Worcester Business Journal

24 Worcester Business Journal • February 15, 2016 www.wbjournal.com Join the WBJ's LinkedIn discussion group by scanning the code to the left on your smartphone. To scan the code, you need the NeoReader. Visit get.neoreader.com to download it onto your phone. Want to participate in the conversation? F L A S H P O L L T A L K B A C K MILLIONAIRE'S TAX The so-called Millionaire's Tax could hit small(ish) business owners who have not taken the steps to incorporate. "It's high time that ultra-high earners pay their fair share and help to fund better education." Facebook commenter Natalie O'Hayre WORCESTER WEDDINGS A new study has found Worcester lacking when it comes to some of the key amenities and services required for putting together an affordable wedding - landing it fourth from last on a list of 150 American cities. "The outskirts of Worcester are cleaning up, though." Facebook commenter Keith Carpenter Jr. DRUG PRICES Referencing a relatively new hepatitis C drug that costs $84,000 for a full course of treatment, Attorney General Maura Healey is calling for drug prices that make health care accessible to those who need it. "The costs of healthcare are an immense and growing burden to families, to business and to governments. These costs are out of control, and one can only wonder why the Congress passed an act around 2003 that prohibits Medicare, the largest purchaser of prescription drugs on the planet, from negotiating significant discounts from pharmaceutical firms." WBJournal.com poll commenter Mark Vincent Do you think drug prices need to be reined in? Keep drug prices low A ttorney General Maura Healey put a warning shot out to the Massachusetts drug industry recently, when she stated a new hepatitis C drug that costs $1,000 a pill in the U.S. and roughly $4 in India might constitute an unfair trade practice. Healey spoke more broadly, saying that a balance needs to be found between a financial reward for risk- taking pharmaceutical companies and getting medication to patients. Nearly all of the business leaders surveyed agreed with Healey. COMMENTS: "And the high prices do prohibit some, especially seniors, from obtaining medications needed." 2% Yes. High prices keep needed medications out of the hands of patients. 43% A Marlborough tool sharpening company, Diamond Machining Technology, was recently sold to a Connecticut company for $7 million. This family-owned company will now transfer over to corporate ownership. Our survey found most readers would make a similar deal. Everything is for sale I plan on passing the company on to my children. They all work for the company now and want to continue to do so. I also want security for all employees. Yes. Everything has a price. 42% No. Prices should be set by what the market will bear. Yes. But only a company that would keep on the employees and company spirit. 33% No. I want it to stay in my family. 15% If you were in charge of a family company would you sell it to a corporation? Wish I could sell it, but I am the company so there is little market! Yes. Drug prices are a primary contributor to rising healthcare costs. 47% 10% 8% No. Companies need to be able to build profit for future research. "Price gouging by some companies should be stopped." "SO MUCH GREED.......... AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!" COMMENTS: No. Corporations don't have the same compassion and sensibilities. There are corporations that want you to maintain your own autonomy and culture. They are hard to find, but they do exist and present the seller with that feeling of comfort that their heritage and employees will be kept in tack. They more often than not result in a stronger return on their investment.

• Cover