Medicaid Issue Brief Financial Alignment Demonstrations For Dual Eligible Beneficiaries ComparedSocial Security beneficiaries have lost nearly one-third of their buying power since 2000, according to the 2017 Social Security Loss of Buying Power Study released by The Senior Citizens League. The findings represent a big 7% loss in buying power just over the past 12 months, from 23% in 2016 to 30% in 201This occurred as inflation has begun to climb, but people receiving Social Security received an annual cost-of-living adjustment of just 0.3% for 201Housing and medical costs - particularly for prescription drug expenses - were among the most rapidly rising spending categories over the past year..Enrollment in the demonstration program far exceeds early target of 1–2 million beneficiaries set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. If all 26 state proposals are approved, approximately 3 million dual–eligible beneficiaries, about 40 percent of seniors who receive both Medicare and Medicaid, would be automatically enrolled into new managed–care plans..On Wednesday, the Social Security and Medicare Trustees released their 2015 reports on the financial outlook of the two programs. At a press briefing, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said: "Today's reports confirm that both Social Security and Medicare are secure today and will remain secure in the years to come. Consistent with previous years, today's reports also show that these programs are facing challenges that need to be addressed." … Continued
Patient Education Gestational Diabetes Overview How Is Gestational Diabetes ManagedPresident Obama set off a firestorm of controversy announcing an ambitious set of "executive actions" to protect illegal immigrants from deportation. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office recently released a report confirming that many of those affected by the policy changes would be eligible for Social Security, Medicare and a wide array of federal benefits. Here are answers to frequently asked questions about executive action on immigration and how it affects Social Security and Medicare:."At the same time Social Security payroll taxes have taken a huge hit due to tens of millions of people out of work, claims for Social Security will grow faster in 2020 than anticipated, as older adults lose their jobs," says Johnson. Before the start of the coronavirus recession, many older workers may have delayed claiming Social Security to allow their benefits to grow. "But those who lose their jobs may have to go ahead and claim Social Security benefits now because they can't afford to wait - especially if their retirement accounts have gone down significantly in value as well," Johnson says..By Jarrad Hensley, TSCL Legislative Assistant … Continued