THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2024 Page 15 Massachusetts Unemployment & Job Estimates for July 2024 Labor force participation reaches 66%, highest rate since September 2020 B OSTON, MA — August 16, 2024 — The state’s July total unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, a 0.3 percentage point increase from the revised June estimate of 3.2 percent, the Executive Offi ce of Labor and Workforce Development announced Friday. The Massachusetts unemployment rate was 0.8 percentage points lower than the national rate of 4.3 percent reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Over-the-year, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was up by 0.3 percentage points. The labor force increased by an estimated 22,000 from the revised estimate of 3,806,600 in June, with 12,100 residents more employed and 9,900 more residents unemployed over-the-month. The state’s labor force participation rate — the total number of residents 16 or older who worked or were unemployed and actively sought work in the last four weeks — increased 0.3 percentage points over-themonth, to 66.0 percent, the highest it has been since September 2020. Compared to July 2023, the labor force participation rate also increased 1.0 percentage points overthe-year. The BLS preliminary job estimates for Massachusetts decreased by 2,300 jobs in July. This follows June’s revised gain of 16,400 jobs. The largest over-the-month private sector job gains were in Leisure and Hospitality, Financial Activities, and Transportation and Warehousing. Employment now stands at 3,750,200. Massachusetts gained 686,700 jobs since the employment low in April 2020. From July 2023 to July 2024, BLS estimates Massachusetts gained 41,200 jobs. The largest over-the-year gains ocRevereTV Spotlight R evereTV has posted quick clips from various community events from over the past few weeks to the Community Channel. The fi rst is of the Music Drives Us donation from Ernie Boch Jr. to MGH Revere Youth Zone. The grant awarded to the Youth Zone included brand-new instruments in hopes to give kids more access to the arts and music. Watch the footage on RTV and YouTube to see what it was all about. A few weeks ago, National Night Out was held at Garfi eld Middle School. The event had food, toys and infl atable rides and gave children a chance to interact with our local fi rst responders and some of their impressive equipment. Video footage of National Night Out is posted to YouTube and playing in between programming on television. The last short video of this week is of a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new business on Broadway: The Mayor, several City Councillors and other elected offi cials gathered at Puppy Pet Care for their ribbon-cutting ceremony last Tuesday. Puppy Pet Care is located at 701 Broadway on the second fl oor. Footage of the Ecuadorian Flag Raising Ceremony from a few weeks ago is still replaying on the Community Channel. The ceremony includes speeches from Revere residents, Concilio Latino of Massachusetts and local leaders. Watch through to the end for traditional dance and musical performances. This fl ag ceremony and all others are posted to the RevereTV YouTube page to view at your convenience. Watch “In the Loop” on YouTube or in between all shows and meetings on RevereTV for the latest in city announcements. This week’s PSA includes a fl yer with the following information. The City of Revere Community Liaisons are hosting a school dress code clothing exchange for Revere Public School students. To donate, drop off clean, gently used items at the Community Liaison Offi ce between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., now through August 26. To receive clothing from the drive, visit the Mobile Market at Sandler Square (located at 91 Centennial Ave.) on Thursday, August 29, starting at 3:00 p.m. — while supplies last. On RTV GOV, expect to see the latest of meetings from the City Council Chambers this month. The current rotation includes the Commission on Disabilities, Aff ordable Housing Trust Fund, Traffi c Commission and License Commission. Tune in live on Monday, August 26, at 6 p.m. for the next Revere City Council meeting. This meeting is preceded by the Zoning and Appointments Sub-Committees at 5 p.m. RTV GOV is channel 9 on Comcast and 13 and 613 on RCN. curred in Education and Health Services, Government, and Leisure and Hospitality. July 2024 Employment Overview Government gained 3,700 jobs over-the-month. Overthe-year, 11,000 were added. Leisure and Hospitality gained 2,400 jobs over-themonth. Over-the-year, 10,700 were added. Financial Activities gained 400 jobs over-the-month. Over-the-year, 1,100 were added. Trade, Transportation, and Utilities gained 300 jobs overthe-month. Over-the-year, 200 were added. Construction lost 300 jobs over-the-month. Over-theyear, 5,200 were added. Information lost 900 jobs over-the-month. Over-theyear, 4,000 were lost. Professional, Scientifi c, and Business Services lost 900 jobs over-the-month. Over-theyear, 900 were added. Other Services lost 1,400 jobs over-the-month. Overthe-year, 2,800 were added. Manufacturing lost 2,100 jobs over-the-month. Overthe-year, 7,500 were lost. Education and Health Services lost 3,500 jobs over-themonth. Over-the-year, 20,800 were added. Labor Force Overview The July estimates show 3,695,800 Massachusetts residents were employed and 132,800 were unemployed, for a total labor force of 3,828,600. The unemployment rate at 3.5 percent was 0.3 percentage points higher than the revised June rate of 3.2 percent. Over-the-month, the July labor force increased by 22,000 from 3,806,600 in June, with 12,100 more residents employed and 9,900 more residents unemployed. The labor force participation rate, the share of the working age population employed and unemployed, increased by 0.3 percentage points to 66.0 percent. The labor force was up 79,700 from the July 2023 estimate of 3,748,900 following the annual revision, with 67,500 more employed residents, and 12,200 more unemployed residents. The unemployment rate is based on a monthly sample of households. The job estimates are derived from a monthly LABOR FORCE | FROM Page 15 Does Medicare Cover Cataract Surgery? Dear Savvy Senior, How does Medicare cover cataract surgery? My eye doctor recently told me I’ve developed cataractsand should consider making plans for surgery in thenext yearorso. Almost 67 Dear Almost, Like gray hair and wrinkles, cataracts are an inevitable part of the aging process. Eventually, everyone (usually in their 60s) will develop cataracts, a condition that causes cloudy or blurry vision. The only way to correct this is through cataract surgery. Fortunately, Medicare does cover medically necessary cataract surgery, which includes removing the cataract and implanting a standard intraocular lens (IOL). This is a small, lightweight, clear disk that replaces the focusing power of the eye’s natural crystalline lens to restore clear vision. This procedure is performed using traditional surgical techniques or lasers. This coverage can be a substantial savings, since cataract surgery often costs about $1,800 to $2,800 per eye. Cataract surgery is usually an outpatient procedure, covered under Medicare Part B. Once you pay the annual Part B deductible, which is $240 in 2024, you’re responsible for the Part B coinsurance. That means you’ll pay 20 percent of the cost for covered services yourself. If you have a Medicare supplemental policy, also known as Medigap, you’ll have full or partial coverage for the 20 percent Part B coinsurance.? If you happen to be enrolled in a private Medicare Advantage plan, rather than original Medicare, you’ll also have coverage for cataract surgery. However, you may have to pay diff erent deductibles or copayments and need to use an in-network provider. You’ll need to call your plan to fi nd out its coverage details before you schedule surgery. What’s Not Covered Be aware that Medicare only covers cataract surgery with standard (monofocal) intraocular lenses, which improves vision at just one distance so you may still need glasses for close-up vision. Medicare will not cover premium (multifocal) intraocular lenses that can correct vision far away, up close and in between, so you can go glasses-free after surgery. Premium interocular lenses are expensive, costing approximately $1,500 to $4,000 per eye, which you would be responsible for if you choose to upgrade. Talk with your doctor about your options and costs before your surgery. Are Eyeglasses Covered? Even though Medicare usually doesn’t cover eyeglasses or contact lenses, it will pay 80 percent for one set of corrective glasses or contacts after cataract surgery. Medicare, however, limits its coverage to standard eyeglass frames and lenses. If you want to get deluxe frames, progressive or tinted lenses or scratch-resistant coating for glasses, you’ll need to pay those costs yourself. Medicare also requires that you purchase the glasses or contacts from a Medicareapproved supplier. Also, if you have any postsurgery complications or problems that are deemed medically necessary to address by a doctor, Medicare covers those expenses too. Any drops, antibiotics or other medication prescribed after your surgery would be covered by Medicare Part D or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
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