RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press

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  Trade-offs in raising Medicare eligibility age

  By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press  |  December 7, 2012

  It could help reduce the deficit, but may have some surprising consequences, including higher premiums for people on Medicare.

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  How would Romney handle people who are already sick?

  By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press  |  October 9, 2012

  An AP reporter raises questions about Romney's proposals for consumers with pre-existing conditions.

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  Medicare fines over hospitals' readmitted patients

  By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press  |  October 1, 2012

  The program could cost 2,200 hospitals $125,000 each.

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  Will LTC Providers Keep Your Clients Safe from Disasters?

  By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press  |  September 5, 2012

  When a crisis hits, the quality indicators that seem to matter most might change.

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  The Other Paul Ryan Plan: $800B in Medicaid Cuts

  By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press  |  August 27, 2012

  The federal government now accounts for 60% of spending on a program that pays many Americans' nursing home bills.

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  Feds Hire PPACA Exchange Vendors, Push Ahead with Construction

  By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press  |  August 6, 2012

  CGI Federal is building the exchange, and Quality Software Services is building an eligibility information database.

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  States Saying No to PPACA Could See Downside

  By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press  |  July 19, 2012

  An Associated Press reporter gives his take on how governors might handle the PPACA Medicaid expansion provisions.

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  Government Auditors Doubt Legality of Medicare Bonuses

  By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press  |  July 12, 2012

  The GAO is concerned about Medicare’s legal authority to undertake the $8.3 billion Medicare Advantage quality bonus program.

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  Spin Meter: Political Ads Stir Health Care Horror

  By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press  |  May 30, 2012

  An AP reporter looks at how political campaigns are responding to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

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  PPACA: Court Could Kill PCIP

  By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press  |  May 17, 2012

  AP's take on a risk pool program that has irritated brokers but served as an insurer of last resort for some patients.