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Democrats, GOP continue to trade barbs over health reform, plan next moves

Politico: Democrats are following a call from President Barack Obama in daring Republicans to try to repeal the health care reform law. "And they started with what Democrats hope will become one of the most popular features of the overhaul plan, a provision that allow young adults to stay on their parents' insurance plans until age 26.

23 Apr 2010

First Edition: April 22, 2010

Kaiser Health News staff writer Phil Galewitz, working in collaboration with USA Today, writes about the Money Follows The Person program: "Richard Hasselbach and Deborah Kadlec met in a nursing home and dreamed of a life together outside its walls. Their health conditions made living on their own a challenge: Hasselbach, 63, is disabled from a stroke and lost a leg to a blocked artery. Kadlec, 52, has multiple sclerosis. They both use wheelchairs and need help with chores such as bathing, cooking and remembering to take their medicines.

22 Apr 2010

Americans struggling to understand effect of health reform law

The first Kaiser Health Tracking Poll fielded since the passage of health reform last month finds that 8 in 10 Americans know that President Obama signed the legislation into law. But 55 percent say they are confused about the law and more than half (56%) say they don't yet have enough information to understand how it will affect them personally.

22 Apr 2010

Proposed Medicare payment changes for hospitals would lower reimbursements slightly

The Wall Street Journal: "Hospital stocks moved higher Tuesday after the agency that runs Medicare proposed new inpatient services rates for the next fiscal year that were somewhat better than many had expected. Monday evening the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said it would like to cut Medicare operating payments to acute care hospitals for inpatient services occurring in the next fiscal year by $142 million, or 0.1%. These figures don't include the impact of the new health-care reform law, which analysts said would cut the rate by another 0.25%".

22 Apr 2010

Some health insurers move to cover kids up to age 26 even earlier than law requires

Insurers will move even more quickly than required to keep young adults on their parents insurance plan, USA Today reports. "UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Kaiser Permanente and WellPoint said they will put into effect some provisions of the new health care law ahead of schedule to let adult children stay on parents' plans until age 26." The reason for moving earlier than the Sept. 23 deadline? "[T]he companies said they are changing rules now to prevent young adults from falling into a coverage gap" (Young, 4/20).

21 Apr 2010

Scam artists hawk fake insurance policies, prey on seniors

"[S]cam artists are working overtime. They're hawking fake insurance policies by preying on the fears and confusion that surround" the new health overhaul law, according to consumer advocates.

21 Apr 2010

UnitedHealth Group's consolidated first-quarter 2010 revenues increase 5% to $23.2 billion

UnitedHealth Group today reported first quarter results, including better-than-projected membership and services growth and effective cost management across its businesses. Financial metrics were in line with or better than Company expectations.

20 Apr 2010

Health law hits consumers, companies in complex ways

News outlets report on the new health law's impact on various segments of the population, including the self-employed, small business owners and seniors.

20 Apr 2010

Two large health insurers extend coverage to young adults

The Wall Street Journal / Dow Jones: Two large U.S. health insurers have announced plans "to keep young adults on their parents' policies before a new law requiring such action goes into effect, and the government is working to get others to do the same. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, citing the insurers' moves, said Monday her department is 'working hard with other insurers on similar proposals' and sent letters offering to assist them in such efforts.

20 Apr 2010

Today's OpEds: Heritage disputes Obama's claims on health law; Florida nursing home reforms in danger

Think tank analysts usually brim with pride when the president of the United States goes around claiming that his policies are based on their work. But when President Obama tries to sell his health-care law as a moderate approach that borrows ideas developed by the Heritage Foundation, we get incensed (Robert Moffit, 4/19).

19 Apr 2010

Funding cuts to Ontario pharmacists would have devastating effect on patients

Funding cuts to Ontario pharmacists would have a devastating effect on patients, particularly those cared for by independent pharmacists, Janet McCutchon, vice-chair of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Pharmacists' Association, told the Economic Club of Canada yesterday.

17 Apr 2010

Pennsylvania awarded $1M in Recovery Act funding for managing chronic disease in older citizens

Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced that $1 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has been awarded to Pennsylvania to prevent and manage chronic disease in older citizens.

17 Apr 2010

Dance-based therapy can improve balance and gait, and reduce falls in older persons

For seniors, dancing isn't just for fun; it also can be therapeutic. Two recent studies conducted by University of Missouri researchers found that participation in dance-based therapy can improve balance and gait in older adults. Improved functionality among seniors can decrease their risk of falling and reduce costly injuries.

17 Apr 2010

Impact of health care reform on federal employees to be discussed on AFGE radio show

The impact of health care reform on federal employees and their families will be discussed this week on the American Federation of Government Employees' "Inside Government" radio show.

16 Apr 2010

Poll: Opposition to health law grows

The Associated Press: "A new Associated Press-GfK poll finds Americans oppose the health care remake 50 percent to 39 percent. Before a divided Congress finally passed the bill and Obama signed it at a jubilant White House ceremony last month, public opinion was about evenly split. Another 10 percent of Americans say they are neutral."

16 Apr 2010

CLASS Act provision in health law will provide long-term care for elderly, disabled

The Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act program, a provision of the health reform law, "establishes a voluntary, long-term care program that will provide cash to enrollees who suffer at least two limitations in daily activities, such as eating, bathing and dressing. … There are about 10 million Americans who need long-term care services, including 4 million under age 65."

16 Apr 2010

Senate gridlock hurts seniors' health: Medicare physician payment down to the wire

“Medicare physician payment comes down to the wire today as the Senate scrambles once again to delay the 21 percent Medicare cut before physicians feel the impact in their payments this week and a Medicare meltdown begins. Congress’ failure to stave off the Medicare physician payment cut leaves physicians in limbo and puts seniors’ access to care and choice of physician in serious jeopardy. This continued uncertainty coupled with the fact that Medicare payments, even without the 21 percent cut, have not kept up with the cost of providing care to seniors demonstrates the need for a permanent solution to this annual problem.

15 Apr 2010

GE and U.S. Army to evaluate deployed soldiers for TBI and PTSD symptoms

As part of GE's continuing efforts to support U.S. troops, GE Global Research, the technology development arm of the General Electric Company, is engaged in a two-year research study with the U.S. Army to evaluate soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan for traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD).

15 Apr 2010

People with disabilities may be unable to afford Medicare Advantage plan under healthcare provisions

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 are the most powerful developments in decades affecting healthcare coverage for people with disabilities, according to Allsup, a nationwide provider of Social Security disability representation and Medicare plan selection services.

15 Apr 2010

North Carolina lawmakers consider medical tax; Georgia insurance commission says state should reject high-insurance pools

The North Carolina legislature "socked it to retail customers, smokers, drinkers and big earners with higher taxes last year to help close a budget gap calculated by Democrats at more than $4 billion. Could hospitals or doctors' offices be next? Legislative leaders are returning to Raleigh early to begin adjusting the second year of the state's two-year budget and they're intrigued by a hospital or provider tax or fee because it could draw down three times as much extra money in federal matching funds for Medicaid.

15 Apr 2010

Seniors News and Research

Democrats, GOP continue to trade barbs over health reform, plan next moves

First Edition: April 22, 2010

Americans struggling to understand effect of health reform law

Proposed Medicare payment changes for hospitals would lower reimbursements slightly

Some health insurers move to cover kids up to age 26 even earlier than law requires

Scam artists hawk fake insurance policies, prey on seniors

UnitedHealth Group's consolidated first-quarter 2010 revenues increase 5% to $23.2 billion

Health law hits consumers, companies in complex ways

Two large health insurers extend coverage to young adults

Today's OpEds: Heritage disputes Obama's claims on health law; Florida nursing home reforms in danger

Funding cuts to Ontario pharmacists would have devastating effect on patients

Pennsylvania awarded $1M in Recovery Act funding for managing chronic disease in older citizens

Dance-based therapy can improve balance and gait, and reduce falls in older persons

Impact of health care reform on federal employees to be discussed on AFGE radio show

Poll: Opposition to health law grows

CLASS Act provision in health law will provide long-term care for elderly, disabled

Senate gridlock hurts seniors' health: Medicare physician payment down to the wire

GE and U.S. Army to evaluate deployed soldiers for TBI and PTSD symptoms

People with disabilities may be unable to afford Medicare Advantage plan under healthcare provisions

North Carolina lawmakers consider medical tax; Georgia insurance commission says state should reject high-insurance pools

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