Poverty in the United States

Pennsylvania American Water Files Rate Request Driven by $1 Billion in Investment

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Pennsylvania American Water filed a rate adjustment request today with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission reflecting $1 billion in water and wastewater system investments to be made through mid-2025 to continue providing safe and reliable service.

Key Points: 
  • Pennsylvania American Water filed a rate adjustment request today with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission reflecting $1 billion in water and wastewater system investments to be made through mid-2025 to continue providing safe and reliable service.
  • The request reinforces the company’s commitment to investing in its water and wastewater systems to replace aging infrastructure, provide reliable service, enhance water quality, comply with environmental regulations, and increase fire protection for customers.
  • “There is tremendous need for significant and costly improvements to the Commonwealth’s water and wastewater infrastructure, and Pennsylvania American Water is playing a key role by making necessary investments and replacing century-old pipes, pumps, and treatment facilities,” said Pennsylvania American Water President Justin Ladner.
  • Customers can participate through written comments, attendance at public input hearings, and consumer advocacy organizations that participate in the proceedings.

New Report Finds Public Pensions Play a Critical Role in Delivering Retirement Security for Older Americans While Reducing Wealth Inequality by Race and Gender

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 13, 2023

WASHINGTON and BERKELEY, Calif., Sept. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report finds that defined benefit pensions play a critical role in delivering adequate retirement income for older Americans while providing a key buffer against economic hardship for women, Blacks, Latinos, and those without a four-year college degree. The report also finds that the wealth value of lifetime pension income, particularly from public pensions, is distributed more equitably by race and gender than other private financial assets, thereby narrowing the wealth gap among older families. For example, public pensions are a key pillar of Black middle-class economic security, increasing the median wealth of older Black families by 46 percent.

Key Points: 
  • Pension income is distributed relatively evenly among recipients by race, while public pension income is distributed more equally by gender than private pension and 401(k) income.
  • For instance, Black pensioners have virtually the same pension wealth as white pensioners, and women hold just over half of public pension wealth.
  • "As economic inequality has grown across the U.S., so too has retirement inequality," said Dan Doonan , NIRS executive director.
  • Given the decline of pensions in the private sector, public pensions form a critical bulwark of middle-class retirement security alongside Social Security," said Dr. Rhee.

Avista Makes Annual Price Adjustment Requests in Washington and Idaho

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 1, 2023

SPOKANE, Wash., Sept. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avista (NYSE: AVA) has made annual rate adjustment filings with the utility commissions in Washington and Idaho that, if approved, will result in an increase in electric rates and decrease in natural gas rates in Washington, and increase natural gas rates in Idaho, effective November 1, 2023.

Key Points: 
  • SPOKANE, Wash., Sept. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avista (NYSE: AVA) has made annual rate adjustment filings with the utility commissions in Washington and Idaho that, if approved, will result in an increase in electric rates and decrease in natural gas rates in Washington, and increase natural gas rates in Idaho, effective November 1, 2023.
  • Avista does not make a profit on, or markup, the wholesale cost of natural gas.
  • PGAs ensure customers pay what Avista pays, dollar for dollar, only at a more predictable and stable rate throughout the year.
  • About 55% of an Avista natural gas customer's bill is the combined cost of purchasing natural gas on the wholesale market and transporting it to Avista's system.

AidKit Partners With City of Cambridge on America’s First Non-Lottery Cash Assistance Program

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 5, 2023

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AidKit today announced that it is disbursing payments in a groundbreaking new cash assistance program from the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Key Points: 
  • CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AidKit today announced that it is disbursing payments in a groundbreaking new cash assistance program from the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts.
  • It is the first citywide program in the United States to offer cash aid to every eligible household.
  • “They’ve been with us every step of the way, from designing the program to delivering much-needed cash assistance.
  • “We’re grateful for our partnerships with the City of Cambridge and Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee to implement the first citywide cash assistance program for low-income families in the US.

National pharmacy offers relief to millions losing health insurance on May 11

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Rx Outreach, the nation's largest online nonprofit pharmacy, offers help to millions losing health insurance on May 11.

Key Points: 
  • Rx Outreach, the nation's largest online nonprofit pharmacy, offers help to millions losing health insurance on May 11.
  • A PHE for Covid-19 was declared by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services January 2020, pursuant to Section 319 of the Public Health Service Act .
  • "We are part of America's healthcare safety net, a trusted, affordable pharmacy at the ready to help people live their healthiest lives despite losing health insurance or other challenges."
  • Patients can be uninsured, underinsured, on Medicare, Medicaid, or other health insurance and still qualify for prescription support.

Virginia Department of Education Selects ClassWallet to Distribute Up to $30 Million in Federal ESSER Funds for K-12 Learning Recovery Grants to Eligible Families

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 16, 2023

Qualifying students whose family income doesn't exceed 300% of the Federal Poverty Level will receive a $3,000 K-12 Learning Recovery Grant; all other qualifying students will receive a $1,500 grant.

Key Points: 
  • Qualifying students whose family income doesn't exceed 300% of the Federal Poverty Level will receive a $3,000 K-12 Learning Recovery Grant; all other qualifying students will receive a $1,500 grant.
  • The monies are designated for in-person, virtual or hybrid general and/or special education tutoring in one-on-one, small group or large group settings.
  • Families approved for the microgrants will receive a digital wallet account from ClassWallet which they can access from any device.
  • "ClassWallet's leading digital wallet technology provides confidence that the funds are helping Virginia families and making the impact for children the program is designed to have.

National Financial Educators Council Announces California State Chapter and Advisory Board

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 19, 2023

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Financial Educators Council® announces the formation of its first state chapter – the California Financial Educators Council℠.

Key Points: 
  • LOS ANGELES, Jan. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Financial Educators Council® announces the formation of its first state chapter – the California Financial Educators Council℠.
  • The mission of the California Financial Educators Council is to build sustainable, scalable economic empowerment programs that have a real impact on people's lives at the community level.
  • The National Financial Educators Council® supports the California Chapter by providing the resources, materials, and processes to help organizations and individuals across the state gain access to financial education programming.
  • The California Financial Educators Council is a chapter of the National Financial Educators Council – a Certified B Corporation™ and an IACET Accredited Provider focused on mobilizing a global force of champions and advocates and empowering them with state-of-the-art training and resources to spread the message and support communities worldwide with greater financial wellness.

New York StateWide Senior Action Council (www.nysenior.org) Announces It's Medicare Fraud of the Month for December: Ending Medical Debt for Seniors

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 13, 2022

ALBANY, N.Y., Dec. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- New York StateWide Senior Action Council (StateWide), an organization dedicated to advocacy for the rights of seniors in New York State today announced its Medicare Fraud of the Month for December; Ending Medical Debt for Seniors.

Key Points: 
  • ALBANY, N.Y., Dec. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- New York StateWide Senior Action Council (StateWide), an organization dedicated to advocacy for the rights of seniors in New York State today announced its Medicare Fraud of the Month for December; Ending Medical Debt for Seniors.
  • The StateWide Fraud of the Month is a component of the Senior Medical Patrol, the definitive resource for New York State's senior citizens and caregivers to detect, prevent, and report healthcare fraud, errors, and abuse.
  • To help combat this illicit industry StateWide earlier this year announced its Fraud of the Month program to highlight these scams being perpetrated on the State's seniors.
  • If you suspect unfair hospital billing practices or any Medicare fraud, immediately call our Senior Medical Patrol Hotline, at 800-333-4374 or visit the StateWide website, www.nysenior.org .

Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Pose Ongoing Concern to Health of Youth in Los Angeles County, Report from Public Health Shows

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 17, 2022

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) today released a report showing that consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) drinks with added sugar such as soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks and energy drinks remains an ongoing concern to the health of children and adolescents in Los Angeles County.

Key Points: 
  • The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) today released a report showing that consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) drinks with added sugar such as soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks and energy drinks remains an ongoing concern to the health of children and adolescents in Los Angeles County.
  • The Department of Public Health is committed to promoting health equity and ensuring optimal health and well-being for all 10 million residents of Los Angeles County.
  • Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health.
  • Nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health comprises nearly 5,000 employees and has an annual budget of $1.3 billion.

Public Health Holds Annual Food Day Summit to Advance Efforts Toward Food Justice in Los Angeles County

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 25, 2022

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) today continued its push toward food equity in Los Angeles County by convening the second annual Food Day Summit, Road to Food Justice: Learning from the Past, Navigating the Future.

Key Points: 
  • The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) today continued its push toward food equity in Los Angeles County by convening the second annual Food Day Summit, Road to Food Justice: Learning from the Past, Navigating the Future.
  • The Department of Public Health is committed to promoting health equity and ensuring optimal health and well-being for all 10 million residents of Los Angeles County.
  • Nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health comprises nearly 4,500 employees and has an annual budget of $1.2 billion.
  • To learn more about Los Angeles County Public Health, please visit www.publichealth.lacounty.gov , and follow LA County Public Health on social media at twitter.com/lapublichealth , facebook.com/lapublichealth , instagram.com/lapublichealth and youtube.com/lapublichealth .