The Medicare State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides essential assistance to seniors, as well as people with disabilities, with unbiased, cost-free, and personalized information to help them navigate Medicare enrollment and obtain benefits. The average Medicare beneficiary must choose between 60 Medicare plan options each year. They have difficulty comparing plan benefits and making a selection that takes into account all the factors that impacts out-of-pocket costs and network access.

A group of senators are urging the Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, to reject proposals to cut or eliminate these vital services by investing in SHIP at no less than $70 million in the FY21 bill. 

Download and read a joint letter to Senate appropriators, organized by Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), signed by 23 Senators urging support for FY21 funding for SHIP.