What makes an organization like AARP so influential on Capitol Hill? It takes more than lobbying and campaign contributions to have a voice in policymaking.
Continue readingIt’s AMA v. AARP as Senate votes on docs’ Medicare fees
Doctors face a big cut in Medicare fees today, so the Senate, in what's become an annual ritual, scheduled a vote to spare them. The AMA urges a "no" vote, while AARP wants a "yes" - who will win?
Continue readingControversy heats up over Medicare cost-cutting board
The fight over who will be in charge of keeping Medicare costs in line heated up this week as two House committees held contentious hearings on the subject. Opponents of the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), a 15-member panel appointed by the president and authorized to cut Medicare spending when it rises above a certain level, say such decisions should be left to Congress.
The board was created as part of last year's health care reform overhaul, and is expressly forbidden from "rationing" care, raising premiums or reducing benefits. Savings would likely come from lowering payments to doctors or ...
Continue reading
59063
