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The Heights September 4 - 18, 2014 Volume 4 :: No. 18

Community News

StandardMore articles at www.TheHeightsStandard.com

Garfield Heights and Maple Heights

Garfield Heights City Schools to Seek Voters Support of Permanent Improvement Levy

The Garfield Heights City Schools is excited to place a permanent improvement levy on the November ballot this coming fall. The Stadium Renovation Issue, if passed, will cost the average homeowner in Garfield Heights approximately $30/year, and will help to replace the worn out grass with synthetic turf, install new

restrooms, upgrade the bleachers and provide for new locker rooms. Best of all, this complex will be open and accessible to the entire community, once constructed. Please click the link below for some important facts about the Stadium Renovation Issue.

Eleven Garfield Heights Students and Student Athletes Face Consequences for Involvement in Friday

Night’s Altercations Eleven students total, 7 football players and 4 high school non-athlete students will face varying levels of consequences for their respective involvement in Friday night’s altercation with players from visiting Collinwood High School. The 4 non-athlete high school students are being reprimanded per Garfield

Heights City Schools Board Policy. Five of the seven football players will be dealt with appropriately per the student handbook and the athletic department’s policy for sportsmanship and good conduct. The other two individuals were suspended by the referees for their involvement, and are subject to Ohio High School Athletic Association

(OHSAA) consequences. The Garfield Heights City Schools does not tolerate such behavior and is moving swiftly to deal with these students. The Garfield Heights City Schools would like to thank all of the individuals who acted quickly to prevent further escalation of this isolated incident Friday evening. Preventative measures from a security

aspect are currently being reviewed and finalized prior to Friday night’s football game. The Garfield Heights City Schools continues to make safety and security its top priority for all, and will actively promote good sportsmanship between its players and visiting competitors.

Volunteer Gardeners Needed for Green Up Project Additional volunteer gardeners

are needed for the Garfield Heights Green Up project, an important effort to improve and maintain public areas throughout the city.

Individuals and groups can adopt

specific sites. So far, generous volunteers have joined the effort and beautified areas throughout the community, including the Civic Center, Fire and Police stations and the Veterans and Safety Forces memorials.

Volunteers maintain the areas throughout the summer and fall on their own schedules with their own tools. Ongoing maintenance includes weeding, watering and picking up trash when necessary.

Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Chris Piazza, Green Up project coordinator, at 216-587-2786.

Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

Cuyahoga County Rolls Out New Fuel Quality ProgramFulfilling a promise first made by County

Executive Ed FitzGerald during this year’s State of the County address, Cuyahoga County’s Department of Consumer Affairs formally introduced legislation to establish a Fuel Quality Program to test octane levels at local gas stations and protect the interests of local consumers.

“Ohio is one of only three states that doesn’t already do this,” said FitzGerald. “Once again, where the state will not act, Cuyahoga County is prepared to stand up for the interests of our consumers by implementing a Fuel Quality Program that protects hardworking men and women in Northeast Ohio. I encourage our County Council to act swiftly to enact this commonsense initiative.”

Using a near-infrared portable octane analyzer, Cuyahoga County employees will be able to measure the levels of octane at local gas stations and ensure consumers receive the product they pay for. While the Department of Consumer Affairs currently checks pumps at gas stations on a regular basis to ensure they are functioning

correctly, the new Fuel Quality Program will make testing octane levels part of their regular protocol.

“Over the last four years, Executive FitzGerald has established a new standard of responsibility in county government,” added Cynthia Sich, Director of the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs. “I am proud to help lead the effort to implement these new protections for consumers across this great region.”

Under the legislation submitted to Council, any gas station may receive a stop sale order for violations detected at each pump, hose and/or storage tanks. Implementation of similar program in the State of Tennessee coincided with a drop in violations from 20% of all gas stations to just 3%.

It is suggested that consumers check their vehicle owner’s manual for the octane grade that is recommended, regular octane is recommended for most vehicles. The use of lower octane than what is recommended can possibly affect

vehicle efficiency and/or maintenance. To report scams, inquire about a

business or file a complaint concerning a

consumer problem, contact the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs at 216-443-7010.

2 :: 17 of Iyyar, 5768 :: May 22, 2008

www.thenewstandard.com The New Standard

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(216) 410-4062www.theheightsstandard.com

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Help for Garfield Heights families is just a phone call away. The new Family Resource Center at the Garfield Heights Civic Center, 5407 Turney Road, has information to assist families with drug treatment, counseling and

prevention services, support groups, and other needs. Office hours vary, so it is best to call and make an appointment.

Call the Help Line, 216-475-1103, or e-mail [email protected] for assistance.

Help Available Through Family Resource Center

The HeightsStandard

Buyers no longer will be required to put repair funds into an escrow account for violations cited during the point-of-sale inspection. Repairs still must be made by the deadline set by the city’s building

department. Buyers will receive a one-year family recreation pass, limit one per family. Members are still required to purchase an identification card at the recreation center.

Garfield Heights New Homebuyer Incentives

www.TheHeightsStandard.com

Kindly send all announcements to

[email protected]

September 4 - 18, 2014

Be Disaster Aware. Take Action to Prepare.September is National Preparedness

Month, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) encourages everyone to make disaster preparedness a priority.

“National Preparedness Month serves as a reminder that we all need to prepare for disasters and emergencies,” said FEMA Region V acting regional administrator, Janet Odeshoo. “Make disaster readiness manageable by taking one step at a time— start by learning your specific risk, then gather supplies for an emergency kit, and finally develop a family communications plan. By taking these small, but critical, steps, over time you can be prepared for disasters.”

Severe weather and other emergencies

can strike with little or no warning and can have disastrous impacts. Already this year, the Midwest has experienced several waves of destructive severe storms, including the severe flooding in parts of Minnesota. Additionally, other parts of the country are currently fighting flooding and other emergencies that threaten the infrastructure people depend on every day. Whether at home or on the go, everyone should learn the steps necessary to make preparedness part of their everyday life.

“As a nation we are seeing disasters increase in their size and complexity, and they are occurring with greater frequency,” said Odeshoo. “The impacts of these events are a reminder that

everyone should be prepared for the hazards faced in their communities or even while traveling. Make preparedness a priority for your family today and help encourage a culture of preparedness in your community.”

Throughout the month, FEMA will offer tips to help you be disaster ready, including ways you can stay safe during a disaster and steps you can take to protect yourself and your family when traveling. Follow FEMA Region V online at twitter.com/femaregion5 and www.facebook.com/fema, to receive the latest preparedness updates.

For detailed information about how to be ready for severe weather in your area, including a list of items you will want to have in your emergency kit, visit http://www.ready.gov.

May 22, 2008 :: 17 of Iyyar, 5768 :: 3

Celebrating 5 Years of Award-Winning Journalism in Central Ohio www.thenewstandard.com

The Heights Standard

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University Hospitals Summer Academy gives two area high school seniors health care career experiences at UH Bedford and Richmond medical centers

In August, two area high school seniors graduated from University Hospitals (UH) Summer Academy, offered this year for the first time at UH Bedford and Richmond medical centers, campuses of UH Regional Hospitals.

The program is open to one Bedford High School student and one Richmond Heights High School student who have completed their junior year and are planning a career in health care. Candidates must have a minimum grade point average of 3.500 to qualify.

Following a rigorous application process in the spring, this year’s students were selected as the 2014 delegates of the UH Summer Academy, which ran from June 17 – August 8. Reina Houston, who is beginning her senior year at Bedford High School, and Thomas Serowik, now a senior at Richmond Heights High School, spent the summer program shadowing health care professionals at both UH Bedford and Richmond medical centers.

Reina’s interests include rehabilitation and sports medicine. “I enjoyed my time

with Rehabilitation Services because being there showed me how patients should receive their speech, occupational and physical therapy services,” says Reina.

Thomas’s primary focus is radiology and surgery. “Everyone was so open in showing what they do, and I could see how the hospitals operate from the bottom to the top,” says Thomas.

At the end of the paid, eight-week program, Reina and Thomas received a certificate of completion. Both students plan to pursue a health care career after graduating high school in 2015.

“The 2014 UH Summer Academy program was as great an experience for the management and staff of UH Bedford and Richmond medical centers as it was for the students,” says Roy Longfellow, RN, BSN, Nurse Manager, UH Regional Hospitals, Richmond Campus. “It was a pleasure to interact with these two highly motivated individuals and we will all take great pleasure in learning what they will have accomplished in the health care field.”

The UH Summer Academy was initiated

five years ago by Robert G. and Flora David during Mr. David’s tenure as President of UH Conneaut and UH Geneva medical centers. When he was named President of UH Bedford and Richmond medical centers in January 2014, the Davids arranged to continue the program on the UH Regional Hospitals campuses.

“Flora and I are very passionate about the Academy – it’s our way of giving back,” says Mr. David. “It has far exceeded our expectations and we are humbled that our ninth and tenth students have now graduated from the Academy.”

The Davids plan to continue the Academy program for years to come. “Each

year, it allows two very bright students to experience what I have the privilege to witness every day at University Hospitals,” says Mr. David. “Our mission, ‘To Heal. To Teach. To Discover.’”

Applications for the 2015 UH Summer Academy will be available to juniors at Bedford and Richmond Heights High School this coming winter. Students are encouraged to ask their guidance counselors for details.


4 :: 17 of Iyyar, 5768 :: May 22, 2008


Columbus & Ohio4 The Heights Standard

Centennial Gift: Free Cruise Tickets for Sept. 13 and 28 The Cleveland Foundation today

announced its September centennial gift to the community – Cleveland Foundation Weekends on the Water – which will showcase the long-term support the foundation has provided for projects that have improved access to, or helped development of, the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie. The gift will make available 6,000 free tickets to hour-long cruises on Saturday, Sept. 13

and Sunday, Sept. 28.This latest monthly gift comes on

the heels of the foundation’s August announcement of a $5 million centennial legacy grant for the Lake Link Trail connecting Cleveland’s neighborhoods to the lakefront and riverfront.

For the Cleveland Foundation Weekends on the Water, the foundation is joining forces with several partners to make the event a unique learning

tour for families. A special cruise narration will highlight some of the recent exciting development along the river and lakefront. Also, representatives from the foundation’s September gift partners – Cleveland Metroparks, the city of Cleveland’s Office of Sustainability, The Nature Conservancy and Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District – will be on board during the cruises to answer questions and to provide educational

materials on topics such as local water quality and conservation efforts.

“We are pleased that our September centennial gift to the community focuses on two of our region’s greatest natural assets: Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River,” said Robert E. Eckardt, Executive Vice President of the Cleveland

see GIFT page 6

Dear Valued Patients,

We are pleased to announce that we have added two new providers to our practice! Come to our office to meet them or call our office to schedule your next ap-pointment.

Dr. Davis, a lifelong Clevelander, graduated from St. Ignatius High School, Ohio State University and Meharry Medi-cal College. He has practiced family den-tistry in this area for the past twenty-eight years. Over the course of his career, Dr. Davis has received numerous awards and certifications. His particular areas of inter-est within general dentistry are smile en-hancement and treating snoring and sleep apnea. In his spare time, Dr. Davis enjoys traveling, bowling, sports, and spending time with family and friends.

Debra worked with Dr. Dodson eighteen years ago and is happy to rejoin her and her new associate Dr. Davis. She graduated hygiene school from Tri C and has been practicing dental hygiene for nineteen years. Debra’s professional af-filiations include the ADHA, The Acad-emy of Dental Hygiene Studies and Man-chesters Who’s Who for Professionals. She resides in Broadview Heights with her husband, Barney. She has a daughter, Danielle, who is a DMD in Boston; Brit-ney who is a nurse anesthetist at CCF and an eleven year old step-son Sean.

Jane L. Dodson DDS & Associates, Inc.

Jane L. Dodson DDS & Associate, Inc.88 Center Rd. Bedford, 44146 (Next to Bedford Medical Center)

In the Bedford University Hospital Complex Medical Building - 3rd Floor

www.clevelandgentledentist.com

CALL 440-439-2230 for an appointment!

New Patient Exam and X-rays Special $69.00 ($280 value)

Jane L. Dodson DDS

CALL 440-439-2230 for an appointment!Present this coupon at time of service. Cannot be combined with other coupons.

Expires 45 Days from this publishing - TBS

*Bring this letter into your first visit with us

and receive $25 OFF treatment!!

MychaelDavis, DDS

DebraLeonardi,

RDH


Toddler StorytimeBranch: Maple HeightsDate: Thursday, September 4, 2014 10:30

AMCaregivers and their children ages 19-35

months: Join us for rhymes, songs, fingerplays and stories.

Whooo’s Ready for School? Kindergarten Readiness

Branch: Maple HeightsDate: Thursday, September 4, 2014 6:30

PMRegistration required. Ages 4 - 5 with a

caregiver: Help your preschooler make the transition into their first year of school. Explore hands-on activity stations together. This week’s theme: Me and My World - Learning about their place in a family and community.

LinkedIn BasicsBranch: Maple HeightsDate: Saturday, September 6, 2014 10:00

AM – 12:00 PMLinkedIn beginners, learn the basics and

the intent behind LinkedIn and find out how

to create a LinkedIn account, build a profile, set up privacy settings and build a professional network. Prerequisites: Computer and Internet Essentials or equivalent.

Monday Morning Book LoversBranch: Maple HeightsDate: Monday, September 8, 2014 10:00

AM – 11:15 AMEnjoy sharing good reading--September’s

title is WOOL by Hugh Howey.

Downloadable HelpBranch: Maple HeightsDate: Monday September 8, 2014 2:30 PM

– 3:30 PMDrop in for one-on-one lessons on how

to download digital books, audiobooks and magazines from the Library’s collection.

Family StorytimeBranch: Maple HeightsDate: Monday, September 8, 2014 6:30 PMAll ages with adult caregiver: Join us for

stories, songs and fingerplays.

Play, Learn and Grow WorkshopBranch: Maple HeightsDate: Tuesday, September 9, 2014 6:30 PM

– 7:30 PMPlay, Learn and Grow Workshop is a five

week series for parents and children ages one to three. A 60 minute program each week offers opportunities for children to play with developmentally appropriate toys in a play group atmosphere and for parents to meet and question community experts in the areas of child development, speech and language, nutrition, play, movement and music.

Registration is required and Siblings from birth to age 5 are welcome. Program will run on Tuesdays, September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30.

Kindergarten ClubBranch: Maple HeightsDate: Tuesday, September 9, 2014 7:00 PM

– 8:00 PMDo you have a child entering Kindergarten

in the Fall? Then Kindergarten Club is for you and your child. Join us for FREE food, fun and family activities to prepare you and your child to enter Kindergarten this Fall! This program

is intended for children that did not attend preschool. There will be free books for the children and a family prize for attending. Register in person or call 216-475-5000. Program will run on Tuesdays April 15, May 13, June 10, July 15, August 12, September 9, October 14, and November 11, 2014.

Downloadable HelpBranch: Maple HeightsDate: Wednesday, September 10, 2014 6:30

PM – 7:30 PMDrop in for one-on-one lessons on how

to download digital books, audiobooks and magazines from the Library’s collection.

Baby and Toddler StorytimeBranch: Maple HeightsDate: Wednesday, September 10, 2014 6:30

PMCaregivers and their children ages Birth – 35

months. Join us for rhymes, songs, fingerplays and books.

Maple Heights Library Spotlight

May 22, 2008 :: 17 of Iyyar, 5768 :: 5


Columbus & Ohio The Heights Standard

14-4

272

Enroll now!Take advantage of the

lowest college tuition in Northeast Ohio

Easily transfer your credits to a four-year university

For more information, go to

www.tri-c.edu216-987-6000

Eastern Campus | 4250 Richmond Road | Highland Hills, Ohio 44122

Pierre’s Ice Cream and Cleveland MetroParks Debut New Flavor

A most majestic setting surrounds Northeast Ohio…a treasure so beautiful and magical, it is called the Emerald Necklace. The Emerald Necklace is Cleveland Metroparks breathtaking network of parks, beaches, trails, picnic and fishing areas, golf courses and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Pierre’s Ice Cream Company chose to celebrate and promote the beauty of this regional gem with a unique flavor creation called Emerald Necklace Premium Ice Cream.

Pierre’s new Emerald Necklace features mint ice cream, chocolate cream cookies and trails of thick fudge. Emerald Necklace Ice Cream not only tastes delicious, but will benefit Cleveland Metroparks Trails Fund.

“Cleveland Metroparks is excited to partner with Pierre’s Ice Cream Company on a tasty new project. The collaboration of these two local business resulted in the launching of a delicious new ice cream flavor honoring Cleveland Metroparks,” said Brian Zimmerman, Cleveland Metroparks CEO. “Not only did Pierre’s find a way to capture the essence of Cleveland Metroparks in a new ice cream flavor, they found

a flavorful way to support Cleveland Metroparks Trails Fund.”

Pierre’s is proud of its Cleveland heritage and is eager to salute all of the great work performed over the past 97 years by Cleveland Metroparks Park Board, employees and volunteers. This flavor will not only help share the story of this natural treasure, but gives Clevelanders the chance to boast about one of their finest attractions.

Pierre’s has an over 80-year tradition of scooping up smiles with its unique and tasty premium ice creams. “Pierre’s and Cleveland Metroparks share similar traditions with Northeast Ohioans. Both evoke fond memories, celebrations and fun times with family and friends, and we hope the new Emerald Necklace Ice Cream will encourage more of those special moments,” explains Pierre’s president, Shelley Roth.

Pierre’s Emerald Necklace Premium Ice Cream is packaged in red 1.5 quart containers featuring eye-catching graphics. Emerald Necklace Ice Cream can be found in most stores where Pierre’s is sold.


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Today, the best are ready to care for you at Marymount Hospital.

Today, top-ranked care is available in your neighborhood at Marymount Hospital, a Cleveland Clinic hospital. Call today for an appointment today and experience care that

U.S. News & World Report ranked best in the region for all these specialties:

Same-day appointments available. Call 866.733.6363. clevelandclinic.org/regional

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4064-05 CCER_2014 East USNews_MARYMT_5.25x13-99.indd 1 8/14/14 3:57 PM

6 :: 17 of Iyyar, 5768 :: May 22, 2008


Columbus & Ohio6 The Heights Standard

Ellen Augustine, M.A.

What’s up, America?

Your Tax Dollars—Going to Corporations for “Lost Future Profits”

If somebody told you that multinational corporations were suing our government for lost future profits—and winning—would you believe them?

That’s exactly what has been happening in international treaties that have been confirmed in the last decade, and new ones which are currently being negotiated. When countries dare to make laws to protect their local economies and their environment—generally after massive pressure from their citizens—corporations sue because this gets in the way of their plan to make usurious profits.

But the tide is turning. For years people in countries around the world as well as the US have been organizing against these unfair and unjust trade treaties. Now Alexis Goldstein reports on “Why Germany Is Backing Away From a Trade Deal that Lets Corporations Sue the Government.” (August 6, 2014)

“In a move that has many on the left cautiously celebrating, Reuters reported on July 28 that Germany might reject a new trade agreement between Canada and the European Union. The deal is called the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, or CETA. It’s part of a new wave of large, aggressive trade deals that also includes the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the United States and the European Union, and the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) between 12 countries of the Pacific Rim.”

“If all the deals passed, they would affect more than half of the world’s economy. But the red light from Germany could signal that these agreements are not as inevitable as their advocates suggest.”

“Germany’s objections are centered

specifically on the so-called ‘investor-state dispute settlement’ provisions in CETA. These provisions—also known by the acronym ISDS—allow transnational corporations to take legal action against individual governments if they believe that the country’s domestic laws violate a trade agreement. And the legal disputes happen through arbitration, which is a way to settle disputes completely outside of the involved countries’ courts.”

“We’ve seen this movie before. Chapter 11 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) stipulates that three-person panels of private attorneys decide who wins in disputes between corporations and individual governments. These proceedings are closed to public observation.”

“The fallout has been dramatic: Corporations have used the NAFTA tribunals to win big-ticket monetary settlements from the taxpayers of nations whose domestic laws interfere with corporate profits. According to a report by the consumer-rights advocacy group Public Citizen, there are 17 pending claims in which corporations are seeking a total of $38 billion through NAFTA and other deals.”

“The compensation won through these claims hits particularly hard in Argentina—the most frequent target of these cases according to a 2014 report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTD). In one example, Argentina was ordered to pay $185.3 million to the energy company BG Group, who sued for profits lost when the country froze gas prices in 2001.”

Our government has had to pay unfair millions to these rapacious corporations, too. Here is the list of the number of cases in various countries:

Argentina 53Venezeula 37Czech Republic 28Egypt 23Canada 22Mexico 21

Poland 17United States 16India, Kazakhstan, Ukraine 14

“Another report by the U.N. shows that 66% of investor-state cases initiated in 2012 were brought against ‘developing or transition economies.’”

“Meanwhile, the number of corporate claims has been on the rise: The UNCTD’s report from 2014 shows that in 2002 there were fewer than 100 known treaty-based ISDS cases. By 2013, that number had reached 568—a five-fold increase over 11 years.”

“The cases settled through NAFTA’s dispute resolution tribunals show corporate and investor rights trumping national sovereignty and domestic laws. Exxon Mobil won $60 million from Canada in 2007 because local regulations required oil companies to pay to support research and development in the country’s poorest provinces. U.S. energy company Lone Pine Resources is seeking $250 million in damages because the firm ‘expended millions of dollars and considerable time and resources’ on a fracking project before Quebec banned fracking in 2011—a decision Lone Pine called ‘arbitrary’ and ‘capricious.’”

“Opposition to these provisions is not limited to the political left. The Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, has taken issue with investor-state dispute provisions in trade agreements like the TPP and TTIP. The institute’s Free Trade Bulletin argued in March that investor-state dispute settlements are ‘an unnecessary, unreasonable, and unwise provision to include,’ and suggests sacrificing the provision in order to save the trade agreements.”

Some implications “Germany is no stranger to similar

dispute settlements. After the country decided to phase out nuclear power following the disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in 2011, the Swedish energy firm Vattenfall filed for

arbitration to seek €3.5 billion ($4.6 billion) in damages, blaming the country for past and future loss of profits.”

“Considering how that worked out, Germany’s change of heart is perhaps to be expected. But some commentators see the move as proof that global organizing against the new round of trade agreements is gaining ground. Arthur Stamoulis, director of the Citizens Trade Campaign, noted that ‘The German government and other governments are starting to feel the heat from public opposition to investor-state dispute settlements.’” (www.yesmagazine.org)

These international trade treaties are not a done deal! Governments and multinationals think all they need to do is say “Jobs” and that will make us shut up and go away. But the truth is that multinational corporations provide less than 1% of jobs!

The German government is on the verge of taking the previously unheard of step of saying No to this treaty that allows corporations to sue governments over laws legitimately passed. It is doing so not because they have enlightened leaders, but because of persistent pressure from its citizens. This is the lesson that our media and government doesn’t want you to understand. Change happens by movements. Movements are built by one person at a time deciding to take one action!

Treaties must be ratified by the US Senate. If you would like to make your opinion known, you can contact Senators Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown toll free through 866-220-0044. You can reach Portman directly at 202-224-3353; Brown at (202) 224-2315.

Ellen Augustine, M.A., is a speaker and author on national currents and the emerging sustainable economy. She may be reached at [email protected], 510-428-1832, www.storiesofhope.us. Questions, feedback, and topic ideas for future columns are welcome.

GIFT FROM PAGE 4


Eckardt, Executive Vice President of the Cleveland Foundation. “Throughout its 100 years, the foundation has been committed to enhancing public access to the river and lake and to improving water quality. This gift will showcase all the exciting energy and improvements on the waterfront.”

Tickets are required for the cruises. On both Sept. 13 and Sept. 28, there will be four separate hour-long cruises on the Goodtime III, which will depart at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. The public will be able to reserve up to four free tickets per household starting at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 5 by visiting www.clevelandfoundation.org/WaterWeekends or by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000.

In addition to its $5 million grant

see GIFT page 8

May 22, 2008 :: 17 of Iyyar, 5768 :: 7


Columbus & Ohio The Heights StandardThe Heights Standard

INTRODUCTION: This is the second of a three-part series on how Medicaid treats the home of a sick elderly person who goes into a nursing home. Part One discussed the Medicaid rules that apply when the elderly person is married and the healthy spouse is still living in the home. Part Two answers the question, What happens to the home when an unmarried person goes into a nursing home? Part Three will consider the special circumstances when Medicaid will allow a person to give the home away!

DEAR OLD DAD has managed alright after Mom’s death. He gets “Meals On Wheels” and pays someone to do his laundry and tidy up his house once a week. With only Social Security and a monthly pension, Dad doesn’t have the money to do house repairs like he should. Now his health has deteriorated, and Dear Old Dad has to go live in a nursing home. How will Dear Old Dad pay for his care? He has minimal cash. His only real asset is his house, and it’s worth only $100,000. Will he qualify for Medicaid? Or will Medicaid require him to sell his house before he can get any help?

WHAT IS MEDICAID? Medicaid is a government financial-

aid program. It pays for care in a nursing home for poor people who are age 65+, blind, or disabled. To put it bluntly, Medicaid is welfare.

How poor do you have to be? The customary rule is, Medicaid benefits start when the sick person in the nursing home has no more than $1,500 in assets.

But what if the sick person owns a home? Then the Medicaid rule is a bit different. Medicaid benefits will start when the sick person has no more than $1,500 plus one home. But beware – this is only a temporary arrangement.

“GRACE PERIOD” This is when Medicaid will require the

home to be sold. Recognizing that it takes time to sell a house, Medicaid allows a 13-month “grace period” for it to be sold after Medicaid benefits start. In other words, the sick person in the nursing home has 13 months to sell the house. During those 13 months, Medicaid will pay the nursing home.

Thirteen months is NOT a lot of time to sell a house! It’s got to be cleaned out and cleaned up. A point-of-sale inspection would probably be required by the city, and any “violations” (that is, repairs) would need to be fixed. And with today’s ongoing recession, the housing market is sluggish. If there’s a mortgage on the house, simply letting the bank have it can take a surprisingly long time. Be smart and start working on this right away!

Why? What if the house doesn’t sell within 13 months? Then there might be BIG Medicaid problems!

RULES FOR SELLING THE HOUSE Once you’re on Medicaid, you have to

abide by Medicaid’s rules – or else. Or else what? Or else you don’t get Medicaid’s money!

What happens when the sick person in the nursing home sells his house? Medicaid stops paying! Why? Because the sick person now has cash to pay for his own care. When that money is all gone, then the sick person can re-apply for Medicaid.

Think about this. You’ll have to give Medicaid all the paperwork for them to review. Medicaid will want to know how much the house sold for. In fact, Medicaid requires that the listing price be equal to the county auditor’s value, AND that the house must sell for at least ninety percent (90%) of that. What happens if you break these Medicaid rules?

Dear Old Dad tells #1 Son to take care of selling his house. Son likes to get things done fast! So Son buys a half-keg of beer for some buddies to haul everything to a garbage dump. Then Son sells the house to Dirt Cheap Buyer for $6,000. Why not? All the money is going down the drain anyway, to pay the nursing home.

Medicaid is not happy with Dear Old Dad. Medicaid says: “Your realty tax bill shows your house is worth $100,000. You should have got $90,000. But you only got $6,000. That’s like giving away $84,000!” And here’s the harsh part – Medicaid will penalize Dear Old Dad by refusing to pay the nursing home! How long will the penalty period be? It will be equal in value,

dollar for dollar, to the amount given away. For Dear Old Dad, the Medicaid penalty for “giving away” $84,000 is 14 months – more than a year!

But Dear Old Dad has only $1,500 to his name. If he won’t get Medicaid money for the next 14 months, how in the world is Dad to pay for the nursing home? This is a tragedy, and it could have been avoided.

CONCLUSION: Medicaid has strict rules for selling the house of someone who is in a nursing home. Avoid a tragedy. Protect yourself by getting guidance from a lawyer who understands Medicaid!

Linda J. How is an elder-law lawyer in Bedford, providing Medicaid counseling and estate planning. She has legal training from the national organization, Medicaid Practice Systems (now known as Lawyers With Purpose), and she is also an accredited VA lawyer. To help people understand the value of legal planning, Mrs. How presents FREE educational workshops called, “Seven Threats to Your Family Security.” UPCOMING EVENING WORKSHOP: Monday, October 13, 2014, from 6 to 8 p.m. UPCOMING AFTERNOON WORKSHOP: Wednesday, October 15, 2014, from 2 to 4 p.m. (both in Bedford; please call for exact location). For an office appointment or to reserve seats at a Workshop, Mrs. How may be reached at [email protected] or 440-786-9449.

What Happens to Your Home? (2) Medicaid and the Unmarried Person

Making Sense of the Law

Linda J. How, J.D.


8 :: 17 of Iyyar, 5768 :: May 22, 2008


Columbus & Ohio8

www.theheightsstandard.com

The Heights StandardSeptember 4 - 18, 2014

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Thursday, September 18, 2014

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WE CAN HANDLE THIS. GET A MAMMOGRAM.

WE ARE WOMEN.

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IT’S TIME TO WOMAN UP.

GIFT FROM PAGE 6for the Cleveland Foundation

Centennial Trail, the Cleveland Foundation has provided another $4.4 million in grant funding over the past four decades for projects supporting lake and river development. These projects include the creation of North Coast Harbor where the Goodtime III docks, the transition of the lakefront parks to Cleveland Metroparks, preservation of the historic Coast Guard Station at Wendy Park, offshore wind development and initiatives promoting water quality.

“The Park District is thrilled to be part of the foundation’s centennial celebration for a second time, following April’s record-breaking Cleveland Foundation Day at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo,” said Cleveland Metroparks CEO Brian Zimmerman. “The foundation’s support has been instrumental in helping the Park District achieve its goals of connecting Greater Clevelanders to the lakefront and the river, and we are more than pleased to help spotlight these connections during Cleveland Foundation Weekends on the Water.”

“The Cleveland Foundation has

been a major supporter of the city’s many sustainability initiatives, and we are pleased to join the foundation as one of its September centennial gift partners,” said Jenita McGowan, Chief of Sustainability for the city of Cleveland. “Being able to experience Cleveland on Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River will make our freshwater assets more real and accessible for our residents.”

As families wait to board the cruises, fun, interactive activities will be provided by this month’s gift partners. Cleveland Metroparks plans to bring a few animals native to the waterfront from its learning center. The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District’s mascot, Wally Waterdrop, will also be on hand to greet guests.

“The Cleveland Foundation is itself a gift to our entire region,” said Constance Haqq, Director of Administration and External Affairs for the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District. “The Sewer District is pleased to partner with the foundation in this gift to the community, and is proud to be identified as an integral component in keeping our Great

Lake great.”“We are truly honored to be part

of the centennial celebration of the Cleveland Foundation and its focus on Lake Erie,” said Josh Knights, Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy in Ohio. “The foundation and its donors have been longtime supporters of The Nature Conservancy, especially our work to protect and restore wetlands and streams that contribute to a healthy lake. We are thrilled to help spread the word about this irreplaceable natural asset and thank the Cleveland Foundation for its wonderful gift to the community.”

The Cleveland Foundation’s monthly centennial gifts this year highlight organizations and community assets the foundation has played a role in establishing or enhancing throughout its 100-year history.

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