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Study Finds Link Between Air Toxics, Autism
A University of Pittsburgh study has found links between childhood autism spectrum disorder and exposure to higher levels of certain air toxics during pregnancy and the first two years of life. Researchers at Pitt’s Graduate School of Public Health discovered links…
The Real Story on How Much Obamacare Increased Coverage
We now have the Medicaid and private-market health insurance enrollment data for the second quarter of 2014 needed to complete the picture of how Obamacare’s rollout affected coverage. What we’ve learned is that the Obamacare gains in coverage were largely a…
Republicans strategize attack on Obamacare if they win the Senate
Count on two years of intensified battles over Obamacare if Republicans win control of the Senate in next month’s elections, which pollsters say they have a better-than-even chance of achieving. An obscure but critical reform provision likely to come under immediate attack is…
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Income Guidelines Increased to Accommodate Social Security Cost-of-Living Increases
As a result of House Bill 1067, which Governor Corbett signed into law on Oct. 22, income eligibility guidelines for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program have changed so that income increases due solely to Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) will…
Social Security is A Little Bit Harder to Secure
Social Security’s finances are far from secure, and every year that Congress waits before addressing the problem makes it harder to fix. This week, the Social Security actuaries updated their estimates of options to restore solvency based on the assumptions…
Middle-Class Americans Living With Regret About Retirement Savings
Most middle-class Americans look at their retirement savings and see only a pile of regrets. That’s according to a new study showing one-third (34 percent) of middle-class respondents are not currently saving a cent for retirement, while a majority (72…
Expect, employ, empower
October is filled with celebrations, festivals, and community events — from small local events to those with worldwide recognition, such as Oktoberfest. The month is also a time we recognize the contributions of individuals who have disabilities that affect their…
Look for Social Security statement in your mail
It took an act of Congress, but Social Security statements are back in the mail. The annual personal earnings record and benefit statements were largely canned in 2011 in a cost-cutting move, but complaints soared and legislation ensued. Beginning in…
Social Security Payout Shrinks
Calculating Social Security retirement benefits can be tricky. If you worked in a government job and did not pay Social Security taxes, part of your civil service pension gets deducted from your Social Security benefits, an offset called the Windfall…
Medicare Part D changes next year
For those looking to change their Medicare health or prescription drug coverage for 2015, now is the time — open enrollment is in full swing. Until Sunday, Dec. 7, the Medicare-eligible have the opportunity to choose a new Medicare Advantage or…