On December 12th, the U.S. House of Representative passed a historic piece of legislation, Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3) by a vote of 230-192. If signed into law, this legislation would significantly reduce the cost of prescription drugs for beneficiaries and Medicare, including authorizing Medicare to negotiate prices for certain drugs and capping … [Read more...] about House Passes Historic Bill to Lower Drug Prices & Expand Medicare
President’s Executive Order Tips the Scales Even More in Favor of Private Medicare Advantage Plans Over Original Medicare
The President's Executive Order signed last Thursday 10/3 is just another attempt to dismantle Original Medicare. The press conference contained lies and mis-construed information, for example, saying that this EO is to "... ensure that, as much as we can, our Fee-for-Service Medicare program is not advantaged or promoted over Medicare Advantage with respect to its … [Read more...] about President’s Executive Order Tips the Scales Even More in Favor of Private Medicare Advantage Plans Over Original Medicare
Advocates Propose Agenda Priorities for California’s Master Plan for Aging
California Health Advocates, along with over 100 other advocacy organizations statewide signed onto this letter that applauds the Governor's creation of a Master Plan for Aging and stresses the importance of policy solutions that focus on equity, diversity and inclusion. It also lays out eight specific priorities that the plan must address, including: Advancing the economic … [Read more...] about Advocates Propose Agenda Priorities for California’s Master Plan for Aging
CMS’ Revised Marketing Guidelines for 2020 are Good for Plans, Harmful for Beneficiaries
Each year the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) revises it's Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines (MCMG) for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans in time for the annual Open Enrollment period, which is Oct 15- Dec 7. It's an opportunity to clarify marketing guidance to plans and provide protections to beneficiaries from marketing misconduct and abuse. … [Read more...] about CMS’ Revised Marketing Guidelines for 2020 are Good for Plans, Harmful for Beneficiaries
House Advances the BENES Act Along with Other Medicare Improvements
In late June, the House Ways & Means Committee advanced the Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification (BENES) Act along with several other bills for Medicare improvements. The BENES Act is now part of a much larger bipartisan package of bills referred to as the Beneficiary Education Tools, Telehealth, and Extenders Reauthorization (BETTER) Act of … [Read more...] about House Advances the BENES Act Along with Other Medicare Improvements
