New Jersey Governor Chris Christie introduced a $29.4 billion budget Tuesday that demands many concessions from state workers, as well as cuts spending and taxes. Christie, who has gained a national reputation for coming down hard on public employees, wants workers to pay more for their health care. Raising their co-payments and premiums will save [...]
Executives of a small insurance company in Albany were mystified when, almost overnight, its payments for a certain class of antibiotics nearly doubled, threatening to add about a half-million dollars annually in costs. The reason, it turned out, was that patients were using a card distributed by the maker of an expensive antibiotic used to [...]
In the midst of major decisions on Afghanistan, health care and climate change, the president today turns his attention back to a problem he tried to solve already — and one that’s sure to dominate next year’s elections, when his Democratic majorities in Congress will be at stake. Obama convenes a summit here on jobs, [...]
Some local governments and pharmacies are already offering seasonal flu shots- not the shot for H1N1- the regular seasonal flu shots. Some government locations are free, and some pharmacies take insurance. If you don’t have insurance, call around for the best prices because they can range by as much as $10 or $15.You can get [...]
Every Wednesday on NBC10′s “Survive and Thrive” we bring you a half-hour filled with money saving tips, expert financial advice, a list of open jobs in our area, plus much more to help you and your family survive and thrive during these tough financial times. In case you missed today’s show, you can find helpful [...]
The cost of an average family health insurance policy offered by employers increased 5% this year while wages rose just 3%, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust survey. The 5% increase brings the price of a family policy up to $13,375, reaffirming the trend of growing health care [...]
New Jersey has announced a plan to offer swine flu vaccines for free to uninsured residents, and possibly waive the cost for those with insurance. Vaccines are expected to become available in mid to late October and will be geared toward those most vulnerable including pregnant women, the elderly, healthcare workers and those under 24. [...]
We’re all aware that health care costs are rising, but seeing the numbers draw an even more vivid picture. Families USA, a nonprofit group that advocates for affordable healthcare, said that between 2000 and 2009, the cost of a family premium provided by an employer, rose 95.2% while median income increased by just 17.5%. Despite [...]
Merck’s Patient Assistance Program, which provides those who are uninsured with free medications for chronic conditions, has extended its coverage and will now be available for individuals who earn $43,320, couples who earn $58,280, and families of four that earn $88,200. Today, you can enroll in the program at the Maria de los Santos Health [...]
An alternative to Obama’s government-run health care plan has entered the debate in Washington-it’s known as the “cooperative” approach. Co-ops are non-profit, non-governmental organizations run by consumers that are aimed at restraining costs and providing coverage for more uninsured Americans. The details are still vague and some officials fear that co-ops would take too long [...]
Spending money wisely, from home repair to shopping
