With Hurricane Season Underway, Congressman Maxwell Frost Introduces Bill Aimed At Protecting Seniors and Folks with Disabilities During Natural Disasters
ORLANDO, FL — Today, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) was joined by local Central Florida leaders as he unveiled his second-ever piece of legislation, H.R. 4375 the Survival Aid for Emergencies (SAFE) Through Medicare Act, a bill aimed at requiring Medicare to cover the full cost of equipment medically necessary for folks medically at-risk in the event of a climate disaster.
Frost, who stood alongside Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, first responders, union leaders, local community health center True Health, and Disability Rights Florida, announced the legislation right outside of a local senior living complex, a shining example of a community center focal point that would be most impacted by Frost’s bill.
Watch the Press Conference Here
The SAFE Through Medicare act would require that things like air conditioners, refrigerators, generators, solar batteries, and more are covered under Medicare to ensure that seniors and those with disabilities are able to safely weather any storm or natural disaster with their life-sustaining medications or medical-equipment at hand.
“Florida and our nation deserve a disaster-ready health care system that will help working people and seniors be able to afford to safely weather any storm,” said Congressman Maxwell Frost. “It’s unacceptable that in a state where we regularly live through hurricanes, flooding, and severe rain, folks on fixed incomes are one natural disaster away from losing the life-sustaining medication or medical devices they need to survive. The SAFE Through Medicare Act will help Florida seniors and folks with disabilities be protected during the worst mother nature can throw at us.”
“Seniors on fixed incomes are more at risk financially due to high costs of housing and medication, that is why legislation like this is so important,” said Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan. “Seniors should not have to suffer during a natural disaster or emergency. I am so thankful to have a partner in Washington that is working to address these issues.”
“Regardless of the state or type of disaster, whenever a natural disaster occurs seniors and people with disabilities remain the most vulnerable to these deadly threats,” said Olivia Babis Keller, Senior Public Policy Analyst, Disability Rights Florida. “Many are unable to leave their homes and are at additional risk when electric and water services are interrupted. They may be reliant on ventilators, oxygen tanks, or have life-saving medications that must be kept refrigerated. These individuals are often on fixed incomes and unable to afford whole home backup batteries, generators, portable air conditioning units, or other devices and equipment that would allow them to stay alive until help arrives. Disability Rights Florida applauds the introduction of the SAFE Through Medicare Act and supports these efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of Medicare recipients.”
“The SAFE Through Medicare Act will not only impact and improve citizen’s lives, it will also impact firefighters and reduce their overall risk,” said Jason Franklin, President of the Orlando Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 1365. “Last year during Hurricane Ian, my crew personally ran over 20 calls that were storm related. Several of these calls were to households that lost power, causing their medical devices to fail. This bill will allow citizens to become more self-sufficient during periods of power outage, and allow first responders to respond to the needs of other citizens during those storms.”
The SAFE Through Medicare Act has also been introduced in the Senate by Senator Edward Markey (D-MA).
“Climate justice is a matter of disability justice,” said Senator Markey. “When the temperature skyrockets and the power goes out, things like solar batteries and heat pumps become medical devices. The SAFE through Medicare Act will keep people safe in their homes and prevent medical tragedies. It’s time that we guarantee that seniors and people with disabilities can safely weather the climate crisis.”
SAFE Through Medicare has been endorsed by Disability Rights Florida, American Federation of Teachers, American College of Nurse Midwives, Climate and Community Project, HealthCare Without Harm, National Hispanic Medical Association, Transhealth, and others.
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