Life

What’s Behind Higher-Than-Expected Medicare Premium?

Senior News April 6, 2026

Question: I was told my Medicare Part B would cost $202.90, but my premium is much higher than that. Why? Answer: The Medicare Part B premium for most Americans in 2026 is $202.90. There are some that find they pay more than that and this can be for two reasons. One is that they enrolled in Medicare Part B late and so you have an enrollment penalty of 10% for each year they did not enroll. This penalty will continue to be an additional premium added to the monthly premium for the rest of your life. The only way to erase the Late Enrollment Penalty is by applying for and receiving ...

Colorblindness Won’t Enforce Itself Despite DEI Pushback

Viewpoints April 3, 2026

The Trump administration has ruthlessly targeted diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs that classify Americans based on a progressive racial hierarchy. But the federal bureaucracy is vast, and the White House apparently didn’t catch them all. Hence a new lawsuit challenging a medical scholarship administered by the Department of Health and Human Services that bars applicants who don’t have Native Hawaiian ancestry. The lawsuit, filed Monday by the medical group “Do No Harm” and first reported here, argues that this racial requirement for a federal government benefit is ...

Explaining Why Some Medications Aren’t Covered Anymore

Senior News March 30, 2026

Question: I went to fill my medications, and I seem to be having problems. One medication was no longer covered, another one needed “permission” first, and then I received a letter saying I have to switch to another medication for a third drug I took last year. Why is this happening, they were all covered before? Answer: Well, this is a common occurrence in the first three months of the year with Medicare Part D. Remember that each year, the plans change not only the premium they charge, but also the medications they cover (their formulary) and how they cover those medications. ...

Anthony Nalbone-Aryn Nelson

Engagements March 28, 2026

The Rev. David and Kathy Nelson of Brocton announce the engagement of their daughter, Aryn Nelson of North Tonawanda, to Anthony Nalbone of Grand Island. Aryn is a homeschool graduate who earned her bachelor of science degree in nursing from Alfred State and presently attends D’Youville ...

Trump Cannot Deliver A Quick Exit From Iran

Viewpoints March 27, 2026

Whatever else Donald Trump’s “ pause ” is, it is not a ceasefire. Iranian barrages targeted Israel, Gulf Arab states and northern Iraq on Tuesday, while Israeli and US warplanes struck across Iran. What Mr Trump’s statement did was to narrow US targets to exclude power plants and energy infrastructure to calm jittery markets. But the fighting continues. With reports that the US is considering boots on the ground, Washington is waging war while searching for an exit – without a credible or unified negotiating position, as Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu pursues his own ...

Learn More About Medicaid Savings Program

Senior News March 23, 2026

Question: I hear and get mail about benefits that pay their Medicare Part B premium. What is that and how do I get that? Answer: The program I believe you are asking about is called the Medicare Savings Program (MSP). This is a Medicaid benefit administered by the Department of Social Services (DSS) in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties. Each year the income levels change, and this is new income information just released from the Federal Government. Often our Gross income is different than our Net income. (I remember the difference with a rhyme, “Net is what you Get”.) With ...