Tag Archives: Health Care

Trust Fund Snuffed in MS

Healthcare focus

A 25-year-old case is emerging from the filing cabinet as a point of interest for Mississippians. In 1997, Mike Moore, who served as the state’s Attorney General at that time, announced a national settlement against the tobacco companies. The lawsuit placed restrictions on cigarette advertising to the nation’s youth and allowed funding opportunities for the campaign against tobacco use. Although the impact of the settlement is significant, with the percentage of youth smoking decreasing from 27% to 4% and adult smoking reducing from 30% to 12%, there is a growing problem with the failure to maintain a trust fund in Mississippi. Continue reading →

Hospital Tries to Avoid Strike

We love our nurses!

During this past week, in response to a scheduled nurses strike, the University of Illinois Hospital (UIH) filed a lawsuit that would hopefully halt the strike. With nurses on the street instead of caring for patients, the hospital is concerned for the wellbeing and health of the public. At the heart of the strike is the struggle and dispute over contract negotiations and staffing needs. The Illinois Nurses Association supports the rights of over a thousand nurses currently employed by the University of Illinois Hospital. Nurses affiliated with this organization were employed under a three-year-contract that just ended on August 24 but was extended for an additional two weeks. The two parties have not come to an agreement in regard to updated contract terms. Continue reading →

Obamacare Takes a Bite Out Of Applebee’s

Are poisoned apples covered under Obamacare?

Many businesses have struggled to stay afloat during these trying economic times. Amidst the recent campaign season, the buzz was surrounded around middle-class America and small businesses, but we are slowly learning that small businesses aren’t the only ones hurting. Zane Tankel, chairman and CEO of Apple-Metro and owner of 40 Applebee’s restaurants expressed his concern for the Applebee’s chain to the Fox Business Network. Due to the Affordable Care Act, more commonly known as Obamacare, businesses who employ more than 50 people must provide each employee with an approved insurance plan. The penalty for not providing insurance is a $2,000 fine for every worker over the 30 worker mark. Tankel’s smallest Applebee’s staff consists of at least 80 employees, so you can see why he’s upset.