My frail mother was in the hospital after passing out and falling. She stayed "in observation" for four days and received a number of tests for stroke, heart and circulatory problems. After discharge, her doctor said she needed nursing home care. The nursing home warned us that if mother's hospital stay was observation Medicare would not cover the nursing home stay. She has received several large bills for the hospital care. We can't afford to pay for this care out-of-pocket. Can you suggest anything?.Second, the federal government cannot afford the tax cut, which costs more than 5 billion annually. It is no secret that our nation is deep in debt, and the two-year, two percent tax holiday has not spurred the economy as many hoped it would. TSCL fears that, because of its economic constraints, the federal government's general revenues may not be a reliable source of funding for Social Security. The program is currently facing a billion cash-flow deficit, and an extension of the tax holiday could exacerbate its funding shortfall..Update No. 2 on Discount Drug Card.Someone tries to tell you there's a fee for the new Medicare card. There is no fee for the card. Never give out your credit card or bank account number to anyone..When people file a claim for benefits, Social Security determines both entitlement to, and the amount of, benefits based on earnings history, NOT the amount of taxes paid in. Under current law, all earnings for which there is evidence are used to determine an individual's benefits, even if the earnings were for jobs worked under invalid and fraudulent Social Security numbers. Thus executive action on immigration could open Social Security and Medicare to significant long-term costs based on work performed while illegal..This week, one new cosponsor Rep. John Fleming signed on to Rep. Dana Rohrabacher's No Social Security for Illegal Immigrants Act. The total is now up to twenty-four. If signed into law, Rep. Rohrabacher's bill would prevent Social Security credits from being earned by work done illegally. Currently, those who receive "green cards" or work authorization may file a claim for Social Security benefits based on all earnings even earnings from jobs where they used stolen, invalid, or fraudulent Social Security numbers. TSCL believes that this practice must be put to an end in order to protect the integrity of the Social Security program, and we were pleased to see support grow for it this week..NOT TRUE. Pfizer has raised the price far too high for seniors on Medicare and living on a fixed income. Prior to the increase, I was paying 4.00 for a 3-month supply, or 6.00 a year. A few days ago I discovered the new price for this year was 8.80 for a 3- month supply or ,915.20 annually..Because Medicare Advantage plans receive a capped monthly reimbursement for each beneficiary, TSCL is concerned that there is a potential financial incentive for Medicare Advantage plans to inappropriately deny some services or prescriptions in an attempt to increase their profits. Denial of medically necessary care and prescriptions can worsen your health, as well as leading to high out-of-pocket costs, financial burdens, and debt..It remains to be seen whether Republicans in the Senate will begin working with Democrats on legislation that would stabilize the health insurance markets, or whether they will shift their focus to other legislative priorities. Following the failed vote early Friday morning, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told his colleagues: "I regret that our efforts were simply not enough … It's time to move on."
