Will future demand and need for long-term care services by aging Americans vastly outstrip supply? Possibly not in Wisconsin and numerous other states.

A new study finds that one in five patients with chronic kidney disease is depressed, even before beginning long-term dialysis therapy or developing end-stage renal disease.

Authorities in California took another step forward in the fight against Medicare fraud as 18 people were arrested and indicted today in connection $25 million Southern California Medicare fraud scheme. Prosecutors allege the massive Southern California Medicare fraud scheme was the creation of 30-year-old Michael Martinez of Long Beach and involved individuals linked to the Santa Ana based Brook Street Gang.

One of the major points of discussion about the health care overhaul in the United States is Medicare. And now that the country is one step closer to universal health care after the passing of the bill by the Senate Finance Committee, the specific changes to Medicare that will take place are becoming clear.

By a vote of 406 to 18 the House of Representatives yesterday passed a bill to hold Medicare premiums steady for all beneficiaries for the next year. The bill now goes to the Senate, where the Finance Committee is expected to address the bill soon.

Humana Inc is being investigated by U.S. Health officials for using "scare tactics" when contacting its Medicare Advantage health insurance plan customers. In Humana letter to its customer, the company warned customers about pending health reform legislation. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued an order for Humana to halt all related outreach until the agency concludes its investigation.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ final rule cutting Medicare payments for skilled nursing care by as much as $16 billion over ten years is expected to impact seniors. It could increase the sale of long-term care insurance by as much as 20 percent according to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, the industry trade group.

Medicare funding for seniors in nursing homes would be cut by more than $32 billion over ten years under current healthcare reform legislation due for a floor vote upon Congress' return from their August recess.

Medicare cuts will force many cancer centers to close, stop seeing Medicare patients, lay off staff, according to ASTRO survey.

Fifty-three people have been indicted for schemes to submit more than $50 million in false Medicare claims in the continuing operation of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force in Detroit, Attorney General Eric Holder, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and FBI Director Robert Mueller announced today.

One day after a report on a Harvard study was released that showed that 62% of personal bankruptcies result from medical costs, even hitting the those with health insurance, President Barack Obama used his weekly radio address to push for health care reform.

Medicare has expanded its coverage to include cancer treatments not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.