| Advocacy |
AARP: Growing Unemployment Numbers Heighten Need For Immediate Response To Souring Economy
Individuals, government and businesses are preparing to close out 2008 under extremely difficult economic circumstances. Record breaking job cuts, growing unemployment rates and a fragile economy threaten the financial security of all Americans, notes AARP Executive VP Nancy LeaMond. Login to see complete story
12/08/2008 08:41 AM
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Advocacy Group Presses Obama Health Team To Protect Medicare Consumers
Quick action is needed by the incoming Obama Administration to enact basic consumer protections under Medicare private health and drug plans, according to a memorandum to the Obama transition team from the Medicare Rights Center. Revelation of the Center's 50-page memorandum follows closely in the wake of President-Elect Barack Obama's formal announcement Thursday (Dec. 11) naming former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD) to become the new Secretary of Health & Human Services (HHS) when Obama takes office in January. Login to see complete story
12/11/2008 2:06 PM
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Center for American Progress: 'The Past Is Prologue'
As the push for sweeping healthcare reform gets underway, it is worth examining the nature of the opposition to the last major push for healthcare reform in 1994, says the liberal-oriented Center for American Progress (CAP) -- a Washington, DC-based think tank with close ties to the Obama transition team. Login to see complete story
12/12/2008 07 AM
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| Capitol Hill |
Bill Would Address Severe Impending Shortage In Healthcare Workforce
Senate Special Committee on Aging Chairman Herb Kohl (D-WI) is expected to soon reintroduce a legislative measure aimed at addressing what many experts believe to be an impending severe shortage of healthcare workers who are adequately trained and prepared to care for older Americans. Login to see complete story
12/11/2008 07 AM
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Bill Would Improve Lives Of Older Citizens, Direct Care Workers
Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), a key member of the Senate Aging Committee, has introduced the proposed Promoting Small House Nursing Homes Act (S.3732) which aims to improve and increase person-centered long-term residential care and coordinated healthcare for older Americans. Login to see complete story
12/12/2008 08:07 AM
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Committee Report Highlights Vital Role Of Federally-Funded Aging Research
Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI), chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, has made public an official committee report, titled Recognition of Excellence in Aging Research, describing federally-funded research that addresses the well-being of older adults. The report covers a wide range of areas, such as maintaining health, assuring adequate income, finding employment, engaging in productive and rewarding activity, securing proper housing, and obtaining long-term care services. Login to see complete story
12/10/2008 12:55 PM
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Congress OKs Bill Protecting Senior Retirement Savings
Congress has taken an important step to help senior citizens whose retirement savings have been hit by market losses. The House and Senate have approved a pension bill containing a provision that suspends the minimum distribution requirement for retirement accounts for the year 2009. Login to see complete story
12/12/2008 08:37 AM
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Proposed 36-Month Cap On Oxygen, New Reimbursement Rates Worry Homecare Sector
Homecare providers are alarmed by the 36-month cap on oxygen and the new reimbursement rules proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). After the 36-month cap, providers must service their patients but Medicare will not provide for fair and reasonable compensation. Login to see complete story
12/08/2008 4:09 PM
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Public Can Chime In On Obama Health Plans
The Obama administration's Transition Health Policy Team, headed by Health & Human Services Secretary-designee Tom Daschle, will host Health Care Community Discussions from Dec. 15-31. The discussions will help the team finalize its health care recommendations. Daschle says he will select one Health Care Discussion from all those submitted and attend it in person.
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12/09/2008 07:29 AM
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| Federal Agencies |
AoA Moves Forward With Other Federal Agencies On DTV Transition
The Administration on Aging (AoA) earlier this week participated in a 25-agency meeting hosted by the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to further coordinate federal efforts to educate vulnerable Americans about the Feb. 17, 2009, deadline to transition to digital television and the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. Login to see complete story
12/10/2008 08:23 AM
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FNS Provides List Of Foods For Donation To The Needy
The Food & Nutrition Service (FNS) at the Agriculture Dept. offers the list of surplus and purchased foods that are available for donation to states this fiscal year. States will provide the foods to nutrition programs for the needy. Approximately $92.6 million in surplus foods acquired in FY 2008 are available for states this year. FNS will purchase $250 million worth of additional food. Login to see complete story
12/10/2008 09 AM
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IRS Offers Tips For Year-End Donations
Individuals and businesses making contributions to charity should keep in mind several important tax law provisions that have taken effect in recent years. One provision offers older owners of individual retirement arrangements (IRAs) a different way to give to charity. Login to see complete story
12/10/2008 07:40 AM
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Retirement Plans For Public Schools, Exempt Organizations Get Extension To Complete Written Plans
The Internal Revenue Service has issued a notice announcing relief for certain retirement plans that do not have a written plan in place by Jan. 1, 2009. The new guidance is for retirement plans covering employees at public schools, colleges and universities, and other tax exempt organizations. These retirement plans are often referred to as 403(b) plans after the relevant section in the tax code. Login to see complete story
12/12/2008 08 AM
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| Financial Services |
Understanding The Importance Of Planning Beyond The Numbers
While it's never a bad time to revisit the fundamentals of investing, it's an especially good time to do so when volatile markets start making investors feel anxious and uncertain. It's during times like these that you'll hear a lot about asset allocation. Login to see complete story
12/08/2008 12:41 PM
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| Funding Opportunities |
Funding Available To Train AmeriCorps Volunteers
The federal government's nonprofit Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS) is seeking applications for AmeriCorps grants which will be used by eligible organizations to recruit, train, and manage AmeriCorps members who address community needs. The CNCS is particularly interested in receiving applications from eligible organizations serving seniors. Login to see complete story
12/09/2008 1:53 PM
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NIA Funding Research On Retirement Economics
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) is inviting applications for research on retirement economics. The research objectives of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) include, but are not limited to: (1) the determinants of retirement behavior, (2) the variation in work patterns in later life, ... Login to see complete story
12/09/2008 11:54 AM
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NSF Seeks Applications For RAPD Program Grants
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is soliciting funding applications for its Research to Aid Persons with Disabilities (RAPD) program, which supports research aimed at developing of new technologies, devices, or software for people with disabilities. The deadline for applications is March 1, 2009. Login to see complete story
12/09/2008 11:37 AM
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| Housing Assistance/Funding |
Billions Headed For Public Housing Rehabilitation
Targeting eight years of public housing marginalization by the Bush administration, the incoming Obama administration intends to make restoration of deteriorating public housing a cornerstone of its domestic agenda along with total national infrastructure restoration. Login to see complete story
12/11/2008 3:35 PM
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| Industry News |
PhRMA, Pew Take Opposite Sides In Debate Over Direct-To-Consumer Ads For Rx Drugs
Two major organizations -- one a huge trade association representing the pharmaceutical industry, the other a world renown charitable foundation famous for its public interest work -- are on opposites sides of the debate over the controversial issue of guidelines for direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) of prescription drugs.
The Pew Charitable Trust has locked horns with the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) over the effectiveness of the PhRMA Guiding Principles on Direct to Consumer Advertisements about Prescription Medicines. Login to see complete story
12/11/2008 08:48 AM
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| Medicare/Medicaid |
Consumers, Employers Paying Almost $90 Billion Due To Under-Payments To Hospitals, Physicians By Medicare, Medicaid
Low Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements to hospitals and physicians lead to significantly higher health insurance costs for consumers and employers, according to a study just released by Milliman Inc. The report found that annual healthcare spending for an average family of four is $1,788 higher than it would be if Medicare, Medicaid and private employers paid hospitals and physicians similar rates, with total provider reimbursement unchanged. Login to see complete story
12/10/2008 08:33 AM
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| Research and Reports |
Report Details Options for Reducing Healthcare Costs
As Congress prepares for comprehensive health care reform in the coming year, a new report from AARP's Public Policy Institute looks at ways to control the cost of Medicare, which is projected to be more than $500 billion in 2009. The report, "Cost Containment in Medicare: A Review of What Works and What Doesn't," examines nine approaches to reduce Medicare costs that have been tested with mixed results since the 1980s. Login to see complete story
12/09/2008 10:25 AM
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Report Points Way To Greater Postsecondary Education Participation Among Older Adults
Despite successful efforts by some colleges and universities to create lifelong learning programs for adults aged 55 and older, many institutions remain stuck in outmoded, one-dimensional views of this population, a new report by the American Council on Education (ACE) with support from MetLife Foundation concludes. To meet their changing educational needs, higher education must rethink approaches to outreach, programs and services, and financial assistance. Login to see complete story
12/10/2008 07 AM
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