KPress Vol. 16 Iss. 15

Jaynes, Bill (2016-06-27). KPress Vol. 16 Iss. 15 (PDF) (Report). Kolonia, Pohnpei: Kaselehlie Press.

• Has attachment: File:BFAJLPCU.pdf

Abstract: KPress Vol. 16 Iss. 15: NEWS: public meeting of the MiCare Health Insurance Board held as an open session for the first time in recent memory, attended by board members, Assistant Attorney General Craig Reffner as MiCare’s legal representative, Genesis Healthcare representative Merylynn Alfonso-Abello as the sole medical service provider present, and administrators from several subscribing employers, with disclosure that only five of seven board seats are currently filled; board action to reorganize the published agenda to elevate discussion items of greatest public interest, including delayed implementation of MiCare’s Automated Billing System (ABS), which has experienced prolonged rollout difficulties; criminal case involving a Kiribati fisherman who pleaded guilty to assaulting a Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) fisheries observer, resulting in a twelve-month sentence with all but thirty days suspended and credit given for time served, followed by release under restricted liberties; statements by FSM officials expressing confidence that hotel and lodging capacity will be sufficient for the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum meeting; coverage of President Peter Christian’s address to the Association of Pacific Islands Legislators, outlining regional priorities and FSM policy perspectives; reporting on community-level initiatives aimed at protecting local water resources; Vital Energy hosting a record-setting Pohnpei Fishing Club tournament with high participation; acquisition of new computer equipment by the Pohnpei State Police Department intended to improve fingerprint identification and retrieval, with fingerprint specialist Olivia David explaining that legacy non-alphabetized records currently require weeks to locate and that digital systems are expected to significantly accelerate investigations. OPINION / EDITORIAL: letter from members of the Pohnpei Marine Management Advisory Council asserting that the proposed Young Sun fisheries deal would generate approximately USD 9.5 million in sales revenue for the company while allocating roughly USD 1 million in income to local fishers, raising concerns about benefit distribution.