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Two new studies from a federal agency point to risks, costs in health care

Two new reports from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality made news Thursday. One addresses the consequences of leaving the hospital against the doctor's orders, while the other notes that health spending on seniors rose by over $100 billion between 1996 and 2006.

29 Aug 2009

Research round-up: Highlights from recent releases

American Health Care Association (AHCA): State-by-State Medicare Cuts to Nursing Homes -- "A new [AHCA] analysis of the pending House health reform bill [HR 3200], combined with the impact of a recently-enacted Medicare regulation cutting Medicare-funded nursing home care by $12 billion over ten years, finds seniors in fifteen states requiring nursing and rehabilitative care will face total funding cuts in excess of $1 billion over that same time period," according to an AHCA description of the study. "The assessment was based on the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) score of both HR 3200 and the recent CMS funding rule, along with Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) utilization data." A breakdown of each of the 15 states facing ten-year billion dollar cuts to Medicare-funded nursing homes is available online (8/20).

28 Aug 2009

AHCA applaudes thirty-one state Attorneys General for sending a letter to HHS Secretary

The American Health Care Association (AHCA) today applauded thirty-one state Attorneys General for sending a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, calling for the suspension and revision of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS') Nursing Home Five Star Rating System.

28 Aug 2009

Senior citizens are paying escalating cost for their health care says HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today issued a new report, America’s Seniors and Health Insurance Reform: Protecting Coverage and Strengthening Medicare. The report highlights the problems with the status quo that leave seniors paying escalating costs for their health care while outlining how health insurance reform will strengthen Medicare and protect coverage for seniors.

28 Aug 2009

Town halls continue across the country

Boos and cheers at events across the nation indicate that the often-tense and vitriolic August town halls continue. Sen. John McCain, D.-Ariz., "said Tuesday that President Obama's efforts to reform health care have sparked 'a peaceful revolt in America,'" CNN reports.

27 Aug 2009

Analysis of a pending health reform bill reveals that more 1,800 caregivers in Michigan may lose their jobs

An American Health Care Association (AHCA) analysis of a pending U.S. House health reform bill, HR 3200, finds seniors in Michigan requiring nursing and rehabilitative care will face funding cuts of $1.5 billion over the next 10 years. This equals the 10th highest state cut across the nation.

27 Aug 2009

Analysis of pending health reform bill points to huge cuts in Medicare funding

A new American Health Care Association analysis of the pending House health reform bill when combined with the impact of a recently-enacted Medicare regulation cutting Medicare-funded nursing home care by $12 billion will result in total cuts of $44 billion over ten years.

26 Aug 2009

California AIDS Clearinghouse to close after cut in social service funding

A casualty of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's draconian cuts in social service funding, the California AIDS Clearinghouse will close next week. The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, which operated the program for more than 15 years, received notification from the state Office of AIDS that all funding for it had been eliminated.

26 Aug 2009

Saint Vincent Hospital adds RF Surgical Detection System to surgical safety protocols

Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester, Massachusetts has joined a growing number of over 100 hospitals nationwide to add the RF Surgical Detection System to its surgical safety protocols. This patented and FDA-approved technology uses a scanning wand that detects and signals an alert if any radio frequency tagged surgical sponges remain in a patient following surgery

26 Aug 2009

Reform efforts focus attention on regional innovations in care delivery

As health reform efforts loom over Congress, news outlets find models of innovation in their own backyards. Geisinger Health System in rural Pennsylvania, a Florida satellite of the Mayo Clinic, Kaiser Permanente Northwest in Oregon and Washington state, and Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center in Richmond, Va., all get some attention.

26 Aug 2009

Medicare's Part D program subsidizes cost of prescription drugs for Medicare beneficiaries

Medicare's Part D program, designed to subsidize the cost of prescription drugs for Medicare beneficiaries, has been the subject of much debate. Proponents have touted the plan's ability to expand access to prescription drugs to seniors; critics have long questioned its design and user-friendly appeal.

26 Aug 2009

GOP unveils latest salvo in health reform battle: seniors' bill of rights

Republicans unveiled what they've termed the "Health Care Bill of Right for Seniors" Monday in an attempt to tailor their messages to the elderly, The Washington Post reports.

26 Aug 2009

New RAND study finds that Prescription Benefit Program for Medicare recipients surpasses expectations

The program created to provide Medicare recipients with prescription drug benefits exceeded expectations during its first two years, extending pharmacy coverage to most seniors while reducing their overall spending on drugs, according to a new RAND Corporation study.

25 Aug 2009

RetireSafe's supporters outraged at proposed health care reform that adversely affects senior citizens

RetireSafe applauds Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee for outlining some crucial steps for health care to protect senior Americans. "We look at The Seniors' Health Care Bill of Rights, unveiled today, as an "emergency medical intervention" that will help ensure that seniors will receive access to quality health care," stated Thair Phillips, RetireSafe President.

25 Aug 2009

GOP plan centers on seniors' bill of rights

"In their latest assault on President Obama's health care plans, Republicans are aiming for a vulnerable spot -- the fears of seniors that their care will get worse or more costly," the Boston Globe reports on its Political Intelligence blog.

25 Aug 2009

University of Southern California's gerontology students participate in an interactive senior sensitivity training program

Gerontology students at University of Southern California had an opportunity to "become senior citizens" on Friday thanks to Trading Ages(TM), an interactive senior sensitivity training program sponsored by SCAN Health Plan.

24 Aug 2009

Poll: Dwindling confidence in Obama's handling of health care

"Public confidence in President Obama's leadership has declined sharply over the summer, amid intensifying opposition to health-care reform that threatens to undercut his attempt to enact major changes to the system" according an ABC News/Washington Post poll, The Washington Post reports. "Among all Americans, 49 percent now express confidence that Obama will make the right decisions for the country, down from 60 percent at the 100-day mark in his presidency. Forty-nine percent now say they think he will be able to spearhead significant improvements in the system, down nearly 20 percentage points from before he took office."

24 Aug 2009

Dominique Wilkins urges seniors to undergo diabetes screening test

Dominique Wilkins, NBA Hall-of-Famer and advocate for healthier living, visited Towne Club today to create awareness of the fact that seniors at risk for diabetes can get a free diabetes screening test in their health care provider's office.

24 Aug 2009

The Health care reform bill and Medicare regulation cut Medicare-funded nursing home care in Texas by $2.7 billion

A new American Health Care Association (AHCA) analysis of the pending U.S. House health care reform bill, combined with the impact of a recently-enacted Medicare regulation cutting Medicare-funded nursing home care by $12 billion over ten years, finds seniors in Texas requiring nursing and rehabilitative care will face total funding cuts of more than $2.7 billion over that same time period, which equals the 4th-highest state cut across the 50 states.

24 Aug 2009

Some basis seen for senior citizens' anxieties

Some seniors, including some who voted for President Barack Obama, are concerned that health care reform could cut some of their Medicare benefits.

24 Aug 2009

Seniors News and Research

Two new studies from a federal agency point to risks, costs in health care

Research round-up: Highlights from recent releases

AHCA applaudes thirty-one state Attorneys General for sending a letter to HHS Secretary

Senior citizens are paying escalating cost for their health care says HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

Town halls continue across the country

Analysis of a pending health reform bill reveals that more 1,800 caregivers in Michigan may lose their jobs

Analysis of pending health reform bill points to huge cuts in Medicare funding

California AIDS Clearinghouse to close after cut in social service funding

Saint Vincent Hospital adds RF Surgical Detection System to surgical safety protocols

Reform efforts focus attention on regional innovations in care delivery

Medicare's Part D program subsidizes cost of prescription drugs for Medicare beneficiaries

GOP unveils latest salvo in health reform battle: seniors' bill of rights

New RAND study finds that Prescription Benefit Program for Medicare recipients surpasses expectations

RetireSafe's supporters outraged at proposed health care reform that adversely affects senior citizens

GOP plan centers on seniors' bill of rights

University of Southern California's gerontology students participate in an interactive senior sensitivity training program

Poll: Dwindling confidence in Obama's handling of health care

Dominique Wilkins urges seniors to undergo diabetes screening test

The Health care reform bill and Medicare regulation cut Medicare-funded nursing home care in Texas by $2.7 billion

Some basis seen for senior citizens' anxieties

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