Key Takeaways
In March 2020, senators signed a letter urging the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education to provide adequate funding for the Medicare State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
Even maintaining level funding at a time when the number of older Americans is growing by 10,000 a day means that SHIP would be limited in their ability to meet ongoing needs.
To learn more about the rationale of more adequate funding for SHIP in FY21, download and read the joint letter below.
The Medicare State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides essential assistance to seniors, as well as people with disabilities, with unbiased, cost-free, and personalized information to help them navigate Medicare enrollment and obtain benefits. The average Medicare beneficiary must choose between 60 Medicare plan options each year. They have difficulty comparing plan benefits and making a selection that takes into account all the factors that impacts out-of-pocket costs and network access.
A group of senators are urging the Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, to reject proposals to cut or eliminate these vital services by investing in SHIP at no less than $70 million in the FY21 bill.
Download and read a joint letter to Senate appropriators, organized by Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), signed by 23 Senators urging support for FY21 funding for SHIP.
