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Since that conversation inflation for certain items has jumped. In fact consumer price data indicate that the COLA for next year may be the highest since 2019, if the trends continue. My estimates about the COLA are based on the most current available data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, for what it's worth..The Social Security COLA was created to protect the purchasing power of Social Security benefits received by older and disabled Americans, but the results of this new study show that seniors are failing to keep up with rising costs. In recent years, inflation and COLAs have been at record low levels, averaging just 1.2 percent per year since 20In 2018, Social Security beneficiaries received a COLA of 2 percent, yet most saw no increase at all in their net benefits due to substantially higher Medicare Part B premiums..The threat among seniors of going without nourishing meals, especially those who are older and depend on Social Security for the majority of their income, like many Notch Babies, is very real. In addition to the cognitive and health problems that interfere with good nutrition as seniors age, the national median income of people over 65 is only ,75About one-in-seven seniors has little money left over for food after paying basic monthly expenses like housing, utility, and healthcare costs..By Representative Matt Cartwright.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..The Senior Citizens League supports legislation The Social Security 2100 Act, H.R. 1391, introduced by Representative John Larson, that would adjust the income thresholds to ,000 for single filers and 0,000 for joint filers, and replace it with other sources of revenue..Social Security Taxation Question Pushes Action on "Boost Bill" Into 2020.View the TSCL home page to participate in TSCL's monthly polls..New Tool For Financially Insecure Seniors: EconomicCheckUp®

Health Reform Press Release Study Finds Recent Slowdown In Health Spending Growth Mostly Tied To The Economy

If signed into law, the Improving Care for Vulnerable Older Citizens through Workforce Advancement Act would create six different demonstration projects that focus on the coordination of care and the delivery of medical services to elderly patients with chronic illnesses. The projects would design and test new models of care coordination, and direct-care workers would be granted opportunities to advance their careers through additional training, increased compensation, and expanded roles..The plan released this week is not expected to be adopted or even to win any bipartisan support on Capitol Hill. However, it does mark the start of the fiscal 2016 budget negotiations, and it lays out the line-by-line needs of the federal agencies for appropriators. Soon, the House and Senate Budget Committees will release their own spending blueprints for fiscal 2016, and TSCL expects to see proposals that would dramatically alter the Social Security and Medicare programs. We will keep a close eye on the negotiations as they evolve, and will post updates here in the Legislative News section of our website..Then, in our Oct. 3 Update we reported that the chairmen of the House Ways and Means Oversight and Health subcommittees had sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar requesting more information about the discount card. Among the questions they were asking was what legal authority is being used to justify the program and how it will be paid for. … Continued

Private Insurance Perspective Yes The Trump Administration Promotes Consumer Choice For Healthy People

The Super Committee failed to come to agreement last week, resulting in a mandated sequestration of cuts in defense and domestic spending. The sequester was intended to urge lawmakers on the committee to come to an agreement, however the stalemate will result in automatic 1.2 trillion dollar budget cuts over the next decade..The Senior Citizens League enthusiastically supports H.R. 1251, S. 1909, and H.R. 4704, and we will continue to advocate for their passage in the months ahead. For more information, visit the Bill Tracking section of our website..The rise of prescription drug prices is a serious concern that warrants immediate attention. Drug companies have long charged record prices that deny millions of Americans affordable access to lifesaving medications. Individuals across Maryland - and the country - have shared their stories with me regarding the high cost of drugs for themselves or their family, and the strain it places on their finances and health. Within Medicare, so many of our seniors are facing rising costs and tough choices. … Continued