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Massachusetts Coalition forElder Economic Security1
Coalition for Elder Economic SecurityMISSIONThe Coalition for Elder Economic Security willbring together elders and their allies to promotepolicy and system change that improves theeconomic security of older adults so that all eldersin Massachusetts are able to age with dignity.2
In Massachusetts Over One Million Seniors1 in 10 Lives Below the Poverty Line6 in 10 Struggles to Meet Basic NeedsBy 2020 60-plus group will comprise 24% of the population3
Disparities In 2016, 65% of Massachusetts women age 65-plus and livingalone had incomes below the Elder index, 21% of whom werebelow the federal poverty line. African-American, Asian and Latino elders are more likely to faceeconomic insecurity. In 2016, 70% of African American and 80%of Asian and 91% of Latino elders living below the elder economicsecurity line. MA ranks second to last nationally, ahead of only Mississippi inolder adults unable to afford basic living expenses.(Elder Economic Security Standard Index, UMass Boston Gerontology Institute, 2016)4
Mrs. Jones 30,000TransportationFoodAnnual Income 25,000MiscMonthly IncomeSocial Security 20,000PensionMonthly Income 15,000Healthcare 992 494Housing 1,486Yearly Income 17,832Poverty Line 10,000 5,000 -Mrs.JonesStewart Neededto Survive5
Elder HomelessnessOlder adults are among the fastest growingpopulation among those experiencing homelessness.33%The amount elder homelessness ispredicted to increase between 2010 and2020. It is estimated that it will more thandouble by 2050.40,750Number of sheltered homeless people inthe U.S. who are aged 62 and older.6
Housing Affordability 53% of Elders are housing cost burdened – they pay morethan 30% of their income on housing Average wait for an affordable unit in Massachusetts is 3-6years. Throughout the nation, there are at least 9 seniorswaiting for every occupied unit of affordable elderly housing. A growing number of elder homeowners are “house poor.”They have a home but lack the income to maintain it andoften struggle to meet increasing property taxes.7
Medicare at a glance .PremiumsDeductiblesCo-insurance/Co-paymentsPart A(Inpatient)( 407/mo)Part B(Outpatient) 109 - 134 18320% 15- 110Varies by plan 40025% up to 3,700 in RxPart D(Prescriptions) 1,316 for each 329 per daybenefit period for days 61-90OtherBenefit periodrestarts after60 days of noinpatient careCoverage Gaps: Dental, Vision, Hearing8
High cost burden BeneficiariesHigh total cost burden:Spent 20% or more ofincome on premiums andmedical careMillions2013–148.0 millionPercent of Medicare Massachusetts20.9%(7th greatest)1 in 3 MA elders living below 200% FPLspend more than 20% of their income on Health Care9
The Senior Healthcare CliffUnder 65PremiumsConnectorCare 3B65 & Over300% FPL 123No Assistance250% FPLConnectorCare 3APremiums Part B, D, & Supplemental( 140- 350)* 82Deductibles Part A,B,&D( 166, 360, 1,288)200% FPLConnectorCare 2B 43CC 2A 0MassHealthCarePlus 0150% FPL135% FPL120% FPL100% FPLMassHealthStandardNo Limit 0ASSET LIMITPartial LIS ( 105-350)*QI/LIS 0 A/B Deduct.SLMB/LIS 0 A/B DeductiblesMassHealthStandard 0QMB/LIS 0 2000 7,280LIS 105- 350* 8,780Partial LIS 105-350*NoAssistance(See Above)HealthSafetyNetHealthSafetyNet 13,640 13,640 *Varies based ontime of enrollmentin Medicare andsupplemental planof choice.10
John R. - 18,552 ( 1,546/mo) (156% FPL)RentHealthcare Out-of-PocketUtilities (Phone, Elec)Healthcare PremiumsFood/personal itemsTransportation 55 28 55 20 327 390 417 843 62 30 373 200Under 65Over 6511
Key data on food insecurity among older Americans 1 in 5 served by Greater Boston Food Bank programs are ages 60 (Feeding America, and GBFB Hunger in Eastern MA, 2014) Food insecurity among older adults has doubled since 2001.(National Council on Aging, Facts on Senior Hunger) Food insecurity is expected to increase 50% by 2025 as “BabyBoom” generation ages, (Meals on Wheels Assoc. of America, AARP, NCOA) Food insecure older adults at greater risk of chronic healthconditions, more likely to experience depression, heart attack,develop asthma. (American Journal of Medicine, The Journal of Nutrition)12
Estimating MA SNAP ientspotentiallyeligible forSNAP793,000 “SNAP ce: DTA Performance Scorecard June 2017; DTA/EOHHS SNAP Outreach Data, April 201713
MA “SNAP Gap” for Older Adults 107K older MA adults under 100% FPL - receive Medicaid(MassHeath), but not SNAP. An additional 120K – 150K older MA adults, between100% -200% FPL, are likely eligible for SNAP. MA Elder Economic Security Index calls for 241/mo foodbudget. The average MA SNAP benefit 1 person is 141/mo: a “heat, treat OR eat” dilemma.14
Maximizing Federal Funds SNAP is 100% federally-funded nutrition benefit –state administered (50% state costs). Currently 1.2B SNAP dollars received in MA. Each 1 SNAP 1.71 in “economic stimulus”.15
2017 Campaign PrioritiesTo lower out-of-pocket healthcare costs Expand access to Medicare Savings Programs by increasingincome eligibility to 300% of FPL and eliminating currentasset restrictions. This would better align the program withConnector Care which is available to non-Medicarehouseholds. Increase MassHealth’s asset limit for individuals 65 and overfrom its current 2,000 to 7,390 ( 3,000 to 10,750 for acouple). This would align asset restrictions with Medicare’sLow Income Subsidy (aka “extra help”).16
2017 Campaign PrioritiesTo reduce barriers to basic assistance programs andboost participation of eligible elders Develop a "common application" that simplifies theapplication process, reduces verification demands andmaximizes benefits for income-eligible elders (ie: close theSNAP gap, increase participation in LIHEAP fuel assistance,MSP and other safety-net programs) Strengthen community-based outreach/applicationassistance programs statewide Simplify applications (ie:move toward a common app)17
Bridging the Gap to Affordable Healthcare for SeniorsUnder 65PremiumsConnectorCare 3B65 & Over300% FPL 123No Assistance250% FPLConnectorCare 3AMedicareSavingsDeductiblesPart A,B,&DPrograms( 166, 360, 1,288)&“Extra Help”( 0 - 250)Partial LIS ( 105-350)*Premiums Part B, D, & Supplemental( 140- 350)* 82200% FPLConnectorCare 2B 43CC 2A 0MassHealthCarePlus 0150% FPL135% FPL120% FPL100% FPLMassHealthStandardQI/LIS 0 A/B Deduct.SLMB/LIS 0 A/B dard 0 0 0LIS 105- 350*Partial LIS 105-350* 8,780 13,640NoAssistance(See Above) 0No LimitASSET LIMIT 2000 7,280*Varies based ontime of enrollmentin Medicare andsupplemental planof choice. 13,640 18
2017 Campaign PrioritiesReduce housing expenses for homeowners and renters: Expand access to affordable rental housing Expand outreach for and enrollment in to the Circuit breakerprogram Modify property tax deferral rules to make the option morefeasible for economically insecure elders and their families bylifting income eligibility levels to equal the Circuit Breakercredit, lowering interest rates, and extending the defermentperiod for 12 months following the taxpayer’s death)19
2017 Campaign PrioritiesProtect the economic value of key support programs,including but not limited to Social Security, Medicaid,SNAP, Elder Nutrition Programs, HomelessnessPrevention Programs, and Medicare.20
Join us in our fight for economic security .21
Join Us Massachusetts Coalition for ElderEconomic SecurityCEES@MassSeniorAction.org22
Coverage Gaps: Dental, Vision, Hearing . 9 . MassHealth CarePlus MassHealth Standard 0 MassHealth Standard 0 No Assistance Premiums Part B, D, & Supplemental ( 140- 350)* . Utilities (Phone, Elec) Transportation John R. - 18,552 ( 1,546/mo) (156% FPL) 390 62 843 30
