Combating loneliness and isolation in nursing facilities – Herb Weiss

An elderly man is holding a walking stick.

By Herb Weiss, contributing writer on aging issues Almost four months ago, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy released an 81-page advisory report titled “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation,” putting a spotlight on a troubling national problem, the growing incidence of loneliness caused by isolation in our society. The nation’s chief advocate for public health…

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Health advocacy groups oppose groups against drug price negotiations – Herb Weiss

Many prescription bottles are lined up on a shelf.

by Herb Weiss, contributing writer on aging issues As supporters of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) celebrate the one-year anniversary of the passage of this historic legislation, health advocacy groups gathered last week in Austin, Texas, Washington, D.C., Chicago and New York City to publicly oppose and call on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Pharmaceutical Research and…

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Wake up call on spiraling brand-name drug prices – Herb Weiss

A colorful background with the word rx on it.

By Herb Weiss, contributing writer on aging issues A new pharmaceutical drug price report that is both timely and overdue has been released by AARP’s Public Policy Institute, following on the heels of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) releasing in June, which revised guidance for the historic Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program.  …

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Rally round Martin O’Malley for Social Security Administration Commissioner – Herb Weiss

An image of a man in a suit and tie.

By Herb Weiss, contributing writer on aging issues Just weeks ago, President Joe Biden nominated former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, Social Security Commissioner, to lead the Social Security Administration (SSA) in delivering benefits to 67 million Americans per month, totaling over 1 trillion dollars in benefits paid during the year. With the SSA Trust Fund running…

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Republican Study Committee, Social Security and Medicare – Herb Weiss

The capitol building in washington, dc at dusk.

By Herb Weiss, contributing writer on aging issues Last month, the Republican Study Committee (RSC) unveiled its 167-page FY 2024 “Protecting America’s Economic Security” budget proposal which calls for balancing the federal budget in seven years, slashes $16.3 trillion in wasteful government spending over ten years, and cuts $5.1 trillion in taxes. During the 118th…

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