On April 23, 2012, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report that concludes, among other things, that a Medicare demonstration program providing bonus payments to Medicare Advantage (MA) plans mainly benefits plans whose … [Read more...] about Rewarding Mediocrity: GAO Report Concerning Medicare Advantage “Bonus” Payments
Medicare and Health Care Reform
Fact vs. Fiction: Medicare is Not Going “Bankrupt”
Medicare Trustees issued their annual report on Medicare's financial status on April 23, 2012. According to this year's report, the Hospital Insurance (Part A) Trust Fund has sufficient reserves to pay out the full amount of Medicare … [Read more...] about Fact vs. Fiction: Medicare is Not Going “Bankrupt”
Toby Edelman Statement to Senate Committee Regarding Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Facilities
The Future of Long-Term Care: Saving Money by Serving Seniors Senate Special Committee on Aging April 18, 2012 2:00 p.m. Statement for the Record Toby S. Edelman Senior Policy Attorney Center for Medicare Advocacy 1025 Connecticut … [Read more...] about Toby Edelman Statement to Senate Committee Regarding Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Facilities
Medicare Under Threat: Health Reform Versus the Ryan Budget
Last week, two separate, but related, events in Washington added to the threats facing the Medicare program. First, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), otherwise … [Read more...] about Medicare Under Threat: Health Reform Versus the Ryan Budget
Health Care Reform On Trial
This week, the Supreme Court heard arguments over the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA, or health care reform). As we wrote last week, ACA helps millions of American families by extending health care to those who are either … [Read more...] about Health Care Reform On Trial
The Second Anniversary of Health Care Reform is Good News Will There be a Third?
It's been two years since President Obama signed the landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law on March 23, 2010.[1] When fully implemented, ACA will provide access to health insurance for virtually all Americans. Along the way to … [Read more...] about The Second Anniversary of Health Care Reform is Good News Will There be a Third?
Bad Apples: Combating Medicare Fraud While Ensuring Access for Beneficiaries
News and investigations of waste, fraud, and abuse in the Medicare program have made waves in the past few weeks. Recently, the Department of Justice uncovered a massive $375 million fraud scheme committed by several providers of Medicare-covered … [Read more...] about Bad Apples: Combating Medicare Fraud While Ensuring Access for Beneficiaries
Congressional Subcommittee Examines Issues of Dental Health
Last week, the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging held a hearing to discuss the growing dental crisis in America. As the Center recently wrote, most people who rely on Medicare go without basic dental … [Read more...] about Congressional Subcommittee Examines Issues of Dental Health
The President’s Proposed 2013 Budget: Impact on Medicare
This week, President Obama unveiled his Fiscal Year 2013 Budget.[1] Overall, the Center for Medicare Advocacy believes that the budget demonstrates a commitment to keeping the Medicare program strong and keeping the program's promise … [Read more...] about The President’s Proposed 2013 Budget: Impact on Medicare
Investing in Our Future: Strengthening Medicare for 2012 and Beyond
This year brings another election season, another Congressional session, and another opportunity to fortify Medicare, both for those who rely on it now and for future generations. Medicare has been strengthened during the past few years. … [Read more...] about Investing in Our Future: Strengthening Medicare for 2012 and Beyond