Manatee seniors upset that SHINE’s light may go out

SHINE, a free program that helps seniors make their prescription drug choices during Medicare open enrollment as well as answer questions regarding other Medicare issues, is being threatened with elimination.

Last week, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee approved a bill that would eliminate federal funding for Florida’s SHINE, which stands for Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders. It also would eliminate funding for SHIP, a program in other states which stands for State Health Insurance Assistance Program, said Charlotte McHenry, president and chief executive officer of the Tampa area-based Senior Connection Center, which coordinates the SHINE program in five counties, including Manatee.

“I think the current climate in Washington, D.C., is to look at every budget and look at where they can make cuts and we have to speak out,” McHenry said Wednesday.

“We are asking people to contact their members of Congress and share how important this program is, and urge Congress not to eliminate it or cut any of its funding,” McHenry added.

On Wednesday, Sue LaMastro, one of 10 SHINE counselors in Manatee County, said she has written to U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, and asked the congressman to push for SHINE in the House. Buchanan was not on the House Appropriations Committee that axed the program.

“I have worked with Vern’s office for years on elder affairs and he has been responsive,” LaMastro said. “I told him in my letter, ‘Vern, please tell your colleagues how important this is. If we don’t do this work, who will?’ ”

Through his press secretary, Gretchen Andersen, Buchanan on Wednesday showed support for the SHINE program.

“The SHINE program helps seniors pick the best Medicare plan that meets their needs,”Andersen said. “It’s a worthwhile program and a sound investment.”

SHINE is busy in October

Every October, SHINE’s 50 volunteers spread out through Manatee, Hillsborough, Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties to provide critical information to seniors on Medicare to help them make informed decisions about their coverage options during the annual Medicare open enrollment, McHenry said.

But the counselors also work year-round answering Medicare questions, McHenry said.

SHINE has an annual budget of just more than $300,000, which it uses to reimburse volunteers for travel and for an extensive amount of printed resource material. SHINE has 4.5 full-time employees.

“I think the cut, quite honestly, is irresponsible,” LaMastro said. “I believe if they understood what the program did in all 50 states they wouldn’t touch it. If they took 15 minutes to see what we do, they would know this program is run by volunteers and the money is all for the materials that we hand out to people that help them.”

“I think the value of what we provide far exceeds the money we receive,” LaMastro added.

Since 1992, the State Health Insurance Assistance Programs have provided critical information for Medicare beneficiaries who cannot obtain these critical services elsewhere, McHenry said.

This story was originally published July 26, 2017 at 4:56 PM with the headline "Manatee seniors upset that SHINE’s light may go out."