo, selected St. John Chrysostom Parish after reviewing numerous applications from across the United States. In their review, the judges looked at ways parishes demonstrate a deep commitment to parishioners with disabilities, providing access for full participation in all aspects of parish life: sacramental, catechetical, social, ministerial, and community service.
In 2014, the pastor of St. John Chrysostom, Rev. Edward J. Hallinan, sought out families who were missing from Sunday Mass, families whose children looked and behaved differently at Mass and parish events. After hearing their stories of isolation and pain, Father Hallinan challenged St. John Chrysostom to become a faith community that would genuinely welcome all; where families could worship in an atmosphere of warmth; and where all children could participate fully in the Sacraments.
Now a parishioner leads their ministry with persons with disabilities, which developed a mission statement and four areas of focus. Their adapted religious education program, now in its second year, draws new families to the parish. One regularly-scheduled Sunday Mass each month is adapted especially for worshippers who need accommodations like reduced lighting, low-gluten hosts, and sign-language interpretation. The mass also features persons with disabilities in ministerial roles on and off the altar.
By granting this award to St. John Chrysostom, NCPD and Loyola Press hope to show parishes large and small, old and new, that sowing seeds of welcome to persons with disabilities and making accommodations for all to partake at the Lord's Table produces a bountiful harvest that nourishes the entire parish.
Below is a description from St. John Chrysostom of other related items at their parish.
Personal assistive listening devices for hearing-impaired worshippers are available at all Masses, as are low-gluten Hosts for those with gluten sensitivities. At every Mass, ushers are trained to look for opportunities to assist all, and Eucharistic Ministers distribute Holy Communion in the pews as needed.
St. John's does not have a "cry room" for children, disabled or otherwise. Our Masses are filled with the sounds and activity of all children, as well as adults with disabilities. Any worshipper who needs an alternate area during Mass may step into the glass-doored vestibule (narthex), where the P.A. system carries the liturgy audio, and the Mass and worshipper remain fully in view.
Our monthly Mass of Welcoming & Inclusion—the first and only of its kind in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia—exemplifies our parish commitment by integrating the deaf and disabled into our regular Eucharistic celebration with a modified liturgy and American Sign Language interpreter. This Mass is actively promoted through traditional and social media channels to local organizations and programs that serve the deaf and disabled. The Mass of Welcoming is also filmed by our Televised Mass ministry, broadcast on our local cable channel, and embedded on our parish website for viewing.
St. John Chrysostom warmly welcomes all people to all Masses at all times.
Our monthly Mass of Welcoming & Inclusion includes some modifications for persons with special needs. The liturgy is shorter, the music and lighting softer, and the Mass is interpreted in American Sign Language. Learn more here.
Note: Low-gluten Hosts are available at all Masses.
They also provide a wonderful pdf that tells people how they can support disability ministry, found below.


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Books and Life Blog
My Sister's Reaper
Meet Author Rockstar Michelle Zink
Musings on My Favorite Book 2.0
Bout Books 3.0
Review: Clockwork Prince
Musings on My Favorite Book
Mcwane, Inc. Executive Sentenced For Committing Environmental Crimes
Charles Matlock, an executive with Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Company, was sentenced in federal court today to 12 months and one day in prison and a $20,000 fine for violating the federal Clean Air Act, the Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency announced. Pacific States, a division of McWane Inc. located in Springville, Utah, manufactures cast iron pipe for the water and sewer industry.
On February 8, 2006, Judge Benson also sentenced McWane to pay a fine of $3 million—the largest criminal environmental fine in Utah—and serve a three-year period of probation, after it pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Air Act. At that time, Matlock also pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Air Act by rendering inaccurate a stack emissions test required under the Act.
"Protecting local communities from harmful air pollution depends upon honest reporting by regulated companies, and when senior corporate executives cheat on required tests, public health and the environment suffer," said David M. Uhlmann, Chief of the Justice Department's Environmental Crimes Section. "Today's jail sentence of the former top official of McWane in Utah is further proof of the McWane legacy: a repeat offender that committed years of environmental and worker safety violations at facilities across the country."
"Protecting the quality of life we enjoy in Utah is very important to residents of our state. Those individuals or companies who cause damage to the air quality of our state, putting residents at risk, can expect to be aggressively investigated and prosecuted," said Acting U.S. Attorney for Utah Stephen J. Sorenson.
"Today's sentencing of the former vice president and general manager of Pacific States Pipe Company underscores McWane's lamentable record of serious environmental misconduct nationwide," said Granta Y. Nakayama, EPA's Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance. "The message should be clear that prosecutions will go as high up the corporate hierarchy as the evidence permits and we will hold senior managers of corporations accountable, as well as the corporation itself. All company employees should definitely think twice about knowingly breaking the law because they should clearly understand that they will face incarceration and fines for harming the environment and putting the public at risk."
In November 2005, McWane, Matlock and another McWane employee were indicted for conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act by rendering inaccurate a September 2000 stack test; for making false statements in documents required under the Act; and for defrauding the United States. Matlock also was indicted for a separate violation of the Clean Air Act for rendering inaccurate the September 2000 stack test.
In 2001, 2002 and 2003, McWane submitted "Emission Inventory" documents that were based on the inaccurate September 2000 stack test. The Emission Inventory documents in turn falsely stated to the State of Utah that Pacific State's emissions were at a level that McWane employees knew was not accurate.
In addition to the Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe company litigation, four other McWane divisions, including numerous individuals, have recently been convicted of or pleaded guilty to committing environmental crimes: Tyler Pipe Company of Tyler, Texas (March 2005); McWane Cast Iron Pipe Company of Birmingham, Ala.
Environmental LawLeave a comment
How to Protect Your Settlement from Your Health Care Insurance Provider
How does this issue affect me?
Many people reading the title of this article will wonder, "Why on earth would I have to worry about that?" Unfortunately, because of the deep discounts HMOs have all but forced on hospitals and clinics, and their reluctance to pay many claims, medical care providers are scraping for every penny. Some hospitals are laying claim to part of their patients' liability settlements to collect what patients owe them. However, some are reaching further than that.
How do health care providers overreach?
The basics of medical insurance payments are really quite simple. A health insurance company will contract with a hospital to pay a certain percentage or certain fixed amount for each type of charge. For example, a hospital's normal charge for a chest x-ray may be $150. The insurer may contract to cap the total payment due for a chest x-ray at $100. In turn, the insurer's contract with its customers may require the insurer to pay 70 percent of the cost of x-rays. Therefore, if a patient receives a chest x-ray, the insurer will pay $70 (70 percent of the $100 agreed cost), and the patient will have to pick up the remaining $30. Who is on the hook for the additional $50 of the hospital's regular charge? Nobody. The hospital's contract with the insurer effectively resets the price of the x-ray for the insurer and its policyholders.
When a patient is in an accident, he or she may require extensive medical services. The amount that is left over after an insurer pays its portion can be very high. The patient legitimately owes this money, and the hospital legitimately can collect it from the proceeds of the accident settlement. However, sometimes hospitals will try to get a second slice of the pie by billing the patient for not only the portion he owes after the insurer has paid its part, but also the difference between the charge contracted with the insurer and its regular charge. In our chest x-ray example, that means that the hospital would try to claim $30 plus the discounted $50 from the patient's injury settlement. This can add up quickly! This practice, known as balance billing, is illegal in some states. However, some hospitals are apparently ignoring the law where auto insurance liability settlements are involved.
How does a hospital make a claim on a settlement?
Jane Driver was admitted to a hospital after receiving some substantial injuries. She has health insurance through an HMO, and gives that information to the hospital and tells the hospital that she was injured by a defective product. Hospitals, without a patient's permission, may file a lien on an accident insurance settlement within a certain period (often between ten and thirty days) after they have provided care. The hospital files a lien against any settlement Jane receives.
The insurer settled with Jane for $10,000. Her hospital bills amounted to $5,000, 70 percent of which ($3,500) was paid by her health insurance. The amount she owed personally was $1,500. However, rather than collecting $2,500 through the lien, the hospital collected $4,000—the $1,500 Jane owed plus $2,500 that it would have charged if not for the discount contracted between it and Jane's insurer. In many places, the hospital broke the law.
What are the courts saying about balance billing?
More patients are suing hospitals; some individually and some in class actions. Key cases in Texas and Wisconsin have resulted in strong language from the courts and big judgments against the offending hospitals. According the Texas court in Satsky vs. United States, the judge held that the hospital, which had been paid in full by the patient's health insurance company, was prohibited from recovering any further funds. A lien could only attach if there was a debt secured by the lien, and because the bill had been paid in full per the health insurer's contract with the hospital, there was no debt remaining for the hospital to collect. The Wisconsin judge in Dorr vs. Sacred Heart Hospital didn't mince words, stating that the hospital had filed its lien "purely as a ploy to try to get as much money as possible," and that it had intentionally disregarded the patient's rights in doing so.
In addition, the Attorney General of Maryland, and Florida and Arkansas Insurance Commissioners have specifically warned health care providers that balance billing is illegal. Michigan's public health regulations specifically state that the practice is forbidden. As the practice continues, it is expected that courts in more states will rule that the practice is illegal, and that more states will take an official stance.
Can my health insurance company take part of my settlement?
Your health insurance company often has a right to take part of your auto accident settlement, depending on what you agreed to in your health insurance policy. Often, your health insurance company is entitled to recover everything it paid for your medical care, which is called subrogation. The theory behind subrogation is that a person should not have his medical bills paid twice—once by his health insurer, and a second time in the form of a settlement or judgment for damages in an accident liability case. So, rather than having your medical bills paid by the insurance company and getting the equivalent sum to keep from the settlement, you would have to pay the amount you received for your medical expenses in the settlement to your health insurance company.
Don't be a pirate
**While this should go without saying, I'd just like to remind everyone that the reviews, musings, and interviews published on this blog are my own and therefore, are my intellectual property. If you'd like to quote me, great, just sent me an email and make sure you cite my blog. Plagiarism sucks and it's illegal.**
All reviews, musings, and text (c) danielle. unless otherwise specified


When Dior and I hits theaters today, it will cement 47-year-old Raf Simons' position as more than just a designer. Yes, trap boys all over his knew name after A$AP Rocky confessed "Raf Simons, Rick Owens usually what I'm dressed in," and of course that's if they didn't already know his name from when Kanye West interviewed the designer in 2008, but this film pushes things to another level. Though the weirdest part is, it sort of glosses over the area where Simons has had the most influence—menswear.
When the Belgian designer started in fashion, he caught accolades left and right for his forward-thinking approach to how dudes should dress. After interning for Walter Van Bierendonck—who himself had been exercising more than a bit of #influence via the Antwerp Six—and crying at 1991 Maison Martin Margiela "White" show, the designer struck out on his own in 1995. That was a full 20 years ago and since then he's pushed the silhouette of menswear three, maybe four times and positioned himself at the creative forefront, season after season. Want proof? We count down five ways that Raf Simons affected current menswear trends—years before any rapper or hot brand did it.


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Il doppio del torneo di tennis Shanghai Open 1999, facente parte dell'ATP Tour, ha avuto come vincitori Sébastien Lareau e Daniel Nestor che hanno battuto in finale Todd Woodbridge e Mark Woodforde 7-5, 6-3.

Teste di serie

 Mahesh Bhupathi /  Leander Paes (quarti di finale)
 Todd Woodbridge /  Mark Woodforde (finale)

 Sébastien Lareau /  Daniel Nestor (campioni)
 Wayne Arthurs /  Andrew Kratzmann (primo turno)

Qualificazioni

Tabellone

Collegamenti esterni

Shanghai Open 1999
ATP Tour 1999

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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USS Barker (DD-213) was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy in World War II, named for Admiral Albert S. Barker.

Barker was launched 11 September 1919 by William Cramp & Sons, Philadelphia; sponsored by Mrs. Albert S. Barker widow of Admiral Barker; and commissioned 27 December 1919.

Pre-war service
In June 1920, Barker sailed to the Middle East to join Division 35, US Naval Detachment, Turkish Waters. She served for several months with the American Relief of Armenia and visited several ports in Turkey and the Middle East before sailing eastward late in 1921, to the Orient to commence her four-year tour of duty with the Asiatic Fleet.

Barker cruised in Philippine and Asiatic waters until departing Manila in May 1925. In the next two years she served with the Scouting Force on the east coast and patrolled off Nicaragua, 10–31 January 1927, in the second campaign there. Thereafter, she served a two-year tour with United States Naval Forces Europe, and carried out several goodwill visits to many European ports.

From August 1929 to December 1941 Barker was kept on the Asiatic Station and operated with the destroyer divisions of the Asiatic Fleet. In periods of disturbance in China she was engaged in protecting American interests.

SS President Hoover
In the small hours of 11 December 1937 the ocean liner  ran aground in a typhoon on Kasho-to, east of Formosa. Barker was sent from Olongapo Naval Station and  was sent from Manila to assist. The two destroyers struggled through heavy seas at only  and did not arrive until 1245 hrs the next day, by which time Hoovers 330 crew were most of the way through getting their 503 passengers and themselves ashore safely. However, a few of the crew plundered the liner's liquor store, got drunk, and once ashore started pursuing some of the women passengers. A party from Alden boarded Hoover to protect valuables, and landing parties from both Alden and Barker went ashore to restore order.

Second World War
On 7 December 1941, Barker was at Tarakan, Borneo, and upon receipt of the news of the Pearl Harbor attack, immediately commenced patrolling the surrounding area. For the remainder of December and throughout January 1942, she patrolled and escorted convoys in the Netherlands East Indies. On 9 January 1942 Barker was one of five destroyers in an escort composed of the cruisers  and , with the other destroyers , , , and  departing from Darwin to Surabaya escorting the transport Bloemfontein. That transport had been part of the Pensacola Convoy and had left Brisbane 30 December 1941 with Army reinforcements composed of the 26th Field Artillery Brigade and Headquarters Battery, the 1st Battalion, 131st Field Artillery and supplies from that convoy destined for Java.

In February Barker took part in the abortive attempts to stem the Japanese advance into the Dutch East Indies. She participated in the anti-aircraft actions off Bali (4 February 1942) and Banka Island (15 February). Barker was damaged by near misses in the action of 15 February, and required emergency repairs. She retired to Exmouth Gulf, Australia, arriving 19 February for repair and overhaul.

Between March and May 1942, Barker operated out of Fremantle, Australia, on patrol and escort duty. She then sailed to Tongatapu where she arrived 24 May. Remaining there until 29 June, she then proceeded to Pearl Harbor via Samoa and New Caledonia. In August, she proceeded to Mare Island Navy Yard where she underwent overhaul. Between October 1942 and May 1943, Barker escorted convoys between San Francisco, California and Pearl Harbor.

She departed San Diego 23 May 1943 for the east coast, arriving at Casco Bay, Maine, 2 June. On 27 June, as a member of the hunter killer TG 21.12 (Core group), she departed New York to search for enemy submarines in the Atlantic. When  was sunk by aircraft from  on 13 July, Barker rescued 33 survivors. Returning to New York on 1 August, Barker departed with the Group on another anti-submarine sweep on 16 August. On 24 August Cores aircraft found and sank  and . Barker rescued 36 survivors of U-185 and 9 from U-604

Between 6 September 1943 and 1 October 1944, Barker made two trans-Atlantic convoy escort crossings to England and four to North Africa. The remainder of Barkers active service was performed as a convoy escort in the Caribbean, to Newfoundland, and along the eastern seaboard of the United States. She arrived at Philadelphia 4 June 1945, was decommissioned 18 July, and sold 30 November 1945.

Awards
Barker received two battle stars for her participation in World War II.

As of 2013, no other US Navy ship has been named Barker.

References

External links

Clemson-class destroyers
World War II destroyers of the United States
Ships built by William Cramp & Sons
1919 ships


text:
Ånnaboda är örebroarnas och närkingarnas friluftscentrum i Kilsbergen. Härifrån utgår vintertid ett av Svealands största spårsystem för längdskidåkning. Ånnaboda är målplats för skidtävlingen Wadköpingsloppet.

Sommartid är Ånnaboda en populär plats för bad och skogsaktiviteter. Flera stora tävlingar i orientering och multisport har arrangerats i Ånnaboda. Första helgen i juni varje år arrangeras här Classic Motor Festival för veteranfordonsentusiaster.

Ånnaboda friluftsgård
Friluftsgården är ritad av den tyskfödde arkitekten Werner Taesler och uppfördes i mitten av 1960-talet. Han engagerade sig i Skid- och friluftsfrämjandet och bidrog till att skapa en anläggning för sommar- och vinteraktiviteter med kommunen som huvudman.

Naturreservatet Ånnaboda

I anslutning till Ånnaboda finns ett 240 ha stort naturreservat som bildades 2003. Reservatet karaktäriseras av dramatiska bergsbranter, gammal barrskog, myrar och bäckar, men också lätt tillgängliga stränder och badplatser runt Ånnabodasjön. Bergslagsleden går igenom naturreservatet.

Moshyttan (Ånnabohyttan)
Moshyttan ligger utefter vägen mellan Filipshyttan och Ånnaboda i Tysslinge socken. Moshyttan var en bergsmanshytta som uppbyggdes år 1622 av sex bergsmän. Under första tiden kallades den Ånnabohyttan. Efter att ha brunnit ner år 1671 byggdes den åter upp och ägdes år 1684 av tolv bergsmän. Man tog malm från Dalkarlsberg och Hässelkulla. År 1800 brann det i hyttan igen, och den byggdes därefter inte upp. Hyttelaget fortsatte därefter blåsningar i Lockhyttan och Ymningshyttan.

Historiska bilder

Se även
Storstenshöjden
Södra Ånnabosjön
Norra Ånnabosjön

Noter

Referenser
Kilsbergstorp, s. 67-68. Närkes Skogskarlars Klubb 1992.
Om naturreservatet Länsstyrelsen Örebro län
Ånnaboda naturreservat

Litteratur
Allan Wetterholm, "Moshyttan, Järnboås s:n. Beskrivning av hyttplatsen, datering av hyttan, produktionsbetingelser och innehavare." Från bergsdlag och bondebygd 44 (1993).

Externa länkar
Information om naturreservatet Ånnaboda på Örebro kommuns hemsida

Naturreservat i Örebro kommun
Naturskyddsområden bildade 2003
Natura 2000-områden i Örebro län


text:
Резня в Чанцзяо (китайский: 厂窖惨案) — резня китайских гражданских лиц японской экспедиционной армией в городе Чанцзяо, провинция Хунань. Главным виновником резни был генерал Сюнроку Хата. Длилась с 9 мая по 12 мая 1943 года, в результате этой резни было убито 30 000 человек. Это вторая резня (после Нанкинской) по количеству жертв в Китае.

Предыстория
Город Чанцзяо расположен на северо-западном побережье, с трех сторон обращен к воде и имеет форму полуострова. Небольшой городок расположен на северо-западе водного пути озера Дунтин, и всегда был полем битвы . В 1943 году, чтобы открыть путь по реке Янцзы из Ичана в Ухань, японская армия захватила зернохранилище Китая и вынудила китайское правительство сдаться, начав «Войну уничтожения Цзяннань» с 5 мая по 10 июня. «Война уничтожения Цзяннань» разделена на три фазы, в основном для уничтожения 73-й, 44-й армии и других частей гоминьдановских войск. После того, как японская армия начала «Войну уничтожения Цзяннань», они вторглись из Хубэя в Хунань, из соседних Шишоу, Хуаронга, Юэяна и других мест в Аньсян,. образовав замкнутый круг в Чанцзяо. В то время более 10 000 человек из 73-й армии Гоминьдана, дислоцированных в Хуаронге, Наньсяне и Аньсяне, получили приказ отступить и подготовиться к переходу на запад Чандэ, чтобы избежать окружения и перехвата японской армии. Они были вынуждены уйти с севера на юг протяженностью более 10 километров. На длинный и узкий полуостров шириной около 5 километров с востока на запад. На этом полуострове находятся более 20 000 беженцев из провинций Хунань и Хубэй, включая некоторых государственных служащих, школьных учителей и студентов, а также более 20 000 местных жителей. Всего 50 000 человек.

Резня
После захвата города японцы начали массово убивать мирных жителей. Японцы убивают везде, куда бы ни пошли обычные люди.

С нами бежала беременная женщина. Позже она не смогла бежать и была поймана японцами. Несколько японских солдат ударили её ногой в живот, после чего кровавый плод вышел из нижней части тела, и японский солдат использовал штык, чтобы спровоцировать плод ради забавы.

Я спрятался в дикой местности у реки Оучи и увидел длинный ряд лодок в реке, разнесенных на куски самолетами. Вода в реке Оучи стала черной как уголь, трупы пахли неприятно, а небо было полно дыма.

— Куан Боан, свидетель резниОн описал, что трупы в городе были как саженцы брошенные в поля во все стороны. Так же он описывал как японцы использовали десятифутовую веревку, чтобы связать шеи десятков простых людей одну за другой, а затем устраивали перетягивание каната ради забавы. В том же месте в деревне Юйчэн японцы связали беженцев, а затем на моторной лодке затащили их в реку, чтобы они утонули.Я собираюсь вымыть ноги, но река полна крови.

Когда я подошел к дому Ли, я понял, что там уже собралось семьдесят или восемьдесят человек, после приезда японцев, они выгнали всех и убили их группами.

Я шестой. Первый нож пронзил мою грудь прямо, а второй нож пронзил мое тело наискосок, из-за того, что в то время я был одет в толстое хлопковое пальто, раны от первых двух ножей были не слишком серьезными. Но затем японская компания сделала три пореза и чуть не нарушила дыхание.

— Го Лупин, свидетель резниГо Лупин сказал, что после резни все вокруг было безжизненным, а трупы были повсюду. У некоторых жителей деревни, которые умерли поблизости, обнажились кишки, а некоторым отрубили головы.

Во время резни было изнасиловано 2000 женщин, сожжено 3000 домов и 2500 судов.

Через месяц после трагедии репортер «Zhenzhong Daily» описал это так: Трупы в реке просто сделали невозможным прохождение корабля. Пока корпус двигался в реку, трупы поворачивались вперед, назад, влево и вправо. Гнилая мякоть прилипает к стенкам корпуса.Один из свидетелей резни вспоминал следующее:Японец ударил моего дядю штыком и протащил его кишки на несколько метров, но он не умер. Он стонал от боли всю ночь и умер на следующий день.Оставшийся в живых Чжоу Шенбао, которому было почти девяносто лет, сказал, что японская армия убивала людей независимо от военных и гражданских лиц, независимо от возраста. Иностранец стоял на коленях, он умолял их не убивать его. Но японские солдаты нанесли ему более дюжины ударов ножом и последним ударом ногой бросили его в реку. Днем 10 мая 1943 года японская армия выследила жителей Валенти, и более 60 беженцев спрятались в доме Ян Фэншаня. Японская армия загнала более 20 женщин в гражданский дом и сожгла комнату вместе с ними, затем они связали более 30 мужчин и детей одного за другим и бросили к ближайшему пруду, где все они утонули.

Память
В городе был построен мемориал посвященный погибшим во время резни.

В культуре
 Фильм «Тростниковые слезы» (2010)

Примечания

Массовые убийства в Китае
Японские военные преступления
Японо-китайская война (1937—1945)
1943 год в Китае


When it comes to real estate, location is everything. Being in the right spot can be a valuable asset, which is why our 10 Best Realty Blogs were selected for their level of attention and detail given to a very diverse field.
The Zillow blog is jazzed about all sides of real estate, from fun stuff like celebrity mansion purchases to more technical aspects of owning a home. Whether buying, selling or planning to rent, the site covers topics like short sales, DIY options, loan approval headaches and turning a house into a home.
Realtor is an all-inclusive look at both the industry and the market. Topics include the ups and downs of using an HOA, ways to avoid moving headaches and how to connect with area realtors. The best part is the content is written by professionals for the layman.
The Redfin blog is a cheerful spot where good news on real estate is highlighted. From celebrity's multi-million dollar listings to anticipating interest rates, the site looks from a realtor and buyer's perspective. Topics like "What You Need to Know About Becoming a Landlord" also look at rental options.
From corporate real estate to workspace strategy, Coy Davidson is known as a powerhouse in the commercial end of property exchange. In posts like "Negotiating the Tenant Improval Allowance," he looks to specific challenges faced by commercial realtors and their clients, with a close eye on workplace innovation.
A Student of the Real Estate Game offers a great angle, sharing a real-time education on the real estate market much like realtors would. In posts like "Real Estate Can Be a Complicated Business," the author breaks down the minutia in easily-digestible posts. A great teacher, he also uses his personal experiences to offer insight.
"Gauging risk in a changing climate" is the type of direct topics addressed at Llenrock, a substantial site dealing in high-end corporate real estate. Eric Hawthorn offers a great profile with his Mensch and Schlemiel of the Week segment, where personality is not lost among all of the numbers.
Travel addict Drew Meyers started Geek Estate Blog for those passionate about not just real estate, but also its growing presence on the Web. The site follows the standard industry, as well as websites and personalities making an impact through social media and beyond. Understanding web marketing is a key focus.
This blogger aims to protect buyers from premature purchases. With great tips and resources for knowing the right questions to ask, host Frank uses videos and posts to educate visitors on issues like proper bidding, how to research properties and where to look for negotiable factors.
"Real estate news and information you can actually use" is the promise of Real Estate Marbles, with weekly videos spotlighting different angles of the industry. The site serves as a sounding board for a large community of real estate professionals around the U.S., and in the Community Buzz section, these pros network and share leads.
Bloodhound Realty aims to be everything you wish was in Realtor magazine but isn't, with thoughtful insight into an ever-changing industry. With modern marketing awareness, these pros look at issues from both a buyer and seller's perspective, as well as give an insider's look at how lenders operate.


Working copy and backup in case of vandalism.
I am a also a life-long gardener who is certified in Permaculture gardening (completed a Permaculture design course (PDC).
Being a "Prepper", Preparedness-Survivalism, permaculture and firearms are two of my main passions/hobbies for many years. As a life-long gun enthusiast / "gun nut", I am a life member of the National Rifle Association and regular supporter of Gun Owners of America, Second Amendment Foundation and Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership along with several other regional Second Amendment defender organizations. Thus, I expect to spend a good amount of time improving, expanding and organizing the firearms articles.
Through the month of December 2014 and January 2015, I am working many hours per week on editing Conservapedia. For specifically on a collapsible "See Also" navigation template for the diverse topics of the Alternative medicine, First aid, Permaculture gardening, Firearms, Emergency preparedness and Amateur radio articles I am also working on and articles on related topics. I am contributing a variety of articles (put into as much summary laymen's terms as I can) on Computer security as well since I worked for 17 years as an network engineer in the computer networking field.
For a more detailed treatment, see Investment.
!This Is An Original Work. Contributors should add their signatures to the end section. If published, a notice will be posted and, if desired, contributors will be recognized.
Investing in tangibles' is a major component of the fiscal conservatism, conservative values and American values of prepping as well as an inflation hedge. It is an investment in your survival. It is referred to as prepping with the mnemonic called the 8-B's: "Beans-Bullets-Bandaids-Books-Bullion-Batteries-Brotherhood-Being", as well as the 3-B's "Bean, Bullets, Bandaids" and many other similar variations.
One should seriously consider the dismal state of the United States economy, massive government debt and government deficit spending, the money printing out of thin air by the Federal Reserve (QE3 - "printing money like it's going out of style, because it IS going out of style"), and the U.S. Debt to GDP ratio.
Financial investments (stocks, Bonds, IRAs, 401ks and others) are practical ways of preparing for retirement as long as modern Systems of support remain intact and functioning more or less as they do today. If, however, these systems (the economy in particular) fail, then investments in tangible, life-sustaining items will provide a much greater return. Even if things don't go badly in the future, investing in tangibles can improve the overall quality of your life. That is why many Preppers-Survivalists say they invest in tangibles for "...if times get tough, or even if then don't". Such investments should be based on the concept of threat probability and impact scale.
These eight categories of tangible investments in your immediate possession should be both stored and home cached on your own productive farm land that is in a lightly-populated region (see low population density) with plentiful water and rich topsoil (preferably in one of the free states such as the American Redoubt (Idaho-Montana-Wyoming-Utah-Eastern Oregon or Southwestern Oregon-Eastern Washington, the Tennessee-Kentucky Cumberland Redoubt. Such a survivalist retreat should first and foremost have reliable water sources, preferably a spring, or less preferably a year-round creek-stream-river, a pond, lake and a water well. It should be private, secluded land, near a small town, with the ability for tactical home defense in the case of a total economic collapse or societal collapse in which crime becomes rampant. It should have a minimum of 3 acres with some downward hill slope (contour) for permaculture (see Montana's Paul Wheaton Permies.com forum and the http://RichSoil.com blog) Hugelkultur and swales on contour, with a mix of forested (for firewood, microclimates and food forest), pasture (for micro-livestock), garden land with good topsoil and a water pond or small lake for biodiversity. All of this should be in a rural area; and have potential for alternative energy like solar energy, wind and/or micro hydro electric power.
Modern fiat currencies are generally accepted, but have essentially no backing, unlike hard money. Because fiat currencies are largely a byproduct of interest bearing government bonds or Treasury bonds (debt), modern currencies are destined to inflation. In the long run, inflation dooms fiat currencies to monetary devaluation and economic collapse. The majority of your assets should be invested in productive farm land and other tangibles such as useful hand tools. Only after you have your key logistics squared away, anything extra should be invested in precious metal such as silver and gold.
Get out of Dollar-denominated assets, and into tangibles like productive farm land, guns, ammunition, full capacity magazines, and precious metals (mostly silver, followed by gold -- see Gold to silver ratio).
Also invest in your own soul-spirit, mind/body with survival skills and preparedness skills.
Expect to spend at least the same amount per month as your monthly food bill X 2 (at several thousand dollars) since you need to buy lots of 5 gallon food-grade buckets with color coded screw-on Gamma Lids and 55 gallon blue water barrels (see Emergency Essentials) along with Country Living grain mill-grinder, bread maker, food dehydrator, canning supplies, 1 quart Mason jars, 2 camp stoves and lots of propane tanks, etc.
The ability to produce food can be equally or more valuable that food storage, options include permaculture-gardening, raising livestock, developing a food forest and more. Many produced foods will need to be preserved for storage by canning, dehydration, or other methods. Vegetable and fruit seeds can also be stored. Plan on three seasons worth of non-GMO, open-pollinated non-hybrid heirloom vegetable-fruit seeds and cooking herb and medicinal herb seeds.
Water is generally ready to be stored directly from the tap, rain, or a water well. Large, food-grade containers are best for this. A pond, lake, spring, creek or other natural water source can go a long way towards providing long-term water security, but a water filter will likely be necessary for most natural sources. Store 2 to 3 months of water storage in blue food-grade 55 gallon drums with a Big Berkey water filter and replacement water filter inserts.
This means invest in, support, protect and defend the Second Amendment, your family, your liberty.
The term "bullets" is often used to describe the ability to defend one's self or loved ones, usually with firearms and sufficient stored ammunition. Other home security measures should also be considered.
Liberals and socialists support "common sense" measures - a "good first step" of the Nanny State. To a citizen-prepper-patriot and to the Bill of Rights, this is "death by a thousand paper cuts". This video shows why you should invest in firarms and invest in ammunition.
There are many different types of firearms, but a small selection can meet most needs.
.22 Long Rifles are hunting small game, dealing with vermin, and practice. Popular models include the Ruger 10/22 or Marlin Model 60.
Bolt-action .308 Winchester chambered rifles for hunting or other long-distance shooting. Popular models include the Remington Model 700 and Winchester Model 70.
Large caliber semi-automatic rifles are useful for hunting, but are particularly useful for defense. Popular models include the M1A, FN-FAL, AR-10 and HK-91.
Shotguns are very versatile tools that can fire a variety of shells other weapons can not.
Shotguns are useful for defense, hunting, and vermin control. Popular models include Remington 870 and Mossberg 500.
Handguns are used primarily for defense, but see some use in hunting and vermin control.
Remember that "Essay:Two is One, and One is None!" Gun cleaning supplies, holsters, gun cases, gun slings, optics, and basic gun-smithing tools are all necessary accessories for firearms. Also consider high quality knives and force multipliers like security cameras and Comms such as CBs-MURs-Amateur radio-Short wave radios. In-person firearms training, not just Youtube gun videos (Nutnfancy), and gun range time should be priorities as well.
Made in USA hand tools: Made in USA hand tools, Made in America knives, Made in USA gardening tools.
Band-aids are often used to refer to first-aid supplies and skills such as a first-aid kit, over-the-counter medication, and prescription medication. Medicinal herbs and other natural treatments shouldn't be overlooked either.
Books, knowledge, and skills, are all potentially very valuable to have throughout daily life and in the event of a disaster. The internet provides a wealth of free knowledge via blogs, videos, podcasts, and other free resources.
Bullion generally refers to precious metals, but can refer to any hard currency or barter items. Items such as Gold and Silver are the primary forms of "bullion", but alcohol, fuel, luxury items, and anything else that is hard to come buy during a disaster can be useful. While barter may be the only viable option for trade after an economic collapse, participating in barter today can provide economic advantages over using cash, such as circumventing taxation and getting greater relative value.
Modern life is greatly improved by modern energy using systems. Transitioning to a life without such system would be incredibly difficult for many people. There are a wide variety of ways to become more prepared or self-sufficient when it comes to meeting your own energy needs. Investing in energy storage, energy production, and energy efficiency can all make life easier after a disaster or better before one.
Brotherhood can come from family, a support network, the survival community, or your local community. These are very important to care for and protect and invest in. Surviving after a disaster or everyday life is very difficult without some sort of family or community. Humans are social creatures and both mental and physical health suffer in isolation. Additionally, community and family can have far greater skills and resources that any individual can.
This refers to the psychology of survival and particularly to faith, prayer, contemplation-meditation.
Security Software and Security-Focused Operating Systems to protect unalienable Right to Privacy (Internet privacy, Information privacy, Expectation of privacy) and Second Amendment - First Amendment (Freedom of information and Political freedom) rights against unconstitutional Gun control - Internet censorship Big government Police state, hackers, and "all enemies, foreign and domestic" of American liberty.
This page was last modified on 14 December 2014, at 20:38.


View our list of WIC Clinics, Office Locations and Programs in Clermont, Florida below. Select the location to find out more specific information. See all Lake County Florida WIC Clinics.
General Business Hours: Mondays through Fridays 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Due to the small amount of offices in Clermont, we have listed some area listings below. In our search we do not limit the listings by state. Important: different States have different WIC policies. If you are calling about WIC in one particular State, you will need to contact another WIC program office in that same state that you live in.