Congress Proposes a 42% Cut to Senior Health Insurance Assistance Programs ~ Join Us in Saying No!

In July, Medicare advocates were shocked and outraged that the Senate Appropriations Committee proposed a 42% cut in funding for the Medicare State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs), from $52 million to $30 million. Now, Congressional leaders are deciding whether to retain this cut.

This is the largest cut ever proposed in the history of the SHIP program. It would significantly erode the national SHIP network of unbiased, personalized Medicare benefits information counseling. In California, our SHIP is the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, a program that serves our state’s 5 million Medicare beneficiaries, professionals and family members.

Here’s how you can help:

• If you can advocate: Email your Senators and Representative NOW and urge them to reject the proposed Senate cut in SHIP funding, and provide level funding of $52 million, as the House Appropriations Committee has recommended.
• If you cannot advocate: Read and share details about the SHIP cut and upcoming Congressional process.
• If you know others who can advocate: Please forward this alert from the National Council on Aging to them.

The more emails we send to Congress, the better our chances for success. Please share this message widely with other Medicare advocates and beneficiaries in your state! Thank you!!

This alert is provided by the National Council on Aging, November 9, 2015.