Standard Enrollment Form For A Medicare-Approved Drug Discount: Fill & Download for Free

American healthcare costs are driven primarily by societal factors and demands on treatment in concert with the rapid growth of expensive new technology and treatment.America is the most obese and sedentary country in the world and we are getting worse by the year. That is not a healthcare system problem. It’s a societal problem.Being sedentary and obese give us the highest rates of cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Once the horses are out of the barn, it’s a very expensive catch up of very expensive cancer surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, diabetic related heart attacks and strokes, dialysis, infections, amputations, knee and hip replacements, back surgeries and the like.Whatever healthcare costs are in the EU, double or triple it to account for the extra diseases caused by American obesity and inactivity and the rapid approval and incorporation of new treatment in the US.But, dissenters argue, that the US spends much more and has lower life expectancies (by a couple of years) compared to other industrialized countries.This lower life expectancy has been explained by healthcare economists who note that in the US, any birth is counted. Many other countries discount premature births in their statistics. Thus, it’s a comparison of apples and oranges given the high death rate in premature births and that as a society, the US has the higher teen pregnancy rate in the industrialized world which is commonly associated with premies.Add to that, the very high death rates of young Americans due to motor vehicle accidents (large country, limited public transportation outside of a few urban areas), incredible drug overdose numbers due to the opioid epidemic which is now topping 60,000 early deaths a year, and deaths and grievous injuries from gang violence.I’m not sure that an entirely government run healthcare system will fix any of this. How could it? Generally and perhaps without exception, huge government programs cost far more than initial estimates, not less.But progressives point to Medicare and how efficient a system it is. But their calculations exclude the cost of collecting premiums (the IRS) and the cost of administration (Department of Health and Human Services) and absolutely ignore the fraud and abuse to the point that the Russian mafia is now participating as well. The $272 billion swindle/ Health Care Goodfellas: Mafia Turns to Medicare FraudThe societal issues impacting US healthcare costs and life expectancy have been commented upon by noted Harvard economist, Professor Mankiw in the New York Times before the ACA was passed:WITH the health care system at the center of the political debate, a lot of scary claims are being thrown around. The dangerous ones are not those that are false; watchdogs in the news media are quick to debunk them. Rather, the dangerous ones are those that are true but don’t mean what people think they mean.Here are three of the true but misleading statements about health care that politicians and pundits love to use to frighten the public:STATEMENT 1 The United States has lower life expectancy and higher infant mortality than Canada, which has national health insurance.The differences between the neighbors are indeed significant. Life expectancy at birth is 2.6 years greater for Canadian men than for American men, and 2.3 years greater for Canadian women than American women. Infant mortality in the United States is 6.8 per 1,000 live births, versus 5.3 in Canada.These facts are often taken as evidence for the inadequacy of the American health system. But a recent study by June and Dave O’Neill, economists at Baruch College, from which these numbers come, shows that the difference in health outcomes has more to do with broader social forces.For example, Americans are more likely than Canadians to die by accident or by homicide. For men in their 20s, mortality rates are more than 50 percent higher in the United States than in Canada, but the O’Neills show that accidents and homicides account for most of that gap. Maybe these differences have lessons for traffic laws and gun control, but they teach us nothing about our system of health care.Americans are also more likely to be obese, leading to heart disease and other medical problems. Among Americans, 31 percent of men and 33 percent of women have a body mass index of at least 30, a definition of obesity, versus 17 percent of men and 19 percent of women in Canada. Japan, which has the longest life expectancy among major nations, has obesity rates of about 3 percent.The causes of American obesity are not fully understood, but they involve lifestyle choices we make every day, as well as our system of food delivery. Research by the Harvard economists David Cutler, Ed Glaeser and Jesse Shapiro concludes that America’s growing obesity problem is largely attributable to our economy’s ability to supply high-calorie foods cheaply. Lower prices increase food consumption, sometimes beyond the point of optimal health.Infant mortality rates also reflect broader social trends, including the prevalence of infants with low birth weight. The health system in the United States gives low birth-weight babies slightly better survival chances than does Canada’s, but the more pronounced difference is the frequency of these cases. In the United States, 7.5 percent of babies are born weighing less than 2,500 grams (about 5.5 pounds), compared with 5.7 percent in Canada. In both nations, these infants have more than 10 times the mortality rate of larger babies. Low birth weights are in turn correlated with teenage motherhood. (One theory is that a teenage mother is still growing and thus competing with the fetus for nutrients.) The rate of teenage motherhood, according to the O’Neill study, is almost three times higher in the United States than it is in Canada.Whatever its merits, a Canadian-style system of national health insurance is unlikely to change the sexual mores of American youthThe bottom line is that many statistics on health outcomes say little about our system of health care.STATEMENT 2 Some 47 million Americans do not have health insurance.This number from the Census Bureau is often cited as evidence that the health system is failing for many American families. Yet by masking tremendous heterogeneity in personal circumstances, the figure exaggerates the magnitude of the problem.To start with, the 47 million includes about 10 million residents who are not American citizens. Many are illegal immigrants. Even if we had national health insurance, they would probably not be covered.The number also fails to take full account of Medicaid, the government’s health program for the poor. For instance, it counts millions of the poor who are eligible for Medicaid but have not yet applied. These individuals, who are healthier, on average, than those who are enrolled, could always apply if they ever needed significant medical care. They are uninsured in name only.The 47 million also includes many who could buy insurance but haven’t. The Census Bureau reports that 18 million of the uninsured have annual household income of more than $50,000, which puts them in the top half of the income distribution. About a quarter of the uninsured have been offered employer-provided insurance but declined coverage.Of course, millions of Americans have trouble getting health insurance. But they number far less than 47 million, and they make up only a few percent of the population of 300 million.Any reform should carefully focus on this group to avoid disrupting the vast majority for whom the system is working. We do not nationalize an industry simply because a small percentage of the work force is unemployed. Similarly, we should be wary of sweeping reforms of our health system if they are motivated by the fact that a small percentage of the population is uninsured.STATEMENT 3 Health costs are eating up an ever increasing share of American incomes.In 1950, about 5 percent of United States national income was spent on health care, including both private and public health spending. Today the share is about 16 percent. Many pundits regard the increasing cost as evidence that the system is too expensive.But increasing expenditures could just as well be a symptom of success. The reason that we spend more than our grandparents did is not waste, fraud and abuse, but advances in medical technology and growth in incomes. Science has consistently found new ways to extend and improve our lives. Wonderful as they are, they do not come cheap.Fortunately, our incomes are growing, and it makes sense to spend this growing prosperity on better health. The rationality of this phenomenon is stressed in a recent article by the economists Charles I. Jones of the University of California, Berkeley, and Robert E. Hall of Stanford. They ask, “As we grow older and richer, which is more valuable: a third car, yet another television, more clothing — or an extra year of life?”Mr. Hall and Mr. Jones forecast that the share of income devoted to health care will top 30 percent by 2050. But in their model, this is not a problem: It is the modern form of progress.Even if the rise in health care spending turns out to be less than they forecast, it is important to get reform right. Our health care system is not perfect, but it has been a major source of advances in our standard of living, and it will be a large share of the economy we bequeath to our children.As we look at reform plans, we should be careful not to be fooled by statistics into thinking that the problems we face are worse than they really are.N. Gregory Mankiw is a professor of economics at Harvard. He was an adviser to President Bush and is advising Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, in the campaign for the Republican presidential nomination.Beyond Those Health Care Numbers

Guadalajara TodayMay – July 2017The State Capitol of Jalisco MexicoIs Like Living in Any City in The USA,But More Economical!By Carlos TurverIntroduction1. Keeping busy.2. I no longer miss living in the USA.3. US TV in Guadalajara.4. Public Transportation.5. Owning a Car in Mexico.6. Where can I meet North Americans?7. Health care in Mexico.8. A recent hospital experience.9. Assisted living.10. Dentistry.11. What it costs me to live in Guadalajara.12. Staying safe in Guadalajara.13. Emigrating to Mexico.14. Language.Conclusion.IntroductionAlthough I have been living in Guadalajara since 1970, I make it a point to kept myself informed about what is happening in the USA. Quite frankly, with all that has been going on up north, it surprises me that I have not seen any significant increase in the number of Americans retiring to this city.Prior to the two major devaluations of the Mexican peso in September of 1975 and in August of 1982, it seemed that every other automobile had US plates and were driven by fair skinned North Americans. However, when they lost approximately 50% of their assets over night, they cashed in their pesos for dollars and returned home.The following cycle of US plated cars that were in abundance throughout the city, were driven by Mexican nationals who had returned home to take advantage of the increased purchasing power of their hard-earned dollars.Since the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a large variety of foreign automobiles can now be purchased here on credit. Consequently, US plated cars are now seldom seen.------My parents retired to Mexico in the summer of 1969. A few months later, my father passed on. Although I was a few months shy of completing my four-year enlistment obligation, the US Coast Guard gave me an early honorable discharge so that I could be with my mother while she was recovering from her loss. Shortly after I arrived, I also made the decision to make Guadalajara my new home.------Soon after my military discharge, I married a Mexican National. I got a job as an account manager for an investment house whose clients were primarily English-speaking North Americans. A few years later I owned and operated two small American style food restaurants that were both named Uncle Sam’s Kitchen. The first was patronized by students from the USA who attended the AMA accredited Autonomous University school of medicine. The second restaurant was initially supported by North Americans and other foreign executives who came to Guadalajara to manage the numerous industries that had been allowed to operate in this city because of NAFTA.Prior to the implementation of this free trade agreement, it was extremely difficult to get working papers. Only foreign-born language teachers and those who were married to Mexican nationals were permitted to work. The exception to this law was for those foreigners who invested a minimum of $100,000usd into businesses that created jobs.Those foreigners who were 55 years old and provided proof of a specified minimum monthly income that was required at that time, could obtain temporary residency, but were not allowed to work. However, after 5 annual referendums, the temporary residency papers were upgraded to permanent resident and foreigner was then allowed to work in Mexico.There was a time when it virtually took a presidential decree for foreign males to obtain Mexican citizenship. However, foreign females who were married to Mexican males could apply. In 1975 a supplement to this law was added that allowed foreign males to become citizens when they were married to Mexican females.As I met this condition and as I had decided to live permanently in Mexico, I applied for and received Mexican citizenship that same year. At the time, it was required that I surrender my US passport, birth certificate, my temporary resident papers and a copy of my marriage certificate. The attorney’s fee was $1,000usd. One month after these papers were submitted, I became a legal Mexican citizen. I was recently informed that it now takes a few years to obtain this privilege.Soon after I received my naturalization papers, I was visited by a US government official who informed me that it was very likely that I would lose my US citizenship unless I could provide an adequate explanation of my actions to the Department of State, as it was called at the time. However, even after I had informed this government agency that it was never my intention to lose my US citizenship, I still received a CERTIFICATE OF LOSS OF NATIONALITY OF THE UNITED STATES that was approved on Nov. 17, 1978. This document stated that I had taken an oath of allegiance to Mexico on Nov. 25,1975. As I had signed a document of allegiance to Mexico that enabled me to receive my citizenship papers, I reluctantly accepted their decision. However, in 1990 the law regarding dual citizenship with Mexico was modified. I applied for and received a new US Passport in 2009 and retained my Mexican nationality.During my non-US citizen years, whenever I visited the United States, I had to stand in the line for foreigners and enter with a USA visitor’s visa stamped in my Mexican passport.Whenever I decide to revisit the USA, I will be required show the Mexican immigration authorities my Mexican passport as proof of legal residency in Mexico. My US passport must be shown to the travel agency prior to the issuance of an airplane ticket, as one is required for all US citizens reentering the USA.------Whenever I am asked why I decided to stay permanently in Guadalajara, I previously gave three reasons. Now I give four:1. The weather. Decades ago I learned that Guadalajara had the world’s second-best climate with Nairobi Africa being the first. Guadalajara was closer.2. The Pacific coast is less than 3 to 4 hours when traveling by car or by bus.3. Guadalajara is known for its beautiful women who concentrate daily in any one of the many modern shopping malls that are located throughout the city.4. As my wife and I own our home, our monthly combined income of $25,068 pesos or $1,355usd more than covers our needs.The reason that brought my parents to Mexico is explained in the Conclusion section of this booklet.Unless otherwise specified, the exchange rate of $18.50 pesos for $1.00usd will be used for converting pesos and dollar currency throughout this booklet. In most cases, the currency conversions will be rounded off to the nearest dollar or peso.------Keeping busy.When I retired 10 years ago, I made my goal to get out of the house every morning for at least a few hours.My daily routine is walking to and from the buses I take to meet friends for breakfast and/or coffee. Current events and a variety of other topics are discussed daily except for sports and personal health issues. However, brief updates these two are permitted.Every afternoon I watch less than one hour of Main Street Media, prepare lunch and then take a one to two-hour siesta. Prior to the evening meal, I turn on my computer and listen to informative documentaries and later read the various points of view offered by the alternative media. Before the day’s end, I spend a couple of hours watching episodes or movies on Netflix and You Tube.My hobby for the past 5 years has been writing booklets about an improvement that I made to the martingale betting system that have also been self-published on Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs & more. The time spent on the keyboard helps to fill in a few hours of each day and helps to keep my mind distant from the mornings conversations that invariably cover doom and gloom topics.Now that I have written all that I care to about gambling, I have diversified from that subject matter. I recently wrote a booklet that explains a diet that I follow daily titled “A Diet for The Body’s Needs, Not for Its Wants”. After self-publishing this booklet, I have an idea for a non-religious short story that I may title “Life After Death, Eternal Revelations of What Could Have Been”.I hate to admit it, but if it were not for the many hours that I spend on the Internet the days would be very long! The computer has become my main source of entertainment and has been well worth the $389.00 pesos or $21usd monthly fee for the telephone and for modem. Also included with these services are all local, national and international land line calls to the USA and Canada. These services are all included with my subscription to Telmex and Infinitum, Mexico’s largest telephone and Internet network!I no longer miss living in the USA.Since the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, Guadalajara offers much of what can be found today in any given metropolis in the USA: Shopping malls, movie theaters, cultural events, gambling casinos, convenience stores, super markets, fast food establishments, restaurants, car dealerships etc. For example:In Guadalajara’s high-end Andares Plaza, there are many familiar brand name stores: Calvin Klein Jeans, Victoria’s Secret, Dockers, Nespresso, Brooks Brothers, Subway, Great American Cookies, Pretzel Maker, GNC, Apple MacStore, Best Buy, AT&T, Steren Shop, Radio Shack, Movistar, Starbucks Coffee, Krispy Kreme, Levi’s, Rolex and others that I am not familiar with as I have not returned to the USA for the past 28 years nor have I lived there for any length of time during the past 47.Throughout the metropolis, there are many other well with known outlets: Walmart, Sam’s, Costco, Office Depot, Home Depot, Office Max, Outback, Red Lobster, Chilis, I Hopp, UPS, Federal Express, DHL, Waldo’s, Dairy Queen, Black Coffee, 7 Eleven, Ford, Chevrolet, Jeep, Mini, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Pizza Hut, Dominoes, Little Ceaser’s, McDonalds, Carl Juniors, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Applebees, Dennys, Sirloin Stockade etc. And when take out with home delivery is preferred, just call UberEATS.Many American foods can be found in a few stores that specialize only in products from the USA. There are even “As advertised on T.V.” stores that can be found in a few shopping malls. Many US companies that previously exported their products to Mexico, are now being manufactured here: IBM, Flextronics, Hewlet Packard, Herbalife and many others. Several North American products are manufactured in Mexico under licensing agreements with reputable Mexican companies: Pringles potato chips, Mars and Hersey chocolates, Coca and Pepsi Cola, McCormick Mayonnaise, Del Monte Catsup, Kraft Cheese, Campbell´s soups, an assortment of Great Value and Procter&Gamle products, Crosse&Blackwell, Hunts BBQ sauce etc.The Americanization of Guadalajara gradually began prior to the North American Free Trade Agreement. However, consumers could only purchase large ticket items with cash. Since the implementation of NAFTA, many jobs have been created and the standard of living for many Mexican nationals has improved. Just like in the USA, a considerable percentage of Mexico’s population can now purchase anything that they want on credit.Welcome to the country of the Mexican Dream!US TV in Guadalajara.Twenty-four seven, 365 days of the year, most, if not all, US TV programing can be accessed and watched in the comfort of one’s home. There are several satellite and cable networks to choose from that offer news, movies, sports, sitcoms and documentaries on well-known channels such as Warner, Disney, History, Discovery, Cinemax, Showtime CBS, NBC, ABC FOX, CNN, ESPN and MSNBC, all transmitted in English. And if cable is not wanted, multiple US news channels can be seen at http://www.zahipedia.net.Depending on the company contracted, a basic package, that offers a limited choice of sitcom and movie channels in English, start around $245 pesos or $13usd/month.A few free channels can be watched on http://watch.ustvnow.com “TV for U.S. Military Service Members and Americans Abroad”. A variety of additional channels can be subscribed to for a monthly fee.Netflix is also available.Public Transportation.Regardless of where anyone lives in Guadalajara, a bus stop is usually only a short walk away. Students and the elderly ride for free with special “transvale” tickets. A one-way fare is $7.00 pesos or $0.39usd. For those in possession of a federal INAPAM (Instituto Nacional para las Personas Adultas Mayores) senior citizens discount card, the price is reduced by 50%. As I take an average of 3 busses, my daily transportation expenses total $10.50 pesos or $0.58usd.There are a few bus lines that charge $10 and $12 pesos, $0.54 and $ 0.65usd respectively, that offer more comfortable seating, air-conditioning, fewer stops and more direct routes, but no discounts.Upon presenting the INAPAM card with a pictured ID, traveling to any destination throughout the country is also half the normal price. On a recent trip to Puerto Vallarta, the round-trip fare that costs $1,080 pesos or $58usd was only $540 pesos or $29usd.Graffiti free, clean and modern, the above and below ground Metro Buses, electric trains “tren lijeros”, taxis and Uber services provide economical travel to any part of Guadalajara.A 20-mile cab fare to the international airport on the opposite end of town from where I live costs $280 pesos or $15usd. A ride to a terminal that will get me on a bus to P.V. costs $120 pesos or $6.47usd. For $90 pesos or $4.87usd a cab will take me to a closer location where I can access buses to points south of Puerto Vallarta.In a few designated zones on the outskirts of the city, a relatively new form of transportation service is available: Three-wheel motor vehicles that can carry up to 4 passengers, including the driver, for short distances.Owning a Car in Mexico.My wife recently upgraded her 2007 Nissan Sentra to a 2012 Honda Civic. Full insurance coverage on this vehicle for one-year cost $5,666 pesos or $306usd.It appears that an important part of the NAFTA will soon be implemented that will allow foreign oil companies to compete with Mexico’s Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX. As there is currently no competition to this federally owned gasoline monopoly, the cost per liter was recently increased. The PEMEX Magna now costs $16.26 pesos or $0.88usd per liter and the PEMEX Premium $18.19 pesos or $0.98usd per liter. The price per gallon cost is approximately $3.33 and $3.72usd respectively.The annual registration fee for the Honda was for $450 peso or $24usd. There is also a yearly emissions test that usually requires a major tune-up. This once a year expense was for $1,500 pesos or $81usd.Toll roads are much safer, but costly. For example, according to Mexico’s SCT (Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes) the cost for a round trip visit to Puerto Vallarta from Guadalajara for tolls and gasoline is for approximately $1,486 pesos or $80usd for a 4-cylinder automobile.Driving in this city is no longer fun! Total concentration is required to maneuver through Guadalajara’s heavy traffic. Since the implementation of The North American Free Trade Agreement the streets have been literally inundated with automobiles and motorcycles as these vehicles can now be purchased on credit.With so many vehicles on the streets, body shops are doing a thriving business! When involved in any accident, even the tiniest of fender benders, the law requires that the vehicles involved remain exactly where the accident occurred until the proper authorities arrive to fill out the paperwork. This can take a few hours and will pretty much ruin anyone’s well planned day along with those drivers who are unable to get past this potential crime scene.The country’s judicial system continues to be based on Napoleonic law. Whenever any blood is shed, the accident becomes a felony.Where can I meet North Americans?The weekly Guadalajara Reporter at http://theguadalajarareporter.net/ lists the time and dates of many social activities that take place in the city or at nearby Lake Chapala some 50 kilometers or 30 miles south, where many Americans and Canadians have opted to reside.Several expatriates can be found at the luncheons offered by the American Society (AMSOC) on Thursday afternoons. Open mornings Monday thru Saturday from 10am to early afternoon, this nonprofit organization offers a 60-inch TV screen for those who want to keep abreast of world events. There is also a large English book and movie library for its members. AMSOC can be contacted at 312-123-95, [email protected] or at The American Society of Jalisco, A.C.. At Lake Chapala, there is a similar organization called the Lake Chapala Society. There is also an American Legion.Health care in Mexico.Before visiting Mexico, it would be advisable to read your health insurance policy to be well informed of your coverage prior to traveling outside of the USA.Citizens and legal residents of Mexico have several choices for their health care needs. There are many pharmacies in this city that offer a consultation with a licensed doctor for as little as $30.00 pesos or $1.62usd. Once an ailment has been diagnosed, the patient is given a prescription that can be filled at that pharmacy.Guadalajara offers two inexpensive hospitals for those who have no health insurance and are short of cash. Reasonable fees are charged for consultations with specialists, lab work, X rays etc. For example, the following prices are for a few of the services offered by these Jalisco state run Civil Hospitals:Consultation with a specialist: $80 pesos or $4.32usd.Cost per night in a shared room: $600 pesos or $32.43usd.Lab tests: $100 to $1,500 pesos or $5.41 to $81.08usd.X rays and magnetic resonance: $300 to $5,000 pesos or $16.22 to $270,27usd.The Cruz Verde is unique to the State of Jalisco offering inexpensive 911 emergency response medical services. This organization has their own outpatient ward and charges modest fees for their services. The ambulance is free.Since the Vicente Fox administration, any citizen or resident throughout the country can be accepted into the Seguro Popular that is essentially a free health care system. An 80 plus year old lady friend of mine who had registered for this program recently underwent major surgery and chemotherapy at no cost to her.Across the street from the McDonalds that my friends and I frequent, there is a Dairy Queen, Jeffrey’s Pasteleria, a North American owned cake, pie and cookie store, Pizza Hut, a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet, and a laboratory named Salud Digna. Prescription eye glasses start at $180 pesos or $10usd. A second pair can be purchased at a 50% discount. An electrocardiogram costs $100 peso or $5usd; X rays go for $140 pesos or $8usd each; Blood tests range from $130 to $360 pesos or $7 to $19usd.The I.M.S.S. (Instituto Mexicano Del Seguro Social) that has many hospitals and clinics nationwide, is the working man’s health care and pension program. However, those individuals who work independently can be covered by the same health care program by paying a yearly fee. My brother in law who is 72 years old, recently paid $7,600.00 pesos or $411usd, for one year’s coverage. He is coverage for any contingency with the exception of a precondition. This will be covered when he has been affiliated with this institution for a minimum of two years.The Instituto del Seguro Social para los Trabajadores del Estado, I.S.S.T.E. is primarily for those employees who work for the state government.As my wife, brother in law and a few of my friends who are now older than 65 years of age, have cancelled their private health care insurance policies because of the expensive premiums that are substantially increased every year. A few of them have recently enrolled into the IMSS and a few of them have decided to use the Seguro Popular or the Civil Hospital health care systems.A close friend of mine who is also 72 years old, recently dropped his private health insurance and will opt for the same IMSS coverage as my brother in law by paying a yearly premium of $7,600 pesos. As he has decided that it is very unlikely that he will ever return to the United States, he is in the process of canceling his Medicare part B coverage for $113usd per month as it cannot be used in Mexico. Once cancelled, a portion of this additional income will be used to pay for the $411usd IMSS coverage. In the meantime, he has signed up with the Seguro Popular.To lessen the financial burden upon my demise, every year I renew my funeral expense policy that will cover all costs related to this event except for a burial plot. I recently renewed this policy that cost me, a 71-year-old man, $1,350 pesos or $72.97usd.------A recent hospital experience.A few weeks ago, a close friend who had been suffering from chronic back pain, acute anemia, type 2 diabetes and prostate cancer, was unable to answer his telephone or to open his front door. Fortunately, he had disclosed the hiding place of a spare key to a mutual friend who was accompanying me that day. Upon entering the house, we found him sprawled on the floor where he had fallen several hours earlier. As he was too weak to stand he was unable to access his phone to call one of us or 911. He knew that both of us were coming over for coffee that morning so he impatiently waited for our arrival.We called an ambulance and 45 minutes later he was in the emergency room at the nearby Arboledas Hospital. The ambulance service charged $1,100 pesos or $59usd. As he had no health insurance nor a credit card, a $15,000-peso or $811usd cash deposit was required for his admission to a private room.An endoscopy procedure for $9,500 pesos or $514usd and $1,000 pesos or $54usd for the anesthetic resulted in a stomach ulcer discovery. A back-X ray that cost $590 pesos or $32usd, detected a vertebral hernia. He also had two blood transfusions for $5000 pesos each or $270usd. The overnight charge for a private room was for $1,650 pesos or $89usd.His blood sugar levels were far from normal when he arrived but after a two-night stay for $44,135 pesos or $2,386usd, his blood sugar count was back to normal, the stomach ulcer was healing and the pain killers for his back kept him comfortable while he regained enough strength to be discharged.His internist prescribed the following medicines that were purchased at a nearby branch of Farmacias Guadalajara. The doctor’s consultation fee at the hospital totaled $4,000 pesos or $216usd during my friend’s recovery period of approximately 45 hours. Future consultation fees at the doctor’s office would be for $700 pesos or $38usd each.1. Glucerna SR powder400gr $335.98 or $18usd.2. Ulsen PCS 40mg 14 capsules $275.10 or $15usd.3. Paracetamol 500mg 20 tablets $12.50 or $0.68usd.4. Tradol 50mg 10 capsules $270.75 or $15usd.5. Metformina 850mg 30 tablets $13.49 or $0.73usd.6. Galvus Met 50mg/850mg compressed 30 tablets $397.67 or $22usd7. Two liquid Enemas of Fosfato Fosfanema (Phosphate) 133ml each having a of cost $76.08 or $4usd. These 8 items totaled $1,382 pesos or $75.41usd.------Last week, my friend had a relapse.Since his release from the hospital, we noticed that his strength was slowly diminishing. When we were informed that he had fallen two times the night before, we returned him to the same hospital where he spent 3 nights. The cost for this visit that included three blood transfusions was slightly above $32,000 pesos or $1,730usd.On the day of his discharge, he was able to walk confidently with the aid of a walker. The following day, we took him to a urologist who charged $700 pesos or $38usd for the consultation. He prescribed the following three medicines for the prostate treatment:1. Zoladex 10.8mg, one every 3 months. $10,940 pesos or $592usd.2. Calutol 50mg tablets, one/day. $1,653 pesos or $89usd.3. Zometa 4mg solution, one/month. $6,717 pesos or $363usd.These three items totaled $19,310 pesos or $1,044usd.Assisted living.Although he was improving at a noticeable pace, his three children flew in from Toronto and Utah after they had been notified of his condition. They insisted that he spend at least one month in an assisted living facility until he regained his strength. He is now staying at the Casa Eugenia, [email protected], another property of theArboledas Hospital owners that is located one block away.A private room at this facility cost $1,000 pesos/night or $54usd for short stays, $16,000 pesos/month or $865usd for a semi private room, $21,000 pesos/month or $1,135usd for a private room and $23,000 pesos/month or $1,243usd for a slightly larger private room.Dentistry.Yesterday at our Saturday morning coffee/breakfast gathering, I saw something that I had never seen or heard of before. A bite guard. The granddaughter of one of our group had just recently been fitted for this thin transparent bite guard. I asked the young child’s grandmother what it was for. She told me that it was for giving support for a loose tooth.This device was exactly what I needed as I also had the same problem. She told me that it cost $500 pesos or $27usd.On the way home, I stopped at Especialidades Odontológicas, that can be contacted at http://especialidades-drrex.com. While there, I asked the receptionist for prices. My bite guard was going to cost $800 pesos or $43usd. Fillings cost $600 pesos or $32usd and a root canal for $3,500 pesos or $189usd. An X ray cost $200 pesos or $11usd and a bridge for one front tooth is going to cost $2,500 pesos or $135usd.------What it costs to live in Guadalajara.A few years before I received my first benefit check from the Veterans Administration in June of 2007, my wife received an inheritance that was used to purchase our home. Our combined monthly income from Uncle Sam and the Mexican Social Security pension program is more than enough to cover our needs. We each receive a monthly deposit of $2,721 pesos or $147usd from the Mexican government. I receive a monthly income of 1,061usd or $19,629 pesos that is deposited to a Texas bank. From this amount, I give my wife $4,767 pesos or $258usd that gives her a combined monthly income of $7,488 pesos or $405usd.With a declared total monthly income of $25,071 pesos or $1,355usd, less my wife’s monthly income, a balance of $17,583 pesos or $950usd remains for our fixed and miscellaneous expenses.When there are no major household or auto repairs, occasionally I have been able to save up to $2,500 pesos or $135usd in one month. There are some months when I have increased my Mexican peso savings by taking advantage of a strong dollar and weak peso rate of exchange.These savings pay for restaurant outings or for short inexpensive trips to Puerto Vallarta, Cuyutlan, or Barra de Navidad, all located on the beautiful Pacific coast only a few hours away by car or by bus.The Mrs. saves most of her monthly income for car upgrades that takes place every few years.Based on the above numbers, the combined fixed and miscellaneous expenses average $27.17/day totaling $815usd/month.Monthly expenses:Telephone and Internet:$389 pesos or $21.03usd.Cellular phone:$60 pesos or $3.24usd.Gated community maintenance fee:$580 pesos or $31.35usd.Electricity: $157 pesos or $8.49usd.In our residential area, the government owned electric company CFE, Comision Federal de Electricidad, subsidizes 85% of the cost.Natural Gas: $183 pesos or $9.89usd at $7.07pesos/liter. This expense will increase by approximately 14% when the tank is refilled this year as the price is now $8.08 pesos/liter or $0.44usd.Four days per month maid service:$1,125 pesos or $60.81usd.Basic cable service for two TVs:$245 pesos or $13.24usd.My wife’s income:$7,488 pesos or $405usd.Yearly expenses:Water: $750 pesos or $41usd ($62.50 pesos/month).Property tax on our one million pesos or $54,054usd house: $486pesos or $26usd ($40.50 pesos/month).We carry no household insurance.Auto collision and liability insurance: $5,666 or $$306usd ($472.17 pesos/month).Tune up with emissions verification: $1,500 or $81usd ($125 pesos/month).Auto registration: $450 or $24usd ($37.50 pesos/month).Gross monthly income = $25,071 pesos or $1,355usd.Less the Mrs.’ income = $7,488 pesos or $405usdNet monthly income = $17,583 pesos or $950usd.Total monthly expenses = $10,965 pesos or $593usd.Miscellaneous expenses = $4,110 pesos $222usd.Average monthly surplus = $2,500 pesos or $135usd.Staying safe in Guadalajara.In my personal situation, my wife and I have resided in a gated community for the past 4 years. We have 24/7 security guards that work closely with the local police. Our home security consists of two chihuahuas who bark at any noise.For those of you who are concerned about the violence in Mexico, you are not alone. As much of it appears to be drug related, simply avoid those areas where that kind of trouble occurs. When we do find ourselves at the wrong place at the wrong time, it is just part of living that can happen in any city, state or country that we choose to visit or to live in!When driving, it is advisable to keep the car doors locked and the windows rolled up. When walking, stay on the main streets. An evening strolls depends on the security of the area. I find it best to avoid this nocturnal activity. The rule of thumb of course, is to always use your street smarts.------Depending on the emergency within the Guadalajara Metropolitan area, calling 911 will send the police, firemen or an ambulance.The American Consulate can be contacted at 326-821-00 for advice on handling other problems.------Emigrating to Mexico.I am by no means an expert in Mexican immigration law. Therefore, it would be advisable, and in some instances necessary, to first contact a Mexican Consulate and/or an immigration attorney for a consultation concerning your specific needs and who can also offer assistance in obtaining resident, working or citizenship papers.According to “Mexico On My Mind”, at https://www.mexicoonmymind.com , to become a temporary resident in Mexico one needs to present proof of income for approximately $2,000usd for an individual, $3,000usd for a married couple and an additional 25% for each family dependent.I have heard that these amounts can vary when an applicant is married to a Mexican National, owns a home, or choses to reside in a small or medium size town.For approximately $22usd, a 180-day tourist visa can be obtained upon entering Mexico. I have been told that this amount is included in the airline fare or is paid separately when crossing the border by car or by bus.Prior to making any decision about permanently moving to Mexico, I strongly suggest using the full six months of a tourist visa. Since 1970 I have known several expatriates who have gotten frustrated with the different aspects of the Mexican culture after having gone through the immigration process. I have always suggested that any major decision such as buying a home or marrying a Mexican national should not be made until a minimum of 6 to 18 months have been spent getting familiar with the ways of the people and getting to know what the country has to offer. Mexico is not for everyone!Since the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement I have been told that it has become much easier to acquire papers to work in this country. However, there are still several hoops that need to be jumped through.An immigration lawyer will prove to be invaluable for obtaining legal status in Mexico. If the plan is to start a business, a good accountant will also be needed!Language.Do not be too concerned if you do not speak Spanish. Most residents of Guadalajara have a fair knowledge of English. Spanish courses are readily available throughout the city for a reasonable per hour price.In Conclusion.Both of my parents were born in the State of New York. My father taught high school biology and every summer he would take my mother and myself on a two-month cross country drive to California.My grandfather was of Spanish- Mexican decent and graduated from the Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City when it was a military academy. He graduated in the late 1800’s or in early 1900’s and then deserted.For graduation, his parents bought him a round trip steamer ticket to New York City. Instead returning to fulfill his 8-year military obligation that he owed Mexico for his schooling, he cashed in the return ticket and taught Spanish and fencing in NYC.He married a woman who had recently arrived from Spain by the name of Martha Fox and then moved to Buffalo, NY. – I have always wondered if his wife’s family was related to Vicente Fox, a fairly recent president of Mexico.As this story goes, I was told that my grandfather asked my parents to visit Mexico to look up his relatives and let them know that he was alright. He had not communicated with them since his desertion for fear of being tracked down by the Mexican authorities. If found, he could have been forced back to Mexico, stood trial for desertion and would have probably served a long prison sentence.I was probably 8 years old when my parents first visited Mexico in 1953. Our first stop was Guanajuato where my grandfather used to live. I mention this only to point out that the family of the former president Vicente Fox was also from Guanajuato.After locating his relatives in Mexico City, we traveled throughout Mexico and discovered Guadalajara. Until their passing some decades ago, every summer vacation was spent in this city. We lived here for two years from 1956 through 1958 when my father took a two-year leave of absence from his high school teaching position. While I was completing my four-year enlistment in the US Coast Guard, my father retired in the summer of 1969, sold our home and brought my mother to live permanently in Guadalajara.My father passed on during the following month of October. I was given a four month early honorable discharge and returned to Guadalajara to be with my mother. I have been here ever since.Guadalajara has been my home for approximately 50 years and I have never regretted leaving the USA nor for having made the decision to live here permanently. When I initially moved here, there were a few things that I missed from the USA. These can now be found in Guadalajara. What I do not miss is the cold, rain, sleet, snow and constant overcast that prevailed in my hometown of Endicott, New York!The author can be contacted at: [email protected]

Senior ISIS information minister Wael Adel Salman killed in Syria after U.S. drone strikeIslamic State (ISIS) Sep 16 2016Marine national monument that will permanently protect nearly 5,000 square miles of underwater canyons and mountains off the coast of New England designated by President ObamaEnvironment Sep 15 2016Median household income up 5.2% for the first time in over seven years due to economic policies put in to place that benefit lower and middle income AmericansBusiness & Economy Sep 13 2016Poverty rate at its lowest level since 1999 due to economic policies put in to place that benefit lower and middle income AmericansBusiness & Economy Sep 13 2016Senior ISIS leader Abu Muhammad al-Adnani killed in Syria after U.S. airstrikeIslamic State (ISIS) Aug 30 2016Marine national monument that will permanently protect 582,578 square miles of land and sea in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands designated by President ObamaEnvironment Aug 26 201687,500 acres of wildlife, forests, rivers and mountains in Maine’s North Woods designated as a national monument that will be protected by the National Park ServiceEndangered Species Aug 24 2016Scientists researching the potential benefits of medical marijuana can apply to grow their own marijuana after the DEA lifted the ban limiting the number of institutions allowed grow the plantMedical Marijuana Aug 11 2016214 prisoners serving excessive and unfair prison sentences for nonviolent crimes have sentences commutedPardons Aug 03 2016Transgender Americans able to serve openly in the military after the Department of Defense lifted a ban prohibiting them from servingCivil & Human Rights Jul 01 2016All Freedom of Information request responses to be posted online after a successful pilot program was permanately expanded and signed into lawFreedom of Press Jun 30 2016Students who were defrauded or had their contract breached by a college or university can more easily petition to have their student loans forgiven under new rules by the Department of EducationHigher Education Jun 13 201642 prisoners serving excessive and unfair prison sentences for nonviolent crimes have sentences commutedSentencing Jun 03 2016President Obama becomes the first President to visit Hiroshima laying a wreath at Peace Memorial ParkInternational Relations May 27 2016Senior Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour killed in Pakistan after U.S. drone strikeTaliban May 22 2016Nutritional labels updated and modernized to better inform consumers of what they are purchasing under new labeling rules by the Food and Drug AdministrationHealth & Welfare May 20 2016Suggested maximum daily sugar amount added to nutritional labels for the first time under new labeling rules by the Food and Drug AdministrationHealth & Welfare May 20 2016First openly gay Secretary of the Army confirmed unanimously by the SenateCivil & Human Rights May 18 2016Over four million Americans to qualify for overtime pay if they work more than 40 hours a week under new rule by the Labor Department that raised the salary threshold from $23,660 to $47,476 per yearLabor May 17 2016Environmentally dangerous methane emissions from the oil and gas sector regulated for the first time under new rule by the Environmental Protection AgencyFossil Fuels May 12 2016Transgender students in public schools must be allowed to use the bathrooms of their gender identity under new rule by the Obama AdministrationDiscrimination May 12 2016American bison named as the first national mammal after the National Bison Legacy Act was signed into lawGovernment May 09 2016Senior ISIS leader Abu Sa'ad al-Sudani killed in Syria after U.S. airstrikeIslamic State (ISIS) May 05 2016Stonewall Inn named the first national monument honoring the history of gays and lesbians in the United StatesCivil & Human Rights May 04 201640 ISIS operatives responsible for multiple attacks in Europe and the Middle East killed by Delta Force and Navy SEAL commandos during various raidsIslamic State (ISIS) Apr 27 2016First woman on American currency in more than 100 years will be Harriet Tubman after the Treasury Department announced she will replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 billWomen's Rights Apr 20 2016Individuals investing in retirement accounts protected under new rule requiring financial advisers to provide investment advice that puts their client's best interests above all elseFinancial Regulation Apr 15 2016387,000 Americans unable to to work due to a permanent disability have their student loan debts forgiven by the Department of EducationEducation Apr 12 2016Homeowners taken advantage of by deceptive mortgage practices from Goldman Sachs to receive monetary relief after agreement between the bank and the Justice DepartmentLaws & Crime Apr 11 2016American banks must identify the owners of shell companies they do business with under a new rule by the Treasury DepartmentMonetary Policy Apr 10 2016Gender neutral restrooms available for White House staff and visitors so individuals can use the bathroom that conforms to their gender identityDiscrimination Apr 07 2016Senior Al-Qaeda leader Abu Firas al-Suri killed in Syria after U.S. air strikeAl-Qaeda Apr 04 2016Sentences reduced and adapted for 61 people serving excessive and unfair punishment in federal prison for nonviolent crimesSentencing Mar 30 2016ISIS Finance Minister Haji Iman killed during U.S. operationIslamic State (ISIS) Mar 25 2016Hazardous industrial material crystalline silica which is known to pose serious risks of incurable lung disease and lung cancer regulated to lower the allowable exposure limitHealth & Welfare Mar 23 2016Workers must be informed of their employers and its contractors direct or indirect persuading against forming a union under a new rule by the Labor DepartmentUnion Workers Mar 23 2016Cuban citizens witnessed Cuban President Raul Castro take questions from the media for the first time during press conference with President ObamaInternational Relations Mar 22 2016Public Wi-Fi areas in Cuba greatly expanded since American telecommunication companies were allowed to do business in the countryInternational Relations Mar 20 2016President Obama becomes the first U.S. President to visit Cuba since 1928 after successful diplomatic negotiationsInternational Relations Mar 20 2016General Lori Robinson becomes first woman nominated to lead a combatant command in the United States militaryWomen's Rights Mar 18 2016Senior ISIS leader Omar al-Shishani and 12 additional ISIS fighters killed in Syria after a series of U.S. drone and manned aircraft strikesIslamic State (ISIS) Mar 15 2016Offshore drilling off the Atlantic Coast prohibited after local communities voiced strong oppositionOffshore Drilling Mar 15 2016Cubans may open U.S. bank accounts under new rule by the Treasury and Commerce DepartmentsInternational Relations Mar 15 2016U.S. citizens may travel to Cuba for people-to-people educational reasons under new rule by the Treasury and Commerce DepartmentsInternational Relations Mar 15 2016150 Al-Shabaab fighters killed at Somalia training camp after U.S. air strikeTerrorism Mar 08 2016Senior Al-Shabaab leader Yusuf Ali Ugas killed in Somalia after U.S. air strikeTerrorism Mar 05 2016Senior Al-Shabaab leader Mohamed Mire killed in Somalia after U.S. air strikeTerrorism Mar 05 2016Senior unnamed ISIS operative captured and detained during U.S. led raid in IraqIslamic State (ISIS) Mar 03 2016Moderates winning a majority in Iran's parliament and Assembly of Experts partially attributed to improved diplomacy and landmark nuclear deal with major world powersInternational Relations Feb 29 2016Senior ISIS leader Noureddine Chouchane and over thirty ISIS militants killed in Libya after U.S. airstrikesIslamic State (ISIS) Feb 19 2016American citizens may fly to Cuba for the first time in 50 years after the two countries sign an agreement restoring commercial air travelInternational Relations Feb 16 2016All active duty service members eligible for 12 weeks of fully paid maternity leave through new rule by the Department of DefenseMilitary & Defense Jan 28 2016Juveniles in federal prisons can no longer be placed in solitary confinement after executive order by President ObamaPrisons Jan 25 2016Consumers who reduce their electricity use during peak hours receive a discount through new rule by the Federal Energy Regulatory CommissionEnergy Jan 25 2016Four United States citizens imprisoned in Iran released after a prisoner swap between the United States and IranInternational Relations Jan 16 2016Ten Yemeni detainees held at Guantanamo Bay for fourteen years transferred to OmanGuantanamo Bay Jan 14 2016New coal mining leases on public lands halted under new rule by the Department of InteriorFossil Fuels Jan 14 2016Ten Navy sailors detained by Iran after accidentally sailing into their waters freed within 24 hours through diplomatic negotiationsInternational Relations Jan 13 2016ISIS cash depot holding millions of dollars bombed in Mosul, Iraq by U.S. air strikeIslamic State (ISIS) Jan 11 2016Senior ISIS leader Abu Mohammed al-Adnani injured and detained in Iraq after U.S. air strikeIslamic State (ISIS) Jan 07 2016Sentences reduced and adapted for 97 people serving excessive and unfair punishment in federal prison for nonviolent crimesSentencing Dec 18 2015Environmentally hazardous plastic microbeads found in personal care products banned from being manufactured in the U.S.Microbead-Free Waters Act Dec 18 2015Families with three or more children have their taxes reduced $200-$600 through the permanent expansion of the Child Tax CreditBipartisan Budget Act of 2015 Dec 18 2015College students can claim $2,500 towards tuition, fees, and course material on their taxes after the extension of the American Opportunity Tax CreditBipartisan Budget Act of 2015 Dec 18 2015Medical marijuana patients may purchase prescriptions without fear of arrest after DEA prohibited from raiding legal dispensariesBipartisan Budget Act of 2015 Dec 18 2015Solar and wind energy production to double in size through a five year extension of Federal tax creditsBipartisan Budget Act of 2015 Dec 18 2015World community pledges to prevent global temperatures from rising more than 2 degrees celsiusEnvironment Dec 12 2015Teacher performance evaluations no longer based off student test results after passage of the Every Student Succeeds ActEvery Student Succeeds Act Dec 10 2015Senior Al-Qaida leader Abdirahman Sandhere killed in Lybia by U.S. air strikeAl-Qaeda Dec 07 2015Female soldiers roles expanded to serve in any combat positionWomen's Rights Dec 03 2015Military personnel who handled service dogs in combat zones given first rights of adoption after the dog retires from dutyMilitary & Defense Nov 25 2015Senior ISIS leader Wisam al Zubaidi killed in Libya by U.S. air strikeIslamic State (ISIS) Nov 14 2015Senior ISIS leader Abu Nabil killed in Libya by U.S. air strikeIslamic State (ISIS) Nov 14 2015Senior ISIS leader Mohammed Emwazi (Jihadi John) killed in Syria by U.S. drone strikeIslamic State (ISIS) Nov 13 2015Senior ISIS leader Abu Nabil killed in Libya by U.S. air strikeIslamic State (ISIS) Nov 13 2015Veterans and their families offered in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities in all fifty statesVeterans Benefits Nov 11 2015Final phase of Keystone pipeline rejected because it would not serve the national interest of the United StatesOil & Gas Industry Nov 06 2015Federal job applicants can't be denied employment solely for having a prior convictionLaws & Crime Nov 02 2015Seventy hostages held by ISIS in Iraq rescued after joint operation with Iraqi soldiers and US special forcesIslamic State (ISIS) Oct 22 2015Senior Al-Qaida leader Sanafi al-Nasr killed in Syria by U.S. air strikeAl-Qaeda Oct 18 2015Sentences reduced and adapted for 6,000 people serving excessive and unfair punishment in federal prison for nonviolent crimesSentencing Oct 06 2015First openly gay American nominated to become Secretary of the ArmyMilitary & Defense Sep 18 2015Employees of Federal government contractors must be offered seven days of paid sick leave per yearLabor Sep 07 2015Transgender Americans may not be discriminated against by health insurance companies or medical providersDiscrimination Sep 03 2015Tallest mountain in North America renamed Mount DenaliGovernment Aug 31 2015First openly transgender person hired by White House to work as civilian employeeCivil & Human Rights Aug 18 2015Each state must reduce carbon emissions by set amounts by 2030Global Warming Aug 04 2015Senior Al-Qaida leader Muhsin al-Fadhli killed in Syria by U.S. air strikeTerrorism Jul 21 2015Sexual orientation discrimination against Federal employees ruled illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights ActProfiling Jul 16 2015Six major world powers reach agreement with Iran to curb their nuclear programNuclear Energy Jul 14 2015Sentences commuted for 46 people serving excessive & unfair punishment for nonviolent crimesPardons Jul 13 2015National monuments consist of 260 Million Acres throughout AmericaEnvironment Jul 12 2015United States and Cuba re-open embassies after 54 year diplomatic freezeTreaties & Agreements Jul 2015Government mandated threshold for all hourly workers to qualify for overtime pay increased from $23,660 to $50,440.Jobs Jun 30 2015Senior Al-Qaida leader Nasir al-Wuhayshi killed in Yemen by U.S. drone strikeAl-Qaeda Jun 12 2015Senior Al-Qaida leader Nasr al-Ansi killed in Yemen by a CIA-led U.S. drone strikeAl-Qaeda Apr 21 2015Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Actsigned into lawMedicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act Apr 16 2015New Medicare formula changes the way doctors are reimbursed; rewards doctors when their patients have better health outcomesHealth Care Industry Apr 16 201553 political prisoners in Cuba released as a show of good will in the ongoing restoratiation of diplomatic relationship between the two countriesInternational Relations Dec 17 2014United States restores diplomatic relationship with Cuba after 50 year freezeInternational Relations Dec 17 2014Abortion coverage extended to Peace Corps volunteers who became pregnant because of rape, incest, and life endangermentContinuing Appropriations Act of 2015 Dec 16 2014President Obama issues executive order allowing the parents of children who are U.S. citizens or legal residents to continue residing in the United StatesImmigration Nov 20 2014President Obama pledges $3 Billion to global fund assisting poor countries coping with climate changeGlobal Warming Nov 14 2014China and the United States agree to cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to twenty-five percent by 2030Global Warming Nov 12 2014Senior Al-Shabaab leader Ahmed Godane killed in Somalia by U.S. airstrikeTerrorism Sep 05 2014Broad Coalition of Middle-Eastern countries conduct military campaign against ISIS inside of SyriaTerrorism Sep 2014President Obama signs executive order prohibiting federal contractors from discriminting against LGBT individualsCivil & Human Rights Jul 21 2014United States assumes control of weapons-grade plutonium and highly enriched uranium from Japan after the two countries signed an agreement to secure their stockpile to prevent it from theftNuclear Proliferation Mar 24 2014International Trade Data System created to streamline small business Export/Import processBusiness & Economy Feb 19 2014Minimum wage for Federal Contractors raised to $10.10 per hour.Minimum Wage Feb 12 2014Agriculture Act of 2014signed into lawAgriculture Act of 2014 Feb 07 2014Federal Government reopens after 16 day shutdown defeating Republican partisan attempt to cancel health care benefits for millions under ObamacareGovernment Shutdown Oct 17 2013President Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani have first formal communication between the two nations in 35 yearsInternational Relations Sep 27 2013Syria agrees to dismantle chemical weapons stockpile after deal reached between the Obama Administration and RussiaTreaties & Agreements Sep 14 2013Defense of Marriage Act ruled unconstitutional by Supreme CourtCivil & Human Rights Jun 26 2013American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012signed into lawAmerican Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 Jan 02 2013Blind Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng relocates to the United State after diplomatic agreement between China and the Obama administrationInternational Relations May 19 2012President Obama becomes first sitting president to publicly support marriage equalityCivil & Human Rights May 09 2012Senior Al-Qaida commander Fahd al-Quso killed in Yemen by a CIA-led U.S. drone strikeAl-Qaeda May 06 2012Members of Congress and certain government employees prohibited from using non-public information for personal profitSTOCK Act Apr 04 2012Federal unemployment benefits programs extended an additional 13 to 20 weeksMiddle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act Feb 22 2012Cuts in Medicare physician payment rates averted with extension of existing rates through 2012Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act Feb 22 2012Employee social security payroll tax reduction from 6.2% to 4.2 % extended through 2012Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act Feb 22 2012Self-employed social security payroll tax reduction from 12.4% to 10.4 % extended through 2012Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act Feb 22 2012U.S. drone attack in Yemen killed 12-15 militants, including at least four Al-Qaeda leadersAl-Qaeda Jan 30 2012Senior Al-Qaeda figure Aslam Awan killed in U.S. drone strikeAl-Qaeda Jan 2012War in Iraq ended with last American troops crossing border into Kuwait2003 Iraq War Dec 17 2011US government international campaign initiated to build respect for the human rights of LGBT persons worldwideDiscrimination Dec 06 2011$700 million annual funding for child protection, child abuse prevention, family support and adoption promotion through 2016Child and Family Services Improvement Act Sep 30 2011Senior Al Qaeda leader Anwar al-Awlaki killed in Yemen by a CIA-led U.S. drone strikeAl-Qaeda Sep 30 2011Entrepreneurs and businesses benefited by reduced average wait time for patent approvals from 3 years to 1 year.America Invents Act Sep 16 2011Patent litigation costs reduced through tightened patent standards, quality and processes to expedite challenges.America Invents Act Sep 16 2011Al-Qaeda's operations chief for Pakistan Abu Hafs al Shahri reported killed in U.S. Predator strikeAl-Qaeda Sep 11 2011U.S./Pakistani joint arrest of suspected Chief Al-Qaeda Younis al-Mauritani in QuettaAl-Qaeda Sep 06 2011Al-Qaeda No. 2 Atiyah Abd al-Rahman Killed in Pakistan by CIA predator drone strikeAl-Qaeda Aug 22 2011East Africa's Al-Qaeda senior leader Harun Fazul killed at security checkpoint in SomaliaAl-Qaeda Jun 07 2011Al-Qaeda Commander Ilyas Kashmiri Killed in U.S. Predator StrikeAl-Qaeda Jun 03 20116 senior Al-Qaeda figures killed in U.S. Air StrikeAl-Qaeda Jun 2011US Forces Kill Osama Bin Laden in PakistanAl-Qaeda May 02 2011Defense of Marriage Act declared unconstitutional and no longer defended in federal courts by the Obama AdministrationFeb 23 2011Number of US and Russian nuclear warheads deployed reduced by two-thirds by 2017New START Treaty Feb 05 2011Number of US and Russian strategic nuclear missile launchers reduced in half by 2017New START Treaty Feb 05 2011Small family farms selling locally exempted from federal regulations such as traceability and record keepingFood Safety Modernization Act Jan 04 2011Safety of imported food improved with new FSVP & VQIP programs that helps ensure it is safe, unadulterated and not misbrandedFood Safety Modernization Act Jan 04 2011Safety of U.S. grown food improved with requirements for large factory farms to register all food handlers and maintain records relating to food safetyFood Safety Modernization Act Jan 04 2011US sponsored measure to include “sexual orientation” in the definition of human rights adopted by the UN General Assembly, 122- 0.Discrimination Dec 22 2010Gays and lesbians allowed to serve openly in the militaryDon't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act Dec 22 2010$193 million saved over five years by eliminating recruiting and retraining costs of replacing soldiers discharged due to DADTDon't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act Dec 22 2010$186 billion in tax relief for all tax payers by extending the Bush income tax cuts for 2010 & 20112010 Tax & Jobs Compromise Dec 17 2010$136 billion in tax relief for 21 million middle class households through patch to the Alternative Minimum Tax for 2010 & 20112010 Tax & Jobs Compromise Dec 17 2010$111 billion in tax relief for workers by a reducing social security payroll tax from 6.2% to 4.2% for 2011.2010 Tax & Jobs Compromise Dec 17 2010Unemployment benefits extended for 13 months at a cost of $56 billion2010 Tax & Jobs Compromise Dec 17 2010$40 billion in tax credits for college students and lower income families with children2010 Tax & Jobs Compromise Dec 17 2010Number of eligible children enrolled in school meal programs increased by approximately 115,000 studentsHealthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act Dec 13 2010Schools and communities provided resources to utilize local farms and gardens to provide fresh produce for school food programs.Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act Dec 13 2010$1.5 billion awarded to some 75,000 black farmers who were victims of discrimination in applying for farm loans from 1983 to 1997Claims Resolution Act Dec 08 2010$3.4 billion settlement for Native Americans against the US government arising from incorrect accounting for royalties on mineral leasesClaims Resolution Act Dec 08 2010Veteran work-study programs expanded to include congressional offices, state agencies and institutions of higher learningVeterans' Benefit Act Oct 14 2010On-the-job training opportunities expanded for veterans by reimbursing energy sector employers for training costs.Veterans' Benefit Act Oct 14 2010Insurance policy amounts and terms enhanced for severely disabled veteransVeterans' Benefit Act Oct 14 2010Service members receiving relocation orders protected from early termination fees for certain contracts and residential leasesVeterans' Benefit Act Oct 14 2010$10 million in job training, counseling, placement services, and child care services for homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with childrenVeterans' Benefit Act Oct 14 2010Disabled veterans provided improved independent assisted living services, automobile adaptive equipment and allowances for automobile purchaseVeterans' Benefit Act Oct 14 2010$30 billion lending program created for community banks with incentives to increase small business lendingSmall Business Jobs Act Sep 27 2010$12 billion in assistance for small businesses through eight separate tax cutsSmall Business Jobs Act Sep 27 2010Large disparity in jail sentences reduced for crack cocaine related offenses that disproportionately affected African AmericansFair Sentencing Act Aug 03 2010Long-term economic stability improved through new FDIC powers to liquidate failing financial firms such as insurance companies and non-bank financial companiesWall Street Reform Act Jul 22 2010Borrowers protected from bad loans with rules and penalties requiring that lenders verify that they are able to repay the loans that they issueWall Street Reform Act Jul 22 2010Financial Stability Oversight Council established to identify and monitor excessive risks to the U.S. financial systemWall Street Reform Act Jul 22 2010Future economic downturns minimized with new rules and transparency regarding bank trading in credit default swaps and derivatives including the "Volker Rule"Wall Street Reform Act Jul 22 2010Risk in the financial system reduced with new SEC Office of Credit Ratings (OCR) to monitor credit rating agencies for conflict of interests & inaccuraciesWall Street Reform Act Jul 22 2010FDIC bank deposit insurance increased from $100,000 to $250,000Wall Street Reform Act Jul 22 2010Transparency of Federal Reserve improved with additional government oversight and new audits to be performed by the GAOWall Street Reform Act Jul 22 2010Consumer Financial Protection Bureau established to promote fairness and transparency for mortgages, credit cards, and other consumer financial productsWall Street Reform Act Jul 22 2010U.S. drone attack killed 7 known terrorists, most notable Al-Qaeda operative from Egypt Hawza al JawfiAl-Qaeda Jun 29 2010Federal benefits extended to same sex partners of workers through memorandum by Obama administrationCivil & Human Rights Jun 02 2010Transgender Americans able to list their gender identity on their passports under rule issued by the State DepartmentCivil & Human Rights Jun 01 2010Al-Qaeda’s number three commander Sheik Saeed al-Masri killed in U.S. drone attackAl-Qaeda May 21 2010Family caregivers of veterans granted eligibility to VA counseling and mental health servicesCaregivers & Veterans Health Services Act May 05 2010Health care services improved and expanded for women veterans at Veterans care facilitiesCaregivers & Veterans Health Services Act May 05 2010Counseling and care enhanced for military women victims of sexual trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Caregivers & Veterans Health Services Act May 05 2010Care options expanded for veterans living in rural areas that lack the necessary VA medical facilitiesCaregivers & Veterans Health Services Act May 05 2010Housing and care options expanded for homeless veterans living in care sheltersCaregivers & Veterans Health Services Act May 05 2010Joint American and Iraqi operation killed Al-Qaeda leaders Abu Ayyub al-Masri and Abu Omar al-BaghdadiAl-Qaeda Apr 18 2010$68 billion to expand Pell grants & make it easier for students to repay outstanding loans after graduation through savings in the federal student loan programStudent Aid Act Mar 30 2010$2 billion investment to laid off workers for education and career training programs in community colleges over four years starting in 2010Student Aid Act Mar 30 2010People denied coverage for a pre-existing condition given access to a temporary high risk health insurance planObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Children under 19 can no longer be denied coverage or benefits for a pre-existing conditionObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Young adults can stay on parent's insurance plan up until age 26Obamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010$250 rebate for those in the Medicare Prescription drug "donut hole" during 2010Obamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 201050% discount on prescription drug costs for seniors in the Medicare "donut hole" starting in 2011Obamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Health care insurance plans prohibited from putting a lifetime limit on the benefits you receiveObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Annual dollar limits on health benefits restricted and phased out by 2014Obamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Insurers selling to groups of 50 or more employees must spend 85% of premiums on medical care and quality improvementObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Consumers guaranteed the right to choose the primary care doctor or pediatrician from their health plan’s provider networkObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010HIV Testing Will Now Be Covered Under ObamacareObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Consumers are guaranteed the right to appeal decisions made by their health insurance providerObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Women are no longer charged higher premiums because of their genderObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Preventative services will be covered at no additional costObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Insurance companies must provide consumers a short, easy to understand summary of their benefits and coverageObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Health insurance companies can not charge higher premiums for out of network emergency room careObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010People with a pre-existing condition cannot be denied health coverge by an insurance company starting in 2014Obamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010$143 billion in deficit reduction estimated between 2010-2019 from health care reform law provisionsObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Mental health and drug addiction coverage is an "essential benefit" that can not be deniedObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Insurance companies must spend 80% of the money raised from consumers premiums on health care and quality improvementObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Social Security payroll tax credits in 2010 for employers that hired people who have been unemployed for 60+ daysHire Act Mar 18 2010Tax credits to employers who keep new hires for 52 weeks to encourage retention of new hiresHire Act Mar 18 2010$17.5 billion in tax cuts, business credits and subsidies for state and local construction bonds to stimulate business investment and hiringHire Act Mar 18 2010$20 billion to the highway trust fund for spending on highway and transit programs.Hire Act Mar 18 2010Encourages job creation by expanding investments in schools and clean energy projectsHire Act Mar 18 2010Offsets costs through a 30 percent withholding tax on income from certain U.S. financial assets held by foreign banks who have not agreed to disclosures.Hire Act Mar 18 2010Al-Qaeda operative Hussein al-Yemeni killed by U.S. drone attack in PakistanAl-Qaeda Mar 2010Al-Qaeda and Taliban-linked Fedayeen-i-Islam leader Qari Zafar killed in US airstrikeAl-Qaeda Feb 24 2010Militant commander Muhammad Haqqani killed by U.S. drone attacksTerrorism Feb 2010Discrimination based on gender identity banned in federal workplacesDiscrimination Jan 01 2010Liquidation of General Motors and Chrysler avoided through government mandated restructuring plans and conditional investment and loan programsManufacturing Industry 2009115,000 jobs created at General Motors and Chrysler since government financing and restructuring implementedJobs 20091.45 million American jobs saved overall by government financing and restructuring of GM and Chrysler to avoid liquidationJobs 2009$96 billion in personal income losses avoided by government financing and restructuring of GM and Chrysler to avoid liquidationLabor 2009$28.6 billion net public benefit in income taxes and social security taxes paid because liquidation of GM and Chrysler avoidedTaxes 2009Al-Qaeda Operational Commander Abdallah Sa’id killed in U.S. drone attackAl-Qaeda Dec 17 2009Al-Qaeda Operational Commander Saleh al-Somali killed in U.S. drone attackAl-Qaeda Dec 08 2009People with HIV/AIDS no longer prohibited from entering the United StatesDiscrimination Oct 30 2009Federal hate crime law expanded to include crimes motivated by gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability.Matthew Shepard Act Oct 28 2009Existing hate crime laws strengthened with funding to investigate and prosecute those crimesMatthew Shepard Act Oct 28 2009Operation Celestial Balance: Navy Seals Kill Somalian Al-Qaeda leader Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan in raidAl-Qaeda Sep 14 2009Somalian Al-Qaeda leader Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan killed by U.S. raidAl-Qaeda Sep 14 2009White House voluntary disclosure of visitor logsSep 04 2009Co-founder of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan Tohir Yo‘ldosh killed by U.S. drone attacksTerrorism Aug 29 2009U.S. drone attack killed Tehrik e-Taliban Pakistan leader Baitullah Mahsud in PakistanPakistani Taliban Aug 05 2009First-ever reception at the White House honoring Lesbian, Gay, Transgendered, Bisexual Pride Month hosted by the President and First ladyDiscrimination Jun 29 2009Sonya Sotomayor nominated and approved as Supreme Court justiceMay 25 2009Dept of Defense systems analysis, engineering and developmental testing processes overhauled to reduce high rates of failure on defense acquisitionsWeapons Systems Acquisition Reform May 22 2009Defense Dept ordered to evaluate the technological maturity and product knowledge of critical weapons' technologies before letting defense contractsWeapons Systems Acquisition Reform May 22 2009Independent cost assesessment director initiated to ensure that cost estimates for major Defense contracts are fair, reliable, and unbiasedWeapons Systems Acquisition Reform May 22 2009Defense oversight council required to seek input from combat commanders in evaluating proposed weapons system capabilities and needsWeapons Systems Acquisition Reform May 22 2009Defense contractors prohibited from participating in both the systems engineering and the development /construction phases of the weapon systemsWeapons Systems Acquisition Reform May 22 2009Oversight and audit required of those major defense programs experiencing cost overruns to determine if the programs are essential and cost-effectiveWeapons Systems Acquisition Reform May 22 2009Funding provided to hire and retain highly skilled specialists to assess the cost, schedule and applicability of proposed Defense Dept weapons systemsWeapons Systems Acquisition Reform May 22 2009Annual awards program established to recognize individuals and teams making significant contributions to improving efficiency of defense aquisition programsWeapons Systems Acquisition Reform May 22 2009Credit cardholders protected against arbitrary interest rate increases, hidden and excessive fees, and due date gimmicksCredit Card Act May 22 2009Homeowners' foreclosures avoided by improved terms for loan modification and restructuring of their debtHelping Families Save Their Homes May 20 2009Lenders incentivized to reduce foreclosures by loss mitigation guarantees, compensation and lender protection from lawsuits by investors holding the loansHelping Families Save Their Homes May 20 2009$2.2 billion appropriated to help communities address the homeless crisis.Helping Families Save Their Homes May 20 2009Financial Crisis Inquiry commission created to examine and report on the domestic and global causes of the 2008 - 2009 financial and economic crisisFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009Mortgage lending businesses added to list of financial institutions subject to Federal criminal law in fraudulent lending practicesFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009Crime of major fraud against the United States amended to include Federal grants made to stimulate economic recovery for fiscal years 2009 and 2010Fraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009Securities fraud definition amended to include fraud related to commodities futures and derivatives fraudFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009$140 million in special funding for the Federal Bureau of Investigation to investigate fraud in financial institutionsFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009$100 million in special funding for the offices of the United States Attorneys to investigate and prosecute fraud in financial institutionsFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009$80 million in special funding to the criminal, civil and tax divisions of the Dept of Justice to investigate and prosecute fraud in financial institutionsFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009$60 million in special funding for the Postal Inspection Service to investigate financial institutions for fraudFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009$60 million in special funding for Inspector General's Office at the U S Dept of Housing and Urban Development to investigate financial institutions for fraudFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009$40 million in special funding for the Secret Service to investigate financial institutions for fraudFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009$42 million in special funding for the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate securites fraud in financial institutionsFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009250,000 volunteers by 2017 for community service programs in low income neighborhoodsServe America Act Apr 21 2009Community volunteer program expanded to address the education, health care, energy and veterans needs of low income communitiesServe America Act Apr 21 2009Disadvantaged youth job opportunites enhanced by community service to gain skills/experience and earn education grants and stipendsServe America Act Apr 21 2009Restrictions eased on Cuba travel, money transfers, and cellular telephone/satellite service.International Relations Apr 13 2009Maersk Alabama Capt. Richard Phillips rescued during operation in which U.S. Navy Seal snipers kill three Somali Pirates holding him for ransom aboard lifeboatSomali Civil War Apr 11 2009Deeper recession or depression averted in 2009 and beyond with the help of stimulus bill provisions2009 Stimulus Bill Apr 01 2009Approximately 2.7 million jobs added to US payrolls and unemployment rate kept 1½ percentage points lower due to Stimulus spending2009 Stimulus Bill Apr 01 20092010 real GDP increased by about 3.4% due to stimulus spending2009 Stimulus Bill Feb 17 2009Tax credit of $400 per worker ($800 per couple) for middle income workers for 2009 & 2010 totaling $116 billion2009 Stimulus Bill Feb 17 2009$82.2 billion in aid for low income workers, unemployed and retirees (including job training)2009 Stimulus Bill Feb 17 2009$70 billion in tax relief for middle class workers by patching the Alternative Minimum Tax for one year2009 Stimulus Bill Feb 17 2009$155 billion in health care assistance for the poor & unemployed primarily for Medicaid, health information technology and insurance premium subsidies2009 Stimulus Bill Feb 17 2009$100 billion in education aid to prevent lay-offs, modernize schools, award Pell grants and help low income children & special education programs2009 Stimulus Bill Feb 17 2009$48.1 billion in investments for highway, bridge, high-speed rail & other transportation projects2009 Stimulus Bill Feb 17 20094 million more children insured under SCHIP in addition to the 6.6 million already coveredChildren's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Feb 04 2009Statute of limitations on filing equal-pay lawsuits eased by setting period to start from the date of the most recent paycheck.Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act Jan 29 2009Pay discrimination based on gender, race, color, national origin, age and disability prohibited.Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act Jan 29 2009Employers prompted to review, develop and update their criteria on employee compensation to ensure they are applied consistently and uniformly.Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act Jan 29 2009Use of torture by CIA and military to interrogate prisoners prohibited.Torture Jan 21 2009