Weekly News Wrap-Up (December 14 - December 18)

HHS To Release $27 Million To Fight Chronic Disease Among Older Adult (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, December 17, 2009)
The Department of Health and Human Services is disbursing $27 million in stimulus package funds to bolster care and prevention of chronic conditions among the elderly through the HHS’ Administration on Aging (AoA), it said Wednesday.

Medicare Plan Collapses As Senate Struggles For Compromise On Reform (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, December 16, 2009)
A proposal to expand Medicare enrollment to adults aged 55 and older fell apart barely a week after it was first introduced in the Senate healthcare reform debate. That has been one compromise as Democrats work to pass the bill before the Christmas deadline.

Senate Nears Vote on Healthcare Reform Bill (McKnight’s Long-Term Care News & Assisted Living, December 15, 2009)
Senators need to reach an agreement on their healthcare reform bill possibly by today to pass a bill before Christmas. Supporters of the long-term care insurance provision have been working fiercely to secure its inclusion in the bill.