Page 4 - Consumer Issues News Today

As Nebraskas 2024 legislative session draws to a close, family caregivers and their supporters are closely watching the progress of Legislative Bill 937, the Caregiver Tax Credit Act. The bill provides eligible family caregivers up to $2,000 in tax credits for out-of-pocket expenses or up to $3,000 if the family member receiving care has dementia or is a veteran. Jina Ragland, state director of advocacy and outreach for AARP Nebraska, said family caregivers are filling health care gaps in the ...

Responding to a recent viral video alleging unauthorised fund transfers from an individual’s bank account, Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB) in a statement on Friday said that it is working closely with the relevant parties and, if necessary, will act accordingly to minimise any impact the issue may have on the bank’s clients and the […]

April is National Volunteer Month, and Nebraskans rank high nationwide for their willingness to volunteer. In the most recent Census Bureau/AmeriCorps report, Nebraska ranked seventh in the nation for formal volunteering and second for informal volunteering. However, many nonprofits still need more help. ...

Utah seniors could qualify for dual-use special-needs plans, which offer standard Medicare benefits as well as additional unique coverage and services. Kolbi Young, public information officer for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, said the plans help individuals who are dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid to coordinate their care and provide them with what she calls "enhanced benefits," between the two programs. "D-SNP plans may offer extra ...

Arizona is one of the states with the highest percentage of eligible seniors enrolled in dual-use special-needs plans but there is a push to get even more on board. In 2021, 47% of eligible Arizonans were signed up, sitting well above the national average of 29%, according to KFF. Dr. ...

A new report found Connecticut might be better off without its film industry tax credit. The Connecticut Voices for Children report showed the film industry tax credit costs the state more than $60 million dollars a year, which means between 2007 and 2023, the state lost around $900 million. Patrick OBrien, research and policy director at Connecticut Voices for Children and author of the report, said it plays into the states regressive tax system because it is not targeted to low and middle-in...

From expiring pandemic aid to declining enrollment, school districts in Minnesota face financial pressure and public school advocates and community organizations said long-term improvements are the answer, not short-term cuts. In a survey from the Association of Metropolitan School Districts, large school systems across Minnesota report a combined shortfall of $317 million. On Tuesday, the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers led a gathering of local groups, calling on district leaders to rethink...

Meals on Wheels programs could be a powerful tool for addressing the needs of people living with dementia, according to a study from Ohio State University researchers. The community-based program delivers weekly meals to food-insecure seniors. Lisa Juckett, assistant professor of occupational therapy at Ohio State University, conducted interviews with caregivers, people living with dementia, and the staff of LifeCareAlliance, the largest Meals on Wheels provider in the state. ...

The cattle industry and health officials in Texas are on alert after a person contracted avian flu while working around infected cattle in the Texas Panhandle. According to the Department of State Health Services, the patient was diagnosed with bird flu after experiencing eye inflammation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the diagnosis. ...

Oregon lawmakers during the 2024 session took another step to further limit the price of insulin. Gov. Tina Kotek signed a bill into law to cap out-of-pocket insulin prices at $35 per month. ...