Justice in Aging Endorses Congressman Kim’s
Helping Seniors Afford Health Care Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Justice in Aging, a national organization that uses the power of law to fight senior poverty by securing access to affordable health care, 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.

“Justice in Aging is proud to support the Helping Seniors Afford Health Care Act, which would help modernize the Medicare Savings Programs by expanding eligibility and simplifying enrollment,” said Kevin Prindiville, Executive Director of Justice in Aging. “Bringing relief from Medicare premiums and cost-sharing to more seniors and people with disabilities living on limited incomes will change their lives. This bill will ensure Medicare beneficiaries can afford to access their benefits and help them keep a roof over their head and food on the table by saving them thousands of dollars each year.”

“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 Justice in Aging 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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