News Release
“The passage of President Biden’s COVID relief package gives seniors’ health and economic security a much-needed boost. Millions of Social Security beneficiaries will be eligible for $1,400 stimulus payments to keep their heads above water financially. The legislation also contains crucial new funds for vaccinations, testing, and safer nursing home care. It includes $12.6 billion in additional federal Medicaid payments that states can use to expand home and community-based services (HCBS), where exposure to COVID is minimal compared to nursing homes. The COVID relief legislation adds $4.5 billion for LIHEAP, the federally-funded program that helps keep low-income seniors’ homes heated and cooled — and invests more than $1.4 billion to strengthen critical programs for older adults — including nutrition assistance (such as Meals on Wheels), vaccination support, and caregiver support —under the Older Americans Act and the Elder Justice Act, among other provisions.
We salute President Biden for his steely determination to enact this legislation, along with House committee chairs Rep. Richard Neal (Ways & Means), Rep. Frank Pallone (Energy & Commerce), and Senator Ron Wyden (Finance committee chair). We also thank Rep. Debbie Dingell for championing the HCBS provisions of the bill. The passage of this landmark legislation is a great moment for all Americans who have struggled to survive and stay financially afloat during this pandemic, especially seniors, people with disabilities, and their families.” – Max Richtman, president and CEO, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
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Media Inquiries to:
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