THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, November 19, 2021 Page 19 Melrose Arts & Crafts Society hosts successful Exhibit and Sale T he Melrose Arts & Crafts Society Annual Exhibit and Sale was held on November 6 at the First Congregational Church in Melrose. Members contributed many items for display and sale. They also shared their talents by demonstrating jewelry making, knitting and VOTE| FROM PAGE 4 • $14M for agricultural economy supports Housing The Senate’s bill acknowledges the critical role that housing plays in economic recovery. Over a year and a half into the pandemic, access to stable and aff ordable housing remains at the forefront of the state’s strategy to ensure economic security for all. Investments in aff ordable, accessible housing, as well as supportive housing, include: • $150M for supportive housing, including $75M for the chronically homeless population and $20M to increase geographic equity and accessibility related to the continuum of long-term care services for veterans not primarily served by the Soldiers’ Homes in Chelsea or Holyoke • $150M for public housing authorities to maintain and upgrade existing infrastructure • $125M for the Commonwealth Builders Program to support housing production and promote homeownership among residents of disproportionately impacted communities • $125M for aff ordable rental housing production and preservation for the workforce and low- and moderate-income inquilting. The exhibit was very successful. The society would like to thank all who attended and also the society’s members who gave so generously to the exhibit’s success. November’s monthly meeting will be held on November 22 at 9 a.m. at First Baptist Church (561 dividuals • $50M for homeownership assistance tools, including down payment assistance and mortgage interest subsidy supports Environment and climate The Senate’s bill prioritizes building a more resilient Commonwealth and ensuring a healthier environment for all. The bill seeks to combat climate change through mitigation initiatives, strengthen environmental infrastructure, fi x aging water and sewer infrastructure and modernize marine port infrastructure to support the state’s emerging off shore wind industry. Environment and climate investments include: • $175M for water and sewer infrastructure investments through the Clean Water Trust • $125M for environmental infrastructure grants, including the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program • $100M for marine port infrastructure investments focused on the promotion of off shore wind development • $25M for the Greening the Gateway Cities program to support tree planting • $15M for parks and recreational assets • $10M for clean energy retrofi tting in aff ordable housing Main St. in Melrose). The society has members from 11 surrounding communities and welcomes anyone interested in arts & crafts and in enjoying any of its fun activities. For more information, please contact Dorothy Iudice at 781662-2099. units • $7.5M for community colleges to help train underserved populations for green jobs • $5M for the advancement of geothermal technologies Transparency and oversight To support communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and prioritize historically underserved or marginalized populations, the ARPA bill establishes an equity and accountability review panel for federal funds to track in near real-time the amount and percentage of ARPA funds spent in these communities and awarded to minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises. The ARPA bill also takes steps to ensure those businesses have fair participation on procurements issued under the act. On November 2, 2021, the Massachusetts House had unanimously passed its version of An Act relative to immediate COVID-19 recovery needs. On November 15 the Senate and the House appointed Conference Committees to reconcile the diff erences between their versions of the bill, and the fi - nal bill is expected to be signed into law by Governor Baker before the end of the year. ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS - Beautiful 8 yr. old center entrance colonial 6 rms., 3 bdrms., 2 baths, open concept, front to back, gas fireplace lvrm., wood floors, ceiling fan, recess lighting, beautiful kitchen, stainless appliances, wood cabinets, island seating, walk-in pantry, formal dnrm. w/ wood floors, 2 more spacious bdrms. w/ wood floors, ample closets & ceiling fans, great potential for additional living space over the 2 car garage, 2nd floor laundry room, cent. air, security system, exterior hard wired camera system, 2 car garage w/ electric opener, full basement, partially fenced private yard, nice 16x16 ground deck for entertaining, leaf guard gutters, off street parking. Offered at $689,900 335 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906 (781) 233-7300 View all our listings at: CarpenitoRealEstate.com View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. a y avvy S iorenniiooro a avvyavvy iori Need a Ride Dear Need, If you’re enrolled in original Medicare, getting an electric-powered mobility scooter or wheelchair that’s covered by Medicare starts with a visit to your doctor’s offi ce. If eligible, Medicare will pay 80 percent of the cost, after you’ve met your Part B deductible ($203 in 2021). You will be responsible for the remaining 20 percent unless you have supplemental insurance. Here’s a breakdown of how it works. Schedule an Appointment Your fi rst step is to call your doctor or primary care provider and schedule a Medicare required, face-to-face mobility evaluation to determine your need for a power scooter or wheelchair. For you to be eligible, you’ll need to meet all of the following conditions: • Your health condition makes moving around your home very diffi cult, even with the help of a cane, crutch, walker or manual wheelchair. • You have signifi cant problems performing activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, getting in or out of a bed or chair, or using the bathroom. • You are able to safely operate, and get on and off the scooter or wheelchair, or have someone with you who is always available to help you safely use the device. If eligible, your doctor will determine what kind of mobility equipment you’ll need based on your condition, usability in your home, and ability to operate it. It’s also important to know that Medicare coverage is dependent on your needing a scooter or wheelchair in your home. If your claim is based on needing it outside your home, it will be denied as not medically necessary, because the wheelchair or scooter will be considered a leisure item. Where to Buy If your doctor determines you need a power scooter or wheelchair, he or she will fi ll out a written order or prescription. Once you receive it, you’ll need to take it to a Medicare approved supplier within 45 days. To fi nd Medicare approved suppliers in your area, visit Medicare.gov/medical-equipment-suppliers or call 800-633-4227. There are, however, circumstances where you may need “prior authorization” for certain types of power wheelchairs. In this case, you’ll need permission from Medicare before you can get one. Financial Aid If you have a Medicare supplemental (Medigap) policy, it may pick up some, or all of the 20 percent cost of the scooter or wheelchair that’s not covered by Medicare. If, however, you don’t have supplemental insurance, and can’t aff ord the 20 percent, you may be able to get help through Medicare Savings Programs. Call your local Medicaid offi ce for eligibility information. Or, if you fi nd that you’re not eligible for a Medicare covered scooter or wheelchair, and you can’t aff ord to purchase one, renting can be a much cheaper short-term solution. Talk to a supplier about this option. For more information about power mobility devices call Medicare at 800-633-4227 or visit Medicare.gov/coverage/wheelchairs-scooters. Medicare Advantage If you happen to have a Medicare Advantage plan (like an HMO or PPO), you’ll need to call your plan to fi nd out the specifi c steps you need to take to get a power-wheelchair or scooter. Many Advantage plans have specifi c suppliers within the plan’s network they’ll require you to use. 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. n r by Jim Miller Does Medicare Cover Mobility Scooters or Wheelchairs? Dear Savvy Senior, I have arthritis in my hips and knees and have a diffi cult time getting around anymore. What do I need to do to get a Medicare-covered electric-powered scooter or wheelchair?
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