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So how can we best use this momentum from our vaccine experience to build relationships with drug manufacturers and lower costs for consumers? TSCL is closely watching for drug price negotiation provisions to be included in legislation this year. What portion of your Social Security benefit do you spend on healthcare costs? Please take TSCL's 2021 Retirement Survey..My Social Security benefits are reduced because I receive a government pension. I started benefits at age 70. My wife worked in a private sector job and started Social Security at 6If I pass on would her Social Security survivors benefit based on my account be reduced because of my government pension? She is not eligible for benefits from my pension. My current benefit is ,320.00 versus about ,842.00 without the penalty..TSCL understands that some changes to Medicare may be necessary to secure the long-term future of the program. However, we strongly believe that any changes should be phased in gradually and should not affect those nearing retirement. In addition, TSCL believes that the government must increase its efforts to combat Medicare fraud a growing issue that costs between billion and billion each year..to make it sustainable. But let's do it in a thoughtful way, so seniors who worked hard and paid their dues aren't suddenly thrown to the wolves. We already have members telling us about elderly friends who are foregoing cancer treatments because they can't afford them and don't want to saddle their surviving spouse with the bills; for such folks, some of the reform proposals would simply be too much to bear.".Trustees Release Annual Social Security and Medicare Reports.For tips on which questions you should ask your Member of Congress at your next town hall meeting, click HERE. To learn more about important issues affecting seniors, to sign a petition to Congress, or to find contact information for your Members of Congress, please visit the ACTION CENTER of our website..About 44 percent of TSCL Senior Survey respondents last year said that their Social Security benefit was lower in 2011 after deduction for Medicare premium payments. Another TSCL survey found that 44 percent of respondents also said they spent at least 0 a month on Medicare premiums and other out-of-pocket costs in 201"With the average benefit at ,100, about 17 million seniors are spending one-third of their Social Security benefit on Medicare costs, " Hyland observes..And the order that directs clinics that qualify for steep pharmaceutical discounts under a government program for low-income patients to pass savings on insulin and EpiPens directly to those patients only applies to about 1,000 community health centers, not to hospitals that are frequently flagged as diverting the discounts away from patients toward other programs..12 Ways Seniors Would Get Less, Pay More