Goodwin House Residents Raise Their Voices to Oppose Elimination of Medical Tax Deductions

Goodwin House Residents Raise Their Voices to Oppose Elimination of Medical Tax Deductions Residents Advocate for Senior-friendly Tax Legislation

November 1, 2017 – Falls Church, VA – Today’s divisive political environment is enough to turn off many citizens. But older adults are standing their ground and taking action, and particularly residents at Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads (GHBC), one of two Goodwin House Incorporated (GHI) Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs, and more recently named “Life Plan Communities”).

Over the last week, GHBC residents have let lawmakers at the state and federal levels know their views on proposed eliminations of medical deductions in The Unified Tax Reform Framework proposal unveiled on September 28, 2017. The Unified Tax Reform Framework is currently before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee and the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee.

Among its proposed changes, The Unified Tax Reform Framework would eliminate all itemized deductions, including the CCRC Medical Deduction, while maintaining deductions for charitable contributions, mortgage interest, property taxes and retirement savings. The basis of Goodwin House residents’ objections is that the proposed framework favors charities and mortgage banks at the expense of others, especially older adults living in CCRCs and Life Plan Communities. The medical deduction is important to seniors and other Americans with high medical expenses; if enacted, the proposed tax framework would hurt many seniors and their families. GHBC residents sent over 500 postcards to members of the U.S. Senate and House, and made calls to members of Congress expressing opposition to this tax proposal.

“The residents of Goodwin House’s communities are actively engaged in our society and politics and they want to help shape a culture that values older adults, and we support them in their efforts,” said Lindsay Hutter, GHI’s Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer. “Adults that are 65 years and older have the highest voter turnouts in the nation, and that is not lost nor should be lost on lawmakers.” [Type text] [Type text] [Type text]

“Our residents have responded enthusiastically to support our campaign to preserve the medical deduction,” said Joan Lewis, a resident of Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads and current Board member of the Virginia Continuing Care Residents Association (VaCCRA). “It’s been awe-inspiring to see residents in wheelchairs and walkers come to our information booth to sign letters and send postcards to members of Congress that make the case for senior-friendly tax legislation.”

Older adults who wish to express their views to lawmakers on this issue are encouraged to visit the National Continuing Care Residents’ Association (NaCCRA) website and access the medical deduction advocacy resources on the home page.

About GHI Celebrating 50 years of providing exceptional service to older adults, Goodwin House Incorporated (GHI) is a nonprofit Virginia-based corporation affiliated with the Episcopal Church. Today, the strength of GHI begins with its clear statements of mission, vision and values, the stability and integrity of its boards and executive leadership, and its reputation as a trusted partner and innovator in reimagining aging.

The growing family of GHI senior living communities and services owned and operated across Northern Virginia includes: two senior Life Plan Communities – Goodwin House Alexandria in Alexandria’s West End and Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads in Falls Church, Fairfax County, and conveniently near Arlington; an innovative living at home life care and services program – Goodwin House at Home; the Medicare certified Goodwin House Palliative Care and Hospice now available to adults throughout Northern Virginia; and the new Goodwin House Small House Health Care Center with a progressive model of senior care. GHI also is the management agent for The Lewinsville Retirement Residences, Inc. serving McLean and Great Falls, Virginia. GHI advances its mission through a 501(c)(3) supporting foundation that provides support for current and future residents in need and funds programs dedicated to seniors’ well-being and vibrant living.