Perspective Coronavirus Unequal Economic TollDoes it make sense to allow so many to become entitled based on illegal benefits? Previous estimates by TSCL and other policy groups project that the cost could add hundreds of billions of dollars to a program that is now in deficit..In a statement, Mary Johnson a policy analyst for The Senior Citizens League said this week: "This could be particularly problematic for older, low-income Americans who represent a disproportionate share of Medicaid spending … Capping and adjusting payments to states would take benefits away from millions of low-income families, including disabled and older Americans in nursing homes, all to pay for massive tax breaks for the very wealthiest U.S. households.".Between January of 2000 and January of 2020, Social Security COLAs increased benefits by 53 percent, but the cost of goods and services purchased by typical retirees rose by almost twice as much - 99.3 percent. Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs, housing, and homeowner's insurance were among the most rapidly - rising costs over the past year. … Continued
State Indicator Distribution Of Certified Nursing Facilities By Primary Payer SourceShould the Supreme Court strike down subsidies through the federal exchange, it remains unclear what Congress would do and how consumers would be impacted. Obamacare advocates say that consumers will not be required to pay back subsidies if the Court's ruling is unfavorable. However, TSCL advises caution since the Court has made no decision yet and the IRS has yet to issue guidance..People age 65 and older who have not started Social Security benefits, and who pay by check. Most of this group includes people who are still working or those who may recently have lost jobs but not yet started Social Security benefits..During that period COLAs have averaged just 1.4%. In 2010, 2011, and 2016 there was no COLA payable at all and, in 2017, the COLA was just 0.03 percent. "But COLAs have never remained so low, for such an extended period of time, in the history of Social Security," says Johnson, who has studied the COLA for more than 25 years. Over the 20 - year period covering 1990 to 2009, COLAs routinely averaged 3 percent annually, and were even higher before that period. … Continued
