Category Archives: Finance

The Process of Leaving a Legacy

Thanks to Mary M. You are invited! Town Hall Seattle in Partnership with The Seattle Public Library Foundation is proud to present…The Process of Leaving a LegacyWednesday, February 11, 202612:00 – 1:15 pmFree online event Planning for the future doesn’t have … Continue reading

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How to support WACCRA’s Important Actions in the State Legislature

Ed note: If you are not already a Washing State Continuing Care Resident’s Association (WACCRA) member, please consider joining this statewide organization of CCRC’s which advocate for the rights of residents. Currently, we have very few legal protections of our … Continue reading

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The Curse of the Middle Guy: Ferguson’s first 8 months as governor

Expectations were high for Bob Ferguson. For many across the political spectrum, the reality has been baffling and disappointing. What happened? Laurel Demkovich in Crosscut If you want to learn more about Gov. Bob Ferguson’s term so far and hear … Continue reading

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Upcoming challenge at the Supreme Court on Campaign Financing

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Schwab’s takeaways the OBBBA

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I don’t think Washington understands how ticked off we truly are

By Dan Shanoff and Rafe Bartholomew in the NYT Stephen A. Smith brought a taste of “First Take” to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night. The ESPN host, who has branched out into political commentary in recent months and even teased the possibility of running … Continue reading

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Something SERIOUS is About to Happen

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Original Medicare to use AI companies to evaluate need for health care services

By Daily Actions on September 5, 2025 (thanks to Mary M.) Donald Trump and Dr. Oz want to let Artificial Intelligence (AI) choose which procedures Medicare will cover for individual patients — with AI companies being paid based on how … Continue reading

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Medicare Will Require Prior Approval for Certain Procedures [for those with Original Medicare]

A pilot program in six states [including Washington State] will use a tactic employed by private insurers that has been heavily criticized for delaying and denying medical care. By Reed Abelson and Teddy Rosenbluth in the NYT (thanks to Mary M.) Like millions … Continue reading

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‘Damning audit’ begs the question: Who is protecting taxpayer interests in King County?

By The Seattle Times editorial boardIf there was ever a wake-up call for local government, this is it. In a disturbing report released Tuesday, the King County Auditor determined that grant funding from the county’s Department of Community and Human … Continue reading

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Be warned: the financial bubble will soon burst

by Robert Reich Friends, This isn’t an investment letter and I’m not an investment advisor. But I want to warn you. The financial economy — stocks, bonds, and their derivatives — is in for a big reality check, and I … Continue reading

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“The Trump Tariff Tax is the largest peacetime tax hike in U.S. history,” former Vice President Mike Pence

by Heather Cox Richardson – posted yesterday April 2nd as the anticipated fallout began Just five months ago, on October 19, 2024, The Economist ran a special report on America’s economy. That economy was, the magazine said, “the envy of … Continue reading

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“Perfect Storm” at the University of Washington

Thanks to Ann M. This message is being sent to all staff, faculty and academic personnel across the University of Washington. Dear colleagues, Over the past two months, we have been tracking and responding to a range of policy changes … Continue reading

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The budget mess – commentary by Heather Cox Richardson

On Friday, February 21, former transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg posted: “A defining policy battle is about to come to a head in this country. The Republican budget will force everyone—especially Congress and the White House—to make plain whether they are … Continue reading

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When the Retirement Community Goes Bankrupt

Ed note: There is a natural tension between Leading Age, the industry lobby group for CCRC’s, and WaCCRA, the residents voice for the state of Washington (NaCCRA is the national organization). Years ago when I was unsuccessfully trying to have … Continue reading

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Lessons for Industry from Boeing’s Wanton Self-Immolation

By James S. Russell in Post Alley (thanks to Ed M.) The 2018 crash of two airliners, one in Indonesia (in which 189 people died), the other in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which killed 157, underscore that America needs to revive … Continue reading

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ZIEGLER CLOSES $62,420,000 FINANCING FOR PARKSHORE JUANITA BAY (WA)

Thanks to Dan S. DATE: AUGUST 2024 DEAL: NEW COMMUNITY ZIEGLER’S ROLE: UNDERWRITER ZIEGLER CLOSES $62,420,000 FINANCING FOR PARKSHORE JUANITA BAY (WA) CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 29, 2024 – Ziegler, a specialty investment bank, is pleased to announce the successful … Continue reading

Posted in Business, CCRC Info, Communication, Finance | 1 Comment

Your Will: A Plan for Care, Connection & Impact

Thanks to Mary M.   Thursday, August 22 12 – 1:00 p.m. Free Online Event sponsored by The Seattle Foundation August is National Make-A-Will Month. Whether you’ve had a will for many years or are just getting started with your estate planning process, … Continue reading

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The privatization of Medicare and Medicaid

Ed note: This is an in depth look at how a few large insurance companies are taking over control of health care (doctors, clinics, laboratories, pharmacies, etc.). It is notable that “the government will pay roughly $500 billion to insurance … Continue reading

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Charity Navigator’s review of Presbyterian Retirement Communities Northwest (aka Transforming Age)

The Charity Navigator organization rates non-profits with a variety of measurements. Transforming Age is listed as Presbyterian Retirement Communities on the Charity Navigator website and on Transforming Age’s form 990. This form contains information that most organizations claiming federal tax-exempt status … Continue reading

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New York University will divest from fossil fuels in win for student activists

From the Guardian – thanks to Pam P. New York University plans to divest from fossil fuels, the Guardian has learned, following years of pressure from student activists. The move from one of the US’s largest private universities, whose endowment … Continue reading

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Biden Plan to Cut Billions in Medicare Fraud Ignites Lobbying Frenzy

Ed note: The privatized Medicare Advantage programs are making a lot of money. It turns out that a number of the Insurers are “upcoding” the severity of illness in their enrollees in order to be able to charge more. The … Continue reading

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The Silicon Valley Back Rescue/Bailout – what does it mean?

Thanks to Frank C. Also see the Op-Ed piece by Paul Krugman in today’s NYT. It remains to be seen, how the jitters play out over the next several days.

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Don’t Try to Appease Economic Terrorists

By Paul Krugman in the NYT A few days ago I received an automated text from my bank. For some reason the bank’s algorithm flagged a valid charge on my debit card as potentially questionable; the text asked me to verify … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Finance, Government | 1 Comment

Why are Republicans telling voters they want to cut Social Security by a third?

By Alicia H. Munnell Improving benefits for the low paid is a noble goal, but all but the very wealthy need the benefits in current law. Why in the world would Republicans put out a plan to dramatically cut Social Security? … Continue reading

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