The Case Against Candidates Memory

What is the Case Against Candidates Memory?  Is it that they are old, or senile and so incapable of carrying out the duties of office? Is a memory gaff not normal?

President Joe Biden special counsel Robert Hur, a Republican, seemed to go out of his way to include damning commentary about Biden's supposedly faulty memory, describing him as an "elderly man with a poor memory". In a press conference about the report, the President angrily addressed Hur’s ‘well meaning’ description saying "I'm well meaning and I'm an elderly man and I know what I'm doing."  However it did not go unnoticed when Biden answered a question about current hostage negotiations with Israel and Hamas, mistakenly saying that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt was the "president of Mexico."

On the other hand, former President Donald Trump during remarks recently about the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol,  appeared to mix up presidential hopeful Nikki Haley for the former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. And Trump has appeared to slur his words while speaking at his rallies. Trump has also referred a number of times recently to former President Barack Obama when it was clear he meant Biden.

Should we be concerned that one of these men may again be elected President? Here's a thought from Boston University neurologist Andrew Budson: He says it’s important for voters to set the right expectations for their commander-in-chief and ask for an overarching vision of where the country needs to go. “We don’t want a president who is going to be micromanaging details at high speed,” says Budson, whose many other roles include chief of cognitive behavioral neurology at the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System.

Did The Covid-19 Pandemic Prove We Don’t Care About Old People

First, let me offer by means of a disclaimer; Perhaps I am old. Maybe I don’t feel old, Don’t think old, don’t think I look old. But the fact is probably somebody might say to a friend when seeing me out and about ‘hey man, look at the old dude’. Does no one care about me? About old people in general.

Now to the point of caring about old people here are some facts. During the covid-19 pandemic, the death toll was shocking, as were reports of chaos in nursing homes and seniors suffering from isolation, depression, untreated illness, and neglect. Around 900,000 older adults have died of covid-19 to date, accounting for 3 of every 4 Americans who have perished in the pandemic (KFF).

Is there a lesson to be learned here? Why was the pandemic death toll among seniors do disproportionaly high, did we just not care? More important, we should all be asking ourselves what can all of us do to prove we do care. Care enough that it makes a difference. Please read the eye opening article here:

Do We Simply Not Care About Old People? - By Judith Graham

Does The Use Of AI - Artificial Intelligence Threaten Seniors Health Care?

Will artificial intelligence make decisions about health care coverage for seniors?

Washington lawmakers are concerned. Last year Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) launched a first-of-its-kind effort to craft legislation to regulate artificial intelligence technology, and the use of it by MA (Medicare Advantage) health care plans. One of the issues is the impact of AI on denying coverage to seniors.

In a letter released on November 3, 2023 and endorsed by the Center for Medicare Advocacy, Business Leaders for Health Care Transformation and other groups, 30 House members led by Reps. Judy Chu, D-California, and Jerrold Nadler, D-New York, said they are concerned about CMS’ prior authorization requirements in the final 2024 Part C and D rule.

From the letter:

We remained concerned, however, that the new rule might not adequately address MA plans’ increased reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) or algorithmic software to guide their coverage decisions. We therefore urge CMS to increase oversight of these tools used by MA plans.... there is widespread use of prior authorization in the Medicare Advantage program, particularly with respect to more costly services.

And so congressional leaders continue to raise concerns about artificial intelligence in healthcare and its possible impact on denying coverage to seniors. House Democrats are pressuring the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to better evaluate how artificial intelligence is utilized by Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, hoping to prevent eye-catching rates of denial.

They said MA plans’ use of AI software, managed by firms like naviHealth, myNexus and CareCentrix, has led to restrictive decisions and repeated denials, resulting in a lower quality of care for patients.

Medicare Advantage (MA) plans

MA plans have said these tools guide care decisions but do not dictate denials. And while CMS has not banned algorithmic-driven tools, the agency has publicly stated that decisions must be made based on medical necessity determinations and not AI software.

The executive vice president at Public Citizen, Lisa Gilbert said “The use of AI by Medicare Advantage insurers to deny needed care to seniors and people with disabilities represents the most recent and dangerous step by greedy companies focused on profit instead of patients...” She want on to say “Understanding how Medicare Advantage insurers are using AI to deny needed care and holding bad actors accountable are crucial steps to protecting seniors and the Medicare program,”

Clearly steps must be taken to prevent the misuse of Artificial Intelligence especially if it is to deny what should be approved health care coverage for Senior Citizens.

Are You Concerned !?

Read more:

Congress, CMS clash over AI role in Medicare claims denials - McKnights Senior Living

Congressional Letter to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services - (PDF)