9.18.19 Fed rate cut impact; Twisted tax law hurts military heroes; Medical bill shock
b'The Federal Reserve lowers interest rates again to reduce the severity of economic slowdown and to help prevent a recession. The Fed is acting defensively. This will lower interest rates for car buyers and on credit cards. HELOCS historically follow, but many banks put a floor in recent contracts. Re-shop to get a lower rate if need be. Saver rates decline as well. Online bank savings rates have already dropped about 1/3 of 1 point.\\xa0 The smart move now is to lock in money you won\\u2019t need into a 1 year CD to earn more. Oddly, when the Reserve lowers their rates, mortgage rates often rise to compensate for inflation long term. But if the economy slows, you\\u2019ll see mortgage rates go down.\\nTwo years ago with the new tax bill, Congress made a mistake that has dramatically affected military families. Gold Star families are entitled to survivors\\u2019 compensation. Congress made a clerical error, changing the tax on those benefits from 12 to 37%. This is punishing families who\\u2019ve already made the ultimate sacrifice of losing a loved one in service. The U.S. House passed a bill to fix this last spring 417 to 3 \\u2013 basically unanimous. Now that correction is tied up in the Senate and Mitch McConnell will not allow this to be voted on. This needs to be fixed now.\\nKaiser Health News has exposed the UVA Medical Center for ruining lives by confiscating homes and garnishing wages under a hospital bill shock system exploiting state codes to sue people blind. This after billing at rates way beyond what\\u2019s reasonable and customary. UVA isn\\u2019t the only perp here. Recent stories expose medical providers in TN and GA. No one in medicine is interested in telling patients what treatment will cost. One consumer was given a quote yet was billed 52 times that amount after a procedure. What does it take to be a consumer? You choose what you buy, based in part on known costs to fit your budget. Healthcare is the only thing that doesn\\u2019t follow this.\\xa0\\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices'