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Viewpoints: 'Zombie' plans for Medicare; James Baker's grand bargain advice; Conservative govs' choices

America's political landscape is infested with many zombie ideas - beliefs about policy that have been repeatedly refuted with evidence and analysis but refuse to die. ... the most dangerous zombie is probably the claim that rising life expectancy justifies a rise in both the Social Security retirement age and the age of eligibility for Medicare. ... What would happen if we raised the Medicare eligibility age? The federal government would save only a small amount of money, because younger seniors are relatively healthy and hence low-cost.

16 Nov 2012

Physical performance capabilities across the lifespan

Physical performance capabilities, which decline across the lifespan, are strongly associated with daily levels of physical activity. The decrease in physical activity across the lifespan has consequences for health and well-being.

16 Nov 2012

Obama pledges 'substantive changes' to Medicare as part of budget deal

President Barack Obama told the nation's top CEOs Wednesday that he was committed to "substantive changes" to Medicare and other entitlement programs, but Senate Democrats are warning him not to cave on entitlements as negotiations with congressional leaders move forward. Also in the mix, health care providers lobby to counter possible Medicare cuts.

16 Nov 2012

Roundup: Disparity in states' fiscal health; Ark. Medicaid shortfall threatens care; Mich. Blue Cross pushes to become nonprofit

Factors such as growing unfunded pension liabilities and burgeoning fixed costs related to programs like Medicaid are weighing down weaker states, while stronger states are benefiting from improved business conditions and strong employment growth, he said. A closer look at some specific metrics shows this fiscal disparity.

15 Nov 2012

Viewpoints: Voters want Medicare protected in 'grand bargain;' Increases in taxes can't cover the 'fiscal cliff'; Kids' health needs more attention

As the ranking member on the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology, let me simply state the hard truth. To avoid the fiscal cliff and to get our budget deficit and the national debt under control, we need to do three things simultaneously: cut spending, increase revenue and have the courage to put everything on the table in a responsible, bipartisan manner.

15 Nov 2012

Labor, business groups step up efforts to shape 'fiscal cliff' debate over Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security

Some news outlets examine the impact of looming tax increases and spending cuts if a budget deal is not struck by the end of the year. Others examine the positions being staked out by powerful groups over issues such as Medicare and other entitlement programs.

14 Nov 2012

Roundup: Federal health coverage to extend to disaster relief workers; Cheers, jeers for Mass. assisted suicide defeat

The government is continuing to expand benefits policies in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, clearing the way for certain emergency relief employees to be eligible for federal health insurance and soliciting donations of leave for affected federal workers.

14 Nov 2012

Older North American farmers face increased risk of serious injury

Older North American farmers work fewer hours than their younger peers but spend more time operating heavy machinery and equipment-raising their risk of serious injury, according to new research from the University of Alberta.

13 Nov 2012

Boehner, Obama signal willingness to work together on fiscal crisis

The House speaker says he would accept a deal that raises federal revenues, but not the top tax rates, if it also includes an overhaul of entitlement programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid.

9 Nov 2012

Longer looks: People with mental disabilities have a vote; Genome sequencing raises hope - also anxiety

I may get Alzheimer's disease, I was told after getting my DNA analyzed. I could suffer the consequences of an abnormal blood clot in my heart or my brain. Or perhaps I'll suffer from a disease called primary myelofibrosis that's caused by an overactive bone marrow. All of these were possible outcomes, based on my genetic profile. In each case, the test only gives an increased risk for disease, not a definitive diagnosis.

9 Nov 2012

International Day of Radiology marks 117th anniversary of X-ray discovery

International Day of Radiology — November 8, 2012 — marks the 117th anniversary of the discovery of the X-ray and the tremendous advances in patient care made possible by radiation therapy and medical imaging exams, such as MRI and CT scans. It is also a reminder that Congress needs to pass the Diagnostic Imaging Services Access Protection Act (H.R. 3269/ S. 2347) and halt drastic cuts in Medicare funding for imaging scans. This vital legislation would preserve ready access to lifesaving imaging care and may help reduce harm to seniors already resulting from cutbacks.

8 Nov 2012

Viewpoints: Newspapers opine on Obama's health care, fiscal challenges

President Obama's dramatic re-election victory was not a sign that a fractured nation had finally come together on Election Day. But it was a strong endorsement of economic policies that stress job growth, health care reform, tax increases and balanced deficit reduction - and of moderate policies on immigration, abortion and same-sex marriage. ... Republicans had to be disappointed in the results of their unrelenting assault on Mr. Obama's health care reform law.

8 Nov 2012

Health law viewed as a big winner on election day

President Barack Obama's re-election is viewed as a "reprieve" for the health law but this development raises questions and issues about some of the implementation challenges that the overhaul will now face.

8 Nov 2012

Calcium intake does not increase risk of coronary artery calcification

Researchers at the Institute for Aging Research (IFAR) at Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School (HMS), have published a study that shows no evidence of a link between calcium intake and coronary artery calcification, reassuring adults who take calcium supplements for bone health that the supplements do not appear to result in the development of calcification of blood vessels.

8 Nov 2012

Medicare news: Young workers' benefits at center of fiscal debate; Feds seek to move seniors out of poorly rated plans

Although retirement may still be years away for these younger workers, key decisions could come in the looming debate on the nation's spending. Meanwhile, Medicare officials are sending letters to beneficiaries warning them that their plans are not meeting standards.

7 Nov 2012

Seniors can play an important role in reducing risks associated with prescription medications

Common medication to treat insomnia, anxiety, itching or allergies can have a negative impact on memory or concentration in the elderly, according to Dr. Cara Tannenbaum, Research Chair at the Institut universitaire de g-riatrie de Montr-al (IUGM, Montreal Geriatric University Institute) and Associate Professor of Medicine and Pharmacy at the University of Montreal (UdeM).

6 Nov 2012

State roundup: Examining health issues on state ballots

Sprinkled throughout ballots across the country are state initiatives that run the gamut from education to animal rights to marriage. And health care is well-represented, too. The National Conference of State Legislatures labels health a "key issue" in this cycle's roundup of state ballot questions.

6 Nov 2012

With Election Day hours away, polls show deadlocked race

The last round of polls shows the contest between President Barack Obama and GOP challenger Mitt Romney virtually tied. Meanwhile, news outlets report on how health issues are motivating some voters and what policies the winner might put in place.

6 Nov 2012

Detailing Medicare's 2013 doc pay schedules: Home health flat, primary care up

Under Medicare's 2013 payment schedule, released late last week, home health agency payments will remain flat while primary care physicians can expect up to a 7 percent boost in payments.

6 Nov 2012

MU project to reduce avoidable re-hospitalizations among nursing home residents

The University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing today announced a nearly $15 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Led by Curators' Professor of Nursing Marilyn Rantz, MU researchers will use the funds, distributed over four years, to implement a project aimed at reducing avoidable re-hospitalizations among nursing home residents.

6 Nov 2012

Seniors News and Research

Viewpoints: 'Zombie' plans for Medicare; James Baker's grand bargain advice; Conservative govs' choices

Physical performance capabilities across the lifespan

Obama pledges 'substantive changes' to Medicare as part of budget deal

Roundup: Disparity in states' fiscal health; Ark. Medicaid shortfall threatens care; Mich. Blue Cross pushes to become nonprofit

Viewpoints: Voters want Medicare protected in 'grand bargain;' Increases in taxes can't cover the 'fiscal cliff'; Kids' health needs more attention

Labor, business groups step up efforts to shape 'fiscal cliff' debate over Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security

Roundup: Federal health coverage to extend to disaster relief workers; Cheers, jeers for Mass. assisted suicide defeat

Older North American farmers face increased risk of serious injury

Boehner, Obama signal willingness to work together on fiscal crisis

Longer looks: People with mental disabilities have a vote; Genome sequencing raises hope - also anxiety

International Day of Radiology marks 117th anniversary of X-ray discovery

Viewpoints: Newspapers opine on Obama's health care, fiscal challenges

Health law viewed as a big winner on election day

Calcium intake does not increase risk of coronary artery calcification

Medicare news: Young workers' benefits at center of fiscal debate; Feds seek to move seniors out of poorly rated plans

Seniors can play an important role in reducing risks associated with prescription medications

State roundup: Examining health issues on state ballots

With Election Day hours away, polls show deadlocked race

Detailing Medicare's 2013 doc pay schedules: Home health flat, primary care up

MU project to reduce avoidable re-hospitalizations among nursing home residents

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