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On Tuesday, just hours before a 21 percent pay cut for physicians was set to take effect, the Senate approved legislation to repeal and replace the SGR the flawed formula that determines reimbursement rates for doctors who treat Medicare patients. The bill, which was passed by the House two weeks ago, was adopted on Tuesday with a vote of 92-Shortly thereafter, President Obama released a statement saying that he "will be proud to sign it into law.".So, we wanted to close this week's update with some good news, as reported by Bloomberg News..But she worries how she will manage another year with no net increase in her benefits. "This isn't right," she says. "Congress isn't looking out for the interests of seniors," she adds. "I'm going farther and farther into poverty.".For more information about town hall meetings near you during next week's recess, click HERE. You can also call the local offices of your Members of Congress to request information about upcoming town halls. For contact information, click HERE..In counting out-of-pocket spending, Medicare does not include the cost of monthly Part D premiums or the cost of any drugs that aren't listed on your drug plan's formulary. And, even after hitting ,350, out-of-pocket spending would not end there, because Part D has no annual out-of-pocket maximum. The TrOOP cost is the amount you must spend before you qualify for the catastrophic stage of Part D coverage, when Medicare steps in and co-insurance goes down. But you still are required to pay a minimum of .60 for generic drugs or a 5% coinsurance for brand drugs..When you simply claim benefits at age 66, Social Security will "deem" you eligible for both your own retirement benefit, and an ex spouse benefit. You receive your own benefit first, and the balance that you are eligible for as a divorced spouse would make up the difference. But by claiming at 66 you loose the advantage of delayed retirement credits that can boost your benefit by 8% per year from full retirement age to age 70..I'm interested in hearing about your experiences with Medicare and Obamacare. What is working the way it should? What isn't? Send an email with "Obamacare, No Lie!" in the subject line at [email protected] this point, the future of the Social Security tax holiday is unclear, though some believe it may resurface later this year as the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction takes up the challenge of reducing the deficit by at least .2 trillion before Thanksgiving..The proposal is at odds with how older Americans think Congress should address Social Security revenues, according to TSCL's 2017 Senior Survey, which is conducted nationally through the mail and online. When asked about options to shore up Social Security financing, 58 percent of participants said they support proposals that would very gradually increase the payroll tax rate by 1 percent each for workers and employers. The largest percentage, 73 percent, support raising the amount of wages subject to Social Security, currently 7,200, to cover all wages.

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Garden: A recent long-term study followed more than 2800 men and women aged 60 and older for 16 years. The study measured admission to hospital, and nursing homes with any kinds of dementia, while assessing a variety of lifestyle factors. Researchers found daily gardening to represent the single biggest risk reduction for dementia in both sexes, reducing incidence by 36%. Gardening involves many critical functions, including improved vitamin D levels from exposure to the sun for good health, exercise, learning and observation, problem solving, sensory awareness and maintenance of sanity, that its benefits are believed to a synthesis of various aspects..Start by reviewing materials that you receive from your current health plan for prospective changes in premiums, deductibles, co-pays and provider networks. If your income has changed in 2014, report changes to the healthcare exchange in your state or through before the Open Enrollment crunch begins. Watch your local news media for announcements of "healthcare navigator" programs in your area to help you compare plans and enroll. The programs may be offered through your local library, or other community service organizations..At their convention in July, delegates of the Republican Party approved a platform focused on reducing the national debt. Their document begins by stating: "We reject the old maxim that Social Security is the 'Third Rail' of American politics, deadly for anyone who would change it. The Democratic Party still treats it that way, even though everyone knows that its current course will lead to a financial and social disaster." The focal point of their plan is cutting government waste, encouraging economic growth, and balancing the budget even if that means making significant changes to programs like Social Security. … Continued

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In a statement, Senator Warren said: "This bill will make a life changing difference for the millions of Americans who experience hearing loss but can't access the care they need because of archaic regulations. I'm glad to work with Senator Paul on this common-sense step to bring down costs for our seniors.".Congressional aides have said that the conference co-chairs, Sen. Patty Murray and Rep. Paul Ryan, are "talking almost every day," but a partisan divide over potential "sequester" offsets seems to have halted progress. Half of the conferees hope to replace a portion of the "sequester" with revenue increases, while the other half would like to enact cuts to mandatory programs, including Social Security and Medicare. At this point, conferees on both sides are remaining steadfast in their positions..Effective since 1977, the GPO prohibits retired spouses, widows, and widowers from receiving the full benefits based on his or her spouse's employment. The WEP was passed in 1983 and reduces the benefit of a retired or disabled worker who also receives a federal, state or local government annuity based on his or her earnings by up to 60 percent. … Continued