The Milwaukee Post

6 • Milwaukee County Post • November 10, 2011 By BRANDON ANDEREGG Conley News Service MILWAUKEE — Gas prices are rising and as it turns out, hurricanes have a minor impact on the price that motorists see at the pump today, said Kyle Isakower, American Petro- leum Institute Vice President of Regulatory and Economic Policy. Before Hurricane Harvey, refineries in the U.S. were producing about 17.5 million gallons per day, said Isakower. It would seem that gas prices would rise consid- ering the aggregate U.S. refinery production decreased by 3 million gal- lons a day. But Isakower said people need to look at crude oil as a global commodity -— when the U.S. falls short, they'll purchase from anoth- er source to fill the gap. Gas prices in Wisconsin have increased by 61 cents within the last year, accord- ing to the American Automobile Association. The average price of regular gas in the Milwaukee area was $2.67 on Monday, a nick- el more than the state aver- age of $2.62. So what caused the price of gas to increase in Milwaukee and in the U.S. in general? While it has to do with an increase in crude oil prices, Isakower said it is also because of a reduction in the global stockpile of crude oil. Isakower said the Organization of the Petrole- um Exporting Countries has announced that it intends to bring global stockpiles down to the five-year average. The goal of this process, which has been happening over the last six months, would be to balance the crude oil mar- ket, according to Isakower. He said analysts have the- orized that the stockpile will continue to drop in the com- ing years. If they're correct, then the price of gas will continue to rise. "If it continues to drop, that would put upward pres- sure on prices," Isakower said. Though the gallons pro- duced a day have not returned to 17.5 million, Isakower said this is rela- tively normal. Around fall, most refineries undergo maintenance because the peak season of gasoline pro- duction is during the sum- mer. BUSINESS Badger Meter acquires N.C. company MILWAUKEE — Badger Meter, Inc. announced it acquired the assets of Carolina Meter & Supply, based in Wilmington, N.C. and hired its five employees. Milwaukee-based Badger Meter is a manufacturer of flow measurement, control and communications solutions. Carolina Meter distributes Badger Meter products to municipal water utility customers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Following the acquisition, Carolina Meter will do business as "National Meter & Automation," Badger Meter's wholly owned distribution sales organiza- tion. "The acquisition of Carolina Meter is the third in our ongoing strategy to enhance Badger Meter's sales chan- nels," said Richard Meeusen, Badger Meter chairman, pres- ident and CEO, in a statement. He added customers can expect faster delivery times and improved support. Rockwell board rejects acquisition proposal MILWAUKEE — Rockwell Automation, Inc. confirmed it has rejected an unsolicited proposal from Emerson to acquire the Milwaukee company. According to a statement from Rockwell Automation, it received the bid from Emerson on Oct. 10 that included a plan to acquire the company for $107.50 per share in cash and 225 million shares of Emerson common stock, valued at $107.50 per share. The Oct. 10 unsolicited proposal follows another bid from Emerson on Aug. 2 to acquire Rockwell for for $200 per share, with about half of the consideration in cash and half in Emerson common stock. The Rockwell board of directors unanimously deter- mined that each of Emerson's proposals was not in the best interest of Rockwell Automation or its share-owners. St. Ann Center Bucyrus Campus honored MILWAUKEE — St. Ann Center Bucyrus Campus Medical Clinic, 2450 W. North Ave., has been awarded the Bronze Seal of Excellence from the Wisconsin Association of Free & Charitable Clinics, according to a news release. The WAFCC Standards of Excellence are designed to promote best practices that maximize access to health care and improve the overall quality of care for uninsured, underserved, economically and socially disadvantaged and vulnerable populations. OPEC strategy tightens global crude supplies Consumers begin making selections for ACA, Medicare By DAVE FIDLIN Special to the Post WAUKESHA — Despite all the talk of abolishing it this year, former President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act remains law as insurance consumers begin weighing their options in the year ahead. The health insurance market- place's 45-day open enrollment period — shorter from prior years — began Nov. 1 and runs through Dec. 15. In most instances, persons who do not receive health insurance through an employer, a spouse's employer, Medicare or Medicaid are still required to purchase insurance through the exchanges or face a finan- cial penalty at tax time. In a statement, Cheryl Miller, who oversees a team of enrollment assis- ters at Aurora Health Care, said it is important consumers pay attention to the abbreviated window of time to purchase insurance. "One of the biggest changes from last year is that the marketplace enrollment period is half as long as previous years, and there is only one deadline," Miller said. "Therefore, you must take action and enroll by Dec. 15, or you will risk not having coverage in 2018." Miller said she also recommends persons shopping for instance on the marketplace not put off the decision until the last minute — particu- larly as the holi- days get into full swing in a few weeks. "Take the time to find the best options for you and your family, and you can rest with the peace of mind that comes knowing your health and well-being is covered with insurance," Miller said. The price of purchasing 2018 health insurance on the exchanges could vary from prior years. Financial assistance could be avail- able to some marketplace consumers, though a person's income level will depend on the eligibility. Some insurance providers, such as Molina Healthcare, have opted not to provide Wisconsinites with ACA cov- erage in 2018. Miller said she suggests past ACA insurance holders log onto Healthcare.gov, even if the current provider remains in the local market- place. "If you do nothing, you could be subject to auto-enrolling into a plan that might not include your medical team and leave you in a challenging predicament in 2018," Miller said. To help muddle through the quag- mire of changes and make the most informed decision possible, Miller said she recommends consumers read through information on the ACA web- site or discuss options with communi- ty-based organizations. Another open enrollment period, for Medicare coverage, is also under- way and overlaps the span of time for ACA. The 2018 selection period for enrollees began Oct. 15 and continues through Dec. 7. Coreen Dicus-Johnson is president and CEO of Network Health, a Menasha-based health insurance company that offers such products as Medicare health insurance coverage. For consumers entering Medicare or looking to make changes to an existing plan, Dicus-Johnson said she recommends looking at a range of cri- teria, including a metric system, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMMS, has created to rank companies' abilities to assist consumers in comparing plans. "We know that health care can be very complicated," Dicus-Johnson said. "It can be very difficult to navigate through some of the different deci- sions." CMMS recently gave Network Health a 4.5-star ranking, out of 5 stars, for its Medicare Advantage plans. The nationwide average is 3.4 stars. Why are gasoline prices continuing to rise? Open enrollment period means critical health decisions for 2018 Miller

• Cover