As discussed in last week’s Alert, the current Medicare Annual Enrollment Period lasts until December 7th.[1] During this time period, Medicare beneficiaries can choose a Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Part D plan for 2013. This … [Read more...] about Picking a Plan During the Annual Enrollment Period? Choose Carefully
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CMA in Action: Judith Stein Testifies in Congress on the Ryan Plan to End Medicare
DEMOCRATIC HOUSE STEERING AND POLICY COMMITTEE FORUM SAVING MEDICARE FOR TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE October 2, 2012 _____________________ Leader Pelosi and members of the Committee, thank you for holding this important Forum and for honoring me with … [Read more...] about CMA in Action: Judith Stein Testifies in Congress on the Ryan Plan to End Medicare
New Procedures for Review of Quality of Care Complaints
On April 6, 2012, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued Transmittal 17, which revises and creates new procedures for the review of quality of care concerns[1] by Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs).[2] Effective May 7, … [Read more...] about New Procedures for Review of Quality of Care Complaints
Impact of Budget Control Act and Sequestration on Aids Drug Assistance Programs
As a result of the Budget Control Act, which outlined mandatory cuts to both defense and non-defense discretionary programs in the event a Congressional committee could not agree to a deficit-reduction package, programs impacting the HIV community … [Read more...] about Impact of Budget Control Act and Sequestration on Aids Drug Assistance Programs
Making Sense of Medicare’s Preventive Service Benefits
September 20, 2012 With the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA1997), Congress began an expansion of preventive benefits and services available through Medicare.[1] The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) added additional preventive … [Read more...] about Making Sense of Medicare’s Preventive Service Benefits
Improving LGBT Health: The 2012 Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Annual LGBT Report
This Alert highlights elements of the 2012 annual report of the Coordinating Committee of HHS on improving the health and well being of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community.[1] This Alert also highlights work … [Read more...] about Improving LGBT Health: The 2012 Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Annual LGBT Report
Medicaid, Long Term Care and the Ryan Budget
As reported in the New York Times on Friday September 7, 2012, Center Attorney Toby Edelman writes to explain the importance of Medicaid to long-term care recipients, and how the Ryan Budget, which purports not to affect current Medicare … [Read more...] about Medicaid, Long Term Care and the Ryan Budget
How the Ryan Budget (and Republican Platform) Would Hurt Current Nursing Home Residents
In March 2012, the House of Representatives passed the House Budget Committee Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Resolution, The Path to Prosperity: A Blueprint for American Renewal – called here, the Ryan Budget.[1] In August 2012, the … [Read more...] about How the Ryan Budget (and Republican Platform) Would Hurt Current Nursing Home Residents
We Don’t Need the Ryan Plan − Medicare Is Not Going Broke
According to researchers from the Urban Institute, writing in the New England Journal of Medicine, Medicare's purported dire financial condition isn’t actually all that dire. Given the aging of our population, increases in enrollment … [Read more...] about We Don’t Need the Ryan Plan − Medicare Is Not Going Broke
Increased Funding for AIDS Drugs Assistance Program Responds to Need for Additional HIV/AIDS Services
On July 19, 2012, the Secretary of Health & Human Services (HHS), Kathleen Sebelius, announced the availability of roughly $80 million dollars in grant money to increase access to HIV/AIDS care, including eliminating waiting lists,[1] which have … [Read more...] about Increased Funding for AIDS Drugs Assistance Program Responds to Need for Additional HIV/AIDS Services