Every year but two for the last 40 years, people have seen a cost-of-living increase in their Social Security checks, an inflation adjustment. But, they will see no increase at all in their Social...
Diane Archer
Hi-tech goggles allow doctors to see cancer cells
In the what-will-they-come-up-with-next department, a new goggle technology allows doctors to see cancer cells. They literally light up. Watch for yourself. And, then, see how the pharmaceutical...
Diabetes is common among older adults: Know the symptoms
About thirteen million people with Medicare have Type 2 diabetes, a chronic condition in which our bodies are not able to control the amount of sugar in our blood, and we end up with high blood...
Half a million people with low incomes unable to get mental...
In 1996, the Mental Health Parity Act was signed into law to guarantee that insurers did not restrict access to mental health care but rather imposed the same or higher annual or lifetime dollar caps...
Financial transaction tax a progressive way to pay for Medicare...
One way to pay for a Medicare or Social Security expansion without affecting low or middle-income populations is through a financial transaction tax. A financial transaction tax could easily raise...
Seven questions to ask before scheduling a house call with a...
Without a doubt, many of us would prefer a house call from a friendly primary care doctor than a trip to the doctor’s office or, if necessary, the emergency room. And, people with chronic and...
What price patient satisfaction?
Several years ago, Richard Angelo, a nurse, was convicted of killing several of his patients. He was so well liked that he was able to poison at least 35 of them over several years before hospital...
On its 80th birthday, Social Security is beloved by young and...
Americans may have diverging views on endless numbers of policy issues but, when it comes to Social Security, we are overwhelmingly united. A new AARP poll reveals that Social Security is popular...
Caring for both parents and kids: We’re all in it together
We might be told that we are an every person for herself society but there’s compelling data illustrating why kids and grandkids should be as invested in Medicare and Social Security as older...
How safe are outpatient surgery centers?
Medicare now covers surgeries in some 5,500 outpatient surgical centers. Patients often like receiving care from these surgical centers because they say they are often more convenient than hospitals...