Yesterday's Senate HELP Committee's vote for a health reform bill and the beginning today of the committee markup process in the House of Representatives mark significant steps forward on the path to comprehensive health reform.

Both the House and Senate HELP Committee bills provide valuable new health coverage options, including a public plan, to uninsured Americans that can help people with disabilities who are stuck in the two-year waiting period for Medicare. The House bill, in particular, will help more low-income people with Medicare receive assistance with drug and medical bills, and will allow them to keep a modest nest egg for their retirement.

I urge the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over Medicare and Medicaid, to ensure that Americans living near the poverty level who would benefit from proposed Medicaid expansions continue to receive that coverage as a wrap-around to Medicare when they age into the program.

Source
Medicare Rights Center