An effort by liberal Democrats to lower the Medicare eligibility age by five years could add billions more to the $ 3.5 trillion infrastructure and social welfare package the party is aiming to pass without GOP votes. Vermont socialist Bernie Sanders is leading the push to make adults 60-64 years old eligible for the government… Read More »
Can’t see the audio player? Click here to listen on SoundCloud. You can also listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen to podcasts. The Biden administration stands ready to work with Congress to address drug prices and expand Medicare, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a wide-ranging… Read More »
The FDA’s approval of the first therapy to treat Alzheimer’s Disease in over twenty years brought attention to a not-yet-convened debate of U.S. health care costs and spending, innovation, and return-on-the-investment (as well as “for whom” do the returns accrue). In my latest post for Medecision, I explore different angles on the Aduhelm and Alzheimer’s… Read More »
Dive Brief: The HHS Office of Inspector General has found Medicare lacks consistent cybersecurity oversight of networked medical devices in hospitals. Without proper cybersecurity controls, these devices can be compromised with the potential for patient harm, according to OIG. CMS’ survey protocol is devoid of requirements for networked device cybersecurity. OIG’s review revealed Medicare accreditation… Read More »
Congress.gov: “H.R.1978 — Protecting Seniors Through Immunization Act of 2021,” “S.912 — Protecting Seniors Through Immunization Act of 2021.” EnergyCommerceHouse.gov: “L.J. Tan, MS, PhD, Chief Strategy Officer, Immunization Action Coalition, Testimony Before the House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Health.” Avalere: “Medicare Part D Plans Continue to Require Cost Sharing for Vaccines.” Immunization Action… Read More »
Probably few hospital systems need the emergency federal grants announced this week to handle the coronavirus crisis as badly as Florida’s Jackson Health does. Miami, its base of operations, is the worst COVID-19 hot spot in one of the most severely hit states. Even in normal years, the system sometimes barely makes money. At least… Read More »
Medicare beneficiaries are some of the Americans with the highest-risk of needing coronavirus treatment. The New York Times: Medicare Is Updating Coverage To Help In The Coronavirus Crisis Older Americans are at a high risk for serious illness from the coronavirus, and most who are over age 65 are covered by Medicare. Medicare already covers… Read More »