The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) contracted with NORC at the University of Chicago to help measure the justice gap among low-income Americans in 2017. LSC defines the justice gap as the difference between the civil legal needs of low-income Americans and the resources available to meet those needs. NORC conducted a survey of approximately 2,000 adults living in households at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) using its nationally representative, probability-based AmeriSpeak® Panel. This report presents findings based on this survey and additional data LSC collected from the legal aid organizations it funds. https://lsc-live.app.box.com/s/9wk0yy6o6akk7cx61zismr0v5d1dqxl8

Summary of Change: On July 1, 2022, the Medi-Cal asset test will significantly increase for the Aged & Disabled, medically needy with a share of cost, and long-term care Medi-Cal programs from $2,000 to $130,000 for an individual and $65,000 for each additional family member. https://justiceinaging.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Important-Health-Care-Changes-Coming-in-2022-for-Low-Income-Older-Californians.pdf

In a bipartisan effort, the policymakers commended CMS for supporting the program and urged them to protect and ensure Medicare Advantage benefits for next year’s plan. https://healthpayerintelligence.com/news/us-reps-urge-cms-to-maintain-medicare-advantage-benefits-in-2023?eid=CXTEL000000434430&elqCampaignId=23827&utm_source=nl&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&elqTrackId=dd7c5135e9f64c478f329fab9f30127b&elq=8f224a0a561240d18e2e5292388f49df&elqaid=24435&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=23827

Hospital labor shortages, including nurse and technician shortages, were the top concern for CEOs last year, a spot that was previously held by financial challenges every year since 2004.

According to CMS, at no other time has Medicare covered over-the-counter tests for free, but the public payer will begin to cover over-the-counter coronavirus tests starting in spring 2022. https://healthpayerintelligence.com/news/medicare-will-cover-otc-coronavirus-tests-at-the-counter?eid=CXTEL000000434432&elqCampaignId=23886&utm_source=nl&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&elqTrackId=f150e1822aaa4aca9382b4c220129322&elq=b27e77ce366d4eb792803ea5b92a6a42&elqaid=24708&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=23886

CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure tells a financial conference that the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs need to "align goals" with private companies to help lower drug costs and other health expenses. https://khn.org/morning-breakout/cms-to-seek-more-private-partnerships-to-lower-medicare-medicaid-expenses/

https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2022-medicare-parts-b-premiums-and-deductibles2022-medicare-part-d-income-related-monthly-adjustment

This webinar shares Medicare Program updates and resources to help you assist people with Medicare make informed decisions about their 2022 health coverage.

https://q1medicare.com/q1group/MedicareAdvantagePartD/Blog.php?blog_id=886

This workshop identifies key websites, like Medicare.gov, associated resources, and tools to help our partners, stakeholders, not-for-profit professionals, and volunteers (who work with consumers and their families) help others make informed health care coverage decisions.