Currently the top action item for both LeadingAge and NaCCRA is working to keep the deduction for medical expenses. Thanks to LeadingAge it is very easy to let your congressperson hear from you by phone or by email. Use either of the links below, provide your address, and Leading Age will put you in touch. No need for you to look up your congressperson’s phone number or email address, Leading Age takes care of that for you.
LeadingAge’s easy way to contact your represented by telephone
LeadingAge’s easy way to Contact your representative by email
The LeadingAge alert succinctly states the important of taking action:
“Losing this important deduction would hurt many older adults. Elders living in some life plan communities deduct a portion of their fees as pre-paid medical expenses in case they need nursing home care. They would lose this important deduction—as would many older adults living in other care settings. Others with high medical bills would be similarly affected. This radical proposal would disproportionately affect older adults, many of whom have higher than average medical costs. Congress needs to hear from you today. Tell your lawmakers to protect the medical expense deduction. Tell them older adults need this important deduction. Tell them protecting it is the right thing to do.”
The other links below go to the NaCCRA alert and to the power point presentations of the two speakers at yesterday’s ORANJ Plenary Meeting. On the day when the future of the bipartisan Lamar/Alenxander healthcare deal was becoming increasing unclear, Marcia. Greenfield, VP for Health Legislation, provided us a with a review of this year’s happenings (or non-happenings) concerning the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, Medicaid and the possible effect of Tax Reform on medical deductions.
LeadingAge Presentation at the October, 2017 Plenary Meeting
NaCCRA Action Alert concerning elimination of the Medical Deduction
NaCCRA Presentation at the October, 2017 Plenary Meeting
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A personal note: I’m usually uncomfortable making phone calls to lawmakers, but I did it this morning (I’m in MacArthur’s district), I dialed the LeadingAge number (844-802-8508) and in no time I was on the phone with someone in Tom MacArthur’s office. I said my piece and he said okay. They I asked him if he didn’t want my name and he agreed and asked me what town I was in. I told him and then I said goodbye. Easy. By the way, to my surprise Ms. Greenfield told us yesterday that email is better than snail mail which goes off somewhere to be tested for Anthrax. So don’t use snail mail.
This information has also been added to https://oranjccrc.org/legislation/#advocacy
Maggie Heineman 609-518-8906
ORANJ Communications
oranjnewsletter@gmail.com