Medicare and Medicaid Celebrate 50 Years; 55 Million Americans Covered by Medicare; New State Enrollment Numbers
Washington, DC, July 30, 2015 ― On July 30, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson—with former President Harry S. Truman at his side—signed the Social Security Amendments, which established Medicare and Medicaid, promising that they would “improve a wide range of health and medical services for Americans of all ages.”
As Medicare and Medicaid today celebrate their 50th anniversary protecting the health and well-being of millions of seniors, people with disabilities and low-income individuals, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released updated Medicare state-by-state enrollment numbers, showing that more than 55 million Americans are covered by Medicare.
In 1966, approximately 19.1 million Americans were covered by Medicare. In 2012, there were nearly 52 million beneficiaries covered by Medicare. Today’s enrollment numbers represent a three million person increase during the last three years as the Baby Boom generation has started to retire. Continue reading
Medicare Prescription Drug Premiums Projected to Remain Stable in 2016
Washington, DC, July 30, 2015 ― On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the signing of Medicare and Medicaid into law, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) projected today that the average premium for a basic Medicare Part D prescription drug plan in 2016 will remain stable, at an estimated $32.50 per month.
“Seniors and people with disabilities are continuing to benefit from stable prescription drug premiums and a competitive and transparent marketplace for Medicare drug plans,” said acting CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt.
“While this is good news, we must ensure that Medicare Part D remains affordable for Medicare beneficiaries so that they can have access to the prescription drugs that they need,” Slavitt added. Continue reading
U.S. Government Releases Healthcare Spending Forecast for 2014 – 2024
Windsor Mill, MD, July 29, 2015 ― According to a report published in Health Affairs authored by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Office of the Actuary (OACT), health spending growth in the United States is projected to average 5.8 percent for 2014–24.
This growth reflects the Affordable Care Act’s coverage expansions, faster economic growth, and population aging. Recent historically low growth rates in the use of medical goods and services, as well as medical prices, are expected to gradually increase. Continue reading
For 2015 Innovation Gala on Oct. 26, NJ Chamber of Commerce Asks What Are Sci-Fi’s Greatest Hits?
Trenton, NJ, July 29, 2015 ― The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce is partnering with NJBIZ to host the Innovation Gala 2.0 – the iGALA, the Chamber’s second annual celebration of the state’s rich history of innovation. The evening event will be held October 26 at The Palace in Somerset.
The 2015 event will salute science fiction and its impact on innovation. To take the Chamber’s iPINION survey on sci-fi’s greatest hits, click here. amber’s second annual celebration of the state’s rich history of innovation. The evening event will be held October 26 at The Palace in Somerset.
Rutgers to Host 65th Roy A. Bowers Pharmaceutical Conference September 30
New Brunswick, NJ, July 28, 2015 ― Save the date for the 65th Roy A. Bowers Pharmaceutical Conference, which will focus on “The Next Generation Health Care and Consumer Interface: A Pharmaceutical Conference.”
The annual forum will be held Wednesday, September 30 at The Radisson, 21 Kingsbridge Road, Piscataway.
The conference will explore the next generation of health care and consumer interface and will discuss the state of the health care population, analytic framework to support health care value strategy, specialty pipeline management, and more.
For information, click here.
National Journal Profile: It’s a Great Time to Be Frank Pallone
U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-D-6)
Washington, DC, July 27, 2015 ― Frank Pallone feels he got lucky, starts Fawn Johnson’s National Journal profile on the Congressman, who represents New Jersey’s 6th Congressional District.
Pallone ascended to the top Democratic spot on the House Energy and Commerce Committee just before Republicans began reaching out to Democrats to salvage their disastrous start to the current session. And now, with the GOP looking to mend fences, Pallone says he’s in position to accomplish what few lawmakers currently can: actually make laws.
“I made it my business that I wanted to work with the Republicans,” Pallone said in the interview with Johnson. “If not, how are we ever going to pass any legislation?” Continue reading
Health-Care Prices Are in the Longest Slowdown on Record
Washington, DC, July 24, 2015 ― John Tozzi reports in Bloomberg that the price of health care has grown more slowly than core consumer prices—what Americans spend on everything except food and energy—over the past five years. It’s the first time that’s happened since record-keeping started in 1959.
That’s a remarkable break from decades of health-care prices outpacing inflation, Tozzi reports.
However, consumers shouldering a greater share of their medical costs may not notice the difference. Continue reading
FDA Approves Diagnostic Test to Differentiate Between Types of HIV Infection
Washington, DC, July 24, 2015 ― The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday approved the Bio-Rad BioPlex 2200 HIV Ag-Ab assay, the first FDA-approved diagnostic that differentiates between HIV-1 antibodies, HIV-2 antibodies, and HIV-1 p24 antigen in human serum or plasma specimens.
Two major types of HIV have been identified: HIV-1 and HIV-2.
HIV-1 is responsible for most HIV infections throughout the world. HIV-2 is found primarily in West Africa; however, cases of HIV-2 infection have been identified in the United States. HIV-1 and HIV-2 are similar, but distinct viruses. Continue reading
Research: Women with Mild Cognitive Impairment Decline Twice as Fast as Men with the Condition
Washington, DC, July 23, 2015 ― Women with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have two times faster decline in cognition than men with MCI, according to new research reported at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® 2015 (AAIC® 2015), which is being held this week in Washington, DC.
In addition, women decline more dramatically than men in cognition, function and brain size after surgery and general anesthesia, according to another study reported at the conference.
MCI involves a slight but noticeable and measurable decline in cognitive abilities, including memory and thinking skills, but the changes are not severe enough to interfere with daily life or independent function. A person with MCI is at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Continue reading
Social Security Board of Trustees Reports Reserve Depleted 2034 Unless Congress Acts
Washington, DC, July 23, 2015 ― The Social Security Board of Trustees yesterday released its annual report on the long-term financial status of the Social Security Trust Funds.
The projected point at which the combined trust fund reserves will become depleted, if Congress does not act before then, comes in 2034 — one year later than projected last year.
The combined asset reserves of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) Trust Funds are projected to become depleted in 2034, one year later than projected last year, with 79 percent of benefits payable at that time. The DI Trust Fund will become depleted in 2016, unchanged from last year’s estimate, with 81 percent of benefits still payable. Continue reading
