Aging Policy & News

NASW has supported the Stop Senior Scams Act (S. 149), reintroduced by Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-PA), and Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS). The bill establishes a Senior Scams Prevention Advisory Council, which would engage in various activities to mitigate financial exploitation of older adults.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requested information on potential modifications to rules associated with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). NASW's comments to HHS addressed multiple topics relevant to social work practice with older adults.

NASW has responded to a proposed rule addressing Medicare drug pricing, issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). If implemented, the proposed rule would allow new restrictions on coverage of medications under Medicare Part B and Part D. In its comments, NASW urged CMS to withdraw its proposals, noting that implementation of the rule could delay or prevent access to medication for Medicare beneficiaries living with cancer, depression, HIV, seizure disorder, and other serious illnesses.

Healthy People, an initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides science-based, 10-year national objectives for improving the health of all Americans. NASW's comments on the proposed objectives for Healthy People 2030 addressed the topic of older adults and multiple other topics and objectives relevant to older adults.

Guest Santo D. Marabella, MBA, DSW, is an author, playwright, filmmaker, speaker and educator. He's the author of "The Lessons of Caring: Inspiration and Support for Caregivers." He talks about the lessons he's learned while caring for his aging parents, and how this book can help others in similar situations.

In October 2018, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security proposed a rule to redefine the criteria by which immigrants to the United States are considered a "public charge." If implemented, the proposed rule would severely restrict immigration and would diminish access to health care and social services for immigrants. NASW's response emphasized the negative impact of the proposed changes on immigrants, especially older adults.