House takes up Mass. minimum wage hike today
Worcester Telegram (subscription), MA -
House members will have options of adopting several variations on the floor today. Amendments will be argued to go with the higher wage rate of $8.25, which has been adopted by the Senate as a rider on its version of the state budget. Other amendments would eliminate the increase for tipped workers and establish an automatic minimum wage increase in the future pegged to the cost of living, a provision that was included in the Senate budget legislation.
2006-06-20
State floats plan for mental health system overhaul
Barre Montpelier Times Argus, VT -
Rep. Anne Donahue, R-Northfield, said not enough attention is being paid to improving mental health care in Vermont outside of replacing the Vermont State Hospital. Mental health care in prisons and issues with outpatient care also must be addressed if those with such disorders are to be treated well, but a proposal for that comprehensive approach is not being followed, said Donahue, a member of the Mental Health Oversight Committee.
2006-06-19
The Next Move on Health Care Reform
FOX News -
But not all states are advancing mandates, or new penalties on employers and individuals for not providing or purchasing coverage. In Wisconsin, the state legislature passed legislation that would provide HSA consumers with a 6.5 percent credit for the amount claimed on federal taxes. Governor Jim Doyle, however, said he would veto the bill as he did an earlier version in 2004. In Colorado, Governor Bill Owens vetoed legislation that would have required employers to report the number of employees who receive government-sponsored health insurance.
2006-06-18
Underdog and the anti-establishment candidate
Addison County Independent, VT -
That style of populist bravado potentially has appeal in a region enamored with the independent ethos that has long characterized the Green Mountain State. And Shepard’s background fits his rhetoric. He’s a fifth or sixth generation Vermonter, born and raised on a small dairy farm, learned his hard-work ethic from his growing up a farmer’s son, and his moral values were home grown as well. He graduated from Hartford High School in 1978 with little interest in a college education, but having learned how to wire a house with his dad at a young age, he had an affinity for electrical sciences and got his journeyman electrician’s license in 1982. He stumbled into higher electronics, then took an interest in computers and ended up graduating from the University of Florida in 1986 with a electrical engineering degree and received a Master of Engineering degree following work at MIT and RPI. (See story, Page 1A.) In short, Shepard has a populist pedigree, but has leveraged his natural talent and home education into a lucrative electrical engineering business, which he formed several years ago and runs as an independent business. He’s married with four kids.
2006-06-16
Here's Help
Rutland Herald, VT -
Multiple Sclerosis: Rutland, Group discussion for people with MS, and family and friends to discuss new medical breakthroughs, new studies and support, 747-4757 or 775-7056; Springfield, The Connecticut River Valley Multiple Sclerosis Suport Group meets the last Wednesday of the month at the State Building, 100 Mineral St., MS patients, family and friends welcome, no fee, 463-1310 or
2006-06-15
The Next Move on Health Care Reform
FOX News -
But not all states are advancing mandates, or new penalties on employers and individuals for not providing or purchasing coverage. In Wisconsin, the state legislature passed legislation that would provide HSA consumers with a 6.5 percent credit for the amount claimed on federal taxes. Governor Jim Doyle, however, said he would veto the bill as he did an earlier version in 2004. In Colorado, Governor Bill Owens vetoed legislation that would have required employers to report the number of employees who receive government-sponsored health insurance.
2006-06-14
State Lawmaker Introduces Bill for Universal Coverage
International News Service, Australia -
1. The effects of state mental health parity legislation on perceived quality of insurance coverage, perceived access to care, and use of mental health specialty
Objective. To assess the impacts of recent state mental health parity legislation on perceived quality of health insurance coverage, perceived access ...
2. The Best Of Health - finding affordable health insurance
INSURANCE | Finding a policy YOU CAN AFFORD when you''re on your own. WHEN JANA and Michael Bitton switched jobs, leaving them and their 5-year-old ...
3. To Offer or Not to Offer: The Role of Price in Employers'' Health Insurance Decisions - Statistical Data Included
Objective. To estimate the effect of changes in price on employers'' decisions to offer health insurance. Data Sources/Study Setting. A 1993 survey ...
4. Meet the flockers: executives at three companies say the liberal regulatory laws are among the most important reasons for trekking to Vermont to set up
Among the latest corporations to make the pilgrimage to the Green Mountain State are Liberty Mutual, the Collegiate Catalyst Fund and John Deere Co.
5. States tackle the health insurance crisis - State Policy Watch - Brief Article
The problems just don''t seem to want to go away. Small - employer health insurance premiums continue to skyrocket at double-digit rates. Individuals'' ...