Whitman Council on Aging Breaks for Summer, Flags Possible Medicare Counseling Cut

WHITMAN -- June 11, 2025, Whitman Council on Aging flags potential loss of federal Medicare counseling funding ahead of October enrollment season. Director Patty Donahue told board members at the June 11 meeting that federal support for the SHINE program, which trains a staff counselor to help seniors navigate Medicare options, may be eliminated as soon as October, just as open enrollment begins on October 15. "We'll see what happens, but there's talk that the funding of that may go away come October," Donahue said, adding that the certified staffer could still provide basic guidance but would lose access to regularly updated program information. Donahue also announced the departure of her five-year recording secretary, calling the loss of her "right arm" a significant blow to daily operations. The board approved routine reports and adjourned for the summer; the next meeting is scheduled for September 10.