Local gas prices have dropped another four cents from last week to an average of $2.33 for a gallon of unleaded. That reflects a drop of nineteen cents in the past month. The AAA reports the statewide average is $2.30.
Independent Health will waive copayments or cost-sharing for COVID-19 medical testing, diagnosis and treatment for its fully insured employer groups, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and individual plan members through May 31, 2020. Late last week BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and Univera Healthcare making a similar announcement.
While continuing to implement preventative measures at all eight manufacturing facilities it operates, Upstate Niagara Cooperative has also moved to increase pay rates for all hourly associates, by $2 per hour for all hours worked.
Plenty of recent talk about the Paycheck Protection Program rolled out by the federal government. Rosa Pizzi with Phillips Lyttle LLP on who is eligible - "I think the number that everyone has heard is small businesses with 500 employees or less...it's a little more nuanced than that. Other organizations are eligible too - 501c3 non-profits, some veteran non-profits, tribal businesses. Those are also picked up here." Pizzi adds that businesses should file through their local bank.
