June 29, 2005
Pay for Performance Could Fix Some Meidcare Problems
Culling a lesson from Economics 101, the federal government may be on to something -- paying someone based on their performance might actually work! Medicare pilot programs have found that pay-for-performance plans can lead to increased quality, and thereby cost-savings in hospitals. Supported by many in Congress, various bills to expand current pay-for-performance pilots are expected to be introduced.
Posted by WorkerBee at 11:13 AM | Comments (1)
SS Reform is Tax Reform?
In public speeches and private meetings, House Ways and Means Chairman Bill Thomas has made it clear that he sees the current Social Security debate as a broader opportunity to address national retirement savings as a whole. Somewhere in the near future, we can expect the chairman to begin pushing for pension simplification similar to the president's ERSA, LSA and RSA plans.
With the postponed tax reform commission's recommendations coming in the near future, one has to wonder how long we'll go before Social Security reform and tax reform become the same issue.
Posted by at 10:29 AM | Comments (0)
June 27, 2005
Social Security Debate Continues
There are many ideas about how to fix Social Security, but NSBA believes all of them must include no increase of the payroll tax. NSBA is part of a growing coalition (CoMPASS), which now includes 350 organizations and counting. The CoMPASS Web site includes a very helpful Frequently Asked Questions page among other great resources.
Posted by Bee Line at 02:42 PM | Comments (0)
June 21, 2005
Estate Tax Repeal is Good for the Environment
Well, it's good for the old growth small business environment anyway.
The Senate today added to the evolving energy bill, H.R. 6, language hammered out by the Finance Committee that provides for all tax policy changes related to the energy bill. Included in the amendments proposed for the tax package was an amendment by Majority Leader Frist that called for the full and permanent repeal of the estate tax.
While the amendment never got a vote, we're with the majority leader all the way. Tax vehicles are scarce this summer. He's got the right idea; watch the energy bill for much-needed permanent Death Tax relief.
Posted by at 04:00 PM | Comments (0)
A Disturbing Trend
The Washington Post reported this morning that health care costs continue to soar--health expenditures are now going up four times faster than wages. While this is not a news flash, it does reinforce that health care reform is now more important than ever. The fact is that many who can afford health insurance choose not to get it, but others who want health insurance can't afford it. We need major reform. Urgently.
Posted by Bee Line at 12:17 PM | Comments (0)
The Momentum Builds. . . .
Yet more evidence of the growing consensus behind reforming health insurance by reforming the tax code. Recent remarks by House Ways and Means Committee Chair Bill Thomas suggest that he is fully on board with these ideas, as well. By the way, it's worth noting that the same goal could be achieved through adoption of the Fair Tax, which replaces the current federal tax system with a consumption tax.
Posted by Green Hornet at 09:29 AM | Comments (0)
June 20, 2005
August Too Hot for Tax Panel
We’ll now have to wait two more months to hear recommendations from the President’s Panel on Tax Reform. An Executive Order handed down from the White House changes the due date from July 31 to September 30. While panel members say they don’t need the extra time, they’ll probably take the hint. What will two months get us? Apparently the White House believes that’s enough time to find a resolution to the Social Security debate and create a new energy policy.
Well we’re all for it. Take the extra time to send your sugggestions to the panel. Besides, it’s more like a one month extension – who works during August in D.C. anyway?
Posted by at 04:58 PM | Comments (0)
Should Small Businesses Be 'Operating Like the Big Guys?'
Interesting column by Mason Kauffman about outsourcing. While his ideas are good ones for small business, the headline of the story uses the phrase "operating like the big guys." While this might be true in this case, should small businesses be operating like the "big guys?" Or should there be one standard for all?
It seems that small businesses have been forced to play by different rules -- and that is at the root of some of the problems faced by small business owners today.
Posted by Bee Line at 03:40 PM | Comments (0)
Who Says Your Business is Small?
Making the front page of the Washington Post business section this weekend, SBA continues its search for the truth. Relax "X-Files" fans, no smoking man here. Playing host to 80+ witnesses, SBA continues to slog through the public hearing process. Hot topic of the day: language that would allow large Venture Capital firms to participate in the SBIR program.
Posted by WorkerBee at 03:13 PM | Comments (0)
Right Thinking on Health Care
As you can see in an excellent column by Jeff Jacoby in this past Sunday's Boston Globe, more and more opinion leaders are finally figuring out the fundamental problem with our health care system: federal policies (mostly tax policies) have lead to a market that doesn't work. The changes advocated by Jacoby are a cornerstone of NSBA's own far-reaching health care proposal. About the only good news on the health care front is that the momentum for reform appears to be flowing in this direction.
Posted by Green Hornet at 02:40 PM | Comments (0)