In the latest incident of a celebrity using the “R” word, Tracy Morgan, fresh from his apologies over making anti-gay remarks, made “jokes” about “young retarded males” during a recent comedy appearance. It was reminiscent of Jenifer Aniston’s description of herself as “retarded” on the David Letterman show. The New York Times reported Morgan’s gaffe… Read More »
Monthly Archives: June 2011
Big Banks Exit Reverse Mortgage Market
What is a Reverse Mortgage? Seniors (you must be over age 62) can tap the home equity in their homes by obtaining a reverse mortgage in either a lump sum or multiple payments. The homeowner is not obligated to repay the loan, and the payment is deferred until the homeowner dies, sells the home,… Read More »
NY to Require Insurance Companies to Pay for Autism Treatments
Via a press release issued by Chairman of the Senate Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Committee Senator Roy McDonald: The New York State Senate today approved legislation to enable individuals with autism spectrum disorders to receive insurance coverage for screening, diagnosis and treatment. The bill (S.4005A), sponsored by Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R, Merrick),… Read More »
The Real Reason You Should Have Paid Attention in High School French
In a recent interview in the New York Times Science Section, cognitive neuroscientist Ellen Bialystock was interviewed about recent studies that have found that being bilingual delays the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms by an average of five to six years. Unfortunately, the occasional use of a second language does not qualify for bilingualism. The… Read More »
The Five-Year Lookback– Frequently Asked Questions
One of the questions I am frequently asked in my elder law practice is “what is the five-year lookback?” Simply put, if you give away money or property during the five years before you apply for Medicaid, that transfer triggers a penalty period during which you are ineligible for Medicaid. How Does the Penalty Period… Read More »