Which health plan should you choose if you’re ill? Given all the talk about competition in the health care marketplace, you’d think that Medicare and other health plans plans would be out...
Diane Archer
Your Medicare costs in 2017
Most people don’t realize that Medicare only covers about half of a typical person’s total health care costs. On average, people with Medicare spend about $5,000 a year on health care...
Who’ll lose health care after ACA repeal?
Later this month, Republicans in Congress plan to repeal large portions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), aka Obamacare. The consequences for the health and financial security of tens of millions of...
Live longer after a heart attack, choose your hospital carefully
There’s no question that some hospitals are far better than others, so it’s important to choose your hospital carefully. Some hospitals have lower hospital-acquired infection...
Government still overpays commercial Medicare plans
At a recent meeting of the Medicare Payment Advisory Committee (MedPAC), commissioners learned that, all things being equal, Medicare Advantage plans–commercial health plans offering Medicare...
Older people’s annual drug costs average $26,000
A new AARP Public Policy Institute report reveals that drug prices have been increasing significantly over the last 10 years, way higher than overall inflation. Indeed, double-digit retail price...
What does a Trump FDA look like?
There are many reasons to be concerned about food and drug safety today. Even with an FDA committed to ensuring our food and drugs are safe and effective, the FDA allows chemicals in our foods that...
How to get dental care if you have Medicare
In a post earlier this year, we reported on how dental care is the number one health care service people skimp on. Because Medicare does not cover dental care and dental care can be quite expensive...
Trump HHS pick is fierce opponent of Medicare and ACA
President-elect Trump‘s choice of Tom Price to head the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) sends a strong signal that the Trump Administration will be allied with Speaker Paul Ryan...
Taking supplements? You’re at risk for liver damage
There’s plenty of data to suggest that taking vitamin or herbal supplements offers little value if you are otherwise healthy. It’s much better to eat a healthy diet and exercise; it...