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Inside Politics: Obama and Boehner in midterm chess match
We now know President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner agree on at least one thing: In 2014, keeping the political base happy matters more than advancing once-critical policy initiatives. For the GOP speaker, a personal commitment to big immigration…
Plan to Limit Some Drugs in Medicare Is Criticized
An alliance of drug companies and patient advocates, joined by Democrats and Republicans in Congress, is fiercely opposing an Obama administration proposal that would allow insurers to limit Medicare coverage for certain classes of drugs, including those used to treat depression and schizophrenia. Opponents warn that…
Social Security announces new expedited disability process for veterans
Carolyn W. Colvin, acting commissioner of Social Security, along with Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD) today unveiled a new initiative to expedite disability claims by veterans with a Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation rating of 100 percent Permanent &…
Retirement Step 7: A Second Career
At last, you’ve retired from the rat race to enjoy the good life. Working again is the farthest thing from your mind. Who needs that routine, when there’s so much more to do? However, a second career could ultimately be…
Budget drops lower benefits, adds $56B in spending
The White House said Thursday that President Obama’s soon-to-be-unveiled budget will not include his past offer to accept lowered cost-of-living increases in Social Security and other benefits. The cost-cutting method had been a critical component of his long-term debt-reduction strategy but…
How to Sign Up for Medicare
So you’re turning 65. Congratulations! It’s time to start taking advantage of your Medicare benefits. And just how do you do that? First, here’s a quick overview of the benefits: Medicare has four parts, A through D. Part A pays for hospitalization,…
Social Security To Expedite Veteran Disability Claims
The Social Security Administration plans to streamline its review of disability claims for veterans starting next month, shaving weeks off the process by which it determines benefits, officials are set to announce Wednesday. The Woodlawn-based agency says it will expedite claims for…
Schwartz leads House letter to Obama against Social Security cuts
Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.) and 116 other House Democrats on Wednesday sent President Obama a letter urging him to drop cuts to Social Security and veterans benefits from his budget due out March 4. They told Obama he should abandon efforts to…
Next Generation Trust Services Notes 2014 Changes in Health Insurance, Medicare and Social …
The baby boomers’ unprecedented burden on the Social Security program, Americans’ longer life spans, and recent changes in health insurance plans could all present big problems to current retirees and those nearing retirement. The professionals at Next Generation Trust Services point to…
House General Fund budget: More money for Medicaid; level-funding for other agencies
The House’s Ways and Means General Fund committee Wednesday approved a $1.8 billion General Fund budget for fiscal year 2015 that provides more money for Medicaid, level funds other state agencies and makes a cost-of-living increase for state employees unlikely. The…