The federal government negotiates prescription drug prices for Medicaid and for veterans, but it is barred from negotiating lower prices for Medicare beneficiaries. As a result, senior citizens enrolled in Part D often pay much higher prices for their prescriptions. What are you doing to correct this unfair policy?.In response to concerns over high prescription drug prices, I have introduced two bills in this Congress to lower the cost of prescription drugs. H.R. 448, the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act, would authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate for lower drug prices on behalf of Medicare Part D beneficiaries. H.R. 447, the Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act, would allow qualifying prescription drugs manufactured at FDA-inspected facilities of licensed Canadian sellers to be imported into the United States. These solutions, along with other bills introduced by my colleagues in the House and Senate, will help to fundamentally change the playing field, helping to lower prices for patients while reining in excessive drug company profits..When all else fails - appeal. If you disagree with a coverage or payment decision by Medicare or your health plan, you can appeal. Learn how here..TSCL receives hundreds of comments like this from Notch.How Long After Passage Will It Take To Award Notch Benefits? My mother was a Notch baby, born in 1919 and now my disabled brother receives her survivor's benefits. It is only fair that he receives whatever the government did not award my mother and other workers. If The Notch Fairness Act is passed how long will it take to award survivors?.On Wednesday, Sen. Michael Enzi and Rep. Tom Price Chairmen of the Senate and House Budget Committees released their fiscal 2016 conference budget resolution. Shortly thereafter, House lawmakers passed it along party lines, with a vote of 226-197..According to Johnson's calculations, the Social Security beneficiaries who are most likely will not to see an increase in their net monthly check are those with benefits below ,264 per month. These individuals will once again be subject to hold harmless in 201Their COLA will be completely offset by the Part B premiums, but their Social Security benefits will not be reduced. "The net result will be no growth in the benefit for the third year in a row," Johnson says. "And that leaves nothing to meet other rising costs, such as Medigap premiums, Part D premiums, out-of-pocket costs, or anything else," Johnson notes..This week, lawmakers in the House remained in their home districts to continue the summer recess. They are expected to return to Capitol Hill next Tuesday, September 4th. In the days ahead, many Members of Congress will be attending local events and hosting town hall meetings in their home districts. The Senior Citizens League encourages its supporters to attend these events and to ask important questions of their elected officials, like the following five..TSCL believes that more focus needs to be placed on benefit adequacy as people spend more years in retirement. TSCL supports measures to strengthen Social Security that would increase the taxable maximum, ensuring that high wage earners pay their fair share. In addition, TSCL believes more can be done to protect Medicare from fraud and wasteful duplication of tests and services..Larry holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies from Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minn. In addition, he completed all course work in the Church-State Studies graduate program at Baylor University, Waco, Texas. He has also taken graduate course work at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
