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Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity leads research and consulting initiatives that identify and address barriers to economic well-being.
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USA TODAY, July 28, 2009: Credit card debt rises faster for seniors
"Cash-strapped older Americans are racking up credit card debt faster than other consumers amid dwindling retirement portfolios and rising medical costs, a study shows."
Times-Picayune, July 24, 2009: Volunteers converge on Covington to give homes, and the families who live there, a brighter future
"'We're so lucky,' Robert said. '[Hank Chardos] came into the area looking for ways to help lower-income citizens and senior citizens.'"
The San Francisco Chronicle, July 23, 2009: Burial insurance can take advantage of the poor
"Plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuit said the companies had overcharged low-income customers, and had used decades-old formulas to bill African Americans more than whites"
The St. Louis Post Dispatch, July 23, 2009: (Op-Ed) Illinois points the way toward the next huge crisis: pension costs
"What will be required, if tens of millions of Americans are to escape poverty in their 'golden years,' is a fundamental re-thinking of the problem of old-age security"
The New York Times, July 23, 2009: More Cost Cuts Sought From Drug Industry
"[A] 2006 policy change that removed millions of low-income elderly from Medicaid drug coverage and had them pay higher prices for the same drugs under Medicare"
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, July 22, 2009: County assists housing project in Gates
"Gates will soon have some more affordable housing for seniors."
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, July 21, 2009: Star-Telegram helps elderly Arlington resident choose new electric plan
"Discount programs include a year-round, low-income assistance program and LITE-UP Texas, which runs from May through September, when bills are likely to be highest."
The Boston Globe, July 20, 2009: (Opinion) Retooling the Medicare/Medicaid model
"...[T]here is a lesser-known innovation in Massachusetts that may offer greater lessons to our nation in improving health and lowering cost. It is called Senior Care Options, and it targets a population largely ignored by health reform - seniors."
Sun-Sentinel, July 16, 2009: Senior needs: transportation, in-home health care, chaplaincy
"Jewish senior citizens need affordable assisted-living facilities, access to transportation and improved hospital chaplaincy services..Fifty percent of low-income Jews are over 75 and live alone... [Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County study]."
Los Angeles Times, July 14, 2009: (Opinion) Governor, show us the fraud
"The in-home program provides critical care to 430,000 low-income Californians in their homes so they are not forced to move into institutions or onto the streets."
The New York Times, July 14, 2009: Illnesses Afflict Homes With a Criminal Past
"Federal data on meth lab seizures suggest that there are tens of thousands of contaminated residences in the United States. The victims include low-income elderly people whose homes are surreptitiously used by relatives or in-laws to make meth..."
Tallahassee Democrat, July 12, 2009: Bloggers meet up to help veterans
"More than 10 bloggers from Tallahassee.com gathered at Lake Ella on Saturday to collect donations for an apartment complex for homeless veterans on Lake Bradford Road."
