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Congress is under intense pressure from numerous directions to get rising debt under control. The Congressional Budget Office further warned that growing interest costs on the debt would restrict our elected lawmakers ability to use tax and spending policies to respond to economic downturns or financial crises. And that in turn would increase the probably of a sudden fiscal crisis, in which the government would lose its ability to borrow at affordable rates..Here's a hypothetical example: Let's say that you shop at the same grocery store every week. The price of navel oranges varies by the time of year, but in December of 2018 you were able to buy navel oranges for about .39 a pound. By June of 2019, however, the price goes up to .4That's a difference of $.10 a pound and a 7% jump in cost. That's price inflation..The Supreme Court recently upheld the Affordable Care Act. While most people understood that the Supreme Court considered the constitutionality of the "individual mandate," many seniors may not have thought much about how the court's decision would affect Medicare. The decision maintains both new senior benefits and 0 billion in Medicare spending cuts over the next eight years. Here's a list of major provisions that affect seniors:.CLASS Program Closer to Being Repealed.Trustees Release Annual Financial Reports.New Bill Would Expand Medicare Coverage.Although some members of Congress have said they don't know where the money would come from to fix Social Security without benefit cuts, TSCL surveys indicate that older Americans support the following approach:.According to ModernHealthcare.com, "Congressional Democrats are hoping to pass a slew of healthcare priorities later this year aimed at expanding access to coverage and making it more affordable for patients..The opinions expressed in "Congressional Corner" reflect the views of the writer and are not necessarily those of The Senior Citizens League.

Care Labor Pain Is No Laughing Matter Or Is It

The poll raises questions about both the adequacy of Social Security benefits, and proposals that would make seniors pay an even bigger share of their healthcare costs in the future. According to the Social Security Administration, the median income for retirees aged 65 and older is just ,056.[1] In 2010, the most recent year for which data is available, Medicare beneficiaries spent ,734 on out-of-pocket costs on average, including premiums for Medicare and other supplemental insurance or health plans.[2].Senator Richard Blumenthal introduced S. 269 on January 30, 201It has since been referred to the Committee on Finance..With about 1 million supporters, The Senior Citizens League is one of the nation's largest nonpartisan seniors groups. Located just outside Washington, D.C., its mission is to promote and assist members and supporters, to educate and alert senior citizens about their rights and freedoms as U.S. Citizens, and to protect and defend the benefits senior citizens have earned and paid for. The Senior Citizens League is a proud affiliate of TREA The Enlisted Association. Please visit or call for more information. … Continued

Medicaid Issue Brief Medicaids Role For Medicare Beneficiaries

This year we celebrated the 50th anniversary of Medicare. Signed into law by President Johnson on July 30, 1965, Medicare has proven itself to be an American success story. At the time of enactment, only half of America's seniors had health insurance, leaving an already vulnerable population one illness away from financial ruin. Medicare ensures that seniors will get the health coverage they worked a lifetime for. It provides seniors and their families with peace of mind and allows all Americans to age with dignity. In my home state of Pennsylvania alone, over 2.3 million seniors rely on Medicare for their health coverage..Almost all of my income is from Social Security. I have some limited savings, and I own my home. I'm having trouble affording my Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs, but I don't think I qualify for Medicaid. Are there any programs that may help?.Does your anesthesiologist have your correct Medicare number and your health plan or supplement information? Patients often meet the anesthesiologist just minutes before surgery, but it's better to learn ahead of time whether the anesthesiologist who will provide your care accepts Medicare and is in your plan's network. Hopefully your anesthesiologist has the paperwork correct, but before they knock you out the next time, make sure. … Continued