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The Part D Prescription Drug Bait and Switch

Medicare Part D prescription drug beneficiaries can be in for a rude surprise after they sign up for coverage.   In an article this week in Kaiser Health News, Susan Jaffe writes that the price of a drug may jump within a month of a patient enrolling in the Part D drug plan
2022-05-06T10:51:04-04:00May 5th, 2022|Categories: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Congress, Democrats, Medicare, Medicare Drug Coverage and Costs, Prescription Drug Prices, President Biden|

Medicare Advantage Slammed in New HHS Inspector General’s Report

We have been sounding alarm bells for many years about Medicare Advantage (MA), the privately-run health plans for seniors that are growing in popularity as an alternative to traditional Medicare. This week, an eye-opening report by the Inspector General’s office at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed some key criticisms by the National Committee and other seniors’ advocates - namely, that MA plans are denying legitimate claims and refusing to authorize reasonable medical procedures.
2022-04-29T20:33:44-04:00April 29th, 2022|Categories: Max Richtman, Medicare, Medicare Advantage|

It’s Time to Bring Back the House Select Committee on Aging

Some two decades ago, seniors had a Congressional committee dedicated solely to safeguarding their interests.  Then the Republicans, led by Speaker Newt Gingrich, took control of the House for the first time in 40 years and shut down the House Select Committee on Aging.  Today, there is a movement to revive that committee – and there truly is no moment since 1994 when it has been so sorely needed.
2022-05-04T10:04:32-04:00April 25th, 2022|Categories: Congress, Democrats, Medicaid, Medicare, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, Retirement, Trump|

Aging, Health & Care: A New Resource for Seniors and Their Families

Classic movie star Mae West famously said, “Getting old isn't for the faint of heart.” Most older people probably know what she means. Of course, aging can also be a rewarding time of pursuing hobbies and interests, travel and discovery, and enjoying grandchildren, among other things. But the "not for the faint of heart" part rings particularly true when it comes to participating in our senior health care system
2022-04-14T16:17:08-04:00April 14th, 2022|Categories: Meals on Wheels, Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug Prices, Retirement, senior nutrition|

What Does the President’s Budget Mean for Seniors?

There’s encouraging news for seniors in President Biden’s FY2023 budget, even though it does not contain everything that advocates for older Americans had hoped.  The budget, which now will be submitted to Congress, includes crucial funding for services that seniors rely upon – from the operation of the Social Security Administration (SSA) to nutrition programs under the Older Americans Act.
2022-03-28T15:13:27-04:00March 28th, 2022|Categories: Boost Social Security, Budget, Congress, COVID, Democrats, Long term care, Medicare, Prescription Drug Prices, President Biden, Social Security, Social Security Administration (SSA), Uncategorized|

Seniors’ Programs in Jeopardy if Republicans Retake Majority

Any older voters inclined to put the GOP back in control of the House and Senate in November’s elections might well remember what the Republicans have long wanted to do to their earned benefits.  As if to provide that very reminder, Senator Rick Scott, chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, released a plan last week that would terminate Social Security and Medicare.
2022-03-09T17:06:29-04:00March 9th, 2022|Categories: Congress, Democrats, Election 2022, GOP, healthcare, Medicare, Payroll tax cut, Politics, President Trump, Senator Mitch McConnell, Social Security|

Seniors’ Champions in Washington State Continue to Lead the Way on Long-Term Care, Despite Roadblocks

In 2019, the state of Washington plunged headlong into the treacherous waters of public long-term care insurance with WA Cares – the first comprehensive program of its kind in the country. WA Cares was born out of the realization that most seniors will need some form of long term-care at some point in their lives.
2022-01-27T16:31:10-04:00January 27th, 2022|Categories: Democrats, Long term care, Medicaid, Medicare, Republicans|

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