Life

Hungary Election Reminds All Of The Power Of Casting A Vote

Viewpoints April 17, 2026

Whether you loved him or hated him, you cannot deny the influence Viktor Orban has had on the world during his time in politics — nor the iron grip he had on his own country’s electoral machine. And yet, on Sunday, the people of Hungary decided that, after 16 years in office, enough was enough. Despite time as — at first — a popular incumbent followed by time as — at second — an authoritarian who bent the system to give himself every edge to stay in power…in the end, none of it mattered. The election in Hungary shows that the will of the people remains ...

Ways To Resolve Questions Over New Medicare Cards

Senior News April 13, 2026

Question: I recently saw an article that Medicare is issuing new ID cards in March and April of this year. When will mine arrive? Answer: Well this topic may feel familiar, and that is because I wrote a similar article last year because there were over 100,000 Medicare beneficiaries getting new cards. Well this March and April the number of individuals receiving new Medicare cards will be over 1.3 Million. That is a significantly larger number of recipients, but it is not as common as it sounds. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) did not specify why the new cards were ...

Voter List Is An Overreaction To A Small Problem

Viewpoints April 10, 2026

Can the President order the U.S. Postal Service not to deliver mail he doesn’t like? Add this to the list of, er, innovative questions that President Trump is posing to the courts. On (March 31) he signed an executive action to create a federal list of people pre-approved to vote by mail, while telling the USPS to refuse to deliver ballots from anybody who isn’t on it. Democrats have already filed lawsuits, saying Mr. Trump’s plan tramples on the authority over elections that the Constitution gives to the 50 states. The USPS is an independent agency, and the Postmaster General is ...

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. ...