Life In Sherman Oaks

Today, Medicare has $321.3 billion in reserve. In 2009, employees/employers paid $225.4 billion in premiums into Medicare. Medicare paid out $242.5 billion to the nations 40 million seniors. American’s pay into Medicare as a party of the employee payroll program. Employers contribute an equal amount. You pay 1.45% of your income into Medicare and in return, you are entitled to Medicare insurance care once you reach 65 which pays 80% [...]

Here are the 105 Republicans in Congress who support privatizing Social Security. Senate (21) Jeff Sessions (AL) Richard Shelby (AL) Jon Kyl (AZ) John McCain (AZ) Saxby Chambliss (GA) Chuck Grassley (IA) Richard Lugar (IN) Pat Roberts (KS) Sam Brownback (KS) Mitch McConnell (KY) Roger Wicker (MS) Thad Cochran (MS) Judd Gregg (NH) James Inhofe (OK) Tom Coburn (OK) Jim DeMint (SC) Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX) Bob Bennett (UT) Orrin [...]

Lower Rx costs for seniors Prescription drug costs could shrink $700 for a typical Medicare beneficiary in 2011, as the law begins to close the notorious doughnut hole — the gap in prescription coverage when millions of seniors must pay full price at the pharmacy — according to the seniors group AARP. The National Council on Aging estimates the savings could reach $1,800 for some. Starting in January, drug companies [...]

Employers eligible for federal funds to cover early retiree health insurance claims $5 billion available under new health care reform law Jefferson City, Mo. – Missouri Insurance Director John M. Huff is reminding employers in Missouri that the new federal health care reform law provides funds to help with the cost of providing health insurance to early retirees. There is $5 billion available for employers who are providing coverage to [...]

The Patient Affordability Act, provides tax credits for both individuals and families who make up to $88,000 a year. These credits will reduce the amount these families spend on health insurance premiums and cost-sharing assistance to make their benefits more affordable. The #GOP, rather than focusing on jobs, has repealing Health Care Reform as its primary goal next year. A report by FamiliesUSA found that nationally, 28.6 million Americans will [...]

In the first 11 days of operation, the GOP introduced NO legislation regarding JOB CREATION. However, they have obsessively introduced 28 bills designed to repeal or defund health care reform: H.R. 105 Dan Burton, GOP – Indiana : To repeal the Patient Protection Act & enact in its place incentives for people to buy health insurance. H.R. 118 John Fleming, GOP – Louisiana : To permit a state to elect [...]

Rep. Randy Forbes Virginia has done the following in the first 11 days in Congress: H.R. 13: A bill to ensure “In God We Trust” is publicly displayed in all public buildings, public schools and other government institutions. H.R. 334: A bill to prevent health care from being implemented, Has Randy Forbes of Virginia been involved in any legislation to create jobs? No.

You know that little box you check on your income tax form as to whether or not you’d like to contribute to the public financing of elections? The one where you have a choice as to whether or not you would like to support democratic elections? Mitch McConnell wants to take that choice away from you. According to S. 194, Mitch McConnell thinks this adds to the deficit. How? I [...]

While some folks thought the teaparty wanted to take over the country for financial reasons, it’s much more likely their goal is a return to social values of the 1950′s. H.R. 71 Cliff Stearns, GOP – Florida. A bill to honor Dr. D. James Kennedy. A right wing TV evangelist form Coral Gables Florida. H.R. 510 Denny Rehberg, GOP – Montana. A bill to take gray wolves off the endangered [...]

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What is the debt ceiling exactly? It’s a cap set by Congress on the amount of debt the federal government can legally borrow. The cap applies to debt owed to the public (i.e., anyone who buys U.S. bonds) plus debt owed to federal government trust funds such as those for Social Security and Medicare. The first limit was set in 1917.

What happens when a person doesn’t have health insurance, and yet requires health care? Generally, that person goes to an emergency room — a much more costly avenue of treatment than using your physician. Emergency room must treat the patient regardless of income or health insurance status. Why? Because we really don’t want folks walking around with infectious diseases — it’s not advantageous to the common good — and because, [...]

H.R. 389. Rep. Aaron Shock, Republican from Illinois. Wants legislation that will prevent the government from postings signs saying any given project was funded by Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Impact: Removes Jobs. That’s it.

H.R. 321: Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn. Prohibit employers from using your credit report in determining your employment. That’s it.

Title XX of the Social Security Act compels states to fund protective services for adults. Adult protective Services (APS) were created to protect nursing home residents from abuse, neglect and exploitation by facility staff members or other individuals. Title XX also lead to Congress directing all states to establish a Long-Term Care Ombudsman program in 1978. The Long-Term Care program provides individuals in nursing or care facilities with protection against [...]

New legislation gives the Food and Drug Administration the power to recall tainted food, quarantine geographical areas and access food producers’ records to ensure food safety. Each year 100,000 people get ill from contaminated food each year. Remember lettuce and hamburger recalls? But the extreme right wing objects to protecting our food. Why? Cost. The extreme right wing objects to the $1.4 billion cost over the first five years — [...]

Discretionary spending in FY 2010 was $1.39 trillion, or 38% of total spending. More than half ($844 billion) was security spending, which includes the Department of Defense, overseas contingency programs and Homeland Security. Non-security spending was $553 billion. The largest departments were: Health and Human Services ($84 billion), Transportation ($76 billion), Education ($46.8 billion), Housing and Urban Development ($43.6 billion) and Agriculture ($25 billion). (Source: OMB, Table S-11)

New Medicare Benefits Beginning January 1, 2011 • Medicare covers a one-time preventive physical exam within the first twelve months of having Part B. The exam will include a thorough review of health, education and counseling about the preventive services covered by Medicare and referrals for other care if needed. No Part B deductible and effective January 1, 2011 you pay nothing if the doctor accepts assignment. • Abdominal Aortic [...]

UPDATE: New blood will replace evasive cancer biopsy Posted by Staff on January 4, 2011 – EFN Update The invasive biopsy method to test cancer may be replaced by a simple blood test to detect the disease in the future. A new cancer testing device is undergoing tests in Boston that doctors hope will allow them to find cancers earlier and provide more individualized treatment. The test involves running the [...]

Are you a caregiver for a older family member? If so, you’re not alone. 25% of all working people are also caregivers for an aging parent. The book below offers so great tips for coping with being a caregiver. Give yourself a break and buy it today.