SEPTEMBER 30, 2012 - AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE ACT "Essential benefit" benchmark

MILWAUKEE (MPA-PPR) - Sunday Review - Affordable Health Care Act implementation in Wisconsin - Today is the Benchmark date for Affordable Health Care - September 30, 2012.  

September 30, 2012 is the "soft" date of the "essential benefit" benchmark for the states in the Affordable Health Care Act, both inside and outside market reforms.
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Affordable Health Care Act - Full Implementation by January 1, 2014
What does that mean?  It means that according to federal law, the individual mandate says each Wisconsinite should have qualified health care insurance coverage.   It means Health Care Exchanges should be in place and covering various items with specific and/or uniqueness of coverage that the law requires - reforms, benefits, pre-empted state laws, exceptions, actuarial value (bronze-silver-gold-platinum-catastrophic plan), medicaid expansion, reinsurance (3-year program/millions of $$), risk corridors, risk adjustment, subsidies, individual/employee mandates, co-op and multi-state plans.

For example, for those folk with up to 400% below poverty, there are subsidies; however, the subsidies are of no value if the exchanges (products for coverage) are not in place.  This means the "in-house exchange" and outside market reforms are necessary.  

What are the rates, plans?  
What are the requirements - procedures and processes for coverage?

Exchanges
There are three (3) Exchange options of leadership in the Affordable Health Care Act.  They are:

• State Exchange.
• operated by the state
• may operate risk adjustment 
• determine eligibility for subsidies
• Federal Facilitated Exchange (if the state refuses the US GOV HHS will make the decision and operate the Exchange
• Partnership Exchange
• HHS operate Exchange
• state makes key decision, does plan management and some consumer assistance

Education/Info Sharing
What are the market reforms that must be known by the state, insurance carriers and Wisconsinites?  They include:

• guarantee issues
• rating issues
• essential benefits
• no annual limits
• no life-time limits

If the state refuses to participate as a state-ran or partnership exchange, the exchange will be ran by the federal government.

The Governor of Wisconsin has made it known that he was not going to participate in the Affordable Health Care mandate until after the November 6, 2012, the presidential election, to take action.  

Each state has 10 days after the November 6, 2012 election to declare its position.  However, based on the blueprint, 42 actions are required by the state to be a state exchange and 19 actions to be a partner.   To be in compliance, many of the steps need to be completed before the 2012 presidential election.

So, the lack of leadership by our state government, puts the citizenry of Wisconsin on a collision coarse with "un-preparedness" January 1, 2014.

Timeline

• September 30, 2012 - Essential Health Benchmark
• November 16, 2012 - Applications Due
• January 2013 - HHS Certifies State Exchanges
• October 2013 - Initial Open Enrollment Period
• January 2014 - Exchange Coverage Effective
• Establishment Grants - Available through 2012

The above are some points the citizenry (residential and commercial) of Wisconsin need to be about the business of "right-now" contact with:

• Your individual legislators office (senator and representative)
• Governor Scott Walker
• Secretary Ted Nickel - Office of Commissioner of Insurance
• Secretary Dennis Smith - Department of Health Services
• Secretary Reggie Newson - Department of Workforce Development

Benchmark - Essential Health Benefit

Did the state of Wisconsin meet the September 30, 2012 benchmark for the issuers in the individual and small group markets for essential health benefits?
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Most of the information of this article was taken from a briefing given by Brian Webb, Manager of Health Policy & Legislation, National Association Insurance Commissioners.

Stay tuned.

MARK BELLING - was he referring to himself and the law enforcers as well?

MILWAUKEE (MPA-PPR) - September 28, 2012, I just received the article regarding Mark Belling, a local Caucasian male that has repeatedly exemplified very "low" morals and disregard.  According to the article, he called Derek Williams (son, father, Milwaukeean-citizen-taxpayer), a dirty, rotten thug.

Based on his known racial rants of misjudgments, his self-importance and his lack of media responsibility, Belling meets the definition of "THUG".

According to Dictionary.com, a thug is defined as:  a cruel or vicious ruffian, robber, or murderer.
His comments are cruel and vicious.  He seems to have a fetish for bullying - overbearing comments.

According to the definition, the city of Milwaukee law enforcers that failed to provide customer care could also be called THUGS by the definition.

The difference here is Belling and the police are not dead.
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THIS IS A MILWAUKEE JOURNAL PHOTO OF Derek William (deceased) and daughter Ta'nijah Williams, now 3years old.
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taken from article by Gina Barton 

The video does not show Williams being arrested or placed in the squad car.

Poulos' initial autopsy report, written in August 2011, includes this note: "Based on the information at the time of this report, the decedent's interaction with police officers included a chase (running) and no physical altercation; therefore, the manner of death is described as natural."

The newly released records tell a different story.

Williams, who had gotten out of jail earlier in the day after being arrested on municipal warrants for loitering, vandalism and assault, fled from police after attempting to rob a couple near the intersection of N. Holton and E. Center streets, according to the reports. He was sweating profusely when police found him hiding behind an overturned card table. Officer Richard M. Ticcioni pulled him out. Ticcioni said he believed rookie Officer Patrick Coe helped him. Ticcioni "ended up on top of Williams with the suspect facing down," according to the reportof Milwaukee police Detective Luke O'Day, who interviewed Ticcioni.

Williams, his hands cuffed behind him, repeatedly told officers he couldn't breathe for at least 15 minutes between the time of his arrest and his death, according to records. He first made the complaint as he lay facedown, Ticcioni pressing a knee across his back, O'Day's report says.

"As soon as he released pressure, Williams began squirming, as if trying to break free, and reached around his right side to his right waistband (while still in handcuffs)," according to the report. Ticcioni worried that Williams was trying to grab a gun and "reapplied pressure with his right knee to prevent any further movement from the suspect," the report says.

Officers then searched Williams. No gun was found.

They got him to his feet, and "Williams immediately went limp," the report says. Ticcioni "laid him on the ground on his back and observed that he was breathing hard."

"He felt Williams was playing games and directed him to stop messing around," the report says.

A few minutes later, as officers Ticcioni and Coe were helping Williams walk toward the car, Coe left Williams' side to move a "for sale" sign that was blocking the sidewalk. When he did, Williams "pulled forward and fell face forward into the grass," the report says.

Ticcioni believed Williams was dragging his feet to make it difficult for the officers to get him to the waiting squad car, the report says.

Once locked in the back seat, Williams continued to say he could not breathe and asked officers to call him an ambulance, according to the squad video and a summary of the internal investigation. Officers Jeffrey Cline and Jason Bleichwehl, who can be heard talking on the recording, told internal investigators they did not hear Williams ask for an ambulance, the summary says.

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Wonder how he - Mark Billings or the officers would feel, manhandled, unclothed, "handcuffed" and deliberately allowed to die of a lack of oxygen and/or - no regard?
We are talking about human/civil/legal rights here.

It is not only bad taste, given the horrid history of Milwaukee police and how important it is for ALL-OF-US to respect each other's right to life.

In my opinion, this would not have happened to a Caucasian, and if so, it would of been truly an "accident" - not as Mr. Derek William, by design death.
We are talking about human/civil/legal rights here.

NO ONE, should be treated like this.
It does absolutely nothing for "racial relations" and respect for the city of Milwaukee Police Department - individuals hired to serve all - respect all; not execute our citizenry.
We are talking about rights and laws here.
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When once a certain class of people has been placed by the temporal and spiritual authorities outside the ranks of those whose life has value, then nothing comes more naturally to men than murder.
Simone Weil 


Man has no right to kill his brother. It is no excuse that he does so in uniform: he only adds the infamy of servitude to the crime of murder.
Percy Bysshe Shelley 

Every unpunished murder takes away something from the security of every man's life.
Daniel Webster 

FOR ARTICLE - UNCOMMON CAUSEY

AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE BRIEFING & EXHIBITION INVESTMENT

Briefings and Exhibition

WELCOME!

This page tells you HOW to get involved.

After reading it, you can go to our website and contribute online through Pay Pal OR use the Mailing Address listed in this information to contribute.
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WE ask for your CONTRIBUTION - funds and attending the meetings - telling others about the meetings. Your investment will help ensure that we share with the public square for their knowledge and informed participation for a better Affordable Health Care plan for ALL.

There are four (4) briefings prior to 2013. They are:
* Wednesday, September 19, 2012 (Kick-off)

CLICK  - September 19, 2012 briefing blog
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* Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Focus:  IT/Information Technology & Oral Health

* Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Focus:  Diabetes, Alzheimer, Arthritis, Eye Care

* Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Focus:  Dialysis, Cancers, High Blood Pressure -Children
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Your Donation
This is your opportunity to be an Affordable Health Care donor-collaborator-sponsor TO HELP finance cost for outreach and training for implementing 3 "Host-and-LEARN" Briefings/Discussions. It is also an opportunity to be an EXHIBITOR in the November 2012 IT Exhibit.

The HOST & LEARN briefings are coordinated and held at sites that "sign-up" for the information to be brought to their end-users.

The EXHIBITION is hosted by MPA LLC for demonstration of state-of-the-art IT equipment; i.e., mobile devices, smart phones, electronic health record reporting and imaging.

THE Exhibition will be held in November, 2012. 

Announcement:  October 1, 2012.

It is your partnership with us to have "state-of-the-art" information shared with the "public square" - for engagement in helping to ensure that the citizenry is at the table in an "informed way" for the "implementation" of the Affordable Health Care Act.
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Target Audience
Our target audience is EVERYONE.

We are particular interested in seniors, families, students, heads of household, individuals with 100-400% poverty level, men-women-young adults with pre-existing health issues, home-assisted, veterans, retirees, those returning from incarceration, special needs families, medicare, medicaid, social security and all who may fall through the openings if not informed.

We are based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
We will share our model with other for their empowerment and a better overall Affordable Health Care implementation across the country.
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What are we talking about/sharing?
This effort is to share issues, policies, dates, mandates, roles and responsibilities, objectives, and contacts for a less frustrating but more civilized and ownership standpoint. 

It is "ENGAGEMENT" of the citizenry to help facilitate a more smoother Affordable Health Care Plan/Exchange - the more you are informed - the better you can navigate the system and make informed decisions for behavior modification and driving cost down.

We know that EDUCATION and TECHNOLOGY attainment is very important in the implementation of the Affordable Health Care act. 

We also know that OUR legislators must be informed and on-the-job for policies that are needed in training Wisconsinites upfront to promote specifics for privacy and security issues - for quality care - for funding - for workforce development - for optional coverages in the marketplace - for tax benefits - for conducting hearings and outreach in the neighborhoods for true service delivery.
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Key issues
WE KNOW THAT IF THIS IS DONE RIGHT, we can help build a bottom-up economy unique to the 21st Century. 

We will create and upgrade employment in the health care arena and the areas that support the health care industry while addressing sensibly health care illnesses that are chronic and out-of-control.

The Affordable Health Care Act is a law. 
It is scheduled for FULL implementation on January 1, 2014 - just a little shy of 15 months away.

PayPal
JOIN US! We are committed to the task. 
We do need funding. You can make your donation through PayPal online - OR, make check payable to:

Milwaukee Professionals Association LLC
POB 510610
Milwaukee, WI 53203
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WE Thank you for your contributions - funds and attending the meetings - telling others about the meetings. 
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Website: www.mpapublicpolicyreview.blogspot.com
Email: mpapublicpolicyreview@gmail.com
Telephone: 414.610.1044

Mary Glass - Chair/CEO
Milwaukee Professionals Association LLC

Today's Brief - September 26, 2012

TODAYS PRIMER                             
*CNBC.com 

U.S stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Wednesday ahead of the release of housing and oil inventory data.


The U.S. Commerce Department will issue home sales data for August at 10 a.m. New York time, measuring sales of new, single-family houses. Economists polled by Briefing.com forecast sales rose by 380,000 in August. In July, sales rose 3.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 372,000.


The MBA Mortgage Index for last week is due out at 7 a.m. on Wednesday. In the prior week the index fell 0.2 percent.


Housing data out last Tuesday surprised to the upside, with the S&P/Case Shiller composite index of 20 metropolitan areas showing house prices edged higher for the sixth consecutive month in July. In addition, the Federal Housing Finance Agency's monthly home price index gained for the seventh straight month in July.


Non-housing data due on Wednesday include last week’s crude oil inventories, which will be released by the Energy Department at 10:30 a.m. Inventories rose by 8.53 million in the prior week.


The Treasury is set to auction $35 billion in 5-year notes on Wednesday, with the results available in the afternoon. Treasury yields fell late on Tuesday after the government auction $35 billion in 2-year notes at a high yield of 0.273 percent and a bid-to-cover ratio of 3.6.


No major U.S. companies are scheduled to report earnings during Wednesday’s trading session.


European shares fell in early trade on Wednesday with investors concerned about Spain’s continued reluctance to request a bailout, and by austerity strikes in the country which turned violent on Tuesday night. Meanwhile in Greece, two of the largest public and private unions are preparing to hold a 24-hour anti-austerity strike on Wednesday.


As in Europe, Asian shares were down early on Wednesday on Spain and broader euro zone debt concerns.
— By CNBC.com's Katy Barnato

HOST & LEARN Panels in Milwaukee - Affordable Health Care Preparedness

MILWAUKEE (MPA) - October 24, 2012 is the next big date for Milwaukee Professionals Association LLC to stir the pot of education and technology attainment about the Affordable Health Care act/law.

It is a time to visit sites with the citizenry present and places of practitioners from fields of health care services to better inform the public of the Affordable Health Care law - issues that are scheduled by law to be fully implemented on January 1, 2014.  Whether the implementation is by the State of Wisconsin, the federal government (USGOV Health and Human Services) or a partner (state+federal government) Insurance Exchange, much work is needed in education of the public.

Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, wonders out loud, "We know that the state of Wisconsin is in a 'hold'-pattern and could prove to be a stagnation-pattern by Governor Scott Walker.   He is waiting to see 'if-President Obama' is elected - with the hopes that candidate Mitt Romney will win the presidency and will appeal the law.   This is "flawed thinking" at best, since it puts the citizenry at risk of "preparedness".   It is saying what is hoped against what is already the law.   It fails to recognize that even if the law is appealed, it will come much, much later than January 1, 2014.  So, what is to happen to Wisconsinites that are to be FULLY implemented by January 1, 2014?"
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Preparedness at the Neighborhood level

So, we are back to MPA LLC four briefings/discussion to galvanize the power of information sharing and awareness for a smoother implementation and to enhance thinking for upcoming reforms that will be needed to make the Affordable Health Care act what is it suppose to be - remembering how so many things were taken out to get the law passed

It is the citizenship partnering with role and responsibility of the citizenry/people to help make this needed law what it has the potential to be - expense tax, medicine tax, investment tax, payroll tax, medical devices tax and HSA/Health savings account withdrawal tax.

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All Hands on Deck, WE Can

The October 24, 2012 briefing/discussion is centered around IT/Information Technology.
Since Milwaukee has the largest city population of the state and a huge "digital divide", Glass is spearheading an all-out campaign around issues that will put IT in the hands of Milwaukeeans.

Additionally, the month of October is National Dental Hygiene Month.

Oral health care is one of the issues of health care wellness that is vital and too often left out of management for overall health wellness.  Seniors to young age children have a high dental concern and dental health has a great impact on chronic illness, i.e.:

• Endocarditis. Gum disease and dental procedures that cut your gums may allow bacteria to enter your bloodstream. If you have a weak immune system or a damaged heart valve, this can cause infection in other parts of the body — such as an infection of the inner lining of the heart (endocarditis).
• Cardiovascular disease. Some research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke may be linked to oral bacteria, possibly due to chronic inflammation from periodontitis — a severe form of gum disease
• Pregnancy and birth. Gum disease has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.
• Diabetes. Diabetes reduces the body's resistance to infection — putting the gums at risk. In addition, people who have inadequate blood sugar control may develop more-frequent and severe infections of the gums and the bone that holds teeth in place, and they may lose more teeth than do people who have good blood sugar control.
• HIV/AIDS. Oral problems, such as painful mucosal lesions, are common in people who have HIV/AIDS.
• Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis — which causes bones to become weak and brittle — may be associated with periodontal boneloss and tooth loss.
• Alzheimer's disease. Tooth loss before age 35 may be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.
• Other conditions. Other conditions that may be linked to oral health include Sjogren's syndrome — an immune system disorder — and eating disorders.
• MORE - MAYO Clinic
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We are seeking HOST - parents, dental groups, first responders, schools - health providers, legislators and neighborhood groups in Milwaukee.  Contact us at:  mpapublicpolicyreview@gmail.com.

Schacknow - Today's Brief - September 25, 2012

TODAYS PRIMER                             

Peter Schacknow - Senior Producer, CNBC Breaking News Desk


The U.S. stock market’s performance might be a great deal better if Monday could be wiped from the calendar — with the Dow coming off its 15th Monday drop out of the past 16. The only Monday in recent months to see a rise occurred on August 6th. On the bright side, the Dow has now gone 63 straight sessions without declining by 1 percent or more, the longest such stretch in six years.


Several economic reports are on tap for today, starting with the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index at 9 a.m. New York time. Economists think prices in the 20 largest markets increased by 1 percent in July compared to a year earlier, following the prior month’s 0.5 percent rise. At 10 a.m., the Conference Board’s September Consumer Confidence Index is expected to jump to 65.0 from August’s 60.6.


The Treasury will sell $35 billion in 2-year notes today, with the results of that auction available shortly after 1 p.m. New York time.


Cruise line operator Carnival (CCL) is among the few companies out with quarterly earnings this morning, along with financial information provider FactSet (FDS) and resort operator Vail Resorts (MTN). Jabil Circuit (JBL) leads the small list of companies set to issue quarterly numbers after today’s closing bell.


Dow component Caterpillar (CAT) leads our list of stocks to watch, with the company cutting its 2015 earnings forecast because of a slow economic recovery. Caterpillar now expects to earn $12 — $18 per share for 2015, down from its prior forecast of $15 — $20 per share.


Oneok (OKE) says it expects earnings to rise by 19 percent in 2013, due to new projects being placed into service by the energy company, and greater volumes for its publicly traded natural gas subsidiary, Oneok Partners (OKS).


Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (BRK) has exercised warrants that give it a 17 percent stake in Media General (MEG). Berkshire acquired those warrants earlier this year in a deal that provided $445 million in financing for the media company.


Sanofi (SNY) says it may cut 900 jobs in France by 2015, but that’s smaller than the 2,500 predicted by unions as the drugmaker revamps its operations.


Google (GOOG) has launched its Nexus 7 tablet in Japan, along with Japanese language downloadable content, hoping to cash in on one of the world’s biggest markets for digital downloads.


Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) has lost a tax case in which it challenged an IRS ruling involving calculation of a research tax credit. HP will now owe an additional amount of tax in the tens of millions of dollars.


Red Hat (RHT) has narrowed its full year revenue forecast, now seeing fiscal 2013 revenue of $1.32 billion to $1.33 billion. Its prior forecast called for revenue of up to $1.34 billion. The Linux software provider’s full year earnings forecast, however, remains unchanged at $1.16 — $1.20 per share.


Tesla Motors (TSLA) has unveiled a faster, solar-powered charging station designed to speed up the process of refueling electric vehicles. The new charging station has been installed at six highway rest stops in California.

MPA LLC Information Technology/IT focus and 10 Security Tips for Mobile Security - 2009

MILWAUKEE (MPA) - September 23, 2012, the office of Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, Milwaukee Professionals Association LLC is myopically looking at how IT/Information Technology can and will play a decisive role in the health care of Milwaukeeans and other Americans.

Recently Glass launched the All Hands on Deck, WE Can briefings/discussions to bolster her company's engagement and research over 3 1/2 months regarding the Affordable Health Care implementation.

Compliance, legal and regulatory policy issues are also a high priority for Glass's office.  They are part of the building blocks for successful implementation of issues relating to privacy and security of internet use.  They are also seen as necessary prior to the implementation of the Affordable Health Care Act - January 1, 2014.

Education and technology attainment are two of the identified quality of life issues in both MPA LLC All Hands Initiative and the 2010-2020 re-define, re-brand and UN-trap hidden talent for producing a bottom-up economy.

IT/Information Technology  
IT is one of the pivotal points pushed by the US Government Health and Human Services for implementation of the Affordable Health Care law.   Use of computers and the internet is pitched as a primary way of promoting health care.

Glass is looking at legal and regulatory assurances at the state level of Wisconsin, and how they square with the federal HIPPA law and other federal laws around privacy and security.

Mobile Devices
MPA LLC sees putting IT in the hands of Milwaukeeans as not only clever and state-of-the-art, but helps solve the digital divide and health wellness concerns at the same time.  However, like so many other things, you can seek to solve one thing but must be concern with others due to closely related issues and NEW concerns in compliance and assurances.  In this case, privacy and security are big issues when dealing with mobile devices. 

Privacy issues are basically, but not always, covered by HIPPA/Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (1996).

Health Information Privacy

The Office for Civil Rights enforces the HIPAA Privacy Rule, which protects the privacy of individually identifiable health information; the HIPAA Security Rule, which sets national standards for the security of electronic protected health information; and the confidentiality provisions of the Patient Safety Rule, which protect identifiable information being used to analyze patient safety events and improve patient safety. 

BELOW are 10 tips around "mobile security"by Ericka Chickowski. 

Security risks rise with the sophistication of mobile devices.

1. Choose Devices Carefully
Not all devices are created equally when it comes to security. For example, iPods are built for general consumers not as concerned by security and is therefore less inherently secure than a BlackBerry device designed for enterprise users.

“The degree to which IT managers can control security onmobile devices is highly dependent upon the vendor that they select,” DeBeasi says. “You should try to get mobile devices that have the best possible control and security on them and then use those mechanisms and it will go a long way to locking down those mobile devices.”

2. Turn On Encryption
Once you choose devices with stronger security controls, use those controls! DeBeasi says that many organizations do not enforce or even set policies mandating the use of device encryption on mobile devices.

“Many people don't go through the bother of doing the encryption. You always want to be careful and you always want to have a level of paranoia about what happens to your sensitive information,” he says. “ Mainstream enterprises need to lock it down and take it seriously like they do with a laptop and be really consistent with their policies and enforce them.”

3.  Require Authentication
A survey released by Credent Technologies in September 2008 found that in just a six month period more than 31,000 New Yorkers left behind mobile devices in a taxicab. The fact of the matter is that these devices are just too easy to lose to go without proper authentication. And yet, most enterprise users don’t use the password function on their devices.

“So imagine, you lose your phone in a cab and the next passenger gets in opens it up and then they immediate access to your device because you didn't put any authentication in there,” DeBeasi says.

He says that it is critical that users be required to turn on device authentication so that lost devices can not be easily accessed by any person that finds or steals a device.

4. Utilize Remote Wipe Capabilities

Give IT staff the ability to remotely access and disable devices in the event of loss or theft. This could be very handy in a situation where, say, an executive loses his or her device at a conference—along with yearly sales projections and strategies stored within, DeBeasi says. With the remote capability all it would take is a quick call to IT and they’ll take care of it.

5. Set Up a Lost Phone Hotline
It is not good enough simply to have remote wipe capabilities. Organizations also need to have a procedure set for users who have lost their devices. Make it easy for them to call IT to alert staff that a device has been lost by setting up a direct line and publicize the procedure for IT notification in such an event.

“If you're concerned about losing data, make sure your users have a contact point where they can get a hold of you so you can initiate that process to wipe them over the network and make sure that data isn't lost,” Cross says. “They’ll have an incentive to get a hold of you if they want another phone, but it’s useful if they know who to call and that you can immediately start that process.

MORE

Lawson Bi-WeeklyReport - September 20, 2012

Dear Friend,

With the State of Education address being delivered today, this week's newsletter will focus on Agenda 2017, Milwaukee's upcoming head count, and visits to our neighborhood schools.

Sincerely,

Chris Larson
State Senator, District 7

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CONTACT SENATOR LARSON AT:

608/266-7505

800/3615486

Email

Sen.Larson@legis.wi.gov

Website

SenatorChrisLarson.com