NCOA praises House passage of Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement by James Firman, President & CEO, National Council on Aging:

President & CEO, National Council on Aging The National Council on Aging (NCOA) commends the U.S. House of Representatives for passing H.R. 3162, the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act (CHAMP Act), today by a vote of 225 to 204.

Not only would the CHAMP Act provide needed assistance to low-income children, it would also improve the quality of life for millions of seniors with limited incomes and strengthen the Medicare program in a number of ways.

Up to 4.2 million vulnerable seniors are eligible for, but not receiving, Medicare prescription assistance that would fill the donut hole and pay for almost all of their prescription drug costs. In addition, less than one in seven people who are eligible for program help with Medicare Part B premiums are getting it.

Another Medicare assistance program is scheduled to expire at the end of September, without Congressional action.

The CHAMP bill would address these and other serious problems faced by low-income older Americans. NCOA is particularly pleased that the following improvements are included in the bill:

 -- Increases to the asset eligibility levels for the Medicare Prescription

       Drug Low-Income Subsidy and Medicare Savings Programs.  Seniors with limited incomes who did the right thing by saving a modest nest egg for retirement should not be denied the help they need.

 -- Allows people to sign up for extra help with prescription drugs at any time.

    -- Makes the low-income Qualified Individual program (scheduled to expire September 30) permanent and increases eligibility to 150 percent of poverty, (only about $1,276 per month).

    -- Simplifies the application form and processes for receiving extra assistance.

    -- Caps or reduces out-of-pocket costs for vulnerable beneficiaries.

The provisions in the CHAMP Act will significantly improve access to prescription drugs and health care for seniors in greatest need -- many of whom are chronically ill widows, disproportionately minorities, and are struggling to survive on incomes of about $1,000 per month.

These Medicare improvements are not included in the Senate children's health bill. NCOA will continue to advocate on behalf of seniors in greatest need to ensure that their concerns are addressed in the final legislation that emerges from the Senate and House conference committee. 

The National Council on Aging's mission is to improve the lives of older Americans. NCOA programs help older people remain healthy and independent, access benefits programs find jobs and discover meaningful ways to continue contributing to society. A non-profit organization with a national network of more than 14,000 organizations and leaders, NCOA was founded in 1950 and is based in Washington, DC. For more information about NCOA, please visit http://www.NCOA.org.