When research conducted a decade ago documented that mortality rates actually increased when employment rates increased, health economists sought to identify the cause. Focusing on employed workers did not explain the increased mortality … [Read more...] about Low Staffing in Nursing Homes Leads to More Deaths
Weekly Alert
Affordable Care Act in Action: People with Medicare Continue to See Savings
New data released this week shows that families and individuals who rely on Medicare continue to see direct benefits from the Affordable Care Act by saving billions of dollars on prescription drug costs.[1] So far in 2012, older and disabled … [Read more...] about Affordable Care Act in Action: People with Medicare Continue to See Savings
Rewarding Mediocrity: GAO Report Concerning Medicare Advantage “Bonus” Payments
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
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”
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?
Non-Profit vs. For-Profit Nursing Homes: Is there a Difference in Care?
One of the many decisions individuals and families face when they need long-term care is choosing a facility. A key factor that should be considered is whether to choose a for-profit corporate facility or a non-profit facility. Federal and … [Read more...] about Non-Profit vs. For-Profit Nursing Homes: Is there a Difference in Care?
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