President Joe Biden’s nominee to head the Social Security Administration on Thursday promised senators that he would address hardships the agency has caused by trying to recoup billions of dollars it mistakenly overpays beneficiaries each year.
Category Archives: National
Labor Market Improves for Another Month in October
The United States added 150,000 new jobs in October, according to the monthly report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Average hourly wages rose 4.1 percent from a year earlier and by 7 cents, or 0.2 percent, compared to September. The national unemployment rate changed little at 3.9 percent. The largest gains were seen …
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Start Shopping: Enrollment Begins Nov. 1 for Most Obamacare Insurance Plans
Open enrollment starts Nov. 1 for the ACA’s federal and state exchanges. Consumers can go online, call, or seek help from a broker or other assister to learn their 2024 coverage options, calculate their potential subsidies, or change plans.
Medicare Enrollees Can Switch Coverage Now. Here’s What’s New and What to Consider.
It’s annual open enrollment time again for the 65 million Americans covered by Medicare, the federal health program for older people and some people with disabilities.
Not Religious, Not Voting? The ‘Nones’ are a Powerful Force in Politics – but not yet a Coalition
Nearly 30% of Americans say they have no religious affiliation. Today the so-called “nones” represent about 30% of Democrats and 12% of Republicans – and they are making their voices heard.
Does an Apple a Day Really Keep the Doctor Away? A Nutritionist Explains the Science Behind ‘Functional’ Foods
We’ve all heard that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but how true is that?
US Losing Fitch’s Top AAA Credit Rating may Portend Future Economic Weakness
The formerly pristine reputation of the U.S. government’s debt lost a little more luster after another prominent rating agency demoted Uncle Sam from its AAA perch.
A New Law Is Supposed to Protect Pregnant Workers — But What If We Don’t Know How?
Vanessa Langness had always been a bit worried about the chemicals she worked with as a biomedical researcher, but when she got pregnant in October, her concerns grew.
As Low-Nicotine Cigarettes Hit the Market, Anti-Smoking Groups Press for Wider Standard
The idea seems simple enough. Preserve all the rituals of smoking: Light up a cigarette, inhale the smoke, including the nasty stuff that can kill you, and exhale.
Supreme Court Says State Lawmakers Can’t Just Ignore State Law when Drawing Voting Districts or Choosing Presidential Electors
For months, legislators, legal scholars and people simply interested in democracy and elections were fixated on a case before the Supreme Court, Moore v. Harper. Those following the case, which asked the justices to rule on the “independent state legislature doctrine,” have held their collective breath awaiting the outcome, which could have changed fundamental aspects of U.S. elections and politics.