Tag Archives for Affordable Care Act

Gov. McKee’s Proposed FY 27 Rhode Island Budget: What’s in It for Seniors

Published in RINewsToday on February 2, 2026

Gov. Dan McKee outlined key elements of his proposed $14.8 billion FY 2027 budget during his State of the State Address on Jan. 13, 2026. Two days later, his full budget, proposing a 3.6% increase over the previous fiscal year, was officially released via press release.

The budget centers on an “Affordability for All” agenda and a $600 million bond package, covering the fiscal period starting July 1, 2026. Key proposals include a new income tax tier for earnings over $1 million, a permanent child tax credit, a phased elimination of the state tax on Social Security benefits, repeal of a gas tax increase, and continued investments in projects that support jobs and economic growth.

The proposal also aims to shield vulnerable Rhode Islanders from potential federal cuts, including the elimination of Affordable Care Act subsidies, changes in Medicaid eligibility rules, reductions in federal support for hospitals treating uninsured patients, and modifications to SNAP regulations.

“My commitments to Rhode Islanders are clear: putting more money back in families’ pockets, protecting the most vulnerable from President Trump’s safety net cuts, and keeping Rhode Island building to support good-paying jobs and long-term economic growth,” McKee said in a statement accompanying his full budget.

While the Governor’s plan emphasizes affordability through higher incomes and improved healthcare outcomes, along with proposing a 3% tax on high earners, Jesse Martin, Executive Vice President of SEIU 1199NE, cautions, “The plan falls short of what’s needed to meet these goals. What’s more, the state’s recent minimum wage increase has actually reduced take-home pay for low-income home care workers and cut care hours for their vulnerable consumers. Rather than reducing care, the governor should offset these costs through increased federal Medicaid funding.” Martin co-represents over 5,000 health care and service workers in Rhode Island.

Budget Highlights for Older Adults  

For over a decade, the Rhode Island General Assembly has considered measures to gradually eliminate or reduce the state tax on Social Security benefits. This budget proposes phasing out this tax over the next three years. The full cost impact would be $60.1Million in FY 2030.

In AARP Rhode Island’s 2023 Vital Voices survey of Rhode Islanders 45+, 89% agreed that “Rhode Island lawmakers should repeal the state tax on Social Security,” said State Director Catherine Taylor in a newspaper editorial. “This sentiment is consistent regardless of age, gender, or political party,” she said.

Laura Hart, Gov. McKee’s Deputy Director of Communications, notes that senior services funding has grown under his leadership: “In FY21, the budget included $0.8 million for senior services. By FY26, that number had risen to $1.6 million. For FY27, the governor recommends $1.8 million—more than doubling the funding since he took office.”

Hart adds, “Rhode Island is only one of eight states that tax Social Security income. This tax can discourage retirees from staying in the state and contributing to the economy. Under the Governor’s proposal, the phase-out prioritizes 9,000–10,000 early retirees whose average income is $44K single/$75K joint—clearly not high-income earners—and who represent one-third of the population currently subject to the tax.”

Aging advocates continue to push for an increase in funding for local senior centers, aiming for allocations equivalent to $10 per resident age 65 and older.

Support for Nursing Homes and Affordable Housing

“LeadingAge Connecticut & Rhode Island was pleased to see the Governor’s budget proposal include a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment for nursing home rates, along with an initial rate increase equal to 50% of Rhode Island’s Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner’s biennial rate review recommendation for many Medicaid-funded home and community-based services,” says President Mag Morelli. “We understand this increase is intended as the first phase, with the remaining 50% anticipated next year,” she said.

Morelli also highlights the Administration’s focus on affordable housing, noting the growing need for accessible and affordable options for older adults. She urges further support for Medicaid-assisted living programs to sustain existing services and promote expansion, which she describes as a cost-effective option supporting independence and choice.

Kathleen Gerard of Advocates for Better Care in Rhode Island, a member of the Raise the Bar on Resident Care Coalition, emphasizes the importance of transparency and resources: “As our long-term care system faces increasingly complex pressures, transparency, accountability, and adequate resources are critical to protecting the health and safety of older adults and people with disabilities.”

She adds, “In addition to enforcing the Nursing Home Staffing and Quality Care Act, Raise the Bar is calling for a full Medicaid cost-of-living increase for nursing homes—above the 2.5% proposed by Governor McKee. We also urge new funding for the Ombudsman program, which has gone years without an increase despite its vital role in helping residents resolve care concerns. Finally, we support the Department of Health’s nursing home financial transparency bill to ensure owners are accountable for public funds.”

Other Provisions

The proposed budget also aims to maintain enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies to keep coverage affordable for approximately 20,000 individuals. Without $9.5 million in state funding, an estimated 6,500 individuals could lose coverage.

The budget seeks to curb healthcare cost growth and increase drug-price transparency by authorizing the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner to set enforceable annual cost-growth targets and requiring Pharmacy Benefit Managers to report detailed rebate, pricing, and fee data. These measures are designed to improve oversight, contain costs, and reduce drug prices for older Rhode Islanders.

McKee also proposes a $19.3 million investment in information technology, personnel, and resources to ensure Rhode Islanders can retain Medicaid and SNAP benefits under the federal reconciliation bill H.R. 1, while maximizing federal funding for these critical programs.

Additionally, the budget allocates $10 million to Rhode Island-based hospitals through the Disproportionate Share Hospitals payment to offset uncompensated care losses. Funding for social and human services providers is increased by $23 million in FY27, and state funds to combat food insecurity are doubled, raising support for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank from $1 million to $2 million. According to America’s Health Rankings, roughly 4.1% of Rhode Island adults aged 60 and older face food insecurity.

Securing Affordable Living for All Older Rhode Islanders

SACRI was pleased to see McKee put emphasis on affordability in his budget address and his expressed support for increasing taxes on higher-income residents to fund essential services, said SACRI Policy Advisor Maureen Maigret. When hammering out the FY2027 budget proposal, she urges the  House and Senate Finance Committees to allocate additional funding for programs and services that assist low- and moderate-income older adults from across the state facing economic challenges. The reality is that  one out of four older RI households have income less than $25,00 and almost half have income less than $50,000. Affordability measures must be aimed at putting money in the pockets of all older adults and not just those fortunate enough to have higher incomes, stated Maigret.

According to Maigret, SACRI has proposed and shared its 2026 Affordability Agenda for Older Adults for the Rhode Island General Assembly to consider as it develops and finalizes the state’s FY2027 state budget. The agenda tackles significant inequities in state programs and services, she noted, pointing out that Medicaid currently allows older adults and adults with disabilities to have only $4,000 in assets (for individuals) to remain eligible. This restriction is particularly unreasonable for those trying to live independently at home, especially since other Medicaid populations do not face such limits. What happens when the roof needs repairs or the hot water heater breaks,” she said.

Maigret stressed that keeping people at home and out of more expensive nursing homes can save the state money over time. She added that in 2025 with strong advocacy from SACRI, strides were made in expanding eligibility for the Medicare Savings Program (MSP), and as of February 1, individuals with incomes up to $2,255 per month are eligible—provided their assets are below $9,660.

SACRI advocates joining at least 12 other states in removing Rhode Island’s MSP asset limitation so that hundreds more Medicare recipients could have their $202.90 monthly Part B premium covered by the federal government. The savings would flow back into the state economy as recipients use the funds for basic needs.

SACRI supports the Governor’s proposed child care tax credit and also advocates for a similar credit for the hundreds of unpaid caregivers providing at-home care for older loved ones, often at significant financial sacrifice.

“We also strongly support Rep. Karen Azalter’s (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket, Central Falls) and Senator Melissa Murray’s legislation (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield) legislative proposals  (H7313 and S2238) to create a 3% surcharge on the top 1% of income earners. The projected revenue of more than $200 million would help offset the modest costs of the proposals in our agenda, as well as other programs affected by federal changes,” Maigret said.

Next Steps

“The submission of the budget by Governor McKee signals the start of the months-long budget process,” says House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick). The House and Senate Finance Committees will hold dozens of public hearings, all televised by Capitol TV, to scrutinize every aspect of the budget.

Shekarchi adds, “We welcome all interested parties to testify at the State House. Once the hearings are completed, the House, Senate, and Governor will work together to finalize the budget in late May for adoption in June. Once enacted, it will go into effect on July 1.”

To view Governor McKee’s full budget submission, visit: https://omb.ri.gov/budget-office/fy-2027-governors-budget.

Veteran Lawmaker Steny Hoyer Bids Farewell After 45 Years in Congress

 Published in RINewsToday on January 12, 2026

 According to Ballotpedia’s tracker of incumbents not seeking re-election in 2026, 20 House lawmakers are retiring at the end of this Congress, 17 of whom are age 50 or older. Last week, Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD), a long-serving member of the U.S. House of Representatives, announced his retirement and now joins Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)—all of whom served in House leadership and have announced their decisions not to seek another term—in departing Capitol Hill.

On Jan. 8th Hoyer addressed the House chamber announcing to his colleagues of his plans to retire. Choking up at times during his remarks, he reflected on his 45 years of serving his constituents and expressed concern about the direction of the House.

He began his remarks by looking back at a pivotal moment in 1959 when he attended University of Maryland at College Park, that would push him into public service —hearing John F. Kennedy speak at a spring convocation.  A week later after Kennedy’s speech the young college student would change his major from business to political science.  Looking back, Hoyer noted that this two hour encounter led to a 60-year career in public service.

Hoyer, who has held top Democratic leadership positions including House Majority Leader, reflected on his nearly 45 years in the House, contrasting the collegial, bipartisan atmosphere when he first arrived in 1981, under the leaders of Rep. Tip O’Neill (D-MA) and Rep. Bob Michael (R-IL)  with the current state of divisiveness and partisan bickering.

The Maryland Congressman, representing Maryland’s Fifth Congressional District, expressed concern that the House was failing to meet its constitutional responsibilities that the first article of the Constitution demands and warned that the nation was heading towards “smallness” and “pettiness.” He concluded by calling on his colleagues to work together to pass appropriation bills in a bipartisan, timely fashion to keep the government open, thanking his family and colleagues, and reaffirming his gratitude for his long, productive career.

Taking a Look at Aging and Health Care Issues   

While serving as House Majority Leader, Hoyer played a key role in the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by overseeing debates, managing Democratic floor strategy and building public support. The ACA expanded access to affordable health insurance, prohibited denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions, allowed young adults to stay on parents’ plans to age 26, and greatly expanded preventive services coverage.

Hoyer would steer the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) to overwhelming final approval in the lower chamber by negotiating legislative language in the bill and building bipartisan consensus.  This landmark legislation, signed into law on July 26, 1990 by Republican President George H.W. Bush, prohibited discrimination based on disability and greatly expanded accessibility in employment, public service, transportation, and places of public accommodation for millions of disabled Americans.

Eighteen years later, he would lead the House efforts to pass the ADA Amendments Act, which strengthened and clarified the original law’s protections to ensure that it would be broadly as intended, benefiting millions of Americans with disabilities.

The long-time Congressman has been a strong defender of Social Security and Medicare, tirelessly opposing privatization and advocating long-term solvency to ensure benefits for current and future retirees. He supported funding and modernization efforts that improve Medicare efficiency and access to providers for seniors.

Hoyer also helped to bring major health care-related legislation to the House floor during the pandemic.  He successfully pushed for passage The American Rescue Plan, that would fund COVID-19 vaccines and pandemic health responses and that now has lowered prescription drug costs of some medications.

Hoyer also hosted events and roundtables highlighting mental health care investments (like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), reflecting ongoing engagement with health challenges affecting adults and seniors.

Kudos from Legislative Colleagues and Friends

Former Rhode Island Congressman James Langevin, now Distinguished Chair of Rhode Island College’s Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies, remembers working alongside Steny Hoyer in Congress. “He was a good friend and respected colleague, but my relationship with him actually began before I was even sworn in,” he says. “He was an original author of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which opened doors for people with disabilities and empowered me to run for office.”

“When I was elected, Steny worked tirelessly to ensure I had the resources and accommodations I needed to transition to Washington and succeed as the first quadriplegic member of Congress. For Steny, accessibility was personal. I always knew that whatever I needed, Steny would make it happen. His departure from the House is a great loss for the institution, but I wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement,” adds Langevin.

Rhode Island’s junior Congressman Gabe Amo also praised Hoyer’s service. “Steny Hoyer has been a steadfast champion of Marylanders and the American people, serving our country and Congress with integrity and conviction,” says Amo. “He was one of the first calls I received after I won the 2023 special election, and he welcomed me with open arms when I arrived in Congress.”

Amo considered Hoyer a trusted mentor who helped guide him as a newly elected member. “He always celebrated the wins we secured for Rhode Island—especially the infrastructure funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” he notes.

According to Amo, Hoyer frequently mentioned his Rhode Island ties, sharing fond memories of his law school classmate, former Warwick Mayor Joe Walsh, and his long-time friend Congressman Langevin. “Steny is a stalwart public servant, and his impact will be felt for generations to come. He will be deeply missed in the halls of Congress,” Amo says.

Rep. Seth Magaziner offered similar praise. “Steny Hoyer is not only a congressional legend with many legislative accomplishments, he is a living reminder that politics does not have to be partisan and uncivil. He is well respected on both sides of the aisle, and I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve with him,” says Magaziner.

Robert “Bob” Blancato, President of Matzo, Blancato and Associates who served as former Staff Director of the House Aging Committees’ Subcommittee on Human Services, calls Hoyer one of the strongest Democratic leaders of the past 45 years. “During his time as Majority Leader, he stewarded landmark legislation—such as the Affordable Care Act—through the House and later its final passage through Congress,” he notes.

“As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, he helped ensure aging programs received priority funding even in difficult times. He was a gentleman legislator, and his level of service in Congress will be hard to duplicate,” says Blancato.

Max Richtman, President and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare and former staff director of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, views Hoyer as a committed advocate for older Americans. “Steny has always been very accessible to the seniors’ advocacy community. He kept an open mind on the issues we care about. I have known him a very long time and personally liked him. He will be missed.”

Looking back, when President George W. Bush declared his intention to privatize Social Security after his re-election in 2004, Steny brought advocates together for regular strategy sessions to protect the program, says Richtman. “He united the advocacy community and helped orchestrate the defeat of Bush’s privatization plan. That’s a prime example of the leadership Steny provided,” he says.

Like Richtman, Robert Weiner, former Staff Director of the U.S. House Select Committee on Aging, recognized Hoyer’s effort to stop the privatization of Social Security — and helped in the regaining of the House majority as a result.  “During his time in Democratic House leadership, he never lost a bill he scheduled or brought to the floor for a vote,” says Weiner.

Weiner, who served with Hoyer as national officer in Young Democrats in the 70’s, remembers  Hoyer chairing weekly meetings with committee members and issue leaders to gauge party sentiments and anticipate votes, shaping House agendas. “At his recent birthday “Bull Roast” he invited me to, Hoyer discussed “bringing bills to the floor,” setting calendars, and securing votes. His foresight — and passionate House floor speeches — consistently assured favorable results.

The end of a 60-year career in public service with a dedication to senior friendly issues will keep his memory strong in Congress.

Medicare Drug Savings Eclipsed by Part B Premiums, COLA Challenges and ACA’s Rising Costs

Published in RINewsToday on January 5, 2026

The official arrival of the New Year was marked by millions of viewers channel surfing between ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN, eager to watch the ball drop in Times Square and ring in 2026. The iconic New York City ball—12,000 pounds and adorned with 5,280 Waterford Crystal discs and LED lights—descended a 139-foot flagpole atop One Times Square. In just 60 seconds, it reached the bottom at midnight on New Year’s Eve, signaling the beginning of 2026.

Just two days before January 1—when Medicare-negotiated prices for 10 prescription drugs take effect—AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer, Nancy LeaMond, shared good news. As the clock struck midnight, she announced that older Americans would see lower prices for the first 10 Medicare-negotiated drugs, which would take effect on January 1, 2026. AARP quickly issued a statement, celebrating the first-ever Medicare-negotiated drug prices and estimating a whopping 50% reduction in out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries.

“For millions of older Americans managing chronic conditions, prescription drugs are not optional—they are a lifeline. But medicine doesn’t work if people can’t afford it,” said LeaMond in a Dec. 29 statement. She emphasized that AARP has been at the forefront of advocating for drug pricing reforms since 2022. The nation’s largest aging advocacy group, representing nearly 38 million members, shared their stories, conducted national research on drug costs, and urged lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to support legislative efforts to lower drug costs.

According to LeaMond, this advocacy has delivered significant progress. On January 1, negotiated prices will take effect for the first time, marking a major milestone for both patients and taxpayers. “Older Americans will see real results and billions in savings as the first Medicare-negotiated prices take effect,” she stated, pledging that “AARP won’t stop fighting to lower drug prices until every American can get the medications they need at a price they can afford.”

“These drugs are used by nearly 9 million Medicare beneficiaries and treat conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and cancer,” she noted.

While Medicare beneficiaries are set to see substantial savings, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) anticipates that the Medicare drug price negotiation program will save billions. CMS, a federal agency providing health coverage to over 160 million people through Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Marketplace, expects the program to save enrollees roughly $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs in 2026 while saving the Medicare program $6 billion per year.  The negotiated prices are a minimum of 38% off the 2023 list price.

On the Other Hand

Though Medicare beneficiaries will benefit from lower out-of-pocket costs on 10 Medicare-negotiated drugs in the new year, the 2026 Social Security COLAs will barely cover Medicare Part B premiums and rising inflation.  Meanwhile, older Americans who are not eligible for Medicare coverage will face soaring health insurance premiums due to the Senate’s failure to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Tax Credits.

Max Richtman, President and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare, stressed the importance of ACA marketplace coverage for older adults, who often struggle to find affordable health insurance. “It’s not only cruel to let their premiums skyrocket; it costs everyone in the long run,” observes Richtman. “Older patients without insurance will be forced to use emergency rooms for care, which drives up costs for all healthcare consumers,” he says in a statement released on Dec. 11, 2026.

“They’ll also arrive at Medicare sicker or more disabled, which not only costs taxpayers more but raises premiums for all older Americans on Medicare,” warns Richtman.

Richtman pointed out that 40% of ACA enrollees are between the ages of 45 and 64. Without the extended tax credits, many of these individuals—including farmers, ranchers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners—will face unaffordable premium increases and may be forced to drop or downgrade their health care coverage. “Extending these tax credits to prevent premium hikes would have made simple common sense,” Richtman argued. “Why would Senators vote to push people off health insurance instead of widening the safety net when the ACA is so clearly beneficial, especially for older, vulnerable enrollees?,” he asked.

Additionally, this year’s premium increase for the standard Medicare Part B program, while not as high as originally projected, will still affect beneficiaries, too. They will face an increase of nearly $18 per month, marking roughly a 10% hike in 2026. In a statement on Nov. 17, 2025, Richtman said that this rise basically cancels out one-third of the average beneficiary’s cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026.

The standard Part B premium for 2026 will be $ 202.90 a month, which is $17.90 more than last year’s $ 186.  The average COLA will be $ 56 a month in 2026. After accounting for the $18 Part B premium increase, the average Social Security beneficiary will be left with an effective monthly increase of only $36 next year, notes Richtman.

Richtman pointed out that the 2.8% COLA for 2026, announced in October, was already modest before the Medicare premium hike. “In this economy, an extra $36 per month will provide only marginal relief for Social Security beneficiaries,” he said, stressing that seniors with below-average benefits will see even less of a benefit increase once Medicare Part B premiums are deducted.

“Some in lower-income brackets may experience an effective COLA of zero,” predicts Richtman.

A Final Note…

Yes, Medicare beneficiaries will see a decrease in Medicare-negotiated prices for 10 prescription drugs that took effect last week.  But, with inflation rising and older adults struggling to afford basic needs such as food, rent, utilities, and healthcare costs, aging advocates urge Congress to  take action to mitigate the negative impacts of HR 1, the 2025 budget reconciliation bill, on the Medicare drug price negotiation program.  It’s also crucial that Social Security COLAs accurately reflect the out-of-pocket expenses faced by beneficiaries, they say.

“Unfortunately, the 2025 budget reconciliation bill—HR 1—further limits the drugs that can be negotiated under the IRA’s negotiation program, reducing its effectiveness,” warns Julie Carter of the Medicare Rights Center in an October 9, 2025, blog post for Medicare Watch. “KFF, an independent health policy and research organization, estimates that this change will increase Medicare spending by at least $5 billion. As always, increases in Medicare spending lead to higher out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries,” she says.

“At Medicare Rights, we strongly oppose efforts to scale back the IRA’s negotiation framework. We believe more drugs should be subject to negotiation, not fewer. We also advocate for expanding other cost-saving aspects of the law to reduce expenses for those covered by other forms of insurance,” Carter adds.

“Social Security COLAs are meant to offset the impact of inflation on beneficiaries. However, they are clearly insufficient for many seniors living on fixed incomes,” argues NCPSSM’s Richtman. He explains that this is why his organization has been pushing for an improved COLA formula—the CPI-E (Consumer Price Index for the Elderly). The CPI-E would more accurately reflect the inflationary effects on the goods and services seniors rely on, he says.

“We support legislation that would adopt the CPI-E for determining COLAs, but Congress has yet to take action. Adopting this formula would be a reasonable step toward expanding benefits and truly meeting the needs of 21st-century seniors,” Richtman concludes.