Smoking is the top cause for preventable death in the US. If you smoke, the good news is that it’s never too late to quit smoking, even if you are over 65. The only question is how best to quit...
Diane Archer
Medicare coverage of nursing home care is very limited
Planning ahead for a time when you may not be able to care for yourself means recognizing that, unless you qualify for Medicaid, you may need to pay out of pocket for nursing home care. Medicare...
Multiple patents drive up drug prices
Many prescription drugs have patent protections that deliver monopoly pricing power to their manufacturers for far longer than the 20-years intended by the US patent law. A recent report by I-MAK...
To reduce risk of bankruptcy, plan ahead for retirement
A new survey by the Consumer Bankruptcy project reveals that a growing number of older adults find themselves unable to pay for their basic necessities. As the social safety net shrinks, retirees are...
Medicare for All is the only realistic way to rein in health...
My recent op-ed in the Washington Post explains why we cannot afford to live without Medicare for All. Expanding and improving on Medicare is the only realistic way for the US to rein in national...
Guaranteeing coverage to people with pre-existing conditions...
According to a new Kaiser survey, a majority of voters say that a federal candidate’s position on pre-existing conditions is an important factor in their 2018 vote. Voters care more about this...
People shouldn’t need to shop for health care
Austin Frakt reports on a new NBER study that finds that only one in 100 Americans shop for lower-cost health care, even when it comes to simple elective procedures like MRIs. Rather, they go where...
Public believes Trump’s drug plan will not lower drug...
The public wants the federal government to address prescription drug prices. President Trump has said that it is one of his “greatest priorities” and has released a plan to do so. But...
Doing away with drug rebates alone will not bring down drug costs
Pharmaceutical companies charge too much for their drugs. And, they probably charge more because they pay pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) rebates. (PBMs decide which drugs will go on an...
How can a geriatric care manager help?
As people get older, they may need a wide range of health care services and supports. A geriatric care manager, who is usually a licensed social worker or nurse trained in geriatrics, can help you...