Should Medicare cover dental, vision & hearing care? Lancaster County man talks to Senate committee

Brian Long, 76, is familiar with the issue because of his role as Lancaster, Lebanon and Berks county coordinator for the Pennsylvania Link to Aging and Disability Resources.

Long told the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging that Medicare not covering such care makes it difficult to help the many seniors who have hearing or vision loss or dental issues.

“A 76-year old woman I know lives on minimum Social Security and needs cataract surgery,” he said, noting that Medicare won’t cover the surgery and she can’t afford it.

He added that the woman “is fearful of surgery because she plays piano for several churches and doesn’t want to have to miss the services that pay $50 a week.”

Long also said dental, hearing or vision problems can keep people from socializing, exercising and doing other things that have been shown to help long-term health.

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https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/should-medicare-cover-dental-vision-hearing-care-lancaster-county-man/article_f06f8666-dfa1-11e9-af99-4313a2f7c6aa.html