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Before Congress, NFL’s Goodell won’t acknowledge link between head injuries, brain diseases

Goodell defends NFL’s handling of head injuries

Conyers seeks independent review of football head injuries, calls it ‘life and death’ issue

Conyers wants review of football head injury data

NFL commissioner: League to offer medical follow-up to ex-players who reported mental problems

NFL to aid ex-players who reported mental problems

Goodell: NFL will offer free follow-up medical work to players who self-reported dementia

Goodell: NFL to offer free medical follow-up work

Obama administration clarifies policy on insurers lobbying seniors over Medicare cuts

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration Friday backed away from a ban on insurance company mailings to seniors warning of dire Medicare cuts if health care overhaul legislation is approved.

FACT CHECK: Health insurers cherry-pick facts in attacking Dem bill curbing health care costs

WASHINGTON — In its assaults on a Democratic health care overhaul bill, the insurance industry uses facts selectively and mixes accurate assertions with misleading spin and an embrace of worst-case scenarios.

Many elderly with dementia and kidney failure in nursing homes get futile care, studies show

LOS ANGELES — A surprising number of frail, elderly Americans in nursing homes are suffering from futile care at the end of their lives, two new federally funded studies reveal.

Senator says Medicare payment switch will push doctors to more expensive Genentech eye drug

WASHINGTON — A Democratic senator says a shift in Medicare policy would encourage doctors to use an eye drug that costs thousands of dollars, over a similar treatment that costs just $50.

Boost for health care bill: Now estimated to cover 94 percent of US, cost $829 billion

WASHINGTON — Democrats are breathing a sigh of relief after a positive cost report on health care overhaul gave them a chance to rally around a Senate plan that significantly expands coverage while trimming the federal deficit.

CBO says health Care bill to expand coverage to 94 percent at 10-year cost of $829 billion

WASHINGTON — Health care legislation drafted by a key Senate committee would expand coverage to 94 percent of all eligible Americans at a 10-year cost of $829 billion, congressional budget experts said Wednesday, a preliminary estimate likely to power the measure past a major hurdle within days.

CBO: health Care bill expands coverage to 94 percent of eligible coverage

WASHINGTON — Health care legislation drafted by a key Senate committee would expand coverage to 94 percent of all eligible Americans at a 10-year cost of $829 billion, congressional budget experts said Wednesday, a preliminary estimate likely to power the measure past a major hurdle within days.

Health care issues: Medicare cuts

A look at key issues in the health care debate:

Senate health care bill could lead to higher Medicare prescription drug costs for seniors

WASHINGTON — Medicare recipients could see higher premiums for prescription drug coverage as a result of changes to complex provisions in a Senate health care bill, a senior Republican said Friday.

Congress to look at head injuries among NFL players

WASHINGTON — The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee says he will hold hearings on head injuries among NFL players.

Seniors want to know: What would health care overhaul do to Medicare?

CHICAGO — Businessman Stewart Grill, 75, believes there’s waste in Medicare. He’s just skeptical Congress can find and eliminate it without touching what he likes about his government health care plan.

Conn. officials demand to know if insurers discussed proposed health reform with policyholders

HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut officials demanded to know Friday if the state’s five largest insurance companies have sent policyholders information about a possible impact on Medicare of health care changes debated in Washington.

Will health care overhaul weaken the safety net for seniors, or help heal Medicare?

WASHINGTON — Medicare is looking like a big fat piggy bank for health care overhaul.

Government-sponsored health insurance plan to face crucial Senate committee votes

WASHINGTON — Advocates for a public insurance plan — the idea that has generated the most passion in the high-decibel health care debate — are pressing for a crucial test vote in the Senate Finance Committee.

Finance committee senators to offer proposals Friday to create gov’t option

WASHINGTON — Two top Democrats say they’ll offer proposals to create a government-sponsored health insurance plan to the Senate Finance Committee on Friday.

Democrats try to win support from seniors for overhaul without alienating drug companies

WASHINGTON — For the moment, the health care fight is all about older folks.

House passes bill to eliminate premium increases for Medicare Part B patients

WASHINGTON — Millions of Medicare patients would be spared monthly premium increases next year under a bill passed by the House Thursday.

Republicans to block health nominees until Obama’s team lifts ‘gag order’ on Medicare insurers

WASHINGTON — The Senate’s top Republicans said Thursday they wouldn’t allow President Barack Obama to fill health posts until his administration stops barring insurers from telling the elderly how Democrats’ health overhaul could affect their benefits.

House passes bill to eliminate premium hikes for Medicare Part B patients; bill goes to Senate

WASHINGTON — The House voted overwhelmingly Thursday to eliminate monthly premium increases for millions of Medicare patients next year.