Washington Update
- Mon, 10/18/10 - 2:02pm
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AGS Offers Suggestions Regarding Agency Proposals for Physician Fee Schedule and Medicare Part B in 2011
Washington Update
- Tue, 6/15/10 - 2:26pm
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Healthcare Reform Becomes Law, Offers Many Benefits for Seniors, Geriatrics Healthcare Providers
Capping a contentious, more than year-long effort, President Obama signed sweeping healthcare reform provisions into law in late March. Among other provisions, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) includes a wide range of measures that will benefit older adults, the healthcare providers who care for them, and the field of geriatrics.
AGS Board of Directors Expresses “Strong Support” for Healthcare Reform in Letter to President [Full Title Below]
- Thu, 4/15/10 - 10:26am
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AGS Board of Directors Expresses “Strong Support” for Healthcare Reform in Letter to President as Democratic Leaders in Congress
The AGS’s Board of Directors expressed its strong support for the enactment of healthcare reform in a letter sent to President Barack Obama in mid-March, just as this issue of Annals of Long-Term Care was going to press. The letter reached the President’s desk as Democratic leaders in Congress began pressing for final votes on reform legislation before month’s end.
In its March 12 letter to President Obama, the AGS Board notes that
Washington Update
- Fri, 2/19/10 - 12:03pm
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Congressional Democrats and Republicans Work Overtime to Meld Two Reform Plans That Offer Much for Eldercare
Senate Democrats were planning to meet to determine what route to take with healthcare reform following Massachusetts Republican Scott Brown’s January 19 Senate upset, as this issue of Annals of Long-Term Care went to press. Senate and House Democrats had been working overtime to try to reconcile differences between the chambers’ healthcare reform plans, but the Republican victory in Massachusetts makes it doubtful that Senate Democrats will be able to muster th
Washington Update: House Passes Health Reform Proposal; Senate Leader Calls for Christmas Deadline
- Wed, 12/16/09 - 4:02pm
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In a close 220 to 215 vote, the House of Representatives approved a landmark healthcare reform bill in early November, shortly before this issue of Annals of Long-Term Care went to press. The bill, expected to cost $1.1 trillion over 10 years, would extend healthcare coverage to 36 million currently uninsured Americans and includes important provisions that would significantly improve healthcare for older adults—provisions for which the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) and its members have long advocated.
Among other things, the House bill would help address eldercare workforce shortage
Washington Update
- Mon, 10/12/09 - 9:15am
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In his watershed September 9 speech about healthcare reform, President Obama made a particular point of addressing older Americans and their concerns about reform. He assured them that disturbing rumors they’d been hearing—rumors that fueled angry outbursts and objections from constituents at Congressional town hall–style meetings the previous month—were groundless.
Among other things, the President’s speech, delivered to a joint session of Congress as this issue of Annals of Long-Term Care went to press, debunked allegations that a reform provision extending Medicare coverage to
Washington Update
- Fri, 8/14/09 - 11:08am
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In a major step forward for healthcare reform advocates, House Democratic leaders unveiled a reform bill, financed in large part by proposed tax increases for the wealthiest 1.2 % of U.S. households, that includes a public plan and would cover an additional 37 million Americans. After months of setbacks, House Democrats proposed the plan July 14, as this issue of Annals of Long-Term Care went to press.
The three House committees that drafted the proposal—the committees on Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor—were to begin considering amendments to the bill on Ju
Washington Update
- Thu, 6/11/09 - 1:48pm
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“The stars are aligned” for healthcare reform this year, President Obama declared in early May, as this issue of Annals of Long-Term Care went to press. “We’ve got to get it done this year, both in the House and Senate. We don’t have any excuses.”
Aiming to meet that deadline, committees in both chambers of Congress have been holding hearings and drafting healthcare reform proposals over the past few months. They plan to “mark up” proposed legislation this month with a goal of introducing a comprehensive bill in each chamber before the August recess. Once that’s accomplish
Healthcare Reform Moves to Center Stage
- Wed, 4/22/09 - 11:17am
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Healthcare reform took center stage in Washington last month, with President Obama convening a White House “healthcare summit” and proposing a budget that would set aside $634 billion over ten years as a “down payment” on comprehensive reform that covers the uninsured and reins in healthcare spending.
The previous month, the President signed into law both a $787 billion economic stimulus proposal that included significant funding for healthcare, and legislation expanding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The legislation provides an additional $32.8 billion for
Washington Update
- Fri, 1/30/09 - 10:12am
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There were more questions than answers about the extent and pace of healthcare reform and potential changes to Medicare as President-Elect Barack Obama’s inauguration neared and this issue of Annals of Long-Term Care went to press in mid-January.
Overhauling Medicare and Social Security will be a “central” part of his administration’s effort to contain federal spending, Mr. Obama told the press shortly before his January 20 inauguration. The president-elect didn’t offer details, however, but promised to have more to say about the matter when unveiling his budget plan in February.
