MRC Perspective Archives:
Editorials on Medicare Policy IssuesDecember 2001
Bill Introduced to Eliminate Implementation of Lock-In
Study Finds HMOs Leave Medicare Despite Higher Payments
Study Finds Drug Ads Influence People to Buy More Drugs
Retirees Face Health Coverage Gap
November 2001
Medicare HMO Protections Needed
Medicare Drug Benefit Unlikely This Year
Mental Health Bill Passed by Senate
New Premiums and Deductibles for 2002
October 2001
People Have Trouble Getting Affordable DME
Medicare Reform Unlikely to Save Government Much Money
Education, Disabilities Affect Medicare Decisions
Rural Elders Taking Fewer Medicines and Smaller Doses Than Prescribed
August/September 2001
HHS Secretary Must Obey Medicare Law
Report Says Drug Industry Inflates Research and Development Costs
Study Shows People Want Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit
Few People Have Medigap Plans with Prescription Benefits
June/July 2001
Shift Toward Medicare HMOs Planned
Drug Spending Predicted to Double by 2006
Under-65 Use Medigap Policies Less Often
Medicare Panel to Advise Congress
Seniors' Drug Costs Four Times Those of Non-Seniors
The Debate Over a Patients' Bill of Rights
People Have Trouble Accessing Medicare Savings Programs
May 2001
Prescription Drug Spending Rises Almost 19 Percent
Americans Concerned about Future of Health Care
States Developing Own Prescription Drug Programs
Older Americans are Suffering Less from Chronic Disabilities
April 2001
Medicare Trust Fund: At Risk from Tax Cuts?
Inspector General Recommends Cost-Saving Changes in Managed Care
Bill to Improve Medicare Mental Health Benefits
February/March 2001
Prescription Drugs for the Older Population Not Always a Safe Bet
Consumers Know Little About Durable Medical Equipment Rules
The Battle Over Prescription Drugs Continues
Are Doctors Taking Less Medicare Patients?
January 2001
Out-of-Pocket Spending is On the Rise
Diabetes Self-Management Training
December 2000
The Medicare Drug Benefit Could Exclude Many Seniors If Based Only on Income
Medicare Web Site Now Offers Information on Drug Programs and Doctors
Medicare To Cover Blindness Therapy
October/November 2000
HMO Pullouts Worry People with Medicare
Adults Should Learn More About Medicare to Help Parents
Clinton Proposes $1 Billion Plan to Improve Nursing Homes
HCFA Releases Decision on Coverage of Clinical Trials
Medicare Pays for Intestinal Transplants
September 2000
Bush's $158 Billion Proposal: A Lose-Lose Proposition
HCFA Overpaid Medicare+Choice by $5.2 Billion in 1998
Legislation to Cover Antibiotics for People with Original Medicare
New "Outpatient Prospective Payment System"
July/August 2000
Drug Costs for Disabled People with Medicare
Higher Federal Funding is Not Necessary for Success of Medicare HMOs
Drug Prices to Rise for Older Adults on Medicare
HCFA Revises Standards for Transplant Centers
May/June 2000
Rural Communities and Prescription Drug Coverage
Medicare to Cover Clinical Trials
April 2000
Low Income Assistance Program Underused
Medicare HMOs Face Hurdles to Serve Patients With Dementia
Price vs. Quality in Choosing Health Plans
March 2000
Seniors Spend 19 Percent of Income on Health Costs
Medicare Reform Could Hike Premiums Nearly 50 Percent
White House Report Reveals Need for Prescription Drug Benefit
January/February 2000
"Citizens for Better Medicare" Helps Drug Companies, Not Older and Disabled Americans
December 1999
Nutrition Should Be Included as A Medicare Benefit
October/November 1999
September 1999
Formularies Vary Between Medicare HMOs
HMOs Providers are Legally Required to Tell Patients About Their Pain Treatment Options
July/August 1999
President Clinton's Medicare Reform Plan
What to Do if Your Medicare HMO is Leaving the Market
Providers Fight Health Plans over Denials for Care and Services
June 1999
Americans with Disabilities Act
Women Report High Chronic Healthcare Needs
May 1999
People Leave Medicare HMOs When they Need Hospital Care
Medicare Rights Center Charges That HMOs Continue to Mislead Public On Health Care Benefits
People with AIDS change their mind about end-of-life care as the disease progresses
Physician Compassion can Reduce Anxiety
Congress Makes It Harder for People on Medicare to Apply for Medication Assistance
April 1999
HMOs Give Out Wrong Information
People Don't Talk about Long-Term Care
January - March 1999
Patients' Rights, but Why Not for People on Medicare?
Will People on Medicare Spend More in the Future?
Literacy is a Problem for Many People on Medicare
November - December 1998
Quality Varies and Quality Matters
Lack of Information Can Jeopardize Health Care
A Large Majority of People on Medicare Struggle to Pay Their Medical Bills
October 1998
The Most Vulnerable People on Medicare Will Be Hardest Hit By Medicare Cuts
Original Medicare For People With Disabilities
People with Disabilities and Medicare HMOs
Lack of Information on Medicare Changes
September 1998
Consumers Want More Protections
Medicare HMOs Must Follow Rules
Getting the Most from Your Medicare HMO
Original Medicare is the Only Medicare Option for Many People on Medicare
August 1998
COBRA and People with Disabilities
Medigap is Becoming Too Expensive
July 1998
Medicare Risk Plans: What are the Options?
ICA Counselors say Traditional Medicare Has Improved
People on Medicare are Confused about Medicare Options
Choosing an HMO Based on Quality of Care
June 1998
New Programs To Help People with Low Incomes Pay Their Medicare
What are ICAs?
Coordinating Benefits for People with Disabilities
Don't Rely on the HMO's Salespitch
May 1998
CAHPS "Medicare Satisfaction Surveys"
Grievances and Appeals
New Preventive Services Available to People on Medicare
Medicare Basics
April 1998
What To Do If Your Medicare HMO Says No
Long-Term Care Insurance
What Is Medigap?
QMB/SLMB: Programs That Help Low Income Beneficiaries
March 1998
Venipuncture Restriction in Home Health Care
Assistive Technology/Durable Medical Equipment
Prescription Drug Benefits
Businesses Can Negotiate Quality and Lower Costs
February 1998
Private Contracting
Home Health Care Cut to the Chronically Ill
Hospice Care and Medicare
Patient Involvement
January 1998
HCFA Does Not Have Enough Money to Properly Educate Medicare Beneficiaries
Getting Information from Your HMO
Long Term Care Insurance
December 1997
Chronically Ill and HMOs
Americans Value Medicare's Traditional Purpose
Medical Savings Accounts
Benefits HMOs Offer Today May Be Gone Tomorrow
November 1997
Medicare + Choice
Consumer Bill of Rights
Private Contracting to Allow Doctors to Bill Their Patients for Some Services and Medicare for Others
Access to Affordable, Quality Health Care
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