More New York seniors will be eligible for Medicare Savings Programs starting this year. New guidelines increase the amount of income seniors can have to be eligible for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary or Qualified Individual Programs. Individuals and couples with up to 138% of the federal poverty level are eligible for a Medicare Savings Program. .
Coincidence or not, the day set aside to get "end-of-life" affairs in order always falls on either side of the day taxes are due to the federal government and states, including New Mexico. National Healthcare Decisions Day is Sunday, just two days before income taxes are due. MaryKay Brady, secretary-treasurer of the group End of Life Options New Mexico, likes to quote Benjamin Franklin, who is credited with saying, "The only things certain in life are death and taxes." She said too many people adopt a death-denying attitude. .
According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Missouri ranks fourth nationwide in firearm deaths. The nonprofit Missouri Foundation for Health believes it is time to change the way people in the media talk about gun violence. The group will be "convening" with journalists and other communicators May 1, at an event: "How Do We Talk About Firearm Injury and Death? The power of words in addressing an epidemic." Jessi LaRose, director of strategic initiatives for the foundation, said they hope it will help those who attend discuss this issue in a more nuanced way. .
More than 30% of Utah adults are getting less than the ideal seven hours of sleep each night. Utah ranks 16th among states for insufficient sleep, according to the latest America s Health Rankings report. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said lack of sleep is linked to the development of chronic diseases and conditions, including Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity and depression. .
There aren t many quick fixes for getting a restful night s sleep, but experts say if Texans want to improve their physical and mental health, it s worth the effort. A study from the United Health Foundation has shown that about 33% of Texans don t get the recommended hours of sleep - just above the national average at 32%. Mary Helen Rogers, vice president for marketing and communications at the Better Sleep Council, said it wasn t that many years ago that people bragged about surviving on just a few hours of sleep, but she believes there are consequences. .