Sarah Blakeney joined Mass Senior Action over 15 years ago. While she has been active through the years she often was quiet, serving lunch at the meetings, or supporting others as they spoke at the front of the group.
As a young person, Sarah moved to Boston from North Carolina, like so many others in search of opportunities that were not available in a segregated south. Sarah found work in factories for over 35 years.
Like many Massachusetts seniors, despite working hard all those years, retirement was not easy for Sarah before MSAC won the first Medicare Savings Program expansion in 2022, “Even with affordable housing I don’t know how I got by. I feel like before qualifying for MSP, I performed an incredible juggling act each month. My routine healthcare added up to over $400 each month, this did not include other expenses like eyeglasses and dental. Each month I would spend 20% of my income on premiums alone. After paying for prescriptions it was closer to 30% on routine care.”
Sarah’s story was key to opening the eyes of decision-makers at the state house. Sarah met with the state Health and Human Secretary, testified in front of legislators, and even spoke to then-Governor Baker before the plan was passed. You see, the lawmakers had no idea how expensive Medicare out-of-pocket costs are. It took Sarah and other seniors just like her to educate them that the system is not working for Massachusetts seniors.
No more standing in the back for Sarah! Sarah, and her determined Mass Senior Action siblings, won the first benefit expansion in 2020, raising the income eligibility and asset guidelines significantly.
Sarah qualified for the first expansion, saving over $400.00 per month. Sarah could have walked away with her “winnings” and enjoyed the extra money each month but Sarah agreed with the MSAC activists and said, “This is a good first step, but we are not done yet. We need to continue to raise the income guidelines and eliminate the asset penalty once and for all. It is up to us to use our voices and make this happen.” That is just what Sarah and the other healthcare equity committee members did. Starting in 2024, the asset penalty is totally eliminated and the income eligibility is one of the highest in the country.
Now Sarah is out in the community sharing this victory with other seniors and letting them know, they too can save money each month because the members of Mass Senior Action did not give up and continued to push for affordable, senior healthcare. Sarah joined Mass Senior Action staff at a senior center in Mattapan where 34 people applied and qualified for the Medicare Savings Program.
Those who qualify will see thousands of dollars in savings each year. All because Sarah and others stepped up, shared their story, and did not give up.
On May 5, 2024, Sarah will turn 97 and says, “As long as I am able to help people and work to change policy that is hurting people, I will do it. This makes me so happy. You see, one of the things I have gained through Mass Senior Action is an understanding that by sharing my experience I may help bring change for thousands of others who face the same challenges.”
Sarah wants you to know, your voice matters too. Join in the action!
Contact Mass Senior Action Council: 617-284-1275 or Info@MaSeniorAction.org