Ali Bers
@alicebers.bsky.social
Director, Massachusetts Medicare Advocacy Project; former Litigation Director @ Center for Medicare Advocacy; interested in health care policy; only my own views here. She/her
Western Mass
Western Mass
Reposted by Ali Bers
"These immediate, predictable, and unchallenged harms facing forty-two million Americans who rely on SNAP benefits -- including fourteen million children -- weigh heavily against a stay."
November 10, 2025 at 5:23 AM
"These immediate, predictable, and unchallenged harms facing forty-two million Americans who rely on SNAP benefits -- including fourteen million children -- weigh heavily against a stay."
Reposted by Ali Bers
"(T)ens of millions of Americans rely on
monthly SNAP benefits to pay for food. In support of their motion for a TRO, plaintiffs provided overwhelming evidence of the harms that even a short suspension of benefits would cause, including numerous declarations from SNAP beneficiaries"
monthly SNAP benefits to pay for food. In support of their motion for a TRO, plaintiffs provided overwhelming evidence of the harms that even a short suspension of benefits would cause, including numerous declarations from SNAP beneficiaries"
November 10, 2025 at 5:22 AM
"(T)ens of millions of Americans rely on
monthly SNAP benefits to pay for food. In support of their motion for a TRO, plaintiffs provided overwhelming evidence of the harms that even a short suspension of benefits would cause, including numerous declarations from SNAP beneficiaries"
monthly SNAP benefits to pay for food. In support of their motion for a TRO, plaintiffs provided overwhelming evidence of the harms that even a short suspension of benefits would cause, including numerous declarations from SNAP beneficiaries"
Reposted by Ali Bers
"The district court determined that the gov't had failed to comply with the order because it did not provide partial payments in a timely manner; it thus ordered the full payment of SNAP funds for Nov. The gov't now asks us to stay that order in its entirety pending its appeal. We deny that request"
November 10, 2025 at 5:09 AM
"The district court determined that the gov't had failed to comply with the order because it did not provide partial payments in a timely manner; it thus ordered the full payment of SNAP funds for Nov. The gov't now asks us to stay that order in its entirety pending its appeal. We deny that request"
Reposted by Ali Bers
A distinguished federal judge appointed by President Reagan steps down to free himself to fight publicly for the rule of law. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Why I Am Resigning
A federal judge explains his reasoning for leaving the bench.
www.theatlantic.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:23 PM
A distinguished federal judge appointed by President Reagan steps down to free himself to fight publicly for the rule of law. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Reposted by Ali Bers
This is an absolutely insane administrative process. Within the space of a week, states were told by judges/White House
*no SNAP benefits
*half benefits
*full benefits
*pause provision of benefits.
Result is chaos, uncertainty, and uneven access to benefits depending on where people live.
*no SNAP benefits
*half benefits
*full benefits
*pause provision of benefits.
Result is chaos, uncertainty, and uneven access to benefits depending on where people live.
NEW: The Trump admin told states it must immediately "undo" the work to provide full food stamp benefits, or face penalties. The feds sent this in a late-night memo, only adding to the chaos and confusion around SNAP. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/b...
Trump Administration Demands States ‘Undo’ Work to Send Full Food Stamps
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:34 PM
This is an absolutely insane administrative process. Within the space of a week, states were told by judges/White House
*no SNAP benefits
*half benefits
*full benefits
*pause provision of benefits.
Result is chaos, uncertainty, and uneven access to benefits depending on where people live.
*no SNAP benefits
*half benefits
*full benefits
*pause provision of benefits.
Result is chaos, uncertainty, and uneven access to benefits depending on where people live.
Reposted by Ali Bers
NEW: The Trump admin told states it must immediately "undo" the work to provide full food stamp benefits, or face penalties. The feds sent this in a late-night memo, only adding to the chaos and confusion around SNAP. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/b...
Trump Administration Demands States ‘Undo’ Work to Send Full Food Stamps
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:27 PM
NEW: The Trump admin told states it must immediately "undo" the work to provide full food stamp benefits, or face penalties. The feds sent this in a late-night memo, only adding to the chaos and confusion around SNAP. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/b...
Reposted by Ali Bers
The Trump administration tells the Supreme Court it can’t be compelled to fully fund SNAP because paying out the money would “irreparably harm” the government, while SNAP beneficiaries … *won’t* be irreparably harmed by going hungry? The balance of equities here is completely upside down.
November 8, 2025 at 12:06 AM
The Trump administration tells the Supreme Court it can’t be compelled to fully fund SNAP because paying out the money would “irreparably harm” the government, while SNAP beneficiaries … *won’t* be irreparably harmed by going hungry? The balance of equities here is completely upside down.
Reposted by Ali Bers
SNAP UPDATE: I’m directing SNAP benefits to be processed today — and paid IN FULL starting tomorrow.
Americans are going hungry because President Trump chose to play politics with their lives.
People need to eat. We’re making sure they do.
Americans are going hungry because President Trump chose to play politics with their lives.
People need to eat. We’re making sure they do.
November 7, 2025 at 8:58 PM
SNAP UPDATE: I’m directing SNAP benefits to be processed today — and paid IN FULL starting tomorrow.
Americans are going hungry because President Trump chose to play politics with their lives.
People need to eat. We’re making sure they do.
Americans are going hungry because President Trump chose to play politics with their lives.
People need to eat. We’re making sure they do.
Reposted by Ali Bers
Why Medicare Recipients Should Check Their 2026 Drug Plans Now www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/b...
Why Medicare Recipients Should Check Their 2026 Drug Plans Now
www.nytimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Why Medicare Recipients Should Check Their 2026 Drug Plans Now www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/b...
Reposted by Ali Bers
(con't.) -- Medicare/Medicaid rule would be huge expansion of Presidential power to ban any care (abortion, IVF, mifepristone) it doesn't like. Trump has relied on intimidation until now to stop hospitals; new rules will finally subject this to tests of legality in court. @rikiwilchins.bsky.social
Trump pushes an end to medical care for transgender youth nationally
The White House plans to bar hospitals that treat transgender children and youth from getting any Medicare and Medicaid payments. The move would affect trans youth who have private insurance, too.
www.npr.org
October 30, 2025 at 6:57 PM
(con't.) -- Medicare/Medicaid rule would be huge expansion of Presidential power to ban any care (abortion, IVF, mifepristone) it doesn't like. Trump has relied on intimidation until now to stop hospitals; new rules will finally subject this to tests of legality in court. @rikiwilchins.bsky.social
Reposted by Ali Bers
This week’s main story details what Medicare Advantage is, why it basically has all the pitfalls of private insurance, and what a Mountain Chicken is. And if you don’t already know what a Mountain Chicken is, go ahead and visualize a “Mountain Chicken” in your head now. Great. It’s not that.
October 27, 2025 at 5:33 PM
This week’s main story details what Medicare Advantage is, why it basically has all the pitfalls of private insurance, and what a Mountain Chicken is. And if you don’t already know what a Mountain Chicken is, go ahead and visualize a “Mountain Chicken” in your head now. Great. It’s not that.
Reposted by Ali Bers
Another shutdown casualty: Medicare telehealth coverage
Another shutdown casualty: Medicare telehealth coverage
It's got bipartisan support—and millions of Americans need it. But Congress keeps failing to lock in telehealth funding.
www.motherjones.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Another shutdown casualty: Medicare telehealth coverage
Reposted by Ali Bers
Four in ten who buy their own coverage say they would go without coverage if ACA premiums doubled. They will increase 114% if enhanced tax credits are not extended: on.kff.org/4nACyIk
October 3, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Four in ten who buy their own coverage say they would go without coverage if ACA premiums doubled. They will increase 114% if enhanced tax credits are not extended: on.kff.org/4nACyIk
Reposted by Ali Bers
New: Broad support across the political spectrum for extending enhanced ACA premium tax credits.
October 3, 2025 at 1:58 PM
New: Broad support across the political spectrum for extending enhanced ACA premium tax credits.
Reposted by Ali Bers
I can’t say I know exactly how it all would have played out, but I would much rather live in the alternate universe where the leaders of Columbia University had stood up for the institution and all of its faculty and students.
The Act of Capitulation that Trump is demanding that all colleges and universities are to sign surrenders authority over vast areas to Trump, as the Dear Leader. www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/u...
October 2, 2025 at 5:03 PM
I can’t say I know exactly how it all would have played out, but I would much rather live in the alternate universe where the leaders of Columbia University had stood up for the institution and all of its faculty and students.
This week a Medicare beneficiary won a retrospective change of status appeal that granted him coverage of costly hospital services. The appeal was made possible by the Center for Medicare Advocacy’s class action case, litigated with amazing co-counsel @justiceinaging.org & @wilsonsonsini.bsky.social
Observation Status Appeal Results in Hospital Coverage - Center for Medicare Advocacy
New appeals process brought about by CMA litigation works!
medicareadvocacy.org
September 28, 2025 at 5:23 PM
This week a Medicare beneficiary won a retrospective change of status appeal that granted him coverage of costly hospital services. The appeal was made possible by the Center for Medicare Advocacy’s class action case, litigated with amazing co-counsel @justiceinaging.org & @wilsonsonsini.bsky.social
Reposted by Ali Bers
Great digging by Christina Jewett:
Dr. Oz previously acted as a pitchman for iHerb, which sells the vitamin supplement that he promoted as an autism treatment sitting during Trump’s press conference, and which the FDA is moving to approve for that use
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/h...
Dr. Oz previously acted as a pitchman for iHerb, which sells the vitamin supplement that he promoted as an autism treatment sitting during Trump’s press conference, and which the FDA is moving to approve for that use
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/h...
F.D.A.’s Approval of a Drug for Autism Upends Review Process
www.nytimes.com
September 24, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Great digging by Christina Jewett:
Dr. Oz previously acted as a pitchman for iHerb, which sells the vitamin supplement that he promoted as an autism treatment sitting during Trump’s press conference, and which the FDA is moving to approve for that use
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/h...
Dr. Oz previously acted as a pitchman for iHerb, which sells the vitamin supplement that he promoted as an autism treatment sitting during Trump’s press conference, and which the FDA is moving to approve for that use
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/h...
Reposted by Ali Bers
We can save RFK Jr some time here, because we already know a lot about acetaminophen and autism!
There’s no increased risk of autism from use of this drug. This isn’t based on some small study. It’s thanks to a beautiful study of literally millions of children…
wapo.st/4nkMdCO
There’s no increased risk of autism from use of this drug. This isn’t based on some small study. It’s thanks to a beautiful study of literally millions of children…
wapo.st/4nkMdCO
Trump administration set to tie Tylenol to autism risk, officials say
The Trump administration plans to tie Tylenol to autism risk while touting another drug, leucovorin, as a potential autism treatment.
wapo.st
September 21, 2025 at 11:48 PM
We can save RFK Jr some time here, because we already know a lot about acetaminophen and autism!
There’s no increased risk of autism from use of this drug. This isn’t based on some small study. It’s thanks to a beautiful study of literally millions of children…
wapo.st/4nkMdCO
There’s no increased risk of autism from use of this drug. This isn’t based on some small study. It’s thanks to a beautiful study of literally millions of children…
wapo.st/4nkMdCO
Reposted by Ali Bers
15 years after it passed, we're still debating Obamacare.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
September 17, 2025 at 11:30 AM
15 years after it passed, we're still debating Obamacare.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
We filed a FOIA request along with @justiceinaging.org, @nilc.org, and @rcusa.bsky.social seeking transparency as the “Big Beautiful Bill” strips thousands of lawfully present immigrants of Medicare, regardless of how long they worked and paid Medicare taxes.
Coalition Seeks Transparency as 100,000 Lawfully Present Immigrants Face Loss of Medicare Coverage - Center for Medicare Advocacy
Washington, DC – A coalition of national advocacy organizations has filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the Social Security Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ...
medicareadvocacy.org
September 18, 2025 at 12:47 AM
We filed a FOIA request along with @justiceinaging.org, @nilc.org, and @rcusa.bsky.social seeking transparency as the “Big Beautiful Bill” strips thousands of lawfully present immigrants of Medicare, regardless of how long they worked and paid Medicare taxes.
Reposted by Ali Bers
The Pitt has plans to tackle stories next season related to federal health care cuts. I've got some ideas in a new column out in @jama.com.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
September 11, 2025 at 7:04 PM
The Pitt has plans to tackle stories next season related to federal health care cuts. I've got some ideas in a new column out in @jama.com.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
“Appealing a coverage denial demands a high degree of health insurance literacy and fortitude that most of us lack, especially in a health crisis….Thus, health care becomes rationed not through a final denial of coverage, but rather through accumulations of inconveniences as patients.”
My latest for MSNBC: CMS is adding new prior authorization requirements for traditional Medicare, implemented with AI. Prior auth is a key vehicle for coverage denials that then drive administrative burdens of appealing, which seniors are less well equipped to navigate. www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
Opinion | Dr. Oz's new plan to root out Medicare 'waste' is actually a recipe for disaster
A pilot program in six states will require prior approval for procedures under traditional Medicare plans.
www.msnbc.com
September 7, 2025 at 2:45 PM
“Appealing a coverage denial demands a high degree of health insurance literacy and fortitude that most of us lack, especially in a health crisis….Thus, health care becomes rationed not through a final denial of coverage, but rather through accumulations of inconveniences as patients.”
Reposted by Ali Bers
September 4, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Reposted by Ali Bers
Judge Sooknanan: As I said at the start of this hearing, I got a call at 2:36 am [last night] because the government chose the wee hours of the morning on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend to execute a plan to move these children. That's why we're here.
August 31, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Judge Sooknanan: As I said at the start of this hearing, I got a call at 2:36 am [last night] because the government chose the wee hours of the morning on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend to execute a plan to move these children. That's why we're here.
Reposted by Ali Bers
We will be in court shortly.
BREAKING: Judge Sooknanan says the children are being removed right now so has advanced today’s hearing to 12:30pm. www.politico.com/news/2025/08...
August 31, 2025 at 4:12 PM
We will be in court shortly.