Medicare

27 Stories

Western Washington was a sanctuary for trans youth seeking care — until RFK threatened gender clinics

Until recently, it seemed like gender-affirming care for trans kids would continue in liberal places like Western Washington, despite the Trump administration's crackdown. But families and advocates say access to that care is now dwindling in the Puget Sound region.
- Eilís O'Neill
Thousands of Washington state Medicare users could soon have claims denied by AI

Starting Jan. 1, traditional Medicare recipients in Washington state will face a new hurdle to get certain procedures covered — private AI companies that get paid based on how many claims they deny.
- Stephen Howie
How will the government shutdown hit Washington state? It depends

As Washington state braces for the first shutdown since 2019 — the longest in history at 35 days — a number of state and federal governments announced their operations would be unaffected. But at some agencies, impacts are still a question-mark — particularly the longer the shutdown lasts.
- Scott Greenstone
The clock is ticking to fix Social Security as retirees face automatic cut in 9 years

Social Security's finances have improved slightly in the last year. But the popular retirement program still faces big challenges including the threat of automatic benefit cuts in less than a decade.
- Scott Horsley
What is hospice care? 6 myths about this end-of-life option

Recently ex-President Jimmy Carter went into hospice, which often is for patients in the last stages of incurable diseases. Contrary to popular belief, starting hospice doesn't mean giving up on life.
- Diba Mohtasham
Here are the first 10 drugs that Medicare will target for price cuts

The government will negotiate new prices for the commonly prescribed drugs, but the cuts won't take effect until 2026. In the meantime, drugmakers are fighting the negotiations with lawsuits.
- Deepa Shivaram
Alzheimer's drug Leqembi gets full FDA approval. Medicare coverage will likely follow

The first drug found to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease has been granted full approval by the Food and Drug Administration.
- Jon Hamilton
78 people face charges for $2.5 billion in attempted health care fraud, DOJ says

At least $1.1 billion was actually paid out in these schemes targeting elderly patients, high-risk and low-income pregnant women and HIV patients.
- Jaclyn Diaz
Social Security is now expected to run short of cash by 2033

Policymakers will need to patch the Social Security program by 2033 to avoid draconian cuts in benefits, a year earlier than had been predicted. A trust fund for Medicare will run out of cash by 2031.
- Scott Horsley
Why Medicare is suddenly under debate again

As the White House and Republicans in Congress gear up for negotiations over the U.S. debt ceiling, how to pay for senior health care could be a sticking point, even if cuts are "off the table."
- Michele Martin

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