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Fax elimination or evolution?
Kent McAllister Healthcare AdministrationFacsimile technology is as old as the hills. There are multiple steps and multiple components related to historic and current fax processes in businesses around the world. Yet most of the people who talk about "fax elimination" either don't understand the multiple components, drivers and incentives adequately enough to articulate them, or they don't take the time. This article takes one step in the direction of taking the time to explain the components and some of the resulting challenges related to fax elimination, and then suggests some steps in fax evolution that will be more palatable in the healthcare market.
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Health IT regulators to continue push back against ‘bad actors’
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationThe healthcare hubbub that Epic Systems started in January with an email from its CEO and founder, Judy Faulkner, to several of its hospital and health system clients has continued in February. The tactic did not go unnoticed, and scathing responses were handed down by two of the industry’s leaders and several other industry insiders, including Microsoft, Google and Cerner. Still, more than a month on, the piling on continues. The latest comment is from Donald Rucker, M.D., head of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC).
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Public health cuts undermine US pandemic preparedness
Michelle R. Matisons Medical & Allied HealthcareAs China's coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads, the federal government in the U.S. has a limited health preparedness infrastructure in the event of a stateside pandemic viral outbreak. Instead, public health precautions taken by communities and hospitals must shape a proactive response to a global threat still in its nascent stages. The hollow husk left by recent public health budget cuts leave military command structures as the only coordinated "safety net" in a U.S. pandemic event.
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What the SECURE Act means for everyone
Grace Ferguson Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementSigned into law on Dec. 20, 2019, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act is designed to help thwart America’s growing retirement crisis. Here’s how the Act impacts employers, employees, and everyone else. For example, the SECURE Act changes several rules regarding multiple employer plans (MEPs).
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Travel activities that won’t break the bank
Cindy Belt Recreation & LeisureTraveling is great. There is so much to see and experience. However, the cost of travel, food, and stays (campgrounds or hotels) can be overwhelming. This leaves less money for the activities. Things like Jeep tours, big-name museums, whitewater rafting, and zip lining are great fun but are extremely expensive. You don't want to travel without enjoying your time, but there are so many free or low-cost options out there that you won't feel cheated.
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How will coronavirus affect the Chinese economy and international business?
Seth Sandronsky Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementChina is a major U.S. trading partner and the world's fastest growing economy. How will the outbreak of the coronavirus that began in Wuhan affect that nation's economy and international business generally? Much is uncertain. That's a problem, because businesses prefer certainty as an underlying condition of future market demand and supply. We turn to Doug Barry, a spokesperson with the U.S.-China Business Council. "The shutdown of supply chains is having a ripple effect around the world, with shortages in some raw materials, parts and finished goods popping up," Barry said by email.
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Amazon’s all-conquering education, labor visions come under fire
Michelle R. Matisons EducationBig Tech, including Amazon, has been asked to release acquisitions from the past decade. There's increasing pressure on the Seattle-based company, as it contests losing a Pentagon cloud contract to Microsoft while continuing its ubiquitous global reach. Amazon is also known for warehouse safety violations. Fifteen senators, including presidential contenders Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, have asked the company to publish serious worker injuries. Given the company's labor reputation, how qualified is Amazon to have a strong presence in U.S. classrooms?
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HHS responds to arguments against hospital price transparency
Scott E. Rupp Medical & Allied HealthcareRegarding healthcare pricing transparency, the Trump administration says patients should have the right to know how much care will cost before they receive it. The argument seems to hold water, because in all other transactions where are wallets are concerned, consumers know the price of the products and services before they buy. These are the points continually made by leaders at HHS. These are also the arguments made in a brief filed last week in response to a lawsuit challenging the price transparency rule. HHS also argues that Congress meant for hospital pricing be made public.
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An overview of current K-12 school funding across the country
Bambi Majumdar EducationThe latest Education Law Center report, "Making the Grade 2019: How Fair is School Funding in Your State?" gives a comprehensive picture of K-12 funding efforts across states. The data aims to inform policymakers, stakeholders, parents, and districts about the state of public school funding. States have been ranked from highest to lowest based on the percentage of gross domestic product or state wealth invested into the K-12 school system. Vermont bagged the top spot for providing the most robust funding to K-12 education with 7.03%, while the national average is 3.79%.
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2020 job search trends: What employers like and dislike
Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementYou may be the most qualified person for a particular job, but you shouldn't forget that presentation is everything. Using certain tactics can significantly hurt your chances of landing an interview. Fortunately, most of these faux pas can be avoided. A new survey by Accountemps reveals some of the most important job search trends for 2020, including what hiring managers want to see and what turns them off.
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