Cash for clunkers

Congress passed the "cash for clunkers" measure late Thursday night as part of the $106 billion war spending bill. President Barack Obama plans to sign the bill into law.

Meanwhile, car dealers may honor rebates starting July 1. The federal agency needs the 30-day window to implement regulations to safeguard the program from fraud and abuse, Tyson said.

Among the issues regulators might address: Does the consumer hold a valid legal title to the car he is seeking to trade in? Will the clunker be appropriately disposed of so that it can't be cashed-in again?

The agency on Friday was scrambling to launch a Web site, www.cars.gov, to provide consumers with information about the program.

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Find more detail: http://nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/Rulemaking/Rules/Associated%20Files/CARS_1stDayNotice_06262009.pdf

Unemployment rate update, May 2009

The national unemployment rate rose to a 26-year high of 9.4% in May, up from 8.9% in April.

Top 5:

. Michigan: 14.1%
. Oregon: 12.4%
. South Carolina: 12.1%
. Rhode Island: 12.1%
. California: 11.5%

Buying your own health insurance

Source: CNN

People who don't have health insurance pay about $2, 260 in out of pocket costs per year -- that's twice as much as someone who is covered under an employer's plan according to Consumer Reports.

First, check out insurance comparison Web sites like eHealthinsurance.com. Use it to get a range of individual health insurance policies and to compare prices and benefit levels.

Next, go to your state insurance department's Web site. Here you may find companies selling individual coverage in your state. And the insurance department may also provide complaint records on individual insurance companies.

Finally, consider using a health care broker who knows your local market. Brokers can help you shop for price. They'll also know what company is more liable to accept you based on your health conditions. The best part is that you won't pay a dime out of pocket says Amir Mostafie at eHealthinsurance.com. They get a commission paid by the insurance company that you sign up with.

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You don't automatically qualify for Medicaid just because you have a low income. It also depends on your family status -- if you have kids etc.

To find out what eligibility requirements of health care programs like S-Chip or programs for the elderly, go to coverageforall.org.

Jobless rate: 9.4%, job cut rate slows down

Naitonwide jobless rate is at 9.4%.

In May/09, the number of job cuts is 345K, fewest since November 2008. In April/09, the number is at 600K.