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Perhaps the most ambitious effort on behalf of the Obama administration to fight Medicare fraud, abuse, and wasteful spending is the Medicare Shared Savings Program. The program will use networks of doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers that form a partnership to provide increased accountability toward savings. MSSP is administered by CMS and will aim to bring together in partnerships up to 270 physicians, specialists, hospitals, and long-term care facilities across the country to participate in the program. If effective, the program will reduce healthcare costs by eliminating wasteful and inefficient practices that could save Medicare an estimated 0 million over the next four years..Gold standard. Companies acquire drugs considered the best available for the condition they treat, ensuring that physicians would continue to prescribe it even if the price increased..Currently there is a 2% tax cut on the Social Security payroll tax workers pay. That tax cut is due to expire December 31, 201Do you favor a further extension, and if so how would you pay for it?.H.R. 2787, CPI for Seniors Act If adopted, H.R. 2787 would mandate the monthly formulation and publication of a consumer price index specifically for senior citizens for the purpose of establishing an accurate Social Security COLA for beneficiaries..He continued his career at Bruce W. Eberle and Associates, another nationally-prominent direct marketing agency from 2002 2004, before making a career change and becoming Legislative Director for The Retired Enlisted Association, the largest organization exclusively for retired enlisted military personnel from all branches of the armed services in the nation. At TREA he was a registered lobbyist dealing with issues of concern to military retirees, including retired pay and health care..When the average person measures cost changes, one compares the change in the cost of a specific item like a gallon of home heating oil over a specific time frame. For example, the national average cost of home heating oil was .15 per gallon in the first week of January 2000. In the first week in January, 2013 it had increased to .00 per gallon - an increase of .8That's a total increase of 257% over 13 years..Guide dogs or other service animals to assist a blind or physically disabled person..The Senior Citizens League applauds the work and dedication of both of these committees to helping the millions of people affected by opioid addiction many of whom are older Americans. For frequent updates on the progress of these and other congressional committees, visit our Legislative News ​page every Friday..TSCL is supportive of the President's efforts, but we are taking a wait-and-see approach because, as so many things are in Washington, D.C., the devil is in the details.