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Congressional Corner from Representative Jo Ann Emerson: Notch Reform Bills Reintroduced By Representative Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO)
After hearing from several of my concerned constituents that my bills did not include those Notch Victims born between the years of 1922-1926, I decided to reintroduce both of these bills to include all Notch Babies born between 1917-1926. H.R. 1771, the Notch Baby Act of 1999, would phase in an improved benefit formula over five years for beneficiaries born between the ages of 1917-1926. H.R. 1772, the Notch Baby Health Care Relief Act, will offset the reduction in Social Security benefits of beneficiaries who were born between 1917-1926 by providing a tax credit for Medicare Part B premiums. Both bills would put to rest the notch issue once and for all. In addition to my latest Notch bills, Representative Ralph Hall (D-TX) has introduced legislation that provides another alternative to resolving the Notch Baby issue. H.R. 148, The Notch Fairness Act of 1999, offers those born between 1917-1926, or their surviving beneficiaries, the option of choosing lump-sum payments totaling $5,000 or improved monthly benefits over a four-year period. The bill would be financed through cuts in non-military, discretionary spending. The introduction of these various solutions provides Congress ample options to choose from and will hopefully create dialogue on the Notch Baby issue. There are over 10 million senior citizens that have been negatively impacted by the Social Security Amendments of 1977. Seniors born between the years 1917 and 1926-the "Notch Babies"-have received lower Social Security monthly payments than those seniors born shortly before or after this 10-year period. My legislation can once and for all put to rest the Notch issue. I believe that all seniors deserve fairness and equality in the Social Security system and I am currently working to educate my colleagues in the House on this issue. I am also encouraging them to discuss this issue with the seniors in their districts and to join me in ensuring that the Notch issue is addressed in the 106th Congress. 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. | ||||||||
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On the opening day of the 106th Congress, I re-introduced my two Notch bills, the "Notch Baby Act of 1999" (H.R.120) and the "Notch Baby Health Care Relief Act" (H.R.122). H.R.120 would create a new alternative transition computation formula for monthly Social Security benefits for those seniors born between 1917 and 1921. H.R.122 would offset the reduction in Social Security benefits for seniors born in the years 1917 through 1921 by providing a tax credit for Medicare Part B premiums. The approach taken in H.R.122 is different than that taken in any other Notch bill introduced in this or past Congresses. In fact, a constituent in Southern Missouri suggested the approach taken in this bill to me-adjust Medicare insurance payments for Notch Babies. As health care expenses can take up a large proportion of a senior's retirement income, this tax credit can go a long way to both correct the inequity caused by the Notch and to help seniors meet their health care needs. 