medicaid

Red States Are the Big Winners from Obamacare's New Rules

To bring some parts of Obamacare online, Washington will have to work with the states, some which have governors intensely opposed to the program. But many of the states whose leaders like Obamacare the least are the ones that will benefit from it the most.

Obamacare Upheld: How It Will Affect Your Wallet and Your Life

On Thursday morning, when the Supreme Court ruled that Obamacare was constitutional, there was a brief pause as the country took a moment to imagine what this brave new world would look like. Well, Stop imagining, and let us draw you a picture...

How Uncle Sam Spends Your Taxes: The U.S. Budget in 8 Easy Bites

Almost everyone agrees the federal deficit is a ticking bomb, but when it comes to ideas for solving the problem, some are contradictory and all are controversial. No wonder: If you look at where the money actually goes, it's easy to see why it's so hard to balance the budget.

Who Really Gets the Lion's Share of Entitlements?

Conservative politicians have spent the past few months venting their ire on America's entitlement programs, and the alleged mass of lazy layabouts who make use of them. But a closer look at who actually lands in the social safety net reveals some surprising facts.

US Poverty at New High: 16 Percent, or 49.1M

A record number of Americans %u2014 49.1 million %u2014 are poor, based on a new census measure that for the first time takes into account rising medical costs and other expenses. The numbers released Monday are part of a first-ever supplemental poverty measure aimed at providing a fuller picture of poverty.

Long-Term Care for Elderly, Disabled Has Far to Improve

For the first time, there's a state-by-state scorecard of America's performance in providing long-term services and support to senior citizens and people with disabilities, and the results aren't much to brag about. But they do point the way toward improving the long-term care system -- and saving the nation billions.

Cutting Medicare Eligibility Would Cost U.S. Billions

Among the many ideas legislators in Washington have proposed for reducing federal spending is raising the age at which Americans qualify for Medicare benefits from 65 to 67. On the surface, that makes sense. But scratch the surface and the numbers show it to be an $11 billion blunder.

Debt-Ceiling Law: States Brace for Another Hit

The debt-ceiling discussions may be over, but the fallout for states is just starting. Many states, still struggling to recover to pre-recession levels, have depended on federal money to make up their shortfalls. As the flow of money slows, which states will take the biggest hits?

Social Security: Why Seniors Are Just Plain Angry

Described as a "fear tactic" by critics, the White House warned Tuesday that if Congress fails to raise the debt ceiling soon, come August, millions of Social Security recipients may find themselves without a check. The comments were met with a firestorm of criticism by seniors and their advocates.

Don't Let Nana Drive You Into Bankruptcy

For children, excursions with grandmother are an adventure. As time passes, however, the ride into the golden years can get bumpy; if you're financially unprepared, it can take a dramatic turn for the worse, and even drive you and your family into bankruptcy. Here are some steps you can take to prevent that.

How to Not End Up Uninsured When You're Unemployed

If you think there have to be better ways for an uninsured person to get health care than robbing a bank, you're right. Yes, most people get their health insurance from their employers, but if you're one of the nation's nearly 14 million unemployed, you still have options. Here's what you need to know.