Latest Medicare News
Democrats see springboard for health care in high court win
WASHINGTON (AP) — With the Affordable Care Act now secure in the framework of the nation's health care programs, Democrats are eager to leap above and beyond. They want to expand insurance coverage for working-age people and their families, add new benefits to Medicare...
Reminder: Masks still required in healthcare settings
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Wearing a mask is still required in a healthcare setting and is still one of the most effective tools in preventing the spread of COVID-19, the president of the New Hampshire Hospital Association said Friday. Federal regulatory requirements from...
GOP needs new health care target; 'Obamacare' survives again
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court's latest rejection of a Republican effort to dismantle “Obamacare” signals anew that the GOP must look beyond repealing the law if it wants to hone the nation's health care problems into a winning political issue. Thursday's 7-2...
Dems eye $6T plan on infrastructure, Medicare, immigration
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are eyeing a $6 trillion infrastructure investment plan that goes far beyond roads and bridges to include core party priorities, from lowering the Medicare eligibility age to 60 and adding dental, vision and hearing benefits to incorporating a long-running effort...
Bill would permanently expand telehealth services
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A new bill in Washington would permanently expand telehealth services under Medicare and allow patients in rural areas without access to broadband to use audio services, U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen said. “It should not have taken a pandemic for...
To curb drug prices, Democrats still seeking a balance
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are committed to passing legislation this year to curb prescription drug prices, but they're still disagreeing on how to cut costs for patients and taxpayers while preserving profits that lure investors to back potentially promising treatments. ...
Medicare copays for new Alzheimer's drug could reach $11,500
WASHINGTON (AP) — A new $56,000-a-year Alzheimer’s drug would raise Medicare premiums broadly, and some patients who are prescribed the medication could face copayments of about $11,500 annually, according to a research report published Thursday. The drug, called...
The Latest: Pot-for-shots plan stumbles in Washington state
SEATTLE — Washington state’s new “joints for jabs” vaccination incentive program is off to a rough start. Seeking to get more people to get the coronavirus shots, officials announced this week that the state’s nearly 500 licensed marijuana retailers could begin...
ProPublica: Many of the uber-rich pay next to no income tax
WASHINGTON (AP) — The rich really are different from you and me: They’re better at dodging the tax collector. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos paid no income tax in 2007 and 2011. Tesla founder Elon Musk’s income tax bill was zero in 2018. And financier George Soros went...
EXPLAINER: How will insurers cover a new Alzheimer's drug?
Federal regulators have approved the first new drug for Alzheimer’s disease in nearly 20 years, leaving patients waiting to see how insurers will handle the pricey new treatment. Health care experts expect broad coverage of the drug, which was approved Monday. But what...
