Where you live matters, for all kinds of reasons, including because it affects the long-term services and supports that may be available to you and the people you love. The big headline, though, is...
Diane Archer
Why aren’t there dental therapists to provide lower-cost...
Given that even simple dental care can be very expensive and that few of us have insurance to cover that care, why aren’t there dental therapists (the dental equivalent of a nurse practitioner or...
New federal law precludes people from buying coverage for...
A new federal law, which Obama signed on April 16, precludes people with Medicare from buying supplemental insurance that offers first-dollar health care coverage. Requiring people with Medicare to...
Three ways government could help promote retirement security
In a report on our retirement crisis, the National Institute on Retirement Security puts forward a series of proposals to address the heavy retirement savings burden most Americans face and promote...
Get a dog, improve your health
Many people grow up with dogs and treasure the companionship and unconditional love a dog often offers. So, can a dog improve your health? Yes. In fact, studies suggest that a dog could improve the...
Alcohol abuse among older adults needs addressing
We need to address alcohol abuse among older adults. New research projects a doubling of the number of older adults who suffer from alcohol abuse. Between 2002 and 2006, there were an estimated...
Proposed Medicare premium hike would weaken Medicare
In late March, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill with bi-partisan support that would again raise Medicare premiums for people with Medicare with higher incomes. Today, the Senate passed...
Insurers may be ready to support negotiated drug prices
Cancer drug prices keep rising, up from an average of $129 a month in 1975 to an average of over $10,000 a month in 2010. These drugs are increasingly unaffordable, even with insurance, because the...
Could robots keep older adults engaged and happy?
Lots of work is underway to design robots that help older adults in a wide range of ways. And, significant research has been undertaken on the benefits of robots in caring for older adults. ...
Should you get COBRA benefits when you leave your job?
If you are leaving your job, along with your health insurance, you can get insurance through COBRA. But, should you get COBRA? Your state health insurance exchange is now another way to get health...