Senior Issues on the Federal Agenda
A recent press release from the office of U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) outlines the priorities of the Senate’s Special Committee on Aging for the 111th Session of Congress. Ranking member Senator Martinez and Committee Chairman, Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), are poised to carefully examine key issues pertaining both to seniors and the Baby Boomer generation; retirement security, long-term care, and housing issues are all on the docket.
Another item of interest for Senator Martinez is reducing Medicare and Medicaid fraud, a huge area of concern specifically in Martinez’ state of Florida. In South Florida alone, such cases account for an estimated billion dollars or more a year. Clearly, this is an area that needs major investigation and reform.
Senator Kohl and Senator Martinez are looking forward to working together on these complex issues while maintaining the Committee’s history of bipartisanship. The duo has already collaborated on a few key pieces of legislation: the Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act and the Silver Alert Act. While there may be a range of approaches to tackling the problems facing our aging population, certainly Democrats and Republicans agree that adequately supporting and caring for our seniors is essential. Many lawmakers have likely wrestled with these agenda topics as they cared for their own aging parents. It is truly an issue that extends well beyond party lines.
I am heartened by the Committee’s agenda, and I sincerely hope that the Members will be able to cross many items off their list. In the end, it’s not just about making things better for today’s seniors; it’s about securing the future of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And that is a goal we can all support, no matter which way we vote.
- Michelle Seitzer
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May 20th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
Has anyone considered that the government needs to regulate the increases at assisted living residences. They face an increase of $300.00 and more a month. They receive this increase every year. If they live for four years they will have an increase of $1500.00 per month. For my family member in he receives an 8% increase per year. There is no rent control on these places. They also pay a buy in fee just to move in. On a fixed income they cannot afford these charges. These charges don’t include any levels of care they also get an 8% increase on their care.
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Thanks for your comment, Karen. You’re absolutely right about the increases at assisted living residences…there should certainly be some type of regulation, otherwise, it will become less and less affordable for people to live in these facilities. Watch for a blog post in the next few weeks or so about changes in the senior housing industry brought about the declining economy and the rising costs of residential care.