Health Care Bill Gets Green Light in Cost Analysis
from The New York Times
The Senate Finance Committee legislation to revamp the health care system would provide coverage to 29 million uninsured Americans but would still pare future federal deficits by slowing the growth of spending on medical care, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said.More

n4a and NASUA's Project 2020 Needs Your Help
from n4a
Although Project 2020 (S. 1257/H.R. 2852) was not included in the Senate Finance Committee's bill as n4a and NASUA had hoped, Senator Maria Cantwell, D.-Wash., remains committed to advancing the measure when the health care reform bill comes to the Senate floor later this month. House sponsor Rep. Bruce Braley, D.-Iowa, is also interested in moving a similar amendment through the House process. As we wait for these possible floor amendment efforts to advance, advocates must not sit idle. n4a will alert you to the ideal time to make calls to your Members of Congress on any Project 2020 amendments to health care reform, but it is critical that we continue to use the next few weeks to build overall support for S. 1257/H.R. 2852.More

State Lawmakers Step Up for National Health Care Debate
from Public News Service
Almost 1,000 state lawmakers have signed a petition asking their federal counterparts for lower health care costs, a public insurance option, and shared responsibility for these costs by government, employers and individuals.The group pointed out that no matter what Congress ultimately decides health care, this is a federal and state partnership.More

Examining the Recent Winners and Losers in the Health Reform Debate
from Kaiser Health News
Drugmakers, hospitals, biotechnology and labs are the latest winners in the health overhaul debate as lawmakers consider the impacts on reform shareholders.More

The Crunch Continues: Medicaid Spending, Coverage and Policy in the Midst of a Recession
from Kaiser Family Foundation
Enrollment in state Medicaid programs grew by an average of 5.4 percent in 2009 putting a serious strain on state budgets and resulting in program cuts nationwide. Worse, the trend is expected to continue well into 2010, according to a new report from the Kaiser Family Foundation.More

For Older Women, A Refuge From Emotional Abuse
from NPR
At the Older Battered Women's Program in Lynn, Massachusetts, counselor Katie Galenius finds that for her clients, emotional abuse is more common than physical violence - and often harder to get over. Galenius, a social worker, has run the center for 11 years. She treats women age 50 and older. The oldest woman she ever helped was 90.More

Know What to Do About the Flu
from flu.gov
The www.flu.gov Webcasts brings in experts, including representative from the Administration on Aging, Centers for Disease Control, the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, and the National Council on Aging, to discuss how the federal government is preparing and responding to the flu outbreak. Watch this special addition addressing seniors and the flu.More

Prescription Drug Options for Older Adults: A Toolkit for Professionals
from n4a
The Prescription Drug Options for Older Adults Toolkit is a resource for AAAs and Title VI programs to encourage consumers to take an active role in their health care options by making smart prescription drug decisions.The resources in this toolkit provide consumers with a better understanding about how to manage chronic conditions, reduce the potential for harmful drug interactions and save money.More

More People Eligible for Extra Help
from Social Security Administration
For people with limited income and resources, there is Extra Help available under the Medicare program to help cover the costs of prescription drugs. Social Security needs your help in spreading the word about some changes in the law beginning January 1, 2010 that could make more people eligible for this Extra Help. The changes were part of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act. The most significant changes are that: We will no longer count as a resource any life insurance policy We will no longer count as income assistance received regularly from someone else for household expenses such as food, mortgage, rent, heating fuel or gas, electricity, water, and property taxes More