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By Noam N. Levey, KFF Health News Worried that President-elect Donald Trump will curtail federal efforts to take on the nation’s medical debt problem, patient and consumer advocates are looking to states to help people who can’t afford their medical bills or pay down their debts. “The election simply shifts our focus,” said Eva Stahl, who oversees public policy at Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit that has worked closely with the Biden administration and state leaders on medical debt. “States are going to be the epicenter of policy change to mitigate the harms of medical debt.” New state initiatives may not be enough to protect Americans from medical debt if the incoming Trump administration and congressional Republicans move forward with plans to scale back federal aid that has helped millions gain health insurance or reduce the cost of their plans in recent years. Comprehensive health coverage that limits patients’ out-of-pocket costs remains the best defense against medical debt. But in the face of federal retrenchment, advocates are eyeing new initiatives in state legislatures to keep medical bills off people’s credit reports, a consumer protection that can boost credit scores and make it easier to buy a car, rent an apartment, or even get a job. Several states are looking to strengthen oversight of medical credit cards and other financial products that can leave patients paying high interest rates on top of their medical debt. Some states are also exploring new ways to compel hospitals to bolster financial aid programs to help their patients avoid sinking into debt. “There’s an enormous amount that states can do,” said Elisabeth Benjamin, who leads health care initiatives at the nonprofit Community Service Society of New York. “Look at what’s happened here.” New York state has enacted several laws in recent years to rein in hospital debt collections and to expand financial aid for patients, often with support from both Democrats and Republicans in the legislature. “It doesn’t matter the party. No one likes medical debt,” Benjamin said. Other states that have enacted protections in recent years include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington. Many measures picked up bipartisan support. President Joe Biden’s administration has proved to be an ally in state efforts to control health care debt. Such debt burdens 100 million people in the United States, a KFF Health News investigation found . Led by Biden appointee Rohit Chopra, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has made medical debt a priority , going after aggressive collectors and exposing problematic practices across the medical debt industry. Earlier this year, the agency proposed landmark regulations to remove medical bills from consumer credit scores. The White House also championed legislation to boost access to government-subsidized health insurance and to cap out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors, both key bulwarks against medical debt. Trump hasn’t indicated whether his administration will move ahead with the CFPB credit reporting rule, which was slated to be finalized early next year. Congressional Republicans, who will control the House and Senate next year, have blasted the proposal as regulatory overreach that will compromise the value of credit reports. And Elon Musk, the billionaire whom Trump has tapped to lead his initiative to shrink government, last week called for the elimination of the watchdog agency . “Delete CFPB,” Musk posted on X. If the CFPB withdraws the proposed regulation, states could enact their own rules, following the lead of Colorado, New York, and other states that have passed credit reporting bans since 2023. Advocates in Massachusetts are pushing the legislature there to take up a ban when it reconvenes in January. “There are a lot of different levers that states have to take on medical debt,” said April Kuehnhoff, a senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center, which has helped lead national efforts to expand debt protections for patients. Kuehnhoff said she expects more states to crack down on medical credit card providers and other companies that lend money to patients to pay off medical bills, sometimes at double-digit interest rates. Under the Biden administration, the CFPB has been investigating patient financing companies amid warnings that many people may not understand that signing up for a medical credit card such as CareCredit or enrolling in a payment plan through a financial services company can pile on more debt. If the CFPB efforts stall under Trump, states could follow the lead of California, New York, and Illinois, which have all tightened rules governing patient lending in recent years. Consumer advocates say states are also likely to continue expanding efforts to get hospitals to provide more financial assistance to reduce or eliminate bills for low- and middle-income patients, a key protection that can keep people from slipping into debt. Hospitals historically have not made this aid readily available, prompting states such as California, Colorado, and Washington to set stronger standards to ensure more patients get help with bills they can’t afford. This year, North Carolina also won approval from the Biden administration to withhold federal funding from hospitals in the state unless they agreed to expand financial assistance. In Georgia, where state government is entirely in Republican control, officials have been discussing new measures to get hospitals to provide more assistance to patients. “When we talk about hospitals putting profits over patients, we get lots of nodding in the legislature from Democrats and Republicans,” said Liz Coyle, executive director of Georgia Watch, a consumer advocacy nonprofit. Many advocates caution, however, that state efforts to bolster patient protections will be critically undermined if the Trump administration cuts federal funding for health insurance programs such as Medicaid and the insurance marketplaces established through the Affordable Care Act. Trump and congressional Republicans have signaled their intent to roll back federal subsidies passed under Biden that make health plans purchased on ACA marketplaces more affordable. That could hike annual premiums by hundreds or even thousands of dollars for many enrollees, according to estimates by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a think tank. And during Trump’s first term, he backed efforts in Republican-led states to restrict enrollment in their Medicaid safety net programs through rules that would require people to work in order to receive benefits. GOP state leaders in Idaho, Louisiana, and other states have expressed a desire to renew such efforts. “That’s all a recipe for more medical debt,” said Stahl, of Undue Medical Debt. Jessica Altman, who heads the Covered California insurance marketplace, warned that federal cuts will imperil initiatives in her state that have limited copays and deductibles and curtailed debt for many state residents. “States like California that have invested in critical affordable programs for our residents will face tough decisions,” she said. ©2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.How China Became the World’s Largest Gold Consumer and ProducerNoneMatt Gaetz says he won't return to Congress next year after withdrawing name for attorney general WASHINGTON (AP) — Matt Gaetz is not coming back to Congress. The Florida Republican said Friday he has no intention of serving another term in the House now that he is no longer President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general. Gaetz withdrew as the nominee this week amid growing fallout from the allegations of sexual conduct against him. Gaetz denies the allegations. Gaetz didn't lay out his plans now that he's out of office, saying only, “I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch." After Gaetz's withdrawal on Thursday, Trump named former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi to lead the Justice Department. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, obituaries, sports, and more.

Thank you for your attention, and we look forward to welcoming you back soon to a revitalized and improved bathhouse experience.Ricoh Group Awarded Five-Star Rating for Six Consecutive Years in the 2024 Nikkei Sustainable Development Comprehensive Survey

2024 Recap: How Zacch Adedeji Broke Record Of Tax Administration In NigeriaIn addition to external support, Shi Yuqi also draws motivation from within, tapping into his inner strength and determination to push himself beyond his limits. He understands the importance of self-belief and positive thinking in achieving success and constantly strives to maintain a positive mindset, even in the face of adversity.Discover the Hidden Gems in the AI Investment Landscape

Xiaomi Pad 7 will be launching in India and the company has teased the same. The tablet will be available in India on January 10 mentioned Amazon on the microsite dedicated for the tablet. For those who are unknown the Xiaomi Pad 7 has already been launched in China. The tablet was spotted on Geekbench as well as Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) websites. The tablet will be successor of Xiaomi Pad 6. We have mentioned the specifications of the Xiaomi Pad 7 below. Xiaomi Pad 7 which had launched in China is expected to land in India with the same features. The Chinese version of the tablet offers 11.2-inch display (2136×3200 pixels). The refresh rate of the device is up to 144Hz while the peak brightness is up to 800 nits. A Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 SoC is offered in the device and it runs on Android 15-based HyperOS 2.0 skin on top. The RAM offered on the tablet is 12GB RAM. When it comes to photography, the tablet gets 13MP sensor at the rear along with 8MP senor at the front. The tablet offers an 8850mAh battery with 45W wired fast charging support. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor on it offers security. When it comes to price, the Xiaomi Pad 7 costs CNY 1999 (approx. Rs 23,500) for the 8GB + 128GB option. The 8GB + 256GB and the 12GB + 256GB variants cost CNY 2,299 (approx. Rs. 27,700) and CNY 2,599 (approx. Rs. 30,600).WASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop for the airline. The order, which prevented planes from taking off, was issued at the airline's request. The airline said in an email that the problem was caused by trouble with vendor technology that maintains its flight operating system. Dennis Tajer, a spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association, a union representing American Airlines pilots, said the airline told pilots at 7 a.m. Eastern that there was an outage affecting the system known as FOS. It handles different types of airline operations, including dispatch, flight planning, passenger boarding, as well as an airplane's weight and balance data, he said. Some components of FOS have gone down in the past, but a systemwide outage is rare, Tajer said. Hours after the ground stop was lifted, Tajer said the union had not heard about any “chaos out there beyond just the normal heavy travel day.” He said officials were watching for any cascading effects, such as staffing problems. Flights were delayed across American's major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics company. Out of the 3,901 domestic and international American Airlines flights scheduled for Tuesday, 19 were canceled. Cirium noted that the vast majority of flights were departing within two hours of their scheduled departure time. A similar percentage — 36% — were arriving at their destinations as scheduled. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 3,712 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed Tuesday, with 55 flights canceled. It did not show any flights from American Airlines. Cirium said Dallas-Fort Worth, New York’s Kennedy Airport and Charlotte, North Carolina, saw the greatest number of delays. Washington, Chicago and Miami experienced considerably fewer delays. Amid the travel problems, significant rain and snow were expected in the Pacific Northwest at least into Christmas Day. Showers and thunderstorms were developing in the South. Freezing rain was reported in the Mid-Atlantic region near Baltimore and Washington, and snow fell in New York. Because the holiday travel period lasts weeks, airports and airlines typically have smaller peak days than they do during the rush around Thanksgiving, but the grind of one hectic day followed by another takes a toll on flight crews. And any hiccups — a winter storm or a computer outage — can snowball into massive disruptions. That is how Southwest Airlines stranded 2 million travelers in December 2022, and Delta Air Lines suffered a smaller but significant meltdown after a worldwide technology outage in July caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations even more disruptive than during slower periods. That is especially true for smaller budget airlines that have fewer flights and fewer options for rebooking passengers. Only the largest airlines, including American, Delta and United, have “interline agreements” that let them put stranded customers on another carrier’s flights. This will be the first holiday season since a Transportation Department rule took effect that requires airlines to give customers an automatic cash refund for a canceled or significantly delayed flight. Most air travelers were already eligible for refunds, but they often had to request them. Passengers still can ask to get rebooked, which is often a better option than a refund during peak travel periods. That’s because finding a last-minute flight on another airline tends to be expensive. An American spokesperson said Tuesday was not a peak travel day for the airline — with about 2,000 fewer flights than the busiest days — so the airline had somewhat of a buffer to manage the delays. The groundings happened as millions of travelers were expected to fly over the next 10 days. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers through Jan. 2. Airlines expect to have their busiest days on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations more disruptive than during slower periods. Even with just a brief outage, the cancellations have a cascading effect that can take days to clear up. About 90% of Americans traveling far from home over the holidays will be in cars, according to AAA. “Airline travel is just really high right now, but most people do drive to their destinations, and that is true for every holiday,” AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. Gasoline prices are similar to last year. The nationwide average Thursday was $3.04 a gallon, down from $3.13 a year ago, according to AAA. Charging an electric vehicle averages just under 35 cents per per kilowatt hour, but varies by state. Transportation-data firm INRIX says travel times on the nation’s highways could be up to 30% longer than normal over the holidays, with Sunday expected to see the heaviest traffic. Boston, New York City, Seattle and Washington are the metropolitan areas primed for the greatest delays, according to the company. —— Associated Press writers David Koenig, Mae Anderson and Mike Pesoli contributed to this report.A clean sweep: Trinamool Congress wins all 6 Assembly seats in Bengal bypolls

As players don their Female Warrior Lunar New Year Costume Set and trigger the enchanting firework display, they are reminded of the traditions and customs that make the Lunar New Year such a special and cherished time of year. The sense of unity and celebration that permeates the game world mirrors the real-world celebrations taking place around the globe, creating a sense of connection and shared joy among players.

Technology is playing an increasingly important role in the housing rental market, enabling landlords, property managers, and tenants to streamline operations, enhance communication, and improve overall efficiency. In 2024, we are likely to see further integration of technology solutions such as online rental platforms, digital payment systems, virtual property tours, and AI-driven property management tools. These innovations are transforming the way rental properties are marketed, leased, and managed in China.4. Emerald Garden EstateIn conclusion, the recent actions of the Syrian opposition, coupled with Turkey's shifting stance, have injected new energy and uncertainty into the conflict. As the dust settles and the implications become clearer, it remains to be seen how this latest development will shape the future of Syria and the wider region. The only certainty in this ever-changing landscape is that the people of Syria continue to endure the devastating consequences of a conflict that shows no signs of abating.

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Furthermore, the government's policy of providing tax incentives for property purchases has helped to stabilize the real estate market during times of economic uncertainty. In periods of economic downturn, such incentives can serve as a lifeline for the housing sector, preventing a steep decline in property prices and mitigating the impact of market volatility. By incentivizing property purchases, governments can ensure a certain level of stability in the real estate market, safeguarding the investments of homeowners and investors alike.ROCHESTER — Olmsted County commissioners have agreed to provide $60,000 for temporary fair seating for a third year after the 1938 Graham Park grandstand was deemed unsafe. Commissioners have been discussing plans for replacing grandstand seating since structural problems were found during a 2023 inspection. ADVERTISEMENT “Our master plan doesn’t call for building a grandstand,” County Board Chairwoman Sheila Kiscaden said Thursday as the commissioner’s administrative committee met. “It calls for putting in an activity pad and using temporary bleachers when needed.” It leaves the Olmsted County Fair Board, which is a set of volunteers without an official link to the county, needing to find seating for its annual bull-riding, autocross and demolition derby events, as well as concerts, until a more permanent design is in place. The site of the activity pad, which is expected to be able to serve a variety of purposes from providing flexible space for fair activities to hosting other outdoor public events, remains undefined as the commissioners continue to hammer out details related to the 2023 park plan. The commissioners are moving forward with plans for a new $32.5 million exhibition center at the southern edge of the grounds, which will likely affect options for the pad’s placement and related amenities. Commissioner Michelle Rossman said a commitment to making space for key fair events, along with adequate seating, is critical at the Olmsted County Fair Board works to negotiate a new multi-year contract for carnival services. “What the carnival wants to hear is that we are committed long term to a permanent seating,” she said, noting the carnival and other vendors rely on scheduled fair events to draw crowds that will spend money on rides, games and food. The commissioners have said they’d prefer to consider a plan to purchase movable seating, rather than continuing to fund the fair’s rental costs, but Mat Miller, the county’s director of facilities and building operations, said some advance planning is needed, since production requirements are uncertain. ADVERTISEMENT “I’m not confident that we could have enough capacity here by August,” he said. Purchasing seating similar to what the fair board is renting is estimated to cost approximately $900,000 for 3,000 seats. The rental cost is approximately $26,000 for the same 3,000 seats, but the fair has added costs for providing grandstand events without a permanent structure. They include lighting, concrete barriers and labor expenses. “These are the broader expenses that must occur to put the event on,” Rossman said. The decision to provide $60,000 for 2025 seating rental and related expenses follows similar county commitments for the 2023 and 2024 fairs. The county also spent approximately $100,000 to demolish the former grandstand. Miller said some of the needs could be addressed when the county finalizes a design for the new activity pad, which is expected to be in place between the 2025 and 2026 county fairs.The reform process of village and town banks has been gaining momentum in recent years, with a growing number of institutions undergoing mergers, acquisitions, or outright dissolution. This trend reflects the government's commitment to promoting a more efficient and well-capitalized banking sector that is better equipped to support the growth and development of the country's rural areas.

Greenland Group, a prominent real estate developer in China, has continued to demonstrate its expertise and market influence in Jiangsu Province throughout 2024. Known for its iconic skyscrapers and large-scale mixed-use projects, Greenland Group has seen substantial sales growth and widespread recognition for its quality developments. The company's emphasis on urban planning and architectural design has set it apart as a key player in the local real estate market.Samsung Will Showcase C-Lab Startups Pioneering AI, IoT, Digital Health and Robotics at CES 2025