Popular Diabetes Drug Doubles Risk of an Age-Related Eye Condition
Millions of Americans taking popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs may face double the risk of developing a vision-threatening eye condition, according to a major new study that tracked more than one million patients for three years.
The Risk in Context
The
While the relative risk doubled, the absolute numbers remain small: 0.2 percent of GLP-1 users developed the eye condition compared to 0.1 percent of nonusers over three years. This means roughly 1 in 1,000 additional users might develop the condition. However, with millions of people taking these medications, that could affect thousands of people.
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Miami Herald
2 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Dave Ramsey sends strong message to Americans on Medicare
Americans planning and preparing for retirement have plenty of financial considerations on their minds, including thoughts about Social Security and other retirement income such as 401(k) plans and IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts). Another important topic to tackle is how best to approach health care. For most people, that involves taking a good look at the complicated subject of Medicare. Personal finance coach Dave Ramsey helps to simplify the general Medicare processes and rules on which people are wise to gain a working knowledge. But we can get into his advice a bit more in a minute. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter I first wanted to note that I recently had a conversation with a woman who is near 65 years of age, but plans to continue working until she is 72. She plans to stay on her employer's health insurance until she eventually retires. That brought up the need to examine exactly what the rules are for health care coverage for those delaying Medicare because they have the option of staying with their company's health insurance beyond the age of 65, when eligibility for Medicare begins. Related: Dave Ramsey warns Americans on Social Security If you're still working at 65 and have health coverage through your employer, you have choices when it comes to Medicare enrollment. Your options depend on the size of your employer, according to the AARP. If you work for a company with 20 or more employees, you can delay enrolling in Medicare without penalties if your employer provides creditable health coverage. Creditable coverage is employer-sponsored insurance that meets or exceeds Medicare's benefits, allowing you to delay enrollment without penalties. Large employers (20-plus employees) typically provide creditable Part B coverage (doctor visits and preventive health care), while prescription plans must match Medicare's drug benefits for Part D. You can keep your employer plan and postpone Medicare, switch fully to Medicare by dropping your employer coverage, or have both - though your employer plan will be the primary payer, meaning it covers costs first before Medicare kicks in. For those working at smaller companies with fewer than 20 employees, Medicare becomes your primary insurance once you turn 65, so enrolling is necessary to maintain full health benefits. Your employer coverage can act as secondary insurance, helping cover additional expenses. It's important to weigh your options carefully, taking into account premiums, out-of-pocket costs, and your coverage needs. For people planning to enroll in Medicare exclusively at age 65, Ramsey offers some thoughts. "You've reached your golden years. You've got a lot of life under your belt and wisdom under your hat. Things should be easier now. So, why does this dang Medicare feel so confusing?" Ramsey asked. "Well, it was created by the government so that might be your first clue," he wrote, answering himself. "And second, it's just a lot to understand." More on retirement: Jean Chatzky shares major statement about Social SecurityShark Tank's Kevin O'Leary has blunt words on 401(k) plansDave Ramsey strongly cautions U.S. workers on Social Security Ramsey simplifies Medicare by clarifying some key points on which to focus. Medicare is a federal health insurance program designed for people aged 65 and older, providing coverage for those who are no longer working. It is divided into different parts to address specific health care needs, Ramsey explains. Part A covers hospital stays, Part B includes doctor visits and other outpatient care, and Part D helps with prescription drug costs. When enrolling in Medicare, you can choose between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, Ramsey wrote. Original Medicare offers more flexibility in selecting healthcare providers, while Medicare Advantage (also known as Medicare Part C) functions as an all-in-one alternative with more structured coverage but less control over provider choices. Medicare Advantage is covered by private insurance companies. Because Original Medicare alone may not cover all medical expenses, many people choose Medicare supplemental insurance to help with costs such as copayments and deductibles. Related: Jean Chatzky sends strong message to Americans on Social Security Ramsey puts it simply: Medicare doesn't cover everything, and many people find they need extra protection to handle out-of-pocket costs. To fill in the gaps, private companies offer Medicare Supplemental Insurance, known as Medigap. This additional coverage helps pay for expenses such as copays, deductibles, and other costs left behind by Original Medicare. Most people on Original Medicare find Medigap necessary, but it comes at a price - you'll pay a premium for your Medigap plan in addition to the one for Medicare Part B, Ramsey wrote. Related: Tony Robbins sends strong message to Americans on 401(k)s, IRAs The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
Medicare Update: Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Expand Health Care Program
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have reintroduced the Choose Medicare Act, a proposal that would allow individuals and employers to voluntarily enroll in a new, expanded version of Medicare. Democratic Representatives Jimmy Gomez of California and Don Beyer of Virginia led the unveiling of the new version of the bill in the House on Tuesday, while Democratic Senators Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Chris Murphy of Connecticut introduced companion legislation in the Senate last week. The proposed legislation would establish "Part E," a self-funded Medicare plan to be offered alongside private insurance in all state and federal marketplaces, giving Americans and businesses a public option for comprehensive health coverage. Why It Matters The move to expand Medicare comes as millions of Americans remain uninsured or face financial instability due to high medical costs. While current Medicare eligibility is primarily for individuals aged 65 and older or those with certain disabilities who are younger, the Choose Medicare Act aims to provide a voluntary public insurance option to anyone, regardless of age or employment status. What To Know Medicare "Part E" would be self-sustaining, funded entirely by premiums, and available through all existing state and federal health exchanges. According to the legislation's sponsors, all employers could choose to offer Medicare Part E as a workplace benefit, in addition to, rather than as a replacement for, existing insurance plans. Individuals not covered by employer insurance could also opt in directly. Part E would provide all of Medicare's traditional benefits, incorporate the Affordable Care Act's ten essential health benefits, guarantee access to reproductive health services (including abortion), and protect patients with pre-existing conditions from discrimination. The legislation caps annual out-of-pocket spending for traditional Medicare recipients, expands premium assistance eligibility without income limitations, and allows existing Affordable Care Act subsidies to be applied to Medicare Part E premiums. Medicare would be required to negotiate drug prices under Part E, a measure intended to lower prescription costs for all enrollees. Representative Jimmy Gomez speaks at a rally outside the U.S. Capitol on April 10, 2025. Representative Jimmy Gomez speaks at a rally outside the U.S. Capitol on April 10, Fair Share America The bill is co-sponsored by Democratic Senators Tammy Baldwin (WI), Richard Blumenthal (CT), Cory Booker (NJ), Tammy Duckworth (IL), Jack Reed (RI), Brian Schatz (HI), Tina Smith (MN), Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), and Dick Durbin (IL), as well as Representatives Jared Huffman (CA), LaMonica McIver (NJ), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC). Public support has come from groups including Families USA, MoveOn, the American Federation of Teachers, the Center for Medicare Advocacy, and the Center for Health and Democracy. However, some have concerns that the legislation overly romanticizes Medicare, which has widespread issues, still, according to Chris Fong, the CEO of Smile Insurance and a Medicare specialist. "The members of the House and Senate who are proposing the legislation are not considering the inefficiencies of Medicare. They seem to be romanticizing Medicare to be the perfect system, which it is not," Fong told Newsweek. Medicare, on its own, is an 80/20 insurance plan, where members are responsible for about 20 percent, plus deductibles, with no maximum out-of-pocket protection, Fong said. And Medicare also does not cover prescription drugs, which must be covered under an additional private insurance policy. "If something like this were to pass, it would be a very dramatic change to the health insurance of all Americans," Fong said. "It has many positives, but I think the path to passing legislation like this has many challenges and it would be unlikely for this to pass." On the other side of the political aisle, Republicans have pushed for $2 trillion in mandatory spending reductions. For both Medicaid and Medicare, that could translate to major cuts, although Republicans have been vocal about not actively reducing benefits. "The president has said, for example, that he doesn't want to touch Medicare and saying don't cut benefits to beneficiaries," Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy told CNBC in April. "Let's look at Medicare. Is there some way that we Medicare so that benefits stay the same? But that is less expensive, more efficient, I would say that there is, and that's where our opportunity lies," Cassidy said. What People Are Saying Representative Jimmy Gomez, in a statement: "I got pneumonia when I was seven years old, and my family almost went bankrupt because we were uninsured. Today too many families are still one medical emergency away from financial crisis. Our bicameral legislation lets every American opt into Medicare — which is affordable, effective, and trusted — and we're going to keep fighting until everyone has access to the care they need." Representative Don Beyer, in a statement: "Our bill would give all Americans access to Medicare, one of the most popular and successful health care delivery programs in history. Allowing employers and the general public the option to choose Medicare would fill many of the gaps in our health care system, get more people covered, and make the nation healthier. Every American should be able to access affordable, quality health care, and this bill represents the kind of bold action required to make that a reality for all." Chris Fong, the CEO of Smile Insurance and a Medicare specialist, told Newsweek: "An expansion of Medicare with Part E could increase the concerns over the long-term financial sustainability of the Medicare program. The Medicare Hospital Insurance trust fund is projected to be depleted by 2036. If Part E were to be approved, then there would need to be additional funding to maintain the current Medicare benefits." Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "The proposal made in the bill isn't far removed from similar calls for Medicare for all in the past. It would expand Medicare to being an option for all Americans and would allow it to be offered by online marketplaces and through employers as an option. "While the bill may have a hard time gaining traction under current leadership, it is important to note some medical facilities have actually been more supportive of these measures than you would think. "With private insurers becoming harder in some situations to get reimbursement from, some hospitals and clinics would rather work with Medicare as they know the odds are higher of getting paid." What Happens Next The Choose Medicare Act faces consideration in both chambers of Congress, with further debate and potential amendments expected in committee before any possible floor votes. Lawmakers have not announced a date for further action. However, the legislation is unlikely to move forward in the near term, as Republicans control both chambers of Congress. "I think this is still in its early stages of the legislative process," Fong said. "The bill still needs a lot more work to determine feasibility. Also, there would need to be significant increases in federal tax revenue or reappropriation from other federal allocations. I would say this is an interesting development but there is still a lot of work to be done."
San Francisco Chronicle
4 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Texas is leading psychedelic research for treating addiction, mental illness. Where is California?
In recent years, researchers have expressed renewed optimism that psychedelics can be used in therapeutic settings to help treat addiction and mental illness, intertwined crises that have devastated Californians. Yet the Golden State is falling behind Republican-led states like Texas and Indiana in expanding research on these promising therapies. Texas earlier this month agreed to invest $50 million in public funding to research the therapeutic potential of ibogaine, a powerful psychedelic that has shown promise in treating opioid addiction, depression and anxiety. The move by Texas lawmakers was described as one of the largest public investments in psychedelic medicine to date. At his signing ceremony, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott proclaimed that 'Texas is now leading the way in the United States for the evaluation of ibogaine as a potential medication that can help improve the lives of so many Americans." Last year, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a law to create a new research fund for therapy using psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in 'magic mushrooms.' Although the federal government has not approved ibogaine, or most psychedelics, for medical use, there's growing interest among researchers and veteran organizations to explore the therapeutic benefits of drugs like ibogaine, MDMA, LSD, ketamine and psilocybin. Some California organizations have made considerable strides, though there have been roadblocks. San Jose-based Lykos Therapeutics last year became the first company to get a psychedelic compound through the Federal Drug Administration's extensive drug review process for an MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD but the agency instructed the company to conduct more clinical trials before potential approval. For years, people experiencing addiction and mental illness, including a growing number of veterans and first responders, have quietly traveled to psychedelic-assisted treatment clinics in Mexico. Early research has produced some encouraging results for using these substances to treat addiction and mental illness, including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Most prominent California universities employ researchers participating in therapeutic psychedelic clinical trials, though they're funded by federal grants, philanthropic donors or private pharmaceutical companies. A 2024 study from Stanford Medicine, for instance, found that ibogaine, when administered safely, improved emotional processing and cognitive functioning in veterans with traumatic brain injuries. The new spotlight on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics comes amid national opioid addiction and mental health crises, where for decades research has lagged. California has not made any public investments to date in researching psychedelic medicine, though there have been several failed attempts in recent years. 'There is growing awareness and support. It just keeps hitting different kinds of walls,' said State Senator Scott Wiener, D- San Francisco, adding that 'California is falling behind.' Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2023 vetoed a bill authored by Wiener to decriminalize the use and possession of certain psychedelics. Newsom called psychedelic medicine 'an exciting frontier' and said that California would be 'on the front edge of leading it,' but urged lawmakers to bring the legislation back the following session with more of a therapeutic focus. Wiener followed Newsom's request and introduced a bill last year with therapeutic guidelines, but it failed in committee. Also in 2023, a Los Angeles-based physician filed paperwork for a $5 billion ballot initiative to create a new state agency for studying the effects of psychedelic-assisted therapy, but it was later withdrawn. Additionally, two other state senators, Josh Becker, D-Menlo Park, and Brian Jones, R-San Diego, sponsored legislation to create a pilot program for veterans and former first responders to access psychedelic treatment for mental health conditions. The measure failed to make it out of the legislature two years in a row. 'I don't know what's going on in California to tell you the truth,' Jones said. 'Senator Becker and I are committed to trying again. It's just a question of how far other states get ahead of us now.' The Texas initiative focuses specifically on research involving ibogaine, a psychedelic compound originating from an African root. Ibogaine was used for centuries in religious ceremonies, but more recently has attracted attention for its antidepressant properties and its apparent ability to reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal. Under the Texas law, the state will invest $50 million in state funds to establish a public-private partnership with a $50 million matching contribution from a drug developer to run FDA-approved clinical trials with ibogaine. The goal is to study its ability to treat opioid use disorder and any co-occurring mental health conditions. The legislation guarantees Texas maintains authority over the research and development and that the state receives at least 20% of profits from any ibogaine pharmaceutical resulting from the trials. David Olson, director of the UC Davis Institute for Psychedelics and Neurotherapeutics, said the investment in Texas was 'very encouraging for the field of psychedelic medicine' but questioned the decision by Texas lawmakers to go all in on ibogaine. 'I would have preferred to see legislation where a variety of different types of substances were considered and then they can move forward with whatever was deemed most appropriate,' Olson said. 'At this moment, there are still so many unanswered questions and we need a lot of basic science across the board.' Although ibogaine has shown some promising results in treating opioid addiction and mental illness, it has also caused heart damage and deaths to several patients. The drug is known to inhibit certain potassium channels, which can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, but ibogaine proponents argue that it can be mitigated through regular supervision, magnesium administration and cardiac monitoring. Researchers believe other psychedelics, notably psilocybin, have shown more efficacy and are closer to gaining approval by the FDA. 'Psychedelics have inherent potential to be of great value to people for whom standard treatments often prove ineffectual,' said Charles Grob, a professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at the UCLA School of Medicine. 'But investigators have to do their due diligence to optimize safety parameters.'
