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Congress Braves First Steps in Medicare Reform
Congress is getting serious about changes to Medicare, even if that means cutting coverage to services that senior citizens have long enjoyed. At issue are what’s known as Medicare “extenders,” tacked-on money that Congress has to approve annually to fund the…
Reed highlights Cornell impact from omnibus spending
U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, said he fought for certain parts of a sweeping spending bill that eliminates the threat of another government shutdown until September. The nearly 1,600-page omnibus spending bill includes all of the federal government’s discretionary spending except…
Ten Disability Awareness Lessons Learned From Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
My children and I just finished reading a new book titled, “My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” by Martin Luther King III. It’s a warm, intimate biography that explains a turning point in American history from the perspective of a child. At…
Ruth Bass: Nine digits that owner must guard
On the one hand, you can find evidence that no one was ever supposed to use a Social Security number for identification. On the other hand, every credit card application we’ve ever seen asks for that very number and won’t…
Veterans Group responds to proposed change to disability claims process
As reported in our January 13 Headline post, veterans’ groups have expressed concern over a proposal by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs requiring the use of standardized forms to help modernize the process benefit application process. Fox News interviewed…
How the notion of retirement for workers took root
Work until you die — or until you can’t work anymore. Until the late 19th century, that was the old-age plan for the bulk of the world’s workers. Only in 1889 did German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck introduce modern pensions. The idea of…
Social Security Administration — American Indians & Alaska Natives (AIAN) Web site
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has launched a new Web page specifically directed to American Indians & Alaska Natives. The site provides basic Social Security program information on retirement, survivors, disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits. Read more… Notice: The…
Repeal the SGR and Preserve Access to Cancer Care
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) calls on Congress to repeal the flawed sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula and replace it with a more stable, rational and sustainable Medicare physician payment system that ensures access for Medicare beneficiaries with…
Why Women Need Higher Social Security Benefits
Executive Summary Some statistics to be aware of: Social Security is the largest source of income for senior women 29.3% of US households (27.3% in Washington) receive Social Security income 14% of single mothers receive Social Security income Women tend…
Disability procedure does need fixing, but VA can’t make it too cumbersome
There may have been no intention to make it harder for veterans to receive disability compensation, but an Obama administration proposal to change the way veterans apply for benefits is doing just that. The shameful backlog in veterans disability claims that…