A lifeline for Massachusetts seniors

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a public forum in Greenfield about the SHINE program – Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone. SHINE supports Massachusetts seniors by training volunteers to provide counseling and help them navigate the complex range of Medicare options.

At this forum, I heard from numerous seniors, their caregivers, and family members how SHINE has helped them to ensure they receive the care and coverage they need.

But despite the positive impact it has made on seniors' lives, Republicans in Washington put SHINE on the chopping block in their budget, threatening the future of the program.

It makes no sense. SHINE is a cost-saving program; it keeps seniors healthy by ensuring they have access to the care they need, which prevents illnesses and conditions that would be more expensive to treat down the road.

In Congress, I'm going to fight like hell to keep funding for SHINE and other critical health care programs from being cut. SHINE has provided a lifeline for so many Massachusetts seniors and their families, we cannot stand by and watch the GOP leadership pull it away.

Jim