Blog

• KFF Health News: New Alzheimer’s Drug Raises Hopes — Along With Questions

  August 17, 2023: The FDA has approved Leqembi, the first disease-modifying treatment for early-stage Alzheimer’s and a precursor condition, mild cognitive impairment. Medicare has said it will pay for the therapy. Medical centers across the country are scrambling t...Read more >

• KFF Health News: As Many American Cities Get Hotter, Health Systems Face Off Against Heatstroke

  August 10, 2023: As the hour crept past three in the afternoon, New Orleans’ French Quarter was devoid of tourists and locals alike. The heat index was over 105 degrees. New Orleans Emergency Medical Services has been busy this summer, responding to heat-related...Read more >

• KFF Health News: The Real Costs of the New Alzheimer’s Drug, Most of Which Will Fall to Taxpayers

  August 03, 2023: The first drug purporting to slow the advance of Alzheimer’s disease is likely to cost the U.S. health care system billions annually even as it remains out of reach for many of the lower-income seniors most likely to suffer from dementia. Medica...Read more >

• KFF Health News: New Weight Loss Drugs Carry High Price Tags and Lots of Questions for Seniors

  July 27, 2023: Corlee Morris has dieted throughout her adult life. After her weight began climbing in high school, she spent years losing 50 or 100 pounds then gaining it back. Morris, 78, was at her heaviest in her mid-40s, standing 5 feet 10½ inches and weigh...Read more >

• KFF Health News: In Older Adults, a Little Excess Weight Isn’t Such a Bad Thing

  July 20, 2023: Millions of people enter later life carrying an extra 10 to 15 pounds, weight they’ve gained after having children, developing joint problems, becoming less active, or making meals the center of their social lives. Should they lose this modest e...Read more >

• Movement Advances to Establish Minimum Staffing in Nursing Homes

  July 17, 2023: The Biden administration is preparing to address the nursing home staffing crisis by introducing a proposed rule that includes requiring more care workers per resident. Low staffing often means that workers are forced to manage care for dozens of pat...Read more >

• NIRS: New Report Finds Disturbing Outlook for Generation X in Retirement

  July 17, 2023: A new report from the National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS) finds a dismal retirement outlook for Generation X, the first generation to enter the labor market following the shift from defined benefit pension plans to 401(k)-style defined c...Read more >

• Senate Budget Committee Holds Hearing on Strengthening Social Security; Rep. Larson Re-Introduces the Social Security 2100 Act

  July 17, 2023: Social Security was in the news this week with Senate Budget Committee Chairman Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) holding a hearing entitled, “Protecting Social Security for All: Making the Wealthy Pay Their Fair Share,” and Rep. John Larson (CT) re-introd...Read more >

• What You Need to Know About the Drug Price Fight in Those TV Ads

  July 12, 2023: In recent months ominous ads about prescription drugs have flooded the TV airwaves. Perhaps by design, it’s not always clear who’s sponsoring the ads or why. Or, for that matter, why now? The short answer is that Congress is paying attentio...Read more >

• KFF Health News: Why the Next Big Hope for Alzheimer’s Might Not Help Most Black Patients

  July 07, 2023: The FDA on Thursday gave full approval to what many scientists and doctors believe is the first drug to show promise of slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. But while patient advocates are celebrating, critics see it as the unfortunat...Read more >