Government
Calls for Medicare disability changes
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted July 4, 2005
Disabled people could forego the two-year waiting period for Medicare benefits under legislation introduced last month. The bill, sponsored by Sens. Mike DeWine (R, Ohio) and Jeff Bingaman (D, N.M.), would phase out the waiting period over 10 years. Disabled people who are not eligible for Medicaid currently can receive disability payments from the federal government but must wait to receive health coverage from Medicare. During the phase-out, the Dept. of Health and Human Services could waive the waiting period completely for those with life-threatening illnesses.
In a related development, Bingaman joined Sen. Rick Santorum (R, Penn.) in drafting a letter calling on HHS to change the restriction that only allows Medicare coverage of wheelchairs and scooters that are needed in the home. The lawmakers said that the restriction is outdated and unfair to disabled beneficiaries who do not require a mobility device at home but need one for work, school or other outside activities.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/07/04/gvbf0704.htm.
