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When Congress passed a $1.3 trillion spending bill at the end of March, they included a funding increase for the Social Security Administration.  The increase is an attempt to reduce the backlog of disability claims that stretch past 1 million claims. The appropriations bill increases funding to the SSA by…

Lavern’s Law, a bill named after a woman who died of cancer in 2013 after doctors missed a diagnosis of lung cancer, was recently signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo.  The bill changes the beginning date for the statute of limitations in New York State for certain types of medical malpractice…

Medicaid is a health insurance program that is funded by federal and state governments to provide benefits for senior citizens, low-income and needy people, pregnant women, children, and people who are disabled. President Trump has proposed reducing spending on Medicaid by $800 billion over the next ten years.  His advisors…

The United States is investigating lenders who are allegedly pressuring veterans into mortgage refinances they don’t need. Ginnie May, a government-owned corporation that exists to make mortgages more affordable, is conducting the probe.  Ginnie Mae guarantees repayment on $2 trillion in mortgage bonds, even if borrowers default on their loans….

If you are expecting a child it is important to understand the risk factors during pregnancy and at birth.  The most common injuries that occur during pregnancy are brain development injuries due to lack of oxygen or infection and fetal alcohol syndrome.  The most common causes for these are maternal…

Large trucks cause more damage in accidents than smaller passenger cars, and, sadly, drug and alcohol use is responsible for many truck crashes each year. The number of intoxicated truck drivers involved in fatal accidents increased between 2014 and 2015, according to the Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts report…

Steve and his wife, Peggy, have been struggling to keep up with their $40,000 in unsecured debt.  They have wiped out their savings, but they have been able to keep current on their house and car payments.  Every day the couple deals with calls from collectors, but they are hesitant…

President Trump’s budget proposal includes unprecedented cuts to programs that benefit poor and working class families. For example, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as food stamps, will be cut by $192 billion over the next ten years.  Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, better known as welfare, will be…

Tax refunds in the United States average $3,000.  Among the many groups that hope to receive some of those refunds include debt collectors and predatory loan sharks. Michael Bovee, president of Consumer Recovery Network, a debt settlement company in Washington, explains that collectors place calls and send mailings more frequently…