seniors

Image

SHUTTERSTOCK

Illinois Becomes First to Extend Health Coverage to Undocumented Seniors

Amid a deadly virus outbreak that has hit Latino communities hard, Illinois decided to provide public health insurance to all low-income noncitizen seniors.

Jan 7, 2021

1 Dead, 4 Hospitalized in Portland Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak

The outbreak at Rosemont Court, a North Portland senior housing complex, was traced to the water supply.

Jan 6, 2021

Image

SHUTTERSTOCK

Seniors Face Crushing Drug Costs as Congress Stalls on Capping Medicare Out-Of-Pockets

Many Americans face high out-of-pocket costs for life-saving drugs but those on Medicare are often worse off: There's no cap on coinsurance costs once they hit $6,550 in drug spending.

Jan 4, 2021

Image

Silver diamine fluoride is a topical medication that gets painted on teeth to stem decay. It could become a game changer for treating cavities in older adults./Jennifer Geiselhofer

New Dental Treatment Helps Fill Cavities and Insurance Gaps for Seniors

Silver diamine fluoride, a liquid that can be painted on teeth to stop decay, is rapidly gaining momentum as the cavity treatment of choice for patients who can’t easily get a filling.

Sep 15, 2020

For Seniors, COVID-19 Sets Off A Pandemic Of Despair

Jun 4, 2020

Image

SENIORS RIDE A BUS TO BUY CANNABIS./STEPHANIE O'NEILL/KAISER HEALTH NEWS

Seniors In Pain Hop Aboard The Canna-Bus

People over 50, and especially those 65 and older, are the fastest growing group of cannabis users. They find it helpful in easing pain.

Sep 18, 2018

House Overwhelmingly Passes Six-Year Extension to Nursing Home Tax

The Oregon Health Care Association lobbied to for an early vote to extend the tax to 2026, providing stability to their businesses and the state. The tax raises about $70 million a year for vulnerable seniors.

Feb 23, 2018

Changes to Republican Health Bill Could Reduce but Not Eliminate Lopsided Negative Impact on Seniors

The U.S. House of Representatives is considering a series of amendments that would moderate the impacts on Medicaid, particularly for long-term care services for the elderly and disabled. But without any changes, these services would see a $150 million cut and middle-income seniors would bear the heaviest cost in the individual health market.

Mar 22, 2017

Oregon Could See Higher Spending if Safety Net Program for Seniors Cut

Gov. Kate Brown has proposed severe cuts to Oregon Project Independence to help close a $1.8 billion budget gap for 2017-2019. But limiting support for the program will only push more seniors into Medicaid, which costs the state more than this program, which provides limited help for seniors wishing to stay at home. Sen. Tim Knopp and Rep. Alissa Keny-Guyer may lead the bipartisan effort to save the program.

Dec 21, 2016

Federal Investigation Underway into Senior Advisory Council

After being removed as chair of the Senior Advisory Council for Elders, Bill Gentile’s concerns prompted a state investigation. Then, the Administration for Community Living (the federal agency overseeing funding through the Older Americans Act) reviewed the results, and requested a deeper look. That inquiry is now taking place from Salem into what Gentile describes as potential conflicts of interest, lack of diversity, and other issues possibly counter to federal statutes.

Dec 8, 2015