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Medicare advantage premiums could climb 25% next year

"Premiums that seniors pay for Medicare Advantage plans will increase an average of 25% next year, largely because insurers, in response to new federal requirements, are canceling many plans that carry no premiums, a top Medicare official said Wednesday," The Wall Street Journal reports.

19 Oct 2009

Insurer's "triple-barreled assault" triggers counter attacks

A "triple-barreled" insurance industry attack on the Senate Finance Committee's health legislation - including separate reports sponsored by America's Health Insurance Plans and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, as well as television advertisements in six states - is "a reminder that the insurance industry has enormous financial stakes in a health care overhaul and will not sit by while its interests are threatened," the New York Times reports (Seelye, 10/14).

19 Oct 2009

Controversy, lobbying surround Reid's Medicare payment 'fix' plan

Some news outlets are looking ahead to a vote expected next week "fixing" a planned cut in Medicare payments to physicians.

19 Oct 2009

Democratic lawmakers seek momentum, Republican votes as two versions of reform bills are combined

Democrats are seeking momentum and votes -- from both Democrats and Republicans -- as leaders work to combine the two versions of reform approved by Senate committees.

19 Oct 2009

Internet use among older Americans can reduce U.S. healthcare costs

Spending time online reduces depression by 20 percent for senior citizens, the Phoenix Center reports in a new Policy Paper released today. In addition to the quality of life benefits, the Policy Paper said reducing the incidence of depression by widespread Internet use among older Americans could trim the nation's health care bill.

19 Oct 2009

AHIP and AMA launch health care TV ads

America's Health Insurance Plans and the American Medical Association launch new television ads on health care.

19 Oct 2009

AARP struggles to educate seniors about health care

The Hill reports: "Despite expending vast resources, the AARP has not been able to unite its own membership, Nancy LeaMond, the executive vice president of the organization's social impact group, told reporters on Wednesday. AARP's membership is roughly divided between Democrats, Republicans and independents, LeaMond told reporters."

19 Oct 2009

NAHC completes BlackBerry Report

The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) today announced the completion of The BlackBerry® Report: The National State of the Home Care Industry Study.

15 Oct 2009

Incisionless operation for stomach ulcers may soon move into human trials

An incisionless operation to patch stomach ulcers and potentially other perforations in the digestive tract may soon move into human trials at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Clinical investigators reported on their research experience at the 95th annual Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons.

15 Oct 2009

New tips to defend against medical identity theft

Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius and Assistant Attorney General Tony West will highlight the Obama Administration’s work to fight Medicare Fraud and release new tips and information to help seniors and Medicare beneficiaries deter, detect and defend against Medical identity theft.

15 Oct 2009

SCAN Health Plan Arizona hosts special community forums to discuss healthcare options for seniors

Healthcare options for seniors, including changes to Medicare, will be among the topics discussed at special community forums open to all Medicare-eligible individuals in Maricopa County.

15 Oct 2009

Policymakers urged to preserve access to advanced imaging in final health care reform legislation

Survivors and patients with cancers and heart disease, along with patient advocate organizations and physicians, today urged policymakers to enhance early diagnosis of deadly diseases by preserving access to advanced imaging, such as MRI and CT scans, in final health care reform legislation.

15 Oct 2009

Windsor Place of Wilmington opens to welcome new residents

Windsor Place of Wilmington, a premier assisted living residence for seniors, announced today that it will welcome residents this month. Windsor Place has 87 distinctive luxury suites. A portion are designated for individuals with memory impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.

15 Oct 2009

Senator Snowe's continued fight to ensure stable Medicare funding for seniors praised

The long term care sector's ongoing concern with deep Medicare cuts, in conjunction with the state Medicaid funding crisis fueled by the recession, was reflected in Senator Snowe's comments on the Senate Finance Committee health care reform package. We thank her for focusing much-needed attention on the unique challenges our sector faces in the continued provision of quality care to the vulnerable patients we serve in Maine and across the nation.

15 Oct 2009

Insurers' report backlash: Unified Dems, angry White House, dissenting experts

The insurance industry's study on the effects of health reform has incensed Democrats, given reformers a rallying point and inspired a wave of zippy one-liners in news reports.

15 Oct 2009

Pelosi's statement after Senate Finance Committee passes the health insurance reform proposal

Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today after the Senate Finance Committee voted to pass the committee's health insurance reform proposal.

14 Oct 2009

Key provision in health insurance reform legislation for young Americans

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Congressman Chris Van Hollen, and Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper joined a coalition of 20 youth organizations from 30 states for a press conference this afternoon in the Capitol to announce a key provision impacting young adults in health insurance reform legislation.

14 Oct 2009

Seniors and people with disabilities to choose new healthcare coverage

More than 600,000 seniors and people with disabilities will be required to choose new healthcare coverage during the upcoming Medicare annual enrollment because their current plan is being eliminated. However, millions more could benefit by changing to a plan that better fits their needs, according to Allsup, a nationwide provider of Social Security disability representation and Medicare services.

14 Oct 2009

Conseco complies with Regulation FD, to post certain important information on its website

Conseco, Inc. announced today that, in compliance with Regulation FD and to ensure that all investors have equal access to information, it will post certain important information on its website after 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2009.

14 Oct 2009

States eye budget cuts and health reform

Pennsylvania's hospitals got a small piece of good news when an overdue budget came with smaller than expected cuts. But there and in other states, programs continue to find programs and budgets on the chopping block.

14 Oct 2009