Saturday, February 23, 2008

World War II Veterans on the Way out

http://www.managedmusic.com/Music/PlayBeforeYouGo.php

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Stimulus Package for Seniors Veterans on Social Security

Q: I normally don't need to file a tax return. How do I know if I'm one of those people who may be eligible to receive an economic stimulus payment?A: This group includes some recipients of Social Security, Railroad Retirement or veterans' benefits as well as taxpayers who do not make enough money to normally have to file a 2007 tax return. For example, this can include low-income workers, those who receive Social Security benefits or veterans’ disability compensation, pension or survivors’ benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2007. These people will be eligible to receive a payment of $300 ($600 on a joint return) if they had at least $3,000 of qualifying income.Qualifying income includes Social Security benefits, certain Railroad Retirement benefits, certain veterans’ benefits and earned income, such as income from wages, salaries, tips and self-employment. For people filing joint tax returns, only a total of $3,000 of qualifying income from both spouses is required to be eligible for a payment.




Special Guidelines for Recipients of Certain Social Security, Veterans and Railroad BenefitsCertain people who normally are not required to file but who are eligible for the stimulus payment will have to file a 2007 tax return. This includes low-income workers or those who receive Social Security benefits or veterans’ disability compensation, pension or survivors’ benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2007. These taxpayers will be eligible to receive a payment of $300 ($600 on a joint return) if they had at least $3,000 of qualifying income.Qualifying income includes Social Security benefits, certain Railroad Retirement benefits, certain veterans’ benefits and earned income, such as income from wages, salaries, tips and self-employment. For taxpayers filing joint tax returns, only a total of $3,000 of qualifying income from both spouses is required to be eligible for a payment.The special version of the Form 1040A unveiled today on IRS.gov shows taxpayers in these groups the specific sections of the form they need to fill out to qualify for the stimulus payment. The mock-up is designed to be used as a guide for filling out an actual Form 1040A."People who don’t normally need to file have a roadmap on how to fill out the Form 1040A quickly and easily," Stiff said. "We encourage recipients of Social Security and veterans’ benefits who don’t normally need to file a tax return to use this mock-up of the form as a guide to help them get their stimulus payment."The Form 1040A illustration on IRS.gov shows the limited number of lines that will need to be filled out for recipients of Social Security, certain Railroad Retirement and certain veterans’ benefits. A key line is reporting their 2007 benefits on Line 14a of Form 1040A. The IRS reminds taxpayers they can also use Line 20a on Form 1040 to report these same benefits.In addition, taxpayers in these groups should write the words "Stimulus Payment" at the top of the 1040A or 1040.For now, taxpayers in this group filing a tax return can only file a paper copy of the Form 1040 or Form 1040A. The IRS is working to update its systems to accept electronic versions of these limited-information returns for taxpayers who otherwise have no need to file a tax return. The IRS is also working with the software community to handle these returns electronically at a future date.The IRS also reminded taxpayers with Social Security, Railroad Retirement or veterans’ benefits who have already filed but did not report their qualifying benefits on either Line 14a of Form 1040A or Line 20a of Form 1040 that they may need to file an amended return in some situations to receive a larger stimulus payment.Taxpayers who already have filed but did not report these benefits can file an amended return by using Form 1040X, which can only be filed with a paper form.The IRS reminded taxpayers who don’t have any other requirement to file a tax return that submitting a tax return to qualify for the economic stimulus payments does not create any additional tax or trigger a tax bill. In addition, the stimulus payments will not have any effect on eligibility for federal benefits.The IRS is working with the Social Security Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs and other organizations to ensure that recipients are aware of the need to file a tax return to receive their stimulus payment in 2008.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

File 1040 Stimulas Package

On Wednesday President Bush signed into law H.R. 5140, the economic stimulus package. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said that rebate checks could be in the mail as early as May. Individuals will receive $600, couples will receive $1200, and an additional $300 will be given for each child under 17. Individuals and couples earning over $75,000 and $150,000, respectively, will have their eligibility phased out. Individuals who earn $3,000, receive Social Security or are disabled veterans will receive $300.

Saturday, February 16, 2008

For Elder a loss of Control and Power Courts strip elders of their independence
Within minutes ,judges send seniors to supervised care. Massachusetts Probate and Family Court where judges routinely fast track infirm elders into the care of guardians
No opportunity to object, no right to have a lawyer representation.
No chance to be in the courtroom
No medical required by court rules
No patient long term prognosis
No independent fact finder inquiry.
Problem no relatives involved.
"Un befriended elders" no relatives or even friends, petitioners
mostly hospitals and nursing homes assert person is incapacitated.
After the court declares someone mentally ill and appoints a guardian the patients vanish.
No mechanism in place to protect their interest from unregulated guardians
Massachusetts provides no legal council for incapacitated elders "If criminal defendants are guaranteed an attorney, elders who have done nothing wrong ought to have the same protection"
Chief Justice of Probate presses for an overhaul
YEAR LONG REVIEW.
Probate Courts will begin demanding greater medical proof that the guardianship is warranted
Additional training in guardianship cases for judges, lawyers and guardians
Massachusetts not in forefront in terms of guardianship reform.
Overhauls of probate law mired in legislature for nearly a decade
Legislation should include:
1. Detailed Medical Information
2. Limit the scope of guardianship powers
3. Examine the guardianship qualifications
4. Provide for the incapacitated person to be present at the hearing
5. Have a right to council
6. Additional court approval for nursing home placements
7. Mandate guardians file detailed annual reports on physical and mental health
8, Create Public Guardianship Commission.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Change needed in private Health Insurance

The private insurance system's main techniques for holding down costs are practicing risk selection, limiting the services covered, constraining payments to providers, and shifting costs to patients. But given the system's fragmentation and perverse incentives, much cost-effective care is squeezed out, resources are increasingly allocated in response to profit opportunities rather than medical need, many attainable efficiencies are not achieved, unnecessary medical care is provided for profit, administrative expenses are high, and enormous sums are squandered in efforts to game the system. The result is a blend of overtreatment and undertreatment — and escalating costs. Researchers calculate

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Seniors in our group gave a scholarship to Malden high for student who participated in Mass Senior Action Program.
With the cooperation of Mystic Valley Elder Services And the Council of Aging Director Christine DePietro we were able to get a Shine representative at the Senior Center on a permanent basis to help seniors get assistance with the health and welfare programs under State And Federal programs
We were able to get increase in funding for the Shine Program at the State House
MSAC members were active in getting Prescription Advantage funded originally and then to get open enrollment for the program.
We with the cooperation of the local TV station and the state representative of Elder affairs started an out reach program to inform Malden Seniors of the program.
We were successful in getting our State House Representatives and Senators to give us support
(We urge you to contact them to get needed verification)
In discussion individually and as a group with Mayor Howard we were urged to get participation
of our Seniors in the government process and also to inform them of programs that are run for their benefit though the local Non-Profits( who were furnished grants for this purpose)
One of our past Accomplishments was participating in finding a sight and in discussion with Mayor Howard presenting our thoughts on a new Senior Center.
Thanks to his forward thinking and the cooperation (at our urging) of the City Council the new Senior Center is a reality. (We urge you to contact them of our efforts in keeping them informed on senior issues)
We now have a Senior from our organization on the Board at Tri Cap to offer our organized Seniors their help and keep us informed on what efforts are being made to assure the services
We are looking forward to getting some of Malden non profits as affiliates of our organization
and cooperating with organizations interested in Senior concerns about health and welfare.
We want to bring the Mass Senior Action Mission Statement to Malden
We have participated in the planning of the Senior Center by attending meeting of the building planning committee and the Senior Center to observe progress and advise the views of present Seniors.
We ran a survey of the Seniors, across ethnic lines at the Senior Center on a one on one
basis to get maximum participation about their expectations for the new senior center.
COPIES FURNISHED TO:
MAYOR HOWARD
CITY COUNCILORS
COUNCIL OF AGING DIRECTOR
VISION FOR MALDEN
MASS SENIOR ACTION BOARD MEMBERS
MATV.
This Survey Graphs furnish by State Mass Senior Action from information Furnished by Metro North Chapter.
After talking with Mayor Howard on the survey he indicated that as the Senior Center progresses he would like to do a city wide outreach program to the community on its status and the Benefit to all in the community and we hope our Senior population will embrace his concept.
We think our organization can make a major contribution to the effort of the Vision for Malden
if we can introduce our organizer skills of Mass Senior Action to Malden

Monday, February 4, 2008

Assited Living

Assisted Living Program Overview
The Office of Elder Affairs certifies Assisted Living Residences in Massachusetts and offers the Assisted Living Ombudsman Program to provide advocacy, information and complaint resolution to consumers.
One of the most rapidly growing forms of residential long-term care in Massachusetts is Assisted Living. Assisted Living Residences (ALRs) offer a combination of housing, meals and personal care services to adults on a rental basis. Assisted living residences are not the same as licensed nursing facilities; ALRs do not provide medical or nursing services. They are not designed for people who need serious medical care.
Instead, assisted living is intended for adults who may need some help with activities such as housecleaning, meals, bathing, dressing and/or medication reminders and who would like the security of having assistance available on a 24 hour basis in a residential and non-institutional environment. The underlying philosophy of assisted living is based on providing needed services to residents in a way that enhances their autonomy, privacy and individuality. Residents have the right to make choices in all aspects of their lives.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Contact

Mass-Care
The Massachusetts Campaign for Single Payer Health Care

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About Mass-Care
Mass-Care’s mission is to establish a Single Payer Health Care System in Massachusetts so that all residents of the Commonwealth will have access to comprehensive, quality, affordable and equitable health care because it is basic to life and human dignity. Mass-Care was launched in 1995 as a coalition of Massachusetts organizations sharing a deep concern about the inequities of our health care system. Our organization’s strategic mission is premised on the belief that only a large-scale grassroots movement will be able to win reform that guarantees universal single payer health care.
The grassroots effort of our organization distinguishes Mass-Care from the efforts of other groups in Massachusetts that are funded primarily by power-brokers in the business community and health industry. Mass-Care sponsors the Massachusetts Health Care Trust bill, which would establish a single payer health care system providing comprehensive health care for all residents of Massachusetts. Mass-Care supports Medicare for All, a Congressional effort to establish a national single-payer system.
Mass-Care is an umbrella organization for more than 100 member organizations that represent diverse constituencies including the elderly, low income people, various religious groups, labor unions, teachers, nurses, social workers, doctors, women, immigrants, and local towns and cities. Together these organizations represent over 500,000 Massachusetts residents who are active, enthusiastic supporters of single payer reform in Massachusetts.
OTHER RESOURCES
What Is Single Payer Health Care?
Frequently Asked Questions About Single Payer
Massachusetts Health Care Trust (State Single Payer Legislation)
Medicare for All (National Single Payer Legislation)
The Mass-Care Coalition
Site Map
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Universal Health Care

Contact

Mass-Care
The Massachusetts Campaign for Single Payer Health Care

-->
About -->
About Mass-Care
Mass-Care’s mission is to establish a Single Payer Health Care System in Massachusetts so that all residents of the Commonwealth will have access to comprehensive, quality, affordable and equitable health care because it is basic to life and human dignity. Mass-Care was launched in 1995 as a coalition of Massachusetts organizations sharing a deep concern about the inequities of our health care system. Our organization’s strategic mission is premised on the belief that only a large-scale grassroots movement will be able to win reform that guarantees universal single payer health care.
The grassroots effort of our organization distinguishes Mass-Care from the efforts of other groups in Massachusetts that are funded primarily by power-brokers in the business community and health industry. Mass-Care sponsors the Massachusetts Health Care Trust bill, which would establish a single payer health care system providing comprehensive health care for all residents of Massachusetts. Mass-Care supports Medicare for All, a Congressional effort to establish a national single-payer system.
Mass-Care is an umbrella organization for more than 100 member organizations that represent diverse constituencies including the elderly, low income people, various religious groups, labor unions, teachers, nurses, social workers, doctors, women, immigrants, and local towns and cities. Together these organizations represent over 500,000 Massachusetts residents who are active, enthusiastic supporters of single payer reform in Massachusetts.
OTHER RESOURCES
What Is Single Payer Health Care?
Frequently Asked Questions About Single Payer
Massachusetts Health Care Trust (State Single Payer Legislation)
Medicare for All (National Single Payer Legislation)
The Mass-Care Coalition
Site Map

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Medicare Traditional Vs Medicare Advantage

Democrats also are focused on trimming payments to private health insurers that serve older people and the disabled. Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana, who heads the Senate Finance Committee, has said a hard look at the payments and the marketing practices of insurers is long overdue.
The insurance companies provide coverage to about 9 million people through a program known as Medicare Advantage. The government, on average, spends about 12% more for beneficiaries treated through Medicare Advantage than it does for those in traditional Medicare. Under regular Medicare, the government simply reimburses a provider a set rate for a particular service.
But Leavitt said the administration will not support cutting money for Medicare Advantage.
"We want to protect it, enhance it and expand