Archive Yearly Archives: 2008

2008 Changes Meaning of a Billion Dollars

Often I end the year with a column on memories of New Years Eve’s from years past.  This year one story eluded comment in the press and public and was so obvious and yet unspoken that I just could not resist.  Beyond reporting of the Presidential election and the current financial crisis, the disturbing thought […]

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Pennsylvania Unveils Website To Help In Tough Times

Every so often a government agency releases information concerning a program or service and undersells just how great it is.  I have to admit that this happens rarely both in government and in the private sector.  Last week Pennsylvania outdid itself with a new website, HereToHelp.pa.gov found at www.heretohelp.pa.gov. The press release from the Governor’s […]

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Proposed Assisted Living Regulations Need Revision

A little over a year ago, on July 30, 2007, I reported that Assisted Living had recently been officially recognized in Pennsylvania with the passage of Act 56 of that year.  See “Assisted Living Officially Arrives in Pennsylvania, “ www.collitonlaw.com.  What most people did not realize is that, before that time, Assisted Living did not […]

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A Reader Comments On Open Enrollment and PFFS Medicare

When I wrote last week regarding the Medicare Open Enrollment period, that time of year when Medicare recipients can sign up for or change their Medicare “D” prescription drug coverage or their Medicare Advantage health insurance plans, I was not expecting a response from a reader regarding Private Fee For Service (PFFS) Medicare.  Still, that […]

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What You Need To Know For Medicare Open Enrollment

With Thanksgiving comes that time of year for Medicare enrollees to sharpen their pencils and get to work deciding their prescription (Medicare Part “D”)and Medicare Advantage plans for next year.  The period known as “open enrollment” began November 15 and will run until December 31. Medicare Supplement enrollees, also referred to as Med Supp, for […]

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Election Is Over – What Does the Future Hold?

On November 4, the Presidential campaign season finally came to a halt with the election of Barack Obama as 44th U.S. President.  While first on the new President Elect’s agenda are measures to restore the economy, other matters will likely soon follow.  Having hauled my figurative crystal ball from storage, I will venture some predictions […]

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Tomorrow We Vote

At a luncheon for lawyers last week I overheard an attorney at the next table exclaim “If the Phillies win the World Series and <he named his candidate> wins the election for president, call me and we’ll celebrate.  Otherwise, I will be too depressed to talk.”  I imagined this man with the blinds pulled shut […]

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Analyzing the Mc Cain and Obama Health Care Reforms

Over the past several weeks I have spent a lot of time examining health care proposals.  Over the last several years, I have similarly spent a great deal of time reading and commenting on health care, especially as it affects the elderly. With this in mind, commenting on the McCain and Obama health care proposals […]

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Wills – Anticipating the Problems

My early practice as an attorney in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was in litigation.  That meant that I never saw a situation until it had gone horribly wrong.   I always felt that that experience provided me an advantage.  When it was time to handle transactional work such as Wills and planning I knew to work backwards and […]

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Where Money Is Safe – And Insured – The New Rules

With the turmoil affecting the markets over the past several weeks, investors are looking for protection.  The fact was driven home to me recently when an Executrix for an estate we handle decided to divide the estate account among three banks.  The action happened to be unnecessary in that case but her concern was understandable. […]

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Consider Supplemental Needs Trusts for Special Children

Last week, Daily Local News Staff Writer Danielle Lynch reported the results of a two month investigation on special needs children in an excellent three part series, “Special Children, Special Needs.”  The series incorporated interviews with lawmakers, teachers, parents, coaches, administrators, advocates, and program innovators and organizers to provide an intense and insightful view into […]

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Lessons I Learned From Aunt Fran

About a week ago my Aunt Frances who lived in Philadelphia would have reached her 100th birthday.  As it was, she made it to age 92 which was farther than any of our biological family had gone in anyone’s memory. Since Aunt Fran, as everyone knew her, and Uncle Lue, my uncle, her husband, had […]

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2008 Financial Concerns – Their Causes and Relief

The roller coaster ride that the financial markets have been taking lately is hardly the kind of kind of trip that seniors, in particular, would like to sign on for but reliable sources indicate that it may stabilize soon.   This still means that the effect of taxpayers assuming the risk in the buyouts of Fannie […]

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An Election Prediction – Estate Taxes

With the U.S. Presidential Election less than two months away, speculation has built on the impact on taxes with both Democrats and Republicans asserting that their plans will benefit the public best.  Generally speaking, the Obama plan focuses on the middle class described as those with incomes of $250,00 and below, recognizing the economy.  The […]

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Agreements With Facilities – What You Need To Know

Years ago a man came to me with a document asking me to review it before he signed.  It was a Release and I congratulated him for having it examined before it was signed.  Too often I am consulted after damage has been done.  His common sense answer stayed with me.  “It is a legal […]

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