Tell Congress to Strengthen Medicare
July 15, 2021
Congress is currently considering strategies to improve health coverage and affordability. Weigh in today to make sure that Medicare is part
Take Action: Tell your senators to reject harmful cuts to health care!
Coverage and Benefits
Medicare provides health coverage to over 67 million older adults and people with disabilities, paying for important medical care in hospital and outpatient settings. Nearly 12.5 million beneficiaries also rely on Medicaid, which helps with affordability through the Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs), and covers services Medicare does not, such as long-term services and supports. The Medicare Rights Center supports strengthening Medicare and Medicaid, modernizing benefits and financial assistance, and bolstering the workers and caregivers who deliver this vital care.
Medicare Advantage May Expose Enrollees to Higher Risk of Cost-Related Problems
July 1, 2021
Last week, the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) released a report showing that it is more common for Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollees to
New Bill Offers Hope to Older Adults and People with Disabilities Who Need Care at Home
July 1, 2021
Older adults and people with disabilities often need services and supports to allow them to live safely in their homes
CMS Expands Payments for In-Home COVID-19 Vaccine Administration
June 10, 2021
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) took additional steps this week to make COVID-19 vaccines available to Medicare
President Biden Releases FY22 Budget Proposal
June 3, 2021
Last week, President Biden submitted his first budget request to Congress. The White House plan includes legislative proposals and detailed funding
Biden Administration Prohibits Discrimination on Basis of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity
May 13, 2021
This week, the Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights announced that a ban on sex discrimination
Statement for the Record “Negotiating a Better Deal: Legislation to Lower the Cost of Prescription Drugs”
May 4, 2021
Immediate action is needed to transform the nation’s drug pricing system in ways that will lower prices, strengthen Medicare, and promote the well-being of those who rely on its coverage. H.R. 3 would significantly advance these goals, in part by authorizing Medicare to negotiate prices for certain drugs; imposing inflationary rebates; and restructuring Part D to cap beneficiary out-of-pocket costs at $2,000 per year, reduce the federal government’s liability, and better align pricing incentives.
New Research Highlights Supplemental Coverage “Cliff” For Some with Medicare
April 29, 2021
A new research article published in Health Affairs examines the supplemental coverage “cliff” that some people with Medicare may experience. These beneficiaries
Medicaid Home and Community Based Services Bill Is an Important Step
April 29, 2021
This week, the Medicare Rights Center submitted comments in response to a discussion draft of a bill to expand access to Medicaid
Letter Urging Biden Administration to Take Immediate Action on Key Issues Facing Medicare Beneficiaries
February 9, 2021
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.
Tell Congress to Strengthen Medicare
July 15, 2021
Congress is currently considering strategies to improve health coverage and affordability. Weigh in today to make sure that Medicare is part
Medicare Advantage May Expose Enrollees to Higher Risk of Cost-Related Problems
July 1, 2021
Last week, the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) released a report showing that it is more common for Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollees to
New Bill Offers Hope to Older Adults and People with Disabilities Who Need Care at Home
July 1, 2021
Older adults and people with disabilities often need services and supports to allow them to live safely in their homes
CMS Expands Payments for In-Home COVID-19 Vaccine Administration
June 10, 2021
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) took additional steps this week to make COVID-19 vaccines available to Medicare
President Biden Releases FY22 Budget Proposal
June 3, 2021
Last week, President Biden submitted his first budget request to Congress. The White House plan includes legislative proposals and detailed funding
Biden Administration Prohibits Discrimination on Basis of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity
May 13, 2021
This week, the Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights announced that a ban on sex discrimination
Statement for the Record “Negotiating a Better Deal: Legislation to Lower the Cost of Prescription Drugs”
May 4, 2021
Immediate action is needed to transform the nation’s drug pricing system in ways that will lower prices, strengthen Medicare, and promote the well-being of those who rely on its coverage. H.R. 3 would significantly advance these goals, in part by authorizing Medicare to negotiate prices for certain drugs; imposing inflationary rebates; and restructuring Part D to cap beneficiary out-of-pocket costs at $2,000 per year, reduce the federal government’s liability, and better align pricing incentives.
New Research Highlights Supplemental Coverage “Cliff” For Some with Medicare
April 29, 2021
A new research article published in Health Affairs examines the supplemental coverage “cliff” that some people with Medicare may experience. These beneficiaries
Medicaid Home and Community Based Services Bill Is an Important Step
April 29, 2021
This week, the Medicare Rights Center submitted comments in response to a discussion draft of a bill to expand access to Medicaid
Letter Urging Biden Administration to Take Immediate Action on Key Issues Facing Medicare Beneficiaries
February 9, 2021
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.