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U.S. gender wage gap grows for first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids'; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

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Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Report: Medical Costs Get Some Blame for MO Foreclosures

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Thursday, October 9, 2008   

St. Louis, MO – Look closely at many of today's mortgage foreclosures, and you'll find a medical crisis. According to a new report, up to half the people losing their homes in Missouri cite unexpected medical expenses as major reasons they fell behind on their house payments.

Report author Christopher Robertson at Harvard University says his research found, in many cases, even people who took exotic or sub-prime loans could still afford the payments until large medical bills came along.

"These are people who have decent jobs, who have reasonable incomes compared to their mortgages - but when a medical crisis hits them, it can punch them over the edge."

Another Harvard study has estimated that one of every two bankruptcies in the United States is the result of medical bills. Robertson believes healthcare reform must be part of the national debate about rescuing the economy.

"This fits into the broader picture of financial insecurity and medical crises. I think action is appropriate."

A total of 27,000 homes in Missouri have been foreclosed, with Greene County setting new records with its high rate.

The full report is available online at www.works.bepress.com/cgi.




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