Medicare Rights joined over 150 leading advocacy organizations in calling on Congress to fully fund the $400 billion investment in Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) requested by the Administration. This level of investment is essential for building a sustainable HCBS infrastructure system that can begin to address the magnitude of need in communities across the country, by both increasing access to Medicaid HCBS and addressing the direct care workforce crisis.
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In a letter sent to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Acting Secretary Norris Cochran, two leading Medicare beneficiary advocacy organizations, the Medicare Rights Center and the Center for Medicare Advocacy, urge the Biden Administration to take swift action to strengthen Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act. As outlined in the letter, matters requiring immediate attention include simplifying Medicare transitions during the COVID-19 public health emergency, enhancing Medicare outreach and enrollment strategies, and increasing regulatory review efforts. Looming deadlines and unmet needs make these improvements urgent.
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The Medicare Rights Center and 49 state and national organizations urge the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to reinstate two policies to help people sign up for Medicare amid the COVID-19 pandemic: a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for Part C and Part D and Equitable Relief for Premium Part A and Part B.
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Medicare Rights is pleased to support the recently updated Heroes Act (H.R. 8406). It includes urgently-needed policy and program changes to better meet the unique needs of people with Medicare during and due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Millions of people with Medicare currently rely on the U.S. Postal Service for timely delivery of their prescription medications. Any operational changes that result in delivery delays could put these individuals at risk. Such interruptions could hinder their access to needed therapies, potentially leading to the abandonment of medications, reduced adherence to treatment protocols, worse health outcomes, and higher costs.
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We recognize the COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant economic downturn will have lasting impacts on people with Medicare and the program, and that additional policy solutions will be necessary as the situation evolves. In the next congressional relief package, however, we urge lawmakers to focus on reforms that are urgently needed to help people with Medicare maintain their health, safety, and independence during the crisis and beyond. To that end, in our July 29 letter we recommend specific strategies to improve Medicare enrollment; support beneficiary health, safety, and financial security; and strengthen Medicaid and other community living programs.
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The undersigned organizations share a commitment to advancing the health and economic security of older adults, people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. Together, we support and represent the 60 million Americans who rely on Medicare to access affordable, high-quality health care.
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A July 9, 2020 letter of support for the BENES Act (S. 1280/H.R. 2477) signed by all ten former living Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (or Health Care Financing Administration) Administrators, Republicans and Democrats.
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Medicare Rights and 40 leading advocacy organizations sent a letter to CMS, requesting extensions of several expiring enrollment flexibilities that are helping Medicare-eligible individuals connect with their coverage and care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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On behalf of the Medicare Rights Center (Medicare Rights), thank you for clarifying that 2019 Social Security and Railroad Retirement beneficiaries do not have to file a federal tax return to receive the economic stimulus payment created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P. L. 116-136).
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