Why legislation on Part B premium makes sense

Posted 5/28/15

To the Editor:

I would like to thank Rep. Edith Ajello and Senator Erin Lynch for introducing H-5201 and S-0609. These bills would give 6,000 retirees living below the poverty level $104.90 for …

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Why legislation on Part B premium makes sense

Posted

To the Editor:

I would like to thank Rep. Edith Ajello and Senator Erin Lynch for introducing H-5201 and S-0609. These bills would give 6,000 retirees living below the poverty level $104.90 for their Part B premium. Our states Connecticut and Maine have already raised the income level. Each state has the right to do this. The federal government pays 52 percent of this premium. It’s a good deal for the states, as it gives 4 percent better than bonds that only give 1 percent on savings accounts. 

My generation has supported Medicare and Social Security since their inception. We need this money to pay for medication and other medical expenses. The cost of the bill is estimated to be $3.2 million per year. It is estimated by paying Part B premiums there would be a corresponding increase of $500,000 to $600,000 sales tax revenues. The state has to pay hospitals and doctors when people do not have insurance or the ability to pay. Obama Care and Part B Medicare will help on the drain on the general fund. I, myself, have Part B premium and it saved the State of R.I. $22,000. The passage of the bill could save the state $700,000 per year. 

I have in my possession a letter signed by Lawrence Grimaldi that the state spent $1.5 billion in 2013 and 2014 in unpaid medical care. 

Some of these people are veterans. The statement of “Thank you for your service” doesn’t cut it anymore. Prove it state legislators. 

This is the third year in a row we have submitted these bills. In 2013 they stated they couldn’t afford the bill, yet in 2013 they bought real estate from political cronies without public discussion. 

In 2014 there was no money but they passed a COLA for themselves and gave state employees 6 percent retroactive in a state with the highest unemployment. 

If they pass this legislation, I will publicly praise them by saying, “God bless you.” If they do not, I will say, “God damn you.”

Help the 6,000 who need it. In 2014 I was turned down on Part B premium because my income was 2 cents per month over per qualifying payment of Part B. In 2013 I was turned down for 27 cents over. I challenged the Superior Court because the Medicare Rights stated if I made less than $1,313 per month, I should have not had to pay $104.90 Part B premium. The spirit of the law was completely ignored by Judge Sarah Taft.

The Department of Human Services is supposed to be supportive of elderly affairs. Never has one responded to help the elderly.

The attorney for Human Services told the judge that she had no right to rule on the case. It was their choice to decide. R.I. Legal Services failed to provide me with representation because they deemed they couldn’t win.

Elmer Gardiner

Warwick

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