Potter performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" a cappella on Saturday The performance came ahead of the release of her "lost" album, "Medicine," recorded in 2008 with T Bone Burnett and out May 30. She'll support the album on tour with Chris Stapleton in July Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Grace Potter performed the national anthem at Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby on May 3 Here's how people reacted to the national anthem sung at the 151st Kentucky Derby Grace Potter sang the national anthem a cappella at the 151st Kentucky Derby Potter has received Grammy nominations for Best Rock Album, Best Rock Performance and Best Country Duo/Group Performance, celebrating her incredible talent. Along with the upcoming spring release of her album, “Medicine,” Potter plans to join country music superstar and Kentucky native Chris Stapleton on tour in July Kentucky Derby 2025: Latest news from Churchill Downs but it's taking heat for its national anthem decision Sovereignty took home the win at the 2025 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville singer Grace Potter performed the national anthem though she's been criticized for her rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner" by some fans online KENTUCKY - MAY 03: Singer Grace Potter sings the national anthem prior to 151st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 03 Michael Reaves/Getty Images Some fans accused Potter of doing too much with her rendition of the song on Saturday evening while others criticized the Kentucky Derby for her pick "I hope music teachers all over the world get a recording of this Grace Potter National Anthem so they can show their students how not to sing the anthem," one fan wrote "Grace Potter has a great voice singing the Anthem All the pauses and slow tempo is just intended to draw attention to herself "I have a problem with singers who use our national anthem in this way," one fan added "The song hasn’t been about America since Whitney Houston sang it at the Super Bowl," another fan admitted Potter joined a lengthy and impressive list of Kentucky Derby national anthem singers as past years have featured Wynonna Judd (2024) What did you make of the national anthem performance by the Kentucky Derby singer In case you missed it while at a Kentucky Derby party, the national anthem performed before the Run For the Roses on Saturday was beautiful Grace Potter, singer of Something That I Want, sang a beautiful rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner at Churchill Downs before a thrilling 2025 Kentucky Derby stretching out the final notes to huge applause you're in luck -- there's video below of the performance along with another as Potter talked with NBC about her preparation to get on the mic in front of the packed crowd in Louisville Song made famous by Aretha Franklin is on military band’s set list for handover of chancellery to Friedrich Merz The German chancellor, Olaf Scholz is to be played out of office by a military band who will perform tunes chosen by him that are intended to sum up his mood and political life Johann Sebastian Bach and an Otis Redding hit made famous by Aretha Franklin The 66-year-old will hand over office on Tuesday to Friedrich Merz, whose centre-right conservatives won Germany’s federal election in February, and who will lead a coalition with Scholz’s Social Democrats In a tradition going back to the 16th century defence ministers and military generals are given a farewell ceremony and their chosen playlist always receives much scrutiny According to tradition, Scholz was allowed to request three pieces of music that will be performed by the band of the armed forces. On the programme is the Beatles’ In My Life, seen as a nod to his earlier political life when he was mayor of the northern port city of Hamburg between 2011 and 2018, where the Liverpool musicians cut their teeth in its clubs and bars in the 1960s. Some commentators have suggested the song, the lyrics of which include the line “of all these friends and lovers, there is no one compares with you”, is also a tribute to his wife, the fellow politician Britta Ernst, to whom he has often expressed his affection and gratitude. Read moreAn excerpt from Bach’s second Brandenburg Concertos is a likely reference to the state of Brandenburg where he lives and which he will continue to serve as a backbencher He was the only Social Democrat to win a direct mandate in the former communist east where the far-right Alternative für Deutschland more or less swept the board The song choice that has caused the most mirth is the feminist anthem Respect which alludes to a keyword of the election campaign that brought him to power in 2021 Critics say he has not always lived up to the motto himself having sometimes been gruff or appearing dismissive to journalists in particular Commentators have said Scholz’s musical choices offer a rare glimpse into the emotional side of the chancellor, who was often referred to as a “Scholzomat” due to his robotic-like responses and whose old black leather briefcase became something of a TikTok star while he stayed in the background Referring to him as a “file carrier” in a farewell column said Scholz’s inability to communicate had probably contributed to the brevity of his tenure as chancellor if you had told us everything that went on in your heart Scholz’s immediate predecessor Angela Merkel chose Nina Hagen’s 1974 hit You Forgot the Colour Film a mix of nostalgia for holidays on the Baltic coast and a critique of grey life in communist Germany; the chanson Red Roses Should Rain for Me a 1968 hit by the German actor Hildegard Knef; and Great God Anthem became out of network at MU Health Care in April leaving over 90,000 MU Health Care patients in the gray leaving over 90,000 MU Health Care patients in the grey leaving over 90,000 MU Health Care patients in the gray We're real people with real health problems," said Stephanie Timmerman there are not a lot of options of places to go," Timmerman said His disabilities require him to see 6 different pediatric specialists — all of whom are through MU Health Care Timmerman first spoke to KOMU 8 a month ago causing Colton’s specialists to be out of network "I didn't think it was going to get this far.” Timmerman said "We were in March determining if he needed a second ear surgery,” Timmerman said “We got pushed off to mid-May." Most Anthem members receiving intensive care could still be able to visit MU Health Care professionals for in-network rates through the continuity of care plan “It took them 24 days to approve his continuity of care,” Timmerman said “At no point in those 24 days did they tell me he was going to be approved she didn’t advocate to reschedule his appointments because she believed his care plan did not have an extension after calling Anthem three times and not hearing an answer Once she found out his plan had been extended Anthem informed her those 24 days she was unaware of the extension would be included in 90-day extension deadline I feel it a little unfair to take 24 days and then take that away from our time of care,” Timmerman said and not one time did anyone ever say it’s going to be a done deal.” Timmerman is still hoping for the two to come to an agreement they’ve not raised their offer one time," Timmerman said It doesn’t seem like much of a negotiation Have the latest local news delivered every morning to start your day informed MU Health Care initially asked Anthem for a rate increase of 39% over the next 3 years KOMU 8 learned MU Health Care had come down from its initial ask of 39% however MUHC spokespersons did not clarify by how much None of the statements that Anthem has sent to KOMU 8 detail any change on its offer an MU Health Care spokesperson sent KOMU 8 a statement: “We remain open to meaningful discussions with Anthem but there are no formal negotiations scheduled at this time Anthem has only proposed an increase of 1-2% annually which doesn’t even cover the general cost of living increases we’ve experienced an average increase of 7.3% per year for labor while the average reimbursement rate only increased 3.1% Anthem pays below average compared to other health insurance companies Four hospitals in our service area closed in the last 6 years and 47% of rural hospitals in Missouri are at risk of closing with reimbursement rates playing a major factor We’re not willing to put mid-Missouri care at risk.” An Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield spokesperson also sent KOMU 8 a statement on Thursday: “Anthem’s priority remains keeping healthcare accessible and affordable because if it’s not affordable it’s not accessible The rate increases proposed by MU Health Care No one is getting increases over the next three years at the pace MU Health Care is demanding —particularly for the more than 80% of our clients who are self-funded and pay these costs directly local businesses and individuals bear the full weight of those increases We’ve put forward an offer that exceeds the Consumer Price Index (CPI) annually Our proposal also includes quality-based incentives that would allow MU Health Care to earn even more by meeting standards consistent across our network MU Health Care has rejected this offer and has never met the benchmarks required to earn those quality incentives to have MU Health Care as part of the Anthem network — just not at any cost.” Colton’s mom said she's waiting for the two to come to an agreement as the nearest in network hospital is three hours away from her home in Cairo that’s a different ball game,” Timmerman said She said finding new specialists and being put on waiting lists would be even more stressful than waiting to be an in-network patient again at MUHC “The number of times we would have to travel out of town wear and tear on a vehicle,” Timmerman said said these are just some of the reasons she wouldn’t want to drive three hours there and back to get in network care "I'm trying to hang on with Colton as long as possible at MU in hopes that something gets signed,” Timmerman said “There’s hundreds and thousands of stories out there like my family’s and we all need to speak up so that MU and anthem can hear us say that we need this contract To report an error or typo, email news@komu.com Email notifications are only sent once a day Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: "Roundball Rock," the NBA anthem written by John Tesh and popularized during the NBA on NBC from 1990-2002 will return to NBC when the network begins broadcasting games next season as part of the NBA’s new TV deal NBC announced the renewed partnership with Tesh and the song Saturday during its coverage of the Kentucky Derby “It’s a thrill to announce that 'Roundball Rock' is coming home,” NBC Sports president Rick Cordella said in a news release “ 'Roundball Rock' is one of the greatest pieces of theme music in sports history Hearing it immediately conjures images of NBC Sports’ coverage of one of the golden ages of the NBA from Magic (Johnson) to Michael (Jordan) to Kobe (Bryant) and many others It was a pleasure working with John Tesh to bring 'Roundball Rock' back to NBC and we’re equally excited to hear its debut on Peacock We couldn’t imagine beginning our coverage any other way.” Said Tesh: “I’m truly honored to be back with my friends at NBC Sports Rick Cordella had a powerful vision for bringing 'Roundball Rock' back to its one true home I’ll be front row center for the epic launch in the fall.” The idea for "Roundball Rock" came to Tesh in the middle of the night and without a recorder to remember the song he left a voice mail of himself doing the song a capella A Division of NBCUniversal DISCLAIMER: This site and the products offered are for entertainment purposes only and there is no gambling offered on this site This service is intended for adult audiences No guarantees are made for any specific outcome If you or someone you know has a gambling problem Miranda Lambert served up “fire and sass” when she took the stage on American Idol on Sunday night (May 4) The most awarded artist in Academy of Country Music history performed “Kerosene,” the title track of her career-launching debut studio album that released on March 15 Lambert celebrated Kerosene’s latest milestone with a 20th anniversary edition which included a new 13th track called “I Don’t Love Here Anymore,” which she wrote and recorded two decades ago Lambert performed on American Idol and served as a mentor to the contestants on the show. She told host Ryan Seacrest after her rendition of “Kerosene” that “I love them all so much I’ve had such a blast getting to be part of this Idol family and get to know these wonderful artists “My approach to being a mentor on Idol is just tell them the truth,” Lambert said in a clip shared by American Idol before the show aired on Sunday “I feel like authenticity is what has gotten me this far in my career and I want to pass that knowledge on because I think it’s really important.” Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Grace Potter will perform the national anthem at the 2025 Kentucky Derby on May 3 at the Churchill Downs Racetrack Potter has received Grammy nominations for Best Rock Album, Best Rock Performance and Best Country Duo/Group Performance, celebrating her incredible talent. Along with the upcoming spring release of her album, “Medicine,” Potter plans to join country music superstar and Kentucky native Chris Stapleton on tour in July Potter will take to the stage just after 5 p.m the national anthem at Churchill Downs will be broadcast live as part of NBC's Kentucky Derby coverage expected to reach millions of viewers worldwide Potter is the 16th major artist to perform "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the historic horse race These other artists have performed the national anthem at the race: Jackson at cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264 and New Jersey’s own The Gaslight Anthem are teaming up for the first time ever to bring fans an unforgettable night of baseball the three will debut an exclusive capsule collection as and New Jersey’s own The Gaslight Anthem are teaming up for the first time ever to bring fans an unforgettable night of baseball the three will debut an exclusive capsule collection as part of the second drop in Official League’s groundbreaking Local Legends series with a special appearance by the band at ShoreTown Ballpark during the BlueClaws’ game against the Brooklyn Cyclones The band will be in attendance at the ballpark that night, and the BlueClaws have also launched a limited ticket and merch package available now BY CLICKING HERE The full collection will be released online at store.thegaslightanthem.com/ and blueclaws.milbstore.com/ on May 22nd The collection will include the wool and corduroy hats The night will conclude with post-game fireworks giving fans one more reason to make May 22nd a can’t-miss celebration at ShoreTown Ballpark This new release marks the first official collaboration between The Gaslight Anthem and the Jersey Shore BlueClaws and the second installment in Official League’s Local Legends series—a five-part campaign that celebrates the connection between iconic musicians and their hometown Minor League Baseball teams Launching in April with the sold-out Fall Out Boy x Iowa Cubs collection and rolling out monthly through August the Local Legends series brings together the raw energy of live music and the hometown passion of MiLB for exclusive limited-edition collections that embody the soul of each city “We're thrilled to partner with The Gaslight Anthem and Official League on this amazing collection,” said BlueClaws General Manager Bob McLane “The Gaslight Anthem has a great following here at the Jersey Shore and the chance to welcome them to the ballpark is very exciting for us "The Gaslight Anthem are Jersey icons and this collection is a tribute to that legacy," said Monique Gilbert Vice President of Music at Official League "We're proud to bring this partnership to life alongside the BlueClaws in a way that merges baseball and local pride into one unforgettable night." The Jersey Shore BlueClaws are the region’s premier destination for affordable over 8.7 million fans have enjoyed the ShoreTown Ballpark experience Tickets and packages are available now at BlueClaws.com Official League is a premier destination for high-quality merchandise offering a range of premium products that celebrate sports With a focus on craftsmanship and innovation Official League delivers unique collections that resonate with fans worldwide The Local Legends series is an original initiative from Official League that honors the hometown roots of iconic musicians and the deep cultural connection between music and Minor League Baseball visit officialleague.com and follow along on Instagram The Gaslight Anthem are one of the most influential rock bands to emerge from the Garden State in the 21st century the band has earned a loyal global following With acclaimed albums like The '59 Sound and Handwritten they remain icons of New Jersey music culture and continue to electrify fans with their powerful live performances About one month after thousands of mid-Missouri patients were deemed out of network following failed contract negotiations between MU Healthcare and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield huge waves of patients are turning to other medical groups In April, Anthem was deemed out of network at all of MU Health Care's 80 clinics and seven hospitals various other medical groups in the area have reported a large increase in volume over the last several weeks Boone Hospital spokesperson Christian Basi said the group has received countless phone calls from patients "We absolutely have seen an increase in patients over the last month or two," Basi said "A lot of folks are asking to establish care or get in with a new provider." Basi said Boone Health has the capacity to take on new patients He said the group has hired four additional primary care providers "Each one of those providers can take between 1,500 and 1,800 patients," Basi said the group has also extended hours at its convenient care clinic Basi said specific wait times to see Boone Health providers vary if patients are needing to be seen for a condition that is current Basi said Boone Health is working to get them in as soon as possible if people are switching to establish care with a new doctor they might be waiting a short time before the appointment is scheduled "Our priority is trying to get that person in identify what their issue is and determine how quickly they need to get in," Basi said providers at SSM Health in Jefferson City also reported patients flooding in to see primary care providers "We are definitely seeing the uptick," SSM Health Regional Chief Medical Officer John Lucio said SSM Health has the capacity to take on additional patients He said the group is recruiting more providers to help fill the need for care in the community Lucio added SSM Health has brought a number of doctors in various specialty areas on board over the last year "We are trying to flex up to accommodate that increase in volume," Lucio said A spokesperson with SSM Health said the group works hard to get new patients in to see a provider at the next available appointment They added that some may have openings within a couple of days They said SSM Health surgical specialists can often see patients within the same or next day Jefferson City Medical Group (JCMG) said it has received increased phone calls and appointment requests from Anthem patients seeking care A spokesperson said the group has over 30 specialties an on-site infusion center and on-site radiology services "JCMG providers and staff are working to accommodate as many new patients as possible to ensure access to care," the spokesperson said "Expected wait times for scheduled appointments will vary by specialty and provider We understand this is a stressful time of transition and are doing everything we can to take care of these patients." Amid the uptick in patients at other medical facilities MU Healthcare told KRCG 13 that it remains open to meaningful discussions with Anthem which doesn’t even cover the general cost of living increases," a spokesperson said while the average reimbursement rate only increased 3.1%." an Anthem spokesperson said its goal is to have MU Health Care as part of the Anthem network but added the two have not come to an agreement over how to do so "The rate increases proposed by MU Health Care "We’ve put forward an offer that exceeds the Consumer Price Index (CPI) annually has never met the benchmarks required to earn those quality incentives." Quinta Brunson hosted the May 3 episode of Saturday Night Live and wrapped her monologue with a short and sweet musical number alongside fellow petite powerhouse leaned into their shared height with a hilarious and charming duet about life from down below The bit kicks off when Brunson asks for a mic only to be handed a stand set comically too high just one of the many micro-struggles of being fun-sized “Being short is amazing, being short is just fine. I’m a cheap date ‘cause I get wasted off one glass of wine,” she sings launching into a clever list of small-girl perks: crop tops double as full-length shirts The tune shifts into a tribute to fellow short legends: “You can flip like Simone or start a war with Drake like you’re Kendrick Lamar (5’5) You can be like Tom Holland and marry a 10 (5’7) Right on cue, the singer enters in a cute two-piece, joining Brunson to swap more short-girl truths. For them, short ribs feel like regular ribs, and short stories feel like novels. From the view down there, they see “door handles people’s crotches — and Jeremy Allen White.” quinta brunson with sabrina carpenter on snl OMG!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/aH9gEbrecK “Look over there, it’s a pair of knees,” they harmonize gleefully SNL cast member Marcello Hernandez joins in, not to sing, but to stand beside the duo and appear taller, a relatable move for many short girls. While they try to boost his confidence, NBA legend Dwyane Wade walks in. Despite his 6’4” frame, he mentions he is “4’10 in the basketball world.” While SNL missed a golden opportunity to cast the duo in a Polly Pocket sketch fans still hailed the musical moment as a huge win for short girlies everywhere Check out Quinta Brunson’s second SNL monologue below Writer | Tweet me @brittanyskylerr FILM & TV Letitia Wright Makes Her Directing Debut with New Short Film Highway to the Moon MCU’s Thunderbolts* Amazing Opening Weekend at Global Box Office Stitch Crashes Theaters in Cutest Surprise Yet Queen Latifah Discusses The Equalizer Cancellation in New Post Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement Glitter Magazine may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers The material on this site may not be reproduced Never miss a thing. Subscribe to receive the best of Glitter straight to you inbox. Don't worry, we won't use your email address for anything else and you can unsubscribe at any time The New Jersey musician has embraced so many different styles and songwriting themes over the course of his long and illustrious career from his faithful folk-influenced songs of the common man to his more recent flirtations with soul and Motown a select few highlights from his ever-diverse discography seem to stand out among all the rest at least in the eyes of ‘The Boss’ himself One of the most impressive aspects of Springsteen’s extensive career in music has always been the vast diversity within his material. Even if you look at the 1980s, one of his most commercially successful periods, pop-rock smash-hits like ‘Born in the U.S.A.’ arrived at around the same time as the profound vulnerability and emotion of Nebraska Very few songwriters have been able to ride the line between mainstream appeal and sticking to artistic principles quite as expertly as Springsteen the New Jersey songwriter has managed to maintain that reputation across multiple decades appealing to multiple generations of music fans in the process his influence over songwriting remains palpable with the likes of Sam Fender regularly speaking about the incredible influence bestowed upon him by Springsteen it is becoming increasingly difficult for ‘The Boss’ to select his career highlights Curating a setlist for a live show must be a difficult task for Springsteen as he has enough cult favourites and mainstream hits to perform for days without stopping and one such example is Springsteen’s 1975 classic ‘Born to Run’ Marking the songwriter’s mainstream breakthrough in the US the timeless rock anthem quickly became Springsteen’s defining track and he has performed it over 1800 times at live shows to date when Springsteen was asked by The Project to name his favourite Springsteen track back in 2013 Because it was the song where I invented myself.” Adding “It carried a certain amount of rock and roll past “I’ve managed to write well about the classic rock archetypes,” the songwriter continued the running – all classic B-movie rock cliches that I was able to use and reinvigorate in my own way Bring new life to and bring current into 1975 which was when the record was released.” Concluding I’m always comfortable of going with that one.” Although every fan has their own take on Springsteen’s finest moment it is certainly difficult to disagree with his decision to select ‘Born To Run’ as a highlight Not only did it expose the songwriting mastery of ‘The Boss’ to mainstream audiences in America but it also acted as a promising sign of things to come for the musician Springsteen struggled to escape the constant comparisons to artists like Bob Dylan but ‘Born To Run’ was a song that remains unmistakably Springsteen it is no surprise that the track holds a sizeable place in the heart of the songwriter Miami’s vibrant nightlife has long served as a breeding ground for electronic music innovation, and one of its standout figures, Chris Valencia, is back with a track that captures the city’s pulse. Released on Motive Records “I Need,” is a high-energy house anthem tailor-made for peak-time sets and unforgettable summer nights and those timeless house textures—lush high strings and soulful vocal samples—“I Need” delivers a compelling blend of emotional resonance and dancefloor power Whether you’re at a packed club or a sunset beach party the track strikes a balance between big-room energy and heartfelt depth “‘I Need’ was born from the energy of Miami’s nightlife—those moments when the crowd is fully locked in and the music becomes a shared heartbeat,” says Chris Valencia “I wanted to channel that feeling into a track that blends classic house elements with a modern edge… It’s a track meant to ignite the dance floor and resonate with listeners long after the night ends.” Chris Valencia has carved out an impressive path in the scene not just as a producer but as a DJ who’s shared the stage with the industry’s biggest names—Tiësto with releases on respected labels like Toolroom Trax His music continues to earn support from the likes of Mark Knight further cementing his status as a name to watch With “I Need,” Chris Valencia once again proves his ability to capture both the physical and emotional core of house music It’s a track built for connection—between DJ and crowd sound and soul—and it’s destined to become a staple in sets around the globe KIFFIX brings you music news daily! See more news here Chris Valencia – “I Need” is out now via Motive Records Website | Facebook | Instagram it continues to shape the industry from its headquarters in Sweden pushing boundaries and fostering creativity worldwide Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube © Copyright of UFO Network 2024 – All Rights Reserved Built by Jacques Maurice Julie who raised eyebrows with her cheeky 1995 anthem "I Kissed a Girl," has died According to her publicist David Elkin and manager John Porter the 66-year-old singer-songwriter died in a house fire in Woodbury A statement issued by the Woodbury Public Safety Department on Facebook said when first responders arrived at the home early in the morning A woman in her 60s was found dead inside the property The authorities are investigating the cause of the fire Sobule was staying with friends in Minn. before heading to her hometown of Denver to perform songs from her autobiographical coming-of-age musical F*ck 7th Grade on Friday. Instead, the venue in which she was scheduled to perform, Swallow Hill Music has arranged an informal gathering in her memory "Jill Sobule was a force of nature whose music is woven into our culture," said Porter memory and legacy continue to live on and inspire others." Comedian and actor Margaret Cho, who directed and appeared in the video for Sobule's 2009 track "San Francisco," and was a friend of the musician, shared her response to the artist's death in an Instagram post on Thursday. "This is not real to me," Cho said. "I am in shock and cannot process this." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Margaret Cho (@margaret_cho) Sobule's confessional songs sparkled with irony and humor and often told stories. Her hit "Supermodel" appeared in the 1995 movie Clueless and she even once wrote a song at the behest of NPR. Her guitar-accompanied performance of "Philosophy 101" on All Things Considered in 2009 included the lyrics: " I am who I am today / Philosophy 101 / Before class we'd all get high / Philosophy 101 / We think therefore we are / I'm thinking here on NPR." 'that song meant a lot to me growing up in Alabama.'" "Jill Sobule wasn't just a trailblazer in music—she was a beacon for queer artists," said Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD President & CEO in an online statement Jill was writing and singing about sexuality and identity with raw honesty and wit At a time when doing so could have cost her everything That courage helped pave the way for today's artists like Brandi Carlile and so many others who now stand proud and open in their music." Sobule never achieved the same level of commercial success after "I Kissed a Girl" and "Supermodel." After she was dropped by various record labels, including MCA and Atlantic, and a couple of indie labels she worked with went bankrupt, Sobule became an early pioneer of crowdfunded music when she decided to go to fans for help with producing her music. Sobule raised close to $89,000 to fund her album California Years Born in Denver, Sobule first started playing the drums at the age of five. " I was in love with Ringo Starr," she told NPR in a 2018 interview "And then somehow my parents convinced me that the guitar was a much nicer instrument." She took to the instrument quickly " I was a shredder from right from the beginning," she said It was during a trip with friends to Spain that she was invited to play in a nightclub after its owner heard her busking in the streets She dropped out of college and started playing music professionally Sobule launched her recording career in 1990 with the release of the album Things Here Are Different Sobule released 12 albums over the course of her career and was outspoken on a variety of social issues such as anorexia the MAGA movement and gay and reproductive rights According to a statement shared by her management Sobule is survived by her brother and sister-in-law A formal memorial celebrating Sobule's life and legacy is scheduled for later this summer Become an NPR sponsor there are a few highly viewed events that only the premiere names earn the honor of performing for One of those events that draws in a significant audience every year is the Kentucky Derby it was country music singer Wynonna Judd who opened the Kentucky Derby by singing the national anthem 📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp Here's what to know about the 2025 Kentucky Derby national anthem singer Singing the national anthem at the 2025 Kentucky Derby Potter is a Grammy-nominated artist who has five solo albums. She has previously sang the national anthem at the New England Patriots' 2015 season-opener MORE: Odds for the 2025 Kentucky Derby Potter is a 41-year-old singer and songwriter who has made rock and country music she's received Grammy nominations for Best Rock Album Potter is set to release an album titled "Medicine" soon with her most recent album being "Mother Road," released in 2023 Potter was a member of the band Grace Potter and the Nocturnals “Her powerful stage presence and electrifying performances embody the spirit and spectacle of Derby Day and we’re thrilled for Grace to bring her powerhouse voice to Churchill Downs.” Daniel Mader joined Sporting News as an editorial intern in 2024 following his graduation from Penn State University high school and local sports beats for NBC Sports with a love for baseball that’ll never fade but could also talk basketball or football for days More than 90,000 Anthem customers will lose in-network access to MU Health Care on Tuesday Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and MU Health Care have failed to reach an agreement on their commercial contracts meaning Anthem will be out of network at MU Health Care starting Tuesday The decision follows stalling contract discussions between both parties to continue their contracts The move now puts more than 90,000 MU Health Care patients in the gray according to an MU Health Care spokesperson an Anthem spokesperson stated the company is actively looking to find other health care partners "With our contract expiring at midnight tonight we are proactively taking steps to help our members transition to one of the many alternative care providers in our network Jefferson City Medical Group and Moberly Regional Hospital," the spokesperson said "Anthem members currently in treatment at MU Health Care should contact Anthem’s member service center at the number on their ID card to discuss options for transitioning to an in-network provider or continuing care with their current provider." MU Health Care CEO Ric Ransom expressed frustration with Anthem's apparent handling of the negotiations "We are deeply disappointed in Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield’s (Anthem’s) decision to discontinue negotiations on our commercial contracts," Ransom wrote in the statement "To say Anthem’s behavior toward MU Health Care throughout our contract negotiations is unfortunate is putting it mildly Your actions have put your members — and our patients — in a troublesome Anthem said in a statement that MU Health Care canceled the negotiation meeting that was set for Monday “We’re disappointed that MU Health Care cancelled the negotiation meeting that was scheduled for today instead of providing a response," Anthem said in a statement includes reasonable payment increases that are in line with other Missouri health systems MU Health Care’s proposed price increases would increase health care costs many times faster than wage growth for Missouri consumers We cannot agree to price hikes of this magnitude for our members Standing up for affordable care for all Missourians is part of our mission." MU Health Care was seeking a 39% increase in prices over the next three years — which Anthem said was four times the rate of inflation material concessions as a means to expedite negotiations in the best interest of our patients," Ransom said in the letter to Anthem Anthem showed no willingness to move forward effectively decreasing its offer from the previous one and adding retaliatory measures Responding in this manner after our good faith effort to extend our contract is counterproductive and contradicts Anthem’s public messaging about the negotiations." The change will not impact patients part of Healthy Blue Medicaid University of Missouri Student Advantage plans and patients who get prescriptions through Mizzou Pharmacy or patients who need medically necessary emergency care This story has been updated with a new statement from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Nomad Anima is a rapper residing in Toronto the artist has sharpened his pen to achieve a high career through his art his slightly eponymous sophomore effort that introduces the listener to the many facets of his artistry.  “ALL TIME LOW” is an early favorite from his new album The energetic yet lo-fi tune toes the line between conscious Hip-hop and modern trap influences allowing Anima’s juxtaposing artistry to come together in a beautiful sonic marriage Anima aims at the abuse from the powers-that-be and gives the listener a sense of relief through the artist’s potent pen and vulnerable lyrics that is not a sign to ignore the rest of “ALL TIME LOW.” Anima’s criminally smooth flows skate over hard-hitting drums and crooning vocal samples effortlessly With a fresh album and limitless potential Anima makes his presence felt with “ALL TIME LOW.” The highlight from Nomad Time is an anti-authority anthem that welcomes Anima as a forward-thinking empathetic writer with a drive to bring his music to the world.   “This track is the expression of making it out of extreme boundaries then looking back and liberating the experience and turning it into fuel for myself and others to push through to the dream life,” explains the artist when asked about “ALL TIME LOW.” Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" “Fingers Crossed,” is a powerful and emotionally charged anthem that dives deep into the complexities of forgiveness and the transformative process of taking control of one’s own emotional freedom The song offers an unflinching exploration of the personal struggle to let go of anger and pain turning them into liberation rather than allowing them to fester into resentment Jont’s music has always carried a sense of introspection It comes from a place of yearning for release—release from waiting for someone else to acknowledge their wrongdoing The song highlights how we often find ourselves trapped in the prison of unspoken grievances all the while neglecting the fact that we have the power to release ourselves from this self-imposed captivity to be shocked by the unrelenting truth of how things are “And that change invariably needs to happen in us ‘Fingers Crossed’ is about that realization and how it’s often not about the person we are waiting to apologize but about us choosing to forgive and move on.” The song also attests unblinkingly to the devastating ways unprocessed trauma shapes our behaviour in intimate relationships and to the importance of expressing anger in a healthy way “Once you’ve realized that you have been keeping yourself in prison by not forgiving them and that they are just on their path with whatever trauma they have and you are on yours and you’re both in essence doing your best – then you need a healthy way to let go of your grief and disappointment that has manifested as anger I found writing this song the perfect way to express this and I hope other people will be able to use it for that too!”  offering both a visceral stomp and a reflective lyricism that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled with letting go of pain Independent and fueled by love and dedication Donate to fuel us figuratively and literally Mention "☕️" or "coffee" and $5 of your donation will go to a random staff member to keep them energized COLUMBIA — Negotiating teams with MU Health Care and Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield continued to work on a new contract The health care provider and insurance company failed to reach an agreement before an April 1 2025 deadline to keep Anthem within MU Health Care’s insurance network More than 90,000 patients remained out of network Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield officials insisted MU Health Care negotiators asked for a rate increase of 39% over the next 3 years MU Health Care officials said that was not true MU Health Care Chief Operating Officer Tonya Johnson said a 39% rate increase was their first offer That rate would be 4 times the rate of inflation Johnson said there was a new lower rate for Anthem on the bargaining table “We have come down considerably from that proposal We are actually at single digits annually that we are requesting at this point in time The fact that 39% keeps being thrown around that is absolutely not accurate information.” Anthem representatives insisted MU Health Care was still asking for a 39% rate increase during negotiations MU Health Care insisted Anthem was offering a 1% to 2% rate increase MU Health Care officials said that low offer would not cover their costs Anthem officials said their MU Health Care offer was consistent with other offers accepted by other Missouri health care systems The network change did not impact emergency room care or the Mizzou Pharmacy you can call MU Health Care at 573-650-5409 NBC will bring back “Roundball Rock,” its beloved sports theme song next season when the network begins its 11-year media rights deal to air NBA games Music composer and radio and TV personality John Tesh wrote “Roundball Rock,” which became popular during NBC’s coverage of the league from 1990 to 2002. Fans will hear the song again for NBA coverage across NBC and Peacock after the league signed a blockbuster 11-year, $77 billion deal with ESPN The NBA moved its coverage from NBC to ESPN in 2002 causing the popular basketball anthem to be shelved NBC announced the return of “Roundball Rock” during Saturday’s Kentucky Derby coverage in an ad featuring Tesh sports announcer Mike Tirico and several stars from NBC shows Ever feel like EVERYONE has that one song stuck in their head The NBA on NBC and Peacock – coming this fall! pic.twitter.com/gpKMXlklFg — NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) May 3, 2025 “I’m truly honored to be back with my friends at NBC Sports,” Tesh said in a statement (NBC Sports president) Rick Cordella had a powerful vision for bringing ‘Roundball Rock’ back to its one true home Tesh told The Athletic in 2020 that he came up with the idea for the song in the middle of the night while in France He didn’t have a tape recorder at his hotel so he called his home phone in Los Angeles and hummed the music on his answering machine Anthony Edwards not only showed his growth as a player He also demonstrated his maturity as a leader (Photo: Robbie Jay Barratt / AMA / Getty Images) Jenna West is a staff editor on The Athletic's news team she served as a writer and producer for Sports Illustrated's national news desk Jenna is a graduate of Northwestern University Villages-News.com I have two questions for the person that wrote the Letter to the Editor, indicating he hates the National Anthem Among his suggestions he would rather have other songs If your father was in his wheelchair because he was a wounded combat veteran would you feel differently War isn’t glorious and anyone that has been there will tell you that The anthem is about two minutes long and if that is too much to endure maybe you don’t deserve the “forced freedom” that it represents Officials from MU Health Care announced that they have failed to reach a deal with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. and hospitals will be removed from the Anthem “It is our highest priority to help our patients who currently have Anthem coverage navigate their care options including continuing care with MU Health Care MU Health Care chief medical officer in a press release Some patients with ongoing medical conditions who have Anthem could qualify for in-network coverage “Anthem makes the final determination on eligibility but MU Health Care has provided instructions for patients to help them determine if they are eligible and how to apply,” according to the press release The press release states that the change does not affect Healthy Blue Medicaid or University of Missouri Student Advantage plans the prescriptions that Anthem members get through Mizzou Pharmacy or patients who need medically necessary emergency care People with questions can call 573-650-5409 available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. They can also go to this website. An Anthem spokesperson sent a statement about the failure to come to a deal Our family — like nearly 100,000 other Missourians — depends heavily on MU Health for specialized I am writing as a deeply concerned patient and parent to express not only my profound gratitude for the exceptional care we have received from MU Health Care but also my urgent plea for a swift and fair resolution to the contract dispute with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield I personally undergo critical high-risk cancer screenings every six months at Ellis Fischel Cancer Center my special needs son with multiple chronic health conditions is under the dedicated care of multiple pediatric specialists at MU compassion and continuity of care have been nothing short of vital for his development Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content Letters to the editor are limited to 250 words and must be signed by the author Submissions are limited to two per month by a single author All submissions must meet the editorial standards of the Columbia Missourian and will be verified for accuracy Account processing issue - the email address may already exist The Columbia Parents’ Digest is a newsletter to keep you in the know about raising kids in Columbia Start your day with the latest news stories for Columbia Receive a roundup of the news of the day each evening. (View a sample.) Join the MNN Newsletter for a behind-the-scenes look at how the Columbia Missourian MBA and Vox magazine build connections across Missouri Get the latest Mizzou and local high school sports stories delivered to your inbox Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account Rafters Announce Auditions for Team Members Your Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are hiring Game Day Staff for the 2025 season and we want YOU to join in the fun The Rafters are hosting Open Interviews at Witter Field on Wednesday May 3rd (11-3 P.M.) Positions are available for every age group Ages 16 & Up: Camera Operators and Music Programmers Ages 21 & Up: V.I.P Servers/Wait Staff and Alcohol Servers/Beer Pourers 2024-25 OnFocus Central Wisconsin Area Conferences: Conference and Team Links, Schedules Hear about top athletes and top teams in our area ********************************************** We welcome your stories! Contact us at [email protected] David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected] or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360 If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below Start your digital-only membership today and not only receive full access to our premier news website NNY360.com but also to the NNY360 mobile app no promotional deals were found matching that code The Carthage Farmers Market is held Fridays in and around the pavilion on Riverside Drive CARTHAGE — Special events will be held through the season at the Carthage Farmers Market More events will be posted on the market’s Facebook page At a recent vendor meeting for the farmers market which is overseen by the Carthage Area Chamber of Commerce but it was decided to have no musical entertainment a sound system may be installed to play the radio The chamber is seeking volunteers to sing the national anthem at noon at the weekly market Fridays again this year at the pavilion on Riverside Drive It will open for the 2025 season on May 23 For more information about the market or to volunteer to sing, contact the chamber at 315-493-3590. For complete details about becoming a vendor, visit https://carthageny.com/ Spain defeated England in the 2023 Women's World Cup final The Spanish team are among the favourites for the tournament Alexia Putellas is one of the best players in the world Don't expect the World Cup winners Spain to be singing along during the pre-game anthems.. Spain are the reigning World Champions and have some of the best players in the world Switzerland – but when the pre-game national anthem rolls around But don’t worry they haven’t forgotten the words simultaneously Spain’s national anthem is called the Marcha Real (‘Real March’) no one knows exactly when it first created – leaving it as one of the oldest national anthems in the world It was formally declared as Spain’s national anthem during the reign of Isabella II (1833-68) and remains so to this day it has military connections – and is also known by some as ‘The Grenadier March.’ At various points in the song’s history One version was used during Alfonso XIII's During General Franco’s dictatorship between 1936 and 1975 lyrics were again briefly added but didn’t stick after his reign ended It is unlikely that a set of lyrics can be written that will prove equally acceptable to the country’s diverse population of Castilian Spaniards Madrid’s ultimately unsuccessful bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games did briefly lead to a national contest to see if lyrics could be added In the end the winning lyrics received widespread criticism and they were pulled only days after the winning entrant was selected So it doesn’t look like Spain’s national anthem will have lyrics any time soon But at least they aren’t the only country who are left unable to sing along to their anthem Kosovo and San Marino songs also all don’t have lyrics He previously worked as the Chief Women’s Football Writer at the Mirror covering the England Women’s national team and the Women’s Super League Jack has reported on a number of major sporting events in recent years including the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on the ground in Australia he can often be spotted playing the game somewhere in west London songwriter and Vintage Guitar Legacies founder Sarah James released a music video Take it or Leave It based on her recent single of the same title Take It Or Leave It is a music video encouraged by her fans’ enthusiasm for the single which has become an anthem of hope and resilience The song is inspired by a journey many have taken beyond the hardships of enduring rejection from loved ones “The song has become an anthem for so many,” Ms love and energy to folks who really need to hear it and I think that goes for anyone facing obstacles It’s a message of personal and collective triumph.” As founder of Vintage Guitar Legacies fans can count on skilled musicians featuring notable vintage instruments in the upcoming Take it or Leave It music video Front and center along with the singer-songwriter for the upcoming video is Sarah’s vintage cherry red 1962 Gibson ES335.  James brings a spirited presentation of original music and uniquely eclectic delightful covers artistically re-engineered from across the decades to crowds of all sizes and what she calls “Americana-fusion,” her energetic and joyous sound has developed a well-earned following of impassioned regulars whether performing solo UW Health doctors will continue to be in-network providers for patients with health insurance from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield until July 1 The Madison-based health system and multi-state health insurance company announced in a joint statement Wednesday that they had agreed to an extension of their current agreement The update comes less than two weeks after UW Health announced its efforts to renegotiate participation in Anthem’s provider network were unsuccessful Both companies accused the other of pursuing changes that would hurt access to care for patients UW Health claimed in a previous statement that Anthem was offering payment rates below what they pay other Wisconsin hospitals The health system also said Anthem wants to be able to change payment terms without renegotiation which UW Health claims could lead to delays or even the denial of care for patients But a spokesperson for Anthem called the rate increase sought by UW Health “excessive,” saying it far outpaces the current rate of inflation for care at certain UW Health facilities the two companies said they “remain committed to negotiating a new multi-year agreement” to ensure patients with Anthem insurance can continue to receive care at UW hospitals and clinics UnityPoint Health-Meriter and other affiliated locations Patients with Anthem insurance had started to receive notice of a potential termination of in-network coverage according to the previous statement from UW Health The network agreement impacts people with commercial insurance as well as those with Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board GET TICKETS TO SEE REIGN FC TAKE ON PORTLAND THORNS FC ON APRIL 18 Our website utilizes cookies to guarantee you receive the optimal browsing experience. By continuing to use this site, you indicate your consent with our cookie usage. Privacy Policy written and produced by local artist Brittany Davis embodies the club’s spirit of unity and resilience; The accompanying short film directed by award-winning filmmaker Jason Bergh chronicles the collaborative journey behind the anthem’s creation and its deep connection to the Reign FC community along with an accompanying short film directed by award-winning filmmaker Jason Bergh Created in collaboration with Seattle-based artist Brittany Davis the anthem and film celebrate the unifying spirit of the Reign FC community as the club prepares for the 2025 National Women’s Soccer League season Brittany Davis’ creation is more than just a song - it’s an anthem for a feeling born of Seattle's rich history and crafted with our players and fans to launch a new matchday tradition and era for our club,” said Seattle Reign FC Chief Revenue Officer Courtney Carter we witness Brittany translate our club’s energy and legacy into music champion energy,’ invites us to celebrate together Last week, Reign FC hosted an exclusive event at The KEXP Gathering Space, bringing together players, season ticket members and partners for an intimate first listen of the anthem and a private screening of the film. Stand Up is now available across various music streaming platforms and the film is available on Reign FC’s YouTube channel A Soundtrack for the Reign FC Community  blind and queer artist from Seattle – drew inspiration for Stand Up after witnessing the electrifying sense of unity at Megan Rapinoe’s Jersey Retirement Match on August 25 of last year In collaboration with Sonic Guild of Seattle at halftime of that historic night Davis performed a moving rendition of Rise Up by Andra Day an experience that shaped the anthem’s message of resilience and belonging The recording features the voices of defender Ryanne Brown defender Hanna Glas and midfielder Angharad James-Turner as well as members of the Reign FC Academy the anthem also includes The Royal Guard and Reign City Riot – Reign FC’s Supporters Group and official band – alongside Sound Wave "One of the greatest joys I had in this process was actually creating and collaborating with these other players the Sound Wave - all the voices from the young players to the veteran players just feeling all of their energy around me is so important,” said Davis and I want them to know how much it means to me to have their voices be a part of the song." Bergh traveled from Los Angeles to Seattle to document the creative journey behind Stand Up His short film captures the collaborative process from inception to completion while also highlighting the unique experience and profound connection Davis felt during her first-ever Reign FC match "Seattle is a beautiful city filled with a lot of incredible folks I think just coming here from LA and having the opportunity to be in the studio with Brittany and seeing her process and how she works was mesmerizing - the way she makes music with her mind and her hands through the computer without any vision was absolutely beautiful they shake each other's hand all day - they're both forms of art that tell transformational stories.” “Sports has an amazing way of bringing people together Supporting Seattle Reign FC is more than the love we have for Seattle; it’s about uplifting women’s sports empowering athletes and inspiring the next generation to dream big,” said Russell Wilson Super Bowl Champion and Reign FC and Sounders FC Owner “Stand Up reminds us whether we’re united through a love of sports or art We are so excited to see these incredible and talented athletes continue to compete at the highest level and strive for greatness.” Reign FC fans will experience the feeling of Stand Up during the club’s home opener on March 15 as the anthem takes its place as the official walkout song for every home match This new tradition will deepen the connection between players and supporters amplifying the club’s identity on matchday Tickets to Reign FC’s season opener against NJ/NY Gotham FC on Saturday, March 15 (7:00 p.m. PT / ION) are available now at ReignFC.com/Tickets Careers Consumer Health Data Policy Health & Safety Stadium Guide Transportation Royal Guard Academy Camps Discovery Session Ticketing Coaching Staff Donations PR / Media General Inquiries Media Resources Jerseys T-Shirts Outerwear Scarves Copyright © 2025 Seattle Reign LLC. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. As a Tuesday deadline approaches, contract negotiations between Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and MU Health Care have become intense That could leave nearly 100,000 patients who use MU Health Care out of network effective Tuesday MU Health Care and Anthem have been at the negotiation table and have failed to come to an agreement Meet Columbia residents who are living their best life over 50 along with tips and resources to take advantage of all Columbia has to offer. Read more stories. In this special publication for The District find out what activities and shopping you can do in downtown Columbia this spring One of the country's largest health insurers has reversed its decision to no longer pay for anesthesia care in certain states if the surgery or procedure goes beyond a particular time limit The original move by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield "There has been significant widespread misinformation about an update to our anesthesia policy we have decided to not proceed with this policy change," the company said in a statement to NPR on Thursday afternoon it never was and never will be the policy of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to not pay for medically necessary anesthesia services," the company added "The proposed update to the policy was only designed to clarify the appropriateness of anesthesia consistent with well-established clinical guidelines." Anthem had said that starting in February it would use metrics — known as Physician Work Time values — from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to "target the number of minutes reported for anesthesia services." "Claims submitted with reported time above the established number of minutes will only pay up to the CMS established amount," it said in a note to New York providers earlier this week officials in Connecticut announced that following conversations with Anthem the policy will no longer take effect in the state Anthem said it would exempt maternity-related care and patients under the age of 22 and that providers could follow a process to dispute claims if they disagreed with a reimbursement decision Even so, the backlash to the announcement was swift and has mounted this week, especially after the fatal shooting of the CEO of another health insurance company captivated social media and further cast a spotlight on the industry In mid-November, the ASA issued a statement calling the policy a "cynical money grab" and urging Anthem to reverse it immediately "This egregious policy breaks the trust between Anthem and its policyholders who expect their health insurer to pay physicians for the entirety of the care they need," said ASA president Dr Payment for anesthesia services is based on multiple factors including the exact amount of time needed for anesthesiologists to deliver care before The ASA said that by "arbitrarily" determining the time allotted for anesthesia care during a procedure Anthem "will not pay anesthesiologists for delivering safe and effective care to patients who may need extra attention because their surgery is difficult unusual or because a complication arises." That would have left patients to shoulder the out-of-pocket costs which could range from hundreds to thousands of dollars "This is just the latest in a long line of appalling behavior by commercial health insurers looking to drive their profits up at the expense of patients and physicians providing essential care," said Arnold The ASA noted that Anthem — which rebranded to Elevance Health in recent years — reported a 24.12% increase in its year-over-year net income to $2.3 billion in June In a previous statement provided to Connecticut's FOX61 Anthem had characterized its decision as a way to "safeguard against potential anesthesia provider overbilling." "Anthem strives to help make health care simpler and more affordable," it said "One of the ways to achieve that goal is to help ensure that claims are accurately coded and providers are reimbursed appropriately for the services they provide to members Improper coding drives healthcare costs higher than they otherwise would be." as news of Anthem's announcement spread across social media elected officials in some affected states issued their own calls to action On Wednesday afternoon, Connecticut Comptroller Sean Scanlon tweeted that his office had successfully intervened "After hearing from people across the state about this concerning policy and I'm pleased to share this policy will no longer be going into effect here in Connecticut," he wrote He wasn't the first official from Connecticut — where Anthem is the provider of the state employee health plan — to lobby the company in recent days publicly urged Anthem to reverse course immediately "This is appalling. Saddling patients with thousands of dollars in surprise additional medical debt," Murphy tweeted And Republican State Sen. Jeff Gordon of Connecticut — who is a practicing oncologist and hematologist — sent a letter to Connecticut Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield last month calling on them to reverse the decision saying "people's healthcare and lives depend on it." Gordon requested more information about the company's reasons for setting a time limit including whether it is supported by any research or data "This policy is contrary to providing good and safe medical care for people in Connecticut and other states," he wrote "It could lead to avoidable adverse events and/or unnecessary bad outcomes Why would Anthem BCBS pursue such a policy?" Gordon reiterated that there are many reasons why a surgery or procedure could take longer than its scheduled time if a woman is undergoing a hysterectomy for fibroid bleeding and the surgeon decides to extend the surgery time to control bleeding the surgeon and anesthesiologist would have to decide whether to stop because of Anthem's policy or continue knowing the patient would have to cover the additional costs "possibly leading to crippling medical debt." Anthem's limit on anesthesia coverage "disregards these real-world medical circumstances," he added imploring the company to "do the right thing." In a statement Thursday Kathy Hochul called the proposal "misguided." I shared my outrage at a plan from Anthem to strip away coverage from New Yorkers who had to go under anesthesia for surgery On Wednesday, New York State Sen. Mike Gianaris tweeted that he would introduce legislation to "prohibit this practice and protect patients who need care." "Does Anthem expect a patient to get up in the middle of a surgery and walk away?" An ongoing contract dispute between Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and MU Health Care could potentially leave many without coverage if not resolved by April 1 Negotiations are still going on between MU Health Care and Anthem regarding commercial contracts that impact over 100,000 patients These agreements encompass employer-sponsored plans MU Health Care and Anthem have been involved in a contract dispute primarily revolving around reimbursement rates and the terms of their agreement The disagreement arose when MU Health Care sought to negotiate increased payment rates for services provided by their hospitals and clinics Anthem argued that the proposed rates would lead to increased healthcare costs which they argue would affect their ability to deliver high-quality medical care to patients The talks so far have led to a serious breakdown between the two parties and now sees the serious potential for many patients to face higher out-of-pocket expenses if the contract were to lapse Anthem’s members may experience disruptions in their access to MU Health Care’s services patients might have to seek care from alternative in-network providers potentially limiting their options and impacting continuity of care MU Health Care wants to see a rate change between 20-30% over three years to help cover rising costs in the healthcare industry “We are doing everything we can to continue our participation in the Anthem network in order to maintain our patients’ in-network access to MU Health Care fair network agreement is essential to our ability to provide high-quality “Physicians and caregivers at MU Health Care wake up every day with the goal of living our mission to save and improve lives That work is only possible when companies like Anthem step up alongside us through a fair contract that reflects our state’s challenging health care and economic environment.” Anthem argues that if it were to give into MU Health Care’s demands the increased cost would lead to higher costs for its clients One example being a premium increase of $1,200 for State employees “MU Health Care justified their demands by pointing to other hospital systems and challenges,” stated in an op-ed written by Stephanie Vojicic president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri.”We agree that costs in health care are rising — but the responsibility of any business is to manage cost pressures and not simply pass them on to those they serve which is what MU Health Care is seeking to do Anthem previously addressed the ongoing negotiations announcing that MU Health Care will exit its Medicare Advantage network effective April 1 Current Anthem Medicare Advantage members receiving care from MU Health will soon be informed about their options which include maintaining continuity of care at MU Health or selecting alternative in-network providers in Columbia and across Missouri With the open enrollment deadline for Medicare Advantage set for March 31 and the previous enrollment period for 2025 commercial coverage having closed on January 31—reopening on November 1 for 2026—there are concerns that some patients may postpone routine care until the enrollment period restarts The termination of the contract would not only affect those who are employed by the University itself it will not affect Mizzou Pharmacy retail services or patients enrolled in Healthy Blue Medicaid and University of Missouri Student Advantage plans Termination would also affect those outside of the university including many in rural communities Rural Missouri over the past several years have seen a huge hit in access to quality healthcare  According to the Department of Health and Senior Services “Of the 161 licensed hospitals in Missouri including five (5) behavioral health hospitals 62 are hospitals with medical/surgical beds which have 25 beds or less and provide a limited scope of service.”  Hospitals in rural communities have seen a major decline roughly 20 rural hospitals have been closed due to various reasons Mizzou has made it clear over the last few days that termination of the contract with Anthem is almost certain to happen The effects of this cancellation will be felt by more than Columbia but will hurt a great deal of people across mid-Missouri and possibly beyond Jake Kroesen is a Jackson County native and a graduate of the University of Central Missouri Anthem RC face Seattle Seawolves in Week 11 of MLR’s 2025 season San Diego Legion face NOLA Gold in Week 12 of MLR's 2025 Chicago Hounds face Miami Sharks in Week 12 of MLR's 2025 season Old Glory DC face Utah Warriors in Week 12 of MLR's 2025 New England Free Jacks face Houston SaberCats in Week 12 of MLR's Seattle Seawolves face RFCLA in Week 12 of MLR's 2025 season MLR and the MLR shield design are registered trademarks of Major League Rugby logos and designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated Join Our Mailing List to Ensure You Never Miss Out on the MLR Action Never see this message again.