Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.

VIEWPOINT: N.Y.’s Hospital Quality Remains Among the Worst in the U.S.
The federal government recently updated its hospital quality ratings, and New York once again fell near the bottom. Among 132 New York hospitals that received a rating, the average grade was 2.5 out of 5 stars, which ranked 48th out of the 50 states. That marked a slight improvement from last year, when New York […]

Ask Rusty: I’m Still Confused about Medicare Part A and Part B Enrollment
Dear Rusty: I’m age 64 and still working full time, and plan to continue working at least until I’m 70 — it’s a good job, and I enjoy it. My job comes with health insurance, so I don’t really need additional coverage, but I understand I will be required to sign up for Medicare Part
VIEWPOINT: Trump aims to backstop domestic health-care pharmaceutical supply chain through new EO
We have seen plainly what happens when disasters interrupt domestic health-care supply chains: from N-95 masks to saline, our health-care system has struggled in the face of hurricanes and a pandemic, as just two recent examples, to maintain supplies essential to patient safety and care delivery. Cognizant of this history, on Aug.13, 2025, President Donald

VIEWPOINT: Why join LinkedIn in 2025?
LinkedIn isn’t going anywhere. If other social-networking platforms emerge, even those catering to B2B professionals, it’s unlikely that any will displace LinkedIn’s network size — already more than 1 billion members strong around the world. As a platform for corporate leaders to put a human face to the ideas and philosophies that guide their brands,

VIEWPOINT: The Trump Private Equity Order: What Plan Fiduciaries Need to Know Now
On Aug. 7, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that may result in an expansion in the types of holdings common in 401(k), 403(b) and other defined-contribution plans. Generally, a plan fiduciary’s decision to offer a designated investment alternative is subject to fiduciary duties enumerated in section 404 of the Employee Retirement Income

Ask Rusty: Can My Wife Get Her Full Spousal Benefit at 62, or Must She Wait?
Dear Rusty: I’m age 64 and my wife is 62. If my wife starts her own Social Security (SS) benefit now, she will receive about $700 on her own at 62. I will retire next year and claim SS when I am 65. The Social Security Administration (SSA) says my wife can draw $1,100 under

VIEWPOINT: Employee-Benefits Provisions in One Big Beautiful Bill Act
President Donald Trump recently signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) into law. And, while employee benefits play a relatively minor role in the bill, there are several surprisingly important changes tucked into its provisions. Employers can leverage knowledge of these changes to maximize the value of the benefits offered to their employees. High-deductible

VIEWPOINT: New York’s Medicaid Spending Rate Remains the Highest of Any State
New York’s Medicaid program remained a spending outlier in 2024, with per-resident outlays that were 24 percent higher than those of any other state and 77 percent above the national average, according to a federal report released on July 31. The report from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services provides timely context for the

Ask Rusty: I’m Turning 70 Soon. When Should I Apply for Social Security?
Dear Rusty: I am currently receiving Social Security (SS) benefits while continuing to work full time. There are no restrictions on my wage earnings because

Ask Rusty: I’m Turning 70 Soon. When Should I Apply for Social Security?
Dear Rusty: I have a simple question: I will turn 70 [soon], and want to start my Social Security (SS) benefits in [the same month I do that]. [How soon] should I file my claim? Have there been delays with the reductions in Social Security Administration (SSA) staff? Thank you for your help. Signed: Ready
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.