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Moore votes to exempt certain bank fees for senior citizens Legislation provides financial relief for seniors applying for MassHealth February 13, 2008 ... During Tuesday’s formal session, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, voted to relieve certain financial burdens imposed on senior citizens applying for medical assistance. The legislation would change current law that requires seniors to pay a fee for bank records relative to their applications for MassHealth. “I am pleased to relieve our senior citizens of this needless burden,” said Moore. “With many of our senior citizens living on fixed incomes, facing rising heating costs and marginal cost of living increases, their resources are already stretched. This legislation will at the very least relieve one unnecessary hardship, and hopefully offer our most vulnerable residents easier access to necessary and affordable care.” In order for seniors to complete applications for MassHealth benefits, they must obtain past bank statements at a cost that, by some reports, can exceed $500 to meet the MassHealth application requirements. This legislation would eliminate such fees for seniors who present a letter from MassHealth requesting bank records. Another negative side-effect of the existing fees is that they can put seniors into life-threatening situations in which they are forced to reduce or even eliminate monthly medications in an effort to remain financially stable and meet their usual expenditures for food, heat, clothing and shelter. The bill will go back to the House of Representatives for further action. |
