May 01 Medicare reveals how much it spends on prescription drugs for Americans By Jordan Rau, Kaiser Health News The data show that 14 drugs cost the federal government and Medicare beneficiaries more than $1 billion each, accounting for nearly a quarter of Medicare prescription drug spending in 2013. Most of those drugs are used to treat chronic conditions… Continue reading
Apr 30 'Getting old ain't for sissies': Cartoonist Jack Ohman draws his dad's final years By Jack Ohman, The Sacramento Bee When editorial cartoonist Jack Ohman sat down to illustrate his father's final years, he did not want to sugar-coat his own experiences providing four years of long term care. Otherwise, none of it was worth doing, he explained. Continue reading
Apr 30 Studies say health plans stint on mandated birth control coverage By Julie Rovner, KFF Health News Women’s health advocates were thrilled when the Affordable Care Act became law in 2010, because it required insurance companies to cover a broad array of women’s health services at no additional out-of-pocket cost beyond premiums. Five years later, however, that… Continue reading
Apr 25 House GOP rebels blame party leaders as contributions falter By Alan Fram, Associated Press Tea party Rep. Thomas Massie and some other conservatives say the reason their business contributions have fallen is simple: GOP leaders are retaliating for their defiance. Continue reading
Apr 24 Watch 5:36 How maps packed with data help scientists fight malaria By PBS News Hour High-tech maps may help researchers understand and predict disease outbreaks like malaria, an illness that kills between 600,000 and 1 million people each year. Scientists have begun using temperatures, rainfall patterns and other data to better target areas most at… Continue watching
Apr 24 Improving dementia care requires a change in mindset By Kerry Mills People with dementia, more often than not, do not receive appropriate care. But we can establish care practices that maintain dignity, stimulate independence and cultivate consideration for the person within. Continue reading
Apr 24 Two Listeria recalls raise questions about ice cream manufacturing By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press Blue Bell Creameries of Texas and Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams of Ohio — extremely popular brands in their home states — took all their products off shelves this week. Blue Bell ice cream is linked to 10 illnesses in four… Continue reading
Apr 23 Jeni's ice cream recalls all products for possible listeria contamination By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press A second ice cream company has shut down production this week after health officials found listeria in a sample of its frozen treats. Continue reading
Apr 23 Officials weighing options to hold down Medicare costs for hospice By Susan Jaffe, Kaiser Health News Medicare officials are considering changes in the hospice benefit to stop the federal government from paying twice for care given to dying patients. But patient advocates and hospice providers fear a new policy could make the often difficult decision to… Continue reading
Apr 22 New warning to states: reject Medicaid expansion, risk losing federal funds By Phil Galewitz, Kaiser Health News Add Tennessee and Kansas to the list of states that have been warned by the Obama administration that failing to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act could jeopardize special funding to pay hospitals and doctors for treating the poor. Continue reading