|
||||||||
Legislative Update: Defending Your Earned Benefits Creates Full Agenda For TSCL Will prescription drug coverage be added to Medicare? Will the government move to create a CPI that more fairly reflects the buying habits of seniors? And what about Notch Reform? TREA Senior Citizens League (TSCL) members have a real opportunity to make their voices heard and voting clout felt this year with a Presidential race, the entire House and one third of the Senate up for election. Where does TSCL stand? Here's a closer look: Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit: We support the passage of legislation that will make a prescription drug benefit available to all Medicare-eligible beneficiaries. Consumer Price Index-Elderly (CPI-E): We continue to support legislation to establish an annual index for determining the Social Security Cost-Of-Living-Adjustments (COLAs) that accurately reflects the needs of older Americans. Annual Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA): We continue to fight for the repeal of previously enacted changes to the CPI that cut COLAs and resist legislative proposals to cap COLAs below inflation. Social Security "Notch" Settlement: We continue to lead the fight to repeal the previous law that created an inequitable distribution of Social Security benefits based on year of birth, or we support an acceptable settlement that will bring this issue to closure. Social Security Reform: We support efforts to reform Social Security that will not result in the reduction of the benefit levels of current beneficiaries, but fundamentally modifies the current program to meet the inevitable funding problem facing the next generation of retirees. Restructuring of Medicare: We are fighting to gain Congressional support to make Medicare a health care benefit that is comprehensive and one that older Americans can afford, trust, understand and have confidence that it will be there when needed. Social Security Trust Fund Solvency: We are committed to supporting legislation that creates a tangible Social Security Trust Fund that is protected from raids to support other government programs or to balance the federal budget. Repeal of the 85 percent Social Security Tax Rate: We support the reduction or elimination of the 85 percent Social Security tax rate passed in 1993. Social Security Earnings Test Repeal: TSCL successfully lobbied Congress to abolish the earnings limits for workers between the ages of 65-69 who are receiving Social Security benefits. We urge you to make your opinion heard by contacting your Members of Congress on the issues of importance to you. Most importantly, make sure you are properly registered to vote, especially if you have recently moved. Together we will defend your earned benefits! This article first appeared in Volume 5, Issue 4 of "The Social Security and Medicare Advisor" newsletter (March/2000). To receive future editions of "The Advisor" in its special, free e-mail version, please click here. | ||||||||
|
|
||||||||
