Democratic Debates: What the Candidates Told Older and Younger Voters

(For this analysis of the first national debates with Democrats running for president in 2020, the public media websites of Next Avenue and Rewire joined forces. Next Avenue’s audience is older Americans and Rewire’s is younger Americans. So, as editor… Continue reading

If Health Care Was Designed Just for You, What Would Need to Change?

(Editor’s note: This story is part of a series for The John A. Hartford Foundation.) When was the last time you felt truly satisfied with a health care experience? If you’re lucky, maybe you live in a state or an area with exceptional access to the hig… Continue reading

Pneumonia Vaccine: How Things May Change for People 65+

(An update on the May 2019 Next Avenue story, below, about a potential change in the rules about a pneumonia vaccine: On Wednesday, June 26, a key U.S. government panel recommended the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — the CDC — change its p… Continue reading

Drug Prices in TV Ads: How Transparent Are They?

(Update: On July 8, 2019, a federal judge blocked the Trump administration order that would have required drug companies to include prices in their TV ads. A Health and Human Services spokeswoman said the administration “will be working with the Depart… Continue reading

For Help With Long-Term Care Costs, Look to the States

The advent of major economic change is sometimes obvious, like the 1973 OPEC oil shock. More often, change accumulates with little fanfare until it’s recognized that something big has happened. The legendary financier Leon Levy called these incremental… Continue reading

A Little-Known Way to Manage Your Meds

(Editor’s note: This story is part of a series for The John A. Hartford Foundation.) Carla* (name changed) is a 92-year-old woman with congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation and a pacemaker. Like many people who have atrial … Continue reading

Doughnut Hole Closed, But Many Still Struggle With Medicare Drug Costs

(This article appeared previously in Kaiser Health News.) Three times a week, Tod Gervich injects himself with Copaxone, a prescription drug that can reduce the frequency of relapses in people who have some forms of multiple sclerosis. After more than … Continue reading

2 Ways to Lower America’s High Health Care Costs

The United States ranks No.1 for highest health care costs per person. Annual family health insurance premiums rose 5 percent last year, averaging $19,616, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. A healthy couple retiring at 65 this year can expect … Continue reading

How the Medicare ‘Annual Wellness Visit’ Differs From an Annual Physical

When Beverly Dunn called her new primary care doctor’s office last November to schedule an annual checkup, she assumed her Medicare coverage would pick up most of the tab. The appointment seemed like a routine physical, and she was pleased that the doc… Continue reading

8 Policy Changes to Let Older Workers Work Longer

Most government policy proposals addressing Americans’ financial insecurity about retirement focus on boosting retirement savings. Tweaking 401(k) rules, creating mandatory universal retirement savings plans, that sort of thing. But there’s another app… Continue reading