20

Page 20 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, MAy 13, 2022 Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen GET A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO MASSTERLIST – Join more than 22,000 people, from movers and shakers to political junkies and interested citizens, who start their weekday morning with MASSterList— the popular newsletter that chronicles news and informed analysis about what’s going on up on Beacon Hill, in Massachusetts politics, policy, media and infl uence. The stories are drawn from major news organizations as well as specialized publications selected by widely acclaimed and highly experienced writers Keith Regan and Matt Murphy who introduce each article in their own clever and inimitable way. MASSterlist will be e-mailed to you FREE every Monday through Friday morning and will give you a leg up on what’s happening in the blood sport of Bay State politics. For more information and to get your free subscription, go to: www. massterlist.com. THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local senators’ votes on roll calls from the week of May 2-6. There were no roll calls in the House last week. Technical audio problems plagued the Senate live broadcast near the end of the session. All Senate sessions are broadcast live on the Legislature’s website at www.malegislature.gov After the Senate adjourned and the online video broadcast ended, the audio could still be heard online. Sen. Will Brownsberger (D-Belmont) who presided over the Senate debate, conducted several “mic checks” and could be heard asking a technician, “It doesn’t sound like I’m underwater anymore?” All Senate roll calls were on amendments to the bill allowing undocumented/illegal immigrants to apply for a Massachusetts standard driver’s license. Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), the sponsor of several failed amendments to the bill, did not respond to repeated requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on why he fi led the amendments. Sens. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) and Adam Gomez (D-Springfi eld), two key backers of the bill, did not respond to repeated requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on why they opposed all of Tarr’s amendments. UNDOCUMENTED/ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAN GET DRIVER’S LICENSE (S 2851) Senate 32-8, approved a bill allowing undocumented/illegal immigrants to apply for a Massachusetts standard driver’s license. The House has approved a diff erent version of the bill and the Senate version now goes to the House for consideration. The bills are similar and both branches approved their version by veto-proof margins. Once the two branches agree on a fi nal version, the measure goes to Gov. Charlie Baker. The legislation requires an applicant “without legal presence” in the United State to provide the RMV with a foreign passport and at least one of fi ve other documents: a driver’s license from another state, a foreign driver’s license, a birth certifi cate, a foreign national identifi cation card or a marriage certifi cate or divorce decree from any U.S. state. “The [bill] makes our roads safer and, just as importantly, makes the lives of more than 185,000 Massachusetts immigrants without status easier by allowing them to earn a standard driver’s license,” said Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn). “In the absence of a robust regional public transportation system, it is impossible for many Massachusetts residents to get through their day without the use of a car. No one should fear detention or deportation over essential everyday tasks such as getting to work, school, doctor’s appointments and grocery stores. It is time for Massachusetts to join the 16 other states who have passed this common-sense legislation.” “It was important to me to listen to my local police chiefs, many [of whom] indicated to me that they had concerns,” said Sen. Anne Gobi (D-Spencer), one of only five of the Senate’s 37 Democrats to vote against the bill. “As well-meaning as the legislation is, I do believe there will be unintended negative consequences. For one, the legislation will task the RMV with verifying documentation. You do not have to look very far to see problems the RMV continues to have, including the Brockton RMV improperly awarding 2,100 drivers licenses without a road test.” “We are a nation of immigrants, and our commonwealth continues to be profoundly and positively shaped by immigrants from all over the world,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “They deserve to be able to safely get to work and school, care for their families and participate in the lives of their communities. I am thrilled that the Senate has moved forward with this proposal which will support families, improve public safety and be good for our economy.” “State-issued drivers licenses are a primary form of identification in our society and they carry real-world consequences and responsibilities,’’ said GOP Minority Leader Sen. Bruce Tarr who led the opposition to the measure. “We proposed safeguards to ensure that a privilege to drive does not, under any circumstance, become misused for any purposes including access to voting in elections or anything else that could put the public at risk. The 9/11 Commission said that all layers of government should secure state-issued identifi cation documents describing it as a national security and law enforcement imperative to combat identity fraud and illegal immigration.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it). Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes MUST HAVE DISTINGUISHING FEATURES (S 2851) Senate 8-31, rejected an amendment that would require the license to have a background color and other features which will distinguish it from all other licenses issued by the RMV. “[This] would have helped address issues raised by a number of local police chiefs in the district I represent who I consulted with prior to yesterday’s vote,” said Sen. Marc Pacheco (D-Taunton). “Based on the input I received, the possible corruption of our state licensing process was fl agged as a signifi cant concern.” Amendment opponents said law enforcement offi cers BEACON | SEE PAGE 23 Sa nir Sa a y Senior Seni by Jim Miller How Medicare Covers Alzheimer’s Disease Dear Savvy Senior, What exactly does Medicare cover when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease? My husband was recently diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s, and we would like to find out what’s covered and what isn’t. Planning Ahead Dear Planning, I’m very sorry to hear about your husband’s diagnosis, but you’ll be happy to know that most medical costs to treat benefi ciaries with Alzheimer’s disease are covered by Medicare. Unfortunately, longterm custodial care costs that most patients eventually need are not. Here’s a breakdown of what Medicare does and doesn’t cover when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease, along with some tips that can help you plan ahead. Medical care: For the most part, ongoing medical care to diagnose and treat Alzheimer’s disease is covered by Medicare Part B, including visits to primary care doctors and specialists, lab tests, speech and occupational therapy, home health care and outpatient counseling services. Medicare pays 80 percent of these costs, and you will be responsible for the remaining 20 percent after you’ve met your annual $233 Part B deductible. Sixty days of inpatient hospital care is also covered under Medicare Part A after you pay a $1,556 deductible. Beyond 60 days, a daily coinsurance fee is added. Medications: Most Alzheimer’s medications are covered under Medicare’s Part D prescription drug plans, but coverage varies so check his plan’s formulary. The only exception is Aduhelm, the controversial new drug that is estimated to cost $28,200 per year. Medicare Part B will only cover this drug if your husband is enrolled in a clinical trial. Long-term custodial care: It’s important to understand that original Medicare does not cover long-term custodial care. This includes nursing home care, the costs of assisted living facilities and adult day care. Medicare does, however, pay for some shorter-term nursing home care, but only up to 100 days following a three-day inpatient hospital stay. Hiring home help for bathing, toileting and dressing (this is known as custodial care) is not covered by Medicare either unless your husband is also receiving skilled-nursing care or physical or occupational therapy. To help with these costs, you may want to look into getting a long-term care insurance policy or short-term care plan (see aaltci.org/stc) if possible, or if your income and assets are very limited, you may qualify for Medicaid. To investigate your fi nancial options for long-term care, go to PayingForSeniorCare.com. Hospice: In the fi nal stages of the disease, Medicare Part A covers nearly all aspects of hospice care, including doctor services, nursing care, drugs, medical equipment and supplies, physical and occupational therapy, homemaker services, counseling and respite care. To qualify, a doctor must certify that a patient has six months or less to live. Other Insurance and Assistance If your husband is enrolled in original Medicare and he doesn’t have a supplemental insurance (Medigap) policy, you should consider getting him one. A Medigap plan will help pay for things that aren’t covered by Medicare like copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. To search for plans in your area, go to Medicare.gov/plan-compare and click on “Medigap policy only.” If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan (like an HMO or PPO), his plan must provide him at least the same coverage as original Medicare does. Some advantage plans may also off er additional coverage for home care services. If you can’t aff ord your Medicare out-of-pocket costs or need help with medication expenses, there are Medicare Savings Programs and the Extra Help program that provide fi nancial assistance for medications. To learn more, see Medicare.gov/your-medicarecosts/get-help-paying-costs. You can also get help through your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (see ShipHelp.org or call 877839-2675), which provides free Medicare and long-term care counseling. 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

21 Publizr Home