WASHINGTON — The Republican-run Senate has delayed giving final congressional approval to bipartisan legislation permanently blocking Medicare cuts for physicians until next month. The GOP-led House approved the $214 billion bill last week, moving Congress close to resolving a problem that has long plagued it. That 392-37 vote, plus President Barack Obama’s endorsement of the […]
Tag Archive | "Senate"
Retirees rattled by risk of physician Medicare cuts
Posted on 26 March 2015.
By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar WASHINGTON — New momentum for a lasting fix to Medicare’s physician-payment problem shows that lawmakers may finally be recognizing what has long bothered their constituents. Year after year, the threat of 20-percent payment cuts averted at the last minute has seemed a curious way to run a program that lives depend on. […]
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Generic drug prices draw Senate scrutiny
Posted on 21 November 2014.
By Matthew Perrone WASHINGTON — Some low-cost generic drugs that have helped restrain health care costs for decades are seeing unexpected price spikes of up to 8,000 percent, prompting a backlash from patients, pharmacists and now Washington lawmakers. Members of the Senate met Thursday to scrutinize the recent, unexpected trend among generic medicines, which are […]
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Sens. widen Medicaid program for frail seniors
Posted on 26 September 2014.
By Hope Yen WASHINGTON — More than a dozen U.S. senators from both parties are calling on the Obama administration to broaden a Medicaid program for the nation’s frailest seniors, calling it a proven alternative to pricier nursing home care as states seek to limit long-term medical costs. In a letter released Thursday, the senators […]
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Senate examines precious metal scams
Posted on 01 May 2014.
By Jennifer C. Kerr WASHINGTON — Some seniors worried about stock market swings look to gold and other precious metals as a safe investment. But, too often, they’ re scammed by telemarketing con artists who wipe out retirement nest eggs after promising huge profits and low risk — but don’ t mention whopping, hidden fees. […]
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Medicare center stage in U.S. Senate race
Posted on 19 October 2012.
BOSTON — The future of Medicare is taking center stage in Massachusetts’ U.S. Senate race, with both candidates saying the other would jeopardize benefits to seniors and put the long-term solvency of the health insurance program at risk. Republican U.S. Sen. Scott Brown has criticized Democratic rival Elizabeth Warren in recent days, saying she supports […]
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