By Blanca Taylor
Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Social Security and Medicare are both programs that are household names, but do you know the true difference? Both programs help safeguard millions of Americans as well as improve the quality of life for their family and friends. While Social Security offers retirement, disability, and survivors benefits, Medicare provides health insurance.
Medicare is our country’s health insurance program for people age 65 or older and younger people receiving Social Security disability benefits. The program helps with the cost of health care, but it doesn’t cover all medical expenses or the cost of most long-term care.
When you first enroll in Medicare and during certain times of the year, you can choose how you get your Medicare coverage. There are 2 main ways to get Medicare: Continue reading
By Blanca Taylor
Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
Scammers have become more aggressive and sophisticated in the digital age. With millions of people relying on Social Security and Medicare, scammers target audiences who are looking for legitimate program and benefit information. Scammers sometimes try to scare people into giving out their personal information. Never give someone who called you any personal information unless you absolutely know who they are.
The law that addresses misleading Social Security and Medicare advertising prohibits people or non-government businesses from using words or emblems that mislead others. Their advertising can’t claim that they represent, are somehow affiliated with, or are endorsed or approved by Social Security or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (Medicare). Continue reading
On August 19, 2019, in News Releases, by Staff
Fort Myers, Fla. — Today, Governor DeSantis announced that Hurricane Irma costs in Florida have reached $2.63 billion, triggering an increase in the federal cost share from 75 percent to 90 percent. Along with this announcement, Governor DeSantis submitted a letter to President Trump officially requesting this increase in the federal cost share, which will save the state and local governments more than $160 million. Read more at https://www.flgov.com/2019/08/19/governor-ron-desantis-announces-threshold-met-for-increased-federal-cost-share-for-hurricane-irma/
Tallahassee, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointments of Dr. Zachariah Zachariah, Dr. Scott Ackerman and Dr. David Diamond to the Florida Board of Medicine.
Dr. Zachariah Zachariah
Zachariah, of Fort Lauderdale, is a cardiologist and internal medicine doctor. He is the Medical Director at UHealth Cardiology, Fort Lauderdale and a member of the clinical faculty at the University of Miami. He received his medical degree from the Armed Forces Medical College in India and completed his residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. He served as Chairman of the Florida Board of Medicine from 1990-1992, 2000-2001 and 2013-2014. Zachariah is appointed to a four-year term. Continue reading
A MONTHLY COLUMN EXCLUSIVE TO PRESS ASSOCIATIONS
SEPTEMBER 2019
Publisher’s Note: This is the first 7 paragraphs of a report by a long time newspaper Guru.
The once powerful Gannett media company — publishers of the Sioux Falls Argus-Leader, Des Moines Register, USA Today and 106 other mostly daily newspapers — has announced it will merge with GateHouse Media. GateHouse is reported to own 156 dailies across America.
Of course, it isn’t really a merger, Gannett is being assumed by GateHouse. Both companies have seen steady grown through acquisitions during recent years, but neither is doing well financially. By combining into one company, the new organization should see huge savings in operational costs and possible increases in advertising revenue. GateHouse, traditionally, operates with less staff than Gannett and is known for cutting staff whenever it buys an additional publication.
Gannett moved mostly away from a focus on the printed newspaper a year and a half ago, putting emphasis on producing its digital products. Gannett and GateHouse, which is owned by New Media Investment Group, are believers in consolidated management and minimum local operating expenses. Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—As millions of Florida children begin a new school year, Attorney General Ashley Moody is reaching out directly to students and parents with tips and resources. The weeklong #BackToSchoolOAG campaign will provide information about internet safety, the dangers of drug use, risks associated with vaping and more.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “This week, millions of children and teens in Florida will head back to school, and with a new academic year comes new risks and challenges that parents may not be thinking about. Online games and apps can create a venue for human traffickers to stalk children, drugs pose a major health threat, and the alarming increase in teen vaping cannot be ignored.
“Through #BackToSchoolOAG, I hope we can reach parents and students as the academic year begins to encourage a continuous, open dialogue about some of the extremely important challenges facing Florida students today.” Continue reading
Marion County Genealogical Society will meet Thursday, September 19, 2019 from 2pm – 4pm at the Marion County Public Library, 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL. Lisa Louise Cooke will present “Google Earth for Genealogy” via a webinar. There is no charge and everyone is invited. For more information visit www.mcgsocala.org or call (352) 897-0840.
This month, students will be returning to school in the tri-county area. Your child’s safety is our number one priority. Please take a few moments to review back-to-school safety with your child.
Walking To School
If your child walks to school, make sure there are sidewalks along the way. If you are not able to walk with your child, remember there is safety in numbers so have your child walk with siblings or other neighborhood children. Being hit by a car is by far the greatest threat to any child walking to school. Make sure your kids stay on the sidewalk and only cross at crosswalks. Remember to remind your children to never, ever stop to talk to strangers on the way to and from school and, most importantly, never to get into any vehicle with a stranger. These could potentially be life threatening situations. Continue reading
Over the last year, you have probably heard and read a lot from the Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP) on the topic of workforce and talent development or NEXT works as we call it. When the CEP Board adopted our new 5-year strategic plan, Moving Forward-Phase II, in late 2016 it highlighted Talent Development as one of the two signature new project areas for the CEP. This new emphasis has really come into focus over the last couple of years. I want to discuss why this is such an important emphasis for the CEP and then explain what we are doing.
As communities across the country have been rebounding and growing post-Great Recession, one of the areas that it became apparent had suffered was talent development. As companies, communities, and schools struggled to just remain viable, the importance of investing in workforce often went to the side. When this is coupled with the pending retirement of millions of Baby Boomers, a talent deficit becomes a clear reality. It is our belief that talent development is incredibly significant to the continued growth of our community. In fact, we believe the communities which figure out talent, will be the communities that win the next half century. Continue reading
What Rights Are You Born With?
Our forefathers and mothers designed laws to help hold this great nation together. When you are born in America you are entitled to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness! Our men and women fought and some died to ensure yours and my liberty. When you break our laws then you are punished, but you are innocent until proven guilty. Actually when you are born anywhere else of this world you should have Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness but some countries have different beliefs or laws. Remember nothing is free, you must earn what you get! NO free tuition, NO free healthcare, NO free abortions, NO free housing, etc. The Socialists are wrong! Because of our fast pace mobile world, millionaires can move anywhere in the world and there many places that will not tax them for most of their money to feed, house, abort, pay doctors with the money they have earned. Remember with Socialism the wealthy pay but the politicians don’t! The wealthy move and taxing goes on until there is nothing left except Government control. Anyone that preaches Socialism knows that! Continue reading
