Small businesses choking on fuel prices (The Beaver County Times)
Fuel prices are posing a severe long-term challenge to the nation s small businesses, two-thirds of which expect lower profits this year due in part to runaway fuel costs, according to testimony from a congressional hearing held Wednesday by U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire, D-4, McCandless Township.

HICAP gets funds for Medicare advocacy (BizJournals)
The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services announced $3 million in funding Tuesday to advocacy programs across the state that help seniors with questions about Medicare enrollment and benefits, including one in Sacramento.

CMS Issues New EPrescribing Standards For Prescription Drug Program (Medical News Today)
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released regulations that establish new standards for Medicare Part D e-prescribing.The new rule applies to all Part D sponsors, prescribers and dispensers that electronically send prescriptions and prescription-related information about Part D covered drugs for beneficiaries.

SUCCESSFUL AGING: Agency can help you solve the complexities of Medicare plans (Press & Sun-Bulletin)
Each year Original Medicare implements changes to Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (supplementary medical insurance). One of the most significant changes for 2008 is the increase in the amount of the inpatient hospital deductible; it is now $1,024 for the first 60 days.