HUD TO OFFER HOUSING ASSISTANCE TO 4,000 AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES

June 22, 2009 - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today joined President Obama's commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision by announcing that it will offer rental assistance to 4,000 non-elderly families with disabilities, including 1,000 vouchers specifically targeted to those transitioning out of nursing homes and other care facilities. Through its funding notice, HUD is seeking comment from public housing authorities and others to ensure this critically needed assistance is distributed and administered in the most effective manner possible.
Read Full Press Release

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Ohio Insurance Reform

ACT NOW  Your Senator Can Bring About Fair  Health Insurance Rates

Ask Your Senator to "Keep the Open Enrollment Reforms in H.B. 1" Paying claims costs insurers money, so they have a powerful reason to protect themselves against covering individuals in less-than-perfect health. In Ohio, insurers can deny coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions, exclude coverage for a pre-existing condition, or charge higher premiums.  Over a decade ago, Ohio created an Open Enrollment Program for people who were denied coverage. Unfortunately, that Program no longer works because the extremely high premiums are out of reach for most Ohioans. Over 196,063 Ohioans between ages 50-64 are uninsured and that number is growing with more lay-offs and plant closures every day. For these individuals, who do not have employer-based coverage, insurance rates in 2010 are expected to average $815 per individual per month. Some insurers are advertising rates that exceed $3,000 per individual per month.  This can be fixed. The new Open Enrollment Program in House Bill One will narrow the wide variation in premiums. It will also limit "cherry picking"... also known as "segmentation," to prevent unfair discrimination against individuals with less-than-perfect health or with perceived health risks.          There's no time to delay.      Please Call 1-888-844-5009 You will be connected to the office of Your Senator.  Tell Your Senator...  "Fix It Now. Keep the Open Enrollment Reforms that were passed by the House.  HB 1 -- State Budget Bill."  Please send this Alert to others who support fair insurance rates.  From AARP

Standard Mileage Rates

The 2008 standard mileage rates were:

• Business miles driven - 50.5 cents per mile from January 1, 2008, through June 30, 2008, and 58.5 cents per mile for July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008.
• Medical and Moving miles driven - 19 cents per mile from January 1, 2008, through June 30, 2008, and 27 cents per mile for July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008.
• Miles driven in service of charitable organizations - 14 cents per mile for the whole year.

The 2009 standard mileage rates are:

• Business miles driven - 55 cents per mile.
  
• Medical and Moving miles driven - 24 cents per mile.
• Miles driven in service of charitable organizations - 14 cents per mile.

(Reference: IRS Announcement, November 24, 2008)

Blogged with the Flock Browser