Alliance for Aging Research

Women's Health Campaign Launches to Advocate for Insurance Coverage of Obesity Care

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
American Medical Women's Association, Ageing, National Association, Research, Workplace, Nurse practitioner, Obesity, Eli Lilly and Company, Everybody, Health, Treat, Gerontological Society of America, Conditional sentence, Society, Face, Health care, Medicare, Organization, Patient, Black Women's Health Imperative, Women's health, National Consumers League, Medicaid, Partner, Social stigma, Public, Insurance, Alliance for Aging Research, Partnership, Birth control

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- EveryBODY Covered, the first campaign aiming to activate women to advocate for insurance coverage of comprehensive obesity care, was launched today by the Alliance for Women's Health and Prevention (AWHP), in partnership with ten leading organizations across the healthcare community.

Key Points: 
  • EveryBODY Covered is a new campaign focused on empowering women to speak out about the need for comprehensive obesity care coverage.
  • "The EveryBODY Covered campaign seeks to empower women to call for obesity care to be covered by insurance—just like care for other chronic diseases is covered.
  • The EveryBODY Covered campaign will advocate for expanding coverage of obesity care by:
    Empowering women of diverse backgrounds to use their voices to share their journeys and advocate for coverage.
  • Urging employers, insurers, and elected officials to ensure coverage for the full range of evidence-based obesity care and treatment.

New Video: Discriminatory Metrics Have No Place in Healthcare

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Research, Quality-adjusted life year, Ageing, Notifiable disease, Food, Health, Medicare, Alliance for Aging Research, Human, Communication, QALY, Interview, Bangladesh Technical Education Board, ICER, Evli, Patient, Pharmaceutical industry

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Alliance for Aging Research today released a new educational video warning against discriminatory drug pricing metrics promoted by the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER).

Key Points: 
  • "There is no place in our healthcare system for outdated metrics that blatantly value some lives over others," said Alliance for Aging Research Public Policy Manager, Adina Lasser.
  • "Metrics like QALY and evLYG are nothing more than mechanisms to discriminate against those who need access to care the most.
  • The Alliance for Aging Research has been a leading voice against the QALY, evLYG, and other discriminatory metrics in drug pricing.
  • To learn more about ICER and how it promotes discriminatory drug pricing through the QALY and evLYG mechanisms, visit IcerFacts.org .

URAC offers new health equity accreditation for a wide-range of health care organizations

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
American Hospital Association, CLAS, Accreditation, Genetics, Disability, COVID-19, Health equity, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Element, Organizational commitment, Organization, Ageing, Literature, Alliance for Aging Research, Council, Research, URAC, Health, Environment, Support, Human, Nursing, MD

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- URAC, the nation's largest independent health care accreditation organization, today launched a health equity program that will showcase organizations' commitment to health equity and addressing health care disparities within the communities they serve. This accreditation, created in collaboration with the National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) and a highly diverse panel of experts, is broadly applicable to any organization providing health care services.

Key Points: 
  • In collaboration with the National Minority Quality Forum, URAC developed an expert-informed accreditation
    WASHINGTON, Oct. 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- URAC, the nation's largest independent health care accreditation organization, today launched a health equity program that will showcase organizations' commitment to health equity and addressing health care disparities within the communities they serve.
  • As health equity continues to evolve, we must transform the lens through which organizations evaluate and commit to health equity principles.
  • Organizations who seek URAC's health equity accreditation can demonstrate commitment to driving equitable access to optimal health for all members of the population they serve and consistently improving health care quality and outcomes.
  • This accreditation is based on health equity standards, acknowledging that health outcomes are shaped both within and beyond health care by elements such as social and economic circumstances, environment, health behaviors, genetics and health care access.

Alliance for Aging Research on First 10 Part D Drugs Subject to Medicare Price-Setting: Today is Not a Reason to Celebrate

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
CMS, COSPAR International Reference Atmosphere, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Atrial fibrillation, Stroke, Policy, Health equity, Pharmacy, Part, Open enrollment, IRA, Government, National Council on Disability, QALY, Medicare, Martin PBM Mariner, Ageing, MHS, Congressional Budget Office, Alliance for Aging Research, H.R. 3, Disability, Patient, National Council, Economic policy of the Donald Trump administration, CBO, Presidency of Donald Trump, External, Research, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pharmaceutical industry, Health insurance

WASHINGTON, Aug. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This morning, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the first 10 Part D drugs to be subject to Medicare price-setting .

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Aug. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This morning, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the first 10 Part D drugs to be subject to Medicare price-setting .
  • Sue Peschin, MHS, President and CEO at the Alliance for Aging Research, issued the following statement in response:
    The process instead captures drugs that serve large numbers of beneficiaries at modest cost rather than high-cost drugs.
  • "Staging a celebration to announce the first 10 Part D drugs subject to CMS' government price-setting in the Medicare program is macabre and misleading.
  • We have opposed every Medicare price-setting proposal since 2019 because their value frameworks combine analyses of both cost-effectiveness and budget impact.

Independent Living Systems Awarded Lead Agency for Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties by Alliance for the Aging

Retrieved on: 
Monday, August 14, 2023
Partnership, Caregiver, Disability, Person, Nursing, Dementia, ILS, Frailty, Alliance for Aging Research, Residential care, Ageing

ILS was one of three companies chosen by Alliance for the Aging to provide services in Miami-Dade and the only one in Monroe County.

Key Points: 
  • ILS was one of three companies chosen by Alliance for the Aging to provide services in Miami-Dade and the only one in Monroe County.
  • “We are thrilled to have been selected as the lead agency for the Alliance of Aging.
  • The goal of the agency is to help people stay at home in the community and avoid placement in nursing homes.
  • For more information about Independent Living Systems, please visit our website at www.ilshealth.com .

Talking About Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 20, 2023
Cognition, Emory University, Alliance for Aging Research, Depression, Psychosis, Interview, Habit, Somatic symptom disorder, Anxiety, Communication, Ageing, Brain, Emotion, Research, Multimedia, Bangladesh Technical Education Board, Sleep, DNP, NPS, Alzheimer's disease, Dementia, Apathy, Social isolation, RN, Health, Notifiable disease, Memory, Agitation, Food, Injury, Disease, Residential care

WASHINGTON, July 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A new video series from the Alliance for Aging Research—Expert Conversations on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Alzheimer's—is now available to help shake the stigma of talking about neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) and to help those living with Alzheimer's disease create a care plan and get the support they deserve.

Key Points: 
  • Neuropsychiatric symptoms can be challenging, and often lead to social isolation due to stigma.
  • The reality is that neuropsychiatric symptoms often require medical attention and are as much a product of the disease as changes to memory and cognition.
  • "No one has said to me or questioned, why would I be asking about neuropsychiatric symptoms," she said in her interview.
  • To learn more about neuropsychiatric symptoms related to dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and to view all of these expert videos, visit www.agingresearch.org/NPS .

What Your Doctor Doesn't Know About Muscle Loss

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Rehabilitation, Health education, Falling, Ageing, Disability, Disease, Senior, Patient, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Alliance for Aging Research, Malnutrition, Attention, CDC, Doctor of Philosophy, Geriatrics, Hospital, JD, Falls, Cancer, Physician, Research, Risk, Quality of life, Death, Journal, Research report, Advocacy, Diagnosis, Long-term care, Facial muscles, MPH, Muscle weakness, Exercise, Nursing, Dietary supplement, Sarcopenia, Motion, MD

WASHINGTON, March 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sarcopenia is a condition that most people know little about, and it turns out, neither do medical professionals. A study in the current issue of the Journal of American Geriatric Society reveals that less than 20 percent of surveyed internists and family medicine physicians reported being very familiar with the term "sarcopenia." Awareness is higher among geriatricians at 70 percent and physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists at 41 percent.

Key Points: 
  • Sarcopenia is a condition that causes some to lose muscle mass at a faster rate than is typical for older adults.
  • "But for many older adults, this loss happens more quickly and can be more debilitating, leading to increases in falls, hospitalization, reliance on long term care, and even death.
  • Symptoms of the condition include falling, muscle weakness, slow walking speed, self-reported muscle wasting, and difficulty performing normal daily activities.
  • To learn more about sarcopenia, watch our short film, "Sarcopenia: Taking Charge of Your Muscle Health As You Age" or visit www.aginginmotion.org .

Alliance for Aging Research Criticizes CMS Decision to Restrict Access to Alzheimer's Therapies

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 23, 2023
Clinical trial, NCD, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, National coverage determination, Cancer, HHS, Alliance for Aging Research, Rare, ALS, AAN, CED, Research, FDA, Patient, American Academy of Neurology, CMS, Ageing, Medicare, White, Biden administration COVID-19 action plan, White House, American Academy, Health insurance, Pharmaceutical industry, Alzheimer's disease

CMS's decision ignores continuously mounting scientific evidence showing that these monoclonal antibodies are effective at delaying the debilitating and deadly progression of Alzheimer's.

Key Points: 
  • CMS's decision ignores continuously mounting scientific evidence showing that these monoclonal antibodies are effective at delaying the debilitating and deadly progression of Alzheimer's.
  • It abuses an extralegal paradigm called coverage with evidence development (CED) to ration access to these therapies.
  • With this decision, CMS has declared that people with Alzheimer's should have no such expectations.
  • The agency's statement reveals a stunning lack of accountability by CMS Administrator Brooks-LaSure, HHS Secretary Becerra, and the Biden Administration.

Today is Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Organization, Cancer, Fatigue, Cardiovascular disease, Edema, Ageing, Diagnosis, MRI, Stethoscope, JD, News, Lightheadedness, Chest pain, Diabetes, Senior, ECG, Risk, Hypertension, Death, Alliance for Aging Research, Research, Advocacy, Health education, Heart murmur, Social media, Valvular heart disease, Medical imaging, Medical device

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, more than 120 organizations, joined by countless advocates and individuals across the globe are raising awareness for Valve Disease Day by increasing recognition about the risks of heart valve disease and improving detection and treatment access to ultimately save lives. Valve Disease Day activities involve heart screenings with stethoscopes, story sharing, educational events, social media campaigns, and more.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Feb. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, more than 120 organizations, joined by countless advocates and individuals across the globe are raising awareness for Valve Disease Day by increasing recognition about the risks of heart valve disease and improving detection and treatment access to ultimately save lives.
  • Valve Disease Day activities involve heart screenings with stethoscopes, story sharing, educational events, social media campaigns, and more.
  • More than 84 million around the world have heart valve disease, and more than 25,000 deaths are attributed to valve disease in the U.S. each year.
  • The biggest risk factor for valve disease is age: 1 in 10 people 75 and older are estimated to have moderate or severe heart valve disease.

Common Sense Reforms Needed to Prevent Inappropriate Use and Support Care for Patients with Dementia

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Health, Nursing, DSM-IV codes, Ageing, OIG, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, Safety, MHS, Long-term care, Patient, Pharmacist, Schizophrenia, HHS, PAUSE, Alliance for Aging Research, Overdiagnosis, CMS, FDA, Research, Multimedia, Society, Dementia, Pharmaceutical industry

Project PAUSE shares this goal and is dedicated to ensuring the best possible patient care.

Key Points: 
  • Project PAUSE shares this goal and is dedicated to ensuring the best possible patient care.
  • Unfortunately, the November 2022 HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) report does not provide evidence to clarify the clinical appropriateness of an antipsychotic medication.
  • These medications are FDA-approved and medically appropriate for many patients, including those with dementia.
  • The current measures have contributed to the growing use of other, less safe drugs for patients with dementia and the overdiagnosis of exempted diseases, such as schizophrenia.