SPRINGFIELD—This Thanksgiving, Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Val Hoyle are urging Oregonians to have conversations with older loved ones about Medicare enrollment (along with their turkey and sides) at the dining room table.
On Nov. 22, at Willamalane Adult Activity Center, Sen. Wyden and Rep. Hoyle hosted a press conference in conjunction with Eugene-Springfield seniors and local advocates to brief attendees on Medicare updates, protect seniors from fraudulent activity, and ensure that seniors are enrolled in Medicare by the Dec. 7 deadline.
Greg James, President of the Willamalane Board of Directors; Jodie Delsere, program leader for SHIBA Lane County (Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance); Stephanie Sheelar, deputy director of the Lane Council of Governments; Mike Fieldman, Oregon AARP Executive Council member; and Joe Pishioneri, Springfield Ward 6 Councilor and Council President, also attended.
“The reality is that, particularly right now, it’s important to check in with some of your older relatives. So if you’re at the table and they ask you about some of this stuff, tell them that you’re happy to assist them (in) getting some help,” Sen. Wyden said.
In April, Sen. Wyden released a statement regarding his achieved Medicare Advantage Protections, which included safeguarding senior citizens from duplicitous telemarketers, protecting their personal information, and expanding access to mental health professionals seeking patients across Medicare Advantage plans, cracking down on what Sen. Wyden referred to as “ghost networks.”
“This announcement is a big win for seniors because it strengthens protections against deceptive and high-pressure marketing practices that have been plaguing seniors. New protections include a prohibition on middlemen selling seniors’ personal information over and over again which had led to incessant marketing and phone calls to seniors, as documented by Finance Committee investigations,” Sen. Wyden’s statement read.
While the conversation with older relatives about Medicare enrollment remains important, it can be challenging to broach the topic with family members who are resistant to receiving help.
“These are the people that were the economic engine right, who stepped up to fight and protect our country, who raised the children, who are now adults and leading this country,” Rep. Hoyle said. “I think what’s important is that it’s not a difficult conversation if you approach it in a way, understanding that people might be embarrassed. But there is nothing to be embarrassed about receiving the benefits that you have earned over the time in your life that you have paid into these programs.”
Rep. Hoyle co-sponsored the Close the Medigap Act to help protect senior citizens from being unfairly targeted by providers. She also shared that she has co-sponsored a bill to expand Medicare Part A to include dental, vision, and hearing coverage.
