All posts by rebecca

Drug Industry Quietly Funds “Patient Advocacy” Groups to Fight Medicare Drug Price Negotiations

A new investigation by Patients for Affordable Drugs (P4AD) has uncovered a troubling tactic used by the pharmaceutical industry to protect profits and keep drug prices high: secretly funding so-called “patient advocacy” groups. The report profiles six such groups all of w... Read more

CBO Warns: New House Budget Proposal Could Slash Medicare by $490 Billion

A new report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has sounded the alarm: the budget recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives could result in nearly $500 billion in automatic Medicare cuts over the next ten years. The bill would add $2 trillion to ... Read more

House Passes One Big, Brutal Budget Bill — Seniors’ Health and Security at Risk

In the early hours of Thursday morning, House Republicans narrowly passed their budget proposal, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (H.R. 1), by a vote of 215-214. The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration. The vote was deeply divided. Only two Republicans ... Read more

Tell the Senate to Vote NO on House Budget Plan

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KFF Health News: How Trump Aims To Slash Federal Support for Research, Public Health, and Medicaid

Health care has proved a vulnerable target for the firehose of cuts and policy changes President Donald Trump ordered in the name of reducing waste and improving efficiency. But most of the impact isn’t as tangible as, say, higher egg prices at the grocery store. One thing e... Read more

KFF Health News: Trump’s DOJ Accuses Medicare Advantage Insurers of Paying ‘Kickbacks’ for Primo Customers

When people call large insurance brokerages seeking free assistance in choosing Medicare Advantage plans, they’re often offered assurances such as this one from eHealth: “Your benefit advisors will find plans that match your needs — no matter the carrier.” About a thir... Read more

States in the Midwest and the South Are Most Vulnerable to Social Security Cuts

Any disruption or cuts to Social Security benefits will hurt Americans who live in Southern and Midwestern states the most, according to a new report from the Economic Policy Institute. The report reinforced the importance of Social Security to the U.S. economy, with the benefits... Read more

KFF Health News: Honey, Sweetie, Dearie – The Perils of Elderspeak

A prime example of elderspeak: Cindy Smith was visiting her father in his assisted living apartment in Roseville, California. An aide who was trying to induce him to do something —  Smith no longer remembers exactly what — said, “Let me help you, sweetheart.” “He ju... Read more

Alliance Marks Older Americans Month

Thursday, May 1 was the first day of Older Americans Month. Historically, this month commemorates older Americans and provides an opportunity for us to reflect on their contributions. It can also be a time to reflect on the consequences of ageism. Research indicates that older... Read more