MedWorm: Small Businesses

Research Reveals Counties With Thriving Small Businesses Have Healthier Residents

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0100

Counties and parishes with a greater concentration of small, locally-owned businesses have healthier populations - with lower rates of mortality, obesity and diabetes - than do those that rely on large companies with "absentee" owners, according to a national study by sociologists at LSU and Baylor University. "What stands out about this research is that we often think of the economic benefits and job growth that small business generates, but we don't think of the social benefits to small communities," said Troy C. Blanchard, Ph.D., lead author and associate professor of sociology at LSU... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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No Small Matter Setting Up Small Business Exchanges [From The Editor-in-Chief]

Health Affairs — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: Health Affairs)

Employers And The Exchanges Under The Small Business Health Options Program: Examining The Potential And The Pitfalls [Small Business Insurance Exchanges]

Health Affairs — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The health insurance exchange is the centerpiece of the insurance reforms created by the Affordable Care Act. The Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) is intended to create a marketplace for small, and perhaps eventually large, employers to purchase health insurance for their employees. This paper introduces a collection of articles that illuminate the need for small-business exchanges and discuss how they will function. The paper also describes the difficulties these exchanges will face, as well as the opportunities they will offer to states, employers, and individuals. The success or failure of small-business exchanges may well hinge on how states choose to address these challenges. (Source: Health Affairs)

How Small Business Health Exchanges Can Offer Value To Their Future Customers--And Why They Must [Small Business Insurance Exchanges]

Health Affairs — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This article frames the challenges that exchanges will encounter in meeting these objectives. In particular, it discusses the advisability of small-business exchanges’ offering an "employee choice" model (which the article describes in detail); of combining the small-business and individual exchanges to broaden product offerings and gain operational efficiencies; and of encouraging low-cost plans to enter the exchange market, perhaps by enabling Medicaid managed care plans to offer comparable commercial products, and in turn affording health plans access to a uniquely motivated market of small firms and their workers who want affordable coverage. (Source: Health Affairs)

Health Insurance Exchanges Of Past And Present Offer Examples Of Features That Could Attract Small-Business Customers [Small Business Insurance Exchanges]

Health Affairs — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The Affordable Care Act calls on states to create health insurance exchanges serving small businesses by 2014. These exchanges will allow small-business owners to pool their buying power, have more choices of health plans, and buy affordable health insurance. However, creating an exchange that appeals to small-business owners poses several challenges. Past and current exchanges provide valuable insights into the role exchanges can play, services they can offer, and design features that can make them successful. For example, states should allow insurance brokers to provide employers with advice and analysis regarding plans offered in the exchanges. Exchanges should also provide services to ease enrollment, such as a single application for all of the plans they offer, and make additional ben...

How Choices In Exchange Design For States Could Affect Insurance Premiums And Levels Of Coverage [Small Business Insurance Exchanges]

Health Affairs — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The Affordable Care Act gives states the option to create health insurance exchanges from which individuals and small employers can purchase health insurance. States have considerable flexibility in how they design and implement these exchanges. We analyze several key design options being considered, using the Urban Institute’s Health Insurance Policy Simulation Model: creating separate versus merged small-group and nongroup markets, eliminating age rating in these markets, removing the small-employer credit, and setting the maximum number of employees for firms in the small-group market at 50 versus 100 workers. Among our findings are that merging the small-group and nongroup markets would result in 1.7 million more people nationwide participating in the exchanges and, because ...

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Large Employers See Scenarios Under Which They Could Move Workers And Retirees To Exchanges [Small Business Insurance Exchanges]

Health Affairs — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Large employers are thinking about how they might use the health insurance exchanges created by the Affordable Care Act. In the short term, from 2014 to 2016, many of these employers are giving serious consideration to using the exchanges to help provide coverage for part-time workers and for retirees not yet eligible for Medicare. In the long term, beginning in 2017, some large employers are considering using the exchanges to provide coverage for all of their employees. Costs, human resources strategies, and competitive pressures, as well as state and federal policy, will be the likely drivers of large employers’ decisions about whether—and how—to use the exchanges. (Source: Health Affairs)

Adjusting For Risk Selection In State Health Insurance Exchanges Will Be Critically Important And Feasible, But Not Easy [Small Business Insurance Exchanges]

Health Affairs — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This article describes why the Affordable Care Act could lead to favorable or adverse risk selection across plans. It reviews provisions in the act and recent proposed regulations intended to mitigate the problem of risk selection. We performed a simulation that showed that under the premium rating restrictions in the law, large incentives for insurers to attract healthier enrollees will be likely to persist—resulting in substantial overpayment to plans with very healthy enrollees and underpayment to plans with very sick members. We conclude that risk adjustment based on patients’ diagnoses, such as will be in place from 2014 on, will yield payments to insurers that will be more accurate than what will come solely from the age-adjusted and other rating allowed by the act. We al...

Regulating Stop-Loss Coverage May Be Needed To Deter Self- Insuring Small Employers From Undermining Market Reforms [Small Business Insurance Exchanges]

Health Affairs — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

As implementation of the Affordable Care Act reshapes the US health insurance market, state policy makers should be prepared to revisit regulation of stop-loss coverage—a form of reinsurance—for small businesses. Aspects of the reform law could motivate small businesses to self-insure, rather than participate in state-regulated markets either inside or outside the new health insurance exchanges. If younger or healthier groups self-insure, premiums for insured plans might rise to an extent that could seriously impair the regulated market. States can influence small businesses to participate in the regulated market by making it more difficult or costly to obtain stop-loss coverage, which self-funded employers rely on to protect their businesses from catastrophic medical costs inc...

Small Firms' Actions In Two Areas, And Exchange Premium And Enrollment Impact [Small Business Insurance Exchanges]

Health Affairs — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The Affordable Care Act changed the regulations governing small firms’ health insurance premiums. However, small businesses can avoid many of the new regulations by self-insuring or maintaining grandfathered plans. If small firms with healthy and lower-cost enrollees avoid the regulations, premiums for coverage sold through insurance exchanges could be unaffordable. In this analysis we used the RAND Comprehensive Assessment of Reform Efforts microsimulation model to predict the effects of self-insurance and grandfathering exemptions on coverage and premiums available through the exchanges. We estimate that Affordable Care Act regulations restricting employers’ ability to offer grandfathered plans will result in lower premiums on plans available through the exchanges and will ha...

Counties with thriving small businesses have healthier residents, LSU and Baylor researchers find

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Baylor University) Counties and parishes with a greater concentration of small, locally-owned businesses have healthier populations -- with lower rates of mortality, obesity and diabetes -- than do those that rely on large companies with "absentee" owners, according to a national study by sociologists at LSU and Baylor University. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

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U.S. counties with thriving small businesses have healthier residents

ScienceDaily Headlines — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:15:15 +0100

U.S. counties and parishes with a greater concentration of small, locally-owned businesses have healthier populations — with lower rates of mortality, obesity and diabetes — than do those that rely on large companies with “absentee” owners, according to a national study. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Explaining Health Care Reform: How Will the Affordable Care Act Affect Small Businesses and Their Employees?

Rural publications via the Rural Assistance Center — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:26:52 +0100

Describes ACA initiatives that will be implemented between now and the year 2016 and affect small businesses in terms of insurance exchanges, penalties for not providing affordable coverage, tax credits, and grants for wellness programs. -- Kaiser Family Foundation (Source: Rural publications via the Rural Assistance Center)

Bust Your Bad Small Business Eating Habits

Psychology Today Work Center — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:44:39 +0100

Are you the type who walks by a Dunkin' Donuts shop without so much as a sideways glance - but find yourself in the Monday morning meeting intensely reaching for a sugar-glazed cruller? Most of the small business owners I know are so busy running the shop, that when it comes to eating on the job, their intestinal fortitude flies out the window.read more (Source: Psychology Today Work Center)

How To Tell Your Small Business Story

Psychology Today Work Center — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:46:59 +0100

I recently gave a talk to a group of new authors on how to promote and market their books. Instead of taking the time and expense of providing handouts (not to mention all the trees saved), I decided to create a SlideShare presentation and offer it, post-conference, to the participants.read more (Source: Psychology Today Work Center)

Blues plans form subsidiary to handle expected boost in individual, small-business claims

American Medical News — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:07:07 +0100

The move anticipates more insured patients once health reform is in place in 2014. The plans say physicians should notice faster claims processing. (Source: American Medical News)

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USDA Invites Applications for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects

Federal Register updates via the Rural Assistance Center — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0100

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that USDA is seeking applications to provide assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to complete a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. (Source: Federal Register updates via the Rural Assistance Center)

Sound Bites for Small Business Success

Psychology Today Work Center — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:58:35 +0100

If you think sound bites are just for movie stars, politicians and the pundits you see on TV, think again. In today's get-to-the-point-centric world, your small business spin has power.I was reminded of the importance of this during a coaching session I had last week with a group of women entrepreneurs.read more (Source: Psychology Today Work Center)

Obama Proposes Moving NOAA to Interior

Public Policy Reports — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:12:42 +0100

On 13 January 2012, President Obama proposed a reorganization of the Department of Commerce (DOC). Although much of the emphasis during the announcement of the plan centered on the realignment of several DOC bureaus that focus on small businesses, the President would also like to move the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from DOC to the Department of the Interior. Interior is currently home to NOAA’s terrestrial science equivalent, the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Details on the proposed reorganization are scarce, but are expected to be released in the coming months. President Obama does not currently have the authority to restructure the Executive Branch, although previous Presidents have held this power. The administration has asked Congress to gr...

Grafts too big or too small: Business as usual in pediatric liver transplantation

Pediatric Transplantation — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: Pediatric Transplantation)

A Doctor Tells All in 'Confessions Of A Surgeon'

NPR Health and Science — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +0100

In a new book, surgeon Paul Ruggieri reveals the "good, the bad, and the complicated" about being a surgeon, and operating on patients. From cutting into a man who just killed his wife, to the headaches of running a small business, Ruggieri candidly discusses his career.» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us (Source: NPR Health and Science)

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Website Designer Woes

Psychology Today Work Center — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:51:03 +0100

If I were the type of person who named my weeks, this past one would have been declared "Web Designer Week." I've been juggling the redesign of my own website, working with a web designer on the creation of a client's new small business website, and engaging in an ongoing debate with another client about the effectiveness (or lack thereof, in my humble opinion) of their web developer's abiread more (Source: Psychology Today Work Center)

Time to Have a Heart-to-heart With Your Employees

Arkansas Business - Health Care — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:05:23 +0100

It's natural for small business owners to focus on customers at the start of the year. Owners are looking for new business opportunities and making sure their relationships with existing customers stay strong. (Source: Arkansas Business - Health Care)

Proven Program Helps Create Rural Jobs

News stories via the Rural Assistance Center — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0100

Center for Rural Affairs article reports that in two short years the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP), administered through USDA, has proven to be a solid job creator in rural America by providing loan capital and technical assistance grants to small business development organizations to make loans and provide support to startup and existing rural businesses. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)

Simplified models of analysis of the sources of risk and biomechanical overload in the small industries sector: experience of application among bartenders. - Ardissone S.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:21:09 +0100

BACKGROUND: Over the last 20 years, the cafe/snackbar sector has undergone a substantial development in Italy, expanding all over the country via countless small businesses, with other larger businesses springing up especially along major communication rou... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

Your Small Business Brain and Decision Fatigue

Psychology Today Work Center — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:58:50 +0100

Last week I read an article in The New York Times Magazine titled: Do You Suffer From Decision Fatigue? My immediate reaction was, "Doesn't everyone?" I don't know of one small business owner who is not burdened with a multitude of choices - hourly.read more (Source: Psychology Today Work Center)

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Health-Law Opponents Try to Add Plaintiffs to Lawsuit

WSJ.com: Health — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:18:30 +0100

A small-business group fighting the health-care law asked the Supreme Court to add two plaintiffs to its lawsuit after possible problems arose with an initial plaintiff. (Source: WSJ.com: Health)

Association for Small Business Development Centers

Rural web sites and other tools via the Rural Assistance Center — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:56:23 +0100

Comprehensive small business assistance network that helps new entrepreneurs become business owners, and assists existing businesses to remain competitive. -- Small Business Administration (Source: Rural web sites and other tools via the Rural Assistance Center)

The Effects of National Health Care Reform on Local Businesses—Part 1: The Law and Its Applicability

The Health Care Manager — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0100

This is part 1 of a 3-part series that presents a comprehensive examination of the results that can be expected from the 2010 national Health Care Reform legislation. Political pundits have speculated endlessly on the many changes mandated by the legislation, titled the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. A review and assessment of this legislation at several levels (federal, state, state agency, local region, and individual business leaders) were undertaken. The results of this expanded analysis suggest strongly that members of the business community and their employees will benefit from the legislation early on (years 1–3) and then likely will be impacted adversely as the payment mechanisms driving the legislation are tightened by new federal regulations (year 4 onward). Busine...

Letters: We must rebalance the economy now

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 21:00:05 +0100

Vince Cable writes (Comment, 20 December) that we need to put the whingeing of the City aside and "concentrate on [...] rebalancing the economy". We could hardly agree more – but Cable needs to back his words with action. Investment in science and engineering is crucial if we're to achieve this rebalancing. The sectors Cable name-checks for growth, "advanced manufacturing, creative industries, higher education and professional services", are all linked to, and underpinned by, advances in publicly funded science and engineering, and often staffed by highly skilled science and engineering graduates from our higher education system.Unfortunately, as inflation further erodes a science budget already suffering from cash cuts, it's hard to see how the UK's science and engineering sectors can d...

Impact of population characteristics on Illinois childcare adoption of integrated pest management (IPM)

Journal of Public Health — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:51:30 +0100

Conclusions Large government sponsored or private childcare facilities are more likely to implement select IPM practices post-training. Licensed and informal facilities could benefit from on-line IPM training certification programs with inspection requirements and IPM implementation financial assistance, similar to government energy saving programs for small businesses. More research is needed in higher-income populations to assess pesticide use and children’s exposure and need for IPM, to inform intervention programs. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-10DOI 10.1007/s10389-011-0480-9Authors Debby F. Mir, Department of Environmental Science, Tel Hai Academic College, Upper Galilee, 12210 Israel Journal Journal of Public HealthOnl...

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Increases for Small Business Programs to Come at Expense of Research

Public Policy Reports — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 07:27:32 +0100

Congress has agreed to increase funding for two programs that help small businesses translate scientific discoveries into commercial ventures. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs would receive a larger share of federal research dollars under the bicameral compromise. Currently, the programs are funded by the 11 federal agencies that spend more than $100 million a year on research. The SBIR receives 2.5 percent of each agency’s research budget; STTR receives 0.3 percent. The new deal would increase those allocations to 3.2 percent and 0.45 percent, respectively, for the next six years. Some members of the research community are unhappy about the reauthorization because they worry it will reduce the funding avai...

Top 9 Rural Small Business Trends for 2012

News stories via the Rural Assistance Center — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 06:00:00 +0100

Small Business Trends article includes tips and trends for the upcoming year. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)

Creating your ideal client profile

Psychology Today Work Center — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 02:11:02 +0100

A few weeks ago, I did a post on identifying bad clients and knowing when to fire them. In the emails and comments that followed, many of you mentioned the flip side of the coin - building a business based on ‘ideal' clients. Primary Topic: Work read more (Source: Psychology Today Work Center)

UnitedHealthcare unveils new coverage choices

bizjournals.com Health Care:Hospitals headlines — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:48:33 +0100

UnitedHealthcare has begun offering small businesses in New Mexico a new health plan package that has 16 different health coverage options. The Multi-Choice plan is available to companies with up to 50 employees. It allows them to determine what percentage of an employee’s premiums they’ll provide, and then let those workers choose from the various packages, United said in a news release. The choices will allow employees to tailor their coverage to their finances, UnitedHealthcare added. The options will include traditional benefits plans with varying premiums, consumer-driven plans with health savings accounts, and packages that offer dental and vision coverage. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Hospitals headlines)

Tune in tonight!

Pediatric Health Associates — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:36:00 +0100

This evening at 6 pm the Rosie O'Donnell show on the OWN network will highlight a situation all too common in our community. A mother with her two young sons who currently reside at Hesed House in Aurora will be the guests. Hesed House provides shelter for the homeless in our area. It is the second largest homeless shelter in Illinois. Within the past couple of weeks, the State of Illinois was going to severely reduce funding for Hesed House. Some of the children who are living at Hesed House are patients here. We contacted our legislators asking them to reinstate funding so that no child is left out in the cold. We are happy to report that funding was approved and Hesed House will be able to continue to provide services.A few of our families have spent time at Hesed House until they ...

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Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Funding to Create Jobs, Reduce Energy Costs for Agricultural Producers and Rural Small Businesses

News stories via the Rural Assistance Center — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 06:00:00 +0100

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced loans and grants, provided through USDA Rural Development's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) program, for agricultural producers and rural small businesses across the country to implement renewable energy and energy efficiency measures in their operations. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)

Making the Most of Broadband: Think Small

News stories via the Rural Assistance Center — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 06:00:00 +0100

Daily Yonder article tells how Three Lakes, Wisconsin, generated competition to get affordable broadband and now is maximizing its economic impact by drawing small businesses to town. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)

InvoTek Gets $150,000 Grant to Develop Training Tool

Arkansas Business - Health Care — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:34:03 +0100

InvoTek Inc., a research and development company based in Alma, has received $150,000 Small Business Innovation Research grant from the National Institute on Aging. (Source: Arkansas Business - Health Care)

HHS Issues Final Rule for ACA CO-OP Program

News stories via the Rural Assistance Center — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 06:00:00 +0100

AHA News Now article reports that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) last week issued a final rule establishing the Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan program. The program will provide $3.8 billion in loans and grants to help organizations develop nonprofit health cooperatives, which will sell qualified health plans that promote care coordination to individuals and small businesses through state insurance exchanges. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)

Results of publicly funded research will be open access – science minister

Guardian Unlimited Science — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:41:05 +0100

New policy announced by David Willetts to make research freely available challenges business models of academic publishersThe government has signalled a revolution in scientific publishing by throwing its weight behind the idea that all publicly funded scientific research must be published in open-access journals.The policy is in the government document Innovation and Research Strategy for Growth published on Monday, which also includes plans for a series of cash prizes for teams to solve specific scientific challenges and a new £75m fund for small businesses to develop their ideas into commercial products.The commitment to making publicly funded research free to access is a direct challenge to the business models of the big academic publishing companies, which are the gatekeepers for the...

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What The Health Care Law Will Mean for Your Small Business

WSJ.com: Health — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:57:41 +0100

Here are answers to some of the common questions business owners face. (Source: WSJ.com: Health)

Prescriptions Blog: Labor Department Seeks Tougher Rules on 'Multiple-Employer' Plans

NYT Health — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:48:59 +0100

The federal agency says it wants more authority to crack down on insurance plans that take advantage of small businesses and their employees. (Source: NYT Health)

Using QR Codes for Small Business Marketing

Psychology Today Work Center — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:33:00 +0100

Seven years ago, entrepreneur Rico Elmore was on vacation when he failed to find a pair of sunglasses that would fit on his not-so-small noggin. Elmore's hefty head experience left him with an ah-ha moment, and today he is the proud proprietor of Fatheadz Eyewear, a company that makes oversize sunglasses and extra wide eyewear for folks with large heads. Primary Topic: Work read more (Source: Psychology Today Work Center)

48 firms to compete for almost $6B in Air Force work

bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:45:20 +0100

Four dozen companies will vie for almost $6 billion in task orders with the U.S. Air Force, Washington Technology reported. Twenty-nine companies were named to two contractor pools worth a total of $4.7 billion, one for large businesses and one for small business. Both call for management and professional support services, studies, analyses and evaluations, and engineering and technical services. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines)

Autumn statement: the rest of the package

Guardian Unlimited Science — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:46:03 +0100

Action promised on tax avoidance, high-speed internet, science investment and small businesses• Online retailers such as Play.com, HMV.com, Tesco and Amazon will be blocked from offering VAT-free prices by shipping goods such as CDs and DVDs from the Channel Islands, in a measure expected to save at least £110m in lost sales tax. The removal of "low-value consignment relief" in relation to the Channel Islands will come into force from April next year.• Householders in the south-west who have long faced the highest water bills in the country – as a result of cleanup costs along the region's long coastline – are to get a £50 rebate, but not until 1 April 2013 at the earliest. The surprise announcement will mean a subsidy paid directly from the Treasury to South West Water, the priv...

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Former Holme Roberts & Owen exec favored to lead Colorado Health Benefits Exchange

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:19:18 +0100

The Colorado Health Benefits Exchange (CBHE) board Monday unanimously recommended Patty Fontneau, a former chief operating officer of Holme Roberts & Owen LLP, to be the executive director of the state’s soon-to-be-developed Internet marketplace for small businesses to purchase health insurance. The recommendation Fontneau’s recommendation will head now to the Legislative Health Benefit Exchange Implementation Review Committee, the 10-member legislative board that oversees the exchange. The board is expected to meet again in early December... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

SciFlies Initiative Allows Public to Fund Scientific Researchers

What's New on JEFFLINE — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:35:04 +0100

Think “microfinance” for science, or maybe “telathon.” The non-profit SciFlies initiative now accepts pledges for as little as $10 on the website SciFlies.org, so members of the public can directly support research projects they find important and relevant while helping scientists bridge the difficult funding gap between initial experiments, prototypes and fully-funded studies. This way, the funding model that helps build small businesses in developing nations, creates revenue for public television stations, and even helps budding film directors get their movies made can now be used by scientific researchers to get their projects funded. The newly released SciFlies offers detailed scientific protocols for validation of submitted projects. Proposed research projects ...

Yelp.com sued over allegations of extorting small local businesses and restaurants

NaturalNews.com — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 07:00:00 +0100

(NaturalNews) The most savvy business person will tell you that they are always finding a better way to offer their product or otherwise make it more valuable, in order to increase sales and profits. But when that fails some companies, according to a recent lawsuit, resort to harder tactics - like extortion.A number of small businesses have filed suit against local business review start-up Yelp, Inc., over allegations the latter's sales representatives offered to have negative reviews of businesses removed only if they bought advertising.According to The Wall Street Journal, the owner of Chicago's Bleeding Heart Bakery has alleged that Yelp "offered in exchange for a paid sponsorship to push any bad reviews to the end of the bakery's listings on San Francisco-based Yelp's site." The owner ...

Pitch Trainwrecks: How Not to Pitch Bloggers and Media

Psychology Today Work Center — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:00:31 +0100

Been a while since I've shared any of the awful pitches I seem to get on a daily basis. Primary Topic: Creativity read more (Source: Psychology Today Work Center)

Would a Virtual Assistant Work for Your Small Business?

Psychology Today Work Center — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 16:02:07 +0100

Virtual Assistant… the mere utterance of these words can make a small business owner ecstatic or apoplectic — all depending on their experience with this increasingly popular administrative help.I won’t bore you with the details, but my first foray into the world of VAs was fraught with every mistake you can make and left me gun-shy about reaching out for such help ever again. Primary Topic: Work read more (Source: Psychology Today Work Center)

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Unprecedented Tool Developed for Small Businesses to Find and Compare Health Insurance Plans

News stories via the Rural Assistance Center — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 06:00:00 +0100

A greatly expanded website to give small business owners an unprecedented detailed review of their health insurance plan choices was announced today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)

Study: Federal health care may cost Ohio jobs

bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 21:10:39 +0100

The private sector and especially small businesses in Ohio could lose thousands of jobs when federal health care laws take hold, according to a new study. The 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, to raise revenue, includes a tax on health insurance premiums, structured as an annual fee on insurers, beginning in 2014. According to a study by the National Federation of Independent Businesses, analysis shows insurers will pass on the tax to consumers. Ohio is forecast to lose 2,500 jobs by 2021, with 1,600 in small business... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines)

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City launches health exchange

bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:50:57 +0100

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City has started a private insurance exchange marketplace aimed at helping small businesses control health care costs. “By offering the Blue KC Exchange to small business employers now, we are bringing cost control and convenience to these businesses two years in advance of what the government may bring in 2014,” Danette Wilson, executive for BCBS’ external operations group, said in a release. “In addition, they can be confident that they’ll be working with a company they already know and trust — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines)

Making Wellness Work for Small Business

RWJF News Digest - Public Health — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:34:00 +0100

When most small business owners think of initiating a wellness program to help employees lose weight or stop smoking, they conclude it’s a luxury they can’t afford. Others have concluded they can’t afford not to. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Public Health)

Teeth-whitening firms filing suit against state, dentists

L.A. Times - Health — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:57:00 +0100

Small businesses say dentists don't want them taking bite out of profitsThe Council for Cosmetic Teeth Whitening estimates that teeth whitening is now an $11 billion-per-year industry. The suit contends that small, teeth-whitening businesses typically charge customers as little as a quarter of what is charged by licensed dental offices. (Source: L.A. Times - Health)

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The Small Business Impact of Telecommunications Policy Restriction in Rural States

Rural publications via the Rural Assistance Center — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:08:49 +0100

Discusses the digital divide still found across geographies, regions, racial groups, age groups and income classifications. -- Western Rural Development Center (Source: Rural publications via the Rural Assistance Center)

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Funding for More Than 500 Projects to Boost Renewable Energy Production, Reduce Energy Costs for Producers and Rural Small Businesses

News stories via the Rural Assistance Center — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 06:00:00 +0100

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack yesterday announced that USDA is funding projects through the Rural Energy for America Program to harness wind, solar, geothermal and hydroelectric power to reduce energy costs for farms and small business across rural America. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)

Small business representative opposes Express Scrips-Medco merger

Pharmaceutical Technology — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 03:24:40 +0100

The $29bn merger between pharmacy-benefit managers Express Scrips and Medco Health Pharmacy will "harm small business opportunities" and "stunt job growth" if it goes ahead, an advocacy group has said in a letter to US federal anti-trust regulators.Post to:Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon (Source: Pharmaceutical Technology)

Business Group Opposes Pharmacy-Benefit Merger

WSJ.com: Health — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:37:59 +0100

A small-business group is speaking out against the pending merger of pharmacy-benefit managers Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions. (Source: WSJ.com: Health)

An Analysis of Awardees of the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP)

Rural publications via the Rural Assistance Center — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:01:39 +0100

Highlights the 2010-2011 RMAP awardees. Loans and grants are for rural small businesses in rural communities, with the goals to create jobs in and strengthen those communities. -- Center for Rural Affairs (Source: Rural publications via the Rural Assistance Center)

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Many company closures await when elderly small business owners retire

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(University of Gothenburg) The population of the European Union is becoming older, and an ever smaller number of people have to provide for the aging population. In Sweden, an already critical employment situation is exacerbated by the fact that 25 percent of managers of small and medium-sized businesses plan to retire in the next five years. Research from the University of Gothenburg now shows what can be done to keep elderly people in the labor market. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Bad Clients and When to Fire Them

Psychology Today Work Center — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:52:59 +0100

"What are you, stupid? I just explained that to you." No, that's not a line from a novel about a bad boyfriend, but a real comment from a former client. He was replying to me when I respectfully questioned his reasoning on a marketing message he was using in his small business branding. Primary Topic: Work read more (Source: Psychology Today Work Center)

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Economic Development Funding to Create Jobs in Rural Communities in 26 States

News stories via the Rural Assistance Center — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 06:00:00 +0100

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack yesterday announced the selection of 36 organizations in 26 states and the District of Columbia for grants to help rural cooperatives and small businesses expand, create jobs and strengthen their capacity to serve rural citizens and communities. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)

Optometrists should review retirement plans

Optometry - Journal of the American Optometric Association — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:08:24 +0100

Retirement planning can be confusing and complex. For optometrists and other small business owners, it can be especially difficult to find a suitable retirement program. With all of the options and specialized plans available, it is often hard to tell what plan will be best for the employee or the employer. In many cases, practitioners don’t know all the options that are open to them when it comes to retirement planning. They just know that they may not be able to rely on Social Security as their only form of income during retirement. Fortunately, the financial world has become more attuned to the needs of small business over the years. A number of plan options have been designed specifically for small businesses. And in many cases, that now means that optometrists and other small busine...

Small Business Development Center Use in Pennsylvania

Rural publications via the Rural Assistance Center — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:30:19 +0100

Includes a client profile of Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDC). Includes demographic variables such as gender, race, ethnicity, veteran status, and handicapped status. Also profiles rural and urban clients and compares their use of SBDC services. -- Center for Rural Pennsylvania (Source: Rural publications via the Rural Assistance Center)

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Kitware gets funding for robot-assisted surgery research

Healthcare IT News — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:55:58 +0100

Kitware, which specializes in open-source healthcare technology, has been awarded Phase I Small Business Innovation Research funding from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering to create an augmented reality visualization prototype that will improve the efficacy and safety of robot-assisted prostate surgery. Display on Best Hospitals page: No read more (Source: Healthcare IT News)

Zombie training? OWS Atlanta turns into collective hypnosis 'one voice' weirdness

NaturalNews.com — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +0100

(NaturalNews) Occupy Wall Street protesters are undergoing collectivist zombie training in Atlanta, where a large group was caught on film engaging in a weird sort of "one voice" hypnotic chanting ritual that characterizes the key principles of both Communism and Socialism. Watch the video at: http://naturalnews.tv/v.asp?v=8B371A69A44EC94AF36F00002647DBBCHaving an extensive background in studying linguistics and human psychology, I recognize mass hypnosis when I see it. The mind-numbing call-and-return vocalizations captured in this video reflect the same kind of mind control techniques used in cults, sporting events and even some church revival events. The whole point of this experience is to eliminate the individual mind and train everyone to think, and say, and do exactly what they are ...

Small Business, Occupy Wall Street Is Aimed at You!

Forbes.com Healthcare News — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 19:16:24 +0100

Most Americans had never heard of the Gini Coefficient until they read about it in Time magazine this past summer. It's a safe bet that all but the hardiest readers skimmed right past the term, if not the article, dismissing it as boring or simply not something that has the potential to impact every American. (Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News)

New PCMA Ad on Essential Health Benefits: Small Businesses Oppose...

PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 18:10:42 +0100

With the Institute of Medicine (IOM) releasing its recommendations to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the “essential benefits” regulations tomorrow, a new ad campaign...(PRWeb October 06, 2011)Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/10/prweb8858655.htm (Source: PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals)

5 Ways to Really, Truly Go on Holiday

Psychology Today Work Center — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 06:43:48 +0100

Hopefully after reading last week's post on why taking a holiday is good for both your soul and brain synapses, you will have picked a date, agreed on a location and made plans to take some time off. In order to make your holiday as productive as possible, here are just a few expert ideas for how to prepare to go on, and come back from, your holiday - stress free. Primary Topic: Work read more (Source: Psychology Today Work Center)

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Panel Urges Affordable Health Plans

WSJ.com: Health — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:02:54 +0100

Requirements for health-insurance plans offered through new government-run exchanges should be tailored to what small businesses can afford, a key report to the Obama administration recommended. (Source: WSJ.com: Health)

Panel Urges Government to Keep Health Plans Affordable

WSJ.com: Health — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 23:21:54 +0100

PCMA: Some Essential Benefits Rules Could Worry Small Businesses

PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 17:46:12 +0100

New Poll: Small Businesses Oppose Costly Mandates Sought by Drugstore, Drugmaker Lobbies(PRWeb September 29, 2011)Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/9/prweb8840020.htm (Source: PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals)

UNC spin-off receives $3 million Small Business Innovation Research Grant

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(University of North Carolina School of Medicine) G-Zero Therapeutics, an RTP company started in 2008 based on technologies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has been awarded a $3 million Phase II Small Business Innovation Research Grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health.The grant will fund commercialization of technology developed by UNC professor of medicine and genetics, Norman Sharpless, M.D., to protect patients from cellular damage caused by radiation or cancer chemotherapy. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Howard Dean: McKinsey Study is "True," and Employer Dumping of Health Coverage is "A Very Very Good Thing"

Forbes.com Health News — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:24:41 +0100

In a debate between former governors Howard Dean (D., Vt.) and George Pataki (R., N.Y.) on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," Dean says that the McKinsey study is "true" and that it's "incredibly good for small business" that employers will be able to dump their employees' health coverage onto taxpayers. (Source: Forbes.com Health News)

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Not Taking a Holiday Is Bad for Your Brain and Your Business

Psychology Today Work Center — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:40:09 +0100

In exactly 12 days, I will be going away on a 10-day holiday. The thought of this impending time off from the daily grind of work exhilarates—and worries me.On the pro side is the anticipation of rest, renewal and relaxation. Weighing in on the negatives are preparing to go in the first place and a heavier workload when I return. Primary Topic: Work read more (Source: Psychology Today Work Center)

Revolutions Medical Signs Distributor and Consulting Agreement With 1 Veterans Health, Inc.

Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 11:00:00 +0100

CHARLESTON, S.C., Sept. 29, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Revolutions Medical Corporation (OTCQB:RMCP) ("Revolutions Medical" or the "Company") entered into a distribution and consulting agreement with 1 Veterans Health, Inc. ("1 Veterans Health") on September 28, 2011. 1 Veterans Health is a Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business which specializes in the United States Government and military markets. Colonel Tom G. Norton, President of 1 Veterans Health has over 30 years of experience in health care sales and has negotiated multi-year multi-billion dollar healthcare related national contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal government agencies. Mr. Norton's prime objective is to use his vast experience and contacts to facilitate...

Adam Abate aided by QB3's Startup in a Box program

UCSF School of Pharmacy News — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 03:07:19 +0100

Adam Abate, PhD, a faculty member in the UCSF Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine, Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, is a prime trial candidate for QB3’s Startup in a Box. The program by the UCSF-based California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences aims to help researchers convert ideas and technologies into companies by connecting them with banking and legal support toward incorporating, filing patents, assembling a management team and filing for a grant from the federal Small Business Innovation Research Program. Abate, a biophysicist hired by UCSF in April, wants his new company to apply the science of microfluidics to creating low-cost cancer diagnostics. —David Jacobson More: “QB3 Startup in a Box” Helps UC Entrepreneurs Launch Companies (S...

Obama's healthcare law appealed to Supreme Court

Reuters: Health — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:46:06 +0100

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Twenty-six states and a small business group appealed on Wednesday to the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to strike down all of President Barack Obama's signature 2010 healthcare law. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Business group appeals health law to Supreme Court

Reuters: Health — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:53:10 +0100

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A small business group said on Wednesday it has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court in its legal challenge seeking to strike down all of President Barack Obama's signature 2010 healthcare law. (Source: Reuters: Health)

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National Cancer Institute Awards Companion Diagnostic Development Contract To BioMarker Strategies

Pharmaceutical Online News — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 04:54:00 +0100

BioMarker Strategies announced recently that the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has awarded the company a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract to develop a pathway-based companion diagnostic test for drug inhibitors targeting the ErbB signal transduction network. (Source: Pharmaceutical Online News)

Former top Democrat says when Obamacare takes effect, small businesses will drop employee health coverage

NaturalNews.com — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 07:00:00 +0100

(NaturalNews) In regard to the health care "reform" measure in 2009, President Barack Obama assured the nation that the 1000-plus page measure was vital -vital- to ensure that all Americans were finally covered by health insurance. In praising its passage in the House, Obama said the measure "will begin the process of fixing what's broken about our health care system, reducing costs for all, building on what works, and covering an estimated 97 percent of all Americans."That prediction isn't likely to come true, for even a former head of the Democratic Party says not only will millions of Americans lose their preferred coverage after the so-called "Obamacare" legislation kicks in completely, but its price tag is liable to double.Howard Dean, a physician, onetime Democratic candidate for pre...

Cutting the cost of health care for small businesses

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 21:24:31 +0100

Nearly a quarter million small businesses in Florida could be eligible for a tax credit that would ease the cost of providing health care to their workers. The Small Business Majority, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group, wants to make sure small business owners know about the credit and other potentially beneficial changes included in the Affordable Care Act of 2010. The tax credit can cover as much as 35 percent of what a small business spends on premiums to provide coverage for its workers, said Jessica Stone, outreach manager for the Small Business Majority... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

National Cancer Institute dangles $8M in front of biotechs

bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:34:28 +0100

Attention Maryland biotechnology companies: The National Cancer Institute wants more of your best cancer treatment ideas. The Rockville-based cancer institute said Thursday that it has $8 million in Small Business Innovative Research grants to award to businesses that win work on 12 new contracts for development of cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. The new solicitations include topics such as: development of anticancer agents; development of companion diagnostics; reformulation of cancer therapeutics using nanotechnology; and development of low-cost technology for early detection and diagnosis of cancer... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines)

AMA Files Florida Supreme Court Brief in Support of Upholding Medical Liability Reform

Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:01:00 +0100

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Sept. 21, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Medical Association (AMA) joined today with organizations representing Florida physicians, hospitals, small business owners and their insurers to file a friend-of-the-court brief asking the Florida Supreme Court to preserve patients' access to more affordable medical care by upholding the state's limit on subjective awards for noneconomic damages. (Source: Medical News (via PRIMEZONE))

HHS Ups Funding for Insurance Rate Review

MedPage Today Public Health — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 19:30:47 +0100

WASHINGTON (MedPage Today) -- The Department of Health and Human Services announced Tuesday that it has released another round of grants to help states review insurance premium hikes to prevent large increases in the amount residents and small businesses pay in premiums. (Source: MedPage Today Public Health)

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Funding for More Than 500 Projects to Boost Renewable Energy Production, Reduce Energy Costs for Producers and Rural Small Businesses

News stories via the Rural Assistance Center — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 06:00:00 +0100

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced loans and grants for more than 500 agricultural producers and rural small businesses across the country to implement renewable energy and energy efficiency measures in their operations. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)

Independence Blue Cross Announces New Pricing for New and Former Small Business Customers

Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:00:00 +0100

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 15, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Independence Blue Cross is pleased to announce that on December 1, 2011, it will begin offering new medically underwritten PPO, HMO, and direct Point of Service Blue Solutions health plans to small businesses that are new customers. With the introduction of these new health plans, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) becomes the only health insurer in the region offering a medically underwritten HMO to small businesses, which often prefer this lower-cost health plan. (Source: Medical News (via PRIMEZONE))

Agriculture Secretary Announces Support to Create Jobs and Boost Small Business Development

News stories via the Rural Assistance Center — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 06:00:00 +0100

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that funding is being provided to producers and development organizations in 40 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to promote job creation and small rural business development. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)

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UN joins China in launching new small-business fund to empower women

UN News Centre - Women, Children, Population — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 05:00:00 +0100

The United Nations joined Chinese groups today in launching a new small-business fund that seeks to further empower women in the world's most populous country. (Source: UN News Centre - Women, Children, Population)

On the Horizon: Europe’s next round of science funding

Molecular Oncology — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Researchers in Europe can start planning for a push toward applied science and collaboration with industrial enterprises and small businesses alike as the European Commission looks ahead in hammering out its next long-term research framework programme, a grant and funding enterprise worth perhaps €80 billion leading through the end of the decade. (Source: Molecular Oncology)

Small-Business Guide: Medical Practices Keep Eye on the Business Side

NYT — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 05:40:07 +0100

Group medical practices are increasingly looking for cost efficiencies in a challenging business landscape. (Source: NYT)

3 Small Business Clients And When To Fire Them

Psychology Today Work Center — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:45:17 +0100

It really comes down to the classic 80/20 rule: Twenty percent of your clients will cause you eighty percent of the grief in your business. Smart small business owners know how to identify trouble clients straight away, head off problems early on and, when necessary, cut their losses. I learned this lesson once again, only recently.read more (Source: Psychology Today Work Center)

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Health cost bill would hit high-priced hospitals

bizjournals.com Health Care:Physician Practices headlines — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:06:01 +0100

A top-ranking Democrat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives has filed a bill that aims to hold down health care costs for small businesses by targeting the hospitals with the highest reimbursements from insurers. The bill, filed by House Majority Leader Ronald Mariano does not mention hospitals by name, but would likely hit Partners HealthCare, the parent of Massachusetts General Hospital and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, which has been labeled high-price in several state reports. Other high-priced providers named in the reports include U Mass Memorial Medical Center and Baystate Health Care... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Physician Practices headlines)

New HHS rule seeks private insurance transparency

Cardiovascular Business News — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 12:09:48 +0100

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is reminding health insurers seeking to increase their rates by 10 percent or more that they must submit their request to state or federal reviewers to determine whether they are reasonable or not. This rate review program, created by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, will help to bring greater transparency and accountability for families and small business owners. (Source: Cardiovascular Business News)

Correcting Some Errors

Arthroscopy — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 22:08:22 +0100

We want to correct some factual errors in the article by Kosy et al. entitled “The Use of Radiofrequency Energy for Arthroscopic Chondroplasty in the Knee,” which appeared in the May 2011 issue. The mistake constitutes a mischaracterization of the published literature and is likely to mislead the readers. The authors refer to our article entitled “Histopomorphic Evaluation of Radiofrequency Mediated Debridement Chondroplasty” (reference 37 in their article) and mention that this work was “sponsored by the company that produces the probe (NuOrtho Surgical, Fall River, MA) and written by members of the company's executive board.” This is not true. Two of the authors (K.G. and P.M.G.) were supported by the New Mexico Small Business Assistance Program and a US Department of Energy ...

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Wayne State start-up company NextCAT awarded nearly $500,000 from NSF for Phase II SBIR

EurekAlert! - Biology — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Wayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research) NextCAT, Inc., a Wayne State University startup company, has received a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the amount of $498,830. This brings NextCAT's total grant funding to $1.3 million. (Source: EurekAlert! - Biology)

Photo gallery: Outstanding Women in Business 2011 winners

bizjournals.com Health Care:Physician Practices headlines — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 21:13:55 +0100

Here is a photo gallery of the 11 winners of the Denver Business's 13th annual Outstanding Women in Business awards announced Aug. 20 at a luncheon at the Marriott City Center in Denver. The women were honored for their accomplishments in the categories of banking and finance, communications, consulting, health care, high-technology and telecommunications, Mile High Leaders, nonprofits, professionals, real estate and construction, small business owner, and large business owner. To view the photos, click on Photo Gallery above the photo at right... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Physician Practices headlines)

National Briefing | MIDWEST: Michigan: Appeals Court Rules That Private Shops Can’t Sell Marijuana

NYT — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 06:16:45 +0100

Medical marijuana cannot be sold through private shops, the Michigan appeals court said Wednesday in a decision against businesses trying to cash in on the drug. (Source: NYT)

Small Businesses Overpay For Health Insurance

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0100

An article in the American Economic Review finds that small businesses have been over-paying for health insurance. The article "Unhealthy Insurance Markets: Search Frictions and the Cost and Quality of Health Insurance" highlights the difficulties small employers have in searching for health insurance. The difficulties of comparison shopping increase average health insurance premiums paid by small businesses by 29 percent. The paper is published in the August 2011 issue of the AER, which is among the most respected scholarly journals in economics... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Is Technology Running Your Life? Set Some Boundaries

Psych Central — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 17:16:05 +0100

I am not very good at separating my work from my life, partially because my work is a big chunk of my life. I’m that person who tucks herself into bed by checking email and reading blogs from my iPhone. And instead of waking up to the bright sunlight, I wake up to the sterile glare of my iPhone for another quick check. I’ve also been known to sleep with my laptop. We all know many people — and you very well might be one of them — who are married to their gadgets, whether it’s their smart phone, iPad, laptop or some other tech toy. All this accessibility and portability, while convenient and entertaining, has its downsides. It’s created unrealistic expectations on the job (respond to email at 9 p.m.? OK, boss!), and can hurt relationships, according to psychologist and coach D...

USDA Announces Funding to Provide Jobs, Business Growth and Improve Transportation Services for Tribes and Rural Communities

News stories via the Rural Assistance Center — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 06:00:00 +0100

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the selection of projects in 15 states to support small business and job creation opportunities, and train workers in Native American communities. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Funding for Over 900 Projects to Boost Renewable Energy Production, Reduce Energy Costs for Producers and Small Businesses

News stories via the Rural Assistance Center — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 16:46:15 +0100

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced grants for more than 900 agricultural producers and rural small businesses across the country to implement renewable energy and energy efficiency measures in their operations. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)

NaturalNews publishes names of government agents who masterminded Rawesome Foods raid

NaturalNews.com — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0100

(NaturalNews) The Rawesome Foods raid that took place August 3, 2011, is being publicly described by many as an act of "government terrorism" against innocents (http://www.naturalnews.com/033258_Rawesome_Foods_videos.html). And yet there has been very little information published about the names of the government instigators who masterminded these armed raids and oversaw the pillaging of Rawesome Foods and the destruction of tens of thousands of dollars worth of food.Today, NaturalNews is publishing the names of five government agents who masterminded this raid and / or took part in the raid. This is all part of a campaign to protest these acts of government tyranny by sending emails, making phone calls, sending letters and otherwise making it very clear to these agents that We the People ...

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Ex-senator Lincoln leads advocacy campaign

bizjournals.com Health Care:Physician Practices headlines — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:09:55 +0100

The National Federation of Independent Business launched Small Businesses for Sensible Regulations, an advocacy campaign chaired by former Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark. NFIB President and CEO Dan Danner said the purpose of the campaign is to "give greater voice to small businesses who are being crushed by new regulations in an already difficult economy." The effort, which will focus on six states initially, will use the personal stories of small business owners to explain how existing regulations – and fear of new regulations coming down the pike – are making businesses hesitant to hire more workers and expand their operations... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Physician Practices headlines)

Little Rock Startup Gets $1.69M Federal Grant for Liver Research

Arkansas Business - Health Care — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 16:36:29 +0100

Acetaminophen Toxicity Diagnostics was awarded a Small Business Technology Transfer Phase II award from the National Institutes of Health. (Source: Arkansas Business - Health Care)

Rising costs force GPs to borrow or remortgage to support practices

HealthcareRepublic Pharmacist News — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 14:00:00 +0100

Rising costs are forcing small business owners, such as GPs, to borrow money and remortgage their homes in order to stay afloat. (Source: HealthcareRepublic Pharmacist News)

Timeline of FDA raids on raw milk farmers, dietary supplement makers and natural medicine practitioners

NaturalNews.com — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0100

(NaturalNews) The US Food and Drug Administration has a long history of conducting armed, SWAT-style raids on farmers, cancer treatment pioneers and dietary supplement manufacturers. This list, compiled by the editors of NaturalNews, reveals only some of the hundreds of armed FDA raids that have been conducted in the last twenty-five years.What you see from this is a pattern of government-sponsored terrorism against innocent Americans and small business people; all done in the name of "protecting" the public from milk, walnuts, vitamins, plants or fruit extracts. The real reason behind all this, of course, is that the FDA has long waged a campaign of fear and intimidation against natural product providers for the sole purpose of destroying the natural products industry and thereby handing ...

Work-related symptoms in nail salon technicians

Occupational Medicine — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions This study demonstrated a higher prevalence of a range of musculoskeletal problems and respiratory symptoms reported by nail technicians compared to office-based controls. An ergonomic and exposure assessment of work practices in this industry is warranted to identify the working practices associated with these symptoms, in order to inform best practice, supplement industry and regulatory guidance and develop appropriate practical work-based training. (Source: Occupational Medicine)

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Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff and Foreign Governments - FY 2012 Medical Device User Fee Small Business Qualification and Certification

Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA): CDRHNew — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100

This guidance explains how your business may qualify as a ?small business? and pay most FY 2012 medical device user fees at substantially discounted rates; if you qualify as a small business, you may also qualify to obtain a one-time waiver of the fee for (Source: Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA): CDRHNew)

Locally owned small businesses pack powerful economic punch

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Penn State) Thinking small and local, not big and global, may help communities ignite long-term economic growth, according to Penn State economists. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

NaturalNews publishes Rawesome Foods raid search warrant; reveals government agents violated search guidelines

NaturalNews.com — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0100

(NaturalNews) The recent act of government-sponsored terrorism against Rawesome Foods in Venice, California was authorized by a woman named Michelle LeCavalier. She signed the warrant which stated that she believed there was property at Rawesome Foods that was "used as the means of committing a felony." (What, the raw cheese? Did someone cut the cheese and cause a silent-but-deadly felony nuisance?)The warrant goes on to state that the law enforcement agents should search "all rooms, attics, refrigerators, freezers... purses, wallets, briefcases and vehicles of both James Stewart (Rawesome Foods) and Sharon Palmer (Healthy Family Farms)."The warrant also grants them the permission to inspect, copy and even seize all computer files, video camera files, audio recording files and all the data...

Feds to Fund Nonprofit CO-OP Insurance Plans

Rheumatology News — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Consumer Operated and Oriented Plans insurers will provide more health plan options for individuals and small businesses, officials from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said. (Source: Rheumatology News)

Playing chicken with the nation: The U.S. debt ceiling fiasco and the total abandonment of leadership in Washington

NaturalNews.com — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 07:00:00 +0100

(NaturalNews) For the last few decades, it all seemed so simple for the USA: We'll spend other people's money, and when we run out, we'll just borrow from yet more people. It worked for a while... until all those "other people" (foreign central banks) got sick of buying U.S. debt. So lately, Ben Bernanke, Tim Geithner and other arsonists at the Federal Reserve have simply been counterfeiting new money instead: A whopping $16 trillion of it in just the last couple of years.How much money is $16 trillion? Here's a great visualization of a similar mount ($15 trillion) that really drives the point home: http://usdebt.kleptocracy.us/Now, every time the U.S. government needs more money to prevent itself from going into a total financial collapse, it turns to the Federal Reserve which simply prin...

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InvoTek Gets SBIR Grant to Help Disabled Operate Computers

Arkansas Business - Health Care — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:36:51 +0100

InvoTek Inc., a research and development company based in Alma, gets a $120,643 Phase 1 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institutes of Health. (Source: Arkansas Business - Health Care)

Federal Auditors Will Soon Review Health Insurance Rates in 10 States

NYT — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 05:05:46 +0100

As of Sept. 1, the Obama administration will begin to review health insurance rates in states where it says regulation of premiums for personal and small business insurance is inadequate. (Source: NYT)

New Private Nonprofit Health Plans Will Increase Competition, Give Consumers and Small Businesses More Health Insurance Choices

News stories via the Rural Assistance Center — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 06:00:00 +0100

Yesterday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS) took steps to encourage the creation of Consumer Operated and Oriented Plans (CO-OPs), new private non-profit, consumer-governed health insurance plans that will help increase competition and give consumers and small businesses additional affordable health insurance choices. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)

GP's evidence helps jail phone fraudsters targeting small businesses

HealthcareRepublic Pharmacist News — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 15:15:00 +0100

Evidence submitted to a court by Essex GP Dr John Cormack has helped to jail two fraudsters. (Source: HealthcareRepublic Pharmacist News)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Obama Administration Rolls Out Standards for Health Insurance Marketplaces

NYT — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:32:32 +0100

The Obama administration unveiled standards for insurance exchanges that will give individuals, families and small businesses “purchasing power” in their health care coverage. (Source: NYT)

NFIB says small-business owners losing optimism

bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:41:51 +0100

(Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines)

HHS and States Move to Establish Affordable Insurance Exchanges, Give Americans the Same Insurance Choices as Members of Congress

News stories via the Rural Assistance Center — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 06:00:00 +0100

Yesterday the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed a framework to assist states in building Affordable Insurance Exchanges, state-based competitive marketplaces where individuals and small businesses will be able to purchase affordable private health insurance and have the same insurance choices as members of Congress. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)

Obama Administration Rolls Out Standards for Health Insurance Marketplaces

NYT Health — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 04:34:13 +0100

The Obama administration unveiled standards for insurance exchanges that will give individuals, families and small businesses “purchasing power” in their health care coverage. (Source: NYT Health)

Patent Reform Legislation Advances in Congress

Public Policy Reports — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 20:25:24 +0100

Legislation to overhaul the United States patent system is one step closer to becoming law. On 23 June, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would change the ability of an inventor to patent a discovery. HR 1249 would give priority to the first inventor to file for a patent. Currently, patent law favors the first person who invents or discovers a new technology, device, process, or material. Some worry that this change would favor large corporations that have the resources to undergo the lengthy and expensive process of filing for a patent, and that individuals or small businesses may be at a disadvantage. Supporters of reform claim that this is an important step towards harmonizing the U.S. patent system with the process used by the rest of the world. The legislation passed by...

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Regulations cost small businesses more

bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 13:57:35 +0100

(Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines)

If it's reimbursements you want to see, check your EOBs.

The Journal of Medical Practice Management : MPM — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Zahaluk D, Baum N Abstract Today, it is expected that doctors and office managers take a greater role in the management of the business aspect of the practice. Medical practices are no different than any small business; however, our products or our services may be far different than any other business or professional practice. We need to be cognizant of our expenses and the payment for our services. Evaluating the explanation of benefits (EOB) is part of that responsibility for any medical practice. In this article, we will describe the importance of the EOB and how to monitor EOBs on a regular basis. PMID: 21936423 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Journal of Medical Practice Management : MPM)

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Rheumatology News — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

The consumer group Public Citizen is urging the federal government to require businesses to report employees' musculoskeletal injuries more specifically. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration last year proposed an extra box on an OSHA form where employers would indicate any such injuries. This year, OSHA pulled back the proposal while asking for more comments. In a letter, public Citizen urged the requirement for the checkbox, saying it would not overly burden even small businesses and would provide much-needed data on repetitive-stress injuries. (Source: Rheumatology News)

Ernest Istook on Obamacare and Small Business on FBN

The Heritage Foundation Papers: Health Care — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Ernest Istook discusses the impact of Obamacare on small businesses. (Source: The Heritage Foundation Papers: Health Care)

Impel NeuroPharma Awarded Phase II SBIR By Department Of Defense For Blood-Brain Barrier Bypass Technology

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 07:00:00 +0100

Impel NeuroPharma, a medical device company whose technology is designed to enable pharmaceutical drugs to bypass the blood-brain barrier and enter the central nervous system (CNS), today announced that it was selected to receive a Phase II Small Business Investigational Research (SBIR) grant from the Department of Defense's Chemical and Biological Defense SBIR Program entitled, "Blood Brain Barrier Drug Delivery of Therapeutics for Chemical Warfare Agents." The grant includes funding for up to $750,000 for the years 2011 and 2012... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Industrial Biotechnology Firm BioAmber, Minneapolis

Chemical and Engineering News — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 12:30:00 +0100

Garnered the Small-Business Award for developing a biosynthetic route to succinic acid. (Source: Chemical and Engineering News)

Promoting tobacco cessation via the workplace: opportunities for improvement

Tobacco Control — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions In Washington State workplaces do little to promote tobacco cessation by their employees. The lack of tobacco cessation promoting practices at small businesses, restaurants and bars, and businesses without wellness personnel indicates an opportunity for finding and reaching current smokers at businesses with limited resources. By adopting inexpensive prevention efforts, such as promoting the state-sponsored tobacco cessation quitline, employers can help employees quit smoking and, thereby, assist in improving employee health and lower medical costs. (Source: Tobacco Control)

House members rally against MedPAC recommendations

Health Imaging News — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:42:30 +0100

A bipartisan group of 61 Members of Congress, led by Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX) of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA) of the House Small Business Committee, signed and circulated a letter to congressional colleagues expressing concern over imaging cuts recommended by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC). (Source: Health Imaging News)

Wayne Shafer, Registered Pharmacist, CEO and Entrepreneur Launches a...

PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 23:45:27 +0100

Employer Pharmacy Solutions is a new pharmacy benefits administration firm that will provide significant savings for employers in the Mid-Atlantic area who self-fund their health benefits(PRWeb June 14, 2011)Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/self-funded-prescriptions/small-business/prweb8546449.htm (Source: PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals)

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Program Offering Waivers for Health Law Is Ending

NYT — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 03:13:02 +0100

Employers and labor unions have until Sept. 22 to seek exemptions or request the extension of waivers already granted. (Source: NYT)

Flagler Bank to Finance Union Dental's Expansion

Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 12:14:00 +0100

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla., June 16, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Union Dental Holdings, Inc. (Pink Sheets:UDHI) - http://www.uniondental.com/ir - a Company that operates and manages a network of dentists throughout the United States for union members announced today it has received a loan from Flagler Bank, along with and Small Business Administration (SBA) guarantee on a ten year loan at Wall Street Journal Prime Rate plus 2.25% which equals 6% interest. (Source: Medical News (via PRIMEZONE))

Small firms call for marketing training

Management in Practice — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 17:18:00 +0100

Nearly half of all small business owners think their companies would grow as a result of sales and marketing training, a new survey has revealed (Source: Management in Practice)

Small business health care summit planned in Round Rock

bizjournals.com Health Care:Physician Practices headlines — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:40:47 +0100

(Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Physician Practices headlines)

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Docs Tell Congress EHR Adoption Presents Serious Challenge

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 08:12:02 +0100

Source: Nicole Lewis, InformationWeek Healthcare Content: “Doctors representing small physician practices gave Congressional representatives on the House Small Business Committee’s Healthcare and Technology subcommittee an earful as they spoke of the significant barriers to the adoption of health information technology (IT) and the potential consequences that this could have on the healthcare sector. These barriers [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

The downside -- and surprising upside –- of microcredit

ScienceDaily Headlines — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 18:15:15 +0100

Microcredit, which involves giving small loans to very small businesses in an effort to promote entrepreneurship, has been widely touted as a way to reduce poverty and stimulate economic growth. But in a new study, researchers find that the practice may not be an efficient tool in promoting business growth or improving the lives of its beneficiaries, but could instead have just the opposite effect. However, they did discover other surprising advantages. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

The downside -- and surprising upside - of microcredit

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Yale University) Microcredit, which involves giving small loans to very small businesses in an effort to promote entrepreneurship, has been widely touted as a way to reduce poverty and stimulate economic growth. But in a new study, researchers find that the practice may not be an efficient tool in promoting business growth or improving the lives of its beneficiaries, but could instead have just the opposite effect. However, they did discover other surprising advantages. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Bankers and politicians have turned food into a betting game | Aditya Chakrabortty

Guardian Unlimited Science — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 06:00:00 +0100

The result is soaring prices and starving childrenThe best kind of argument is one where you already know you're right, which must be what draws in so many people to the row over record food prices. What other issue allows the techno-nuts to bang on about the need for GM crops, the population drones to point out for the nine-billionth time the growing number of mouths to feed in the world, or my comrades on the left to have another go at big bad agribusiness – all at the same time? Some of these points are worth airing; the surging cost of bread or beef around the world is unlikely to have just one cause. But the overriding feature of this debate is how few of the participants feel the need to do any more than dust off their hobby horses.Meanwhile, at the risk of sounding crass, around a...