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Aging News Alert

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Low Levels Of Brain Chemical May Lead To Obesity, NIH Study Shows

A brain chemical that plays a role in long term memory also appears to be involved in regulating how much people eat and their likelihood of becoming obese, according to a National Institutes of Health study of a rare genetic condition.

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Seniors To Comprise Japan’s Largest Consumer Group By 2020

Japan’s senior citizens will comprise that nation’s largest consumer group by the year 2020, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. says in a recent report. ``The elderly will play a leading role in Japan's domestic consumption,'' the report says. People 70 and older will account for approximately 20% of consumption in Japan, up from 13% in 2005.

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Statins May Protect Against Memory Loss

Commonly used cholesterol-fighting drugs called statins may protect against dementia and memory loss, find the authors of a study published in the July 29 issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

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Medicare Quality Reporting Initiative Pays $36 Million-Plus To Docs In 2007

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) says it paid more than $36 million in bonus payments to many of the more than 56,700 health professionals who satisfactorily reported quality information to Medicare under the 2007 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI).

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Congress Overrides Veto of Medicare Improvement Bill

Following President Bush’s veto of the Medicare improvement bill (HR 6331), both chambers of Congress on Tuesday (July 15) voted to override the veto. The House approved the override by a vote of 383 -41, while the Senate voted 70-26.

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Falling House Prices Seen Leaving Millions Dependent On Social Security In Retirement

As presumptive presidential contenders Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Barrack Obama (D-IL) fine-tune their plans for Social Security in preparation for the 2008 election, a new report from the Center for Economic & Policy Research (CEPR) shows that, due to the collapse of the housing bubble, the vast majority of Americans have accumulated little or no wealth. This means that they will be almost completely reliant on Social Security and Medicare to support them in their retirement years.

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CMS Adds Source To Help Determine Coverage For Anti-Cancer Drugs

CMS has provided additional updates to the information it uses in determining which drugs may be covered under Medicare Part B when used to treat patients undergoing cancer treatment through chemotherapy.

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Dual Eligibles, Government Seek Court OK On Part D Case Settlement

A nationwide class of Medicare beneficiaries who are also eligible for Medicaid and the Secretary of Health & Human Services today (June 19) filed a formal settlement agreement in federal court in San Francisco. The parties have asked the court to approve the settlement, a process that is expected to take several months.

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Study: Regular Exercise Program Can Help Delay Aging

A new study showing that maintaining aerobic fitness through middle age could delay biological aging by 12 years underscores the benefits of incorporating even a modest exercise program into one's daily routine, says the American Physical Therapy Association.

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New Book Offers Non-Financial Tips For Retiring Boomers

Just released is "What's Next in Your Life?", a guide to the non-financial aspects of retirement written by Joan Strewler-Carter and Stephen Carter, co-founders of the Life Options Institute, an organization dedicated to helping people plan for life beyond age 50.

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More Nonprofits Using Due Diligence In Board Member Selection Process

Heightened scrutiny and transparency requirements from the IRS and state agencies have raised the stakes for not-for-profit organizations when it comes to board member selection. A growing number of organizations are undertaking due diligence in assessing candidates for board memberships.

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Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging Awards Program

The principal goal of the Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging Award program is to raise awareness across the nation about healthy synergies that can be achieved by communities combining Smart Growth principles and Active Aging concepts. Applications are due Sept. 12

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Everything You Wanted To Know About DMEPOS Bidding But Were Afraid To Ask

Experts at the Washington, DC-based Center for Medicare Advocacy tackle the current controversy swirling around the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' requirements for a new competitive bidding program for certain Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies.

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CMS Revises Reporting Of Additional Data To Describe Service On Hospice Claims

CMS issues a revised CR 5567 which requires hospice providers to report data on their claims for Medicare payment, describing the visits provided in the course of delivering each hospice level of care billed.

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Rx Drug Ads Need More Oversight, AMA Honcho Tells Congress

The president-elect of the American Medical Association on Thursday, (May 8) called for better government oversight of prescription drug advertisements directed at consumers to protect patients from misleading information.

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Rx Drug Ads Need More Oversight, AMA Honcho Tells Congress

The president-elect of the American Medical Association on Thursday, (May 8) called for better government oversight of prescription drug advertisements directed at consumers to protect patients from misleading information.

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CMS Sets Rate Year 2009 Payment & Policy Changes For Long-Term Care Hospitals

CMS has published the final regulation establishing rate year 2009 federal payment rates and policies for long-term care hospitals. The changes provide moderate increases in payments affecting nearly 400 LTCHs across the nation.

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Tips To Help Protect Non-Traditional Families Facing Retirement

The MetLife Mature Market Institute is making a series of tips available to consumers, particularly those who are not in "traditional families," to help them make the right choices about how to prepare for retirement, despite the challenges they face. "Family Matters: Retirement Preparation Tip...

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Plastic Surgery On The Rise Among Baby Boomers

Despite increasing consumer demand for less invasive procedures for facial rejuvenation, facelifts are making a comeback with female and male baby boomers.

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Violence-Related Hospital Admissions on the Rise

Some 27% of violence-related hospitalizations in 2005 were for Medicare enrollees.

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FAQs Added To Gateway To Older Americans Act 2006 Amendments

The Admin. on Aging's online Gateway to the Older Americans Act 2006 Amendments now includes Frequently Asked Questions, as well as the opportunity for users to submit their own questions regarding the 2006 Amendments.

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CMS Updating Medicare PPS Rates for Long-Term Care Hospitals

CMS proposes a rule aimed at updating the annual payment rates for the Medicare prospective payment system for inpatient hospital services provided by long-term care hospitals.

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MedPAC Approves Recommendations on SNFs

MedPAC's latest recommendations to Congress will affect skilled nursing facilities and home healthcare agencies.

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