From Max Richtman; The Hill ~ Aug 14, 2017
The good old days weren’t so good for seniors before Social Security was enacted 82 years ago today. Nearly half of all older Americans lived in poverty. Today, the figure is down to nine percent. Luckier seniors were supported by their families; the less fortunate literally went to the poor house.
By Amy Wallace; United Press International ~ Aug 14, 2017
Aug. 14 (UPI) — The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers and healthcare providers not to use any liquid drug or dietary supplements due to potential contamination.
The drug and dietary supplement products are manufactured by PharmaTech LLC of Davie, Florida, and labeled by Rugby Laboratories, Major Pharmaceuticals and Leader Brands, which may be contaminated with the bacteria Burkholderia cepacia, or B. cepacia.
By Patti Singer; Democrat & Chronicle ~ Aug 10, 2017
Scammers are taking advantage of an upcoming change to Medicare cards and seniors and families should be on alert.
Starting in April, the cards no longer will use Social Security numbers. Instead, Medicare will generate a random 11-character string of numbers and letters. These cards will start going out in April. People on Medicare don’t have to do anything — the card will show up.
By Bertha Coombs; CNBC ~ Aug 09, 2017
From Ross Marchand; The Hill ~ Aug 09, 2017
Medicare’s breaking point is nigh, with the program’s trustees projecting that solvency will only last until 2029. For American adults that will be dependent on the program in twelve short years, the trustee’s grave prognosis is a cause for alarm.
From John Wasik; Forbes ~ Aug 09, 2017
For scammers, it’s all about the information. Once they have an account number, address or personal identification, they can steal your identity.
When it comes to the latest identity theft scam, the number in question is your Social Security number. Once they have that, the thievery begins.
By Jessica Toonkel; Reuters ~ Aug 07, 2017
(Reuters) – CBS Corp said on Monday it signed a deal for its shows to feature on AT&T Inc’s DirecTV Now online streaming service.
Under the agreement, DirecTV Now will stream CBS, CBS Sports, the CW channel and many of CBS’ local broadcast stations, according to the company. Customers will also have the option to buy a subscription to CBS’ premium Showtime network.
By Austin Frakt; The New York Times ~ Aug 07, 2017
The Medicare Advantage program was supposed to save taxpayers money by allowing insurers to offer older Americans private alternatives to Medicare. The plans now cover 19 million people, a third of all those who qualify for Medicare.
By Sean Williams; The Motley Fool ~ Aug 06, 2017
Social Security is, for millions of retired Americans, a critical source of income during their golden years. According to data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), a little more than three out of five retired workers relies on their monthly check from the SSA to account for at least half of their monthly income.
By Alan Fram; The Associated Press ~ Aug 05, 2017
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress will have to prove its mettle this fall. It has no choice.
Republicans have little to show for their first seven months of controlling the White House and Capitol Hill. The Senate sent Justice Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, and Congress passed bills bolstering veterans’ health programs and financing the Food and Drug Administration.
