1199SEIU delegates welcomed Carolyn Villers, Executive Director of Mass Senior Action to our monthly delegate assembly. 1199ers thinking about retirement, and retirees discussed bridging the gap to affordable healthcare for seniors, and the state of healthcare access for seniors living on a fixed income.

In Massachusetts alone, there are nearly one million seniors, half of which are struggling to meet basic needs. By 2025, the senior population will double. Of those one million seniors, one in ten lives below the poverty line. Two in ten are African-American and Latina women. The annual out of pocket spending for Medicare beneficiaries is high — $4,500 on average, with most Medicare households spending at least 14% of their incomes on health care.

The Mass Senior Action Council, comprised over 1200 members across Massachusetts, is trying to bridge the gap to affordable health care, particularly for those living below $35,000/year. 1199SEIU members are joining them to:

• Eliminate the asset test for Medicare Savings Programs, and raise the income eligibility to 300% of the Federal Poverty line ($35,000).
• Increase MassHealth’s asset and income eligibility limits for MA residents age 65 and over, to reduce the age-based inequity.
• Simplify the application process to reduce barriers to assistance for eligible seniors.

If you’re interested in becoming involved in this important fight for seniors, contact Mass Senior Action Council at 617-284-1234 and Cvillers@MassSeniorAction.org.