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The other good news for seniors last week was the apparent victory of TSCL and other groups to stop the payroll tax cut. President Trump has been demanding the cut for months, and he had stated that he would not sign any new pandemic relief legislation if the payroll tax cut were not included..Despite the optimistic attitudes of the five expert witnesses, those on the Subcommittee seemed hesitant about revamping the payment system this year. One Subcommittee Member, Rep. Michael Burgess stated: "This term, I've seen more work done on this problem than I have any other time that I have been in Congress, but we're still pretty far away from the goal that we all expect to achieve." He went on to say, "We're not likely to end up doing something that will provide that … long-term replacement for the SGR by December 31.".But one thing is for sure: regardless of whether any agreements on the federal budget are reached or not, Congress will get their pay eventually..TSCL Announces Support for House Resolution.To learn more about how work affects your benefits, see the publication "How Work Affects Your Benefits," SSA Publication No. 05-1006You can find it at or by calling toll free at..The fight over ending surprise billing has sparked a costly lobbying fight from hospital and doctors groups as well as insurers which oppose ending the practice. That's who TSCL is up against in this fight and it's why your support is so important to our work..New legislation retroactively extends several tax breaks that affect the amount you may deduct in unreimbursed medical expenses. The lower threshold for itemized medical expense deduction was one of the breaks extended. The threshold under the 2017 tax law was originally scheduled to rise from the excess of 7.5% of adjusted gross income to 10% of AGI for the 2019 tax year. But new legislation extended the 7.5% AGI level..The Senior Citizens League is sharing these stories with Members of Congress as well. If you would like to share your story you may do so here..Where Can We Find Help For Questions About Health Emergencies and Financing Nursing Homes?

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The first change affects those who hit the Medicare Part D donut hole, or the gap in coverage that occurs after a beneficiary's total drug costs reach ,970 and before they total ,750. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, last year 2.8 million seniors who hit the donut hole saved an average of 7 on prescription drugs due to the Affordable Care Act. This year, Medicare will provide an additional subsidy to those who hit the coverage gap, resulting in an additional in savings for the average beneficiary..To help protect the buying power of earned benefits, The Senior Citizens League is fighting proposals to cut COLAs. TSCL has developed an online calculator for the public to learn how much a COLA cut would cost in Social Security income. Visit seniorsleague.org/chained-cola-calculator/..According to the Federal Register "Amounts collected under section 1411 are not designated for the Medicare Trust Fund. The Joint Committee on Taxation in 2011 stated that's because No provision is made for the transfer of the tax imposed by this provision from the General Fund of the United States Treasury to any Trust Fund." … Continued

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Patients would have to sign a consent form acknowledging they've been given written notice with the information and informed that the charges may not accrue toward any plan limitations..Fact Sheet: "The Economic Benefits Of Fixing Our Broken Immigration System," White House, November 21, 201Letter to The Honorable Ron Johnson, from Stephen C. Goss, Chief Actuary, Social Security Administration, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, February 2, 2015..One option recently recommended by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission would repeal the SGR and encourage physicians to join two-sided risk accountable care organizations. Doctors participating in ACOs voluntarily group with hospitals and other providers to lower costs and better coordinate care. Pilot ACOs that are currently operating only see rewards for delivering high-quality, low-cost care. Those in two-sided risk ACOs, however, would also be penalized for providing low-quality, high-cost care. According to MedPAC, substantial savings would result, but many are still skeptical about the potential of ACOs. … Continued