House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi appointed Judith Stein, longtime member, Past President, and Fellow of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), to the National Commission on Long-Term Care. Leader Pelosi’s other appointments include SCAN Foundation President Dr. Bruce Allen Chernoff, and activist and philanthropist George Vrandenberg.
The 15-member Commission was established by the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA) to develop a plan to establish, implement, and finance a high-quality long-term care system that ensures long-term care services and supports for individuals with substantial cognitive and functional limitations for older Americans and individuals with disabilities. The Commission’s role is to examine the interaction between Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers.
Charles P. Sabatino, fellow NAELA member and Director of the American Bar Association (ABA) Commission on Law and Aging, congratulated Stein on this tremendous achievement: “[She is] the foremost and most tireless national advocate for Medicare beneficiaries…this is also a conspicuous achievement in NAELA’s history in having one of its members appointed to such a high-level national body, charged with charting the nation’s course in meeting the long-term care needs of seniors and persons with disabilities. It is also a cause for some real optimism in our future.”
Stein is the founder and Executive Director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. She has focused on legal representation of the elderly since beginning her legal career in 1975. From 1977 until 1986, Stein was the Co-Director of Legal Assistance to Medicare Patients (LAMP), where she managed the first Medicare advocacy program in the country. She served as NAELA’s 13th president from June 2000 – May 2001.
She has extensive experience in developing and administering Medicare advocacy projects, representing Medicare beneficiaries, producing educational materials, teaching, and consulting. She is also the editor and co-author of several books, articles, and other publications regarding Medicare and related issues. Stein has been lead or co-counsel in numerous federal class action and individual cases challenging improper Medicare policies and denials.
About NAELA
Members of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) are attorneys who are experienced and trained in working with the legal problems of aging Americans and individuals of all ages with disabilities. Established in 1987, NAELA is a non-profit association that assists lawyers, bar organizations, and others. The mission of NAELA is to establish NAELA members as the premier providers of legal advocacy, guidance, and services to enhance the lives of people with special needs and people as they age. NAELA currently has members across the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit NAELA.org.