Aug 20 Most Americans want government to curb prescription costs, poll finds By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Regardless of political affiliation, Americans strongly support government action to control prescription drug costs, according to a poll released Thursday. Continue reading
Jul 29 Watch 10:25 After 50 years, how do we ensure Medicare and Medicaid longevity? By PBS News Hour Fifty years since Medicare and Medicaid were established, the programs cover the health care needs of more than 120 million Americans. But new projections underscore worries over long-term sustainability. Judy Woodruff speaks to two former secretaries of the Department of… Continue watching
Jul 19 Higher-than-expected Medicaid enrollment numbers prompt state budget worries By Daniel Costa-Roberts A dozen states that chose to expand Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act have seen their enrollment numbers far outpace projections, raising budget concerns as the federal government gets set to reduce its funding for the expansions… Continue reading
Jul 13 Officials propose new rules for nursing home care By Susan Jaffe, Kaiser Health News After nearly 30 years, the Obama administration wants to modernize the rules nursing homes must follow to qualify for Medicare and Medicaid payments. Continue reading
Jul 01 Obama aims to change conversation around the health care law By Darlene Superville, Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is aiming to use the momentum from a recent Supreme Court victory for his health care law to change the conversation from talk about undoing his signature domestic achievement to talk about how to improve… 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
Mar 24 Watch 7:05 The Medicaid bill that doesn’t go away when you die By PBS News Hour Medicaid is thought of as free health insurance for the poor, but federal law requires that recipients pay for the costs of long-term care. And when patients die, Medicaid charges the expenses to the leftover assets in their estates, sometimes… Continue watching
Mar 17 GOP proposes $3.8 trillion budget that boosts defense, overhauls Medicare By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press WASHINGTON — House Republicans on Tuesday unveiled a $3.8 trillion budget plan for next year that effectively breaks tight budget limits on military spending while promising a familiar roster of big cuts to social programs such as food stamps and… Continue reading
Mar 04 Why are my health insurance premiums going up and up? By Philip Moeller A reader's insurance agent says that everyone's premiums are going up. But the reader wonders if he could be spending less. Making Sen$e Medicare Maven Phil Moeller tells him what to look for. Continue reading
Feb 19 Q&A: How do you pay for long-term care? By Bonnie Lawrence, Family Caregiver Alliance Long-term care in the U.S. is confusing, there is no doubt about it, and trying to sort through the elements and options can be stressful. But there are some resources to help. Here’s a selection of frequently asked questions that… Continue reading