Congress is poised to strengthen our country’s safety net, including adding critical benefits to the Medicare program. Today, the House Ways & Means Committee began to mark-up legislation that would add dental, hearing and vision benefits to the … [Read more...] about Congress Begins Debate About Adding Dental, Hearing and Vision Benefits to Medicare – Now is the Time to Act
Medicare and Health Care Reform
Medicare is at a Crossroads – Time to Dispel Myths Hindering an Historic Expansion of Benefits
Congress is in the midst of putting together an historic legislative package that would expand and strengthen our country’s safety net in a number of ways, including broad changes to health coverage. This could include adding dental, hearing and … [Read more...] about Medicare is at a Crossroads – Time to Dispel Myths Hindering an Historic Expansion of Benefits
Congress Sets the Stage for Important Medicare Improvements
Earlier this week, the Senate passed a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, followed by a party-line approval of a $3.5 trillion budget blueprint for a reconciliation bill. According to Politico, the budget blueprint, or framework, … [Read more...] about Congress Sets the Stage for Important Medicare Improvements
Advocates Call on Congress to Improve Medicare
On July 20, 2021, the Center for Medicare Advocacy and nine other organizations sent a letter to Congress and the Biden Administration, urging them to move forward with improvements to the Medicare program as part of creating a more equitable and … [Read more...] about Advocates Call on Congress to Improve Medicare
Medicare Team Now Complete – Time to Improve the Program for Beneficiaries
This week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Dr. Meena Seshamani’s appointment as Deputy Administrator and Director of Center for Medicare. Dr. Seshamani joins CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, and Health & … [Read more...] about Medicare Team Now Complete – Time to Improve the Program for Beneficiaries
Medicare and Revenue – Looking Back, Looking Forward
By Marilyn Moon, Center for Medicare Advocacy Visiting Scholar We are pleased to present a new Issue Brief by Marilyn Moon – “Ensuring Medicare’s Financial Health” – reviewing the fiscal solvency of Medicare and the Part A Trust Fund. Highlights … [Read more...] about Medicare and Revenue – Looking Back, Looking Forward
Changes to Health Coverage Must Include Medicare Improvements
In his national address before a joint session of Congress last night, President Biden outlined his vision for “rebuilding our nation” in the midst of both “crisis” and “opportunity”. His vision included both health care broadly, and Medicare … [Read more...] about Changes to Health Coverage Must Include Medicare Improvements
Policy-Makers Should Review Overpayments to Medicare Advantage when Considering Medicare Fiscal Solvency
In the past, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) annual release of proposed Medicare Advantage (MA) payment rates triggered a yearly ritual on Capitol Hill – the insurance industry rounded up support from lawmakers, getting … [Read more...] about Policy-Makers Should Review Overpayments to Medicare Advantage when Considering Medicare Fiscal Solvency
Medicare and the Dilemma of “Choice”
On March 1, 2021, the New York Times published a column by Paul Krugman titled “Too Much Choice is Hurting America”. Mr. Krugman discusses how “Economics 101 and conservative ideology say that more choice is always a good thing.” He … [Read more...] about Medicare and the Dilemma of “Choice”
Study Finds Cost-Sharing Increases Can be Deadly
A recent study supports the Center for Medicare Advocacy’s long-held concern about increasing out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries. In summary, requiring beneficiaries to pay more of their own money will not make them savvier consumers; … [Read more...] about Study Finds Cost-Sharing Increases Can be Deadly