Mass. seniors rally for more rescue funds for health care
“Activists dressed in hospital gowns will gather on the steps of the Massachusetts Statehouse to urge state lawmakers to use $17 million of about $5.1 billion in federal pandemic relief funds to close the gap that they say prevents seniors from being able to afford needed health care.
[…] Supporters said the program helps thousands of Massachusetts seniors save hundreds of dollars a month on health care expenses. Activists who pushed to expand the program to include those at 165% of the federal poverty level in the 2020 budget said thousands of seniors who still don’t qualify are struggling.
Nearly all Massachusetts seniors with incomes below $2,000 a month, and without MassHealth or other assistance, spend more than 20% of their income on Medicare premiums according to the council. COVID-19 has only thrown more seniors into economic insecurity, activists said.”