Aging

SHUTTERSTOCK

Nursing homes drained cash during pandemic while residents deteriorated

The facilities’ made payments to companies run or controlled by their owners, often paying them well above the cost of services.

Feb 1, 2023

SHUTTERSTOCK

Government lets health plans that ripped off Medicare keep the money

Health insurers had feared the federal government would demand repayment of billions of dollars in overcharges received as far back as 2011.

Jan 31, 2023

Vancouver resident Barbara Klausman and Dr. Aimee Pierce prepare for Klausman to get an infusion in November 2022. Klausman volunteered for the AHEAD study to learn more about her personal risk from Alzheimer's disease, which runs in her family. | AMELIA TEMPLETON/OPB

At OHSU, researchers test a promising Alzheimer’s drug — and search for a cause

Researchers at OHSU are contributing to a study exploring Alzheimer’s — and regular Oregonians are helping.

Jan 26, 2023

GUNDULA VOGEL/PIXABAY

Pressure mounts for hospice reform

Industry leaders, Senators and government watchdogs are pressuring federal regulators for greater hospice oversight.

Jan 23, 2023

MUFID MAJNUN ON UNSPLASH

Medicare keeps spending more on COVID-19 testing. Fraud and overspending are partly why

Federal money for COVID-19 testing is not subject to some of the same financial and regulatory constraints as other tests covered by Medicare.

Jan 3, 2023

MICHEILE HENDERSON/UNSPLASH

Weighing risks of a major surgery: 7 questions older Americans should ask their surgeon

Surgery can be lifesaving or improve a senior’s quality of life, but advanced age puts people at greater risk of unwanted outcomes.

Jan 3, 2023

SHUTTERSTOCK

Endgame: How The Visionary Hospice Movement Became A For-Profit Hustle

For-profit companies can exploit the way Medicare has designed the hospice benefit, which rewards providers for recruiting patients who aren’t imminently dying.

Nov 29, 2022

Staff care for a COVID-19 patient at Oregon Health & Science University. | COURTESY OF OHSU

At-Risk Oregonians Can Obtain Free COVID Medication At Home

Color Health will offer telehealth and phone sessions to some Oregonians, including those aged 65 and older and those with compromised immune systems.

Nov 17, 2022

SHUTTERSTOCK

Supreme Court To Hear Nursing Home Case That Could Affect Millions

Millions of Americans who rely on federal assistance programs could lose the right to sue states when they do not receive benefits allowed by law under a pending U.S. Supreme Court case.

Nov 8, 2022