WORH Federal News

Veterans Fight to Farm

mlradtke — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:22:16 +0000

Through the Veteran Farmers Project, the Center for Rural Affairs and the partners in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska will offer personalized professional consultations on farm production, business and financing. Kansas and Nebraska veterans can attend workshops in March and farm tours this summer to access in-person expert guidance. Two HelpLines are also available for families nationwide. (Source: Ctr for Rural Affairs) [Read article]

Center for Rural Affairs: Congress Overlooks America’s Small Towns

mlradtke — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:18:25 +0000

According to the Ctr for Rural Affairs, small towns and ordinary rural people are receiving short shrift in federal policy. Their recent study found that USDA spent twice as much on subsidies to just the 20 biggest farms in each of 13 leading farm states – 260 mega farms – as it spent on rural development programs to create strong communities and economic opportunity for millions of rural people in 260 struggling rural counties in those same 13 states. (Source: Ctr for Rural Affairs) [Read article]

Health Care Law Protects Consumers

mlradtke — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:57:16 +0000

The Affordable Care Act requires health insurance companies to spend between 80-85% of your premium on medical care or improvements. Customers who buy their insurance on the individual market are most likely to receive rebates. That includes rural small business owners and self-employed workers like farmers and rural entrepreneurs. (Source: Ctr for Rural Affairs) [Read article]

Smoking and Oral Health in Dentate Adults aged 18–64

mlradtke — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:57:51 +0000

There is a vast body of literature documenting the adverse effects of cigarette smoking on health. Among dentate adults aged 18–64, the percentages of adults with very good and good oral health status were higher for never smokers than for former smokers, and higher for former smokers than for current smokers, while the percentages of adults with fair and poor oral health status were lower for never smokers than for former smokers, and lower for former smokers than for current smoker.

IRS Releases First Guidances Regarding New Tax Code Under ACA

mlradtke — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:36:49 +0000

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released its first guidance for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) regarding what will be recognized as tax exempt under the new tax code. Proposed and temporary IRS rules denoted that qualified nonprofit health insurers will need to apply for tax-exempt recognition with IRS.

New Innovation Challenge Will Help People with Disabilities Access Their Health Records

mlradtke — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:33:03 +0000

Health information technology (health IT) and EHRs hold great promise in improving the health outcomes and coordination of care for people with disabilities. The accessibility and usability of health IT is a matter of serious concern to people with a wide range of disabilities, including those who have vision, hearing, intellectual, manual dexterity, mental health, developmental, and other types of disabilities.

What If Your Car Cared About Your Health?

mlradtke — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:20:21 +0000

Ford is developing "the car that cares," by linking health into the vehicle in three different ways, explains Gary Strumolo, manager of Infotainment, Interiors, and Health and Wellness at Ford Research and Innovation. (Source: HealthLeaders Media) [Read article]

Apps for Healthy Kids Winners

mlradtke — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:17:15 +0000

The USDA challenged software developers, game designers, students, and others to develop fun and engaging software tools and games that drive children to eat better and be more physically active. See the winners! (Source: appsforhealthykids.challenge.gov) [Read article]