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Pharmacy pro-choice bill fails in Colorado

Jason Poquette Pharmaceutical

The pharmacy "pro-choice" movement — specifically the bill to allow consumers in Colorado to use the pharmacy of their choice — has been voted down by a Senate committee. The news comes as a relief to big PBMs and managed care businesses, as they claim the law would have prevented important negotiations that help reduce healthcare costs. But patients and many local community pharmacies were sorely disappointed as they will continue to be locked out of using their own preferred pharmacy by their health plan.

The golden age of beer has arrived

Bambi Majumdar Food & Beverage

Virginia's recent support and funding for its budding craft brewery enterprises is a testament to the growing potential of beer tourism throughout the country. The state matched the funds that were earlier allocated to the breweries by the York County's Economic Development Authority. The state grants are to be utilized in enhancing the Greater Williamsburg area's reputation as a great craft beer destination. As the county cleared the way for craft breweries and made their zoning laws flexible, the area is now ripe for a beer trail.

Nurses rally in DC to address staffing issues with Congress

Joan Spitrey Healthcare Administration

Hundreds of nurses from around the county gathered on May 12 at the U.S. Capitol to raise awareness of the staffing crisis in our nation's hospitals and the need for solutions. The goal was to bring attention to two current bills before Congress — the National Nursing Shortage Reform and Patient Advocacy Act (S. 864) and the Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2015 (H.R. 1602). The bills mandate national nurse-to-patient ratios that are similar to those that have been successfully in effect in California since 2004.

What can the World Trade Organization get for $1 billion?

Alan Kelsky Food & Beverage

After 10 years of internal battling, Congress recently repealed the law known in the food industry as COOL, an acronym for Country of Origin Labeling. Congress had little choice but to repeal COOL after the World Trade Organization (WTO) threatened to implement sanctions against the United States, starting at $1 billion in the form of new tariffs on items exported from the U.S. to Canada and Mexico. Both Mexico and Canada said the U.S. COOL laws violated the WTO ban on discrimination against foreign livestock.

Big change in overtime pay coming soon — Are you prepared?

Paul Zukowski Business Management, Services & Risk Management

It has been decades in the making and may affect up to 5 million workers across the U.S. "It" is the proposed rule change on who is eligible for overtime pay, due to be issued in June by the Department of Labor (DOL). If you haven't figured out how your business will be affected, time is running out.

Will adding women to bills help put more money in their pockets?

Suzanne Mason Civil & Government

The Treasury Department recently announced that abolitionist Harriet Tubman will soon replace Andrew Jackson on the front of the $20 bill — and that's not the only change. Opera singer Marian Anderson will appear on the back of the $5 bill and women suffragists Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Alice Paul will appear on the back of the $10 bill.

Chicago among cities grappling with future of policing

Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & Security

A recent report by The New York Times highlights an 84 percent rise in homicides in Chicago this year. Just in the first quarter of this year, the city has already seen 605 shootings and 131 deaths. For a city with a history of violence, these figures don't augur well for the future.

Boston rail project could connect entire Northeast Corridor

Ryan Clark Transportation Technology & Automotive

The National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) held its 2016 "Day on the Hill" congressional meetings last week, sending members to lobby Congress for the federal funds needed to fuel the nation's many passenger rail projects.

Is the US the best country in the world?

Dave G. Houser Civil & Government

Most Americans believe their country is the best in the world. In fact, a 2014 Pew Research Center study indicates only 12 percent of us believe there are other countries in the world better than the U.S. But numerous surveys and studies paint a contradictory picture.

‘Dream Big, Start Small’ is theme for National Small Business…

Paul Zukowski Civil & Government

Each year the U.S. Small Business Administration "goes big" the first week in May to recognize America's top small businesses, the entrepreneurs who start them, and the advocates and champions who support them. National Small Business Week 2016 kicks off May 1 with an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. where national award winners will be honored and the Small Business Person of the Year revealed.

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