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Survey reveals impact of health care law on seniors

A survey of 460 seniors 65 and older revealed that 70% believe the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will reduce their Medicare benefits, despite the fact that the bill does not cut Medicare benefits and instead adds some, including a yearly free checkup and other free preventive care services.

10 Mar 2011

Economic benefits of enabling people to age at home

There are a number of studies that look at the economics of technologies to enable people to age at home rather than in some other kind of accommodation. In 2010, CSES contributed an economic analysis for the ATSE report written by Greg Tegart drawing in part on these studies and using Australian data on demographic trends and healthcare costs.

9 Mar 2011

Optimism stems from Humana's focus on Medicare plans - but don't expect a dividend soon

With its focus on Medicare plans for the elderly, Humana Inc believes it can grow with the wave of aging baby boomers without moving far afield from its main customer base of seniors.

9 Mar 2011

Dental, vision benefits for seniors from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Dental and vision health are often tied to overall health, yet many seniors don't have coverage for these services. To fill the gap, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem) in Colorado is launching several new packages for seniors in Colorado that include dental and vision benefits as well as other important benefits, such as gym memberships, travel assistance and behavioral health services.

9 Mar 2011

HSL launches Retirement University program for seniors

Hebrew SeniorLife today announced the launch of Retirement University, a program designed to help make retirement an exciting time of discovery and enrichment for local retirees.

9 Mar 2011

GRACE model improves health and reduces Medicare costs in high risk seniors

The March 2011 issue of the journal Heath Affairs highlights an evidence-based model of geriatric care management developed, implemented and tested by researchers and clinicians from Indiana University, the Regenstrief Institute and Wishard Health Services.

9 Mar 2011

New report outlines positive impact of ending poverty

According to a new report released by the Health Promotion Clearinghouse, ending poverty is not only possible, it is necessary. "The report outlines the positive impact that ending poverty would have for everybody," says Caroline Ploem, Executive Director of the Health Promotion Clearinghouse.

9 Mar 2011

Cardin, Coakley stake out political positions using health law

News outlets report on how these elected officials are using health care messages to their advantage, and a fact-checker goes to work on recent statements by Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn.

9 Mar 2011

CMS' Berwick in hot seat again

The New York Times reports that even Democrats are acknowledging that the Senate will not likely be able to confirm Dr. Donald Berwick as the head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. However, Modern Healthcare reports that the health care provider community remains in his corner.

9 Mar 2011

Smart technology for healthy longevity

A national policy is required for the research, demonstration, commercialisation and wide-scale deployment of smart technology for ageing-in-place to ensure: a healthy, safe, secure and fulfilling future for the increasing aged population in Australia by enabling them to remain at home longer, by easing the strain on the national healthcare system and providing cost effective solutions to meet the needs of the growing number of elderly Australians.

9 Mar 2011

First Edition: March 8, 2011

In today's headlines, news about ongoing budget discussions and how issues like Medicare spending and the health law fit into them as well as reports about the growing interest in replacing the current chief of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

8 Mar 2011

New report highlights wide range of hazardous air pollutants emitted from power plants

The American Lung Association today released Toxic Air: The Case for Cleaning Up Coal-fired Power Plants, a new report that documents the range of hazardous air pollutants emitted from power plants and the urgent need to clean them up to protect public health.

8 Mar 2011

Stakeholders address questions related to HIT impact on healthcare disparities at invitational roundtable

A diverse group of healthcare stakeholders address questions related to health information technology's impact on health and healthcare disparities in a two-day invitational roundtable on March 7-8, sponsored by the Kaiser Permanente Institute for Health Policy, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and AMIA, the association for informatics professionals.

8 Mar 2011

Researchers find new strategy for long-term care of seniors

America's 75 million aging adults soon will face decisions about where and how to live as they age. Current options for long-term care, including nursing homes and assisted-living facilities, are costly and require seniors to move from place to place.

8 Mar 2011

State roundup: Mass. effort to manage care for chronically ill; promoting organ donations

For a glimpse of the future of Massachusetts health care as Gov. Deval Patrick envisions it, consider Phyllis Minsky. At 82, Phyllis is complex. Medically, that is. ... Older patients with multiple chronic diseases are the biggest consumers of health care; some 15 percent of Medicare patients make up over 75 percent of health care spending.

8 Mar 2011

Pennsylvanians to observe Problem Gambling Awareness Week

The state departments of Health, Revenue and Agriculture – along with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board – are working together to highlight "Problem Gambling Awareness Week," March 6-12, to ensure that Pennsylvanians with gambling addiction problems know that help is available.

5 Mar 2011