The Medicare Rights Center looks forward to working with the Biden-Harris administration to advance policies that protect and strengthen Medicare as well as the health and economic well-being of those who rely on its coverage. To facilitate this dialogue, in the coming weeks we will release a set of detailed administrative actions for their consideration—and possible adoption—in 2021. We will also outline our legislative priorities for the 117th Congress.

A new report from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) indicates that in 2019, national health care expenditures grew by 4.6%, similar to the 2018 growth rate of 4.7%.

This week, Congress continued work on a year-end legislative deal, with bills to fund the federal government through September expected

Policymakers in Washington are continuing to negotiate the details of the next coronavirus response bill. Though such legislation is urgently needed, it remains unclear if a deal can be reached in the coming weeks. Now is the time to make your voice heard!

Yesterday, leading Democrats on U.S. House and Senate committees with jurisdiction over Medicare asked the Trump administration for more information on its rumored plan to send $200 “gift cards” to people with Medicare Part D in the coming weeks. The lawmakers also asked the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), the federal agency charged with oversight of such matters, to conduct an expedited review of the project’s legality.

Medicare’s annual Fall Open Enrollment Period occurs from October 15 to December 7. During this time, people with Medicare can

The new legislation is an attempt to compromise with the White House and Senate Republicans, who prefer a smaller relief bill. Despite its reduced cost, the bill continues to include many changes that are critical for people with Medicare and their families.

After a summer recess and district work period, Congress returned to Washington this week to stalled negotiations on much-needed COVID-19 relief. Completing work on the bill remains a top priority for many lawmakers, but the House and Senate continue to have very different visions for a final package.

New data from the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) indicates those who do tend to have higher health care needs, spending, and utilization rates than people with employer-sponsored health insurance.