[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 36 (Monday, March 8, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E359]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E359]]



       THE LOW-INCOME MEDICARE BENEFICIARY ASSISTANCE ACT OF 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 8, 1999

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I have introduced legislation, H.R. 854, 
the Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary Assistance Act of 1999, to help 
more seniors enroll in Federal programs that pay out-of-pocket Medicare 
costs for low-income seniors.
  Medicare has been one of the most successful Government programs in 
our Nation's history, helping to improve health care and reduce poverty 
among senior citizens since it was created in 1965. However, even with 
Medicare, America's senior citizens continue to pay thousands of 
dollars in health care expenses out of their own pockets each year. 
These expenses include the $45.50 monthly premium for doctor's visits, 
as well as doctor and hospital costs that Medicare does not cover. Many 
seniors on fixed incomes simply cannot afford these expenses.
  In order to protect these senior citizens, the Federal Government and 
the States have established several programs under Medicaid that pay 
out-of-pocket costs for low-income seniors. These two programs, the 
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program pays Medicare premiums, 
deductibles, and coinsurance for hospital stays and doctor visits. This 
program pays the current Medicare premium of $45.40 per month, the 20 
percent share of doctors' bills that Medicare does not pay, and the 
initial $768 deductible for hospital stays. This program is available 
to individuals and couples with annual incomes up to $8,292 and $11,100 
respectively (100 percent of the Federal poverty line). The second 
program, the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary program pays the 
monthly $45.50 Medicare premiums for doctor visits. This program is 
available for individuals with annual incomes between $8,293 and 
$11,111 and couples with annual incomes between $11,101 and $14,892 
(135 percent of the Federal poverty line).
  A recent Families, USA report found that between three and four 
million eligible seniors are not enrolled in these programs. This 
represents almost 40 percent of those eligible who are not receiving 
the help they need. It is unconscionable that so many seniors, often 
widows with limited means, are not receiving this vital assistance to 
which they are legally entitled. Clearly, we must do a better job of 
reaching out to seniors and making it easier for them to apply for this 
assistance.
  My legislation includes two initiatives to help eligible seniors 
enroll in these programs. First, my legislation directs the Social 
Security Administration to automatically enroll seniors in these 
programs based on the income information available to Social Security. 
Under this 60-day period of presumptive eligibility, seniors will 
receive these benefits while the State agencies make a final 
determination of eligibility. My legislation would also require State 
agencies to provide the Social Security Administration with the 
necessary administration forms to properly enroll these senior 
citizens. Second, my legislation would double the current outreach 
budget of the Social Security Administration from $6 million to $12 
million. With more funding, it is hoped that the Social Security 
Administration will find innovative methods to contact low-income 
senior citizens.
  My legislation would also ease the administrative burden that States 
face to enroll these eligible senior citizens. Under current law, 
eligible senior citizens must contact their local State agencies in 
various locations and fill out the necessary paperwork. I believe that 
the Social Security Administration, a Federal agency, is well-suited to 
contact these individuals and couples through their network of Social 
Security offices throughout the Nation. In addition, this legislation 
would ensure that Federal officials are working cooperatively with 
state officials to increase enrollment in this critical program.
  I believe that my legislation will fulfill a simple goal: helping 
low-income senior citizens afford and obtain the health care they need. 
I urge my colleagues to support this vital legislation and work for its 
passage this year.

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