FTC Roundtable on Consumer Protection and New Healthcare Marketplaces

The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, will host a roundtable in Washington, DC, on September 19, 2013, to discuss how to empower and protect consumers from scammers with the advent of healthcare marketplaces opening this fall under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Scammers follow the headlines, often seeking to exploit interest in new high-profile programs and developments in the marketplace. This discussion will bring together experts on the ACA, federal and state consumer protection officials, representatives of legal services and community-based organizations, and consumer advocates to discuss key features of the law, state approaches to implementation, and how to help consumers avoid potential scams.

“Consumer Protection and the Healthcare Marketplace” will take place from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the FTC’s Satellite Building Conference Center, Room C, 601 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. The event will be webcast. Space is limited. To register to attend, please send an email with your name and organization to Tracey Thomas at tthomas@ftc.gov.

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.
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SSA processing spousal benefits for same-sex couples

On August 9, 2013 the Social Security Administration (SSA) issued a short (and sweet for spouses who have been waiting for their benefits) press release.

“I am pleased to announce that Social Security is now processing some retirement spouse claims for same-sex couples and paying benefits where they are due. The recent Supreme Court decision on Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, made just over a month ago, helps to ensure that all Americans are treated fairly and equally, with the dignity and respect they deserve.

We continue to work closely with the Department of Justice. In the coming weeks and months, we will develop and implement additional policy and processing instructions. We appreciate the public’s patience as we work through the legal issues to ensure that our policy is legally sound and clear.

I encourage individuals who believe they may be eligible for Social Security benefits to apply now, to protect against the loss of any potential benefits. We will process claims as soon as additional instructions become finalized.”

To learn more, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov.

WVSLA encourages anyone who thinks he or she may be eligible for a spousal benefit now because DOMA has been overturned to apply for benefits. There is likely no harm in applying even if you are unsure of your eligibility, and by applying as soon as possible you preserve your claim as SSA continues to develop the specifics of its policies related to same-sex couples. Questions that have yet to be answered by SSA include whether couples legally married in one state but now living in another which does not recognize same-sex marriage, and whether civil unions and domestic partnerships will be considered legally on par with marriage.

Listen live today at 1p to state House Select Committee on PEIA, Seniors, & Long Term Care

Today 8/20/13 at 1p the WV House of Delegates Select Committee on PEIA, Seniors, and Long Term Care meets. You may be able to listen live at www.legis.state.wv.us/live.cfm. On the agenda today is a presentation from the state Bureau for Children and Families on the topic of elder abuse.

cool app for California law enforcement investigating elder abuse

One in ten older Americans experiences abuse or neglect each year. The numbers of abuse reports are growing at the same time that resources for agency responses are shrinking. To help California law enforcement in their work responding to abuse of elders and dependent adults (vulnerable adults with disabilities), the Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse and Neglect has partnered with the nonprofit Institute on Aging to develop a mobile app guide or "cheat sheet."

Named "368+ Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Guide for CA Law Enforcement" in reference to CA Penal Code 368, this product was developed with advice and assistance generously provided by colleagues from law enforcement, civil law, and medicine.

368+ Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Guide for CA Law Enforcement is now available for Droid devices, iPhones, and iPads. It can also be viewed on your mobile web browser.

For a limited time, this app is available free of charge, thanks to supporters like The Archstone Foundation, San Francisco Department on the Status of Women, and UniHealth Foundation. www.centeronelderabuse.org/368ElderAbuseCA.asp

Source: Nursing School Hub

SSA no longer requires surgery for gender marker change

On June 14, 2013 the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that it has changed its policy regarding changing your gender marker. If you have transitioned your gender you can get your Social Security record changed to reflect your new gender by providing to SSA at least ONE of the following documents:

• a valid 10 yr passport with the new gender
• a state-issued birth certificate with the new gender
• a court order directing legal recognition of the new gender
• a signed statement from a license physician (M.D. or D.O.) including specifically that the individual has had appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition to the new gender

Surgery is no longer required to change the gender marker in your Social Security record. "Most people may not see this as a big deal, but transgender people know that this seemingly small technical change will protect their privacy and give them more control over their own lives" said Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE).

For more information see the SSA policy change here https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110212200, and see an info sheet from the NCTE about how this policy change effects transgender people here www.transequality.org/Resources/SSAResource_June2013.pdf

Alzheimer's training videos for law enforcement

The IACP Alzheimer’s Initiatives Program has announced the release of a new training video: Responding to People with Alzheimer’s Disease: Best Practices for Law Enforcement. These FREE training videos are great for roll-call type training sessions and can be easily downloaded for viewing.

Please visit www.theiacp.org/alztrainingvideo to register and download the videos. We would also appreciate your assistance in spreading the word about this new resource – feel free to forward this along to your contacts who may be interested.

For additional resources that the IACP provides on this topic, please go to www.theiacp.org/alzheimers. Also, if you would like to order a DVD copy of the video, email alzheimers@theiacp.org.

WVSLA celebrates Rainbow Pride Week!

This year's theme is "All Together Now. . ." a recognition that no matter how diverse our communities are, when it comes to things like equality, love, and understanding, we speak with a united voice.

In our state capital there are a variety of activities planned, here is an agenda www.pridewv.org/pride-week-2013