In the days and weeks ahead, TSCL will be keeping a close eye on the evolving tax reform discussions on Capitol Hill and we will continue to advocate for policy options that would ensure the financial security of older Americans, like the three mentioned in last week's legislative update. For progress updates, visit the Legislative News section of our website or follow TSCL on Facebook or Twitter..For details, or to see if your Members of Congress will be holding town hall meetings before the November elections, call their local offices. You can find contact information HERE. For more sample town hall questions, click HERE..From 1950 through 1974, Social Security benefits were increased 11 times through separate pieces of ad hoc legislation at irregular intervals. The increases varied just as they do today but averaged 8% per year over the 24-year period although there were long lapses between COLAs during some periods..TSCL recently delivered letters to every Member of Congress calling on them to support legislation that would provide a more fair and adequate COLA. "Congress created the automatic COLA in 1972 to help benefits keep up with inflation. But according to our research, COLAs are failing to keep up with the rising costs seniors are facing. Since 2000 Social Security benefits have lost 30 percent of their buying power, and in the last year alone they have lost 7 percent.".A family relative helps care for my son and keeps my Mom company during the day. She is paid minimum wage through a state Medicaid family caregiver program for which my son is eligible. This program is keeping both my son, and Mom out of the nursing home, and allowing me to earn a modest income just to put toward our bills..Despite resistance from some lawmakers, appropriators in the House and Senate say that their work on the "cromnibus" is continuing. According to Harold Rogers, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, negotiations are "on schedule," and the bill should come to the floor by early next week. If it fails to get the necessary votes, lawmakers will likely adopt a continuing resolution to provide the government with short-term funding. At this point, leaders are saying that a government shutdown is not something that they're willing to consider..As we've reported in the past, the Democrats have the narrowest of majorities in both the House and the Senate. They can't afford to lose any Democratic votes in the Senate and only 3 in the House. That's crucial because Republicans in both Houses are almost unanimously opposed to the legislation Democrats want to pass, so Democrats have to do it on their own..Ways and Means Subcommittees Consider Entitlement Reform.Under growing pressure to reduce the federal debt, Congress is considering a new Medicare proposal that would shift the risk of rising costs that outpace spending targets set by the government to seniors and the disabled. The proposal comes from a key recommendation of President Obama's Fiscal Commission.

Hospital Overview Testimonials

Medicare spending in 2013 accounts for 16% of the federal budget. That spending is projected to almost double as a share of the nation's economy in coming years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The House, Senate, and the President's budget plans contain a number of provisions that would cut federal spending on Medicare. But how do senior voters view the proposals?.What would happen if the Supreme Court rules against Obamacare now that people already have purchased coverage? Will I have to repay my premium assistance subsidies? I qualified for ,456 in premium subsidies last year alone. Will plans be allowed to deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions again?.For people with incomes less than ,000, the monthly Medicare Part B premium in 2017 is 4, and Medicare Trustees expect it to stay at that amount in 201But the vast majority of retirees are paying a Part B premium that's far lower than 4 - about 0 or less - due to a special provision of law that protects Social Security benefits from reduction when Medicare Part B premiums rise more than the COLA raises benefits. … Continued

Medicaid Behavioral Health Services Partial Hospitalization

That means the trust fund reserves money that came out of your paychecks to finance your earned benefits would become unusable by the Social Security and Medicare programs. Here's how that could lead to benefit cuts….Members of the Maryland Congressional delegation recently sent a letter to the Postmaster General complaining of the poor service. They stated in part:.For most Americans, the prices of essential prescription drugs are increasing far too rapidly for family budgets to sustain. Many Americans are being forced to choose between paying household bills and purchasing life-saving medications. The nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation issued a poll last October reporting that 77% of Americans - Democrats, Independents, and Republicans - identified the increasing prices of prescription drugs as their number one health concern.The American people are absolutely right. … Continued

Contact Atavista Farm Today!