Witness from Lancaster County to Testify on How Federal Government Must Act to Improve Medicare Benefits

Casey to Hold Hearing on New Bill Expanding Medicare Coverage for Dental, Vision and Hearing Services

Washington, DC – On Wednesday, September 25, at 10:15 am, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Ranking Member of the Special Committee on Aging, will hold a hearing entitled "Promoting Healthy Aging: Living Your Best Life Long Into Your Golden Years." During the hearing, Senator Casey will highlight his legislation, the Medicare and Medicaid Dental, Vision and Hearing Benefit Act, which would guarantee that Medicare covers dental, vision and hearing services and would provide states with increased federal funding for Medicaid to provide this care. This bill would ensure standard coverage for all Medicare beneficiaries without the need to purchase supplemental plans or private insurance.

As adults age, dental, vision and hearing often decline, making preventive services and routine care increasingly crucial. Individuals who are unable to access these services are at risk of developing more severe health conditions, may be denied much-needed surgeries and may experience social isolation.

Senator Casey has invited Brian Long, of Lancaster County, to testify. Brian is the Lead Coordinator of the Pennsylvania Link to Aging and Mobility Resources for Berks, Lancaster and Lebanon and a Volunteer Representative for the Southcentral Regional Council on Aging. He will discuss the importance of accessing dental, vision and hearing services for seniors and people with disabilities and urge Congress to expand Medicare and Medicaid coverage for these services.

Witnesses for the hearing will include:

·         Brian Long, Lead Coordinator, Pennsylvania Link to Aging and Mobility Resources for Berks, Lancaster and Lebanon & Volunteer Representative, Southcentral Regional Council on Aging (West Hempfield Township, PA)

·         Dr. Rudolph (Rudy) Tanzi, Director, Genetics and Aging Research Unit, Harvard University (Boston, MA)

·         Dr. Susan Hughes, Co-Director, Center for Research on Health and Aging, University of Illinois at Chicago (Chicago, IL)

·         Diane Dickerson, CEO, Bangor YMCA (Bangor, ME)

When: Wednesday, September 25, 2019 at 10:15 am

Where: Dirksen Senate Office Building, SD-562

*Must RSVP to Aisha_Johnson@casey.senate.gov or call 202-228-6367.

(SOURCE: news release)