The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) acknowledges the 45th anniversary of the

enactment of Medicare and Medicaid, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 30, 1965. It went into effect July 1, 1966, and is now under attack by some in Congress.

Prior to Medicare, one-half of America’s older adults were uninsured. Medicare’s health coverage helps older Americans live healthier lives with less financial strain. Today, three out of every four older adult households have an annual income of less than $40,000, and Medicare helps them make ends meet by covering 74 percent of the cost of medical care.

Elder Law attorneys meet with thousands of clients each year who, without Medicare, would go without quality health care or would be forced to choose between buying prescription drugs or other necessities.

Elder Law attorneys also assist many clients facing a long-term care crisis. Medicaid is the largest payer of long-term services and supports for older adults and people with disabilities. Over three million individuals receive long-term services paid for by Medicaid.

Ed Boyer, President of NAELA and a practicing attorney in Sarasota, Florida, stated, “As we celebrate the anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid, Congress and the President are debating how much they will cut them. Older and disabled Americans in our communities and in nursing homes across the country fear that cuts to Medicaid will mean the loss of care and services. Medicaid is a multigenerational program that pays for health care for some of the most vulnerable Americans, and we need to join forces to protect these programs and the people they serve.”

Visit www.NAELA.org and click on the “Find an Elder or Special Needs Law Attorney” to locate a NAELA-member attorney in your area.

ABOUT NAELA

Established in 1987, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) is a non-profit association that assists lawyers, bar organizations, and others. Members of NAELA are attorneys who are experienced and trained in working with the legal problems of aging Americans and individuals of all ages with disabilities. The mission of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys is to establish NAELA members as the premier providers of legal advocacy, guidance, and services to enhance the lives of people with special nees and people as they age. NAELA currently has more than 4,000 members across the United States. For more information, visit www.NAELA.org.

ABOUT ELDER AND SPECIAL NEEDS LAW

Elder and Special Needs Law is a specialized area of law that involves representing, counseling and assisting seniors, people with disabilities and their families in connection with a variety of legal issues, with a primary emphasis on promoting the highest quality of life for individuals. Typically, Elder and Special Needs Law address the convergence of legal needs with the social, psychological, medical, and financial needs of individuals. The Elder and Special Needs Law practitioner handles estate planning and counsels clients

about planning for incapacity with health care decision making documents. The attorney also assists clients in planning for possible long-term care needs, including at-home care, assisted living or nursing home care. Locating the appropriate type of care, coordinating public and private resources to finance the cost of care, settling up special needs trusts, and working to ensure the client's right to quality care are all part of the Elder and Special Needs Law practice.