A recent Washington Post special report found that people of color continue to die from the coronavirus at much higher rates than Whites. Though COVID-19 infections are surging all over the country, overall mortality rates have significantly … [Read more...] about COVID-19 and Health Care Disparities
Archives for December 2020
CMS Replaces all Eight Care-Specific Websites with Single Website: Care Compare
Effective December 1, 2020, Care Compare replaces eight health care-specific websites, such as Nursing Home Compare and Hospice Compare.[1] Users of the new website, https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/, must type in the city or zip code and … [Read more...] about CMS Replaces all Eight Care-Specific Websites with Single Website: Care Compare
Center for Medicare Advocacy Comments on Harmful Proposed Rule that Would Automatically Expire Regulations Governing Medicare and Other Important Programs
On November 4, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) issued a proposed rule entitled “Securing Updated and Necessary Statutory Evaluations Timely” (SUNSET) (RIN 0991–AC24; Docket No. HHS–OS– 2020–0012).The proposed rule would … [Read more...] about Center for Medicare Advocacy Comments on Harmful Proposed Rule that Would Automatically Expire Regulations Governing Medicare and Other Important Programs
Comments on HHS “Regulations Rule”
December 4, 2020VIA ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONThe Hon. Alex Azar, SecretaryU.S. Department of Health and Human Services200 Independence Avenue SWWashington, DC 20201Re: Docket No. HHS–OS– 2020–0012: Securing Updated and Necessary Statutory … [Read more...] about Comments on HHS “Regulations Rule”
Welcome News: Xavier Becerra Nominated as Secretary of Health and Human Services
President-elect Joe Biden made an excellent selection in tapping California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to be the next Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Secretary of HHS oversees agencies that are critical to the health of the … [Read more...] about Welcome News: Xavier Becerra Nominated as Secretary of Health and Human Services
Strengthen Medicare to Build Back Better
Medicare is the national health insurance program that serves 62 million older adults and people with disabilities. It is key to addressing a combination of threatening, interconnected national health and economic challenges:The COVID pandemic is … [Read more...] about Strengthen Medicare to Build Back Better
CMA Alert | December 3, 2020
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Ends December 7thUpdated - COVID-19: An Advocates Guide to Beneficiary Related Medicare ChangesNursing Home Residents and COVID-19: Staffing and Quality of Care MatterCOVID-19 and TeethUtah Removes Age Discrimination … [Read more...] about CMA Alert | December 3, 2020
COVID-19 and Teeth
A recent New York Times article, “Their Teeth Fell Out. Was It Another Covid-19 Consequence?” raised the possibility that tooth loss could be another result of COVID-19 infection, although the article stated that there are currently limited examples … [Read more...] about COVID-19 and Teeth
Nursing Home Residents and COVID-19: Staffing and Quality of Care Matter
Despite the nursing home industry’s ongoing insistence that location/zip code is the primary factor determining whether residents infected with coronavirus,[1] evidence mounts that higher nurse staffing levels are correlated with fewer COVID-19 cases … [Read more...] about Nursing Home Residents and COVID-19: Staffing and Quality of Care Matter
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Ends December 7th
The Medicare Annual Coordinated Election Period (AEP) – the period during which individuals with Medicare can make coverage choices for the coming year – ends next Monday, December 7th. During this time, people can enroll in, switch, or get out … [Read more...] about Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Ends December 7th