WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema joined Arizona AARP for a tele-town hall for Arizona seniors on the coronavirus outbreak. Sinema discussed Arizona’s coronavirus outbreak, what the months ahead will look like, and how seniors can stay healthy during the ongoing public health and economic crisis.
“Our tele-town hall allowed us to hear directly from Arizona’s seniors, answer their questions, listen to their concerns about the coronavirus outbreak, and ensure seniors have access to the care and support needed during this public health crisis,” said Sinema.
Today was Sinema’s second tele-town hall on the coronavirus pandemic with Arizona AARP. During today’s tele-town hall, Sinema answered questions from Arizona seniors on the coronavirus outbreak. Sinema discussed the importance of continuing to practice social distancing, coronavirus relief efforts, the concerning trend of coronavirus outbreaks in long term and senior living facilities, and how seniors can access help if they are in need. In an effort to raise awareness, Sinema recently partnered with the Arizona Attorney General to alert Arizona seniors of COVID-19 related scams and provide seniors with helpful resources in case they are victims of bad actors. Sinema also urged the Federal Trade Commission to protect Arizona seniors from COVID-19 related scams
Sinema also recently wrote the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) urging them to allow Arizona seniors to receive certain Medicare Part B injections and infusions at home instead of a doctor’s office to protect them during the coronavirus outbreak. Additionally, Sinema recently cosponsored legislation backed by the Arizona Area Agencies on Aging and patient advocacy organizations that makes coronavirus treatments and care more affordable and increases Arizona seniors’ access to home-delivered meals.
Following recent calls from Sinema, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) agreed to expand coverage of telehealth services for Arizona seniors and critical behavioral health care organizations. Previously, video-telehealth medical services were covered under Medicare, but many audio-telehealth services were not. Sinema called on CMS to close that gap so all Arizona seniors have access to health services during the coronavirus outbreak.
Sinema has also added a resources page to her website, www.sinema.senate.gov/corona with specific resources for Arizona seniors looking for the latest information on coronavirus.
