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Medicare is trying to nudge people towards using less expensive older drugs, as this story describes. Most of us jump at the chance to lower our drug costs whenever we can, but sometimes the alternative may not work as well. If this happens to you, I strongly suggest that you take the letter from Medicare and show it to your doctor. I'm willing to bet your doctor won't be pleased to see Medicare "prescribing" other drugs for his or her patients..Our job is to represent you to Congress and keep you informed about what is happening. We rely on you to put pressure on your Senators and Representative when it comes to the legislation we need to have passed..However, a rift has developed among Democrats in the House of Representatives. Those who want to empower the government to demand lower prices from drug makers are concerned that moderates in their party are now emboldened to blunt their ambitious drug-pricing agenda..This question is signficant in light of proposals to.Will Widows Of Notch Babies Be Included Under Notch Reform? “My husband passed away September 5, 200What will happen to his lump-sum if they ever decide to pass Notch Reform? What would happen to my lump-sum if I should die now? Would my daughter get it? It seems they are waiting for us all to die.”.In 2012, the GPO reduced, by nearly two-thirds, the Social Security benefits of nearly 600,000 surviving spouses who also collect a government pension. Nine out of 10 public employees affected by the GPO lose their entire spousal benefit, even though their spouse paid Social Security taxes for years..Increasing the frequency of Continuing Disability Reviews. Additional funding for CDRs, which are conducted periodically to determine if enrollees still qualify for DI benefits, would return significant savings to the program according to recent projections..Coronavirus vaccine by this winter? Maybe, but do not get your hopes up too far..A new study recently found that Social Security benefits have lost 34 percent of their purchasing power since 2000 due to rising costs and inadequate COLAs. Do you support the bipartisan CPI-E Act, which would make the COLA more fair and adequate?.Inflation, as measured by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' consumer price index, has taken a deep tumble over the past year, meaning older Americans will have to settle for a cost-of-living adjustment of 1.6% in 2020 after getting a 2.8% increase this year.

Report Section Kff Health Tracking Poll December 2020 Covid 19 And Bidens Health Care Agenda Cross Tabs

That's why we endorsed legislation from Congressman Ted Deutch that would protect the earned benefits of older Americans, by exempting Social Security and Medicare from any requirements of a balanced budget amendment. The bill H.R. 5466 would go a long way in protecting the retirement security of older Americans against irresponsible measures like the one that was considered this year..TSCL is calling on Congressional leaders to make them aware of the situation and to propose a 2.5% Emergency COLA..TSCL believes that in the lame-duck session following the November elections, Congress must prioritize the passage of legislation that would make the Social Security COLA more fair and accurate. In the weeks ahead, our legislative team will continue to advocate for the CPI-E Act, as well as for legislation like the SAVE Benefits Act, which would make up for this year's zero COLA with a one-time emergency 3.9 percent increase. For progress updates, follow TSCL on Twitter or Facebook. … Continued

Health Reform Issue Brief New Regulations Broadening Employer Exemptions To Contraceptive Coverage Impact On Women

The good news is that key members of Congress now say they will push for surprise billing legislation to be part of the next bill that deals with the coronavirus emergency..Despite receiving the largest Social Security cost of living adjustment in five years, the majority of retired and disabled beneficiaries will not see any increase in their net Social Security benefits in January, warns The Senior Citizens League. A big jump in Medicare Part B premiums is to blame. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently announced that the Medicare Part B premium will be 4 for next year. That's the same amount that the Part B premium is today, but tens of millions of Medicare beneficiaries are paying less than that this year. Millions of beneficiaries pay roughly less - and their annual COLA may not be enough to cover the difference..If you do return to work, it is possible that your earnings could subject a portion of your Social Security benefits to taxation. If this happens, you could wind up with only a small gain, or even lose money after paying the increased tax on earnings and Social Security benefits. Before taking on work to earn extra income, calculate the tax cost. A good tax guide like J.K. Lasser's Your Income Tax contains worksheets to help you do this. Tax guides can often be found in many public libraries, or visit for more information. … Continued