The Republican-led House Oversight Committee has launched an investigation into alleged widespread hospice fraud in Southern California, following a CBS News report highlighting excessive Medicare billing and potential exploitation of vulnerable patients. California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office defended its response, citing license revocations and a fraud task force, while emphasizing ongoing efforts to address the issue. Meanwhile, a scheduled California gubernatorial debate was canceled after criticism that its qualification criteria excluded all nonwhite candidates, sparking calls for a more inclusive alternative event amid a crowded and diverse race.
Posts tagged as “Medicare”
Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton is projected to have won the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Senator Dick Durbin, leading a field of 10 candidates with about 39.4% of the vote. Stratton, supported by significant outside spending from Governor J.B. Pritzker’s PAC, campaigned as a progressive advocating for Medicare for All, a $25 minimum wage, and the abolition of ICE, positioning herself as a strong opponent to former President Trump and Senate leadership. If elected, she would become the sixth Black woman in the U.S. Senate and face Republican Don Tracy in the November general election for a seat historically favoring Democrats.
CMS has announced the first 10 prescription drugs to be subject to Medicare price negotiations under the Inflation Reduction Act, which is estimated to account for one-fifth of the program's total spending. This shift from the current system, which has been barred from negotiating drug costs, is expected to have a positive impact on the cost of prescription drugs for the 65 million people in the US covered by Medicare.
Jesse Ehrenfeld, the new president of the American Medical Association, has declared that the US health care system is in crisis. President Biden is taking steps to address this crisis, including initiatives to reduce health care costs and limit insurance junk fees. Ehrenfeld has expressed his support for these initiatives, believing they will help ensure everyone has access to quality, affordable health care.
Last week, the Republican Study Committee released a 167-page document proposing changes to Social Security and Medicare, including privatization of Medicare and adjustments to the retirement age for future retirees. The White House has rejected the proposal, while Senator Rick Scott is considering a run for the White House despite receiving little support on Twitter.
The U.S. Treasury Department has warned that the government could run out of money to meet all its obligations as soon as June 1 due to House Republicans' efforts. Secretary Janet Yellen says the workarounds to keep the government paying its bills will be exhausted in the coming week, and the Bipartisan Policy Center warns that Social Security recipients, seniors and people with disabilities will likely be the first groups affected. Congress must act quickly to avoid a potential financial crisis and ensure the government can meet its obligations.
President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy are scheduled to meet Tuesday to discuss a way to break the logjam on the debt ceiling and avert a potential economic calamity. The White House has indicated that Biden is open to making changes to the budget, but will not accept any cuts to Social Security or Medicare. If an agreement is not reached by June 1, the U.S. could face a default on its debt, a situation that could have devastating economic consequences.
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice is expected to announce his campaign for the U.S. Senate on Thursday, challenging incumbent Senator Joe Manchin in a race that could determine the majority in the upper chamber. Manchin has responded with a statement emphasizing his focus on lowering healthcare costs and protecting Social Security and Medicare. Justice and Manchin will battle for the seat in a heated race, with Justice's support for Trump and Manchin's moderate stance sure to make it an interesting one.