As proposed by the House of Representatives, minimum wage requirements would increase from the current standard of $5.15 to $7.25 in approximately three years. Introduced by Representative George Miller, the Fair Minimum Wage Act passed the House by 315-116 on January 10, 2007, and is expected to affect up to 13 million of America's minimum wage workers. As currently drafted, minimum wages would increase as follows: • 60 days after enactment: The minimum wage will increase from the … [Read more...] about Inch-by-Inch: The Fair Minimum Wage Act passes the House of Representatives
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Texas Pharmacists Lobby White House
A group of pharmacists in Texas is lobbying the White House, demanding to be reimbursed for giving away prescription drugs to Medicare beneficiaries. From CNNMoney.com: "If pharmacists don't receive immediate relief, some will go broke," Bill Pittman, a former president of the Texas State Board of Pharmacy who is chairman of Pharmacists for Bush, a political fund-raising group, was quoted by the Times as saying he told Rove. "Others are hurting so bad that they will choose not to … [Read more...] about Texas Pharmacists Lobby White House
Echoing the Senate, House Approves Medicaid Cuts
Earlier this month I wrote that the Senate Finance Committee approved a bill that would reduce Medicare and Medicaid spending by $10 billion over five years. The full Senate approved the bill on November 4, 2005, and the House of Representatives recently passed its version of the bill, which would cut Medicaid funding by $12 billion over five years. If both chambers of Congress approve the House version of the bill, expect the following changes: Medicaid co-payments may rise with … [Read more...] about Echoing the Senate, House Approves Medicaid Cuts
Legislative Summary of Select House and Senate Bills, 77th Legislative Session
HB 154 Raises the personal needs allowance under Medicaid to not less than $60 a month. Directs TDHS to set rates for reimbursement to allow for this as well as set up an early warning system for fraud in handling personal needs allowance funds for residents. Directs HHSC to ensure that rules governing the determination of rates paid for nursing home services provide for the including liability insurance costs only for those homes that purchase liability insurance acceptable to the … [Read more...] about Legislative Summary of Select House and Senate Bills, 77th Legislative Session
Bill Approved to Repeal Federal Law Stripping Students of College Financial Aid for Drug Convictions.
The House Education & Labor Committee has approved a bill to repeal a federal law which made college students ineligible for financial aid due to drug convictions. It also clarifies a previous rolling back of the penalties passed in 2006. The reasoning of the committee is as follows: Critics have argued that blocking people from being able to pursue a college degree is a counterproductive way to respond to substance use and misuse issues. “The best possible intervention for a … [Read more...] about Bill Approved to Repeal Federal Law Stripping Students of College Financial Aid for Drug Convictions.
DEA to Finally Take Action on Marijuana Grower Applications
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced on Monday that is is taking steps to expand the number of federally authorized marijuana manufacturers for research purposes. In the three years since DEA first said it would be accepting applications for cannabis manufacturers, the agency has received 33 submissions. In a notice of applications set to be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, DEA said the “unprecedented” volume of inquiries makes it necessary to develop new … [Read more...] about DEA to Finally Take Action on Marijuana Grower Applications
Proposals for Marijuans Banking and CBD Bills Floated
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is advocating future model state policies to resolve issues regarding banking issues for marijuana and for legalization of hemp and CBD: "Tasks forces of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a nonprofit that brings together conservative lawmakers and private sector stakeholders to draft and distribute model policies for consideration by state legislatures, discussed banking issues in the marijuana industry … [Read more...] about Proposals for Marijuans Banking and CBD Bills Floated
Rural Health Care in the News
Two interesting articles have been recently published. One deals with the closing of the hospital in rural Milam County, Texas. This has caused residents to travel further for care and has disincentivized some to seek needed care. Days after the two hospitals in Milam County abruptly shuttered in December, Renee Mueck started feeling stomach pain so sharp she couldn’t drive herself to the nearest hospital about 40 minutes away. Mueck, 60, said her husband drove her to a hospital … [Read more...] about Rural Health Care in the News
Three Interesting Stories on the Texas Legalization of Hemp
On June 10, Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill legalizing hemp production. "Texas House Republican Charles Perry was the author of House Bill 1325 and has been a huge advocate for the hemp industry in Texas. The bill passed with flying colors. "The hemp industry is rapidly growing and we need to ensure our farmers are able to participate. We hope this agricultural commodity will help boost rural communities now that there is a new viable crop option for our farmers," Perry … [Read more...] about Three Interesting Stories on the Texas Legalization of Hemp
Texas Governor Signs Bill Allowing Cultivation of Hemp & USDA Legalized THC
Yesterday, Governor Abbott signed HB 1325 into law. This allows a federally approved program for Texas farmers to grow hemp. "The bill, which passed both the Texas House and Senate unanimously, will allow for a federally-approved program for Texas farmers to grow hemp as a crop, including procedures for sampling, inspection and testing." It is important to note that it will not be legal to grow until 2020 after the federal government has written rules which have completed the … [Read more...] about Texas Governor Signs Bill Allowing Cultivation of Hemp & USDA Legalized THC
