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New poll finds little support for privatizing Medicare

A new poll finds little support for privatizing Medicare, even though most people agree the government-sponsored health insurance program for older Americans needs major changes if it is to survive.

14 Jun 2011

Viewpoints: Private vs. public Medicare; N.J. Medicaid tough choices; IPAB's cost controls

Every once in a while a politician comes up with an idea that's so bad, so wrongheaded, that you're almost grateful. For really bad ideas can help illustrate the extent to which policy discourse has gone off the rails. And so it was with Senator Joseph Lieberman's proposal, released last week, to raise the age for Medicare eligibility from 65 to 67.

14 Jun 2011

Roundup: States controlled by GOP pass sweeping changes; state budgets still very lean from recession; La. Gov. wrestling with legislature over spending

Republicans controlled all the levers of government in a staggering number of states this year — and it showed. Holding a lock on the governorship and both houses of the legislature in 20 states, GOP conservatives advanced an agenda that may change the face of state government for decades. They honored pledges not to raise taxes by enacting huge spending cuts to balance budgets in Florida and Texas.

14 Jun 2011

Policy issues related to dual-eligible patients, cancer medication coverage attract headlines

The Associated Press reports that seniors are facing Medicare cost barriers which sometimes lead them to not fill cancer drug prescriptions. Also, CQ HealthBeat reports that a special team within the Department of Health and Human Services is working on finding ways to save money and improve care for patients on both Medicare and Medicaid.

13 Jun 2011

Resound to promote awareness campaign on long-term health care planning

Resound Marketing, an NJ Biz Top 20 PR agency specializing in creating storylines which earn national media placement, today announced that it has been selected as the agency of record to promote a summer-long awareness campaign about long-term health care planning, organized by non-profit 3in4 Need More and elder care expert Dr. Marion.

13 Jun 2011

Unique approach improves discharge disposition and older patient's outcomes

The rehospitalization of senior patients within 30 days of discharge from a skilled nursing facility (SNF) has risen dramatically in recent years, at an estimated annual cost of more than $17 billion.

13 Jun 2011

Viewpoints: Sebelius on medical errors; Lieberman on Medicare; The Massachusetts track record

There is no doubt that America has the world's most skilled doctors and nurses and its finest hospitals. Every day, many Americans receive care that is as good as or better than any in the world. But far too often, we fall short of that high standard when good people get trapped in flawed systems (Kathleen Sebelius and Sue Currin, 6/10).

10 Jun 2011

Research Roundup: Depression disparities; Parents' views of vaccines

Archives Of Pediatrics And Adolescent Medicine: Hospital-Based Programs For Children With Special Health Care Needs: Implications Of Health Care Reform -- This study looks at 33 hospital-based comprehensive care programs for children with special needs to evaluate their effectiveness.

10 Jun 2011

Senate Dems pledge to fight big Medicaid cuts

Meanwhile, a left-leaning advocacy group released a report on how GOP budget plans to change the program would impact New Hampshire -- a clear step designed to bring Medicaid into the realm of presidential politics.

10 Jun 2011

New urgency surrounds budget talks as both parties stay focused on health care entitlement programs

Meanwhile, a poll released today shows Americans are "torn" over the issue of raising the debt limit, but more than half said they trust President Barack Obama to protect Medicare.

10 Jun 2011

First Edition: June 9, 2011

Today's headlines include reports from yesterday's action in an Atlanta courtroom where oral arguments were held in an appeal related to the multi-state challenge to the health law.

9 Jun 2011

Study finds lifelong difference in health-related quality of life between rich and poor

"We can't buy our way out of ageing," says Nancy Ross, a McGill geography professor. "As we get older we start to have vision problems, maybe some hearing loss, maybe lose some mobility - ageing is a kind of a social equalizer."

9 Jun 2011

A big day for the multi-state challenge to the health law

Florida already leads a lawsuit challenging the federal health care law, but state officials are going a step further and ignoring the law almost entirely — rejecting millions of federal dollars to provide health care for retirees, seniors, children and people with disabilities.

9 Jun 2011

Social, physical and spiritual activities can improve quality of life in older individuals

Small, healthy lifestyle changes and involvement in meaningful activities-going beyond just diet and exercise-are critical to healthy aging, according to a new USC study.

9 Jun 2011

Ryan Medicare revamp continues to be political flashpoint

A congressionial Democrat holds a town hall meeting on the budget plan by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., which includes significant changes to the Medicare program. Republicans see the budget blueprint as a litmus test.

9 Jun 2011

Dems push for debt deal that doesn't include Medicare cuts

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., sent an email to House Republicans Monday saying he is optmistic that ongoing budget talks will meet the standard set by Speaker John Boehner -- meaning legislation to raise the debt limit will be accompanied by deficit reduction. Some Democratic senators, though, are pressing Vice President Joe Biden, who is overseeing budget negotiations, to steer clear of the GOP Medicare plan.

8 Jun 2011

Santorum stakes out Medicare, budget positions

News outlets report that former Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Penn., may turn out to be Rep. Paul Ryan's, R-Wis., biggest advocate. He gave a strong defense of Ryan's plan to revamp Medicare and control its costs.

8 Jun 2011

GOP presidential hopefuls take stabs at health law, offer views on fiscal policies

Political activity continues to swirl around the health law. Congressional Republicans say they are still pressing forward with repeal plans, and possible presidential hopefuls take on the measure and offer specific policy positions.

6 Jun 2011

Viewpoints: Reps. on Medicare politics, policies, community pharmacies; Reflections on AIDS

The [Ryan] privatization proposal overlooks the fact that when it comes to rising health costs, Medicare is part of the solution, not the problem. ... Together with health care reform, Medicare can be the driver of innovation due to its sheer market share.

6 Jun 2011

House Dems urge Obama not to yield to GOP pressure to cut Medicare

In the context of ongoing budget talks, House Democrats urged President Barack Obama to maintain the Medicare program and stand firm against Republican efforts to cut the program's spending.

4 Jun 2011

Seniors News and Research

New poll finds little support for privatizing Medicare

Viewpoints: Private vs. public Medicare; N.J. Medicaid tough choices; IPAB's cost controls

Roundup: States controlled by GOP pass sweeping changes; state budgets still very lean from recession; La. Gov. wrestling with legislature over spending

Policy issues related to dual-eligible patients, cancer medication coverage attract headlines

Resound to promote awareness campaign on long-term health care planning

Unique approach improves discharge disposition and older patient's outcomes

Viewpoints: Sebelius on medical errors; Lieberman on Medicare; The Massachusetts track record

Research Roundup: Depression disparities; Parents' views of vaccines

Senate Dems pledge to fight big Medicaid cuts

New urgency surrounds budget talks as both parties stay focused on health care entitlement programs

First Edition: June 9, 2011

Study finds lifelong difference in health-related quality of life between rich and poor

A big day for the multi-state challenge to the health law

Social, physical and spiritual activities can improve quality of life in older individuals

Ryan Medicare revamp continues to be political flashpoint

Dems push for debt deal that doesn't include Medicare cuts

Santorum stakes out Medicare, budget positions

GOP presidential hopefuls take stabs at health law, offer views on fiscal policies

Viewpoints: Reps. on Medicare politics, policies, community pharmacies; Reflections on AIDS

House Dems urge Obama not to yield to GOP pressure to cut Medicare

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