Families USA Endorses Congressman Kim’s
Helping Seniors Afford Health Care Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Families USA, a national, non-partisan voice for health care consumers, announced their endorsement of the Helping Seniors Afford Health Care Act, H.R. 4671. The bill, introduced by Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03), Congressman Dwight Evans (PA-03) and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL), would increase access to affordable health care for senior citizens.

“Medicare savings programs are essential for America’s low- and moderate-income seniors to benefit from Medicare,” said Stan Dorn, Director of Family USA’s National Center for Coverage Innovation. “Denied access to these programs, millions of people who were promised retirement with dignity must instead choose between seeking necessary health care and paying utility bills.  Extending this vital assistance to more low-income elders would safeguard their financial security and their access to essential, even life-saving medical services.”

“Lowering the cost of health care for seniors is a top priority for me and people in Burlington and Ocean Counties,” said Congressman Kim. “I want to thank the Families USA for their support of this critical legislation. I look forward to working with my colleagues and community groups across the country to get the job done for seniors and help make a real impact in their lives.”

The Helping Seniors Afford Health Care Act would expand access to affordable care by increasing the income eligibility levels for Medicare recipients to qualify for the Medicare Savings Program. The Medicare Savings Program provides financial assistance to help seniors who qualify based on income level, pay for Medicare premiums, copayments, prescription drug costs and other health expenses.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are currently more than 6.8 million Americans with Medicare coverage that fall within the current income requirements for the Medicare Savings Program. By increasing income eligibility, the bill would make the Medicare Savings Program available to an additional 4.6 million people, or a 68 percent growth in the number of people who would see access to health care savings.

The bill would also provide funding for states to cover the cost of additional seniors added to the program, as well as grants to help states conduct outreach to inform seniors about their eligibility of this program.

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