doc fix

The Takeaway: U.S. Retirement Assets Declining Again; Payroll Tax Deadlock Ends; World’s Oldest Yoga Teacher

Posted on 12/23/2011 by Elizabeth Brown | Brooklyn, NY | Comments

News RoundupsAmericans’ retirement assets lost a total value of $1.4 trillion last quarter, the first decline since the depths of the recession three years ago, according to a new report … After initially rejecting the measure, House Republican leaders yesterday agreed to a two-month payroll tax cut extension—and, with it, an extension of federal unemployment benefits and a temporary ‘doc fix’ … And Bernice Bates, 91, has been named the world’s oldest yoga teacher by Guinness World Records.

The Takeaway: With Congress Home For The Holidays, Docs Face Steep Medicare Pay Cut

Posted on 12/21/2011 by Elizabeth Brown | Brooklyn, NY | Comments

News RoundupsIf Congress doesn’t pass an extension bill by Jan. 1, payroll taxes will go up for 160 million workers, almost 2 million people could lose unemployment benefits and doctors could see a 27.4 percent pay cut from Medicare. But with the end of 2011 fast approaching—and lawmakers already having left Washington for the holidays—that’s looking like less and less of a possibility.

The Takeaway: Docs Face Steep Medicare Pay Cut (Again); New Book Explores ‘Ageless Homes’

Posted on 11/28/2011 by Elizabeth Brown | Brooklyn, NY | Comments

News RoundupsIf Congress doesn’t act before January 1, doctors will see a 27.4 percent cut in their reimbursement pay from Medicare. And a new book from architect Wid Chapman and gerontologist Jeffrey P. Rosenfeld explores (in full-pictured glory) 33 examples of homes that have been designed with an eye toward aging in place.