Substituting lower-wage staff for registered nurses tied to worse outcomes
Jun 25, 2024
Harms include avoidable patient deaths, readmissions, longer lengths of stay, excess Medicare costs and forgone cost savings.
U.S. national healthcare spending increased 9.7 percent in 2020
Dec 17, 2021
The increase was due to 36% increase in federal expenditures, mainly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Biogen is dropping controversial Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm
Jan 31, 2024
Biogen said it will shift its focus to a newer Alzheimer’s drug, Leqembi, which it markets in a partnership with Japan-based Eisai. Leqembi received FDA approval last year.
Medicare mulls coverage for controversial drug for Alzheimer’s disease
Jul 13, 2021
CMS says a final decision on coverage is not likely until next spring.
Medicare will cover new class of Alzheimer’s drugs if fully approved by FDA, with limits
Jun 02, 2023
Drug makers also will have to gather and keep data in a registry showing how the drugs are working in the real world.
Medicare monthly premiums to drop for seniors
Sep 28, 2022
The fee cuts come at the same time as seniors receive a Social Security cost-of-living increase for 2023 of up to 9 or 10%.
Medicare now covers COVID-19 tests bought at drug stores
Apr 05, 2022
Now the 59 million Americans covered by Medicare Part B can get up to eight free, at-home tests each month.
Medicare may rethink premium hike for pricey Alzheimer’s drug
Jan 10, 2022
The announcement comes shortly after Aduhelm maker Biogen cut the price of the drug by about half, from $56,000 to $28,000 a year.
Supreme Court hears arguments on Biden’s vaccine mandate for big business
Jan 07, 2022
The court also was hearing arguments on separate vaccine mandate for most heathcare workers.
Medicare will only cover Aduhelm for patients in clinical trials
Apr 08, 2022
The decision is meant to protect patients while gathering more clinical data on whether the medication actually helps slow declines in thinking.