A new research article published in Health Affairs examines the supplemental coverage “cliff” that some people with Medicare may experience. These beneficiaries are generally people who don’t qualify for Medicaid but can’t afford a private plan. For most people with Original Medicare, supplemental coverage helps pay for deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. This insurance may […]
This week, the Medicare Rights Center submitted comments in response to a discussion draft of a bill to expand access to Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS). The draft bill, the HCBS Access Act of 2021 (HAA), was released for comment by Senators Brown (D-OH), Casey (D-PA), and Hassan (D-NH) along with Representative […]
Dozens of U.S. Representatives and Senators sent a letter late last week urging the Biden administration to support the inclusion of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program reforms in forthcoming infrastructure proposals. SSI is an income support program for older adults and for adults and children with disabilities who have few resources. One […]
Though major legislative and regulatory solutions have stalled in recent years, policymakers are once again turning their attention to the important issue of prescription drug affordability. One policy they are likely to debate is the scope of any potential limitations on drug prices. Previous proposals have differed on this point. […]
Several departments within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)— the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), the Administration for Community Living (ACL), and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE)—published new resources designed to promote access to COVID-19 vaccines for people with disabilities and […]
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) recently released a new issue brief that examines the effects of disruptions in Medicaid coverage known as “churning.” ASPE advises the HHS Secretary on health care policy development, research, and analysis, […]
At least 110 million people in the United States have received at least one dose of any of the three approved COVID-19 vaccines, and over 64 million people have been fully vaccinated. In the last week, the average number of doses administered per day has been over 3 million, and […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) recently released new data on the impact of COVID-19 on people with Medicare, updating its Medicare COVID-19 Data Snapshot. The report captures beneficiary infection and hospitalization rates for most of 2020 (January 1 through December 26). Like previous versions, it shows that certain […]
A new issue brief from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) examines the effects of the Trump administration’s Section 1115 waiver policy on Medicaid coverage and care. ASPE advises the HHS Secretary on health care policy development, […]
High drug prices may keep many people from accessing and affording the medications they need to stay well. In a new issue brief, the Kaiser Family Foundation explores two ways the Biden administration can use existing executive authority to implement policy changes related to prescription drug costs. The first option […]
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