Ashley Cole Benefits - Health, Life, Disability and Retirement Insurance in Austin, Texas - Senate panel investigating binding arbitration in nursing homes

Senate panel investigating binding arbitration in nursing homes

The AP (6/18, Freking) reports, "Patients hoping to get into nursing homes increasingly are signing away their rights to sue over poor care." According to a Senate panel that is "investigating the growing use of binding arbitration by nursing homes,...more than 100 lawsuits have been filed in the past five years challenging such agreements." Typically, "[a]rbitrators take into account federal, state, and county laws when resolving legal disputes." And, although "[l]awmakers don't want to preclude binding arbitration as an option, said Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Aging Committee," this "decision has to be made by both parties after a dispute occurs." Sen. Kohl added that "[m]any incoming residents lack the capacity to make even simple decisions, much less judge the legal significance of an arbitration agreement," and "[m]ost are unaware that they are signing away their right to go to court."

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Garland Cole - Partner

Garland Cole built the foundation for the customer-centric values that Ashley Cole Benefits is known for today. With over 25 years in benefits planning and management, Garland is equally cited for her detailed knowledge as her engaging personality. She began her career in human resources before becoming a successful agent for New York Life in 1978. Prior to opening her own benefits agency, Garland held several corporate executive marketing positions. As a National Marketing Director, she trained agents across the country on the finer points of design, implementation and communication of employee benefits. Garland is also the Endorsed Local Provider for Investments and Long Term Care for Dave Ramsey.

Numerous civic, professional and non-profit organizations benefit from Garland’s support of the community. She is an active member with Texas Reach Out Ministries and past President of the Metropolitan Breakfast Club. She is also a board member of Texas Women in Business and serves with Champions for Life Prison Ministry, headquartered in Dallas TX.

Garland is the mother of Leigh Ashley, her business partner, and a son, Scott Shearer, who works in the healthcare industry.

BJ Bludau - Account Manager

Elizabeth (BJ) Bludau is the friendly voice most encounter when contacting Ashley Cole Benefits. BJ consults regularly with individuals, families and business executives from a variety of industries to help create solutions to clients’ health insurance concerns. Prior to her current position as an Account Manager, she invested nearly 20 years as an R.N. at Austin and Houston hospitals, including MD Anderson. BJ went on to utilize her health care knowledge in medical device sales and sales management from 1989 – 2004. Additionally, she served as VP of Community Development for the Coastal Bend Blood Center in Corpus Christi and as a business consultant.

Dedicated to her family and community, BJ has served on the boards of Austin Junior Forum, the Caswell House, past President of the Metropolitan Breakfast Club, and as a student mentor in her church. She enjoys cooking, gardening, and music, but most of all, she enjoys people. Needless to say, BJ is a tremendous asset to our clients and this agency.

Vision Statement

"To provide unparalleled excellence in the service we bring to our clients, and to do so with absolute honesty, enthusiasm, humility and joy, so that our clients will regard each endeavor as a truly positive experience."

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Preferred Companies

- Aetna
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Gerber Life
- Genworth
- Guardian
- Humana
- Mutual of Omaha
- Transamerica
- United Healthcare
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