Medicare – Organ Transplant: Getting the Call

Donated organs have a limited period of viability, so timing is critical in the transplant process. If the
recipient can not be reached or be ready within the time constraints, the organs will be used for the recipient with the next highest priority. The organs intended for Scott were taken, by courier, to the airport to be flown to Scott’s location. Scott was at the hospital being tested and prepared for the surgery. Everything looked like it was a “go.”

Fire Prevention

When I was in college, students, who had a little too much to drink, were always pulling the dorm fire alarms in the middle of the night and then running off. These alarm pranks had become a real problem in my dorm and seemed to be happening weekly. I considered myself lucky that I lived … Read more

National Wear Red Day

Most people think they should wear red on February 14th, for that terrible, horrible, no good, very bad, Hallmark holiday (flowers that were never delivered two years ago, a boyfriend who neglected to call last year…I have the right to be bitter, ok?). Really, there is a much better reason to dress in crimson and … Read more

Snow and SAD

Last week I was in Los Angeles. More specifically, I was sitting outside on a patio in Santa Monica with a view of the ocean. This week? Well, things have been a hazy shade of winter. In case you haven’t heard, DC has had a “little” snow the past few days. The masses are beginning … Read more

Replacing a Lost Social Security Card

Because I’m a government employee, I’ve gotten emails from time to time from friends of mine who are trying to figure out something government-related and assume I have all the answers. And because I work in the office that runs USA.gov, I can usually point my friends in the right direction. Last week a friend … Read more

Exercise and Heart Health

We all know that regular exercise is good for us, but sometimes we feel like we have to be marathon runners to benefit from it. Let’s face it, most of us aren’t in any shape for a marathon or triathlon, but here’s the good news: I heard a news story last week about how regular, … Read more

Missing Your W-2 Forms for Medicare?

It’s tax season once again, and time to gather all the forms and tax records you’ll need to file your tax return. One of the most important documents you’ll need is your W-2 form. We always hear from a lot of people who didn’t get their W-2’s and don’t know what to do. So if you haven’t received your W-2 yet, read on.

Help Us Improve Government

To join the conversation, visit the dialog tools of the agencies that interest you. The U.S. General Services Administration has provided the technology, powered by IdeaScale under a free citizen engagement license, to federal agencies to make it easier for
you to engage with each agency. Representatives from each agency will be listening and
will use your ideas as they develop their plans.

The Great Backyard Bird Count

Want to be a part of an international project? Look no further than your own backyard! Tomorrow is the start of the 13th annual Great Backyard Bird Count, when beginning bird watchers and experts alike across North America count the wild birds they see in their backyards, parks, or wildlife refuges.

Is Medicare Affected with the New Credit Card Rules

Even though I rarely use credit in the check out line, credit card debt is part of my life. I can’t say that I completely understand my monthly statement (I just pay it) but hopefully the next one will make more sense.

Groundhog Day

Today is Groundhog Day and like the thousands of people gathered at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, I’m eager to hear if Phil sees his shadow. According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he doesn’t see his shadow, there will be an early … Read more

Help Improve the National Mall

Happy President’s Day! Speaking of presidents, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant all have monuments on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Established in 1965, the National Mall and Memorial Parks protects some of the older parkland in the National Park System and accomdates 24 million visitors a year.

Health Reform legislation, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

On November 19, 2009, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) released health reform legislation, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, that combines the bills reported out of the Finance and Health Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committees.