North American Network

Pennsylvanians have until January 15th to buy health-insurance during the open-enrollment period for “Pennie”—the state’s “Affordable Care Act”-marketplace. And, they might be able to save money on premiums—thanks to expanded federal tax-credits. That’s according to Angela Foreshaw-Rouse—“A-A-R-P Pennsylvania’s” community-engagement manager… “The recently enacted ‘American Rescue Plan’ increases t...

As Kansas enters 2022, tens-of-thousands of hard-working residents still lack affordable healthcare. That’s according to April Holman, of the “Alliance for a Healthy Kansas”… “When the Legislature reconvenes on January 10th, 165-thousand Kansans will be counting on their lawmakers to expand Kan-Care—the state’s Medicaid-program. Our parents, small-business employees, and farmers—many of whom are b...

THIS HOLIDAY-SEASON IS FOCUSED ON GRATITUDE; AVOID THE PITFALLS OF LAST-MINUTE SHOPPING, BY BUYING A GIFT THAT SHOWS LOVE AND APPRECIATION. AMANDA GIZZI IS WITH “JEWELERS OF AMERICA”… “AS THE HOLIDAY-SEASON PROGRESSES, DON’T FALL INTO THE PITFALLS OF LAST-MINUTE SHOPPING—AND BUYING GENERIC GIFTS WITH NO MEANING. GIVE YOUR LOVED-ONES A GIFT OF JEWELRY. WITH ONE TRIP TO YOUR LOCAL, REPUTABLE JEWELER...

Tens-of-thousands of low-income Kansans currently lack affordable healthcare—because the Legislature failed to expand Kan-Care this year. That’s according to April Holman, of the “Alliance for a Healthy Kansas”… “Kansas is one of only 12 states that have yet to expand Medicaid. Yet, such a move would help 165-thousand residents, including parents, farmers, and small-business employees; many are be...

A new study from “A-A-R-P’s Fraud-Watch Network” finds that many holiday-shoppers might be opening themselves up to risk. Mary Bach is a volunteer with “A-A-R-P Pennsylvania’s” “Consumer-Issues Task-Force”… “Two-thirds of Pennsylvanians will use their debit-cards—even though credit-cards and digital wallets are safer to use online. And, almost as many plan to buy gift-cards off the rack—even thoug...

-- (:30) -- “A-A-R-P California” recuerda a todos que el proyecto de ley federal de alivio por el “Covid” aumenta la ayuda financiera para las primas de la “Ley del Cuidado de Salud a Bajo Precio”, a la vez que amplía el acceso. De hecho, se podría ayudar a casi un millón y medio de residentes entre 50 a 64 años. La oportunidad de inscribirse bajo “Covered California” está abierta hasta fines de e...

-- (:30) -- This year’s federal coronavirus-relief bill increases financial help for “Affordable Care Act”-related premiums—while also expanding access. In fact, almost one-and-a-half-million Californians—ages-50 to -64—could be helped. Because of the pandemic, “Covered California’s” enrollment-window remains open—through the end of January ’22. But, if you have questions now, “A-A-R-P” is here to...

A new study from “A-A-R-P’s Fraud-Watch Network” finds that many holiday-shoppers—including throughout Alabama—might be opening themselves up to risk. Jamie Harding is with “A-A-R-P Alabama”… “The study finds that a full three-fourths of Alabamians will use their debit-cards—even though credit-cards are safer to use online. And, almost two-thirds of Alabamians plan to purchase gift-cards, with the...

A new study from “A-A-R-P’s Fraud-Watch Network” finds that many holiday-shoppers—including throughout Mississippi—might be opening themselves up to risk. Kimberly L- Campbell is “A-A-R-P Mississippi’s” state-director… “The study finds that two-thirds of Americans will use their debit-cards—even though credit-cards and digital wallets are safer to use online. Roughly two-thirds also plan to purcha...

As Congress begins to wrap up business later this month, it is still considering a new incentive to encourage people to buy electric vehicles. But, instead of giving the same cash-incentive for all electric vehicles made in the U-S, some Democrats want to specifically give an extra 45-hundred dollars—if the vehicle is made by unionized workers. Susan Elkington—the president of Toyota’s plant in Ge...

While “COVID-19” may have exposed issues in Florida’s nursing-homes and other long-term-care facilities, those problems definitely aren’t new. That’s according to Jeff Johnson—the state-director of “A-A-R-P Florida”—who adds that lawmakers should focus on the increased need for accountability and safety in Florida’s long-term-care system… “Even before the pandemic, some facilities were being cited...

This Wednesday [December 1st], “A-A-R-P Maryland” will hold a series of online events—with experts from law-enforcement and consumer-protection agencies—to help Marylanders protect themselves against holiday-fraud. Hank Greenberg is the group’s state-director… “Scammers deploy a number of tactics during the holidays—including scams that target online shopping, involve the draining of gift-cards, o...

As Americans gear up for the holiday-season, the continuing pandemic will drive more shoppers online. According to the “U-S Chamber of Commerce”, this will also embolden criminals peddling counterfeit goods—so shoppers need to take extra care. Kasie [like “Casey”] Brill is with the Chamber’s “Global Innovation Policy Center”… “Physical counterfeiting already costs the global economy over half-a-tr...

Medicare-plans can change from year to year. And, now’s the time for Pennsylvanians to look at their own coverage—and to make any changes that might be needed for 2022. That’s according to Angela Foreshaw-Rouse—“A-A-R-P Pennsylvania’s” community-engagement manager… “During Medicare’s annual open-enrollment period—which runs through December 7th—you can either join or switch plans, for both healthc...

Veterans, active-duty service-members, and their families are nearly 40-percent more likely than civilians to lose money to fraud. That’s according to a new, national report from “A-A-R-P”—which also finds that four-in-five were targeted by a scam directly relating to either their military-service, or the benefits that they receive. Stacy Pennington is “A-A-R-P Tennessee’s” associate state-directo...

Veterans, active-duty service-members, and their families are nearly 40-percent more likely than civilians to lose money to fraud. That’s according to a new, national report from “A-A-R-P”—which also finds that four-in-five were targeted by a scam directly relating to either their military-service, or the benefits that they receive. The Reverend Jim Thurman is a volunteer on veterans-issues for “A...

(The updated rankings for all states—plus D.C.—are available at https://www.hospitalsafetygrade.org/your-hospitals-safety-grade/state-rankings.) -- GENERAL/NATIONAL WRAP (:60) -- Some hospitals are better at protecting their patients than others. That’s why the nonprofit watchdog, “The Leapfrog Group”, issues its “Hospital-Safety Grade”, twice a year; the report features a letter-grade of “A”, “B”...

Some members-of-Congress have proposed creating a new tax-incentive to purchase electric vehicles; however, they want to give an extra cash-incentive, exclusively for vehicles built by unionized workers at G-M, Ford, and Stellantis—the new name for Chrysler. Jack Hollis, of “Toyota Motor North America”, says that—in addition to being counterproductive—such legislation would be unfair to consumers,...

A new tool from “A-A-R-P” aims to help both veterans and military-families navigate their healthcare-options. This includes details about what’s required to qualify for benefits from either the “Department of Veterans Affairs” or the “Department of Defense”. Hank Greenberg is “A-A-R-P Maryland’s” state-director… “Now more than ever, veterans and military-families need help accessing the benefits t...

November is “National Family-Caregivers Month”, to honor the over 40-million caregivers, across the country—including the more than one-point-six-million Pennsylvanians who support aging parents, ill spouses, or other loved-ones with disabilities who remain at home. And now, “A-A-R-P Pennsylvania” has developed a guide that aims to help them with their responsibilities. Valda Branison is a volunte...

November is “National Family-Caregivers Month”. And, according to “A-A-R-P Mississippi”, each year, 470-thousand family-caregivers—throughout the state—provide unpaid contributions that are worth four-point-seven-billion dollars. Kimberly L- Campbell is the group’s state-director… “Family-caregivers provide an immense contribution—often at a significant, personal cost, and with little guidance: Th...

Louisianans who are looking to replace their roof—such as after a storm—might want to look at impact-resistant shingles. That’s according to Kevin Gamble, of “State Farm”… “The average lifespan of some roofs is 20 years. But, in areas that are prone to severe weather, they might need to be replaced every seven to 10 years. Impact-resistant shingles provide a stronger, safer, and more-durable roof:...

-- (:30) -- Flu-season is here. And, an annual flu-shot remains your best protection against the flu. What’s more, your health-plan often covers the cost. “United-Healthcare” urges you to check your benefits, and to make an appointment—either by calling your physician, or by visiting a local pharmacy or convenience-care clinic. It’s also a good time to get caught up with any routine or recommended...

How can Alaska make its communities more livable—especially for its older residents? Next week, “A-A-R-P Alaska” will co-host a three-day, online workshop about the issue, with Gil Penalosa—the executive-director of the Canadian-based nonprofit, “Eight/80 Cities”. Katie Severin is with “A-A-R-P Alaska”… “‘Eight/80 Cities’ derives its name from the idea that we should strive for communities that ar...

As demand in the labor-market continues to grow—and businesses need more workers—all Floridians should take advantage of the current opportunity. That’s according to Henry Mack—the Florida Department of Education’s “Chancellor for Career-, Technical-, and Adult-Education”… “It’s never too late to learn. And, for those who are looking to learn math, reading, or English, for academic- or training-pu...