In 2006, Massachusetts instituted a plan requiring its residents to have health-insurance coverage, whether from their employer or self-paid. This program is the model for the Affordable Care Act (ACA — also known as “Obamacare”). Two years earlier, the state began a program to promote coordinated health care and social services for “dual eligibles” — [...]
Entries Tagged as 'Feature writing'
Another Flu Season – Ahh, the Memories
February 28th, 2013 · No Comments · Blog writing, Feature writing
Flu season will forever remind me of my father. “That’s an odd association,” I can almost hear you saying. “Was he particularly prone to the illness? Did a particularly bad case of it hit him hard?” Well, no to both those questions –aside from all his chronic conditions, Dad was generally healthy as a horse. [...]
Caregiving and Learning to Breathe
February 8th, 2013 · No Comments · Blog writing, Feature writing, Writing
One goes through so many emotions as a caregiver- fear, sadness, anger, joy, surprise, just to name a few- but the one emotion I probably felt most often was simply, overwhelmed. It wasn’t really until Dad already had spent six months or so in his nearby nursing home that I finally learned how to just [...]
Tags: caregiver health·caregiving·Chuck Ross·contemplative caregiver·jennifer block·san francisco zen center·senior health
Hybrid Technology: It’s Not Just for Cars
February 5th, 2013 · No Comments · Feature writing, Writing
Conversations about renewable energy often come down to a comparison — solar versus wind, for example, or hydroelectric versus geothermal — as though one technology, alone, could provide the single answer to our need for safe, emissions-free electricity production. However, a new utility-scale approach to renewable-energy generation is turning this idea on its head, bringing [...]
Tags: Alternative/green energy·CHP·combined heat and power·Energy Storage·Energy technology·Utility business
Current Technology: Interest in Direct Current Increases
February 5th, 2013 · No Comments · Feature writing, Writing
DC power is becoming a player again, in settings ranging from high-voltage transmission down to commercial-building and data-center distribution systems. In many cases, its revival also has brought back the Edison versus Westinghouse either/or debate, as though DC’s newly re-appreciated qualities will somehow push AC aside. But what we likely will see moving forward will [...]
Tags: Building technology·direct current·Electricity transmission·emerge alliance·Energy technology·Utility business
Managing Life’s Wounds
January 25th, 2013 · No Comments · Blog writing, Feature writing
Wound care is a tough job, for many reasons. First, there’s the “ick” factor — many of us can get squeamish around open wounds. Second, there’s a real fear that doing something wrong could mean more pain or a serious infection for a loved one. I had to meet both these reactions head-on while Dad [...]
Tags: aarp·caregiving·Chuck Ross·life with father blog·takecare blog·wound care
Validating the Smart Grid
January 5th, 2013 · No Comments · Feature writing, Writing
While the smart grid has been the topic of much conversation lately, specifics on what this supposed technical marvel will do, cost or look like in actual utility installations have been notably lacking. The largest smart grid demonstration project to date has just gone live in the Pacific Northwest to provide those specifics. It could [...]
Tags: Alternative/green energy·Chuck Ross·electric distribution·Electricity transmission·Energy technology·Utility business
Made in America Making a Comeback
January 5th, 2013 · No Comments · Feature writing, Writing
With doom and gloom being the predominant message regarding U.S. manufacturing these last few years, it’s somewhat surprising to hear news of optimism in that sector lately. But suddenly, companies seem to be rediscovering the appeal of the “Made in America” label, even when attached to high-tech products that seemed lost forever to a maze [...]
Tags: Building technology·Chuck Ross·electrical manufacturing·Energy technology·made in america·U.S. manufacturing
Two Needs, One Turbine: Combined Heat and Power Could Help Reduce – and Meet – Energy Demand
November 5th, 2012 · No Comments · Feature writing, Writing
It’s no news that coal-fired electricity generation is in decline in the United States. Falling natural gas prices and increasing pollution regulations are combining to put aging plants in many states out of business. While natural gas-fired generation likely will pick up much of the slack, energy-efficiency advocates say more efficient and distributed generation should [...]
Tags: CHP·cogen·cogeneration·combined heat and power·Energy technology·Utility business
Partner Up for Profit: Working With an ESCO
September 5th, 2012 · No Comments · Feature writing, Writing
With commercial and residential business still lagging in many parts of the country, electrical contractors seeking a bottom-line boost may find better luck in municipal and institutional projects. Owners in this sector often are more concerned about lowering long-term operating costs than short-term payback and are investing in large-scale energy-efficiency upgrades. But your entry into [...]
Tags: Chuck Ross·energy efficiency·energy service company·Energy technology·ESCO