Page 4 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, April 28, 2023 Ultrino’s Medicare Savings Program asset limits elimination included in FY24 House Ways and Means Budget Rep. Ultrino has long been advocating for expanding MSP eligibility to provide quality healthcare to more low-income seniors in the Commonwealth L ast Wednesday the Massachusetts House’s Committee on Ways and Means released their version of the FY24 Budget (H.3900 – https://malegislature. gov/Bills/193/H3900), which will be open to debate and amendments from legislators before it is finalized later this month. One of the highlights of the House budget includes an outside section that codifies the elimination of asset limits for Medicare Savings Program (MSP) applications. The provision was included previously in Governor Maura Healey’s FY24 Budget and mirrors legislation drafted and filed by Representative Steve Ultrino. It would require MassHealth to disregard all assets or resources when determining eligibility for MSP. Reforms to eligibility standards for MSP has been a priority for Representative Ultrino’s office since he was first elected. He and his staff have worked with the Massachusetts Senior Action Council (MSAC) for eight THE PAESANI CLUB ANNUAL POLENTA PARTY ANTHONY’S OF MALDEN 105 CANAL STREET MALDEN, MA. 02148 THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 6:00 PM COCKTAIL HOUR SAVE THE DATE! LA MORA CONTEST FEATURING SAL “THE GOLDFISH SWALLOWER” BARRESI Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lein * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net feet of sewer cleaning and lining and repaved 38 streets. “One of my main priorities continues to be our water system and the elimination of lead lines,” said Mayor Gary Christenson. “I continue to be grateful to Engineer Yem Lip, Councillor Steve Winslow and Conservation Commission Chair Isaac Slavitt for their efforts in this vital initiative,” said Christenson. years, and he has filed legislation in previous sessions addressing these concerns. For this session, the Representative has filed H.1248 (https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H1248), which similarly seeks to eliminate the asset limit for MSPs and to reduce healthcare expenses for lower-income seniors by expanding the Commonwealth's eligibility standards to 300% Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Currently, Massachusetts seniors must have limited assets and limited income to qualify for MSP. Massachusetts seniors who apply for MSP are often turned away because of the value of life insurance policies and other similar assets. The current asset limit is $18,180 per individual and $27,260 per married couple. Countable assets might include everything from cash, stocks, bonds, investments, IRAs, bank accounts (including credit union, savings and checking) to any remaining funds from COVID-19 stimulus checks, the cash surrender value of life insurance policies, and real estate in which one does not reside. This change will ensure that the tens of thousands of seniors who are already income elWINNER | FROM PAGE 1 thankful for their support and hard work on this bill.” “We, members of MSAC, are Steve Ultrino State Representative igible will be able to access this important and valuable benefit, significantly reducing barriers to affordable health care. “I am excited and proud to see Medicare Savings Program asset limits eliminated as part of the FY24 House Ways and Means Budget,” said Representative Ultrino. “I have discussed the need for more equitable and accessible health care for our seniors’ health care with Chair Michlewitz and Speaker Mariano before. By including this section, House Leadership is showing their dedication to protecting and providing accessible and quality health care for our seniors – and I am extremely City leaders are continually looking for ways to improve their Lead Line Replacement Program, which this year will include implementing a new system of prioritization. Remediation efforts will be prioritized based on which existing lead lines serve the greatest density of households with young children. Ward 6 Councillor Steve Winslow added: “I am happy to have collaborated with our Conservation Chair Isaac Slavitt and City Engineer Yem Lip on conceiving and implementing an approach focusing federal, state and local resources to remove lead pipes first in areas where the most children live. With this approach lead pipes have or are being removed near our Early Learning Center and a large day care center along with one of our lowest income neighborhoods along Newland Street. Thanks to the Malden Public and Cheverus Catholic School for their assistance on providing critical data used to develop this risked based approach.” “It's great to see our city recognized for innovation in this year’s Smart Cities awards. Everyone probably agrees we should target infrastructure funds where the impact will be greatest, but overjoyed to see that the Ways and Means Committee has removed the asset limit for seniors applying for Medicare Savings Plan. Our organization’s MSP committee has been working on affordable health care for seniors through the Medicare Savings Plan for over eight years now,” said MSAC Metro North Membership Coordinator Karen Lynch. “This news comes as a great victory for Massachusetts’ seniors’ community and will certainly help thousands more get the help they need. We want to thank our legislators who have helped so much, and especially, Representative Steve Ultrino who has been at our side all along.” The FY24 House Ways and Means Budget was released on Wednesday, April 12, and will be debated and amendments will be heard in the coming weeks. If the section is voted to be passed, Massachusetts will join Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Vermont to become the 11th state to eliminate asset limits for MSPs. there’s always some perceived risk when considering new approaches,” said Conservation Commission Chair Isaac Slavitt. “We’re fortunate to have leaders in the city who are open to trying new things when they believe residents will benefit.” “We congratulate the winners on their unwavering dedication to executing compelling projects from start to finish – leveraging cutting edge technology to offer sustainable, new services and economic opportunities and enhancing the lives of citizens,” said IDC Government Insights Vice President Ruthbea Yesner. The Smart Cities North America Awards recognize the best among smart city initiatives and, unlike anything else in the industry, provide a blueprint for government officials looking to execute similar projects.To learn more about this awards program, visit https://www.idc.com/ prodserv/insights/government/ smart-cities-awards. Winners will be honored at Smart Cities Connect, an event being held from May 16–18, 2023, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colo. To learn more about the event, please visit https://spring. smartcitiesconnect.org.
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