Issue Brief The Covid 19 Vaccination Line An Update On State Prioritization PlansAccording to the Federal Register "Amounts collected under section 1411 are not designated for the Medicare Trust Fund. The Joint Committee on Taxation in 2011 stated that's because No provision is made for the transfer of the tax imposed by this provision from the General Fund of the United States Treasury to any Trust Fund.".Prior to 1984 Social Security benefits weren't taxed, and when the tax on benefits was first enacted in 1983, Congress sold it to the public saying it affected "high income" beneficiaries. At that time, only 10% of Social Security beneficiaries paid the tax. But during the 2015 tax season, an estimated 56% of Social Security beneficiary households will owe federal income taxes on part of their benefit income according to the Social Security Administration..The plan would comprehensively reform Medicare by transforming it into a "premium support" program, where seniors would be given vouchers by the federal government to purchase private health insurance coverage on a federal exchange. Experts predict that "premium support" models like the one laid out in the "Budget for a Brighter American Future" would result in substantially higher out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries over time. … Continued
Blog The Lowdown On 2019s Ballot MeasuresAs with Social Security and Medicare long-term viability, reducing the high costs of drugs is also at the top on TSCL's agenda this year. These are complicated problems but Congress must find a way to deal with them and TSCL will be fighting for you as these debates continue..Please note the January 2019 to January 2020 period covered by this study does not include the recent impacts of the coronavirus or the collapse in oil prices..Pressure on Congress is ramping up for immigration legislation that provides a "clear path to citizenship" for an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants. House GOP Members are reportedly working on several immigration bills, including two that would grant some form of legal status. Conservative pro-immigration reform groups, including business leaders and law enforcement, are pushing the House to take action, perhaps early this spring. The Senate passed an immigration reform bill last July. … Continued