Latest from The Spokesman-Review

• Aging workforce strains Social Security, Medicare

  April 23, 2012 in Nation/World An aging population and an economy that has been slow to rebound are straining the long-term finances of Social Security and Medicare, the government’s two largest benefit programs. 44

• Clinics tapping Medicare market

  April 10, 2012 in City on Page A1 Large Spokane clinics say they are hiring more doctors to absorb the growing numbers of new Medicare patients. Rockwood Clinic, for example, hired 13 primary care physicians last year and … 3

• Bates Drug Stores Inc. agrees to pay settlement

  March 28, 2012 in City on Page A7 Bates Drug Stores Inc. has agreed to pay $602,271 to settle allegations that it double-billed Medicare and Medicaid. The U.S. Department of Justice along with Washington state officials announced the …

• Medicare, Medicaid payment boost sought for rural hospitals

  March 14, 2012 in City on Page A6 WASHINGTON – Rural hospitals in Washington and around the country would receive more federal money for Medicare and Medicaid patients through legislation introduced recently by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers. The … 1

• Bill aims to lessen fraud and mantra

  February 15, 2012 in City on Page A5 Waste and abuse, waste and abuse. It’s the chorus to a tune that is sung more or less constantly during debates about government spending: We don’t need to pay for … 7

• Medicare cuts could hit Jan. 18

  December 20, 2011 in Nation/World Nearly 650,000 doctors caring for millions of seniors will get a steep cut in Medicare payments Jan. 18 unless a gridlocked Congress issues a reprieve, program officials said today. A … 14

• Talk at federal, state levels alarms rural hospitals for future

  December 18, 2011 in City on Page A1 Many of Eastern Washington’s small hospitals are bracing for cutbacks as federal and state governments look to save money. Consider Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Chewelah: On any given day … 22

• Can’t raise taxes? Hike Medicare premiums instead

  December 13, 2011 in Nation/World Raising taxes on millionaires may be a non-starter for Republicans, but they seem to have no problem hiking Medicare premiums for retirees making a lot less. 19

• Medicare back on the brink over cuts to doctors

  November 28, 2011 in Nation/World Politicians of both parties outdo each other vying for the approval of seniors, but their inability to compromise on the federal budget has put Medicare in the crosshairs again. Unless … 2

• Some Medicare patients could face insurance ouster

  November 24, 2011 in City on Page A1 Group Health Cooperative says it plans to drop Medicare patients who are not enrolled in a supplemental plan that costs an additional $20 a month. It’s a step the Seattle-based … 6

• Rates down, but only for those in know

  November 23, 2011 in City on Page A5 When Patti Redmond discovered in October that she was paying almost twice the going rate for her insurance policy, she called her company to ask them why. A representative from … 9

• Numbers paint a grim picture for Medicare

  August 19, 2011 in Opinion on Page A13 This commentary from the Vancouver (Wash.) Columbian does not necessarily reflect the view of The Spokesman-Review’s editorial board. Statistics from senior citizens and projections about baby boomers loudly proclaim that … 3

• Providence acquires Spokane Cardiology

  August 2, 2011 in City on Page A7 Providence Health Care has purchased Spokane Cardiology as part of its plan to develop a new heart institute serving the region. Federal antitrust regulators foiled a more ambitious deal earlier …

• AARP, state offering information sessions on health reform

  June 16, 2011 in City on Page A8 Political opportunism and the complexity of federal health care reform legislation have confused many seniors regarding the merits of the plan, according to AARP, which has launched a series of …

• Toss health care law, says Rep. McMorris Rogers

  June 8, 2011 in City on Page A5 SEATTLE – As Washington and other states adopt laws and adapt programs to prepare for federal health care reforms, U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers argued Tuesday that may not be … 28

• Medicaid bill would shift control

  May 6, 2011 in City on Page A6 U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., this week introduced a Republican proposal touted as a way to corral Medicaid spending by giving states more say in who qualifies and who … 7

• Budget talk, from soup to nuts

  April 17, 2011 in Opinion on Page B8 Oh no! He’s back with another number-infested column about that most scintillating of topics: the federal budget. Bet his idea of a good time is a bowl of soup and … 11

• Obama wants Medicare changes, tax increases

  April 13, 2011 in News Forcefully rejecting Republican budget-cutting plans, President Barack Obama on Wednesday proposed lowering the nation’s future deficits by $4 trillion over a dozen years and vowed he would not allow benefit … 66

• Congress’ curious budget recipe

  April 10, 2011 in Opinion on Page B8 In case you hadn’t noticed, Congress isn’t like the rest of the world. For instance: 1. Should households facing large bills work on ways to bring in less money? 17

• Ambulance ride turns costly for north Spokane man

  August 12, 2010 in Washington Voices on Page N1 Howard Hickman never had a problem with his health insurance coverage. The retired Union Pacific employee and Navy veteran said he has 100 percent coverage rating from the Department of … 3

• Social Security, Medicare woes still loom large

  August 6, 2010 in Nation/World on Page A3 WASHINGTON – Social Security and Medicare continue to face grave financial challenges even though the new health care law may provide added stability to the two massive programs, according to … 10

• Physicians Clinic, federal government settle

  June 8, 2010 in City on Page A5 A group of Spokane doctors has agreed to pay $656,000 to the federal government to settle an investigation into Medicare overbilling. No charges were filed against doctors or the Physicians …

• The high cost of living

  April 13, 2010 in City on Page A1 Jim Sinnott survived Pearl Harbor, joined his nation in picking up the pieces of that shattered day and helped his generation forge a more secure world for the next. Japanese … 23

• Medicare add-ons costlier

  February 20, 2010 in Nation/World on Page A1 WASHINGTON – Millions of seniors who signed up for popular private health plans through Medicare are facing sharp premium increases this year – another sign that spiraling costs are a …

• Seniors take on Medicare scams

  December 30, 2009 in Nation/World on Page A1 MIAMI – The first box that arrived at Shirley Shupp’s door was filled with braces to help with her arthritis. Then came a motorized scooter, just like the one the … 2

• Many seniors may be paying too much for drugs

  December 15, 2009 in Features on Page C1 Seniors have until the end of the year to switch Medicare drug plans to get a better deal. But many will pass up the chance to save hundreds of dollars …

• Medicare patients can expect changes in health care access

  December 11, 2009 in City on Page A6 WASHINGTON – While the Democrats’ health care bill would represent an unprecedented expansion in access to insurance, the effects on existing government insurance programs are less clear. At the heart … 2

• House fights cutting Medicare payments

  November 20, 2009 in Nation/World on Page A3 WASHINGTON – The Democratic-controlled House voted Thursday to add more than $200 billion to the deficit to prevent steep Medicare payment cuts to doctors, a move Republicans denounced as a …

• Medicare savings questioned

  November 15, 2009 in Nation/World on Page A1 WASHINGTON – A plan to slash more than $500 billion from future Medicare spending – one of the biggest sources of funding for President Barack Obama’s proposed overhaul of the … 1

• Medicare’s shortcomings have some seeking revamp

  October 12, 2009 in City on Page A1 About a month ago, Nita Jensen visited the Rockwood Clinic to make an appointment for a physical. Her physician there had just retired, and she wanted to find a new … 5

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