A Non-Government Resource

Toll Free: (888) 815-3313
NCOA vice president speaks out against proposed cuts to Medicaid
Friday, 08 April 2011 11:05

NCOA vice president speaks out against proposed cuts to MedicaidThe National Council on Aging (NCOA) recently released a statement on the proposed Medicaid cuts, saying that reducing the deficit in this way would be targeting poor, vulnerable seniors. According to NCOA vice president for public policy and advocacy Howard Bedlin, turning Medicaid into a block grant program and cutting out $750 billion would replace it with a voucher contribution program that could increase out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries.

Bedlin emphasized that Medicaid is the U.S.'s safety net for low-income, elderly Americans, and that it pays for as much as 62 percent of the costs of long term care for individuals in this age group. Assisted living costs an average of $72,000 a year, and decreased coverage would force seniors to spend their life savings on care.

"Right now, about six million seniors need long term care, but the demand will rapidly rise," Bedlin predicted. "About 10,000 baby boomers are turning 65 every day and those over age 85 - who are at greatest risk of needing long term care - comprise the nation's fastest-growing age cohort."

He added the the budget proposal could weaken nursing home care quality, eliminate protection against spousal impoverishment and require children of assisted living residents to pay for their parents' care, which could jeopardize their own retirement plans.
 

State Websites and Medicare Resources

Alabama Medicare
Alaska Medicare
American Somoa
Arizona Medicare
Arkansas Medicare
California Medicare
Colorado Medicare
Connecticut Medicare
Delaware Medicare
Florida Medicare
Georgia Medicare
 Hawaii Medicare
Idaho Medicare
Illinois Medicare
Indiana Medicare
Iowa Medicare
Kansas Medicare
Kentucky Medicare
Louisiana Medicare
Maine Medicare
Maryland Medicare
Massachusetts Medicare
 Michigan Medicare
Minnesota Medicare
Mississippi Medicare
Missouri Medicare
Montana Medicare
Nebraska Medicare
Nevada Medicare
New Hampshire Medicare
New Jersey Medicare
New Mexico Medicare
New York Medicare
 North Carolina Medicare
North Dakota Medicare
Northern Mariana Island
Ohio Medicare
Oklahoma Medicare
Oregon Medicare
Pennsylvania Medicare
Puerto Rico Medicare
Rhode Island Medicare
South Carolina Medicare
South Dakota Medicare


 Tennessee Medicare
Texas Medicare
Utah Medicare
Vermont Medicare
Virgin Islands Medicare
Virginia Medicare
Washington D.C. Medicare
Washington Medicare
West Viginia Medicare
Wisconsin Medicare
Wyoming Medicare

Medicare Disclaimer

This website is a private website and is not associated, endorsed or authorized by the Social Security Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. This site contains basic information about Medicare, services related to Medicare and services for people with Medicare. If you would like to find more information about the Federal Government's Medicare program, please visit the official U.S. Government's Site for people with Medicare located at www.medicare.gov.

Copyright © 1996 - 2011 Medicare.org
Privacy Policy -  Terms of Use

 Medicare Information Source is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Insurance - Medicare Services in Birmingham AL