|
||||||||
Notch Reform Bills Reintroduced by Emerson to Cover 10-Year Notch Period Notch Reform moved a step in the right direction recently when Representative Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) reintroduced two bills. The bills now cover the 10-year Notch period of 1917 through 1926. The earlier versions of these bills covered only a 5-year Notch period of 1917 through 1921. Emerson reintroduced the bills, in part, because of the huge volume of postcards, letters, and phone calls from TSCL members. Emerson's bill, H.R. 1771 ("The Notch Baby Act of 1999"), would provide an improved monthly benefit for those born during the 10-year period. H.R. 1772 ("The Notch Baby Health Care Relief Act"), is the first Notch Reform legislation which would provide relief through Medicare. It would provide a refundable tax credit for monthly Medicare Part B premiums to persons born 1917 through 1926. The legislation would also eliminate the Medicare Part B premium penalty for Notch Victims. (The penalty increases the cost of premiums by 10% for each year a beneficiary delays enrollment in Medicare Part B. There are certain exceptions for Medicare beneficiaries who continue to work and receive health care insurance through their employer.) Emerson was elected to fill the seat of her late husband and long time Notch Reform advocate, Representative Bill Emerson. She has persistently fought for Notch Reform-reintroducing the Notch Reform legislation of her late husband, and now her own bills. TSCL has long recognized the 10-year Notch period of 1917 through 1926 covered by these two new bills. We applaud Emerson for having the gumption to take another look at the issue and deciding to include ALL Notch Victims. This article first appeared in Volume 4, Issue 9 of "The Social Security and Medicare Advisor" newsletter (September/1999). To receive future editions of "The Advisor" in its special, free e-mail version, please click here. | ||||||||
|
|
||||||||
