Center for Medicare Advocacy
Payroll Tax Extension Includes Important Provisions for Medicare Beneficiaries
Dec. 29, 2011
The payroll tax extension that finally became law on December 23, 2011 includes many provisions that will help Medicare beneficiaries and lower income families (Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011, H.R. 3765; no public law number assigned yet). The payroll tax in question is a reduction in Social Security payroll tax paid by employees that was in effect for all of 2011. …
The measure also includes an extension of the Qualified Individual program.
Heritage Foundation
Empowering Patients as Key Decision Makers in the Face of Rising Health Care Costs
Dec. 27, 2011
The current trend of rapidly rising health care costs is unsustainable. Many proposed reforms to curb spending rely on some type of rationing imposed by an unaccountable government body
Go to www.heritage.org/research/reports/2011/12/empowering-patients-as-key-decision-makers
American Health Care Association
AHCA Statement on Passage of Extenders Legislation
Dec. 23, 2011
Now that Congress made the right decision and passed a temporary solution, it is incumbent on them to find a permanent resolution for the therapy caps exceptions process and doc fix.
American Academy of Family Physicians
AAFP Statement: Short-Term Medicare Payment Patch Fails to Meet Americans’ Needs
Dec. 23, 2011
Eleventh-hour legislation that fails to meet the needs of constituents is no way to conduct the nation’s business. That is particularly true when millions of Americans’ health and welfare are at stake. But last-minute, inadequate legislation is exactly what Congress has done with passage of an absurdly short reprieve from the 27.4 percent cut in physician payment mandated by the deeply flawed sustainable growth rate formula for Medicare.
Alliance for Aging Research
National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
Payroll Tax "Holiday" is Anything But -- Congressional Deal Will Divert Billions More from Social Security
Dec. 22, 2011
Providing a middle class tax cut to help spur the economy is the right policy but cutting the contributions that fund Social Security is the wrong method. When Congress approved cutting $112 billion in payroll taxes from Social Security last December, it promised the American people the move would be a one year temporary stimulus for our floundering economy. However, as predicted, here we are one year later and those promises have been forgotten. Restoring Social Security's contribution levels to their historic levels is now being misleadingly described as a tax increase.
Go to www.ncpssm.org/news/archive/payroll_tax_holiday_pass/
Dept. of Health and Human Services
HHS releases more than $845 million to states to help low-income households with energy costs
Dec. 22, 2011
More than $845 million is being released today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to states to help low-income households with their heating and home energy costs under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The continuing resolution currently in place allows HHS to release these funds to states, territories, tribes and the District of Columbia.
Go to www.hhs.gov/news/press/2011pres/12/20111222a.html
Harvard School of Public Health
Despite Increasing Concerns about High Health Care Costs, New Survey Finds Little Support among Americans for Decisions That Limit Use of High-Cost Prescription Drugs and Treatments
Dec. 22, 2011
A new survey by the Harvard School of Public Health and the Alliance for Aging Research finds that a majority (62%) of Americans oppose decisions by the government or health insurance plans where prescription drugs or medical or surgical treatments are not paid for because the payors determine that the benefits do not justify the cost. The exception is if there’s evidence that something else works equally well but costs less.
Go to www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/2011-releases/survey-high-cost-prescription-drugs.html
Rutgers University
Diagnosis, treatment of depression among elderly depend on racial, cultural factors
Dec. 21, 2011
Despite improvements to diagnostic tools and therapies in the two last decades, significant disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of depression remain, according to Rutgers research published online by the American Journal of Public Health; print, February 2012. In the study "Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Depression Care in Community-Dwelling Elderly in the United States," lead author Ayse Akincigil, an assistant professor in Rutgers' School of Social Work, and colleagues found that African Americans were significantly less likely to receive a depression diagnosis from a health care provider than were non-Hispanic whites. In addition, those diagnosed were less likely to be treated for depression.
Go to www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-12/ru-dto122011.php
American Academy of Neurology
Brain size may predict risk for early Alzheimer's disease
Dec. 21, 2011
New research suggests that, in people who don't currently have memory problems, those with smaller regions of the brain's cortex may be more likely to develop symptoms consistent with very early Alzheimer's disease. The study is published in the Dec. 21, 2011, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. "The ability to identify people who are not showing memory problems and other symptoms but may be at a higher risk for cognitive decline is a very important step toward developing new ways for doctors to detect Alzheimer's disease," said Susan Resnick, PhD, with the National Institute on Aging in Baltimore, who wrote an accompanying editorial.
Go to www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-12/aaon-bsm121311.php
National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
Washington should pursue new middle-class stimulus plan in the new year
Dec. 21, 2011
Providing a middle class tax cut to help spur the economy is the right policy but cutting the contributions that fund Social Security is the wrong strategy. The House's refusal to pass the Senate's compromise stimulus plan now provides Washington an opportunity to craft a stimulus package that benefits average Americans without diverting funds from Social Security.
Go to www.ncpssm.org/news/archive/payroll_tax_deadlock/
National Council on Aging
Half a Million Vulnerable Seniors in Jeopardy of Losing Key Medicare Benefit if Congress Fails to Act
Dec. 21, 2011
While the payroll tax, physician payment fix (“doc fix”), and unemployment insurance extensions have received great attention in the media and on the Hill this week, few have focused on the fact that seniors with incomes below $15,000 per year are at risk of losing access to critical medical services if Congress does not approve the so-called “extenders package” this week. The Qualified Individual (QI) program is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2011.
Go to www.ncoa.org/press-room/press-release/half-a-million-vulnerable.html
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Ryan-Wyden Premium Support Proposal Not What It May Seem
Dec. 21, 2012
The proposal for Medicare premium support by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) differs in key respects from how many media reports are describing it. Despite claims to the contrary, it likely would shift substantial costs to beneficiaries rather than protect them from such cost increases, could lead to the demise of traditional Medicare over time rather than preserve it, and likely would produce few savings.
Go to www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=3645
National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
Eldercare Locator Announces Campaign to Encourage Discussion and Planning with Older Adults during the Holidays
Dec. 21, 2011
Returning home from a hospital stay can result in unexpected challenges for many seniors and as a result, millions of older Americans are spending billions of dollars on health care costs every year that could be avoided through simple planning and preparation prior to being admitted to the hospital. Nearly one in five Medicare patients discharged from the hospital is readmitted within 30 days due to an injury resulting from medical management – not the underlying disease – costing over $26 billion every year.
Go to www.n4a.org/pdf/HospitaltoHomeRelease12.21.11.pdf
National Center for Policy Analysis
Proposed changes to long-term care pharmacy consultants jeopardize rural health care
Dec. 21, 2011
Changes proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services could create turmoil for independent community pharmacies providing long-term care services and especially for those pharmacies in underserved, rural areas, the National Community Pharmacists Association's LTC Division said in comments filed with CMS recently. In response to inadequate data and the alleged wrongdoing by one national, LTC pharmacy corporation, CMS has suggested requiring all LTC facilities to contract solely with consultant pharmacists who have no affiliations to any in-facility LTC pharmacy, pharmaceutical manufacturer or drug wholesaler.
Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services
New Affordable Care Act Demonstration To Provide Care At Home For Medicare Patients
Dec. 20, 2011
Up to 10,000 Medicare patients with chronic conditions will now be able to get most of the care they need at home under a new demonstration announced today by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. “This program gives new life to the old practice of house calls, but with 21st Century technology and a team approach,” said CMS Acting Administrator Marilyn Tavenner. Go to https://www.cms.gov/apps/media/press/release.asp?Counter=4231&intNumPerPage=10&checkDate=&checkKey=&srchType=1&numDays=3500&srchOpt=0&srchData=&keywordType=All&chkNewsType=1%2C+2%2C+3%2C+4%2C+5&intPage=&showAll=&pYear=&year=&desc=&cboOrder=date
AARP
AARP Calls on Congress to Keep Doctors in the Medicare Program
Dec. 20, 2011
Today’s vote calls into question whether millions of seniors in Medicare will continue to be able to get the care that they need. Unless Congress acts by the end of the year, physicians who treat Medicare beneficiaries will face a nearly 30 percent reduction in their Medicare reimbursements. And more physicians may choose to no longer take Medicare patients due to this dramatic cut to their payments.
American Geriatrics Society
Information Regarding the Holding of 2012 Date-of-Service Claims for Services Paid Under the 2012 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
Dec. 20, 2011
The negative update under current law for the 2012 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule is scheduled to take effect on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012. Subsequently, CMS will instruct its Medicare claims administration contractors to hold claims containing 2012 services paid under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for the first 10 business days of January 2012 (i.e., Sun Jan 1 through Tue Jan 17). The hold is expected to have minimal impact on provider cash flow because, under current law, clean electronic claims are not paid sooner than 14 calendar days (29 days for paper claims) after the date of receipt.
Go to www.americangeriatrics.org/advocacy_public_policy/federal_watch/id:2704
Medicare Rights Center
New Toolkit Helps Baby Boomers Transition to Medicare Coverage -- Cuts Through the Confusion Over Coverage Options
Dec. 20, 2011
The Medicare Rights Center and AgeOptions announce the release of “How Medicare Works With Employer-Based Insurance: A Guide for Employers, Professionals and Consumers,” a toolkit of educational materials designed to help older adults navigate the transition from employer-based health insurance to Medicare. The toolkit’s release comes at a time when the first baby boomers are aging into Medicare, many of whom are expected to keep working past the age of 65.
Go to www.medicarerights.org/newsroom/pressreleases/2011_55.html
American Medical Directors Association
AMDA Announces The Departure Of Executive Director
Dec. 20, 2011
AMDA—Dedicated to Long Term Care Medicine would like to announce the departure of Lorraine Tarnove as our Executive Director. We wish her well in her future endeavors.
Go to ww.amda.com/news/releases/2011/Executive_Director_Departure.pdf
Alliance for Aging Research
Alliance for Aging Research Announces New Science Advisors
Dec. 20, 2011
The Alliance for Aging Research has added new members to its Science Advisory Board including a prominent bioethicist, a world-renowned neurologist, a Nobel Prize winner in economics, a leading longevity researcher, and the only cardiologist to receive all four major cardiovascular research awards
Go to www.agingresearch.org/content/article/detail/4183
National Academy of Social Insurance
Sixty-Two New Members Elected to the National Academy of Social Insurance
Dec. 19, 2011
The National Academy of Social Insurance has accepted 62 distinguished new members, bringing the total active membership to over 900.
Go to www.nasi.org/press/releases/2011/12/sixty-two-new-members-elected-national-academy-social-ins
Association of American Medical Colleges
Eleven AAMC Members Named as Pioneer ACOs
Dec. 19, 2011
Eleven AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) member institutions are among the sites designated today under the Pioneer Accountable Care Organization (ACO) program. This federal initiative is designed to encourage institutions to provide better and more coordinated care for their Medicare patients and control health care costs.
Go to https://www.aamc.org/newsroom/newsreleases/2011/269476/111219.html
American College of Physicians
Disarray in Congress makes it likely that Medicare cut will go into effect
Dec. 19, 2011
Congress’ “disarray and dysfunction” jeopardize access to medical care for many millions of seniors, disabled persons, and military families, said the American College of Physicians in a statement released today and shared with House and Senate leadership.
Go to www.acponline.org/pressroom/srg_medicare_cut.htm
National Council on Aging
Congress Finalizes OAA and Other FY12 Appropriations
Dec. 19, 2011
Late last week, Congress approved the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012, which will fund government agencies through Sept. 30, 2012
Go to www.ncoa.org/public-policy-action/policy-news/congress-finalizes-oaa-and.html
Department of Health and Human Services
Affordable Care Act helps 32 health systems improve care for patients, saving up to $1.1 billion
Dec. 19, 2011
Thirty-two leading health care organizations from across the country will participate in a new Pioneer Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) initiative made possible by the Affordable Care Act, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today. The Pioneer ACO initiative will encourage primary care doctors, specialists, hospitals and other caregivers to provide better, more coordinated care for people with Medicare and could save up to $1.1 billion over five years.
Go to www.hhs.gov/news/press/2011pres/12/20111219a.html
White House
Statement by the Press Secretary on H.J.Res.95
Dec. 17, 2011
On Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, the President signed into law: H.J.Res.95, which makes further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2012, through Dec. 23, 2011, and for other purposes.
Go to www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/12/17/statement-press-secretary-hjres95
National Association of Community Health Centers
FY2012 Omnibus Appropriations Act Allows for Expansion of Community Health Centers to Meet Pressing Need Around the Country
Dec. 16, 2011
The FY2012 Omnibus Appropriations Act released last night funds the Health Centers program at a total programmatic level of $2.78 billion. This legislation, were it to become law, provides funding to maintain current levels of federal grant support and all existing operations at Health Centers, and will also extend access to care to nearly 1.5 million additional people in need of care. An estimated 60 million Americans -- many of whom have health insurance -- do not have access to primary medical care because of a shortage of providers in their communities.
Go to www.nachc.org/pressrelease-detail.cfm?pressreleaseID=733
Department of Health and Human Services
HHS to give states more flexibility to implement health reform
Dec. 16, 2011
The Department of Health and Human Services today released a bulletin outlining proposed policies that will give states more flexibility and freedom to implement the Affordable Care Act. The Affordable Care Act ensures all Americans have access to quality, affordable health insurance. To achieve this goal, the law ensures that health insurance plans offered in the individual and small group markets, both inside and outside of the Affordable Insurance Exchanges (Exchanges), offer a comprehensive package of items and services, known as “essential health benefits.”
Go to www.hhs.gov/news/press/2011pres/12/20111216c.html
AARP
AARP Statement on Home Care Worker Proposed Rule Announcement
Dec. 15, 2011
AARP is pleased to have the opportunity to closely examine the Administration’s home care worker proposed rule and consider the measure from the perspective of the millions of older Americans who receive care from paid home care workers, their family caregivers, and the disproportionately older workers who comprise the home care workforce.
Alzheimer Research Forum Foundation
Has the Time Come for Dementia Screening in Primary Care?
Dec. 16, 2011
Many people with dementia don’t realize they have the disease until it’s at an advanced stage, when everyone can tell something is wrong. Other people might start forgetting dates or names and worry they have dementia, yet their memory problems are just a normal consequence of aging. Having primary care doctors routinely screen patients for dementia at annual check up visits—just like they do for high blood pressure or cholesterol—could identify people in need of dementia care and reassure those who are healthy. That’s what dementia experts argued at a meeting held last month in New York City, as reported on Alzforum.
Go to www.newswise.com/articles/has-the-time-come-for-dementia-screening-in-primary-care
Gerontological Society of America
Whitelaw Installed as The Gerontological Society of America’s President
Dec. 16, 2011
Nancy Whitelaw, PhD, has taken office as the newest president of The Gerontological Society of America, the nation’s largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to the field of aging. She was elected by GSA’s membership, which consists of over 5,400 researchers, educators, and practitioners.
American Geriatrics Society
Member Alert - Regarding the American Institute of Geriatrics
Dec. 12, 2011
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) would like to alert members to the activities of an organization calling itself the "American Institute of Geriatrics.” Certification from this organization is not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and the organization is not an ABMS member board. The AGS does not recognize certification from this organization or consider it when determining whether an applicant has met the criteria for advancement to a Fellow of the Society.
Go to www.americangeriatrics.org/press/news_press_releases/id:2683
Gerontological Society of America
At Senate Aging Committee’s 50th Anniversary, Experts Ponder Future Legislative Concerns
Dec. 12, 2011
Fifty years after its inception, the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging will have a more important role than ever as America’s senior population continues to grow, according to the newest issue of the Public Policy and Aging Report (PPAR).
HHS Office of Inspector General
Health Care Provider Compliance Videos
Dec. 5, 2011
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today released the first of 11 short video and audio presentations for health care providers on top health care compliance topics. (Includes audio and videos on False Claims Act, Federal Anti-kickback Statute, etc.)
Go to http://oig.hhs.gov/newsroom/news-releases/2011/heat-videos.asp
Rest in Peace, Dr. T. Franklin Williams, by Dan Perry
Nov. 29, 2011
Those who care about increasing the good years of life through medical advances have lost another champion with the passing of Dr. T. Franklin Williams. Dr. Williams, who died this week at his home in Rochester, NY, age 89, was the second director of the National Institute on Aging, and was in charge of the federal government’s investment in the science of aging when our Alliance for Aging Research was established in 1986. Succeeding the legendary Dr. Robert Butler, the founding Director of the NIA, Frank had big shoes to fill. And in his own earnest, compassionate, and self-effacing way he filled those shoes very well.
Go to www.agingresearch.org/content/blog/detail/3975/
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Medicare's 2012 Open Enrollment Drug and Health Plan Data Goes Live Saturday, Oct. 1
Sept. 30, 2011
In advance of the new, earlier annual enrollment period, people with Medicare can begin reviewing plan benefit and cost information on Saturday, October 1st, 2011. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will launch access to its popular web-based Medicare Plan Finder that allows beneficiaries, their families, trusted representatives, and senior program advocates to look at all local drug and health plan options that are available for the 2012 benefit year.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
CMS Announces Release of Fiscal Year 2011 State Health Insurance Assistance Program Performance Awards Funding
Sept. 30, 2011
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced today $1.5 million in performance awards released to support local agencies that assist people with Medicare and their caregivers. State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) that have provided outstanding counseling services to Medicare beneficiaries through innovative outreach efforts received the awards.
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
Pelosi Statement Following House Passage of Short-Term Continuing Resolution
Sept. 29, 2011
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today after the House passed by unanimous consent a short-term continuing resolution that will fund the government until October 4. The House will vote early next week on a six-week continuing resolution:
Go to http://www.democraticleader.gov/news/press?id=2336
Administration on Aging
Announces Grants to Enhance State Alzheimer’s Services
Sept. 28, 2011
Ohio, New York, Georgia and Minnesota today received funding to help older adults and people with disabilities remain independent and healthy in their communities. Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee announced today that the four states will use a total of $12.8 million in grants to accelerate development of comprehensive, integrated systems that can serve as models for other states.
Go to www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Press_Room/For_The_Press/pr/archive/2011/September/2011_09_28.aspx
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Hospitals Have Made Little Progress in Reducing Medicare Readmission Rates
Sept. 28, 2011
As scorekeeping begins for new Medicare penalties for hospitals with excessive numbers of patients returning shortly after they are discharged, a new Dartmouth Atlas Project report shows little progress over a five-year period in reducing these hospital readmissions and improving care coordination for Medicare patients.
Go to http://www.rwjf.org/newsroom/product.jsp?id=72849
Department of Justice
Justice Department Asks the Supreme Court to Review the Affordable Care Act
Sept. 28, 2011
The Department of Justice filed a cert petition today asking the Supreme Court to review the 2-1 decision of the Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit striking down the Affordable Care Act. The following statement was released today regarding this action.
Go to http://blogs.usdoj.gov/blog/archives/1606
MarketWire
Smart Card Alliance Supports Bi-Partisan Smart Medicare Common Access Card Act of 2011
Sept. 27, 2011
To combat a reported $60 billion lost to waste, fraud and abuse within the Medicare system, a bi-partisan group of U.S. senators and representatives led by Senators Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Ron Widen (D-OR) have introduced legislation to use existing "smart card" technology to protect seniors. The Smart Card Alliance strongly supports the new Medicare Common Access Card Act of 2011 (S. 1551 and H.R. 2925).
Go to http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/smart-card-alliance-supports-bi-partisan-smart-medicare-common-access-card-act-2011-1566135.htm
National Council on Aging
Senate Funding Bills a Mixed Bag for Seniors
September 27, 2011
Due to NCOA’s advocacy, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved significant investments in healthy aging programs for FY12, including a five-fold increase in falls prevention funding to $10 million and another $10 million for Chronic Disease Self-Managment Program (CDSMP).
Go to: http://www.ncoa.org/news-ncoa-publications/news/senate-funding-bills-mixed.html
Gerontological Society of America
Congress Must Protect Funds for Aging America, Advocates Say
Sept. 26, 2011
America’s experts on aging are headed for meetings with their senators and representatives to underscore the needs of the country’s senior population, spurred by the first-ever Take Action Week organized by The Gerontological Society of America — the nation’s largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to the field of aging. During the September 26–30 congressional district work period, these advocates will urge their elected leaders to secure funding for aging research and education, as well as reauthorize the Older Americans Act.
Go to http://www.geron.org/About%20Us/press-room/Archived%20Press%20Releases/77-2011-press-releases/1100-congress-must-protect-funds-for-aging-america-advocates-say
Journal of American Medical Association
Hip Fracture Is Associated with Increased Short-Term Death Rates for Some Older Women
Sept. 26, 2011
Hip fracture is associated with an increase in short-term mortality (death within one year) for women ages 65 to 79 years and healthy women ages 80 years and older, although the risk returns to previous levels after one year for women ages 70 years and older, according to a report published online first by Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Go to: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-09/jaaj-hfi092311.php
AARP
AARP Joins Bipartisan Effort to Prevent Identity Theft of Medicare Beneficiaries
September 14, 2011
AARP today endorsed the Medicare Common Access Card Act of 2011 in a letter to U.S. Senators Mark Kirk and Ron Wyden as well as U.S. Representatives Jim Gerlach and Earl Blumenauer. The bill will create a secure Medicare identification card pilot program for beneficiaries located in five geographic areas nationwide.
Go to http://www.aarp.org/about-aarp/press-center/info-09-2011/aarp-joins-bipartisan-effort-to-prevent-identity-theft-of-medicare-beneficiaries.html