News

  • Legislative Update March 2021

    The absence of confirmed transmission is not necessarily evidence that fliers are safe. Instead, the lack of data reflects the fact that the U.S. has a higher infection rate relative to other countries, said Chen. Since the U.S. has so many confirmed cases, it's more difficult to determine exactly where somebody contracted the virus. ., Editor .The Social Security Administration is required to withhold in benefits for each you earned above the limit until the year in which you reach full retirement age. The year in which you reach full retirement age, you are allowed to earn more. The amount you may earn is adjusted annually. In 2007 when you retired, it was ,960 (,080 per month) for retirees like you who were under full retirement age. … Continued

  • The Senior Citizens League Weekly Update For Week Ending April 10 2020

    The Part B and Part D deductible period starts on January 1 of each year and ends on December 3If you were healthy during the year, but require doctor's services in November for the first time and the charge is 0, then you (or possibly your supplemental insurance plan) will have to pay that charge. If you don't see the doctor again until January, you start a whole new deductible period. If he charges you 0 again, then you or your insurer will pay the 0 again. .Money for Life: Turn Your IRA and 401(k) Into a Lifetime Retirement Paycheck, Steve Vernon, September 2012. .Millicent Graves of Williamsburg, Virginia recently was shocked to discover an astounding price range in the same generic drug after her doctor prescribed a different form of Clobetasol propionate, commonly used to treat psoriasis. When she filled her previous prescription in December of 2014 for the Clobetasol solution, she paid — the full retail cost. But when filling the first prescription for Clobetasol foam in 2015, Graves discovered the retail cost was 5.8And five weeks later when she refilled her prescription for the foam, the cost had jumped dramatically— to 7, making the total difference in price between the solution and foam 1,691%. "When I looked at the receipt I almost passed out," she says. "Everything is the same as the first bottle! It's price gouging," she says. … Continued

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT-2) introduced H.R. 4998 on June 26, 201It has since been referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. .In February, after lawmakers allowed two government shutdowns to briefly take effect, Members of Congress finally passed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 201The massive budget deal set spending levels for two years and lifted the debt ceiling through March of next year. It came as a surprise to many in Washington – including The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) – and the agreement put an end to cycles of funding extensions that temporarily and irresponsibly funded the federal government for years. .The Three Biggest Expenses to Cut In Retirement — Most seniors spend more time clipping coupons to save a few dollars when they do their weekly grocery shopping than they ever spend cutting these three biggies. Spend more time on these and you'll have more money for groceries and everything else. .Sources: "Report: Social Security Numbers Active For 6.5 Million People Aged 112," Stephen Ohlemacher, Associated Press, March 14, 201"Man Impersonates Dead Mother To Collect 5,000 In Social Security, Rent Subsidies," New York Daily News, June 17, 2009. .The high cost of treatment is a frequently cited barrier by those who are not getting the dental care they need. Elizabeth H., a retiree living in Colorado told us "I do not have the ,000 I was told that I needed to get my teeth fixed. They need to either be pulled and a bridge put in, or root canaled. Being on a limited income, I do not see getting any of this done, and so it affects my health negatively. Without dental care, I'm not as healthy as I could be." .But not all beneficiaries will come out ahead. Some treatments have little or no competition, and patients needing those drugs might not see any extra savings. And for people who don't take pricey drugs, monthly Part D costs are likely to rise because premiums are expected to go up when insurers won't be able to keep rebates to improve bottom lines. .The report found similar price disparities in expensive specialty drugs that treat complicated conditions like cancer. .After a bill passes Congress there is a certain process that must be followed when it is transmitted to the President for his signature. That is why the extra time is needed at this point. .The witnesses at this hearing defended a number of payment provisions that may expire if Congress doesn't act soon, including add-on payments for mental health and ambulance services, and hold harmless payments for rural hospitals. When looked at separately the costs of these provisions seem minor, but if each of them were to expire at the end of this year, the federal government would save billion. The potential savings attracted most at the hearing, but Ranking Member Pete Stark (CA) reminded the Subcommittee that many of the provisions "ensure critical access to needy Medicare beneficiaries."