federal government

The Takeaway: Drugmakers Defraud Uncle Sam Repeatedly

Posted on 03/6/2012 by | Brooklyn, NY | Comments

News RoundupsPharma Giants Flaunt Rules: Several of the largest American pharmaceutical companies have repeatedly defrauded Medicare, Medicaid and patients over the past decade. But because these drugmakers—including Pfizer and Merck—are the only ones making critical medicines in the U.S., the federal government must continue to do business with them.

The Takeaway: COLA Increase Likely; Avoiding ‘Government Shutdown’ For Good

Posted on 10/4/2011 by | Brooklyn, NY | Comments

News RoundupsAfter two years with no increase in Social Security cost-of-living allowances (COLA), benefits are expected to rise as much as 3.5 percent in 2012 … For the 14th year in a row, Congress missed the deadline for passing a budget bill for the upcoming fiscal year (is there a better way?).

The Takeaway: Perry/Romney Badminton Continues; Gov’t Shutdown Looms; Prostate Patients on Medicare Do Worse

Posted on 09/23/2011 by | Brooklyn, NY | Comments

News RoundupsNot Flip-Flopping! Oh, goodness—accusations of ‘flip-flopping’ (that infamous insult from presidential campaigns of yore) featured prominently in last night’s GOP debate in Florida, as presidential hopefuls Mitt Romney and Rick Perry accused each other of being inconsistent on Social Security, gun rights and health care. The debate—which included seven other GOP candidates and focused on character and credibility as much as political issues—gave birth to another clash (surprise, surprise) between Romney and Perry over Social Security. The two men quibbled over whether …

Will Your Health Care Coverage Measure Up to Your Congressperson's?

Posted on 04/2/2010 by | Archived Contributor | Comments

Personal HealthPatricia Barry has a piece on AARP Bulletin addressing the statement President Obama made when signing the health care bill last week, about how Americans should get the same health benefits that members of Congress currently have. He said, “Why can’t we enjoy the same benefits that they get?” Well, it looks like health care reform may do just that: Members of Congress currently get their health insurance through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, which offers a menu of …

Will Your Health Care Coverage Measure Up to Your Congressperson’s?

Posted on 04/2/2010 by | AARP Blog Author | Comments

Personal HealthPatricia Barry has a piece on AARP Bulletin addressing the statement President Obama made when signing the health care bill last week, about how Americans should get the same health benefits that members of Congress currently have. He said, “Why can’t we enjoy the same benefits that they get?” Well, it looks like health care reform may do just that: Members of Congress currently get their health insurance through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, which offers a menu of …

Deficit Reduction: Americans Say Do Not Cut Medicare or Social Security

Posted on 03/30/2010 by | Archived Contributor | Comments

Money & SavingsA news flash comes out of the results of this Quinnipiac University National Poll that was released yesterday regarding the federal deficit – and more specifically, what should be done to reduce it. According to the poll, 84 percent of Americans say the middle class is going to have to make some financial sacrifices in order to reduce the federal budget deficit. However, a vast majority – more than three quarters – of Americans oppose cutting the growth of Social …