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Thursday, March 28, 2024

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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Senior Issues

Research showed between 10% and 30% of county residents in the state of New York had a dual-use special-need plan in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, March 28, 2024

NY senior advocates see advantages to dual-use special needs plans

Senior and older adult advocates in New York are pointing to certain health care plans to help people get the best bang for their buck. Dual-use …

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Nearly 13 million Americans receive health coverage through unique plans under both Medicare and Medicaid. They are known as Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Unique government health plans try to find an audience

Medicare and Medicaid are key sources of health coverage for many Americans and some people qualify for assistance under both programs. With lagging …

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Many factors affect a customer's bill amount, including energy usage, weather, and the number of days in a billing period, according to Arizona Public Service. (Jason Yoder/Adobe Stock)

Thursday, March 28, 2024

AARP AZ cites impacts of APS rate increase

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

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More than 71 million Americans saw a 3.2% increase in their Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income payments this year with the average retirement benefit increasing by more than $50 per month. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, March 28, 2024

GOP proposal threatens cuts to MA Social Security benefits

Congressional Republicans' proposed changes to Social Security have advocates for Massachusetts beneficiaries concerned about the future of the key sa…

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Nationally, it's estimated 38 million family caregivers provide unpaid labor worth approximately $600 billion per year. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Assembly considers grants to assist MD family caregivers

Advocates are calling on Maryland lawmakers to fund a grant program to help family caregivers. A 2021 study indicated about 760,000 family …

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The Congressional Budget Office estimated as early as 2023, Social Security might have a harder time paying full benefits to beneficiaries because program revenues will not be keeping up. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Possible cuts to Social Security come back into focus

Congress just avoided a partial government shutdown by approving a budget through the end of September, but a new blueprint is renewing debate about …

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The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a shortage of 74,000 social workers each year for the next decade, with more rural areas such as Maine hit hardest. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, March 25, 2024

ME social workers, educators seek end to state licensing exam

Social workers in Maine say the state's required licensing exam is biased and contributing to a shortage of workers in the field. Data show …

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Wyoming voters who participated in the presidential election of 2020 but not the general election in 2022 have likely been purged from the state's voter rolls and need to re-register with their county clerk before being allowed to vote in 2024. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, March 25, 2024

WY purged 86,000 voters, must re-register for presidential election

More than 86,000 Wyoming voters have been purged from voter rolls, thanks to a state law requiring county clerks to remove people who did not vote in …

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Drug prices in the United States are, on average, almost three times higher than in 33 other countries. The gap widens to more than four times higher for brand-name drugs. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, March 25, 2024

Advocates urge VA governor to sign prescription-drug affordability bill

With the approval of the Virginia General Assembly, a bill reducing prescription drug prices is sitting on Gov. Glenn Youngkin's desk. The bill …

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In Connecticut, Alzheimer's caregivers provide 201 million hours of unpaid care, which is valued at $4.2 billion. (Adobe Stock)
Advocates for Alzheimer's patients seek more help from CT lawmakers

People who support those with Alzheimer's disease are in Hartford today, asking Connecticut lawmakers to do more for families facing the brain …

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One study shows in 2023 alone, almost 51.2 million square feet of self-storage space was rented - an area that would cover the whole of New York City's Central Park. (DavidGales/PhotoShop)
Spring means 'out with the old' – unless you can't part with clutter

Spring is often a time many of us get rid of unwanted stuff, but one New Mexico expert says that's harder than it sounds for people addicted to …

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According to national data, traffic deaths increased by 10.5% in 2021 and traffic fatalities rose by<br />14% for drivers 65 and older. (Adobe Stock)
In making MN roads safer, law change sought for safety course

Traffic deaths are trending higher in Minnesota this year after a decline the previous year. Groups pushing for safer roads are convinced a small …

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