| Health-related Bill Name |
H.R.1346 – Medicare Buy-In and Health Care Stabilization Act of 2019 |
| Description |
The legislation was introduced to the House by New York district 26 representative Brian Higgins on February 25, 2019.
|
| Federal or State? | Federal |
| Legislative Intent |
The legislation intends to amend title XVIII of the national Social Security Act to allow people aged between fifty and sixty-four to buy into Medicare. In addition to this, the bill aims to enhance the stability of the nation’s health insurance market. In this light, the bill seeks to mitigate gaps within Medicare to improve coverage for medical need linked to dental, vision and hearing care. Further, it aims at introducing a buy-in clause for persons facing financial challenges in securing coverage for Medicare, and individuals aged between 50 and 64 by making them eligible for enrolment.
|
| Target Population | Vulnerable populations
Individuals aged 50 to 64
|
| Status of the bill (Is it in hearings or committees? Is it receiving press coverage?) |
The bill was introduced to the floor of the house on 25th February 2019. It has been subsequently referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Energy and Commerce. It has yet to receive considerable media coverage NURS 6050 Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement Example.
|
| General Notes/Comments
|
Various gaps have been identified in Medicare provisions. Among other factors, the differences mean that beneficiaries do receive coverage on hearing, vision, and dental care resulting in high off-the-pocket costs. The proposed bill will go a long way in addressing these gaps as well as stabilizing the nation’s care insurance market. |
As a care provider, I am in support of the H.R.1346 – Medicare Buy-In and Health Care Stabilization Act of 2019 given its potential effects in sealing gaps within Medicare that result in higher costs for the consumers and the program itself. Willink, Shoen, and Davis (2018) positions that when it was created almost fifty years ago, Medicare did not include provisions to cover the expenses associated with dental, vision, and hearing care. As a result, the program has had to pay for much higher amounts on severe illnesses and complications arising from or aggravated by the inadequacies in hearing, vision and dental coverage. NURS 6050 Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement Example.
The impact of this gap is compounded when one considers the number of individuals suffering from these problems but could not receive the needed care. In 2017, 70%, 43% and 75% of people with difficulties in eating, trouble in seeing, and those who required hearing aids respectively did not receive treatment for their respective issues (Willink, Shoen, & Davis, 2018). The proposed bill, if passed, will provide a considerable reprieve for these individuals as well as significantly reducing the consequential costs linked to the impact of these conditions on Medicare and the public NURS 6050 Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement Example.
Advocacy for the passage of the Medicare Buy-In and Health Care Stabilization Act of 2019 should also consider potential opposition to its passage. To alleviate this challenge, it is advisable to conduct educative programs on how the bill will benefit the nation in addition to Medicare beneficiaries. However, as advised by Burke, Crist, and Goldberg (2019), it is also vital for the legislators to consider real-life consequences of Medicare beneficiaries, especially older adults, who have difficulties in accessing oral, visual, and hearing care because of the expensive nature of paying for these services from their pockets. As it stands, the proposed act does not mention individuals older than sixty-five years. This points to an overlook over a patient population that significantly suffer from these problems. NURS 6050 Legislation Comparison G
Quality Work
Unlimited Revisions
Affordable Pricing
24/7 Support
Fast Delivery