Medicare

Scooter Ads Face Scrutiny From Government, Doctors

Posted on 03/29/2013 by | General News | Comments

Bulletin Today | Personal HealthBy Matthew Perrone, Health Writer, The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — TV ads show smiling seniors enjoying an “active” lifestyle on a motorized scooter, taking in the sights at the Grand Canyon, fishing on a pier and high-fiving their grandchildren at a baseball game. The commercials, which promise freedom and independence to people with limited mobility, have driven the nearly $1 billion U.S. market for power wheelchairs and scooters. But the spots by the industry’s two leading companies, The Scooter …

The Affordable Care Act Turns Three

Posted on 03/22/2013 by | AARP Blog Author | Comments

Personal Health | PoliticsThe Affordable Care Act is three years old. So what does that mean? What has happened to improve health care over the past few years? Let’s take a quick look: People with Medicare now get a 52.5% discount on brand-name drugs and a 21% discount on generics. People are already seeing a lot of savings. Medicare has a free initial checkup and a free yearly wellness checkup. Medicare also covers preventive care for free. For people with insurance, free preventive …

News Roundup: For Congress, Big Deadlines Loom

Posted on 03/18/2013 by | Health | Comments

Bulletin Today | PoliticsFrom Kaiser Health News On the Sunday talk shows, members of Congress sparred over the upcoming budget votes and the ongoing dispute over the cost of ‘Obamacare’ and entitlement programs such as Medicare. More urgently, if Congress fails to pass an extension to keep the government funded by March 27, agencies and programs face a broad shutdown. Los Angeles Times: There’s No Immediate Debt Crisis, Boehner Says, Agreeing With Obama The country isn’t facing an immediate debt crisis, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said Sunday, but …

Senate GOP to Obama: Tone Down the Political Attacks

Posted on 03/15/2013 by | General News | Comments

Bulletin Today | PoliticsBy DAVID ESPO, Special Correspondent, The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Polite yet firm, Senate Republicans told President Barack Obama on Thursday to tone down his political attacks and prod Democratic allies to support controversial changes in Medicare if he wants a compromise reducing deficits and providing stability to federal benefit programs. Participants at a 90-minute closed-door meeting said Obama acknowledged the point without yielding ground — and noted that Republicans criticize him freely. “To quote an old Chicago politician, …

FAQs: How Do Competing Budgets Compare on Health Care Savings?

Posted on 03/13/2013 by | News | Comments

Bulletin Today | PoliticsFrom Kaiser Health News Republican and Democratic leaders from both chambers of Congress this week offered competing budget proposals that both look for savings in health care. KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey talks with Jackie Judd about what’s next for the proposals, and what President Obama could offer himself. > > Listen to the audio or read a transcript below. Jackie Judd: Good day, this is Health on the Hill. I’m Jackie Judd. Congressional budget leaders have now laid out their vision for federal spending …

Applying for Obama Health Care Plan Not Easy

Posted on 03/13/2013 by | General News | Comments

Bulletin Today | Personal HealthBy Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar of The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Applying for benefits under President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul could be as daunting as doing your taxes. The government’s draft application runs 15 pages for a three-person family. An outline of the online version has 21 steps, some with additional questions. Seven months before the Oct. 1 start of enrollment season for millions of uninsured Americans, the idea that getting health insurance could be as easy as shopping online …

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