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In the first year of the new healthcare law, a large percentage of enrollees through the federal exchange tended to be older adults, many having pre-existing conditions. In addition, there were individuals who enrolled when they received notice that their former health plan was ending, and still other uninsured consumers did so attempting to comply with the new law to have health coverage or pay a fine..The Senior Citizens League supports legislation that would provide a more fair and adequate COLA so that seniors living on fixed incomes can better afford rising costs like home heating oil. To learn more, visit..In the House, Representative Kevin McCarthy will take over the top post House Minority Leader for Republicans next year. Representative Steve Scalise will become the Minority Whip, and Representative Liz Cheney will hold the position of House Republican Conference Chairwoman. House Democrats, who will take over the majority in the House next year, will hold their leadership elections on November 28th, following the Thanksgiving recess..Simply setting government spending limits and putting seniors at greater risk for rising costs does nothing to slow rising healthcare costs. TSCL is sharing the results of our recent 2011 Advisor Senior Survey on healthcare costs and the inadequacy of COLAs to cover rising costs in our visits with Members of Congress. We encourage you to contact your Members of Congress and describe your Medicare and other out-of-pocket costs and what portion of your Social Security payments is required to cover them. Use examples of recent cost increases and let them know your concerns about keeping Medicare affordable!.A recent report by the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services has also found that high price drugs are affecting federal spending on drugs and increasing federal payments for Medicare Part D catastrophic coverage. Once people hit the catastrophic level of Part D coverage, beneficiaries pay a 5% coinsurance for drugs while the Federal Government pays the vast majority of the remaining costs. But there is no limit. The Inspector General's report said that federal payments for catastrophic coverage in 2015 exceeded .2 billion in 2015, which is more than triple the amount paid in 20Incredibly, only ten high-priced drugs accounted for nearly one-third of all drug spending in catastrophic coverage in 2015..When you claim benefits before reaching full retirement age, benefits are reduced by as much as 30%. But only one - in - three people even know their full retirement age - the age at which you can claim full, unreduced benefits. It's not surprising that most people claim benefits at 62, even though benefits are reduced. Eligibility to begin benefits at age 62 is the one piece of information about Social Security that most people know..Medicare Savings Programs cover the cost of the Medicare Part B premium, saving a person 8.50 per month in 202Depending on income, those with the lowest income may also qualify for additional benefits that cover the Part B deductible and out-of-pocket costs. People with incomes in 2020 of up to ,456 per month or ,960 might be eligible if they have limited savings and resources of ,860 or ,800. These limits are slightly higher for Hawaii and Alaska. This program is administered through state Medicaid programs and states may have guidelines that allow people with slightly higher income to enroll. If interested,contact your local Medicaid office to apply..The federal government remained partially closed this week for the fifth straight week. It remains the longest government shutdown in United States history, and at the time of writing this week's legislative update, only minor progress had been made towards a bipartisan deal to end it.."Approvals like this one highlight the FDA's longstanding commitment to supporting a competitive marketplace for insulin products," said Patrick Archdeacon, acting associate director for therapeutics in the Division of Diabetes, Lipid Disorders and Obesity, Office of New Drugs.