Notch Fairness Act Introduced in Opening Day of Congress

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Notch Fairness Act Introduced in Opening Day of Congress

Highlighting the urgency of the plight of Notch Babies, three Notch Reform bills were among the very first introduced on the opening day of the new 108th Congress. Long-time Notch Reform advocate Representative Ralph Hall (D-TX) introduced H.R. 97 “The Notch Fairness Act” with fellow Notch Reformer Representative Robert Wexler (D-FL) signed on as the first co-sponsor. The bipartisan legislation would provide Notch babies born from 1917 to 1926 with a choice of improved monthly benefits or a Lump-Sum totaling $5,000 payable over a four-year period. TSCL estimates the cost of the bill to be about $45 billion over the four-year period.

Representative Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO), also a long-time supporter of Notch Reform, introduced two bills. “The Notch Baby Act of 2003” would provide a higher monthly benefit for Notch babies born from 1917 through 1926. Her second bill, “The Notch Baby Health Care Relief Act,” is a unique legislative approach that would offset the reduction in Social Security benefits by providing a tax credit for Medicare Part B premiums. The legislation is particularly noteworthy because it was suggested by one of Representative Emerson’s constituents. The bill also eliminates the Medicare Part B premium late enrollment penalty for Notch Babies.

For related stories, see “Aggressive Notch Reform Initiative Planned” at http://www.tscl.org/NewContent/101771.asp and “Going on the Offense for Notch Reform” at http://www.tscl.org/NewContent/101779.asp.

April 2003