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Alexandria, VA Seniors got a modest 3.6% boost in their Social Security benefit this year. But whether it's making a difference in the bank balances of the more than 39.5 million seniors aged 65 and older who get Medicare is another story. The Senior Citizens League, one of the nation's largest nonpartisan seniors groups, is hoping to learn the answer to this question. TSCL recently launched its annual "Senior Survey" to find out how rising Medicare and other costs are impacting seniors' incomes and.Let me be clear: I value genuine research and development, I believe drug companies should be able to make reasonable profits, and I understand that investors expect reasonable returns. I also believe, however, that it is Congress' job to ensure that Americans do not have to live with the fear that they will go bankrupt if they get sick. That is why I introduced the Prescription Drug Affordability Act of 2015 with Senator Bernie Sanders last year. This bill is a bold and comprehensive approach to reducing prescription drug prices in the United States. It empowers the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate drug prices under the Medicare Part D prescription drug program; it enhances transparency, encourages competition, and brings much needed accountability to the pharmaceutical industry..So, while we like the news that they still want to act this year, TSCL is taking a wait-and-see position..The subsidies are based on household income. If your income went down in 2014 you may be entitled to a bigger health insurance subsidy tax credit. But if your income goes up you would get a lower premium subsidy..Burwell Confirmed as HHS Secretary.The survey, which was conducted from mid - January to mid-February of this year, asked the following "How has the coronavirus - caused recession affected the value of your retirement savings as of December 31, 2020?" Some 18 percent of survey participants reported that they had no retirement savings at all. Of those with retirement savings, 48 percent reported that the value of their retirement savings was still down on December 31, 2020 from the ending value on December 31, 201Thirty-one percent reported that their savings had recovered to about the same value as on December 31, 201Only 22 percent reported that their savings had increased by December 31, 2020. Of this group, only 9 percent said their savings had increased by more than 10 percent..The Senior Citizens League is hopeful that Congress will pass responsible reforms to the Social Security and Medicare programs as soon as possible to strengthen benefits and restore the solvency of the Trust Funds. For more information about legislation that has been endorsed by The Senior Citizens League, visit the Bill Tracking section of our website..In the weeks ahead, The Senior Citizens League will be closely monitoring discussions in the House and Senate to repeal the ACA since they will impact older Americans in several ways. For instance, Medicare Part D beneficiaries who fall into the coverage gap or "doughnut hole" will face higher costs for their prescription drugs, and the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund that finances Medicare Part A will lose a critical stream of funding. For updates on the repeal of the ACA, visit the Legislative News section of our website, or follow TSCL on Facebook or Twitter..The TSCL poll found seniors were closely split over the two other leading approaches to address the disability program's solvency. Forty-eight percent favored tightening Social Security's disability eligibility requirements and conducting more annual eligibility reviews to reduce fraud. Fifty-one percent favor requiring high wage earners to pay Social Security taxes on all of their incomes. "TSCL believes that the only way Congress will forge an agreement is through bipartisan efforts that use a combination of the two approaches," Cates states. What do you think about issues affecting seniors? Take a poll. Visit TSCL's website at.