Medicaid Report Medicaid Home And Community Based Services Programs 2013 Data UpdateThe unexpected change received no prior public debate, it went into effect almost immediately, and it hit seniors who were just months away from claiming benefits. In a poll recently conducted by TSCL, 70% of respondents said they viewed the change as an "unnecessary benefit cut" rather than a "closure of an unintended loophole," as portrayed by Congress..Across the country Meals on Wheels programs are reducing the number of meals delivered to low-income seniors or shutting down altogether according to a new survey. The programs typically deliver a hot prepared meal five days a week to people over 60 who are homebound and/or unable to shop and cook, low income, or all three. Without Congressional action, the programs will be cut by about .7 million in federal funding this year due to the automatic budget cuts known as "sequester.".As a result, the highest-risk patients were not filling their medication after prices jumped. Those most vulnerable to a heart attack and stroke cut back more on statins and anti-hypertensives than lower-risk patients - irrespective of socioeconomic status. … Continued
Fiscal Policy Webinar Risk And Return Public Pension Funds Complex Investment StrategiesHave health insurance coverage. If you are under the age of 65 and didn't have health insurance for some or part of 2014 you may have to pay a tax penalty. For people who don't have Medicare or Medicaid, the penalty for not having coverage is the greater of 1% of your annual income, or The penalty is rising in 2015 to the greater of 2% or 5 per person..TSCL is disappointed that Congress has not yet taken action to avert an irresponsible default on the federal debt, and we urge our members and supporters to contact your representatives in Congress to request a clean and immediate increase in the debt ceiling. For updates on the status of this important issue, visit TSCL's website at, or find us on Facebook and Twitter..Dad passed away a few years ago at age 90, after going to the emergency room during a health emergency and then spending a few days in the hospital. He was released to a nursing home where he lived a few more months. When all this happened, we didn't have any professional counseling, and had no idea how complicated this situation would turn out to be. We didn't know what Medicare covered or that it would not cover his nursing home care. Nor did we know how to get Medicaid assistance. Now Mom has no income left but her Social Security, and dad's impossible nursing home bills that she will never be able to pay off. How can we find help with questions about nursing home care, and how the costs would be financed in case Mom needs it next? … Continued