Stories by Week

Key Senators Press Florida To Allow GAO Access To Polls On Election Day Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Herb Kohl (D-WI.) are urging Florida Secretary of State Kurt Browning to allow the Government Accountability Office access to Florida polling places on Election Day as part of a nationwide study examining voting access for aging and disabled voters during the 2008 general election. Login to see complete story
10/23/2008 08:46 AM

Stark Wants CMS To Curb Growing Broker Commissions In MA Plans Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA), chairman of the Ways & Means health subcommittee, wants CMS to prevent Medicare Advantage plans from gaming new broker fee regulations that were designed to end the financial incentive for brokers to coerce beneficiaries to switch plans each year. Login to see complete story
10/23/2008 3:41 PM

Federal Agencies

CMS Launches Updates To Physician Quality Reporting Initiative Webpage The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched a new E-Prescribing Incentive Program section page on the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) webpage on the CMS website. This new section page will provide information about the new E-Prescribing incentive program that was authorized by the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA). Login to see complete story
10/20/2008 07:54 AM

Funding Opportunities

Julie Martin Mid-Career Award In Aging Research To Support Biological Gerontology Deadline: Dec. 16) The Ellison Medical Foundation and the American Federation for Aging Research are seeking proposals for the Julie Martin Mid-Career Award in Aging Research program from outstanding mid-career scientists proposing novel directions of high importance to biological gerontology. Login to see complete story
10/20/2008 12 PM

NIEHS Invests $21.25 Million To Find Environmental Causes Of Parkinson’s Disease The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will award three new grants totaling $21.25 million over a five-year period to study how environmental factors contribute to the cause, prevention and treatment of Parkinson’s disease and other related disorders. Login to see complete story
10/21/2008 08:53 AM

Housing

Shepherd's Care Foundation First In Canada To Earn CARF Accreditation For Aging Services Network Shepherd's Care Foundation holds the distinction of being the first organization in Canada to be accredited for its aging services network by CARF International. The accreditation is for three years, the highest level available. Login to see complete story
10/23/2008 4:02 PM

Medicare/Medicaid

CMS To Consider Expanding Reimbursement For Cancer In response to a successful data collection effort by the National Oncologic PET Registry (NOPR) showing that positron emission tomography (PET) scans help save the lives of thousands of cancer patients annually, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is weighing an expansion of coverage of PET for all types of cancer. Login to see complete story
10/21/2008 08:31 AM

Medicaid Spending Projected To Rise Faster Than U.S. Economy Under current law, spending on Medicaid is expected to substantially outpace the rate of growth in the U.S. economy over the next decade, find the authors of a just-released report from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The report projects that Medicaid benefits spending will increase 7.3% from 2007 to 2008, reaching $339 billion and will grow at an annual average rate of 7.9% over the next 10 years, reaching $674 billion by 2017. Login to see complete story
10/20/2008 07:44 AM

Medicare Scam Surfaces Focusing On Arthritis Kits The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reports that criminals have been advertising "Medicare Approved Arthritis Kits" with no charge to beneficiaries. These kits have not been approved by Medicare, nor has an unconditional waiver of the 20% co-payment been approved. Login to see complete story
10/24/2008 11:54 AM

Special Open Door Forum: Medicare Part D Reimbursements For Indian Health Service & Tribal Facilities The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Nov. 5 will host a Special Open Door Forum to discuss Medicare Part D Payments to Indian Health Service (IHS) & Tribal Facilities. CMS staff will present on Medicare Part D plans and beneficiary notices and IHS staff will describe IHS and tribal Part D activities. Login to see complete story
10/24/2008 11:44 AM

News in the States

Study Finds Missouri Law On Medically Unfit Drivers Is Model For Other States A Missouri state law designed to help families, doctors and law enforcement officials prevent unsafe motorists from continuing to drive is working effectively and should serve as a model for the nation, according to a comprehensive study just released by both AAA Missouri and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Login to see complete story
10/23/2008 09:04 AM

Research and Reports

Boomers Seek Careers With Meaning, Impact Later In Life -- But Will Nonprofits Hire Them? A national survey just released by MetLife Foundation and Civic Ventures finds that half of nonprofit employers actually see encore workers as highly appealing, with an additional 39% finding them moderately appealing. In addition, the survey finds that nonprofits with experience hiring late-career or recently retired workers are the most positive about hiring more. Login to see complete story
10/20/2008 08:26 AM

Circadian Rhythm Problems May Lead to Memory Loss Among Seniors Even seniors who get enough sleep may be affected by circadian rhythm problems, which can then lead to short-term memory loss and a decline in overall memory function. Login to see complete story
10/21/2008 08:20 AM

Hospital Discharges To Home Health, Nursing Homes Increasing The rate of patients discharged from hospitals but who still needed home health care increased 53% (from 2 million to 4 million) between 1997 and 2006, according to the latest data in a report from the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ). There was a 30% increase (from 4 million to 5 million) in the rate of patients discharged to nursing homes or rehabilitation facilities during the same period. Login to see complete story
10/23/2008 07:11 AM

New Stem Cell Injections May Help Prevent Diabetes-Related Amputations Poor blood flow to the lower limbs is a health condition that many Americans with diabetes experience. But without early detection and proper treatment, amputation is often the final outcome. In fact, more than 60% of non-traumatic, lower limb amputations every year occur as a result of diabetes. Login to see complete story
10/21/2008 07:46 AM

Research Centers Target Stress-Related Illnesses, Obesity, Cancer, Other Conditions The National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has added four new Centers of Excellence for Research on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CERCs) to its research centers program. The new centers will add to knowledge about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches and their potential in treating and preventing diseases and conditions that are common among Americans. Login to see complete story
10/22/2008 10:26 AM

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