Department of Agriculture Urges Farmers to Protect Against Flood Damage

Courtney MeyerAgribusiness, News

From the July 2018 Farm Link newsletter… Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today urged farmers and pet owners, particularly in central Pennsylvania, to prepare for the potential of flooding due to recent heavy rains. “It is critical that Pennsylvanians protect their animals, property, and assets against flooding, and many steps can be taken now to prevent future damage,” Redding said. Redding offered the following tips to help agricultural producers minimize damage caused by floodwaters: Ensure manure storage area has sufficient capacity, as rains can add to depth. Relocate livestock and animals from low-lying, flood-prone areas. Move machinery, feed, grain, pesticides, herbicides, forage bales and nursery stock to higher elevation. Store enough livestock feed and water for 72 hours. Fill generators with …

Are You Compliant?

Sherri HebdaHuman Resources

The federal government revised a number of required employment laws and regulations, e.g. Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).  If you haven’t yet done so, it’s time to update your federal and state employment law postings. Physical and relevant employment law posters are required in order to meet state and federal posting requirements. Employers must post these notices in a common area that will be frequented by all employees, which depending on your location, may be a lunch room, break room, conference room, or kitchen, near a time clock or any location employees frequent daily. Did you know Pennsylvania requires employers must fill …

Significant Change in Medigap Plans C and F Coming in 2020

Tom KennedyMedicare

On Apr. 15, 2015, Congress passed the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015, which will significantly change Medicare coverage in 2020. For anyone enrolling in Medicare after Jan. 1, 2020, they will not long be able to purchase a Medigap Plan C or Plan F. However, if you have purchased one of these supplemental plans by Dec. 31, 2019, the coverage will still be guaranteed renewable. It is important to note though that premiums could be subject to increase, which could make both Medigap plans cost prohibitive. The legislation The goal of the legislation is to revamp doctor reimbursement under Medicare, which is projected to cost up to $200 billion over the next decade, Elder Law Answers reported. …