Everyday People Matter
One of the most frustrating problems people with disabilities experience is that a loss of a job usually leads to loss of healthcare coverage. Filing for Social Security disability takes several months if not two years on average for a decision on an application. When people with chronic or traumatic health problems lose their health insurance, they usually go without…
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has just approved a personalized cancer treatment that has the potential to have dramatic benefits for some types of cancer patients. The therapy called Yescarta is a gene therapy, and involves the removal and genetic engineering of the immune cells of patients, so that they are better equipped to fight off the cancer cells.…
Young athletes who suffer frequent concussions have a higher risk of suffering multiple sclerosis later in life. These findings were part of a study recently published in the journal Annals of Neurology. Researchers in Sweden analyzed medical histories of Swedes who had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis since 1964. When the same data was compared with another control group, the…
Lupus patients from lower socio-economic populations have a higher risk of suffering organ damage as a result of the condition. According to new research published in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatology, persistent poverty is linked to an increase in the amount of damage caused by lupus over time. On the other hand, persons who are able to improve their economic…
A common question I get each while talking to prospective clients is whether a person can keep working while applying for disability. Frequently, callers are baffled when I advise that “no, you cannot work and simultaneously apply for disability.” Also, I do not accept prospective clients that are still working. First, let’s define “work.” Social Security defines work as “substantial…
Last night Congress agreed to fund the government through December 22, 2017 and just hours ago the President signed that bill. One of Congress’ constitutional obligations is to approve government funding. The federal government’s fiscal year runs through October 1st to September 30th. Because Congress cannot agree on spending priorities, particular the defense department, immigration and healthcare, annual funding has…
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (“CHIP”) is at risk of going belly up thanks to Congressional inaction on funding the widely popular children’s health insurance program. Created in 1997, the program provides federal dollars to states to fund an insurance program for children whose families are low income, but earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. CHIP benefits 9 million…
Exercise is an absolute must for good health, but overdoing exercise, especially for some members of the population, could cause an increase in the risk of cardiac disease. According to researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago, white men who over-exercise have a risk of heart disease that is almost twice as high as those who exercise in moderation.…
Roughly 9% of all senior citizens in the United States suffer from asthma. As the numbers of people above the age of 65 with this condition increase, doctors are warning of a spike in the number of seniors who will find it difficult to function as a result of asthmatic symptoms. Asthma can cause breathing difficulties in all patients, but…
Ignoring a sports injury, or returning to work too quickly after an injury, may actually increase a young person’s risk of developing arthritis later in life. In fact, according to recent research conducted by the University of Iowa, joint damage at the site of an injury may evolve into further problems and actually be a predictor for arthritis down the…