Humana announces major expansion for Louisville

Humana announces major expansion for Louisville ... Posted on July 5, 2005 Provided by:

Louisville (June 30, 2005) - State and local leaders announced today that Louisville-based Humana Inc. has chosen its hometown for a major expansion that will create approximately 1,100 new jobs. The announcement came after the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority approved incentives for the project at its monthly meeting this morning in Frankfort.

“Louisville is Humana’s home – as the company was established here and continues to experience significant and positive growth here. We are excited about what this tremendous expansion will mean to the economic growth of our community,” said Mayor Jerry Abramson. “In addition to the jobs and economic growth, Humana has become a leading corporate citizen through its leadership and employees continually playing an active role in civic, volunteer and charitable efforts in our hometown.”

Humana, Kentucky’s largest publicly traded company, offers coordinated health insurance coverage and related services to employer groups, government-sponsored plans and individuals. Due to their recent and projected growth opportunities, Humana chose to expand its headquarters facilities and staff of administration, customer support, information technology and other support services employees.

“As a physician I know the important role health care plays in Kentucky’s economy,” said Governor Ernie Fletcher. “We commend the leadership of Humana, Greater Louisville Inc., Louisville Metro and Secretary Strong for their cooperation in making our commonwealth a major player in the growing health care industry.

The $4.2 million expansion would be spread out over three locations, including its headquarters in Downtown Louisville. Humana is considering property on Bishop Lane and elsewhere in Downtown Louisville for remaining parts of the expansion. The authority

As someone who lived in Louisville for 35 years, I can tell you that this story has been published many, many times before. Followed later by a series of stories in which Humana announces layoffs. The number of people per layoff is smaller than the number hired originally. But the sum total of the layoffs brings employment back, roughly, to what it was originally, sometimes to less than it was originally.

I have a friend in Louisville that has worked for Humana on five separate occasions over the last 20 years or so. Laid off every time.

Networks Paint Bush Economy As Bleak No Matter What The Facts Really Say
Media’s bad news bears deliver negative news 62 percent of the time despite economic expansion.

By Amy Menefee
August 17, 2005

Economic news heavily negative: Coverage of economic news on the three broadcast networks was negative 62 percent of the time, despite ongoing good news of more jobs, low unemployment and economic growth.
Good news undermined: Even when good news made it to viewers, journalists undermined it with bad news 45 percent of the time.
Negative stories given more air time: Good news stories were relegated to briefs roughly two thirds of the time. Negative news received longer stories and outnumbered positive stories by almost 4-to-1 in that category.
Which do you want first – the good news or the bad?

The good news is that the economy is strong and growing. The bad news is the news about the economy.

The federal deficit is shrinking, unemployment has fallen, and America has seen more than two straight years of job growth. But broadcasters have been describing the economy as “dicey,” “volatile” and “slow.” A Free Market Project analysis of economic stories on network evening news shows since President George W. Bush’s second inauguration showed negative news prevailing 62 percent of the time (71 out of 115 stories). That number was deceiving, however, because even good news often was portrayed as bad. In 40 stories classified as good economic news, journalists undermined the good news with bad 45 percent of the time.

Good news was relegated to short reports, or briefs, 68 percent of the time, while bad news was treated with full stories. When briefs on both sides were excluded, the comparison of full-length news stories showed an overwhelming ratio: negative stories outnumbered positive ones almost 4-to-1.

NBC’s “Nightly News” illustrated the reporting trend with a glaring disparity between its Aug. 15 stories. Anchor Brian Williams took about 25 seconds to tell the brief good news of the federal deficit reduction, which he admitted was due to “higher-than-expected revenues and a steadily growing economy.” Immediately, however, he led into another story warning of “financial hardship” for all, coming from rising gas prices – and that story went on for more than two and a half minutes. Reporter Martin Savidge asked, “How long ’til the economy as a whole feels it?”

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