Applications for help on heat bills rise by 15%, By Erik Eckholm, February 22, 2010, New York Times: “The number of households applying for home heating assistance has climbed to record levels for the third straight year, rising by 15 percent to a projected 8.8 million this winter, state energy officials said Monday. This compares with almost 7.7 million recipients last year and 5.7 million in 2008. Average heating costs have declined slightly since 2009, and the increase in applications reflects, in part, the mounting troubles of those suffering prolonged unemployment, including many people who had not sought the aid in the past, said Mark Wolfe, director of the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association, which represents state aid officials in Washington…”
Day: February 23, 2010
Extension of Jobless Benefits
- Jobless fear benefits will end shortly, By Todd Spangler, February 23, 2010, Detroit Free Press: “Congress has less than a week left to extend unemployment benefits for hundreds of thousands of Michiganders. Otherwise, programs providing extra weeks of unemployment checks and paying two-thirds of the cost of health care insurance for some unemployed workers are set to expire. Michigan’s 14.6% unemployment rate led the nation in December…”
- More than 20,000 Floridians each week stand to lose unemployment benefits unless Senate acts, By William E. Gibson and Marcia Heroux Pounds, February 22, 2010, South Florida Sun Sentinel: “More than 20,000 Floridians each week will see their unemployment benefits run dry starting in March unless Congress acts to extend their aid. In response to cries for help from South Florida and around the nation, the Senate this week plans to vote on a jobs bill that would give a tax break to employers who hire those who have been out of work for at least 60 days. Senate leaders also hope to extend unemployment benefits through a separate bill, similar to one already passed by the House. But the timing and prospects for passage remain uncertain. For many of the jobless in Florida, where the unemployment rate has climbed to nearly 12 percent, delays and uncertainties in Congress have jeopardized a lifeline of aid and added to a sense of desperation…”
States and Children’s Dental Care
- Study: 1 in 5 kids don’t see dentist each year, By Alison Young, February 23, 2010,USA Today: “At least one in five U.S. children go without annual dental care and most states lack key policies to ensure access to cost-saving preventive treatments, according to a study released Tuesday by the Pew Center on the States. Six states received an “A” grade from the non-profit policy analysis group for their dental health policies. But even children in those states have problems accessing care, the report said…”
- Group gives Ohio a B in child dental care, By Misti Crane, February 23, 2010, Columbus Dispatch: “It might not be gold-star-worthy, but Ohio’s grade on a national review of state dental policies isn’t bad. With its B, Ohio outscored 35 other states in the Pew Center on the States’ review of policies that improve children’s access to dentists. The state won special attention for its efforts to provide dental sealants, which prevent cavities. All states have room for improvement, according to the report, which highlights the importance of preventive care to drive down the incidence and cost of more expensive treatments later. The report estimates that 17 million children, or one in five, go without the dental care they need every year…”
- Study: Minnesota lags in providing dental care to disadvantaged kids, By Lorna Benson, February 23, 2010, Minnesota Public Radio: “A national study says Minnesota needs to do more to help disadvantaged kids access dental care. The state received a ‘C’ grade on its dental policies from the Pew Center on the States. Pew measured the performance of all 50 states and the District of Columbia on whether they are abiding by eight well-established policy solutions that enhance children’s access to dental care. The policies include preventative dental care services covered by the Medicaid program, fluoridated public water supplies and establishing a new category of dental provider to compensate for dentist shortages. Shelly Gehshan, director of the Pew Children’s Dental Campaign, said Minnesota only met four of the eight policy measurements…”