英語能力有限的房屋業主應受到平等待遇

英語能力有限的房屋業主應受到平等待遇

於近日所發佈的一篇調查報告中 , 非牟利組織全美金融改革聯盟(AFR) 及其成員齊聲促請聯邦監管部門, 對於英語能力有限者(Limited English Proficiency, 簡稱LEP)，在瞭解及使用金融財政系統方面應由難轉易, 特別是在房屋抵押貸款行業。

在 2014 年, 英語能力有限的美國居民已高達兩千五百三十萬,佔全國總人口的百分之九。這些英語能力有限的借款人特別容易遭遇詐騙及 掠奪式貸款陷阱。該文同時指出“許多金融業玩家在市場研究中針對英語能力有限的社區, 量身打造一套推銷手法, 包括使用每個種族自己的語言去做廣告推銷金融產品”。不過一旦產品成功售出, 通常消費者所收到的跟進聯絡信函及文件, 包括內容複雜的房屋抵押貸款選項及條款,  則完全只用英文。

同時發表的一篇附加文稿提及有幾個英語能力有限的房屋業主, 他們很遲才發現自己的房屋抵押貸款竟然有非常不利於己的條文, 使得他們在調整貸款時困難重重。其中有一對講西班牙文的夫妻, 他們一向自以為所借貸的房屋抵押貸款是固定利率分期攤還的, 在經過了付款 十年之久以後, 他們才發現其房貸只是在償還利息, 對貸款本金毫無影響。而且情況更糟的是, 他們每月的還款額即將要從$1,983 調升到 $3,350 。這對夫妻有一個朋友, 以前在向他們推薦貸款公司後就成為 他們的口譯員, 現在事後才得知, 這個朋友其實和他們所使用的貸款公司、產權公司以及售屋成交律師, 均可能有財務方面的關聯。

其實聯邦監察機構是具備公權力改善相關問題的。該文特別促請聯邦 的消費者金融保護機構(Consumer Financial Protection Bureau), 以及 其它監管部門採取各項特別措施, 包括應將貸款主要文件至少印製成 八種語文以供所需 (西班牙文,中文, 越南文, 韓文, 菲律賓文, 俄文, 阿拉伯文, 以及海地克里奧爾語); 改善消費者向聯邦監管部門提出投訴及申請諮詢的多語服務管道; 向各個金融機構提出多語服務的標準; 以及在全國範圍內全面改進對房貸申請人首選語言的記錄追蹤。

*** 此次共同參與研究寫作上述兩篇報告,而且向政府監管部門提出呼籲的各大組織包括:
National Consumer Law Center (全國消費法律中心), National CAPACD (美國亞太裔社區發展全國聯盟), National Council of La Raza, Empire Justice Center, National Housing Resource Center (全國住房資源中心), Consumer Action (消費者行動), National Fair Housing Alliance (全國公 平住房聯盟), 和 MFY Legal Services (MFY 法律服務).

全美金融改革聯盟(Americans for Financial Reform 簡稱 AFR) 是一個不 分黨派的非牟利聯盟組織, 其加盟成員超過二百個組織, 提供各類不 同服務, 其範圍包括: 民權、消費者、勞工、商業、投資者、宗教團體, 以及民間團體和社區團體等等。AFR 成立於 2008 年金融危機之後, 其宗旨即為建立一個強壯、穩定、符合倫理道德的金融財政系統, 使其效益普及整體經濟，並且服務全國上下。

頂大學人論壇2016第二場談藝術，老年照護

紐英崙中華專業人員協會與駐波士頓教育組合辦的第二場「2016年頂尖大學訪問學人暨菁英學子學術論壇」，5月21日在麻省理工學院請來在哈佛大學研究訪問的劉巧楣教授及麻省理工學院訪問學人黃銀山教授，以新英格蘭藝術巡禮及日本的老年照護實例為主題，分享心得。

從事藝術史研究的劉巧楣教授，以其親身造訪經驗，推薦大家許多週末假日即可到達的新英格蘭鄰近美術館，欣賞藝術品。劉教授首先介紹其博士論文研究的塞尚作品，從畫風及筆觸解釋塞尚作品因與大家耳熟能詳印象派主義大師莫內作品風格迥異，而有塞尚究屬印象派或後印象派主義的討論。她接著介紹最近進行的研究：畫家馬內的兒童印象及馬蒂斯作品。劉教授除分享觀賞四處欣賞畫作的心得，也提了一則知名畫作的趣事。她說馬內畫風常被視為抑鬱沉重，沒想到馬內某幅畫作經美術館人員專業清洗後，色彩竟變明亮，看來得重新評價馬內畫風的小故事，聽眾也驚訝地發現原來畫作也需要定期保養清洗，才能保持畫作原有的色彩。劉教授鼓勵聽眾多利用美國新英格蘭地區及鄰近的美術館，欣賞其豐富的收藏品，透過多接觸這些畫作，與畫作互動，漸漸熟悉這些藝術品，也就能慢慢地能體會畫家想表達的想法或所看到的畫面。

第二位講者是專長為工業機械的黃銀山教授，他則分享國民長壽位居世界第一的日本如何照護眾多老年人口的實例，由機械角度探討如何協助老年人口的預防照護。根據世界衛生組織的調查，日本國民平均年齡為84歲，而臺灣同樣也面臨類似問題，進入高齡社會。黃教授提出日本照護政策的一項概念是「預防照護」，希望可以延後老年需要照護的年齡，如從85歲延長至87歲，而黃教授帶領學生從機械角度，設計可幫助老人家適度運動，加強平衡感的器具，由學生帶領老年人使用這些器具，訓練與加強長者的平衡感，希望藉此防止老人跌倒，引發一系列骨折住院等惡性循環。黃教授也分享這些受測長者經過訓練後，手掌握力、爬樓梯時間等數據進步的結果，同時黃教授說，因為現在大家每天都長時間坐在電腦前打字，長時間維持同一姿勢，有礙健康，鼓勵在座的聽者平日可做些簡單的運動伸展，有益身體健康。

演講活動結束後，聽眾紛紛與講者交流討論，互相分享經驗，討論熱絡。紐英崙中華專業人員協會與駐波士頓育組合作的頂尖大學訪問學人暨菁英學子學術論壇系列，第三場活動將在6月11日登場，下次主題將是「世界走一圈」，將隨著講者一起從德國柏林暢遊到臺灣，歡迎新英格蘭地區的民眾與學生來和講者一起環遊世界。（經文處教育組提供）

劉巧楣教授(前右四)、黃銀山教授(前右三)及駐波士頓
教育組組長黃薳玉與部分聽眾會後合影。（教育組提供）

Mass Health Care Price Variation Measure reached consensus

Governor Baker, House Speaker DeLeo, Senate President Rosenberg Announce Consensus On Health Care Price Variation Measure

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker, House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Stan Rosenberg announced they reached a consensus solution that aims to avoid a ballot question concerning healthcare pricing. The measure reforms the Special Commission to Review Variation in Prices among Providers, adjusts MassHealth rates and provides additional support for community hospitals.

“Working across the aisle with legislative leaders to work out a consensus agreement is important to addressing the issues raised by the proposed ballot question and I am thankful for the cooperation of the Speaker and Senate President,” said Governor Baker. “I am pleased that we were able to reach these solutions together and I look forward to the Legislature taking up this matter.”

“On behalf of the House, I’d like to express my appreciation to Governor Baker and Senate President Rosenberg in working to forge consensus on this price variation agreement. It is my hope that this plan will avert a costly and divisive ballot initiative and lend assistance to our community hospitals, which serve our most underserved residents,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop). “I look forward to the work of the commission.”

“This framework establishes a path to a long term solution on the issue of price variation that will protect consumers, provide stability in the healthcare marketplace, and help put all of our hospitals on solid financial footing,” said Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst).  “It is my hope that this consensus effort by the Legislature and Baker Administration will avoid a costly ballot question.”

Price Variation Commission:

Reforms the “Special Commission to Review Variation in Prices among Providers” by adding the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing as co-chairs to the Commission, giving the organization increased ability to examine this important issue for the healthcare industry.

MassHealth Rate Relief:

Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders to expend up to $15 million in additional rates to be returned to hospitals -- in addition to the $250 million hospital assessment proposal already included in the FY17 state budget. The additional funds will follow the same distribution formula as used for the distribution of the $250 million – sun setting after five years. 

Community Hospital Reinvestment Trust Fund:

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) will administer a new $45 million Community Hospital Reinvestment Trust Fund over a period of five years.

The Trust Fund will be financed by redirecting existing assessments that now fund CHIA’s  budget.  The legislation will transfer $5 million from the CHIA appropriation to the Trust Fund in FY17 and $10 million each year thereafter in FY18-FY21.

The resulting $45 million in revenue will be distributed through a series of annual relief payments over a five year period.  All hospitals with relative prices below 120% of the statewide median price will be eligible for this funding.  Such annual payments would be weighted and allocated proportionally so that those hospitals with lower relative prices would receive relatively higher payment awards.

BCNC昆市品嚐風味Vivi 珍珠奶茶最受歡迎 （圖片）

Baker-Polito Administration Files Legislation to Cap Sick Time Accrual

Baker-Polito Administration Files Legislation to Cap Sick Time Accrual

Bill brings Massachusetts in line with other states and the private sector, limits accrual to no more than 1,000 total hours

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito introduced “An Act to Reform Sick Time ,” aimed at limiting sick time accruals that have led to exorbitant payouts upon retirement from state government.  The legislation would cap accrual of sick time for state employees in the Executive Department at no more than 1,000 hours, equivalent to six months of work.  The bill grandfathers in approximately 5,800 current state employees who already have more than 1,000 hours accrued. Those employees would be capped at their current earned amount as of the date of enactment. Once the legislation is passed, the policy will take effect immediately.

“Sick leave is a benefit designed to offer employees a way to deal with health and family issues, not a retirement bonus,” said Governor Baker. “Bringing the Commonwealth’s sick leave accrual policy in line with other private and public sector employers just makes sense and is the fiscally responsible thing to do.”

“This legislation ensures the use of sick time remains consistent with its intended purpose,” said Lieutenant Governor Polito. “Benefits for Executive Department employees will remain competitive while we implement an accrual policy that is fair to Massachusetts taxpayers.”

“Sick days serve an important purpose, but they must be used in an appropriate and accountable way for our compensation system to have the integrity and transparency taxpayers deserve,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr.

“Recent media reports highlighting excessive sick leave payouts in the public higher education system clearly demonstrate the need to crack down on these types of abuses,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. “The reforms proposed by the Baker-Polito Administration will help to provide greater transparency and accountability to the state’s taxpayers.”

"I am so pleased that the Governor has recognized the taxpayers' frustration at the types of "golden parachutes" we have seen recently by high ranking public employees leaving state service. I think his legislation will be an effective tool to mandate sick leave and vacation time be used correctly in the future," said Rep. Colleen Garry.

Under current law, employees can accrue a maximum of 15 sick days per year and those employees who retire are permitted to cash out 20% of unused sick time. In Fiscal Year 2015, 378 employees had an accrual of more than 1,000 hours upon retirement.  While this represents only approximately one third the number of retiring employees, the cash-outs for these employees accounted for nearly 80% of the total cash-out cost.  Based on the last three fiscal years, if fully implemented, a 1,000 hour cap on accruals would have saved an average of $3.5M in cash-outs per year.

Baker-Polito Administration Awards MassWorks Funding to Ludlow Mills Riverwalk

Baker-Polito Administration Awards MassWorks Funding to Ludlow Mills Riverwalk

The grant will support increased pedestrian safety and historical awareness in a mixed-use, mixed-income development

Ludlow – Tuesday, May 24, 2016 – Today Lt. Governor Karyn Polito announced a $429,500 MassWorks award for the Town of Ludlow to improve pedestrian safety and provide historical signage along the Ludlow Mills Riverwalk. The multi-phased Riverwalk project reconnects the community with the Chicopee River for the first time in 160 years by redeveloping the former Ludlow Manufacturing and Sales Company buildings as residential, commercial, and industrial units.

“We are committed to helping communities invest in their infrastructure to attract private investment and create jobs,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Ludlow’s Riverwalk builds on the community’s history and assets to create an attractive space for residents, businesses, and visitors that will help drive economic development in the area.”

“Community-directed revitalization efforts are the most effective way to support Massachusetts’ cities and towns,” said Lt. Governor Polito. “The collective buy-in on this project, from the streamlined permitting process to Westmass’s commitment to create open public space along the waterfront, was a significant part of our decision to fund the Riverwalk.”

This investment is the first out-of-round MassWorks award granted by the Baker-Polito Administration, and was approved based on its varied funding sources – including $600,000 in matching funds – and its alignment with the Administration’s interest in mixed-use and mixed-income developments that draw private investment and create jobs for Massachusetts residents.

Kenn W. Delude, President of Westmass, reiterated the importance of these grant funds. “These funds will provide the public with pedestrian lighting along the Riverwalk’s route, historic interpretative signage and other site elements so that all who use the Riverwalk will have increased safety and an opportunity to understand the historic significance of the Ludlow Mills,” Delude said. “The Riverwalk provides public open space and links the community to the Chicopee River and to its industrial past.”

The MassWorks Infrastructure Program provides a one stop shop for municipalities and other eligible public entities seeking public infrastructure funding to support housing production, economic development, and job creation through strategic investments in public infrastructure. The 2015 grant round generated 101 applications for more than $245 million in infrastructure requests. The Baker-Polito Administration’s 2017 capital budget increases funding for the MassWorks Infrastructure Program to $90 million. Over the past two fiscal years the Administration has increased MassWorks funding by $35 million.

Each year, the program allocates 10 percent of the awarded funds to assist municipalities with populations of 7,000 or less in completing roadway safety and transportation improvement projects. The MassWorks Program has invested over $357 million across the Commonwealth since the first competitive grant round was held in September 2011.

More information is available at the 2015 MassWorks Award Results page.

麻州中醫學會辦哈佛論壇 申論男性不孕，纖維肌痛治療

麻州中醫學會會長張群豪（右）頒發感謝狀給楊觀虎（左）。
（周菊子攝）

            (Boston Orange 周菊子貝爾蒙鎮報導)麻省中醫學會與哈佛大學醫學院替代醫療中心合作，5月22日在該校麥克林（McLean）醫院舉辦中醫藥論壇，申論中醫在治療男性不育症，腸道易激綜合症，及慢性疼痛，纖維肌痛等病症上的應用，逾百人出席，提問十分踴躍。

            講座由李志平醫師主持，麻省中醫學會會長張群豪致詞，獲有浙江中、南京中醫學院學士、碩士學位，日本金沢醫科大學醫學博士學位，中西醫兼通，曾參與編譯五本中醫書籍，發表了三十多篇在國際上有影響力論文的楊觀虎邀楊觀虎應邀做論壇主講人，所有出席醫師均獲得9個持續學習學分。

            中西醫兼通的楊觀虎，去年獲聘為俄亥俄大學醫學院臨床助理副教授，曾於2005到2009年在俄亥俄州擔任SHI針灸學校校長，現在辛辛那提市經營二個中醫診所，同時擔任世界中醫聯合會內科專業委員會理事，美國中醫藥學會副會長，還是Cellular % Molecular Biology等國際著名科學雜誌審稿人。

            楊觀虎以將近150張幻燈片，詳細解釋男性不育症原因直治療方法，再仔細分析了慢性疼痛和纖維肌痛。

第一排左起李志平 Linda Robinson  章珍珍 Yvonne chen 第二排左起
 曹艳 grant Hou 陆卫东 杨观虎 张炜 张群豪 May Zhang 何德广。
（中醫學會提供）

            在男治疗男性不育症，楊觀虎指出，根據WHO的2009年統計，每七對夫婦就有一對不孕，大約15%的育齡夫婦存在不育問題，30%完全是男性的關係，其中又有37.4%是精索靜脈曲張。中西醫對此症病因及治療法，各有不同觀點。

            傳統中醫認為此病關鍵在腎，肝脾心也都有密切關係，治療注重調理腎臟陰陽，治本有益腎，補脾之分。治療時切忌使用苦寒，溫熱藥品，針灸治療一定要遵循辯證，辨病與循經相結合，根據穴性取穴的做法。

            在慢性疼痛和纖維肌痛上，楊觀虎指出，大約三分之一找醫生看病的人，都是因為慢性疼痛，但致病原因十分複雜，其中的纖維肌痛，至今不明病因，甚至還未被確認為病症之一種。

            中醫認為，病人肌肉內缺氧是關鍵因素，楊觀虎認為，肝鬱脾虛，氣血不合適關鍵。症狀上有痛，疲，眠，神，久等五種，臨床分型上有七種，包括脾虛肝鬱型，氣滯血瘀行，心脾兩虛型，風濕阻絡型，心腎不交型，脾腎陽虛型，陰陽兩虛型。

部分出席者合影。（中醫學會提供）

            在長億肌綜合症部分，大波士頓本地的劉京，曹豔等人，也分別從不同角度申論。一般而言，此病臨床表現主要分為便秘，腹瀉，脾胃虛弱等幾種，治療方法各不相同，除了内服外用药物外，针灸、推拿等治療也有較好療效，調節飲食，配合的心理治療，有都很重要。