November 19, 2009

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is launching a comprehensive study of women Veterans who served in the military during the Vietnam War to explore the effects of their military service upon their mental and physical health. "One of my top priorities is to meet the needs of women Veterans," said Secretary Shinseki. "Our Veterans have earned the very best care. VA realizes that women Veterans require specialized programs, and this study will help VA provide high-quality care for women Veterans of the Vietnam era." The study, which begins in November and lasts more than four years, will contact approximately 10,000 women in a mailed survey, telephone interview and a review of their medical records. As women Vietnam Veterans approach their mid-sixties, it is important to understand the impact of wartime deployment on health and mental outcomes nearly 40 years later. The study will assess the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental and physical health conditions for women Vietnam Veterans, and explore the relationship between PTSD and other conditions. Full release.

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported today that a record number of loans--1 in 7--is delinquent, up from 1 in 10 a year ago. Today's numbers also show that 1 in 22 families in the U.S. is in the process of losing their home, up from 1 in 34 a year ago. Based on these figures, we are now on track for 2.9 million foreclosure starts in this year alone. The lenders' trade association is quick to blame this worsening trend on higher unemployment levels. But that ignores the fact that reckless lending precipitated the economic crisis and prolongs it each day with every new foreclosure, which forces down surrounding property values. "The damage from reckless lending continues to harm more families and the economy," said Michael Calhoun, president of the Center for Responsible Lending. "These results underscore the need for a Consumer Financial Protection Agency to avoid another housing debacle and bring focus to the best interests of consumers--who drive 70% of the economy - and of taxpayers, who have to pick up the tab when lenders act irresponsibly." Full release.

Before the Senate Judiciary Committee November 18th, 2009, Attorney General Eric Holder revealed a stunningly broad and aggressive anti-gun agenda. "The President of the United States asked that politicians not use the Ft. Hood attack to engage in 'political theater.' It appears those committed to attacking gun owners and the Second Amendment simply can't help themselves and are engaged in blaming guns and gun owners on the heels of this terrorist attack. Sadly it looks like 'politics as usual,'" said LEAA's spokesperson, Ted Deeds. After explaining and defending his decision to give enemy combatants constitutional protections and the right to public trial in civilian courts, Attorney General Holder revealed his support for a national gun owner registration scheme and authorizing the government to ban firearm possession for any person by merely adding that person's name to the terror watch list. Full release.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report confirming the benefits that merchants and their customers receive with payment card acceptance, and the downsides to governmental intervention. The report also makes very clear that while lower interchange rates might benefit big merchants' profits, consumers could be harmed through higher costs to use their credit cards. "The GAO makes it clear that regulating interchange fees presents significant challenges, and would hurt both consumers and merchants," said Shawn Miles, MasterCard head of global public policy and regulatory strategy. Full release.

Now that a bill has been introduced in the Senate, USAction today called upon every member of the Democratic Caucus to vote to allow debate to begin so that the country can move closer to the promise of quality, affordable health care for all. "Majority Leader Reid has demonstrated principled leadership in moving this bill forward," said USAction Program Director Alan Charney. "Now it's time for every member of the Democratic Caucus to support him. Even senators who have concerns with the legislation should vote to proceed to an open debate." USAction supports reform that will provide more affordable health coverage to America's families and businesses, stop insurance company abuses, provide the choice of a public health insurance option and is financed with progressive revenues. Charney noted that the Senate bill unveiled Thursday includes a 0.5 percent increase in the Medicare Hospital Insurance tax for individuals who earn more than $200,000 and couples who earn more than $250,000. However, it also includes a tax on health care plans for many working Americans, which USAction opposes. Full release.

The United States secured $2.4 billion in settlements and judgments in cases involving fraud against the government in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2009, the Justice Department announced today. This represents the second largest annual recovery of civil fraud claims in history, and brings total recoveries since 1986, when Congress substantially strengthened the civil False Claims Act, to more than $24 billion. "Rooting out fraud and safeguarding taxpayers from illegal conduct are among the Justice Department's highest priorities," said Tony West, the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division. "I applaud the dedication of the public servants who investigate and prosecute fraud, and the courage of the many private citizens who risk their careers by reporting fraud." Assistant Attorney General West continued, "The cases that the department pursued this year illustrate the government's commitment to maintaining the integrity of the health care system, ensuring that members of our military and law enforcement community are safe, and protecting consumers from fraudulent schemes. The extraordinary success of this public-private partnership goes far beyond the $2.4 billion recovered to additional billions saved through deterrence and vigilance." Full release.

Despite one of the worst economic environments in American history, U.S. employees report surprisingly high levels of confidence in the overall direction of their companies and their management, according to a new employee confidence survey released today. Conducted by APCO Worldwide in partnership with Gagen MacDonald, a strategy execution firm specializing in employee and organizational communication, the survey also uncovered unexpectedly high degrees of company loyalty despite uncertainty about how loyal their companies are to them. The survey was carried out among a cross-section of 500 U.S. full-time workers who have been employed for at least one year at companies with 100 or more employees. "While employee confidence and loyalty may to a large degree be an expression of wishful thinking during these tough times, it nonetheless indicates a sentiment that can and should be leveraged to a company's advantage," said Kirk Stewart, an executive vice president at APCO Worldwide. "The results clearly point to the increased importance and responsibilities leaders have in more effectively engaging, inspiring and leading their organizations, particularly in this uncertain economic environment." Full release.

Only about 1 in 4 Americans aged 50-64 regularly take advantage of preventive services such as screenings and immunizations, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in collaboration with AARP and the American Medical Association (AMA). The report, "Promoting Preventive Services for Adults 50-64: Community and Clinical Partnerships," focuses on opportunities to improve the health of the growing number of adults in the 50-64 age bracket to broaden the use of potentially lifesaving preventive services. The report identifies recommended preventive services such as influenza vaccine, cholesterol screening, breast and cervical cancer screening, as well as preventive screenings for behaviors that could negatively impact health such as binge drinking. "People aged 50-64 need access to preventive services to help them improve their overall health and to live vibrant, productive lives," said CDC Director Thomas Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. "CDC and our partners, AARP and AMA, are excited about this new resource because it enables our partners and others to more easily and effectively monitor improvements in health behaviors, screenings and immunizations. Our goal is to enhance the delivery and use of these recommended preventive services." Full release.

Following the introduction of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Joe Jackson, chairman of Save Flexible Spending Plans and CEO of WageWorks Inc., a San Mateo, CA-based benefits provider issued the following statement: "It is disappointing that the Senate is determined to fund health care reform by restricting access to flexible spending accounts (FSAs), a valuable benefit relied upon by more than 35 million Americans to help hold down health care costs. Severely curtailing the use of FSAs will not only force participants to pay more in health care costs, it flies in the face of President Obama's pledge to not raise taxes on the middle class. Especially damaging to plan participants is the Senate bill's failure to index an already unreasonably low $2,500 cap on FSA contributions. Failing to adjust the cap for inflation will cause the value of a $2,500 FSA to plummet to less than half that amount within a decade. Full release.

Black Friday may kick-off the holiday shopping season, but not everybody's out to buy gifts. Of the half of Americans who plan on shopping in stores or online over the Black Friday weekend, 66 percent say they'll be shopping for themselves according to the latest Consumer Reports Holiday Shopping Poll. The full results of the poll are available at www.ConsumerReports.org. The day after Thanksgiving, otherwise known as Black Friday, is not the only important shopping day of the holiday weekend. While 28 percent of adults plan to shop in-stores on Black Friday, just as many (29%) say they'll be shopping on Saturday or Sunday afterwards. Overall half (53%) of adults expect the deals to be just as good in-stores as online this year. The Black Friday weekend shopping list for consumers includes clothing (71%) and electronics (70%), with video games and accessories (46%) being the most popular electronic items. More than half of shoppers (56%) are planning to purchase toys and a little less than half (48%) are planning to purchase gift cards. Most of these items are intended to be purchased as gifts; however, the items where shoppers have the highest intent to self indulge are food or wine, electronics and clothing. Full release.

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