Federal funding for the SHINE program is under threat. The SHINE Program (Serving Health Information Needs of Everyone) is a state health insurance assistance program that provides free health insurance information, counseling and assistance to Massachusetts residents with Medicare and their caregivers. At the national level, it is known as the SHIP program (State Health Insurance Assistance Programs).
The Trump Administration is expected to propose cutting all or most funding for the Medicare State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) in FY18. The FY17 budget already cut SHIP by $5 million, nearly 10%.
Your Senators need to hear from you TODAY to restore funding and protect this essential program for Medicare beneficiaries.
SHIPs provide free local, in-depth, unbiased insurance counseling and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers. This includes help with coverage options, fraud and abuse issues, billing problems, appeals, and enrollment in low-income protection programs.
Approximately 10,000 Americans become eligible for Medicare each day-significantly increasing the need for SHIP services.
Please click here to visit the National Council on Aging web site, where you can contact your Senators to sign on to Sen. Murphy’s letter in support of SHIP funding. The deadline is COB Friday, May 19.
