Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2007 (S 2102), offered by Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), would provide much needed assistance to those under age 65 diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's who lose their jobs and their employer- based health insurance. There are as many as 500,000 individuals under age 65 with early-onset Alzheimer's or a related dementia who may qualify for Medicare benefits under Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) but must suffer through the 24 months after the date their SSDI begins for Medicare benefits to start. Over a 10-year period, this legislation would phase out the waiting period and would also, in the interim, create a process by which those with life-threatening diseases like Alzheimer's could get an exception to the waiting period.
This would be a God send for many but should NOT be limited to early dimentia cases. Like someone on disability can afford to wait 24 months! Wake up Congress!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comment...there's a lot of work needed in so many areas.
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