Seniors
Next week, Congressman Bilirakis will host three senior forums across Florida’s 12th Congressional District. At these events, there will be updates on recent tax policy changes, legislative developments benefiting seniors, community resources that support independent living, and advancements in the fight against chronic illnesses.
Washington, D.C. —Today, Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Raul Ruiz M.D. (D-CA), Dwight Evans (D-PA), and Brad Schneider (D-IL) announced the introduction of the BENES 2.0 Act, aimed at protecting Americans approaching Medicare eligibility from costly and confusing enrollment penalties.
Over the past week, Congressman Bilirakis hosted two public forums to help educate his constituents about new scams used to defraud the elderly, new technological advancements in the effort to find better treatments for diseases that disproportionately impact the elderly, and resources available in the community to help seniors remain living independently in their homes for as long as possible. Additionally, Congressman Bilirakis provided an overview of his efforts to help seniors including: preserving Social Security and Medicare, introducing Cutti
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) have filed the Addressing Whole Health in Medicare Advantage Act. This important legislation authorizes Medicare Advantage programs to offer additional supplemental benefits to address a variety of risks factors that impact seniors’ health.
WASHINGTON – Today, Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Linda Sánchez (D-CA), Darin LaHood (R-IL), and Doris Matsui (D-CA) re-introduced the Concentrating on High-Value Alzheimer’s Needs to Get to an End (CHANGE) Act to encourage early assessment and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Today, U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis, Richard Hudson, and Scott Peters of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Bill Pascrell of the Ways and Means Committee, introduced the Saving Access to Laboratory Services Act (SALSA).
Washington, DC: Representative Gus Bilirakis has re-introduced the Commission on Sustaining Medicare and Social Security Act. This critical legislation would create a non-partisan Commission of experts to identify potential solutions that would ensure the long-term financial sustainability of both Medicare and Social Security. The Commission would make policy recommendations to Congress.
U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis issued the following statement in advance of President Biden’s scheduled visit to Tampa, Florida today:
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) provided the following statement in response to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address:
Lutz, Florida: This week, Congressman Gus Bilirakis met with local medical professionals who work with Alzheimer's patients throughout Tampa Bay and other senior advocates. They explained the serious hardships patients and caregivers face when trying to receive an accurate diagnosis, find treatment options, and seek long-term support as they grapple with this debilitating disease. In 2020, there were 580,000 Floridians aged 65 and older who had an Alzheimer's diagnosis. That figure is expected to grow by 24.1% before 2025.
Springhill, FL - As part of his commitment to ensure better, healthier and longer lives for all Americans, Congressman Bilirakis recetly met with a group of healthcare providers and senior healthcare advocates from Pasco and Hernando counties. The group discussed the importance of preserving quality, affordable healthcare options for seniors, including Medicare Advantage (MA). Bilirakis, who has proven to be a staunch supporter of MA, pledged his desire to enhance the the program.
Washington, DC: Earlier today, Representative Gus Bilirakis introduced the Commission on Sustaining Medicare and Social Security Act. This critical legislation would create a non-partisan Commission of experts to identify potential solutions that would ensure the long-term financial sustainability of both Medicare and Social Security. The Commission would make policy recommendations to Congress.
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) reintroduced the Medicare Demonstration of Coverage for Low Vision Devices Act. This legislation would help vision-impaired Medicare beneficiaries live safe and independent lives by creating a five-year national demonstration project to evaluate the economic impact of allowing reimbursement for low vision devices, which are currently excluded from Medicare coverage.
Washington, DC – Today, Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12), Lois Frankel (D-FL-21), and Debbie Dingell (D-MI-12) introduced the Protecting the Health of America's Older Adults Act. This bipartisan legislation would create a program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to improve the health and well-being of older adults and provide grants to state and local health departments to implement age-friendly public health programs.
Oldsmar, Florida, Area Agency on Aging of Pasco Pinellas (AAAPP), a nonprofit focused on coordinating services to keep seniors healthy and independent, today announced a community program in collaboration with Ring to support senior safety in Pasco and Pinellas counties. Attached are pictures from the Press Conference announcing this initiative. During the press conference, Ring also presented AAAPP with an additional $20,000 donation to support the work of this worthwhile senior advocacy organization.
Oldsmar, FL,– The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco Pinellas (AAAPP) will hold a press conference to announce a new initiative that aims to enhance senior safety in Pasco and Pinellas counties with Congressman Gus Bilirakis and a Ring representative in attendance.
Washington, D.C. —Congressman Gus Bilirakis has accepted The Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) American PATRIOT Award for standing up against harmful policies currently being advanced in Washington, D.C. and for consistently promoting the American values of faith, family, and freedom. AMAC CEO Rebecca Weber, surrounded by AMAC staff and supporters, welcomed Members of Congress to the awards event and personally presented Congressman Bilirakis with a custom AMAC American PATRIOT Award.
Today, U.S. Representatives Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Darren Soto (FL-09), Charlie Crist (FL-13), and Debbie Dingell (MI-12) introduced legislation to enhance protections for the 1.3 million adults who are currently under the care of guardians. Most of these Americans are seniors and people with disabilities. The Guardianship Accountability Act provides additional measures to prevent fraud and abuse.
Washington, DC: Congressman Gus Bilirakis, who has a well-deserved reputation for outstanding constituent service, has repeatedly urged federal agencies to re-open their offices to better serve Americans throughout the nation. Most recently he and a large group of his colleagues have called upon the Social Security offices to immediately re-open.
Bilirakis and Soto Form Bipartisan Group in Congress to Protect Seniors
-Infection Prevention and Control in Long-Term Care (IPC-LTC) Caucus aims to create meaningful federal policies to control infections in LTC facilities nationwide and to protect senior citizens-
Bilirakis Leads Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Telehealth Services for Seniors During COVID-19 Pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Representative Gus Bilirakis and a bipartisan group of colleagues have just introduced the Laboratory Access for Beneficiaries (LAB) Act with his colleagues, Reps. Richard Hudson (NC-08), George Holding (NC-02), Bill Pascrell (NJ-09), Kurt Schrader (OR-05), and Scott Peters(CA-52). This bill directs the National Academy of Medicine (NAM)—in consultation with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)—to conduct a study and make recommendations to improve how CMS collects data on lab reimbursements for life-saving lab services.
Looking back on 2016, a turbulent year for sure in politics, we often saw the biggest rivalries and the loudest pundits take center stage. All along, my main focus was always working hard on behalf of Florida's 12th District. We accomplished some important legislative wins for our communities, with 16 initiatives I wrote being signed into law this year.
While there's still much work to be done, a unified Republican government come January will give us a strong foundation to solve the largest problems facing Florida and the entire country.
This summer, during Congress' major district work period, I had the opportunity to meet with many of my constituents to hear their thoughts and ideas on the issues they care most about. While I come home every weekend, the August work period offers an extended period of time for me to truly connect with the residents of Florida's Twelfth Congressional District. It has been a very busy, productive, and incredible summer. Thanks to everyone for sharing their thoughts and showing me the work they're doing to make our communities thrive.
Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) this week held two town hall meetings in Florida's twelfth congressional district to discuss legislative issues with constituents. The Congressman provided the local community with an update on the work he has been doing in Congress.
The Energy and Commerce Committee today advanced legislation to help encourage innovation and modernize our health care system, communications world, and the Federal Trade Commission for the 21st Century.
The Committee approved eight bipartisan solutions, including legislation Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) worked on: