Weighing in on legislation

Dear Reader, you have continued to tell me your Medicare stories via tesha@longfellownokomismessenger.com. 

A Southwest Connector reader, Judy M., has written to tell me her Medicare Advantage story and her Medicare story. She tells me that Medicare Advantage plans are all different, and that she and her husband have had nothing but positive experiences with their plan. She disputes the assertion that Mayo no longer accepts Advantage Plans. She reports that her Advantage Plan makes things easy compared to traditional Medicare. She goes on to explain why. She ends up stating that seniors are faced with multiple options where Medicare is concerned, and that it is unfair to disparage all Medicare Advantage Plans.

During the recently completed Medicare Open Enrollment period I wrote three Stories and Journeys columns. Now I'm going to circle back to read them to determine if I would write anything different. Stay tuned. I am not a Medicare expert. I am an expert with respect to my own story as I assume you to be also. If other readers choose to tell me their Medicare stories and journeys, my intent is to incorporate their essence in whatever column I happen to be writing.

 

 Among the sources I rely on for information and advocacy, three stand out. They are Social Security Works (www.socialsecurityworks.org), Alliance for Retired Americana (www.retiredamericans.org), the Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (www.ncpssm.org)

So, if you have read this far you have taken the plunge into the river(flow) of life experiences that is Stories and Journeys.

 

Being my own version of an introvert, this is not something I do naturally or on a regular basis. Here goes nothing. I call the Capitol switchboard at 1-202-224-3121 to get connected to Rep. Omar's office. Prior to this, I clear my mind as to how I will manage my call. I will identify myself as Donald Hammen, a constituent senior citizen living in south Minneapolis. The purpose of my call is to weigh in on the Save Medicare Act. H.R. 732. I explain that this bill has been introduced by Rep. Mark Pocan. It is important to me because it will make it illegal for Medicare Advantage Plans to market themselves using the name Medicare. It would re-name Medicare Advantage to Alternative Private Health Plan Program. Civil penalties would be applied to Medicare Advantage Plans with the word Medicare in their ads. 

My understanding is that H.R. 732 has 21 co-sponsors, but as of yet not Rep.Omar. I am requesting that Rep. Omar sign on as a co-sponsor if she hasn't already. And if not, I would like to know why not. Thank you for hearing me on this important matter. I proceed to make the call.

 

According to a petition I received and signed from Retired Americans of America this act "... will increase Social Security benefits by $2,400 a year an ensure Social Security is fully funded for the next 75 years – all without raising taxes by one penny on over 93% of American households that make $250,000 or less. The legislation expands Social Security and its solvency by making the wealthy pay their fair share, so everyone can retire with dignity."

"For far too long, Social Security's Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) has not reflected the spending patterns of older Americans, and the fact that a higher percentage of their expenses is for health care costs. The Social Security Expansion Act(S.393/H.R.1046) updates the COLA calculation to more accurately measure the effect of inflation on the price of goods and services."

I follow the same process on weighing in as I did initially with Representative Omar.

So, dear reader, do you weigh in on legislation? What is your process? What are your resources for doing advocacy? Tell others or tell me via tesha@longfellownokomismessenger.com.

 

Victoria, a Connector reader, visited the Elder Voices table in January. She lives in Ireland, but happened to be in town to visit her mother.  

Elder Voices continues to meet the last Friday of each month., 10 to 11 a.m. at Turtle Bread, 4205 E.34th Street. Look for the table with the sign that says Elder Voices.

In gratitude. Happy Lunar New Year to all.

Donald L. Hammen is a longtime south Minneapolis resident, and serves on the All Elders United for Justice Board of Directors.