http://www.bber.umt.edu The RSS News feed for the Bureau of Business and Economic Research en-us 120 http://www.bber.umt.edu/images/front/rss-logo.jpg http://www.bber.umt.edu 20 20 http://www.bber.umt.edu/pubs/econ/economicrecovery.pdf The forecasting business is by its very nature future-oriented.So even though evidence of the recession remains depressingly easy to find, the signs of recovery in the coming months are becoming clearer as well. The question for Montana?s economy is, what will the recovery look like? /pubs/econ/laborpool.pdf With Montana's median wage rate over $2 an hour lower than the national median wage rate, it is not surprising that half of the state's workforce is willing to switch jobs. The labor pool available is larger than statistics suggest. /pubs/health/healthcarereform.pdf In polls across the country, fixing health care is right up there with fixing the economy. Emotions are high on both sides of the health care debate. Reform of some shape will have to occur because our present health care cost trajectory is unsustainable. /pubs/health/healthcarereformeditorial.pdf How can health care be more affordable without driving costs up as the result of increased use? How can programs be financed without adding to the federal deficit? How can reform occur that contains costs without sacrificing quality or choice for the consumer? /pubs/pressrelease/forestindustry20090812.pdf Montana's forest industry saw increases in employment, wages, and production during the second quarter of 2009, but these indicators remain at very depressed levels. /pubs/health/longtermcare.pdf New partnership laws encourage individuals to purchase long-term care health insurance, thereby protecting assets and reducing the burden on Medicaid. http://www.bber.umt.edu/events/sum09presentations.asp The worst recession in a generation isn't over yet, but now is the time to start thinking and planning for the recovery. Check out the presentations for more information. http://www.bber.umt.edu/pubs/Health/costAlcoholAbuseMT.pdf Alcohol abuse costs the Montana economy more than $500 million annually, according to a BBER study. The study, authored by Patrick Barkey, director of the BBER, is the first of its kind for the state of Montana.Click here to view study.Forbes Magazines posting of the study: Click here to view press release. http://www.bber.umt.edu/pubs/microsoft/gdavispr.doc Gregg Davis, the Bureau's new director of health care industry research, will examine the state's health care markets, trends, costs, and other high visibility topics. Davis was an economics faculty member at Flathead Valley Community College, where he directed the Center for Business Information and Research and chaired the Division of Social Sciences. Click here for the full story.