A bipartisan bill unveiled on Nov. 28 by U.S. Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) would cap late Medicare enrollment fees in an effort to decrease healthcare costs for America’s senior citizens.
“As someone who is approaching Medicare eligibility age, protecting the benefits our seniors have earned is personal to me,” Rep. Kim said. “With more Americans working longer and delaying retirement benefits, many seniors face higher fees simply for delaying Medicare enrollment. Permanently raising seniors’ healthcare premiums for delaying Medicare enrollment only hurts seniors already struggling on fixed income.”
Rep. Kim signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Medicare Economic Security Solutions Act, H.R. 6490, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) and four other original cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).
If enacted, H.R. 6490 would set the fee amount and duration for late Medicare Part B enrollment and lift penalties for COBRA, retiree, and military veteran enrollees who delay Medicare coverage, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
“The Medicare Economic Security Solutions Act caps burdensome fees and addresses red tape for seniors enrolling in Medicare,” said Rep. Kim. “I’m proud to help lead this bipartisan and commonsense bill that would lower costs for my constituents.”
AARP, the Medicare Rights Center, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, and Social Security Works support H.R. 6490, which has been referred to both the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee and the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee for consideration.
“Punishing seniors who delay their enrollment in Medicare with lifetime premium increases is unfair and wrong,” said Rep. Porter. “Late enrollment fees shackle hundreds of thousands of families to higher health care costs, including many who were unaware of this penalty. I’m proud to work across the aisle with Rep. Kim on this commonsense bill to cap late fees and reduce their burden on older Americans.”