We already knew Social Security benefits were rising 2.5% due to the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). We now know Medicare premiums will increase, as well, cutting into the increase for most recipients. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the part B premium for most recipients will increase by $10.30 from $174.70…
Just when the Social Security Agency finally had a progressive, engaged commissioner in former mayor of Baltimore and governor of Maryland, he’s gone. Effective November 29th Martin O’Malley is resigning to run for chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Among other positive changes made during O’Malley’s all too brief tenure as commissioner was modification of…
Summer 2021 Newsletter STILL STANDING…AND PRACTICING I published the first issue of Social Security & You in Spring of 1993. Some years I’ve published more issues than others. The most recent issue was dated Spring 2019: over 2 years ago. The world was a much different place then. Especially for me. Read the full newsletter…
Spring 2019 Newsletter An Opioid Story I’ve changed his name. Let’s call him Gerald. He was a laborer. And by that I don’t mean that he just did physical work. He was a card-carrying member the Labor’s Union local. And that meant a lot to him. I represented him for Social Security disability and Michigan…
The flu vaccine administered each fall is based on an educated guess by scientists and public health physicians. The virus mutates and changes every year and the goal is to prepare and distribute a vaccine tailored to the current year’s flu.
Some years there are more than one vaccine and more than one flu. It appears the vaccine administered last fall did not hit the mark as wide-spread flu out breaks of the most serious strain, influenza A, are reported in over 50 % of the nation, including Michigan.
The Center for Disease Control is reporting this season’s numbers are approaching the very busy 2012-2013 flu season. By comparison, last year’s numbers were relatively low.
Despite the lack of a perfect match, public health officials and physicians are still recommending people who have not had a flu shot yet to get one. The timing of flu outbreaks can vary widely throughout the country and localities that that experienced an early outbreak could see it come back again before the season is over.