What's Happening: 

Big News! Congress just made decisions about where they're spending money in 2024. Good news: They're keeping funding for important programs that help older Americans, like the Older Americans Act (OAA).

But there's a problem— while Congress passed another short term resolution to avoid a government shutdown, they are still overlooking key funding mechanisms to support seniors. We need your help to tell Congress to keep supporting programs that help older people

Why it matters:

KC Shepherd's Center provides Medicare and benefits counseling at no cost to Medicare- eligible Kansas Citians through a team of highly qualified volunteers with significant experience in the complexities of the cluttered and confusing Medicare marketplace. A special outreach fund called Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA), helps organizations like KCSC provide outreach and assistance for low-income Medicare-eligible residents. That funding is at risk. 

A reduction in funding could make it tough for essential services for older adults, like those provided by Area Agencies on Aging, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, State Health Insurance Assistance programs, and Benefit Enrollment Centers.

These programs use MIPPA funds to reach out and help older adults save money. But not enough people have told Congress about this issue.

Take Action: 

We need your help! Contact your U.S. Senator to share your concern about the MIPPA low-income outreach program and share the value it brings to older adults in Kansas City.

Missouri

Senator Josh Hawley

1-202-224-6154

SEND EMAIL HERE

Senator Eric Schmitt

1-202-224-5721

SEND EMAIL HERE

Kansas

Senator Jerry Moran

1-202-224-6521

SEND EMAIL HERE

Senator Roger Marshall

1-202-224-4774

SEND EMAIL HERE

Your support is crucial in advocating for the funding needed to ensure the well-being of our community's vulnerable older adults. Together, we can make a difference. 

For more information or questions, contact KCSC Contract Policy Director, Laura Loyacono by email at laura@kcshepherdscenter.org.