Improving the disability program's integrity by prohibiting the use of medical evidence from health providers who have been convicted of a felony, when deciding whether an applicant qualifies for benefits. This would make it more difficult for criminals to game the system..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..In a statement released by TSCL on Thursday, Social Security and Medicare policy analyst Mary Johnson said: "Older middle-income Americans could shoulder a disproportionate share of taxes under these changes, and get pushed more quickly into higher tax brackets than they are today … The changes under consideration may provide some modestly lower federal income taxes at first, but the benefits for many people would be short-lived.".Doug Osborne served in the US Air Force for 20 years. After retiring, he continued his career in the technology field using the knowledge gained during his enlistment. Doug is a lifetime member of TREThe Enlisted Association and has served on multiple committees, such as; Awards, IT, and the 5-year plan. He routinely donates his time, effort and money to the missions of TREA and The Senior Citizens League and encourages using technology to a greater degree. As the Legislative Liaison for TSCL's Board of Directors, he helps to educate seniors on various issues that strike close to home. He meets quarterly with Members of Congress and/or their staff to ensure they are aware of the concerns of TSCL supporters in their specific districts and to encourage them to support legislation that benefits senior citizens. Doug is also involved with The American Legion and, when able, Doug supports Team Rubicon on deployments. He lives in Parker, Colorado with his wife, Debbie.."The side effects of the drug, to be sold as Aduhelm by maker Biogen, are troubling and the cost is staggering, at ,000 per year 'forever,' doctors told STAT. More than one-third of trial participants developed brain swelling and 17% to 19% had small bleeds in their brains.".The study examined the increase in costs of 39 key items between 2000 and January 201The items were chosen because they are typical of the costs of most Social Security recipients, and include expenditures like Medicare Part B premium, that are not measured by the index currently used to calculate the COLA. Of the 39 items analyzed, 26 increased faster than the COLA over the same period. "This study illustrates why Congress should enact legislation to provide a more fair and adequate COLA," says The Senior Citizens' Executive Director, Shannon Benton. "To put it in perspective, for every 0 worth of groceries a retiree household could afford in 2000, they can only buy worth today," Benton adds..If you were born during the Notch period and receive Social Security benefits based on your work record, or that of a Notch Baby spouse, you have been affected by this inequity from your first Social Security check. According to TSCL studies, this disparity costs you on average about ,000 to as much as ,000 per year in lower benefits..The assertion that many lower - income beneficiaries would lose benefits due to higher COLAs simply isn't the case, but is rather another example of twisted partisan rhetoric. Voters would be far better served by lawmakers who are more focused on solving problems of the majority of people than spreading misinformation to protect the tax breaks of the nation's wealthiest workers..With the insolvency of the Social Security Disability program imminent, TSCL believes that lawmakers will be forced to take action, and soon, to enable the program to continue to pay benefits on time. "Don't let anyone lull you into thinking your benefits are safe," warns TSCL's Executive Director, Shannon Benton. "Congress has no plan in place to ensure that they are." To learn more about how you can join TSCL's efforts to protect your COLA and Social Security benefits, visit online at. or call toll free.
