Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) are promoting the Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy, or the BRIDGE Act. The proposed legislation would protect deportation reprieves and at least 740,000 young immigrants who received work permits as low priority removal candidates with no criminal record, under the Obama administration, allowing DACA recipients to keep those benefits for three additional years. Senators Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) are also supporting the bill. It is unclear how much support the bill will have in the Republican-controlled Senate.

Many welcomed the introduction of the bill, noting that the United States has invested in educating young immigrants who were brought here as children, and three-quarters of a million of them have come forward to pursue higher education and become tax-paying members of society.

The young immigrants who qualify for Obama’s deferred action initiative are often referred to as DREAMers because they constitute most of the individuals who meet the requirements of the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, a legislative proposal that has so far failed to pass Congress.

Please call Banerjee & Associates for more information

According to Rowan, there are around 300,000 “bad paper” discharges, and a plan for identifying those veterans will require work from both the President and President-elect. Rowan also stated in the letter that the pardon will help “save the current generation of America’s warriors” by providing them with health care and veteran’s benefits they deserve after faithfully serving our country.

Included in the discharges up for debate are individuals who suffered from post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, and other mental health issues.

Advocates for the pardon also state that many troops kicked out of the ranks for alcohol abuse, drug use, and suicide attempts should receive treatment for their problems instead of being left with insufficient benefits including no free health care.

This is not the first time veterans groups have pushed of action on the problem. In the past, these groups have pushed for congressional action but have not gotten very far. President Obama offered legislation to address the problem in 2008 as a senator, but has avoided comment in recent months as president.

The path through a presidential pardon would provide an immediate relief to these veterans, similar to the situation in 1977 when President Jimmy Carter pardoned individuals who illegally avoided the draft in an effort to unify the country.

As Rowan stated in the letter, “For many of them it is too late. Let’s ensure that their children and grandchildren do not suffer from the same fate.”

The Senate is expected to take up the measure on December 9, 2016, and President Obama is expected to sign the measure once it clears the Senate

In November of 2014, President issued another Executive order granting the same benefit to DAPA (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans). He also extended the DACA to include individuals who came before 2010, and under the age of 31. However that executive action also had other provisions, which both Democrats and Republicans relating to Business Immigration. Most notably H-4 spouses of H-1B holders who has an approved I-140 can apply for work permit. Other Business Immigration visas adjudications would standardize adjudication by Citizenship and Immigration Service memorandum. Please note that these Business Immigration provisions are in place and both Democrats and Republicans agree on these provisions.
State of Texas sued on grounds that DAPA and DACA exceeded the President’s authority. The Supreme was deadlocked 4/4 on the case in June of 2016. The Obama administration filed for another certiorari, but SCOTUS has refused to hear it this coming year when the new Justice is presumably appointed.
The SCOTUS did not give any reason for this refusal. Maybe the SCOTUS thinks that President Obama will not be in office, any Executive Actions he could have taken would be moot. Maybe the Court wants Congress to tackle Comprehensive Immigration Reform. Whatever the case might be, we will be left with people driving without a license or insurance, people falling sick with no health insurance, and people earning without paying taxes. Yes, it makes no sense. This is not a Green Card (Permanent Resident Card), it’s just a work permit so that undocumented aliens can pay their fair share for living in our midst.
For more information contact Banerjee and Associates

Johnson said that DHS is enforcing immigration laws consistent with priorities set by President Obama in November 2014, including public safety and border security. According to Johnson, more than 99 percent of people in immigration detention fit those enforcement priorities, and about 85 percent are in the top priority for removal. 60 percent of people deported by Immigration and Customs Enforcement today are convicted criminals, compared to 35 percent in 2009.

According to Johnson’s statement, the Border Patrol effected 34,463 apprehensions on the southwest border in June 2016, a decrease from May and April, but higher than the number of apprehensions per month in the first quarter of 2016. Overall, apprehensions are higher this year than in fiscal year 2015, but lower than 2014 and 2013. The number of apprehensions is indicative of the number of attempts to illegally cross the border, Johnson said.

Johnson said that he visited Central America in May, for the third time in two years. He said there was a need to provide a legal and safe path to the United States, and that many immigrants from Central America should be regarded as refugees. He also said that the “ultimate solution” is long-term investment to help with the humanitarian crisis and underlying problems in the region.

The legislative action was named for and championed by the family of Raechel and Jacqueline Houck, sisters, 20 and 24, killed in a fiery crash in 2004 when their rental car burst into flames after a striking a semi-truck following an apparent steering hose leak. The vehicle had been recalled for this very same reason prior to the crash, but the rental car company nonetheless continued to rent out the car. In fact, the company rented out the car four times since the recall, the Houck sisters being the fourth.

At the wrongful death lawsuit trial brought by their parents, a manager for the shop in California that rented the car testified that the corporate philosophy of the rental car company was always to “keep booking,” because there was never any assurance of when the vehicle might be returned. But then the company would run short on vehicles. If all that were left in the lot were recalled vehicles, managers were instructed to rent those out too. 

“It was a given,” he testified, even when the rental car company was aware of a recall via a “priority alert” that appeared on screen at rental officers.

Now, it is no longer a given with this amendment to the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act of 2015.

The new law, as explained by officials with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), will ensure that when a family picks up a car for rental on vacation, they have every right to expect it is free from any known safety defect. The law also extends the NHTSA’s recall powers to cover rental car companies, something it did not have in the past. That gives the agency the authority to investigate reported violations of the statute and to punish those who break the rules.

First introduced in 2011, Congress took many passes before finally making it law last year. President Obama signed it into law in December and it’s now formally in effect.

It’s imperative that every vehicle that is recalled – new, used, rented or leased – gets repaired quickly. Rental car companies often operate enormous fleets. Our Miami car accident lawyers know the actions of these large companies affect not only the safety and well-being of their customers, but also of everyone else who shares the road with them.

To give you an example of the scope of the problem, just in 2014 alone, there were almost 900 automotive recalls that affected more than 50 million vehicles in the U.S.

As for the Houck’s wrongful death lawsuit, it was an arduous legal battle, but the company ultimately conceded it had been negligent and agreed to pay a $15 million settlement.

When their mother started advocating for the passage of the FAST Act provision, she initiated a Change.org petition that pressed Enterprise (the defendant in the Houck lawsuit) to forego its opposition to the rental car act. That petition collected more than 100,000 signatures. Ultimately, Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Dollar, Thrifty and National all agreed not to rent out any recall cars. Now, they don’t have a choice.

If you have been a victim of a traffic accident, call Chalik & Chalik at (954) 476-1000 or 1 (800) 873-9040.

Additional Resources:

Years after tragedy, mother claims victory in new rental car protections, June 1, 2016, By Randy Kreider, ABC News

More Blog Entries:

Coffey-Garcia v. South Miami Hospital – Florida Birth Injury Lawsuit, July 4, 2016, Miami Injury Lawyer Blog

The Court ruled that “…The judgment is affirmed by an equally divided Court..”  With these 9 words, the Court split 4 to 4, and without a 9th and deciding Justice, permitted an injunction against implementing these programs imposed by a Texas District Court and upheld by the Fifth Circuit to stand.

As background, in November, 2014, and arising out frustration with Congressional inaction  on comprehensive immigration legislation, President Obama and his Administration created two executive actions programs: Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Permanent Residents (“DAPA”) and an expanded program for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”), an earlier executive action program to benefit certain children who accompanied their parents into the United States at an early age.  The programs if implemented would shield certain parents of U.S. citizens and permanent residents from removal, and certain young people from removal based on enforcement priorities, and would expand who could qualify for DACA.  Texas and 25 other states sued the federal government alleging overreach of the powers of the executive branch in taking these steps.

There has been no trial on the merits, only appeals on the propriety of the injunction decision itself up to the Supreme Court.  The case now goes back to the District Court to be tried.  Procedurally, the Administration could request a rehearing before the full Court.  Whether it does so remains to be seen.

By Marion M. Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP By now, parents have heard the news.  On December 10, 2015, President Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (“ESSA”), which reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and replaces the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (“NCLB”).  This represents a positive development for all students and gives states more flexibility in how to…

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Last month President Obama announced a proposed $168.8 billion budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in 2016, representing a 7.5 percent increase in discretionary spending. Among many other veterans benefits, the additional funding will focus on electronic medical records and other technology improvements, mental health treatments, medical and prosthetic research, long-term care and telehealth. Here are a few highlights of the proposed budget.

Improved Health Care

A large portion of the VA budget, $63.2 billion, will focus on improving the medical care provided to veterans, including $446 million for improved women’s services alone. The main categories that will receive additional funding are mental health, prosthetics, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, readjustment counseling and long-term care. The Department of Defense refers to traumatic brain injury as one of the signature injuries of troops wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq. Additionally, a study recently published in JAMA Psychiatry found the rate of mental illness among soldiers to be much higher than civilians. In fact, 25 percent of the 5,500 soldiers surveyed tested positive for at least one mental disorder, and 11 percent of those had more than one mental illness, including post-traumatic stress disorder and military sexual trauma. Clearly, both physical and mental health issues are a priority.

The budget also includes funding through the Veterans Choice Act. This legislation provides funding to hire more staff and physicians to handle the medical needs of veterans. Additionally, it allows for $10 billion in funding that establishes The Veterans Choice Program, an initiative that allows eligible veterans to use health care providers outside the VA system if wait-time or distance prevents them from receiving timely care.

More Access

A huge complaint among veterans is simply getting an answer or finding information about their benefits. The VA is increasing access to health care in numerous ways. $4.1 billion will be solely dedicated to information technology, including improving infrastructure, modernizing electronic health records and providing improved online access to benefit information. $86.6 million is earmarked to improve the online application process and provide more call center agents. Another $1.2 billion will support telehealth funding, a program specifically for veterans in rural or remote locations. Over $1.6 billion will support new construction projects and enhanced health care facilities.

Burial and Memorial Benefits

Sadly, a large part of the VA’s responsibilities include taking care of the memorial and burial services of our veterans. The new budget contains $266.2 million for the National Cemetery Administration (NCA). In addition to maintaining existing military cemeteries, the funding will allow for two new national cemeteries in 2015, in Cape Canaveral and Tallahassee, Florida, and a third in 2016 in Omaha, Nebraska. The NCA maintains 3.6 million gravesites and estimates handling more than 129,000 interments each year.

Preventing Homelessness

Veteran homelessness is a huge priority of this budget. A total of $1.4 billion will support programs to prevent homelessness among the veteran population. This includes supportive services, such as HUD’s housing voucher program, and $201 million in grants will go to community organizations that provide temporary housing for homeless veterans.

The VA is one of the largest health care systems in the U.S., with 9.4 million enrollees. Services include health insurance, life insurance, disability compensation, pensions and survivor benefits to another 5.2 million beneficiaries, education assistance, vocational rehabilitation, mortgage guaranties, burial benefits and numerous other areas of assistance. However, it’s estimated that 25 million veterans actually quality for benefits. That’s a huge gap between those that quality and those that are receiving. Many, especially the elderly, are not aware of the many benefits available, including long-term care, home health care, assisted living and nursing home costs. The Elder Care Firm is accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Let our professionals ensure you are getting the benefits you deserve. Contact us for a consultation.

The post 2016 VA Budget to Strengthen Veterans Benefits appeared first on Estate Planning Lawyers | Elder Law Attorneys | Brighton | Novi | Livonia Elder Law Attorneys.

Rosekind said that the number of complaints made to the agency has recently increased from 45,000 to 75,000 per year. Meanwhile, he said, there are only 16 field investigators and nine people to analyze complaints.

Rosekind also said that advanced technology is needed to find innovative ways to interpret sometimes vast data sets in order to spot problems.

Rosekind’s nomination comes in a time of turmoil for the agency, which has been without a permanent head for more than a year. Safety advocates and members of Congress have criticized the agency for not taking a hard enough line with auto manufacturers over safety defects.

Bob Briskman is a Chicago vehicle accident attorney with Briskman Briskman & Greenberg. To learn more call 1.877.595.4878 or visit http://www.briskmanandbriskman.com/.

Judging by the most recent available statistics, any departure from current policy on deportations would be significant. The latest Justice Department analysis shows that immigration offenses made up almost exactly half of all federal arrests made in 2012. More specifically, out of a total of 172,248 suspects who were arrested for a federal offense, 85,458 (or 49.6 percent) were booked for immigration offenses, such as illegal entry, illegal re-entry, alien smuggling and visa fraud.

The newest, preliminary data suggest that the pace of arrests did not slow in either 2013 or 2014. Indeed, the newer figures show that arrests for illegal entry and illegal re-entry picked up over the last two years. The number of arrests for immigration offenses have been on a steady upward trajectory since 8,777 federal immigration arrests were recorded in 1994. And the previous high was set in 2009, when 84,749 people were booked.

According to the philosophy that the White House shared when the president announced his executive action on immigration, the administration would be targeting “felons, not families” for deportation, shielding up to five million undocumented immigrants from an expedited exit from the United States. And it is probably safe to say that those who would be considered families are heavily concentrated among the 60 percent of undocumented immigrants who have been in the United States for 10 years or longer.

If put into action, the decision to defer deportations could translate into a measurable drop in federal convictions. Immigration offenses have fueled the bulk of growth in the total number of felons sentenced in courts — 48 percent, as opposed to the second leading contributing factor, convictions for drug offenses, which were responsible for 22 percent of the growth.

But a significant drop in in the number of deportation proceedings could have perhaps its biggest and most beneficial impact on the Treasury. Estimates claim that it costs $8,318 to deport an immigrant. Multiply that figure by the conservative number of four million undocumented immigrants whose deportation would be deferred under the president’s measures, and one would be talking about some serious savings — $33.272 billion, to be exact.

And going one major step further, if none of the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants were deported from the United States, the country would save $91.498 billion, which is quite a tidy sum, indeed.

A. Banerjee is a Houston immigration lawyer in Texas. Before selecting an attorney, contact the Law Offices of Annie Banerjee by visiting their information filled web site at http://www.visatous.com.

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The last time there was a significant overhaul of the immigration rules in the United States was under the Reagan administration in 1986. The 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act granted approximately 1.7 million undocumented persons lawful permanent residency. In addition, it permitted roughly 1 million farm workers to apply for higher legal status, an impact that the current administration’s reform could emulate.

Studies have found that the 1986 law raised the incomes of the erstwhile undocumented workers, but much of the increase was due to newly naturalized farmworkers finding work in better-paying jobs such as in construction or manufacturing. By the 1990s, just 4 percent of the farm workers were still employed in the agricultural sector. Shifts into other sectors resulted in wage gains of between 5 percent and 16 percent among former farm workers who had gained legal status.

Some groups, such as the Center for Immigration Studies, see the sector shifts resulting from the 1986 law as deleterious to the labor market if repeated by the 4 million to 5 million undocumented immigrants President Obama’s executive order will benefit. According to this critique, the Obama initiative will result in increased competition in the U.S. job market, affecting many citizens still unemployed or underemployed in the wake of the Great Recession.

Because the president’s executive order will be limited in scope, the White House estimates that it will boost the gross domestic product by less than 0.1 percent over the coming decades. Had Congress enacted the measure that the Democratic-controlled Senate passed last year, but died in the Republican-controlled House, it would have added another 0.33 percent per year in GDP growth, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

While the business community is generally supportive of immigration reform, the technology sector believes the president’s executive order falls short of helping essential skilled immigrant workers. That is because the Obama plan, though streamlining some of the rules governing the H-1B visa for skilled workers, does not lift the annual cap of 65,000 such visas.

Congressional action, not executive action, would be required to lift the ceiling on H-1B visas or other visas tailored for the immigration of foreign entrepreneurs, and to put in place comprehensive changes that a future president would be unable to reverse, as one could with Obama’s executive order. In order for immigration reform to have a more substantial positive impact on the U.S. economy, Congress would have to do what the president has implored it to do for years: pass a bill.

A. Banerjee is a Houston immigration lawyer in Texas. Before selecting an attorney, contact the Law Offices of Annie Banerjee by visiting their information filled web site at http://www.visatous.com.

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The cornerstone of the act is the requirement that VA facilities provide authorization for veterans to seek private medical treatment if a wait time is longer than 30 days or if they live more than 40 miles from a VA facility.

According to Army Times, this provision is especially important because even as recently as July 2014, more than 30,000 veterans nationwide still faced wait times of more than three months.

Nonetheless, experts say that this change will not happen overnight. Ian de Planque, deputy director for the American Legion, told Army Times that he expects full implementation to take up to a year.

In the meantime, VA schedulers are contacting some waitlisted veterans directly to arrange for private medical care. The VA reports that it has contacted more than 260,000 waitlisted veterans nationwide to arrange timely private care.

The act includes a broad array of other requirements. Some relate directly to care — for example, the requirement that treatment for military sexual trauma be improved. The act also extends the existence of a comprehensive treatment program for veterans with mild to severe traumatic brain injury.

In addition, the act provides for a stronger school loan repayment program for medical professionals joining the VA. VA officials have pointed to a lack of medical staff as a leading reason for the wait times and ensuing scandal at the VA.

The act also provides the Secretary of Veterans Affairs much broader authority to fire executives who perform poorly.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald has set an initial 90-day benchmark to evaluate progress on the implementation of the act.

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact an attorney about your Post Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury, Mental Health, Sexual Assault, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability, Medical Malpractice, or Aid and Attendance claim, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

Since October 2013, more than 52,000 children have been taken into custody. Most are from Central America, and a large proportion are not accompanied by parents or guardians. Their numbers represents a ten-fold increase from 2009. Twice as many unaccompanied children arrived this year than did in the last.

In large part, the current crisis is fueled by violence in Central America. El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala are all facing high levels of gang violence, which is closely related to the illegal drug trade. According to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, 58 percent of the unaccompanied immigrant children are migrating for safety reasons.

This fact has led many organizations and officials, including the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, to urge that the children be treated as refugees, even as immigration reform opponents blame the crisis on lax immigration policy and enforcement.

Other factors are also in play. For children from poor, rural parts of Guatemala and El Salvador, economic strain can provide the motivation to migrate. For those who already have family members in the United States, the desire to reunite with family may be central — especially because in Central America, the idea that children can easily reunite with U.S. relatives is prevalent.

The situation is complicated by the fact that the U.S. government cannot return migrant children from Central America to their home countries as easily and quickly as they can those from Mexico. This is a result of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, a law designed to curb child trafficking. The law requires that children from Central America receive a court hearing before deportation.

Due to the influx of unaccompanied child immigrants, a years-long backlog has accumulated. Most children stay with U.S. relatives while they wait; the rest enter the foster care system.

Congressional sluggishness adds another layer of difficulty. This year, Congress has failed to pass anticipated immigration reform. In response, President Obama is expected to release an executive order which will address the child immigration crisis, as well as other aspects of immigration law.

A. Banerjee is a Houston immigration attorney in Texas. Before selecting an lawyer, contact the Law Offices of Annie Banerjee by visiting their website at http://www.visatous.com.

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The legislation, already passed unanimously by the Senate, now heads to President Obama’s desk for his signature.

Veterans will see a boost in their payments starting on December 1, so that the cost-of-living increase will match the rate of Social Security benefits. Approximately 4.5 million veterans rely on disability benefits, and many of those individuals could have seen a cut to their benefits had Congress not acted.

The veterans whose disability payments are their only source of income are especially breathing a sigh of relief.

In a news cycle that has been dominated by partisanship, especially with the mid-term elections, this story is a refreshing reminder that when it comes to those who have served our country, our representatives can shed their partisan coats and come together for the greater good.

Read more on The Hill’s website:
http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/217975-house-clears-increase-in-veterans-disability-payments

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact a veterans lawyer, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

Municipal bankruptcies are fairly rare. They have happened at the rate of about one per year since the Great Depression. But in the wake of the U.S. and global recession of recent years, the filing and/or consideration of municipal bankruptcies have become an ever-present part of the news.

Last year, the controversy in Detroit, Michigan dominated headlines for weeks. The city filed for bankruptcy, but the legality of the filing was in question for almost a year. Detroit filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy on July 18, 2013. The next day, judge Rosemarie Aquilina ruled the filing violated the Michigan Constitution by interfering with pension payments. She ordered Michigan Governor Rick Snyder to withdraw the filing. Snyder appealed the ruling, and the Bankruptcy Court declared a federal stay of state laws to make the bankruptcy legal. After a trial for objections and several deadlines, the Bankruptcy Court ruled the filing legal in December 2013, and the bankruptcy procedure moved forward.

On June 3, the state legislature of Michigan passed a number of bills designed to prevent Detriot from falling into the same state of emergency again.

It was by far the largest bankruptcy filing of any municipality in U.S. history, both in terms of debt and in terms of the population. Detroit’s debt was estimated at $18-$20 billion, towering over the previous record-holder, Jefferson County, Alabama, which declared bankruptcy in 2011 with some $4 billion in debt. And Detroit’s population is about 700,000, or more than twice that of Stockton, California, which went bankrupt in 2012.

One of the main reasons for Detroit’s financial troubles is a steadily declining population and, therefore, tax base. Its peak population was 1.8 million in 1950. Other causes the city named in its bankruptcy filing were pension and health care costs for retired workers, a dismal rate of property tax collection – with nearly half not having paid for 2011 – budget deficits, government corruption and poor record keeping.

Many consider pensions for current retirees to be untouchable in bankruptcies. The question of whether the modification of debt obligations in bankruptcy proceedings trumps state constitutional protections of pensioners’ rights is being tested for the first time in a Chapter 9 case.

President Obama commented that the federal government is “committed to continuing our strong partnership” with Detroit, but he did not indicate any intention to attempt a bailout of the city, even when the bankruptcy was uncertain. Gov. Snyder has said he does not support the idea of a bailout, saying “accountable government” is the answer.

The ability of bankruptcy to allow individuals, businesses, and governments to move on from untenable financial situations is key to keeping our economy flowing smoothly, but when the livelihood of many thousands of pensioners is on the line, the issue becomes much more complicated.

O. Reginald (“Reggie”) Osenton is the Owner and President of Osenton Law Offices, P.A. If you need a Bankruptcy attorney in Brandon, Tampa lawyer, call 813.654.5777 or visit http://www.brandonlawoffice.com.

A major concern is that such claims blindside tens of thousands of older Californians who are receiving “expanded Medi-Cal” under President Obama’s Affordable Care Act. They are shocked to learn that their estate, most typically consisting of their residence, will be essentially attacked upon their passing.

Michael Gilfix points out in the article that assets could be protected from such Medi-Cal recovery claims. “There are certain ways to transfer a home out of an estate, although this can raise tax issues,” Michael Gilfix is quoted in the article.

Clients of Gilfix & La Poll understand that the residence can be protected and that many potential tax traps can be avoided with careful planning.

Learn more by contacting Gilfix & La Poll Associates LLP at http://www.gilfix.com/contact-us/.

One proposal involves new limits on medical malpractice lawsuits.

Representative Steve Scalise, Republican of Louisiana, is one of several Republicans pushing for the proposed legislation, which would repeal the Affordable Care Act, place new restrictions on medical malpractice suits and provide more access to health savings accounts.

However, some Republicans oppose the concept of a big healthcare bill that would make sweeping changes. Instead, they propose a targeted approach with smaller bills that would make limited changes within Obamacare.

The Affordable Care Act sets minimum standards for health insurance coverage. It requires most Americans to purchase health insurance and provides subsidies for low-income people to get coverage. Opponents have criticized the legislation as government interference in the marketplace.

Many states have passed legislation limiting the amount of non-economic damages, such as those for pain and suffering, that can be recovered in lawsuits over medical malpractice. In other states, including Illinois, such limits have been ruled unconstitutional. At the federal level, the Supreme Court has ruled that punitive damages in any lawsuit may not exceed compensatory damages by a ratio of more than nine to one.

Paul Greenberg is a medical malpractice lawyer in Chicago and malpractice attorney with Briskman Briskman & Greenberg. To learn more call 1.877.595.4878 or visit http://www.briskmanandbriskman.com/.

Workers will soon have a new retirement savings option. In his State of the Union address, President Obama announced the establishment of the new MyRA program, which creates retirement accounts for workers who do not have access to employer-sponsored 401(k)s.

MyRAs can be opened through employers with as little as a $25 minimum deposit and with future contributions as low as $5, automatically deducted from employees’ paychecks. The money is invested in a government bond fund, rather than in stocks, as many 401(k)s are. The principal cannot be lost, but returns will be relatively small. The accounts are portable, meaning that the employee can keep the account when switching jobs.

The plan is open to households making $191,000 or less annually, and the accounts have no fees, which should make them accessible to low-wage workers. There are no penalties for withdrawing funds at any time, and withdrawals are not considered taxable income. When a MyRA reaches $15,000, it is rolled over into a Roth IRA, so the accounts can provide a starting point for more substantial savings.

Learn more from an elder law attorney at Littman Krooks by visiting http://www.elderlawnewyork.com/.

Workers will soon have a new retirement savings option. In his State of the Union address, President Obama announced the establishment of the new MyRA program, retirement accounts for workers who do not have access to employer-sponsored 401(k)s.

MyRAs can be opened through employers with as little as a $25 minimum deposit and future contributions as low as $5, automatically deducted from employees’ paychecks. The money is invested in a government bond fund, rather than invested in stocks as with many 401(k)s. This means that the principal cannot be lost, but returns will be relatively small. The accounts are portable, meaning that the employee can keep the account when switching jobs.

The plan is open to households making $191,000 or less annually, and the accounts have no fees, which should make them accessible to more low-wage workers. There are no penalties for withdrawing funds at any time, and withdrawals are not considered taxable income. When a MyRA reaches $15,000, it is rolled over into a Roth IRA, so the accounts can provide a starting point for more substantial savings.

In 2011, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicated that nearly 200 people died in big rig accidents over the course of the year.

Driver fatigue is one of the more common causes of accidents involving 18-wheelers. Shockingly, nearly 33 percent of truckers have been diagnosed with mild to moderate sleep apnea, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the American Transportation Research Institute of the American Trucking Associations. Sleep deprivation and insomnia are also frequent problems for those in the industry; combine all three, and the potential for an accident increases exponentially.

Every state has its own method of screening and testing drivers who may be struggling with sleep apnea. Recently, President Obama signed legislation mandating that suspected truckers, who usually have high blood pressure and are overweight, be tested. Some of the signs that may indicate sleep apnea include, but are not limited to: frequent micro-sleep sessions with two- to three-second periods of sleeping and waking, increasingly aggressive behavior, a decline in motivation, a drop in overall performance and difficulty understanding factual information.

Trucking accidents can be a jurisdictional problem. Discuss your case with an experienced trucking accident lawyer.

Lee, Gober and Reyna – If you need a personal injury lawyer or help with an auto accident, motorcycle accident, wrongful death, or burn injury case, contact Lee, Gober and Reyna by visiting http://www.lgrlawfirm.com or calling 512.478.8080

The Obama administration hopes to make the Senate measure the heart of its immigration reform proposals. As such, the White House has been trying to make the case that the legislation would prove beneficial to work-related immigrants in the United States, particularly to those from India.

When he met with President Obama in September, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh signaled his nation’s concern that Congress might restrict immigration from India, particularly that of Indian businesspeople and their capital. With India among the top 10 origins of immigrant entrepreneurs to the United States, it is not difficult to see why the prime minister brought up the issue.

But in throwing his weight behind the Senate-crafted immigration measure, Obama referenced the issue Singh raised (albeit without directly addressing the latter’s constituent concerns).

“The Senate bill would create new pathways for immigrant entrepreneurs and investors and make key improvements to the H-1B program,” reads a White House fact sheet.

Petitioners from India constitute a hefty 64 percent of all workers who come to the United States on H-1B visas, so the White House has also pointed out that the new Senate legislation would increase the number of available H-1B visas from 65,000 to 115,000 each year.

The White House has also emphasized that much-in-demand science, technology, engineering and mathematics doctoral and master’s degree graduates would be exempt from the annual 140,000 visa cap. This exemption for STEM graduates could prove significant to Indian students, as Indian immigrants constitute 56 percent of all immigrant students pursuing a master’s degree in computer science and engineering in the United States.

In addition, the White House has stressed the expanded business opportunities it foresees for foreign investors as a result of the Senate measure, which would bump the number of EB-5 visas up from 10,000 to 14,000 per year.

However, resistance to some of the Senate’s key proposals from domestic labor groups (among other interests) block any guarantee that the upper chamber’s measure will survive through the next session, much less emerge unchanged from the House of Representatives.

Still, the language from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue remains supportive of the Senate measure.

“The Senate bill would eliminate the existing backlogs for employment-based green cards, exempt certain employment-based categories from the annual cap and remove annual country limitations altogether,” the White House said.

A. Banerjee is a Houston immigration lawyer in Texas. Before selecting an attorney, contact the Law Offices of Annie Banerjee by visiting their information filled web site at http://www.visatous.com.

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By Chris Berry

Monday, President Obama vented his frustrations with the failures of the government’s health care Web site, but said the technical problems were not indicative of a broader failure of the Affordable Care Act.

“We did not wage this long and contentious battle just around a Web site. That’s not what this was about,” Mr. Obama told supporters during 25-minute remarks in the Rose Garden.

HealthCare.gov failed to provide the easy opportunity to sign up for health insurance that White House officials promised. Despite its deficiencies President Obama insisted that critics support the law.

“It’s time for folks to stop rooting for its failure, because hard-working, middle-class families are rooting for its success,” he said.

A number of people have been unable to sign on to the site or create account, and the technical advisers involved say it could be weeks or months before the issues are resolved.

The President made no excuses for the problems, but did not say whether anyone in the government would be terminated as a result. Certain Republicans have answered by requesting the termination of Kathleen Sebelius, the secretary of health and human services.

Mr. Obama offered other ways to sign up for insurance, including expanded call centers and in-person “navigators” who are at hospitals and health care centers through the U.S. Additionally, people can download a form to be filled out and mailed in, he said.

The President urged people to disassociate the Web site’s problems from the purpose of the law, which was to find a way to provide affordable health insurance to millions of uninsured Americans, he said.

“The product is good. The health insurance that is being provided is good. It’s high quality and it’s affordable,” Mr. Obama said. “We know that the demand is there. People are rushing to see what’s there.”

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/22/us/politics/obama-pushes-health-law-but-concedes-web-site-problems.html?hp&_r=0

Christopher J. Berry is an elder law attorney Dedicated to helping seniors, veterans and their families navigate the long-term care maze. To learn more visit http://www.theeldercarefirm.com/ or call 248.481.4000

Medicare Advantage continues to flourish despite Obamacare cuts

By Chris Berry

Amidst the dysfunction within the new Obamacare insurance marketplaces, one existing coverage program appears to be flourishing.

One of the most severe and initial criticisms of President Obama’s health care law was that it would come as a detriment to seniors. Critics contended that the law’s $700 billion in cuts to Medicare over 10 years would withhold both benefits and choices from seniors. In particular, it was feared that the $100 billion cut from Medicare Advantage, which enables seniors to acquire government-funded private insurance plans in place of traditional Medicare.

(Related: Strong Grandparent-Adult Grandchild Relationships Reduce Depression for Both)

However, four years later the program has reached new levels of popularity. Between 2010 and 2013, enrollment in the program jumped 30%.

Despite the progress, some Republicans contend that the program is in jeopardy due to Obamacare. “The chances are that soon [seniors] will open up the mail to the bad news that your Medicare Advantage … has been changed in a negative way for you because of Obamacare,” said Senator Marco Rubio recently, paying no mind to the stability of premiums, plan choices and benefits under Medicare Advantage.

(Related: Obamacare and Long-Term Care Insurance)

“So far, the concerns have not been borne out,” says Tricia Neuman, a senior vice president at the Kaiser Family Foundation who studies Medicare Advantage. “Enrollment continues to climb. Some of the forecasts have predicted that plans would pull out and people would drop out — so far it hasn’t happened.”

Medicare open enrollment begins on Oct. 15, and close to 14 million seniors who choose Medicare Advantage will discover options are improved at only a slight raise of cost that in the past. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees Medicare, the average monthly premium of Medicare Advantage will increase by only $1.54 in 2014, from 2013. Regarding benefits and cost sharing, Gretchen Jacobson, also of Kaiser, says, “We haven’t seen dramatic changes.”

(Related: Reverse Mortgages Rules May Become More Restrictive)

Medicare Advantage was originally chosen for cuts because the the government was spending close to 14% more per enrollee in the program than for those enrolled in standard Medicare.

While cuts on Medicare Advantage will continue until 2017, thus far, the program has not suffered.

Read more: http://nation.time.com/2013/10/14/obamacares-reviled-medicare-cuts-have-turned-out-better-than-expected/

Christopher J. Berry is an elder law attorney Dedicated to helping seniors, veterans and their families navigate the long-term care maze. To learn more visit http://www.theeldercarefirm.com/ or call 248.481.4000

Just recently, Obama said the reform bill was “this close” and the only thing holding it up was Republican shenanigans, otherwise known as internal party politics. It appears that “this close” is still not so close as the latest new political tactics show. Now politicians are trying to get the bill passed under the guise of economic reform, which isn’t a bad angle, given how much passing the bill would bolster the shaky U.S. economy.

Just in quick recap, immigration reform legislation, worked on by the eight infamous senators from both parties passed in the Senate in June 2013. Since then, it was been swallowed up whole and did a disappearing act on the floor of the House. What’s the holdup? It’s as simple and as complex as there are some provisions in the proposal that majority house members object to and won’t touch with a barge pole.

Prior to the bill seemingly drowning on the House floor, Obama was heard to remark, on several occasions, that he was positive it would be approved. However, internal politics have become a major sticking point, which is not much of surprise considering the scenario involves politicians who cannot agree on much of anything. Odd that they are elected to represent the will of the people, and then don’t do that.

Rather than tackle the proposed bill as a whole, the House approach has been to gut the contents and go at different parts, proposing different bills —- an a la carte approach that effectively paralyses any further forward momentum. Nonetheless, the House, at least those that back the bill, thought they could aim for passage within the next few months.

When politicians get involved in anything that is crucial to the welfare of the nation, its growth and attempts at prosperity, there is rarely unanimity, any type of a coalition or cooperation. It becomes a game of football, with immigrants being tossed about from pillar to post. The bizarre thing is that when the Republicans concerns are broken down and out, it appears that the proposed immigration reform would address or improve upon their concerns, because at this late date, nothing would ever completely fix the mess the system is in.

In the merry-go-round that is the House and Senate, immigration reform still waits for its day in the sun. How much longer? No one knows.

Sally Odell - Rifkin & Fox-Isicoff, PA is an immigration lawyer in Miami with immigration law offices in Orlando and Miami Florida. To learn more, visit http://www.rifkinfox.com/.

The “8 Keys to Success” includes specific steps for educational communities to adopt in order to support veterans. More than 250 universities and community colleges have adopted the 8 Steps to help vets obtain their higher education degrees and then certificates, licenses and credentials to become highly skilled workforce members.

The Education Department brought together more than 100 specialists from nonprofits, foundations, veterans service organizations and recently returned vets to develop an approach which could be applied to both in-person and online or “distance” learning for vets.

The “8 Keys to Success” incorporates sustained and consistent support from campus heads, a culture of trust across the campus, an early alert system to support vets who may be struggling before they are overwhelmed, a designated space for vets on each campus, outreach with local organizations and communities for services, an overarching demographic collection system to track retention numbers and degrees conferred, an offering of professional development for faculty and staff on vet-focused issues, and a system of practices that works for incoming vets.

President Obama signed an order in 2012 to establish protections for military, vets and families, the Principles of Excellence. As part of the Principles of Excellence, the Veterans Administration is expanding its programs, VetSuccess On Campus (VSOC) and Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership (VITAL) programs, designed to put vets in touch with VA-generated resources. VetSuccess On Campus is currently used in 16 U.S. states, in 32 campus sites, and is expanding this year, with thousands of higher education campuses either developing or further expanding Veterans Success Centers in light of the latest influx of investment from the VA.

More returning service members are attending college on their return to civilian life due to the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The VA has paid out an estimated $30 billion since 2009; more than one million vets, service members, families have obtained an education through the Bill.

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact a veterans lawyer, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

On June 26, 2013, the Supreme Court invalidated Section 3 of DOMA, which denied federal benefits to legally married same-sex couples. On August 9, 2013, the SSA issued a statement from Carolyn W. Colvin, acting commissioner, announcing the administration “is now processing some retirement spouse claims for same-sex couples and paying benefits where they are due.” The statement encouraged all individuals who believe they may be eligible to apply for Social Security benefits.

Most same-sex couples who are married reside either in the state in which they married or another state that recognizes their marriage. Others relocated after marrying to states that do not recognize their marriage. For now, it is only certain that the former group will be eligible for federal benefits. It remains to be seen whether those in non-recognizing states will receive equal treatment by the federal government.

President Obama weighed in following the Supreme Court ruling, saying, “It’s my personal belief – but I’m speaking now as a president as opposed to as a lawyer – that if you’ve been married in Massachusetts and you move someplace else, you’re still married, and that under federal law you should be able to obtain the benefits of any lawfully married couple.”

The elder law attorneys at Hook Law Center assist Virginia families with will preparation, trust & estate administration, guardianships and conservatorships, long-term care planning, special needs planning, veterans benefits, and more. To learn more, visit http://www.hooklawcenter.com/ or call 757-399-7506.

The White House is pushing for postsecondary educational opportunities and better employment opportunities for returning veterans. To that end, the Department of Education and the Department of Veterans Affairs are challenging colleges and universities to adopt pro-veteran, pro-education best practices. The “8 Keys to Success” proposed by the Obama Administration was unveiled during the Disabled American Veterans National Convention earlier this year in Orlando, Fla.

The “8 Keys to Success” include specific steps for educational communities to adopt in order to support veterans. More than 250 universities and community colleges gave adopted the 8 Steps to help vets obtain their higher education degrees and then certificates, licenses and credentials to become highly skilled workforce members.

The Education Department brought together more than 100 specialists from nonprofits, foundations, veterans service organizations and recently returned vets to develop an approach which could be applied to both in-person and online or “distance” learning for vets.

The “8 Keys to Success” incorporate sustained and consistent support from campus heads, a culture of trust across the campus, an early alert system to support vets who may be struggling before they are overwhelmed,  a designated space for vets on each campus, outreach with local organizations and communities for services, an overarching demographic collection system to track retention numbers and degrees conferred, an offering of professional development for faculty and staff on vet-focused issues, and a system of practices that work for incoming vets.

President Obama signed an order in 2012 to establish protections for military, vets and families, the Principles of Excellence. As part of the Principles of Excellence, the Veterans Administration is expanding its programs, VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) and Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership (VITAL) programs, designed to put vets in touch with VA-generated resources. VetSuccess on Campus is currently used in 16 U.S. states, in 32 campus sites, and is expanding this year, with thousands of higher education campuses either developing or further expanding Veterans Success Centers in light of the latest influx of investment from the VA. VSOC is currently located at 32 campus sites in 16 states and is expanding to additional campuses in 2013.

More returning service members are attending college on their return to civilian life due to the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The VA has paid out an estimated $30 billion since 2009; more than one million vets, service members, families have obtained an education through the Bill.

Sources

http://www.wbez.org/news/valor-games-disabled-veterans-begin-108375

http://www.va.gov/opa/speceven/valor_games/

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact a veterans attorney, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

Just two years ago, gay and lesbian individuals were prevented from serving openly in the military.  Now, same sex spouses of these veterans and service members will be able to share in their government benefits.

In a recent decision, the United States Supreme Court invalidated a portion of the Defense of Marriage Act which denied federal benefits to same sex couples married legally in their states.  This law has a large impact on the same sex spouses of veterans – they will now be able to get help with college tuition, can be buried in a national cemetery, and may be eligible for other financial spousal benefits.  Additionally, these spouses will now be able to receive indemnity pay for the death of a spouse in the military.

President Obama has directed Attorney General Eric Holder to work with cabinet members to ensure that these benefit changes are implemented swiftly and smoothly.  Congress may need to amend the statutes governing VA benefits.  Currently, the statutes don’t recognize a same sex marriage between two residents of a state that hasn’t legalized same sex marriage – even if that couple was married in a state that has.  Legislation to correct this has already been introduced into Congress.

The implementation of these new benefits for same sex couples will make a significant financial difference for many of these veterans.  For instance, a veteran considered 100% disabled is eligible for compensation amounting to $2,816 per month.  However, if that veteran has a spouse, they may receive $2,973 per month – a difference of $1,900 annually.

If you have questions about veteran benefits, contact Legal Help For Veterans at 800-693-4800 or on the web at www.legalhelpforveterans.com.

To learn more about the impact the Supreme Court’s DOMA ruling has on veteran benefits, please visit: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/28/gay-veterans-supreme-court_n_3515999.html.

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact a veterans attorney, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

Though immigration has long been a hot-button issue, it seems the U.S. House has decided to delay further examination of several immigration bills while still grappling with how to approach a mostly Republican-backed desire for greater border security. It is expected that most revisions to immigration law which will affect individuals already residing in the country will not be determined until next year.

The House is now beginning to put a strategy into place for the rewrite that is needed of immigration laws, more than six months after the Senate-began its negotiations and weeks after the broad plan was passed.

Senate bill S. 744 proposes a path to citizenship for the more than11 undocumented immigrants who are residing in the United States and undocumented, along with a plan for border security which would cost $46 billion. Though most Senate Democrats and 14 Republicans passed the bill, a large number of House Republicans have stated that they are opposing the current citizenship path proposal. House Speaker John Boehner has repeatedly stated that the Senate bill would not be addressed any time soon, while Louisiana Representative John Fleming stated that any action this July on the bill was “100 percent unlikely.”

House Republicans met for a members-only meeting in July during which they reaffirmed that they would approach the immigration legislation decisions via individual bills. They plan to vote on how to strengthen U.S. border security before they move to other immigration reform issues. Boarder security and the enforcement of current immigration laws were the top priority, Boehner said. He did not comment on whether or not he thought the legislation which included the much-touted citizenship path plan would be passed, a plan which includes a provision not unlike President Obama’s DREAM Act. The DREAM Act is structured to fast-track the undocumented immigrants in the U.S. who came to the country as children and who have gone on to serve in the military or attend college.

President Obama has stated that he hoped to sign comprehensive immigration legislation by the end of 2012. Agreeing on citizenship pathways and border security continue to be a major hurdle for both the House and Senate. Grassroots supporters from business communities, from faith groups and social action communities have been lobbying for the Senate to move forward quickly, to little effect.

A. Banerjee is a Houston immigration lawyer in Texas. Before selecting an attorney, contact the Law Offices of Annie Banerjee by visiting their information filled web site at http://www.visatous.com.

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The House panel did agree to allow a $4 co-pay increase for retirees and their family members below the age of 65 for outpatient care. Doctor visit co-pays are slated to increase to $16, while the co-pay for mental health care visits will stay at $12. The $4 increase is expected to save funds for health programs and medical research. The Department of Defense has not been authorized to increase any additional TRICARE fees.

The Secretary of Defense along with the Joint Chiefs of Staff had pushed for higher TRICARE fees to save fund for supplies, training, maintenance, and weapons procurement from being slashed. But resistance to boosting fees or capping pay from bipartisan members of the House Armed Services Committee has so far kept fees low. Additionally, Defense officials have reportedly overstated health care costs to the tune of $400 million a year, on average, to fund other defense accounts.

President Obama may decide to cap the military pay raise regardless of congressional approval by declaring a national emergency or claiming that “serious economic conditions” make it necessary, and presenting “alternative pay adjustment” plans to Congress by the first of September. It is hoped that the White House will not decide to do so, as there is currently in place a proposed 1.8 percent raise for military pay as of January 2013.

The Department of Defense currently plans to roll out a plan to stop TRICARE Prime coverage for the more than 170,000 current TRICARE enrollees who live more than 40 miles from a military treatment facility. Retirees below the age of 65 and their families will be forced to use TRICARE Standard, a more economic version of the fee-for-service program. As of October 1, TRICARE beneficiaries age 65 and up will be required to have their long-term medications filled via mail order or on base, in order to save millions of dollars a year for TRICARE that would otherwise go to local pharmacies.

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact a veterans attorney, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

The House panel did agree to allow a $4 co-pay increase for retirees and their family members below the age of 65 for outpatient care. Doctor visit co-pays are slated to increase to $16, while the co-pay for mental health care visits will stay at $12. The $4 increase is expected to save funds for health programs and medical research. The Department of Defense has not been authorized to increase any additional TRICARE fees.

The Secretary of Defense along with the Joint Chiefs of Staff had pushed for higher TRICARE fees to save fund for supplies, training, maintenance, and weapons procurement from being slashed. But resistance to boosting fees or capping pay from bipartisan members of the House Armed Services Committee has so far kept fees low. Additionally, Defense officials have reportedly overstated health care costs to the tune of $400 million a year, on average, to fund other defense accounts.

President Obama may decide to cap the military pay raise regardless of congressional approval by declaring a national emergency or claiming that “serious economic conditions” make it necessary, and presenting “alternative pay adjustment” plans to Congress by the first of September. It is hoped that the White House will not decide to do so, as there is currently in place a proposed 1.8 percent raise for military pay as of January 2013.

The Department of Defense currently plans to roll out a plan to stop TRICARE Prime coverage for the more than 170,000 current TRICARE enrollees who live more than 40 miles from a military treatment facility.  Retirees below the age of 65 and their families will be forced to use TRICARE Standard, a more economic version of the fee-for-service program. As of October 1, TRICARE beneficiaries age 65 and up will be required to have their long-term medications filled via mail order or on base, in order to save millions of dollars a year for TRICARE that would otherwise go to local pharmacies.

http://www.military.com/benefits/2013/05/23/house-panel-rejects-pay-cap-most-tricare-hikes.html?comp=7000024213943&rank=3

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact an attorney about your Post Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury, Mental Health, Sexual Assault, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability, Medical Malpractice, or Aid and Attendance claim, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

Now Congress is pushing for President Obama to “take direct action” to end the backlog. A bipartisan letter helmed by Reps. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla. and Mike Coffman, R-Colo. and cosigned by 164 House Republicans and Democrats, is urging the white House to run interference in order to help the more than 600,000 vets currently waiting for their overdue disability claims. The average time they wait to have a first-time filing processed is between 317 and 327 days, the letter states. Many vets are waiting as long as two years for their claim to be processed, and there are vets who waited as many as 1,000 days.

This letter is not the first of its kind – a similar one was sent a month ago by 67 senators which also requested that President Obama take action by becoming involved in solving the disability claims backlog at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Some cities are running a lag time longer than others; the average wait for a disabled vet inNew Yorkis 642 days, while the average wait for a vet inPhiladelphiais 510 days. While Congress has approved more funding and more employees for the Department of Veteran Affairs, the backlog situation has not improved. A spokesperson for Veterans Affairs has stated that the agency has processed more than 4 million claims in the past four years – a record number – while admitting that more needs to be done.

The VA’s goal is to process the backlog of claims by the end of 2015 as the system completes a switch from paper-based processing to a new electronic system. A backlogged claim is any claim 125 days or older. The electronic system has been rolled out in 20 offices throughout theUnited   States, and should be in all of the 56 offices by the end of 2013.

In response, White House press secretary Jay Carney said that the President is “deadly serious” about clearing the extensive backlog by 2015. But while the backlog issue predates Obama’s administration, advocates are pushing for him to become more hands-on in order to get the system resolved. According to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), more than 575,000 vets have been waiting for their claim to be processed for more than 125 days.

Source

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/06/01/democrats-and-republican-in-both-chamber-press-obama-to-end-backlog-veterans/

Now Congress is pushing for President Obama to “take direct action” to end the backlog. A bipartisan letter helmed by Reps. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla. and Mike Coffman, R-Colo. and cosigned by 164 House Republicans and Democrats, is urging the white House to run interference in order to help the more than 600,000 vets currently waiting for their overdue disability claims. The average time they wait to have a first-time filing processed is between 317 and 327 days, the letter states. Many vets are waiting as long as two years for their claim to be processed, and there are vets who waited as many as 1,000 days.

This letter is not the first of its kind – a similar one was sent a month ago by 67 senators which also requested that President Obama take action by becoming involved in solving the disability claims backlog at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Some cities are running a lag time longer than others; the average wait for a disabled vet in New York is 642 days, while the average wait for a vet in Philadelphia is 510 days. While Congress has approved more funding and more employees for the Department of Veteran Affairs, the backlog situation has not improved. A spokesperson for Veterans Affairs has stated that the agency has processed more than 4 million claims in the past four years – a record number – while admitting that more needs to be done.

The VA’s goal is to process the backlog of claims by the end of 2015 as the system completes a switch from paper-based processing to a new electronic system. A backlogged claim is any claim 125 days or older. The electronic system has been rolled out in 20 offices throughout the United States, and should be in all of the 56 offices by the end of 2013.

In response, White House press secretary Jay Carney said that the President is “deadly serious” about clearing the extensive backlog by 2015. But while the backlog issue predates Obama’s administration, advocates are pushing for him to become more hands-on in order to get the system resolved. According to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), more than 575,000 vets have been waiting for their claim to be processed for more than 125 days.

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact a veterans lawyer, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

Recently, President Obama made it clear that getting hung up on border issues was not a smart move. Rather, he stated the best solution to the issues of the day were to ensure legal immigration and trade were actively encouraged.

On many fronts, millions of Americans agree with him. On the political front, that is often another story — so much so that there has still been no date determined or discussed for the advent of the much promised immigration reform.
Over refrains of wishful thinking about getting immigration reform done now, because the time is ripe, many are left wondering when that time may be. Obama is still making speeches extolling the virtues of reform, but there is still no concrete movement on the issue in the House. It would be hard to ascertain any movement one way or another amidst the political diatribe and arguing over how to approach the task as a whole.

While there is still optimism reform will pass this year, one wonders how long that optimism will last in the face of all the detours on the way to the finish line. Obama’s trip to Mexico and Costa Rica was designed to emphasize how crucial economic ties are between the countries.

A great deal of ground was covered, including the discussions of ways to expand the bilateral partnership between Mexico and the States, the formation a group on higher education, research and innovation, and various commitments relating to international relations and energy security.

There is every reason to move immigration reform along at a much faster clip when the annual trade figures between the two countries is in excess of $500 billion annually. The United States is Mexico’s largest customer and Mexico is the second-largest U.S. export market.

The final question of the day is whether or not the politicians are able to set aside their party line disputes and move forward as one entity to deal with immigration reform. Currently, despite what the President may be saying, it does not appear that forward movement is the order of the day. And how does that eventually impact on trade with Mexico? It’s a question well worth considering in some depth.

Sally Odell - Rifkin & Fox-Isicoff, PA is an immigration lawyer in Miami with immigration law offices in Orlando and Miami Florida. To learn more, visit http://www.rifkinfox.com/.

The project, called the Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN), may pave the way for important advances in understanding and treating traumatic brain injury (TBI). Treatment options for TBI are currently quite limited. Also, doctors’ understanding of what makes for effective rehabilitation is undergoing rapid change.

In a press conference on April 2, 2013, President Obama proposed that the government’s fiscal year 2014 budget contain an initial expenditure toward the project of $100 million. BRAIN is projected to cost as much as $3 billion and take ten years or longer.

The goal of the initiative is to map the activity of every neuron in the human brain. Researchers hope the information will help not only brain injury patients but also Alzheimer’s, autism, and epilepsy patients.

The White House press release said the $100 million to pay for the project will come from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

“The BRAIN Initiative will accelerate the development and application of new technologies that will enable researchers to produce dynamic pictures of the brain that show how individual brain cells and complex neural circuits interact at the speed of thought,” the White House statement said. “These technologies will open new doors to explore how the brain records, processes, uses, stores, and retrieves vast quantities of information, and shed light on the complex links between brain function and behavior.”

If you need to speak with a brain injury attorney or lawyer, Call Joyce & Reyes at 1.888.771.1529 or visit more of http://www.joyceandreyespa.com/.

For those that don’t know what the acronym HAMP means, it represents a program put together by President Obama, referred to as the “Home Affordable Modification Program.” It had good intentions, and was supposed to be designed to help close to 4 million householders facing bankruptcy and foreclosure. Unfortunately, good intentions are about all the program managed to deliver.

There is quite a bit of speculation over why the HAMP program failed, and most people lay the blame at the doorstep of the complicated qualifications people needed to meet. The target group it was supposed to help could not understand how to access the program.  Further, by offering a mere 10 percent reduction of principal, it was ultimately not worth attempting to use.

It looks like the program won’t have too much of an effect on bankruptcy filings, not that its original intention was to prevent bankruptcies. However, it was intended to help some homeowners keep their homes. While this program may have helped a few, the stark increase in filings over the last few years is dismal.

Foreclosures are virtually the number one reason people seek bankruptcy protection. If you are facing foreclosure but still happen to have a sustainable income, you just might qualify for HAMP. The advantages are tangible for homeowners who are still employed and have a high interest rate. HAMP has the ability to lower an interest rate by up to 2 percent, extend a mortgage term up to 40 years and waive interest charges on a certain portion of the principal. While this sounds good on the surface, the biggest glitch so far, is just being able to qualify for HAMP.

To qualify, you must be behind on your mortgage payments or be facing a risk of defaulting. You should have gotten your mortgage before January 1, 2009 and you must live in the mortgaged property. The principal balance should not be greater than $729,750 for a one-unit house. While this sounds easy enough on first glance, there are some loopholes that can backfire on the homeowner. For instance, if the owner is approved for a modification, they have a three month trial where their usual mortgage payment is made. Once they meet that requirement, the modification is to become permanent.

However, one large loophole in the program is that the lender gets to make the determination if the modification is permanent. Needless to say many homeowners have reported being put off by the bank or denied for a variety of reasons, typically leading to a legal battle; the last thing a stressed homeowner needs.

If you don’t have a sustainable income or enough money to face possible legal difficulties, this program may be a waste of time for you. If you are already in a bad financial situation, an added legal confrontation won’t help matters any. The best advice an Iowa bankruptcy lawyer may give you, with regard to HAMP, is try to avoid it and discuss your situation in detail with the lawyer. Bankruptcy isn’t easy, and the more complex it becomes, the more confusing things are for the person trying to get out from under a crushing debt load.

Kevin Ahrenholz is an Iowa bankruptcy lawyer and Iowa bankruptcy attorney. To contact him, visit http://www.iowachapter7.com or call 1.877.888.1766.