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Page 22 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2022 BHRC | FROM PAGE 21 year, leading to some patients decreasing their insulin dose or not taking it at all. Other provisions include requiring pharmaceutical companies to notify the state in advance of new drugs coming to market, and of signifi cant price increases for existing drugs; providing patients with greater access to mail-order prescriptions; and several transparency and accountability mandates. “This legislation moves the commonwealth one step closer to a system that delivers aff ordable, high quality and accessible care for our residents,” said Sen. Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington), Senate chair of the Committee on Health Care Financing. “[The bill] ensures that more consumers can access prescription drugs at a fair price, by capping out-of-pocket insulin costs, providing relief for certain high-cost drugs, improving patient access to medications and pharmacies of their choice and enhancing transparency and oversight within the pharmaceutical industry.” “Our Helpline takes calls from people across the state who can’t afford their medications,” said Amy Rosenthal, executive director at Health Care For All. “Individuals and families in Massachusetts have been struggling for far too long to access and aff ord the prescriptions they need, and this legislation provides critical fi nancial relief at a pivotal time,.By passing this bill today, senators took an important step to rein in excessive drug costs, bringing oversight of pharmaceutical companies and pharmacy benefit managers in line with other health care industries in the state.” Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton), the only senator to vote against the measure, acknowledged that there are many laudable parts of the bill but criticized parts to which he objected and resulted in his vote against it. “[The bill] unfairly penalizes individuals who receive mail-order prescriptions by raising the cost of their drugs,” said Fattman. “Many people today use mail order prescriptions from pharmacies because of the convenience and the fact that there are certain discounts off ered for out-of-pocket costs. The number of people that use this program has increased signifi cantly since the start of the pandemic, as it was seen as a safer and more convenient alternative for many people who wanted to avoid going to the store and being in public. The passage of this bill will force all current mail-order pharmacy patients, many of whom are older or ill, to pay higher out-of-pocket cost because they will not be allowed to take advantage of these discounts. [That provision] is a poison pill, and in good conscience, I can’t vote to increase costs for drugs for those who want them delivered via mail.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against the bill.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes DRUG COUPONS (S 1651) Senate 7-31, rejected an amendment extending until 2028 the current law, due to expire in 2023, that allows consumers to use coupons to get discounts and rebates when purchasing prescription drugs. In 2012, Massachusetts was the last state to lift a ban on the use of prescription coupons. “It’s important that we continue to have this particular tool particularly because it helps those who have high out of pocket costs, which a recent state study concluded are twice the national average and the third-highest in the nation,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “This amendment helps consumers control their out-of-pocket costs and provides further information for policymakers so we can achieve what is clearly our common objective—reducing the systemic cost of prescription drugs and improving the lives of those who need prescription medicines.” Amendment opponents said that extending the authorization for prescription drug coupons is typically done through a provision in the annual state budget. They noted they prefer doing it that way because the budget, with the coupon provision, will eventually get to the governor’s desk and be signed into law. They noted that including it as part of a comprehensive drug bill with an uncertain future is not a good idea. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment extending the use of coupons. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico No POSSIBLE LICENSING OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND MEDICAL DEVICE SALES REPS (S 1651) Senate 38-0, approved an amendment that would require the Department of Public Health, in consultation with the attorney general, district attorneys, health care practitioners and patient advocates, to review the existing “gift ban law” which is the marketing code of conduct that bans and limits gifts by pharmaceutical and medical device representatives to physicians. The original ban from 2008 included a ban on the payment and provision of meals to doctors at restaurants and other venues outside of the health care setting. This provision was repealed in 2012 and current law now allows for those meals. The department’s analysis would include a comparison of the marketing code of conduct rules with similar rules established in other states; a review of any enforcement actions taken for violations of the law; a review of opioid marketing practices and direct impact upon increased substance abuse disorders and related deaths; an assessment of the need and recommendations for BHRC | SEE PAGE 23 Sa nir Sa a y Senior Seni BY JIM MILLER Do I Have to File Income Tax Returns This Year? Dear Savvy Senior, What is the IRS standard tax deduction for 2021? I didn’t fi le a tax return last tax year (2020) because I lost my job and my income in March due to COVID. But I got a part-time job in 2021 and am wondering if I made enough money that requires me to fi le this year. Part-Time Retiree Dear Retiree, Whether or not you are required to fi le a federal income tax return this year depends not only on how much you earned last year (in 2021), but also the source of that income, as well as your age and your fi ling status. Here’s a rundown of this tax season’s IRS tax fi ling requirement thresholds. For most people, this is pretty straightforward. If your 2021 gross income – which includes all taxable income, not counting your Social Security benefi ts, unless you are married and fi ling separately – was below the threshold for your fi ling status and age, you may not have to fi le. But if it’s over, you will. Single: $12,550 ($14,250 if you’re 65 or older by Jan. 1, 2022). Married filing jointly: $25,100 ($26,450 if you or your spouse is 65 or older; or $27,800 if you’re both over 65). Married fi ling separately: $5 at any age. Head of household: $18,800 ($20,500 if 65 or older). Qualifying widow(er) with dependent child: $25,100 ($26,450 if 65 or older). To get a detailed breakdown on federal fi ling requirements, along with information on taxable and nontaxable income, call the IRS at 800-8293676 and ask them to mail you a free copy of the “1040 and 1040-SR Instructions for Tax Year 2021,” or you can get it online at IRS.gov. Check Here Too You also need to be aware that there are other fi nancial situations that can require you to fi le a tax return, even if your gross income falls below the IRS filing requirements. For example, if you earned more than $400 from self-employment in 2021, owe any special taxes like an alternative minimum tax, or get premium tax credits because you, your spouse or a dependent is enrolled in a Health Insurance Marketplace plan, you’ll need to fi le. You’ll also need to file if you’re receiving Social Security benefi ts, and one-half of your benefits plus your other gross income and any tax-exempt interest exceeds $25,000, or $32,000 if you’re married and fi ling jointly. To figure all this out, the IRS off ers an online tax tool that asks a series of questions that will help you determine if you’re required to fi le, or if you should fi le because you’re due a refund. It takes approximately 12 minutes to complete. You can access this tool at IRS.gov/Help/ITA – click on “Do I Need to File a Tax Return?” Or you can get assistance over the phone by calling the IRS helpline at 800-829-1040. Check Your State Even if you’re not required to fi le a federal tax return this year, don’t assume that you’re also excused from fi ling state income taxes. The rules for your state might be very different. Check with your state tax agency before concluding that you’re entirely in the clear. For links to state tax agencies see Taxadmin.org/state-taxagencies. Tax Prep Assistance If you fi nd that you do need to fi le a tax return this year, you can free fi le through the IRS at IRS.gov/FreeFile if your 2021 adjusted gross income was below $73,000. Or, if you need some help, contact the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (or TCE) program. Sponsored by the IRS, TCE provides free tax preparation and counseling to middle and low-income taxpayers, age 60 and older. Call 800906-9887 or visit IRS.treasury. gov/freetaxprep to locate services near you. You can also get tax preparation assistance through the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide service. Call 888-227-7669 or visit AARP.org/fi ndtaxhelp for more information. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. nior ior

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