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December 18, 2019
NCOA leads on aging issues in Congress
Congress has been busy with a variety of year-end bills that include aging issues. The bills incorporate the final appropriations for FY20, including small funding increases for a number of aging services programs. In addition, NCOA organized 71 diverse national organizations representing seniors, people with disabilities, and health care providers to sign a letter urging Congressional action on key end-of-year Medicare and Medicaid issues. We want to prevent a rise in prescription drug costs for many vulnerable Medicare beneficiaries that would take effect January 1. We also urged Congress to make the expiring Medicaid home and community-based services program permanent, and extend and
increase funding for low-income outreach and enrollment activities. Congress has decided to extend most expiring programs only until May 22, 2020, when a broader package of Medicare and Medicaid reforms will hopefully pass.
See our FY20 funding table | Read about our letter to Congress
House passes prescription drug and Medicare expansion bill
On Dec. 12, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3, which includes provisions we supported and advocated for. The bill caps Medicare Part D prescription drug out-of-pocket spending and strengthens the Low-Income Subsidy program, all while expanding Medicare coverage for dental, vision and hearing services, and eligibility for other low-income assistance. All Democrats and two Republicans voted for the bill. We are now focused on the Senate, hoping it will pass legislation next year.
Read a summary of H. R. 3
See you in 2020!
Thank you for the hard work you put in each and every day to improve the lives of older adults. We are honored to have such attentive and engaged partners. The next edition of NCOA Week will arrive on Tuesday, Jan. 7. In the meantime, we wish you a refreshing holiday break. We are excited about what we'll accomplish together in 2020.
Coming up...
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