Caregiving, however, is a huge commitment in time and financial resources for the caregiver, who often has to take time off from work, and give up his or her own retirement savings to provide care for others. Although Susan's mom receives Railroad Retirement benefits and has a small savings to reimburse Susan for expenses, Andrew, who is too disabled to ever have ever worked, is dependent on Medicaid and receives only a modest monthly Social Security disability benefit of just Susan and her husband cover all the rest of Andrew's expenses - housing, food, uncovered medical expenses, transportation, clothing, and anything else..Surprise! The new healthcare law requires just that. A provision, added by Senator Charles Grassley, requires Members of Congress and their staff to get their health insurance through new health insurance exchanges starting in 201The provision is stirring up lawmaker worry on Capitol Hill over whether the federal government will continue to pay part of their premiums, or leave them to cover 100% of the cost. Through the end of 2013, Members of Congress get their insurance through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. Under FEHBP the government's share of premiums is about 75% of premium costs..A 2004 law forbids the payment of Social Security benefits to illegal immigrants in the U.S. unless they receive legal work authorization at some point. The scope of that law appears much more vague under Totalization. It appears that illegal Mexican workers would only need to return to Mexico to file a claim for benefits. Under current policy, once a worker becomes eligible for Social Security, the U.S. Social Security Administration determines entitlement based on all earnings, even from jobs worked illegally..One of my bills would also increase insurance options for older Americans who are not yet age 6While the Affordable Care Act has greatly expanded insurance coverage, and limited insurers' ability to charge older Americans higher premiums, we can do a lot more to increase options and affordability. My Medicare-X Choice Act would expand on the Medicare framework to create a new public insurance plan for people of all ages..TSCL agrees that solvency issues for both programs should be addressed as soon as possible so that any changes may be phased in gradually. However, we do not support increased cost-shifting or harsh benefit cuts for seniors. Both Subcommittees will likely hold more hearings on reforming the two programs in the coming months. TSCL will continue to monitor the ongoing debate..The following Members of Congress, among many others, will be holding town hall meetings in the days ahead: Reps. Diana DeGette, Lynn Jenkins, Gary Palmer, Tom Rice, Todd Rokita, Steve Cohen, David Valadao, Steve Womack, Susan Brooks, Randy Hultgren, Lamar Smith, Eric Swalwell, Marc Veasey, and Rep. Ed Perlmutter..This week, House lawmakers remained in their home districts for the final week of the August recess. Meanwhile, The Senior Citizens League saw support grow for one key bill that would increase competition in the pharmaceutical industry and improve access to affordable prescription drugs..Petition to Congress: No Budget Deal that Sells Out America's Seniors.This year we celebrated the 50th anniversary of Medicare. Signed into law by President Johnson on July 30, 1965, Medicare has proven itself to be an American success story. At the time of enactment, only half of America's seniors had health insurance, leaving an already vulnerable population one illness away from financial ruin. Medicare ensures that seniors will get the health coverage they worked a lifetime for. It provides seniors and their families with peace of mind and allows all Americans to age with dignity. In my home state of Pennsylvania alone, over 2.3 million seniors rely on Medicare for their health coverage.
