Senior Summer Newsletter

Repealing the Retirement Tax, Lowering Costs for Seniors 

Last year, Gov. Whitmer and the Michigan Senate Democrats were instrumental in passing the Lowering MI Costs Plan, one of the biggest tax relief initiatives Michigan has seen in decades. This plan overhauls the unfair and unpopular retirement tax, expands the Working Families Tax Credit and makes significant investments in housing and community development.   

By expanding the Working Families Tax Credit to 30% of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, 700,000 Michiganders — those who have the hardest time affording the basics — will see an average of $3,150 back in their pockets. Phasing out the unfair and unpopular retirement tax over four years will ultimately put an average of $1,000 back in the pockets of 500,000 households. The Lowering MI Costs Plan also invests $50 million of surplus tax revenue in the state’s Housing and Community Development Fund — which prioritizes projects offering veterans, seniors, people with disabilities and working families safe, affordable places to call home. Learn more at Michigan.gov/taxes. 

Lowering Prescription Drug Costs 

Last year, the State Senate passed Senate Bills 483-485 to establish an independent Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) in Michigan. The PDAB aims to address the issue of implementing measures to regulate prescription drug costs, ensuring that essential medications are accessible and affordable for everyone.  

In 2020, while the costs of many goods were rising, the prices of 500 prescription drugs in Michigan increased at a rate twice that of inflation. Michigan Senate Democrats are committed to alleviating the burden of prescription drug costs on Michigan residents and employers — and we are taking meaningful action to combat this persistent problem.  

Prescription Drug Affordability Board – PDAB  

• Would have the authority to review prescription drug costs and evaluate their impact on Michiganders. 
• Would be empowered to establish upper payment limits and prevent skyrocketing costs. 
• Would enable more access to the medications Michiganders need to survive and thrive. 
• Would bring accountability, oversight and transparency to the prescription drug industry. 
• Would be made up of unbiased experts with safeguards to prevent external influence.  

This bill package has been referred to the House Committee on Insurance and Financial Services to await further action. 

Budget Funding for Seniors

In addition to the exciting legislative wins passed last year, the Michigan Legislature made significant investments in our senior community through the Fiscal Year 2024 budget.  

Some of those investments include: 

• $28.0 million in federal Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (ARP) revenue to construct, renovate, or relocate four senior, community, or multigenerational centers 
• $1.2 million in federal ARP funds to create an electronic implementation solution for Senior Project Fresh which aims to enhance nutrition education and develop alternatives for communities without internet accessibility 
• $568,100 of federal ARP funds to enhance and improve the ability of the adult protective services system to investigate allegations of abuse, neglect and exploitation of seniors 
• $1 million to provide home-delivered meal programs (Meals on Wheels) through the Area Agencies on Aging 
• $1.7 million to increase Medicaid fee-for-service reimbursement rates by 10% for home-based skilled nursing care, physical therapy and nurse’s aide services 

Wayne County Health Division

3600 Commerce Court, Building E
Wayne, MI 48184
(734) 326-5202
seniornutrition@waynecounty.com

No one should go without access to healthy meals. If you, or a senior you know, are struggling to pay for food or cook for yourself, Meals on Wheels can help.  

This program provides five nutritious meals per week to homebound, older adults. They also offer liquid nutrition for those who are unable to eat solid food and who have a prescription from their physician.  

To qualify for Meals on Wheels, an adult must be:   

• 60 years of age or older;   
• Homebound (e.g., unable to leave home without assistance and unable to drive);   
• Unable to cook for themself;   
• Have no one willing or available to prepare meals on a regular basis; and,   
• Able to feed themself.  

For more information or to determine if you’re eligible for Meals on Wheels, contact Oakland Meals on Wheels at (248) 689-0001 or Detroit Meals on Wheels at (313) 446-4444. 

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) are warning seniors to protect themselves and their personal information from potential scams and high-pressure sales tactics.   

Fraudsters posing as Medicare “representatives” are calling unsuspecting consumers about their Medicare coverage and asking for Medicare ID numbers or other personal information, such as a Social Security Number or date of birth. Once scammers have this information, they can use it to make unauthorized changes to your Medicare plan.  

DIFS and MDHHS have some important tips for protecting yourself:

• Never give your Medicare number or other personal information to an unknown caller. You are always able to get information on Medicare plans without providing an ID number. The only time the Medicare ID number is required is when you are actively enrolling in a plan.  
• Do not give out your personal information if someone calls or visits your home and says they’re from Medicare. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will never call or send someone to your home to ask for personal information or check your Medicare number.  
• Don’t always trust caller ID. Scammers use technology to make it look like they are calling from a legitimate business or government agency.  
• Ignore anyone who calls saying you must join their prescription drug plan, or you will lose your Medicare coverage. While it is true that there may be a penalty if you delay enrolling in the Medicare prescription drug plan (also known as Part D), that coverage is voluntary.  
• Don’t trust mailers that appear to be government communications but are advertisements for private companies. These mailers will sometimes have a disclaimer, but it may be buried in small print. 

If you have questions or concerns about your Medicare coverage, DIFS and MDHHS urge you to contact Medicare directly at Medicare.gov or by calling 800-633-4227.   

Insurance fraud, including Medicare fraud, results in higher health care costs for participants and taxpayers alike. That is why it’s so important to know how to protect your Medicare card and number. If you or a loved one has experienced this type of scam or high-pressure tactic, contact DIFS at Michigan.gov/DIFSComplaints or call 877-999-6442 to file a complaint. 

In Michigan, more than 100,000 older adults have been victims of abuse — and many more are targets. Seniors are often vulnerable to abuse, neglect or exploitation, and much of it is unreported or underreported.  
 
ELDER ABUSE: SEE IT, DOCUMENT IT, REPORT IT  
If you or someone you know might be a victim of elder abuse, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office recommends you: 

• Take photographs and written notes on what you observed, when you observed it and who was present, along with any other helpful information. 
• Immediately report incidents to the nursing home or health care facility administrator, if applicable. 
• Report the abuse to the Office of the Attorney General at (800) 242-2873 and to the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Adult Protective Services at (855) 444-3911. 

Adult Home Help/Chore Services (800) 292-2550 
Adult Protective Services, for reports of suspected abuse and neglect (855) 444-3911 
Area Agency on Aging (517) 788-4364 
Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division, for cases of identity theft (877) 765-8388 
Attorney General, Office of Elder Abuse (800) 242-2873 
Bridge Card (EBT) – Customer Service (888) 678-8914 
COVID-19 Hotline (888) 535-6136 
Disability Ombudsman (800) 288-5923 
National Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 799-7233 
Elder Care Services (800) 677-1116 
Elder Law of Michigan, Inc. (866) 400-9164 
Energy Assistance 2-1-1 
Michigan Department of Treasury Home Heating Tax Credit Status (517) 636-4486 
Medicaid Customer Help (800) 642-3195 
Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) (800) 803-7174 
Medicare, includes Part D for pharmacy (888) 633-4227 
Medicare Savings Program (800) 772-1213 
MI Enrolls – Medicaid Managed Care (888) 367-6557 
Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, Medicaid Beneficiary Support (800) 642-3195 
Michigan Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (866) 485-9393 
Michigan Stroke Network (866) 522-8676 
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (800) 642-4838 
MI Bridges Help Desk 844-799-9876 
Michigan Stay Well Counselors 888-535-6136 and press “8” 
National Alliance on Mental Illness Headquarters (517) 485-4049 
Nursing Home Complaints (800) 882-6006 
Relay Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing 7-1-1 
Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention (517) 372-6666 
Social Security Administration (800) 772-1213 
State SSI Supplement (800) 481-4774 
Substance Abuse Hotline (800) 662-4357 
Suicide Prevention Crisis Hotline (800) 273-8255  
TAX statements for Adult Home Help (800) 292-2550 
THAW – The Heat and Warmth Fund (800) 866-THAW (8429)