Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services issue new proposed rules
Definition and rule clarifications to the rehabilitation option that Medicaid agencies use to provide services.

Court Ruling Says California Disabled Rights Law Applies to the Web
A federal district court judge issued two landmark decisions in a nationwide class action against Target Corporation. The court certified the case as a class action on behalf of blind Internet users throughout the country under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).

Facts About the 2008 Stimulus Payments
From the IRS website

Governer Blagojevich signs law to protect and promote the rights of residents of all ages living in long term care facilities.
Legislation gives Long Term Care Ombudsmen the option to advocate for residents under age 60.

Justice Department Settles Disability Rights Case With National Provider of Retirement Housing
Announcement of settlement agreement with the owners of Phoenix Village Apartments in Fort Smith, Arkansas. They had refused to rent apartments to families with children. The defendants will pay up to $165,000 to compensate the victims of discrimination and $20,000 in civil penalties to the United States. Note that Michigan is one of the states involved.

Medicaid Spousal Impoverishment Figures for 2008 Released - Elder Law Answers
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released the community spouse resource allowances (CSRA) and the maximum monthly maintenance needs allowance for 2008.

New AAP Reports Help Pediatricians Identify and Manage Autism Earlier
Two new clinical reports from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) will help pediatricians recognize autism spectrum disorders earlier and guide families to effective interventions.

SEIU Applauds Bipartisan Leadership of Sen. Finance Committee in Push for Greater Oversight of Private Equity Takeover of Nursing Homes
The nation’s largest healthcare workers union applauded the bipartisan leadership of the Senate Finance Committee as it took new steps to hold private equity firms accountable for the care, staffing, and conditions at nursing homes they own.

Social Security Announces 2.3% Benefit Increase for 2008 - Press Release from SSA
Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for more than 54 million Americans will increase in 2008.

State Dept. HIV Policy Faulted - Gay City News - Jan. 24, 2008
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), a federal civil rights agency, ruled on January 3 that an HIV-positive applicant to be a foreign service officer (FSO) has a right to a hearing on whether he is qualified, and that federal law may prevent the State Department from categorically refusing to hire such applicants.

UAW Agreement Could Affect Michigan's Medicaid Program - WLNS News
It could be an unintended consequence of the groundbreaking labor agreement between General Motors and the United Auto Workers that could cost Michigan hundreds of millions of dollars in Medicaid funding over 3 years.

Veteran's Traumatic Brain Injury Family Caregiver Panel to be Established - Brain Injury News and Information Blog
The Department of Defense gave notice that it intends to establish the Traumatic Brain Injury Family Caregiver Panel as a subcommittee of the Defense Health Board.

Woman Faces Trial in Death of Mother (Kalamazoo Gazette - Jan. 24, 2008)
The daughter of an elderly Portage woman who died after suffering blunt-force injuries was ordered to stand trial Wednesday on two charges of causing her mother's death.