Blog

• KFF Health News: Trump’s DOJ Accuses Medicare Advantage Insurers of Paying ‘Kickbacks’ for Primo Customers

  May 19, 2025: When people call large insurance brokerages seeking free assistance in choosing Medicare Advantage plans, they’re often offered assurances such as this one from eHealth: “Your benefit advisors will find plans that match your needs — no matter t...Read more >

• States in the Midwest and the South Are Most Vulnerable to Social Security Cuts

  May 16, 2025: Any disruption or cuts to Social Security benefits will hurt Americans who live in Southern and Midwestern states the most, according to a new report from the Economic Policy Institute. The report reinforced the importance of Social Security to the U...Read more >

• KFF Health News: Honey, Sweetie, Dearie – The Perils of Elderspeak

  May 09, 2025: A prime example of elderspeak: Cindy Smith was visiting her father in his assisted living apartment in Roseville, California. An aide who was trying to induce him to do something —  Smith no longer remembers exactly what — said, “Let me help y...Read more >

• Alliance Marks Older Americans Month

  May 09, 2025: Thursday, May 1 was the first day of Older Americans Month. Historically, this month commemorates older Americans and provides an opportunity for us to reflect on their contributions. It can also be a time to reflect on the consequences of ageism....Read more >

• Senate Confirms Frank Bisignano as SSA Commissioner Despite Controversy Over His DOGE Connections, Lack of Relevant Experience

  May 09, 2025: The Senate confirmed Frank Bisignano to head the Social Security Administration (SSA) along party lines on Tuesday, with a 53-47 vote. His term – set to expire in January 2031 – coincides with a tumultuous period for the agency, as Elon Musk and...Read more >

• KFF Health News: At Social Security, These Are the Days of the Living Dead

  May 06, 2025: Rennie Glasgow, who has served 15 years at the Social Security Administration, is seeing something new on the job: dead people. They’re not really dead, of course. In four instances over the past few weeks, he told KFF Health News, his Schenecta...Read more >

• KFF Health News: Trump HHS Eliminates Office That Sets Poverty Levels Tied to Benefits for at Least 80 Million People

  April 11, 2025: President Donald Trump’s firings at the Department of Health and Human Services included the entire office that sets federal poverty guidelines, which determine whether tens of millions of Americans are eligible for health programs such as Medicaid...Read more >

• Retirees Are In the Fight

  February 11, 2025: Texas retirees are fighting in the courts, in Washington, in Austin, and on the streets of Texas cities! Austin TARA will rally February 12. Dallas rallies Feb 15 along with major labor leaders. Alliance Sues Treasury Department Over Illegal ...Read more >

• KFF Health News: Biden Administration Bars Medical Debt From Credit Scores

  January 08, 2025: The federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Tuesday issued new regulations barring medical debts from American credit reports, enacting a major new consumer protection just days before President Joe Biden is set to leave office. The rules ...Read more >

• Good News!

  January 07, 2025: Even though we have much to celebrate and a lot to talk about, we can’t do our regular statewide ZOOM meeting from Dallas on Wednesday. We’ll do it Thursday at 11AM, register here. We’re all celebrating the success of the Social Security Fai...Read more >