Why do cuts to Medicaid matter for Americans over 65? 2 experts on aging explain why lives are at stake

When people over 65 lose Medicaid coverage, they stop seeing their doctors for preventive care due to high costs. This in turn leads to worse health outcomes and higher health care costs.

Marc Cohen, Professor of Gerontology, UMass Boston • conversation
May 13, 2025 ~9 min

Harris proposes that Medicare cover more in-home health care, filling a large gap for older Americans and their caregivers

Her proposal is aimed at easing the burden for family caregivers. She says that negotiating lower drug prices for Medicare could cover the cost of this expansion of benefits for older Americans.

Marc Cohen, Mel King Fellow, MIT CoLab; Clinical Professor of Gerontology and Co-Director LeadingAge LTSS Center, UMass Boston • conversation
Oct. 8, 2024 ~9 min


US long-term care costs are sky-high, but Washington state’s new way to help pay for them could be nixed

What happens in November 2024 could influence other states weighing their own options.

Marc Cohen, Clinical Professor of Gerontology and Co-Director LeadingAge LTSS Center; Recent Mel King Fellow at MIT Co-Lab, UMass Boston • conversation
April 30, 2024 ~8 min

Where the government draws the line for Medicaid coverage leaves out many older Americans who may need help paying for medical and long-term care bills – new research

Increasing the number of older people with both Medicaid and Medicare would mean fewer of them would be forced to skimp on the care and treatment they need.

Jane Tavares, Senior Research Fellow and Lecturer of Gerontology, LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston, UMass Boston • conversation
July 26, 2023 ~6 min

One change that could help nursing homes recover from COVID-19 fears and become safer places for aging parents

Nursing homes have struggled through COVID-19 deaths and lockdowns. Giving nurses more quality time with patients can help them win back trust.

Bianca Frogner, Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Director of the Center for Health Workforce Studies, University of Washington • conversation
April 13, 2021 ~8 min

Even before COVID-19, US nursing homes were filling empty beds with psychiatric patients

A neuropsychologist who works in these skilled care facilities describes the changing populations. With COVID-19, many nursing homes are now struggling to stay in business.

Don Martin, Director, Urban School Counseling Graduate Program, Youngstown State University • conversation
March 4, 2021 ~8 min

How one community improved COVID-19 nursing home care with collaboration and communication

A new approach is making a big difference in Virginia.

Laurie Archbald-Pannone, Associate Professor Medicine, Geriatrics, University of Virginia • conversation
Aug. 14, 2020 ~6 min

States are making it harder to sue nursing homes over COVID-19: Why immunity from lawsuits is a problem

Nearly half the states have reduced liability for health care providers at a time when nursing home regulation is declining and families can't visit loved ones for fear of spreading the coronavirus.

Nicolas Paul Terry, Professor of Law, IUPUI • conversation
June 9, 2020 ~9 min


States are making it harder to sue nursing homes over COVID-19, and that immunity from lawsuits is a bad idea

Nearly half the states have reduced liability for health care providers at a time when nursing home regulation is declining and families can't visit loved ones for fear of spreading the coronavirus.

Nicolas Paul Terry, Professor of Law, IUPUI • conversation
June 9, 2020 ~9 min

States are making it harder to sue nursing homes over COVID-19

Nearly half the states have limited liability for health care providers at a time when nursing home regulation is declining and families can't visit loved ones for fear of spreading the coronavirus.

Nicolas Paul Terry, Professor of Law, IUPUI • conversation
June 9, 2020 ~9 min

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