Low-income, dually eligible beneficiaries, and health disparities based on racial inequalities and socio-economic factors, are central to the policy and advocacy work at the Center for Medicare Advocacy. These areas of concern are particularly … [Read more...] about Research: Low-Income and Communities of Color at Increased Increased Risk From COVID-19
disparities
Report: Affordable Care Act Narrowed Disparities in Health Care Access
The Commonwealth Fund recently released a report, How the Affordable Care Act Has Narrowed Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Access to Health Care. The Report found significant coverage gains nationwide as a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), … [Read more...] about Report: Affordable Care Act Narrowed Disparities in Health Care Access
Study Finds Home and Community-Based Services Access Disparities
An article in the July 2019 issue of Health Affairs, “A National Examination Of Long-Term Care Setting, Outcomes, And Disparities Among Elderly Dual Eligibles,” relayed findings from a national study on home and community-based services (HCBS) use … [Read more...] about Study Finds Home and Community-Based Services Access Disparities
NIH Establishes New Research Program to Address Health Disparities of Chronic Diseases
The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), part of the National Institutes of Health, is launching the Transdisciplinary Collaborative Centers (TCC) for Health Disparities Research on Chronic Disease Prevention program. … [Read more...] about NIH Establishes New Research Program to Address Health Disparities of Chronic Diseases
RNs and CNAs Work Fewer Hours in Nursing Facilities that Serve Predominately Ethnic and Racial Minority Residents
A December 2015 Health Affairs study of freestanding Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) from 2001 thru 2011 found that registered nurses (RNs) were less likely to work at nursing homes with high concentrations of racial and ethnic minorities.[1] This … [Read more...] about RNs and CNAs Work Fewer Hours in Nursing Facilities that Serve Predominately Ethnic and Racial Minority Residents
Remove Barriers to Obtaining Medicare Covered Drugs
Low income racial and ethnic minority beneficiaries are adversely affected by prescription drug pricing, a problem that has a negative impact on overall Medicare program costs. A 2011 International Journal of Health Services study estimates … [Read more...] about Remove Barriers to Obtaining Medicare Covered Drugs
CMS Introduces Plan to Address Health Equity in Medicare
On September 8, 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) introduced an Equity Plan for Improving Quality in Medicare. Aimed at eliminating health disparities experienced by underserved … [Read more...] about CMS Introduces Plan to Address Health Equity in Medicare
April is Minority Health Month
Each year, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health uses the month of April to raise awareness about persistent racial disparities that exist in access to health care and health outcomes. This year's theme, Prevention … [Read more...] about April is Minority Health Month
Celebrating Pride and Equality: New SSA Rules on Gender Discrimination & DOMA Ruling
New SSA Rules on Gender Designation Last week, the Social Security Administration (SSA) published new rules that make it easier for the estimated 700,000 transgender Americans to update their Social Security records to reflect their gender … [Read more...] about Celebrating Pride and Equality: New SSA Rules on Gender Discrimination & DOMA Ruling
Immigration Reform and Access to Health Care
Recently, a bipartisan group of Senators unveiled a plan to overhaul our nation's immigration system, a key portion of which aims to provide a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States, … [Read more...] about Immigration Reform and Access to Health Care