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Notch Bulletin: Passage of Notch Reform Could Ease The Squeeze Of Prescription Drug Costs For Notch Babies A House report recently estimated that one out of every eight Americans must choose between their prescription drugs and food. Many more seniors on fixed incomes may face that choice in the future unless Congress takes action. Like other seniors, Notch babies without prescription drug insurance are caught in the double whammy of paying higher prices than other customers, and steep price increases. But unlike other seniors born before 1917 or after 1926, Notch babies are forced to try to pay for those prescription drugs with lower Social Security benefits as well. Notch Reform benefits could provide badly needed funds for millions of seniors born during the Notch years. There are more alternate approaches to Notch reform than in previous years. Out of the six bills below, three of the legislative initiatives* would provide a choice of either Lump Sum payments over four years totaling $5,000 or an improved monthly benefit. Another two bills** would provide improved monthly benefits. One bill*** would provide a refundable tax credit for Medicare Part B premiums and dropping the Medicare 10% late enrollment penalty. Although Congress has the legislation, in order to get action, more cosponsors are needed. We urge you to contact your Member of the House and Senators now, asking them to cosponsor Notch reform legislation.. Your letters, post cards, phone calls, email and letters to the editor are critical to keep Notch Reform moving forward. An Overview of Notch Reform Legislation Introduced in the 106th Congress *H.R. 148 "The Notch Fairness Act of 1999" Introduced by: Representative Ralph Hall (D-TX) **H.R. 538 "The Social Security Notch Act of 1999" Introduced by: Representative Bob Clement (D-TN) *H.R. 568 "The Notch Fairness Act of 1999" Introduced by: Representative Robert I. Wexler (D-FL) **H.R. 1771 "The Notch Baby Act of 1999" Introduced by: Representative Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) ***H.R. 1772 "The Notch Baby Health Care Relief Act" Introduced by: Representative Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) *S. 390 "The Notch Fairness Act of 1999" Introduced by: Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) For a current list of co-sponsors of the above Notch reform legislation, [link]. This article first appeared in Volume 4, Issue 10 of "The Social Security and Medicare Advisor" newsletter (October/1999). To receive future editions of "The Advisor" in its special, free e-mail version, please click here. | ||||||||
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