Flushing House Hosts Elder Law Seminars

Are you a senior citizen stuck on a financial roller coaster thanks to the Medicare Part D "doughnut hole"? Did you know that the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 has made it more difficult for seniors and the disabled to obtain Medicaid benefits? In light of these setbacks, have you contacted an elder law attorney to discuss plans to save estate taxes and pass your assets on to loved ones? Baby boomers and senior citizens alike can discover answers to these and other vital questions, at a series of free elder law seminars hosted by Flushing House.

+ At the first seminar on Saturday, June 2, Amy Martin, a Health Advocacy Fellow at the local Medicare Rights Center, will review what is happening with Medicare Part D, prescription drug costs, the impact on EPIC, Social Security "privatization" and other issues for seniors. Martin will demonstrate that instead of a comprehensive, standardized national drug benefit designed for seniors and the disabled, the Medicare "drug benefit" was crafted as an affirmative action program for insurance companies, and a cash cow to increase the profits of the pharmaceutical industry.

+ At the second seminar on Saturday, June 9, Ronald Fatoullah, Esq., an elder law attorney, will show how the Medicaid provisions of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 severely limit access to benefits for many seniors and the disabled. There's a new five-year, look-back period on all asset transfers, and new home equity provisions disqualify many seniors from receiving benefits. Fatoullah's lecture will incorporate new strategies to preserve assets in light of the new law.

+ A practicing elder law attorney with offices in Bayside, Assemblymember Ann Margaret Carrozza will present the third seminar on Saturday, June 16. Carrozza will discuss how recent policy and political developments have impacted senior citizens' programs, benefits and rights, and why now, more than ever, seniors need legal help with elder law and estate planning in order to protect their hard-earned wealth from a rapacious government.

Admission, handouts and refreshments are free. All three seminars are scheduled from 2:30 to 4 p. m. in the Flushing House dining hall, 38-20 Bowne St., Flushing. For more information about the seminars and to RSVP, call Robert Salant, Flushing House director of community relations, at 347-532-3025 or 718-762-3198, email rsalant@uam. org.

Established in 1974, Flushing House was one of the first retirement residences to combine independent living for older adults with supportive services right on the premises. The mission of this innovative not-for-profit is: "To provide a safe, enjoyable and affordable retirement experience for our residents."

For more information, visit www. flushinghouse. com.