I’ve made comments in the past about the Medicare web site, mostly negative. A new study finds that three out of four older adults couldn’t find the best Part D (prescription coverage) plan even when they were trained to use the site. It takes about ten pages of sorting to get there and most older adults couldn’t negotiate the technical language and multiple choices necessary. They also tried to have the test subjects, all of whom had college education and basic computer skills, enroll in home health. The same percentage failed that task as well. I guess that will keep the costs down. The other federal cost saving measures in the news have to do with restricting the use of PET scans to diagnose cancers. This is highlighted by the recent news that Christina Applegate was diagnosed with breast cancer only because of computerized scanning. She had several high risk factors that elevated her danger, so she had both the gene testing and scans done. This is a bit different than the concern about testing men for prostate cancer after 75 years of age. The life expectancy for newly diagnosed prostate cancer is 10- 20 years. For untreated breast cancer it is months. The AMA published a study done in Norway about B Vitamins having no preventive effect in heart disease. I want to be sure to underline that it is necessary for nerve function. Don’t stop taking your supplements because it proves ineffective for one illness without checking on other things that might benefit. For example there was a Cornell study that shows the mechanism of action for antioxidants in artichokes, blueberries and pecans to prevent blindness by protecting cells in the eye. I guess the broad advise would be, partner with your doctor, follow the age-old wisdom, and get help with the computer. The Center for Health Care Rights can help with the last. www.healthcarerights.org