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Senator Angus King Advocates for $11 Bathmat to Reduce Medicare Costs

Senator Angus King Advocates for $11 Bathmat to Reduce Medicare Costs

Independent Senator Angus King, alongside Democratic Representative Seth Magaziner, has proposed legislation aimed at reducing medical expenses for older Americans by promoting fall-prevention measures. The Stand Strong for Medicare Act, introduced in 2025, seeks to make fall-prevention equipment reimbursable under Medicare Part B. King highlighted the potential of an $11 bathmat to significantly cut down on medical bills related to falls, which affect 14 million older Americans annually. He emphasized that preventive measures, such as bath mats and grab bars, could save Medicare substantial costs by reducing the incidence of falls. King has called on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to invest in these preventive efforts, arguing that the cost of falls, currently at $100 million, could be significantly reduced.
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Advocacy group sues Trump administration over access to abortion for veterans

Advocacy group sues Trump administration over access to abortion for veterans

An advocacy group is suing President Donald Trump's administration over its decision to reinstate a near-ban on abortions for veterans and their family members who depend on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for healthcare
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Democrats Challenge Medicare's AI-Driven Prior Authorization Program

Democrats Challenge Medicare's AI-Driven Prior Authorization Program

Democratic lawmakers are seeking to halt a new Medicare pilot program that uses artificial intelligence (AI) for prior authorization of medical services. The program, known as the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) model, is currently being tested in six states and aims to reduce unnecessary care and improve efficiency. However, Democrats argue that the AI system could delay or deny necessary treatments, potentially prioritizing cost-cutting over patient care. They have introduced resolutions in Congress to repeal the program, citing concerns that it undermines doctors' medical judgment and adds bureaucratic hurdles.
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Advocacy Group Sues Trump Administration Over VA Abortion Access Rule

Advocacy Group Sues Trump Administration Over VA Abortion Access Rule

A national advocacy group, Minority Veterans of America, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging a new Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rule that significantly restricts abortion access for veterans and their dependents. The rule, finalized in December, reverses a Biden-era policy that allowed abortions in cases of rape, incest, or serious health risks. The new rule limits VA care to life-threatening pregnancies and eliminates abortion counseling. The advocacy group argues that the VA implemented this change without medical justification or proper rulemaking, violating the Administrative Procedures Act. The lawsuit seeks to have the rule overturned by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
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Advocacy Group Challenges Trump Administration's Abortion Policy for Veterans

Advocacy Group Challenges Trump Administration's Abortion Policy for Veterans

An advocacy group, Minority Veterans of America, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over a rule reinstated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that significantly restricts abortion access for veterans and their families. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, argues that the VA's decision to finalize this rule on December 31 violates the Administrative Procedures Act, as it was implemented without citing medical evidence or other justifications. The rule effectively reverses a policy introduced by President Joe Biden's administration, which allowed the VA to provide abortions in cases where a pregnant woman's life or health was at risk, or in instances of rape or incest. The Biden-era policy was established following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which led to various state-level abortion bans. The VA's current stance, as per the Trump administration's rule, limits abortion access to cases where a pregnant woman's l...
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US Temporarily Removes UN Expert Francesca Albanese from Sanctions List, No Policy Change

US Temporarily Removes UN Expert Francesca Albanese from Sanctions List, No Policy Change

The United States has temporarily removed Francesca Albanese, a United Nations expert on the Palestinian territories, from its list of sanctioned individuals. This decision, announced by the State Department, does not signify a change in policy. Albanese was sanctioned in July 2025 due to her efforts to encourage the International Criminal Court (ICC) to take action against U.S. and Israeli officials, companies, and executives. A federal judge recently blocked these sanctions, ruling that the Trump administration likely violated Albanese's free speech rights by imposing them after she criticized Israel's actions in Gaza. The U.S. government has appealed the court's decision.
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Families weigh moves with gender-affirming care access under assault in US

Families weigh moves with gender-affirming care access under assault in US

By Mariam Sunny May 21 (Reuters) - Confronted with Trump Administration threats to gender-affirming care for young transgender people, American families are weighing moves out of their states to gain access to needed healthcare, according to doctors, patients, policy experts and advocacy groups.
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The Trump administration expands its use of AI in the hunt for healthcare fraud

The Trump administration expands its use of AI in the hunt for healthcare fraud

The Department of Health and Human Services is boosting its use of artificial intelligence to monitor audits from federal grant recipients
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Senate Democrats Propose Medicare Home Care Benefit to Address Long-Term Care Needs

Senate Democrats Propose Medicare Home Care Benefit to Address Long-Term Care Needs

Senate Democrats have introduced a policy roadmap aimed at expanding access to affordable long-term care services, including a proposal to establish a home care guarantee for Medicare beneficiaries. This initiative, outlined in a 'Dear Colleague' letter by Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden and 16 other Democratic senators, seeks to integrate home care into the broader healthcare system without imposing waiting lists or income thresholds. The proposal aims to make home care Medicare's first new benefit since the introduction of Medicare Part D in 2006. The letter highlights the financial burden of current long-term care costs and criticizes Republican healthcare funding policies. It also emphasizes the need for improved nursing home staffing standards and increased transparency and oversight to ensure taxpayer funds are used effectively.
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Democratic Lawmakers Seek to Overturn CMS WISeR AI Prior Authorization Pilot

Democratic Lawmakers Seek to Overturn CMS WISeR AI Prior Authorization Pilot

Democratic lawmakers in the Senate and House have introduced resolutions to roll back the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) WISeR AI prior authorization pilot program. The program, launched in January, aims to expedite prior authorizations using artificial intelligence for 13 medical services deemed low-value or vulnerable to misuse. The U.S. Government Accountability Office determined the model should have been submitted to Congress prior to implementation, allowing legislators 60 days to force a vote on the resolution of disapproval. Concerns have been raised about the program's impact on patient care, with reports of delays and increased administrative burdens.
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Trump Administration Overhauls Refrigerant Rules to Address Rising Grocery Costs

Trump Administration Overhauls Refrigerant Rules to Address Rising Grocery Costs

The Trump administration is set to announce changes to Biden-era Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules concerning refrigerants, aiming to reduce grocery costs. The changes involve extending deadlines for phasing out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent greenhouse gases used in refrigeration. The administration argues that the previous rules imposed costly restrictions on businesses, limiting their choice of refrigeration systems. By allowing more flexibility, the administration estimates savings of $900 million, with $800 million directly benefiting grocery stores. This move is part of a broader deregulation agenda by the Trump administration, which has been repealing various environmental and climate rules from previous administrations.