Tag Archives for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Spotlight on scams and frauds targeting older Americans 

Published in RINewsToday on September 23, 2024 

Although the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, initially established in 1961 as a temporary committee, later becoming a permanent Senate Committee in 1977, has no legislative authority, it studies an array of issues related to older Americans. Last week, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, held a full Committee Hearing, taking a look at an important issue impacting older Americans, the rampant increase of scams and frauds.

The hearing entitled “Fighting Fraud: How Scammers are Stealing from Older Adults,” lasting over one hour and thirty minutes, highlighted the psychological and economic impacts that frauds and scams have older adults, who are disproportionately targeted by fraudsters.

During the hearing, held on Sep. 19, Casey unveiled the Aging Committee’s 9th annual Fraud Book, “Fighting Fraud: Scams to Watch Out For.” The 93-page book, hot off the press, provides seniors with an overview of the most prevalent scams to help them identify and avoid being victimized. The Fraud Book also contains valuable resources for scam victims.

At this hearing, Casey also touched on the 2017 Republican tax law, called “Scammed Then Taxed,”which details how the law’s repeal of the theft loss deduction has imposed significant taxes on many scam victims.

The 91-page Majority Staff Report details the results of a months-long investigation examining how the removal of the casualty and theft loss tax deduction—repealed by Republicans in the 2017 tax law has devastated many American fraud victims.

This report details how some older adults—who lose the most to frauds and scams—are now facing huge tax bills on top of losing all their assets, leading them to feel as though they have been victimized twice.

According to the report, for a century, the theft loss deduction allowed taxpayers who experienced theft to receive a tax deduction to offset their losses. The repeal of this provision has meant that fraud victims are now often obligated to pay taxes on money that has been stolen.

Keeping Scammers from Stealing from Older Adults

In his opening statement, Casey stated: “At today’s hearing, we heard tragic stories from scam victims and law enforcement about how fraudsters are getting more sophisticated and aggressive with their scams and throwing the lives of older adults into chaos.” The Pennsylvania Senator stressed the importance of educating older adults about the threats they face from frauds and scams.

Casey rattled off a list of common scams, detailed in the released Fraud Book, including grandparent scams, investment scams, tech support scams, to name just a few.

With the advent of Artificial Intelligence, scammers have now gotten even more sophisticated, especially by cloning the voice, warned Casey, making their phone and online message even more convincing to the older victim.

“That may explain why recent FBI data shows that fraud losses among older adults have gone up in recent years – reaching $3.4 billion in 2023,” says Casey.

Casey also called for more resources to be provided to persons who have been victimized by scams, including those who have been forced to pay taxes on money they’ve lost due to changes in the 2017 Republican tax law.

Like Casey, in his opening statement Ranking Member Mike Braun (R- Indiana) also stressed the need to prioritize education and outreach to older adults help them to recognize red flags that warn of scams.

“Our community banks and credit unions are often the first line of defense intervening on transactions that just don’t add up,” says Braun. “In my home state of Indiana, one community bank has been able to stop over $1.2 million worth of scams this year,” he notes.

According to Braun, last year Medicare lost an estimated $60 billion due to fraud, errors, and abuse. “Every dollar lost to fraud is a dollar that can be spent on vital programs for American seniors,” he says.

The Indiana Senator noted that he has requested the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to initiate a full audit of Medicare fraud. The GAO has begun its audit in July, says Braun, noting it to be the most comprehensive audit in Medicare’s history.

And Braun expects the GAO investigation to uncover “how much fraudsters are stealing from the American taxpayer” and to revamp the current Medicare Fraud Prevention System to reduce fraud taking place. 

Witnesses testifying before Senate Aging Committee

Casey invited Susan Whittaker, an Administrative Assistant at Lehigh County Aging and Adult Services in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to testify at the hearing about her late husband’s experience as a QuickBooks scam victim.  At the time of the scam, Bill, 75, suffered from dementia along with other chronic conditions.

Susan told Senators that her husband had received an email receipt on Tuesday, that appeared to be from QuickBooks. It claimed that a software upgrade fee of $499 had been charged to the business account that Bill used to manage his son’s company.  He knew that he hadn’t purchased this upgrade.  Calling the company and requesting a refund, he was told to pay $500 upfront, thru a created Venmo account, install an application on his computer and provide personal financial information.  Once done, Bill would get his money back.

On Friday, by the time Susan had learned about the financial transaction, $28,000 had been withdrawn from their accounts. Although the bank ultimately recovered $8,000 the following week, $20,000 was gone — money that her husband was planning to use to buy medications.  And he lost his job, too.

“This scam was devastating and had a devastating effect on Bill—both financially (losing $20,000) and emotionally,” stated Susan, forcing her husband to begin rationing his medications.

“We just couldn’t afford them [medications] anymore… He also lost his sense of self-worth. I was really sad to see this very intelligent and past business owner, become so afraid to read emails and use a phone. It was a huge setback for him, and I think contributed to his worsening health conditions…he stopped living,” said Susan.  

Kathy Stokes, Director of AARP’s Fraud Prevention Program, told Senators that there has been a “meteoric” growth in fraud crimes. When considering fraud that goes unreported, Stokes noted that the Federal Trade Commission estimated the cost of fraud at $137 billion in 2022.  But most fraud experts say that this is far higher than the $ 8.9 billion in losses reported that year, she added.

Beyond educating seniors about fraud prevention thru the sharing of information online at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork, AARP covers the issue in AARP the Magazine, AARP Bulletin, biweekly emails or text ‘watchdog alert newsletter,” and on its podcast “A Perfect Story,” notes Stokes.

“Beyond education, AARP is unique in its focus on supporting victims of fraud and their families,” says Stokes, noting that its Fraud Watch Network Helpline receives 500 calls a day.

“Addressing fraud requires more than piecemeal solutions; it demands a whole-of-society approach,” warns Stokes. “But together, educators, policymakers, law enforcement and industry can turn the tide against vicious crime gangs who hold the power right now. Together we can disrupt their business model, protect millions of consumers, and keep billions of dollars in saving and retirement accounts and in our economy,” she says.

“Currently, we are all failing the very people who need us the most: older adults- m any of whom can’t afford to lose anything, let everything. We are failing in our most basic duties to protect those in their golden years who are living off their nest eggs they worked for their entire lives and who are beyond the ability to rejoin the workforce to make the money back,” charged Scott Pirrello, who oversees the San Diego District Attorney’s Office’s Elder Abuse Prosecution. 

“Too many very well intended programs are not implemented in a way to truly impact the tsunami of fraud that we are facing each day,” he said.

Pirrello told the Senators about the success of the Elder Justice Task Force (EJTF), created by his office, working with the San Diego FBI, to combat elder fraud. Oversea scammers depended on organized networks of money launders operating in the United States, he said, noting that EJTF worked to disrupt these networks.

Like the other witness, Pirrello called for investing in education, as well as adequately fund task forces like the EJTF, to fight against scammers.

One of the biggest crimes affecting Medicare beneficiaries and persons with disabilities is Medicare fraud, waste and abuse, says Nancy Gilmer Moore, who works for the Indiana Association of Area Agencies on Aging managing its Senior Medicare Program. “Health care experts estimate improper Medicare payments are approximately $ 60 billion a year,” she says.

Gilmer Moore admitted to the Senate Aging Panel that she was personally the target of the “Intermittent Urinary Catheter fraud scheme.  Medicare paid the fraudsters $1,500 a month (for supplies never ordered) before she noticed it on her statement. Moore ultimately reported the suspicious claims to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and requested a new Medicare number since her number was compromised.

“Be on the lookout for duplicate billing, services or products not rendered or received and services not ordered by their physicians,” urged Gilmer Moore, noting that beneficiaries and caregivers should never give their Medicare number or financial information over the telephone to an unknown called.  Medicare does not make. unsolicited phone calls.

For information on fraud prevention, go to aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.

To download a copy of the 2024 Fraud Book, go to https://www.aging.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/2024_fraud_book_english.pdf.

To watch the Senate Aging Panel’s hearing on fighting fraud, go to https://www.aging.senate.gov/hearings/fighting-fraud-how-scammers-are-stealing-from-older-adults.

To see the Majority Staff Report, “Scammed Then Taxed,” go to

https://www.casey.senate.gov/news/releases/scammed-then-taxed-casey-unveils-new-report-showing-how-republican-tax-law-further-devastated-scam-victims

Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program to save billions. Cut costs for 10 drugs, 2026

Published in RINewsToday on August 19, 2024

On Aug. 16, 2022, President Joe Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), which aimed to reduce the federal budget deficit, invested in domestic energy production while promoting the use of clean energy.  The historic federal law (Public Law 117-169) also lowered the health cost for millions of older Americans by lowering the high cost of prescription drugs by granting Medicare the power to directly negotiate drug prices with drug companies 

 IRA also created the first ever annual cap on out-of-pocket drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries,  capping the cost of each covered insulin at $ 35 per month, and the law also made the Affordable Care Act market plans more affordable.

On Aug. 15, 2024, just one day before IRA’s 2nd Anniversary, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris unveiled the new lower prices for 10 drugs in which Medicare and drug companies negotiated under the new Medicare Drug Price Negotiation program. As a result, the negotiated prices will save the Medicare program some $6 billion.

Before a crowd of thousands at the Price George’s Community College in Largo, Maryland, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris who has become the presumptive Democratics nominee for president, made the announcement. 

“We finally beat Big Pharma,” said  Biden.

 Sixty-five million Medicare beneficiaries give Medicare “collecting bargaining power,” noted the Vice President. “And now Medicare can use that power to go toe-to-toe with Big Pharma and negotiate lower drug costs,” said Harris.

And that they did. 

Medicare’s Bargaining Power Puts the Brakes on Rising Drug Costs

 Empowered by the passage of IRA, Medicare was able to negotiate 38-79% discounts on 10 life-saving drugs that treat heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other serious conditions.  These include popular, brand name drugs such as Eliquis, Jardiance, Farxiga, and Stelara — some of the expensive and commonly prescribed medications in the Medicare program.

 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on Aug. 15, 2024, beneficiaries will now save $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket drug costs thanks to newly announced prices negotiated by the Medicare program with Big Pharma. The negotiated prices will save the Medicare program some $6 billion in costs. 

According to CMS, “the selected 10 drugs accounted for $50.5 billion in total Part D gross covered prescription drug costs, or about 20%, of total Part D gross covered prescription drug costs between June 1, 2022 and May 31, 2023, which is the time period used to determine which drugs were eligible for negotiation.”    8 Eight of the 10 drugs selected for this year’s negotiation program raised their prices in 2024 – after all 10 drugs were already priced three to eight times higher in the United States than in other countries, noted the federal agency.

The new prices take effect in January, 2026.  Under the IRA’s provisions, Medicare will select up to 15 more drugs covered under Part D for negotiation by Feb.1, and those prices will take effect in 2027. It will expand 20 drugs starting in 2028, says CMS. 

“It’s no exaggeration to say that this a truly historic moment.  We have been advocating for Medicare to have the power to negotiate drug prices with Big Pharma since 2003, when prescription drug coverage was added to the program,” said Max Richtman, President and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM).  “Unfortunately, the law literally forbade Medicare from negotiating prices with drug makers. The Inflation Reduction Act finally changed that, he said.

According to Richtman, billions saved are proof that the federal government can, and should, leverage its buying power to save Medicare beneficiaries  money — in this case, giving relief to millions of seniors of not having to pay for high drug costs. “This is momentous news for Medicare beneficiaries and the Medicare program itself,” he says.

“The negotiated prices of these first 10 drugs are a great start. We would like to see even more drugs included more rapidly in the negotiation process so that seniors can reap the maximum cost-savings that this process can provide,” said Richtman.                                                                                    

Responding to the White House’s announcement of new details about Medicare drug price negotiations, in a statement Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, noted that it took more than two decades of activism on the ground, advocacy by thousands of members and the Biden Administration to push for passage of IRA, giving Medicare the power to negotiate fair prices to patients and taxpayers.

 “The savings are staggering. The new prices are 60% lower on average with two drugs slashed by more than 75% per month,” says Fiesta. “Combined with the $ 2,000 out-of-pocket cap on drug costs that will take effect in January, millions of Americans will not be healthier and more financially secure,” he says.

 Fiesta notes, according to the U.S. Congressional Budget Office, in future years, the prices of additional drugs will be negotiated and Medicare will save about $ 100 billion over 10 years. 

While Biden and Democratic lawmakers see the value of granting Medicare the power to negotiate with Drug Companies to lower high drug costs,  no GOP lawmaker voted to pass Biden’s IRA last year, a proposal that allowed Medicare to negotiate with drug companies to lower the cost of drugs.

Not Everyone is On Board 

The drug price policies of IRA were the topic of a Sept. 20, 2023  hearing of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of. House of Representatives’ Energy & Commerce Committee. The hearing, “At What Cost: Oversight of How the IRA’s Price Setting Scheme Means Fewer Cures for Patients,” GOP lawmakers sitting on the panel and four witnesses warned how the drug price negotiations could hurt or help market conditions for new medicines.

 At the hearing, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rogers (R-WA) warned that the “Democrat’s drug pricing control scheme was going to do immense harm to patients by crushing drug innovation.  She charged that “unaccountable bureaucrats -not cutting-edge science- backed with entrepreneurial initiative- dictate the value of new cures.”

At press time, GOP lawmakers have remained silent as to their thoughts about last week’s announcement of Medicare lowering the drug prices for ten of the most expensive drugs in Medicare.  

But not President and CEO Steve Ubl – Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) President and CEO Steve Ubl quickly released a statement.

 “The administration is using the IRA’s price-setting scheme to drive political headlines, but patients will be disappointed when they find out what it means for them. There are no assurances patients will see lower out-of-pocket costs because the law did nothing to rein in abuses by insurance companies and PBMs who ultimately decide what medicines are covered and what patients pay at the pharmacy,” he said.

“As a result of the IRA, there are fewer Part D plans to choose from and premiums are going up. Meanwhile, insurers and PBMs are covering fewer medicines and say they intend to impose further coverage restrictions as the price-setting scheme is implemented. More than 3 million beneficiaries taking medicines with government-set prices will pay more in 2026,” adds Ubi.

Reflecting Roger’s opening hearing statement last year, Ubi noted: “The IRA also fundamentally alters the incentives for medicine development. Companies are already changing their research programs as a result of the law, and experts predict this will result in fewer treatments for cancer, mental health, rare diseases and other conditions. Medicine development is a long and complex process, and the negative implications of these changes will not be fully realized for decades to come.

“The ironically named Inflation Reduction Act is a bad deal being forced on American patients: higher costs, more frustrating insurance denials and fewer treatments and cures for our loved ones.” charges Ubi.

Following in PHARMA’s footsteps, drug companies also issued statements opposing the power given to Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices.  Novartis, manufacturer of Entresto, one of the 10 selected medicines participating in the price setting process issued a statement.   It called the negotiations “unconstitutional,” predicting “it would have long-lasting and devastating consequences for patients by limiting access to medicines now and in the future.”

Seniors Support Allowing Medicare to Negotiate Drug Costs 

As Congress began debated the merits of the IRA, a national poll of older Americans tracked wide-support for its provisions to reduce skyrocketing drug costs.

According to KFF Health Tracking Poll, a Oct. 12, 2021 poll, few accepted PHARMA and drug makers dire warnings that  high drug prices are necessary for supporting research into new drugs.  Giving the federal government the buying power to negotiate lower drug prices with drug makers and those enrolled in private plans were “favored by large majorities across the political partisans, even if they hear arguments from both sides,” said the San-Francisco-based  national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues.

KFF poll findings indicated that  83% of the public favor allowing the federal government to negotiate with drug companies to lower drug prices on behalf of people enrolled in Medicare beneficiaries and private plans. “This includes 91% of Democrats, 85% of independents, and 76% of Republicans, as well as majorities of seniors (84%), who would be most affected by such a provision, the findings indicate.

As older voters go to the polls, one thing is clear.  Lowering the cost of pharmaceuticals is a bipartisan issue.   When the dust settles after the November elections, those taking the reins of Congress must not forget this fact and continue to push for policies that will continue to work of IRA.

For fact sheet on Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, go to https://www.cms.gov/files/document/fact-sheet-negotiated-prices-initial-price-applicability-year-2026.pdf

Medicare Savings Program bill will be a win for low income seniors, and Rhode Island

Published in RINewsToday on March 25, 2024

A few weeks ago, advocates for seniors gathered on Smith Hill, attending a Senate Committee on Health & Human Services hearing to push for passage of S. 2399.  The legislation would expand income eligibility for the Medicare Savings Program (MSP), helping many lower income seniors and disabled residents pay their $175/month Medicare Part B premium and covering co-pays and deductibles for those with very low-income.

Thousands of low-income seniors and persons with disabilities on Medicare, but not eligible to participate in the state’s Medicaid program, struggle to pay their Medicare Part B premiums and co-pay costs for services and prescription drugs causing many to forgo needed health care as they cannot afford to pay the co-payments.

S. 2399, introduced by Pawtucket Sen. Sandra Cano (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket), would expand eligibility for the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) by increasing the income limit to 186% of the federal poverty line and eliminating the strict asset limit.  It also increases from 100% to 138% of the federal poverty line a part of the program that covers deductibles and co-payment.

S. 2399 was heard on March 12, 2024 and held for further study.  At press time, H. 7333, introduced by Pawtucket Rep. Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket, Central Falls), has been referred to the House Finance Committee for consideration. No hearing date has been scheduled.

“With health care costs rising at an alarming rate, it is imperative that we make sure that no one goes without the care they need due to unaffordability.  This bill adapts to the significant changes in our society and economy while also ensuring that our most vulnerable senior and disabled residents are able to access the care and medicine that is essential to their daily lives,” said Cano, who champions S. 2399 and in previous legislative sessions introduced legislation to expand the MSP.

“Too many of our low-income seniors and disabled residents are falling through the cracks and foregoing crucial health care services due to rising co-pays and out of pocket costs.  This is unacceptable, but thankfully, we can do something about it.  By passing this legislation, thousands or more Rhode Islanders will be able to receive the care that they desperately need while also keeping more money in their pockets that’s needed for daily living expenses,” said Alzate, who sponsored the House companion measure.

“We understand this is very important legislation. We had a very informative, thorough hearing on this bill, and I look forward to reviewing all the information we collected.” says Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chairman Joshua Miller (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Providence).

The Policy Problem and its Solution  

Currently, the income limit of $20,331 leaves thousands of older Rhode Islanders and disabled low-income persons on Medicare with significant gaps in coverage and hefty out of pocket costs.

If the MSP income limit is increased to $28,012, as required by the legislation, an estimated 17,000 persons would be newly eligible to have their Medicare Part B covered by being enrolled in MSP. Anyone enrolled in the MSP receives automatic enrollment in Part D “Extra Help,” a federal program which significantly lowers out-of-pocket Medicare prescription costs at no cost to the State. The federal government establishes the minimum income and asset thresholds for the MSP, and states are permitted to increase these limits and many have done so. 

Advocates of Cano’s MSP legislative proposal say it also particularly helps Rhode Island’s older woman and minorities. “Since women and people of color and persons with disabilities are disproportionately represented in low-income populations, increasing access to the MSP promotes equity,” finds an advocacy partnership’s analysis of the legislative proposals. “Poverty rates among older adult Hispanic women are two and one-half times that of older Hispanic men and persons age 18 and over with disabilities are twice as likely to live below 150% of the poverty level, said the analysis.

The advocacy partnership’s analysis also noted that significant numbers of older adults and those with disabilities enrolled in Medicare face financial challenges meeting basic needs. The number of older adults living below or near poverty has increased, housing costs have climbed dramatically, food cost have increased and many more rely on food pantries.

Covering the $175/month Medicare Part B premium for 17,000+ Rhode Islanders (at no cost to the State) and additionally covering co-pays and deductibles for thousands of very low-income adults and persons with disabilities on Medicare will give them much needed financial relief.  And enrollment in the Extra Help program to reduce drug-related costs provides significant additional financial assistance and improves access to critical medication.

Testimony At the Senate Committee Hearing

Nine organizations either testified at this hearing or submitted written testimony to urge passage of S. 2399.  AARP Rhode Island did not testify at the hearing but signed up in support in the committee room.  There was no opposition to Cano’s legislative proposal.

“I first became aware of the need to expand the income eligibility for MSP quite a few years ago when an older man in my neighborhood contacted me to tell me he lost out on the program because he was just a few dollars over the income limit. As a result, the Senior Agenda Coalition of RI (SACRI) has advocated for several years to increase the income cap,” says Maureen Maigret, SACRI’s policy Advisor.

It’s a win-win for both older Rhode Islanders  and for the Rhode Island General Assembly, says Maigret. “S. 2399 would help Medicare beneficiaries to access care along with putting money back in their pockets to pay for food, rent and their basic needs.  By increasing the Medicaid income to $28,012, the federal  government will pay the full cost of the newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries,” she told the lawmakers.  

Strongly supporting S2399, Karen Malcolm, of Protect Our Healthcare Coalition, noted that the legislative proposal is modeled on the MSP changes enacted in New York last year and approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. “Rhode Island should take advantage of the opportunity to expand access to affordable coverage for seniors and people with disabilities and bring new [federal] revenue to our state.”

H. Phillip West, Jr. lobbyist for the Village Common of Rhode Island, states MSP already makes an enormous difference for many beneficiaries. But, “Rhode Island’s low threshold for eligibility and low allowable assets leaves thousands of our needy neighbors out. The good news is that Senator Cano’s legislation address these defects,” he said.

In submitted written testimony, Heather Smith, MD, president of the Rhode Island Medical Society stated “From our perspective as physicians, we witness firsthand the adverse effects of financial barriers on patient health outcomes. Too often, individuals are forced to forgo or ration medications, delay necessary treatments, or skip preventative care due to concerns of affordability. These delays can exacerbate health conditions, lead to complications, and ultimately result in higher healthcare costs down the road.”

Alex Moore, political director of SEIU 1199NE, stressed the many benefits of passing S. 2399, specifically enhancing access to care, providing needed financial  relief, leveraging federal funds, and strengthening the health care workforce. By supporting the legislative proposal, “we demonstrate our commitment to health and well-being of our state’s most vulnerable populations,” he stated in written testimony.

Even with the strong support of the aging community, the state’s Office of Healthy Aging has not yet taken an official position on S. 2399.  “As with any other bills at this stage of the session, we are reviewing the impact of H 7333 and S 2399 on Rhode Islanders. We will continue to follow these bills as they make their way through the legislative process,” says  Director Maria Cimini.

Samuel Salganik, JD, executive director of RIPIN, which offered testimony in support for S.2399, said, “This is one of the best investments available right now for our state government.  At a cost of just over $5 million, the State can draw down more than $40 million in federal support to assist low-income seniors in Rhode Island,” says Salganik. “It’s a great deal for the state. I think that’s a deal that most of us would happily take,” adds Salganik.

Gov. Dan McKee’s recently released FY 2024 Budget does not include funding for to expand the state’s MSP.  Now the ball is in House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi’s (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) court as his chamber collaborates with the Senate to hammer out budget resolution to be approved by the Rhode Island General Assembly to be sent for the Governor’s signature. Hopefully, Shekarchi will see the expansion of the state’s MPM as a win-win for lower-income and disabled persons on Medicare and the state.  As supporters of  S 2399 and H 7333 say, “it’s a no brainer.”

The Advocacy Partners for MSP Expansion was established to push for the passage of S 2399 and H 7333 during this legislative session. They are: the Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island, Rhode Island Organizing Project, RIPIN, the Economic Progress Institute, the Protect Our Healthcare Coalition and the Ocean State Center for Independent Living.

To access the bills under consideration: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText24/SenateText24/S2399.pdf – http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText24/HouseText24/H7333.pdf

Expanding the income eligibility for the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) is one of the legislative priorities of the Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island. These policy issues will be discussed at its upcoming  Legislative Leaders Forum scheduled on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 601 Greenwich Ave,, Warwick, RI. 

The Senior Agenda Coalition of RI’s Annual Legislative Leaders Forum is this week: