|
Medicare
TSCL's Medicare Advocacy
Where we stand on Medicare Issues Legislative Update: Many Seniors Eligible, But NOT Enrolled in Low-Income Medicare Programs
Both Medicare Part B and Part D offer programs to assist low-income seniors with their out-of-pocket costs. Millions Of Seniors Losing Out on Medicare Part D Saving Program
Millions of Medicare beneficiaries are not receiving the savings on Part D drug benefits that they're entitled to. Ask the Advisor: We Are Held Hostage By Our Drug Plans
I'm concerned that the insurance companies providing Medicare Part D are allowed to drop coverage on various drugs at any time during the year. There is little or no notice to the consumer. Yet as a Medicare consumer, I am only allowed to change drug coverage once a year. We are held hostage by our drug plans. Is Congress considering doing anything about this? Congressional Corner: Congress must look at hospice benefit
In the 25 years that hospice has been a covered Medicare benefit it has provided what most people say they want at the end of life: to be at home, surrounded by loved ones. Congressional Corner: Health Care Costs Have Become Impossible
Health care costs across America have become impossible today for everyone – for small businesses, local and state governments, the uninsured, working families, and most especially for our senior citizens. Legislative Update: Legislators Working to Lower Prescription Drug Costs
Due to the rising cost of prescription medications, many senior citizens are looking to foreign countries for more affordable drugs. Private Medicare Plans Too Costly Congress Told
Private Medicare Advantage health plans cost too much and are forcing the government and seniors to pay more than they would for traditional Medicare, Congress was recently told. Seniors Await Medicare Refunds
TSCL Urges Seniors To Contact Members Of Congress For Help Resolving Problems Medicare Programs for Low-Income Beneficiaries
Submitted to the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, May 3, 2007 Higher Premiums Proposed to "Fix" Medicare
Seniors could pay significantly higher Medicare costs under proposals that Congress is expected to consider in coming months. Notch Bulletin: Notch Babies May Qualify For Medicare Savings Programs
It may be one of the government's best-kept secrets - programs that pay your Medicare Part B premiums. CBO Forecast for 2008 — 1.5% COLA — High Medicare Spending
If forecasts prove correct, there's trouble ahead for millions of seniors in 2008. Largest Increase Ever Forecast For Medicare Part B Premiums in 2008
22 Million Americans Would Receive No Increase in Social Security Checks Next Year as a Result Analysis: Part B Premiums Could Offset Entire COLA For As Many As Half Of Medicare Eligible Beneficiaries In 2008
The most recent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) budget and economic report forecast that annual Cost-Of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) for Social Security recipients will increase by just 1.5 percent in 2008. The CBO also estimates that Medicare spending in 2007 will rise ten times faster, by 15 percent this year. Questions & Answers
Q: Two people I know have two different Medicare Part B premiums. One pays the new premium of $93.50, the other $ 79.00, and I pay $93.50. The one with $79.00 has been paying this amount for the last two years. Can you tell me why? — M. Congressional Corner: The Prescription Drug Plan—A Needed Medicare Update
Access to quality healthcare is something that Americans should be able to depend on. Ask the Advisor: Will I be Means Tested for the rest of my life?
Starting this year the government began to calculate Medicare Part B premiums based on income. Social Security Checks Will Stop Increasing As Medicare Premiums Rise
The net amount of Social Security checks will stop increasing for as many as 20% of Social Security recipients within the next six years. Medicare Part D Costs Rising, "Doughnut Hole" Gets Bigger In 2007
Seniors and disabled beneficiaries are likely to pay more next year for Medicare Part D drug benefits. Some Seniors Will See Reductions To Their Social Security Benefits In 2007
Imagine opening your Social Security check next January to discover that your benefits are lower than what you received this year - a good bit lower - and that your Medicare premiums have taken a huge jump. Medicare Premiums Expected to Jump 450 Percent for Some Seniors as Means Testing Takes Effect for First Time in History
50,000 Seniors Predicted to Abandon Medicare for Private Insurance in 2007, Leaving System Burdened with Nation's Oldest and Sickest 'Extra Help' Program Can Cut Drug Costs By Thousands. Do You Qualify?
The Medicare Part D “Extra Help” program assists people who have limited income and resources. Is Medicare Part D 'Extra Help' Worth The Hassle?
The Initial Enrollment period for Medicare Part D has ended for most beneficiaries, but ... Trustees Estimate 2007 COLA 2.3% - Medicare Premiums To Increase 11% - TSCL Calls For Slowing the Rise Of Part B Premiums
Medicare premiums will increase at least 11% in 2007 and are expected to far out-strip Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA). What to Do If You Drop Into The Part D Doughnut Hole
Unless you enrolled in a Part D drug plan that offers coverage for the gap or "doughnut hole," you will pay 100% of the costs ... Ask the Advisor: Medicare Part D Will Cost Me More
Q: Medicare Part D is a rip off. My wife and I will pay more for our medication now, because we cannot afford to take the risk of not enrolling. We were getting most of our drugs from Canada, but under Part D we not only have to pay a monthly premium, but also have co-pays, plus much higher prices for our medication to meet the deductible or if we hit the doughnut hole. Forcing us to do this is simply not fair. What happened to the legislation to legalize the importation of drugs from Canada? Special Report on Medicare "Part D"
I'm a certified Medicare Benefits Counselor. Part of my job is to assist seniors with information and enrollment in the Medicare Prescription Drug Program. Substantially Higher Part B Premiums in 2007 As Medicare Means Testing Starts
For the first time in Medicare's history, millions of seniors will be required to pay substantially more for their Medicare Part B premiums than other seniors next year. Legislative Update: More Medicare "Sticker" Shock Ahead For Seniors
The "sticker" shock of higher than expected Medicare Part D costs for many seniors last January could be a preview of what lies ahead. If Your Drug Plan Doesn’t Cover Your Drug — Try RxSavings Plus Card
Seniors who have no prescription drug coverage, should look into the RxSavings Plus Prescription Discount Card. Choosing A Prescription Drug Plan
The "doughnut hole" refers to a big gap in coverage under the new Medicare Part D. Congressional Response: Representative Adam Smith (D-9th, WA) Responds to Your Medicare Prescription Drug Petition
As you are well aware, the access and affordability of prescription drugs is critical for our health care system. Congressional Response: Representative Adam Smith (D-9th, WA) Responds to Your Prescription Drug Reimportation Petition
Prescription drugs are an increasingly important part of Americans’ health care. Congressional Response: Representative John P. Murtha (D-12th, PA) Responds to Your Medicare Prescription Drug Petition
I’m glad you have brought up the inherent conflict of interest that exists when a company that manages the prescription drug program under Medicare also dispenses the drugs. Congressional Response: Representative Steve King (R-5th, IA) Responds to Your Medicare Prescription Drug Petition
Thank you for contacting me about issues regarding Medicare prescription drug coverage. I often find constituents to be the best source of information. Congressional Response: Representative Steve King (R-5th, IA) Responds to Your Prescription Drug Reimportation Petition
Thank you for contacting me regarding reimportation of prescription drugs. Congressional Response: Representative Brad Sherman (D-27th, CA) Responds to Your Medicare Prescription Drug Petition
Thank you for expressing your concerns about recent reforms to Medicare. Congressional Response: Representative Eliot L. Engel (D-17th, NY) Responds to Your Petition Concerning Prescription Drug Reimportation
Thank you for contacting me regarding your concerns over the prices of prescription drugs. Congressional Response: Representative Eliot L. Engel (D-17th, NY) Responds to Your Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Petition
Thank you for contacting me regarding Medicare coverage of prescription drugs. I appreciate the time you took to share your views. Congressional Response: Representative Max Sandlin (D-1st, TX) Responds to Your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Protest Petition
In the summer of 2003, the House of Representatives voted on two proposals to add a prescription drug benefit to Medicare.
Congressional Corner from Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones: The American People Deserve More Than Empty Rhetoric and Broken Promises
As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, I am acutely aware of the problems facing Social Security and Medicare today, especially as the baby boomers near retirement. Congressional Response: Senator Richard Lugar (R, Indiana) Responds To Your Prescription Drug Petition
I appreciate your interest in the debate on Medicare prescription drugs. I share the view that Congress must be very careful about how it proceeds on this issue. Congressional Response: Representative Robert Simmons (R-2nd, Connecticut) Responds To Your Prescription Drug Petition
Thank you for contacting me regarding a prescription drug benefit under Medicare. I appreciate your taking the time to share your views with me. Rest assured, I fully agree with your position and have made affordable prescription drug coverage my top legislative priority. Congressional Response: Representative John Sullivan (R-1st, Oklahoma) Responds To Your Prescription Drug Petition
As a member of the Speaker's Prescription Drug Action team, I have been working hard to make sure that we lower the costs of prescription drugs now and guarantee all senior citizens prescription drug coverage. Congressional Response: Representative Gene Green (D-29th, Texas) Responds To Your Prescription Drug Petition
I am a strong supporter of providing Medicare prescription drug coverage for seniors and lowering the overall expense of prescription drugs for all Americans. Congressional Response: Representative Sue Myrick (R-9th, North Carolina) Responds To Your Prescription Drug Petition
Two-thirds of today's seniors already have excellent coverage through private health plans and Medicaid. But for the one-third who don't, the burden is great. Congressional Response: Representative Bob Filner (D-50th, California) Responds To Your Prescription Drug Petition
I agree wholeheartedly-you have my commitment that I will continue to fight for legislation that will provide a real prescription drug benefit for seniors. Congressional Response: Representative Ronnie Shows (D-4th, Mississippi) Responds To Your Prescription Drug Petition
Last year I voted against H.R. 4680, a bill regarding prescription drug benefits, because it would not benefit all Medicare recipients. Medicare Archives
| 
