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Jimmy Carter turns 100, the first former president to do so
Former President Jimmy Carter is marking his 100th birthday — the first former president in United States history to do so.
It’s a major milestone for Carter, who has been in hospice care at his home in Plains, Georgia, since February 2023. Carter lost his wife, Rosalynn Carter, in November, after 77 years of marriage. The former president attended his late wife’s memorial service in a wheelchair.
President Biden shared a message wishing Carter, “on behalf of the entire Biden family, and the American people, Happy 100th Birthday!” Mr. Biden called him “a moral force for our nation and the world … and most of all, a beloved friend.”
Carter has said he wants to live long enough to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris for president. Early voting begins later this month in Carter’s home state of Georgia.
“I’m only trying to make it to vote for Kamala Harris,” Carter told his son, Chip, as relayed by his grandson, Jason, to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The former president has lived remarkably long in home hospice care, where the average length of time for patients is 63 days, according to the National Institutes of Health. Carter has been in hospice for more than 19 months.
A number of stars paid tribute to Carter in a celebration ahead of his 100th birthday, with more than 4,000 people filling Atlanta’s Fox Theatre for a benefit concert in mid-September. The event, “Jimmy Carter 100: A Celebration in Song,” raised funds for international programs of The Carter Center, the foundation Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter founded after leaving the White House.
“Everyone here is making history,” grandson Jason Carter said. “This is the first time people have come together to celebrate the 100th birthday of an American president.”
Michael A. Schwarz/Courtesy of The Carter Center
James Earl Carter Jr. was born on Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, the son of a peanut farmer and a nurse — the first future U.S. president to be born in a hospital. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served in the Navy before returning home to run the family farm. He was elected governor of Georgia in 1970.
Carter, a Democrat, served one term as president, from 1977 to 1981, overseeing a period of record-high inflation and other challenges. The seizure of American hostages at the U.S. embassy in Iran dominated the news during the last 14 months of the Carter administration. Iran released the Americans the day Carter left office in 1981.
Carter, who has devoted his later years to humanitarian work, grew more popular as a former president than he was as president. When he was still physically able, Carter was active in building homes with Habitat for Humanity and traveled the world in support of democracy and public health initiatives.
White House Photo by Pete Souza
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CVS Health said it is cutting about 2,900 employees as part of a goal to reduce costs by $2 billion.
The job cuts represents about 1% of the health care company’s workforce, a CVS spokesperson told CBS MoneyWatch via email.
Some pharmacy chains have struggled in recent years amid cutbacks from inflation-weary consumers, with shoppers paring their spending on non-prescription items. Walgreens is planning to close up to a quarter of its 8,600 retail locations as some customers have turned elsewhere to buy basics.
In its statement, CVS pointed to “continued disruption, regulatory pressures, and evolving consumer needs and expectations,” adding that “it is critical that we remain competitive and operate at peak performance.”
In its most recent quarter, CVS said its same-store sales for non-prescription products declined 4%.
What to know about the CVS job cuts
CVS, which along with its drugstore chain also owns health insurance provider Aetna and pharmacy benefits manager CVS Caremark, among other brands, said the 2,900 job cuts will primarily affect corporate roles.
“The reductions will not impact front-line jobs in our stores, pharmacies and distribution centers,” CVS said.
Employees whose jobs are part of the reduction will receive severance pay and benefits, including access to outplacement services, the company added.
“The vast majority of impacted colleagues will be notified this week,” the CVS spokesperson noted.
Separately, CVS is reportedly conducting a strategic review of its business, which could include a breakup of the health care company, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
Asked about the report, the CVS spokesperson said: “CVS Health’s management team and Board of Directors are continually exploring ways to create shareholder value. We remain focused on driving performance and delivering high quality healthcare products and services enabled by our unmatched scale and integrated model.”
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