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NSCLC Endorses the House Healthcare Bill

NSCLC strongly supports H.R. 3962, Affordable Health Care for America Act.

Important Information for Advocates Working with Social Security and Supplemental Security Income Recipients

A settlement agreement which will end the Social Security Administration’s policy of denying or suspending benefits based on the mere existence of an outstanding arrest warrant was approved by a federal judge in Oakland, CA.

Social Security Owes ‘Fugitives’ Millions

The Wall Street Journal coverage on the final approval of the the Martinez settlement.

Eric Carlson Discusses Long-Term Care on KPFK

Eric Carlson, Director of NSCLC’s Long-Term Care Project, appeared on The Lawyers Guild Show on KPFK radio (Los Angeles) on September 10.

Restore Equal Opportunity For Older Workers

The National Senior Citizens Law Center commends Congress for introducing legislation to override Gross v. FBL Financial Services, Inc.

Don’t Blame Democrats for Republican Obstruction of Obama’s Judicial Nominees

In this Roll Call article, Public Policy Counsel Si Lazarus addresses the concerted effort of Republicans to filibuster Obama's judicial nominees.

LGBT Aging and Long-Term Care Fairness Survey

NSCLC in partnership with other leading LGBT organizations are working to raise awareness of the issues facing LGBT older adults who live in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other long-term care facilities.

30 State AGs Request Suspension of Federal 5-Star Rating System for Nursing Facilities

Thirty state attorneys general have asked the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend and revise its Five-Star rating system. The Five-Star system, launched in December 2008, gives each nursing facility a rating between one and five stars, based on the facility’s inspection record, staffing levels, and “quality measures” (e.g., percentage of residents with pressure sores or urinary tract infections).

Congress Pushes Back as Supreme Court Oversteps

NSCLC’s Simon Lazarus published in Roll Call for November 17 this article on the Supreme Court conservative bloc’s increasingly aggressive penchant for undermining progressive statutes and marginalizing Congress, and Congress’ efforts to push back.

Helping Elderly Leave Nursing Homes for a Home (NY Times)

This New York Times article examines how some states are helping people in nursing homes move back into the community. Quote from NSCLC Staff Attorney Gene Coffey.

Webinar: Litigating After Iqbal

Listen to the webinar recorded on Sept. 14, 2009

Thousands of California Elders Losing Long-Term Care (New America Media)

Musician Ortiz Walton, 75, is one of millions of Americans who need long-term care. But he is about to lose services that have enabled him to stay in his Berkeley, Calif., home and out of a nursing institution, because Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger line-item vetoed those programs from the state budget.

California delays in-home care cuts (Sacramento Bee)

The California Department of Social Services announced Wednesday that it cannot meet a Sept. 1 deadline requiring it drop or cut aid for more than 100,000 people enrolled in the state's In-Home Supportive Services program.

How the Sotomayor Saga Could Help Progressives Take Back the Courts

Sotomayor's hearings shelved the stereotype that progressive judges rule based on their hearts and treat the Constitution as a play toy.

NSCLC Comments on HCBS Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

NSCLC writes to comment on the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking relating to Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers.

NYT Examines Plight of Ethnic Elders

New York Times article on challenges facing ethnic elders, who now make up America's fastest-growing immigrant group.

NSCLC Statement on the Legacy of Ted Kennedy

NSCLC Requests Clarification of CMS Policy on Medicaid HCBS Waivers

The District of Columbia operates a Medicaid home and community-based services waiver for individuals 65 years old or older or with disabilities. The waiver document it submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and for which it received approval, indicates that the “medically needy” are a covered eligibility category. However, DC advocates were recently informed by DC Medicaid officials that individuals with incomes over the “special income category” limit (300% of the Supplemental Security Income’s federal benefit rate) could not qualify for the waiver unless they established income trusts. Several organizations, including NSCLC, signed a letter directed to CMS asking that the agency clarify whether DC is required to provide coverage for medically needy individuals, and, if not, whether alternative methods are available for eligibility.

Fifth Circuit Holds Public Housing Demolition Law Unenforceable

This article appears in the Housing Law Bulletin, published by the National Housing Law Program.

Government Stops Unlawful Social Security Suspensions; Agrees To Repay More Than Half A Billion in Back Benefits

Press Release

Congress Tackles Long-Term Care (New York Times)

The New Old Age Blog of the New York Times examines the CLASS Act, a bill introduced by Senator Edward M. Kennedy, that would establish a national long-term care insurance program.

Order Granting Final Approval

Click here to view the final approval of the Martinez Settlement.

Older Women of Color and the Challenge of Regulating Cultural Competence

Programs ensuring that older women of color can age in place and maintain their connections to family and community not only offer them the dignity and care they deserve, but also strengthen the fabric of the neighborhoods and families in which they live. By Georgia Burke and Katharine Hsiao. This article originally appeared in Clearinghouse Review, May-June 2009.

Webinar: Medicaid’s New HCBS State Plan Benefit

Medicaid's New Home and Community-Based Services State Plan Benefit

NSCLC, Other Advocates Urge Congress to Lift LSC Restrictions

NSCLC joined the Brennan Center for Justice and 60 other groups to urge Congress to lift restrictions on Legal Services Corporation grantees.

NSCLC Statement on Supreme Court's Decision in Gross v. FBL Financial Services, Inc.

The National Senior Citizens Law Center expresses surprise and deep concern at the Supreme Court’s decision issued June 18, 2009 in Gross v. FBL Financial Services, Inc., in which a 5-4 majority has radically changed and severely weakened equal opportunity protections for older workers.