Matthew Goldstein et al. reports for The New York Times that most US nursing homes were losing money pre-pandemic. Not surprisingly, they were not well prepared for the novel coronavirus. The latest...
Diane Archer
Coronavirus: President Trump threatening to block new stimulus...
The US lacks the strong leadership it needs to both contain the spread of the novel coronavirus and to protect Americans from economic ruin. On Sunday evening, Donald Trump insisted at a Fox News...
Coronavirus: The importance of health care proxies
Sadly, the novel coronavirus is wreaking havoc on the lives of older adults. Many more older adults are becoming very ill and dying from COVID-19 than younger people. Now, more than ever, it’s...
Coronavirus: Consider learning tai chi
While socially isolating during this coronavirus pandemic, people are trying all sorts of new activities. I’ve finally mastered the art of making sourdough bread! For your mental and physical...
Coronavirus: Health insurance industry still profiting
Unlike almost every other sector of the economy, the health insurance industry appears to be profiting from the coronavirus pandemic. While some people need costly COVID-19 care, elective surgeries...
Coronavirus: FDA approves emergency use of an antiviral drug...
Stat News reports that the Food and Drug Administration just approved the emergency use of remdesivir, an antiviral drug, as a treatment for COVID-19. It is not a cure. But, it could speed up your...
2020 Social Security and Medicare Trustees report
This year’s Social Security and Medicare Trustees reports were released without considering the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and so are not likely to reflect the current state of these...
Coronavirus: Atypical symptoms for older adults
It seems that the novel coronavirus causes atypical symptoms in older adults. Judith Graham reports for Kaiser Health News on how these unusual symptoms can make it hard for older adults to get...
2020: What you might not know about Medicare Advantage plans
The Kaiser Family Foundation has a new report on Medicare Advantage plans–private health plans that offer Medicare benefits–in 2020. Here’s what you might not know, including the...
Why are taxpayers paying Medicare Advantage plans for VA care?
A new study, published in JAMA network, finds that the VA delivers a significant amount of costly care received by people who are in both the VA and Medicare Advantage. But, the Centers for Medicare...