This week, one new cosponsor Rep. Alcee Hastings signed on to Rep. Grace Meng's Notch Fairness Act. The bill now has ten cosponsors. If signed into law, it would provide modest compensation to victims of the Social Security Notch, or those who were born between 1917 and 192Just years before they were set to retire, these individuals learned that they would have significantly lower benefits than originally anticipated. The problem has grown and compounded over time, and TSCL believes that in order to make the program more equitable, some compensation for the injustice should be provided. We enthusiastically support Rep. Meng's Notch Fairness Act, and we were pleased to see one more lawmaker sign on as a cosponsor this week..Work on Funding Bill Continues.Finally, three new cosponsors signed on to the Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act, bringing the total up to one hundred and fifty-one. The new cosponsors are Reps. Henry Cuellar, Leonard Lance, and Charles Rangel. If signed into law, H.R. 1179 would amend current Medicare policy to count hospital stays under "observation status" towards the three-day requirement for skilled nursing care. Currently, those under "observation status" don't qualify for coverage of the benefit, and they are often hit with large, unexpected bills after receiving necessary medical care..Fewer low-income seniors would qualify for nursing home care, or would have longer "spend down" waiting periods..This week, lawmakers in the House and Senate remained in their home states and districts for the week-long Independence Day holiday recess. They are expected to return to Capitol Hill on Monday, July 10th..Editor's Note: Please DO NOT postpone getting care in emergencies. Do not delay care for chest pain, stroke symptoms or the onset of a diabetic reaction. Seek immediate treatment!.President Obama and House leadership are discussing support of a more "limited approach" to immigration reform. Under discussion is a plan to grant illegal immigrants limited legal status by providing the right to work in the U.S., but not citizenship..Get multiple meals from one food item: Any meat, like ham or turkey, that's relatively low cost, provides plenty of leftovers, and freezes well, is one to consider for company entertaining. After the first meal, slice the leftovers and wrap in individual servings and store in plastic zipper bags in freezer. Use the remaining bone and small meat scraps for making soups. If you can't make soup right away, bones and scraps can be frozen until you need them..The high cost of healthcare and the significant cost of serious illness or dementia is climbing at one of the most rapid rates in years. Last year TSCL's annual Senior Survey found that 29% of survey respondents spent up to one-half of their Social Security benefits on healthcare costs, up from 25% the previous year. Another 18% spent more than one-half of their benefits on healthcare, up from 13% the previous year.
