Arizona, Nevada Alliance Members Join First Lady Dr. Jill Biden in Phoenix and Reno

Many Arizona Alliance members joined First Lady Dr. Jill Biden at Devonshire Senior Center on Saturday in Phoenix. The event was the last of several “Seniors for Biden” events Dr. Biden held last week.

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden with seniors in Phoenix

Arizona Alliance executive director Dora Vasquez spoke to the 300-person crowd about the differences between the two major candidates for president. “Every single one of Trump’s budgets included proposals to gut Social Security and Medicare. And on the campaign trail, he has doubled down on cutting those essential programs,” said Vasquez. “I’m confident that Arizona will choose Joe Biden, who has lowered health care costs for seniors and protected Social Security, and reject once and for all the man who sides with Big Pharma while jacking up the prices for seniors in our community.”

In Reno last Friday, Nevada Alliance Vice President Wendy Bosznak spoke at another “Seniors for Biden” event with the First Lady, actress Jane Fonda, and other VIPs. Nevada Alliance Secretary Sue Bird was in the audience.

Jane Fonda (left) and the First Lady (at podium) with seniors in Reno Friday

“It was truly an honor for the Alliance that the campaign and the First Lady chose to kick off this effort with so many Alliance members,” added Robert Roach, Jr., President of the Alliance. “We know that Joe Biden will continue the administration’s work protecting and expanding our hard earned Social Security and Medicare benefits when reelected. All President Biden and Vice President Harris need is a second term and a Democratic House and Senate.”

Donald Trump Falsely Claims Credit for Inflation Reduction Act Insulin Price Cap

Former President Donald Trump claimed the current low price of Insulin is something he accomplished in office. “Low INSULIN PRICING was gotten for millions of Americans by me, and the Trump Administration, not by Crooked Joe Biden,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. “He had NOTHING to do with it. It was all done long before he so sadly entered office. All he does is try to take credit for things done by others, in this case, ME!”

Of course, the Inflation Reduction Act, one of President Biden’s top achievements, is the legislation that passed the $35 per month price cap on Insulin for Medicare beneficiaries, bringing Insulin costs down from $300-$400 per month for many seniors.

President Biden’s campaign has used this latest blunder from former President Trump to highlight the differences between Biden and his predecessor. “Donald Trump was too weak to take on Big Pharma and lower prescription drug prices for seniors as president,” said Biden campaign spokesperson Seth Schuster. “But Joe Biden got it done. As a result, millions are seeing lower prices on the lifesaving medications they rely on.”

The Biden campaign urges voters to consider the disastrous effects of another Trump presidency. “[Insulin] prices will skyrocket and Americans who are currently benefiting from $35 insulin may have to choose between paying rent and affording their essential medication,” said Schuster.

“President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act has led to positive change in the lives of millions of seniors,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance. “Donald Trump can try to take credit for President Biden’s work, but that does not make it true.”

Congress Tries Again to Crack Down on Medicare “Prior Authorization” Delays

A bipartisan bill taking aim at the need for Medicare beneficiaries to receive prior authorization before certain medical procedures or treatments is gaining support after lawmakers made changes designed to save money.

Many doctors and health care advocates say prior authorization makes it harder for patients to get needed treatment.

The bill would codify recent Biden Administration reforms requiring that Medicare Advantage plans create electronic prior authorization systems. The system would streamline coverage decisions and help guard against the possibility of rollbacks by a future administration or upcoming U.S. Supreme Court decision that could curtail federal rulemaking.

"Every doctor can tell you about patients that were delayed, which are frustrating and decrease their options or, even worse, decrease their probability of control and survival," said Catheryn Yashar, health policy chair of the American Society for Radiation Oncology.

“The Biden-Harris administration has made improving health care for seniors a priority,” added Joseph Peters, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance of the Alliance. “We need to make sure doctors and patients are making health care decisions, not insurance corporation bureaucrats.”

KFF Health News: Older Women Are Different Than Older Men. Their Health Is Woefully Understudied.

By Judith Graham

Medical research has shortchanged women for decades. This is particularly true of older women, leaving physicians without critically important information about how to best manage their health.

Late last year, the Biden administration promised to address this problem with a new effort called the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research. That inspires a compelling question: What priorities should be on the initiative’s list when it comes to older women?

Stephanie Faubion, director of the Mayo Clinic’s Center for Women’s Health, launched into a critique when I asked about the current state of research on older women’s health. “It’s completely inadequate,” she told me.

One example: Many drugs widely prescribed to older adults, including statins for high cholesterol, were studied mostly in men, with results extrapolated to women.