Kathleen Sebelius

Federal government gives states more than $4 billion to help with Medicare Part D 'clawback' costs

February 22, 2010

The Obama administration is granting $4.3 billion to states to help them offset the cost of Medicare drug coverage for those dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.

National long-term care resource center for GLBT elders to be established

February 18, 2010

Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has disclosed an award of $900,000 for the first-ever national resource center to assist gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender seniors in planning for their long-term care needs.

Database of caregivers to be available March 1, but it is incomplete, news investigation finds

February 17, 2010

After 22 years of delays, a federal database of potentially dangerous caregivers will be made available to healthcare providers on March 1. But a news report finds that thousands of disciplinary records are missing from it.

Senators propose stop-gap measure on implementation of Medicare Part B therapy caps

February 05, 2010

One bipartisan group of senators is petitioning Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to postpone implementation of the cap on Medicare Part B outpatient therapy reimbursements.

Obama's FY 2011 budget to extend FMAP increase, ramp up anti-fraud efforts

February 01, 2010

President Obama is scheduled to unveil his FY 2011 federal budget proposal today. The blueprint would provide states with some additional Medicaid funding and crack down on Medicare and Medicaid fraud.

Late release of CMS Medicare payment error report troubles Grassley

December 21, 2009

An official Medicare payment error report is a month past due, and Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) is not pleased about it.

CMS uses new, stricter standards in calculating improper Medicare payment rates, agency says

November 19, 2009

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said Wednesday it has improved calculations of improper Medicare payment rates for 2009.

White House reiterates support for CLASS Act

September 25, 2009

The White House reaffirmed its support for the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act on Wednesday during a town-hall style meeting. Vice President Joe Biden and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius hosted the event.

State attorneys general urge suspension and revision of Five-Star rating system

August 28, 2009

A total of 31 state attorneys general sent a letter to Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. In the letter, they called for the suspension and revision of the Five-Star Quality Rating System.

Letter asks House chairmen to remove proposed skilled nursing cuts from healthcare reform bill

July 09, 2009

A draft of House healthcare reform legislation is set to slice $44.9 billion in nursing home funding over the next decade, according to a group of senior care advocates. The coalition sent a letter to powerful House leaders urging them to reconsider such cuts.

Sebelius praises CLASS Act

July 08, 2009

The Senate proposal to create a national long-term care disability insurance program Tuesday gained the key support of President Obama and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

CLASS Act receives president's endorsement

Liza Berger July 07, 2009

Greenlee confirmed as head of aging in HHS

July 06, 2009

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Kathy Greenlee, a strong proponent of home- and community-based services, as the next assistant secretary of aging in the Department of Health and Human Services.

HHS rescinds, delays four restrictive Medicaid provisions

June 30, 2009

The Department of Health and Human Services has removed or postponed implementation of four unpopular Medicaid regulations that were set to take effect on Wednesday. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius made the announcement Monday.