Disability Issues

Modest Needs exists

To prevent otherwise financially self-sufficient individuals and families from entering the cycle of poverty, when this might be avoided with a small amount of well-timed financial assistance;

To restore the financial self-sufficiency of individuals who are willing to work but are temporarily unable to do so because they do not have the means to remit payment for a work-related expense;

To empower permanently disadvantaged individuals who otherwise live within their limited means to continue to live independently, despite a temporary, unexpected financial set-back; and

To strengthen small non-profit organizations by providing a forum whereby such organizations can apply directly to the general public for the help they need to complete the relatively inexpensive projects that will allow them to better serve their clients and the communities they exist to serve.

In keeping with its mission, Modest Needs offers the following four types of grants

Independent Living Grants

Modest Needs makes Independent Living Grants by remitting payment to a creditor for an expense on behalf of persons who are permanently unable to work but who nevertheless are living independently on the limited income to which they are entitled - their retirement income, or their permanent disability income, for example.

In making an Independent Living Grant, our goal is to empower financially responsible persons who cannot work to continue to live independently on their limited incomes, despite an unexpected expense which no conventional agency is prepared to address.

For example, we might make an Independent Living Grant to cover the cost of maintenance on a piece of accessibility equipment not covered by Medicaid, to cover an unexpectedly large prescription medication co-pay, or to assist with a large summer cooling bill.

http://www.modestneeds.org/

My Medicare Part D Drug Coverage is through Humana with the PDP Enhanced plan. My year 2007 drug benefit premium was $19.80. My year 2008 drug benefit premium is $24.80. My year 2009 drug benefit premium is going to be $37.70.

From Year 2007 to Year 2008 represents a 25.25% increase in premium costs.

From Year 2008 to Year 2009 represents a 52.00% increase in premium costs.

From Year 2007 to Year 2009 represents a 90.40% increase in premium costs.

The doughnut hole for my plan is $2,500. Due to being up against the doughnut hole, I have joined H-E-B Pharxmacy ScriptSave drug plan to avoid passing through the doughnut hole thus incurring higher prescription costs. The initial fee was $5.00 to enroll in the plan. I have filled two generic prescriptions for a copypayment of $5.00 for each prescription through H-E-B Pharxmacy ScriptSave drug plan. The copypament for one of the prescriptions through my Humana PDP Enhanced plan would have been $240.00. Once I break through the doughnut hole of my Humana PDP Enhanced plan the copypayment for one of my daily prescriptions will go from $4.00 to $106.65 and another prescription copyment will go from $25.00 to $88.20.

A year ago, Congress patted theirselves on the back for of the supposed private sector health insurance competition driving down the Medicare Part D Drug Coverage premium costs. What isn’t being disclosed is that Congress subsidized the private sector health insurance companies to undertake Medicare Part D patients. Those subsidies are expiring and now the Medicare Part D Drug Coverage premium costs are skyrocketing.

Part of the drug costs increase within Medicare Part D Drug Coverage can be attributed to Representative Billy Tauzin, one of the most influential Republicans.

Representative Tauzin, R-La., former chair of the Congressional committee overseeing the passage of Part D, worked hard to prohibit Medicare from negotiating with drug companies to achieve lower prices for seniors.
  
Mr. Tauzin received a reported $2 million offer to head the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the drug industry trade group that had billions at stake in the Medicare prescription drug legislation, which Mr. Tauzin helped shepherd on Capitol Hill.

American’s United communications director Brad Woodhouse called Part D a “sell-out to pharmaceutical manufacturers.” “Part D prohibits Medicare from using its bulk-buying power to negotiate lower drug prices and denies senior citizens the choice of a prescription drug benefit direct from Medicare,” said Woodhouse. “Part D is better for industry than it is for pharmacists, senior citizens or patients.”

It is no wonder why Congress has a low approval rating with the public.

Skyrocketing Medicare Part D Drug Coverage premiums are placing a financial burden on persons on Social Security Disability. In order to receive financial assistance for premium payments a disabled person has means testing through State Medicaid. In order to receive financial assistance for drug premium payments a disabled person is subjected to means testing through State Medicaid. In other words persons on Social Security Disability are being categorized with low income persons who aren’t disabled.

I am recommending that Congress direct Social Security and or Medicare to assist persons on Social Security Disability with Medicare Part D Drug Coverage premiums without being subjected to means testing.

Ed McMahon, who for decades appeared as Johnny Carson’s sidekick on “The Tonight Show,” was fighting to avoid foreclosure on his multimillion-dollar Beverly Hills home, according to published reports.

He has been unable to work as a pitchman for various products since he broke his neck 18 months ago, said his spokesman, Howard Bragman.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24965435/

Several months ago, I watched Ed McMahon and his wife on Larry King Live discuss home foreclosure inability to work due to his broken neck.

Ed McMahon explains his mortgage mess

http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/TV/06/06/
lkl.mcmahon/index.html

I was amazed at Ed’s misfortune, but I thought someone would come to his aid.

Within a short period of time Donald Trump offered to buy his home from being foreclosed then lease the home back to Ed.

Donald Trump Bailed Ed McMahon Out of Foreclosure

Trump considered helping McMahon “an honor”. He will purchase the home from the lender and lease it back to McMahon and his wife.

http://bittenandbound.com/2008/08/15/donald-trump-bailed
-ed-mcmahon-out-of-foreclosure-photos/

Ed McMahon finds private buyer for his home in foreclosure

McMahon has said he was experiencing financial troubles because he was unable to work after falling and breaking his neck in March 2007.

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/entertainment&id=6347312

* This matter made me wonder how many disabled people would welcome a white knight coming to their rescue in the event their disability lead to a home foreclosure or inability to secure affordable housing.

* Therefore the question I would pose are there wealthy philanthropists willing to provide financial assistance or donations to lesser known individuals who have difficulty securing affordable housing due to a disability?