September 22nd, 2009
Contact: Paul Williams, 703/894-1805, ext. 242 or [email protected]
The Senate Finance Committee today accepted an amendment by Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) to Senator Baucus’ (D-MT) health care reform legislation that would eliminate prescription drug co-payments under the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program for all dual eligible residents (Medicare & Medicaid beneficiaries) in assisted living waiver programs. This legislation could benefit up to 650,000 low-income seniors nationwide, 75,000 of whom reside in assisted living communities.
“Senator Nelson continues to demonstrate his dedicated leadership on the matter of making the Medicare Part D program work for all of America’s seniors, said Rick Grimes, President & CEO of ALFA. ” The need to correct this issue, which has plagued dual eligible individuals in assisted living and other home and community based settings since Part D’s inception in 2006, has grown even greater during the current economic downturn.”
This amendment covers approximately 65% of the fully 1 million affected individuals. In early March, Senator Nelson filed legislation, S. 534, which would fully cover all dual eligibles. At that time Senator Nelson said the legislation would, “restore fairness to some of our most vulnerable individuals regardless of the setting in which they choose to receive their care.”
The Senate Finance Committee will continue to work through amendments and if as expected the bill passes the Committee it will then have to be reconciled with the Senate health care reform bill that was passed by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. The Nelson amendment is identical to language contained in the House health care reform bill. These amendments do not however include dual eligible assisted living residents who participate in Medicaid state plan amendment programs.
ALFA will continue to work very closely with Senator Nelson’s office to eliminate co-payments for all dual-eligible residents in assisted living and other home and community-based settings. We thank Senator Nelson for his leadership on this issue and will continue to work with him and other members of Congress on this and other critical issues on behalf of America’s seniors.
About the Assisted Living Federation of America
The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) is continuously raising the bar for operational excellence in resident-centered senior living. ALFA serves as the voice for senior living and advocates for informed choice, quality care, and accessibility for all Americans needing assistance with long-term care. Through the committed leadership of its member company executives, state affiliates, and alliance partners, ALFA is creating the future of senior living in America.
Assisted Living Federation of America
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 703/894-1805
Online: http://www.alfa.org
About ALFA: The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) is the largest national association serving companies operating professionally managed assisted living communities for seniors. ALFA is the voice for senior living and advocates for informed choice, quality care and accessibility for all Americans needing assistance with long term care.
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