Contact Person: Candace Ouillette Gaumond, (413) 599-4785

Date: January 4, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…

CANDARAS FILES BILL TO CHANGE THE LIMITATIONS FOR MEDICAID RECIPIENTS

Representative Gale D. Candaras, 13th Hampden District, is the lead sponsor on a piece of legislation that will be introduced in the 2001 legislative session. The proposed legislation will amend the current eligibility requirements for Massachusetts citizens to receive Medicaid benefits. The amendment will state that eligible Medicaid citizens cannot be denied benefits based on an annual income of and up to $10,000 per year or assets equivalent up to $10,000 as well. With the upcoming changes in the Massachusetts healthcare system, this proposed legislation will aid in alleviating financial burdens that many Medicaid recipients face, particularly seniors and the disabled.

Gail Noe, who is the SHINE (Serving Health Information Needs of Elders) Coordinator of the SHINE Program lead office for Hampden County in Springfield claims that this proposed amendment “is a wonderful opportunity to improve on the ridiculously low Mass Health income eligibility guidelines and its long overdue. This would be a good measure to bring relief to a number of seniors currently stressed by financial costs by insurances.”

Healthcare has become one of the most crucial issues in Massachusetts. The state regulations regarding healthcare are evolving tremendously. Candaras’ proposed legislation will reach out to many Massachusetts citizens, who are lacking health insurance or are struggling to financially survive healthcare costs, provide relief for healthcare burdens.