Inflation Reduction Act Passes

The U.S House and U.S. Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act and it was signed into law by President Biden on August 16th. The bill is a scaled back version of the Build Back Better legislation which was passed by the U.S. House in November 2021.

The act addresses multiple Medicare prescription drug provisions such as reducing Medicare prescription drug cost, extending expiring Affordable Care Act premium subsidies, limiting drug price increases on certain drugs, caps on insulin costs, zero vaccine cost-sharing and limits on Part D premium increases from 2024-2029. The bill does not include provisions to improve staffing and access to home and community-based services (HCBS). 

The Senior Alliance will continue to monitor this bill and advocate for more provisions to improve access to HCBS.

U.S House Committee Approves FY23 Aging Services Investments

The U.S. House Committee on Appropriations approved all 12 annual appropriation bills for fiscal year 2023 (FY23) back in June. Included were increases for several aging services programs. The appropriation bills are currently being considered and debated by the full House and Senate before crafting the final budget package.

Some highlights in the bill include:

• Doubling fall prevention funding, investments, and research
• Increase to Older Americans Act services such as senior centers, nutrition programs, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, elder rights and adult protective services
• Increase to suicide and mental health programs and access

The Senior Alliance will continue to advocate for Older Americans Act and other aging related services to ensure that funding is increased and investments are made critical programs. 

"Inside The Senior Alliance" - 3 Episode Podcast with AARP Michigan

Check out our most recent episodes featuring Lisa Dedden Cooper, Manager of Advocacy at AARP Michigan. Episode 1 gives an overview of AARP and the services they provide, episode 2 is all about advocacy, and episode 3 is on brain health. 

Our podcast series, "Inside The Senior Alliance," provides to-the-point information about our programs and services. Just search for "The Senior Alliance" to find it on Spotify, Amazon, Apple, Stitcher, Google and other podcast platforms. Most episodes are less than 15 minutes long.

The first episode answers the question, "What is The Senior Alliance?" Other installments provide overviews of the MI Choice Waiver program, the Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP), our Supports Coordination function, our Information & Assistance service, Housing Coordination, the Long Term Care Ombudsman, the Michigan Senior Advocates Council, our Advisory Council, the Meals-on-Wheels Program, Direct Care Workers, Advocacy Overview, State Representative Laurie Pohutsky, the Friendly Reassurance program, the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan, and the Alzheimer's Association of Michigan.



Click the button below to listen via our website.