The Richland County Area Agency on Aging hosted a guest from Washington D.C. on Monday afternoon when Congressman Pat Tiberi held a discussion on issues important to area seniors.
Tiberi spoke about matters regarding social security and Medicare as well as answered a few questions from the crowd at Monday’s gathering. Both topics are related to the Older Americans Act – the major funding for federal programs, state and local grants for senior services. The act’s current authorization expired in 2011.
“Currently there are less than three workers for every retiree,” said Tiberi. “Every single day there are about 10,000 baby boomers signing up for Medicare, and there aren’t enough future generations replacing those baby boomers in the workforce.”
The Older Americans Act is also a primary focus for Duana Patton, CEO of the Area Agency on Aging District 5. Patton said the agency’s national association has four priorities encouraging the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act.
“This includes enhancing the health of older Americans and how important that is to keep them healthy for as long as we possibly can and give them the tools to do that, and promoting community living and mobility and making sure people can remain in the community of their choice,” said Patton.
In regards to senior care, Tiberi highlighted the recent passing of a bipartisan bill called the IMPACT Act, unanimously passed by the House and Senate and signed into law by the President on Oct. 6, 2014. Tiberi explained the bill improves post-acute care for seniors, improves data collection to ensure beneficiary access to the most appropriate care setting, and improves coordinated care with better hospital discharge planning.
“It’s all about improving healthcare for seniors,” said Tiberi. “We heard from a number of patient advocacy groups that there were people who were being lost in the system, lack of coordination. This helps with that.”
Tiberi stated the bill will result in more accountable, quality-driven care for patients and will ensure Medicare dollars are spent efficiently.
“This is really important because sometimes Medicare dollars aren’t being spent as importantly or efficiently as they should be,” said Tiberi.
Another issue touched on by Tiberi was Medicare Advantage, a program about a fourth of Ohio’s seniors are on. Tiberi stated the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services mitigated some of the Affordable Care Act’s Medicare Advantage payment cuts by spending $8 billion on a “bonus payment” program but cuts are starting to fully phase in.
“In a provision in the Affordable Care Act, there are significant challenges to Medicare Advantage plans,” said Tiberi. “I think the beauty about Medicare Advantage is it gives you choice if you want choice. What we do know is through surveys from seniors: The satisfaction rate across the country with Medicare Advantage is significantly higher than traditional fee for service Medicare.”
Tiberi stated the Ways and Means Committee he is a part of continues to hold hearings on the impact the Affordable Care Act cuts will have on Medicare Advantage, and looks for ways to grow the program as opposed to cutting it back.
Patton said she was pleased with Tiberi’s visit to the Agency to discuss issues important to the organization and to area seniors.
“It is an honor when a congressman reaches out and wants to have some kind of forum in which we can have a dialogue with him,” she said. “We as an Area Agency and many of our partner agencies have good relationships with our representatives and our congressmen, but having them here to see the seniors is great.”
Tiberi currently represents the 12th district of Ohio. He is on the ballot for reelection on Tuesday, Nov. 4 against opponents Bob Hart and David Arthur Tibbs.
“I think the beauty about Medicare Advantage is it gives you choice if you want choice. What we do know is through surveys from seniors: The satisfaction rate across the country with Medicare Advantage is significantly higher than traditional fee for service Medicare,” said Pat Tiberi.
