This page is intended as a look at pending issues of particular interest to Advocates, policymakers, legislators, and more.  For more comprehensive information on a particular topic, please check our Frequently Asked Questions pages.

The information posted here is chronological by date, starting with the most recent items.

• 08/26/10 - Extended Observation Stays in Acute Care Hospitals: Criticism, Legislation and Discussion

• 04/22/10 - Health Care Reform and Low Income Beneficiaries

• 04/21/10 - White House Health Care Reform Timeline

• 04/08/10 - Changes to Medicare Advantage Plans and Prescription Drug Plans Under Health Care Reform

• 01/14/10 - Medicare Issues Final Rules for Medicare Appeals

• 01/07/10 - Serious Deficiencies in Nursing Facilities are Understated, and the Problem May Get Worse

• 12/31/09 - Enter 2010: Some Good, Some Not So Good, Health Coverage News

• 11/24/09 - Health Disparities 101: Why Eliminating Health Disparities Should Be Included In Health Care Reform

• 11/05/09 - Medicare and Related Provisions in Health Care Reform Legislation

• 09/10/09 - Why Health Care Reform is GOOD for Medicare Beneficiaries

• 09/03/09 - Private Profits, Cost Shifting, and the Need for a Public Plan Option

• 08/20/09 - The difficulty Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy (LIS) beneficiaries have with private plans is a cautionary tale for health care reform.

• 08/13/09 - Countering Health Reform Misinformation

• 07/30/09 - Proposed Medicare advisory organizations could help AND hurt.

• 07/02/09 - DMEPOS Competitive Bidding update

• 06/11/09 - Exceptions to Medicare Therapy Caps

• 06/03/09 - What we need in a public health plan: the indispensable Dozen.

• 05/21/09 - Want real health care reform?  Support a public plan option!

• 05/14/09 - CMS is taking steps to undo skilled nursing facility (SNF) overpayment and abuse.

• 05/07/09 - Recent documents from CMS mean changes for private Medicare plans.

• 04/23/09 - Health care reform MUST include a public plan.

• 04/16/09 - Nursing Home Industry Makes Secret Survey and Enforcement Proposals to Congress.

• 04/09/09 - Medicare Changes for Oxygen Equipment Payment and Maintenance.

• 04/02/09 - It's past time for a coordinated care benefit in the traditional Medicare program.

• 03/26/09 - The Medicare "Improvement Standard" is a barrier to necessary care.

• 03/05/09 - More good news from the Stimulus Act for beneficiaries - a cash benefit, facility improvements, and more.

• 02/26/09 - Competitive bidding program for suppliers for certain Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) delayed until April 18, 2009

• 02/19/09 - Stimulus Act helps people in need as well as the economy - QI program extended, help with COBRA premiums, and more.

• 02/12/09 - It's time for a real Medicare prescription drug plan.

• 01/08/09 - Advocates: Join the Medicare Advocates Alliance: an initiative to assist advocates throughout the country  with Medicare cases and issues.

• Archived Articles