Defeating Alzheimer's requires uniting Americans nationwide in conjunction with local government, healthcare experts, and outside organizations like the Alzheimer's Association. We are all in this fight together, and ending this disease will take time and a common focus on the task at hand. That's why we must continue to raise awareness of Alzheimer's and the promising efforts taking place to curb its growth, as well as increase support for patients and their caregivers. While the challenge of battling Alzheimer's is immense, the outpouring of support and dedicated activism for this crucial cause gives me hope that we can one day effectively treat—and eventually cure—this devastating disease. .Finally, two new cosponsors – Representative Daniel Lipinski (IL-3) and Representative Glenn Grothman (WI-6) – signed on to the CREATES Act (H.R. 2212), bringing the total up to twenty-five. The CREATES Act, if adopted, would increase competition in the prescription drug industry by encouraging generic and biosimilar drug manufacturers to introduce their products to the market more quickly. .The Senior Citizens League is conducting an online survey of healthcare costs experienced by Medicare beneficiaries and invites seniors and the disabled with Medicare to participate at . The information will be used to educate both lawmakers in Congress and the public about the financial challenges of keeping Medicare affordable for beneficiaries while ensuring program financing remains sound for the future. To learn more about changes to Medicare, get tips on reducing your Medicare costs and to participate in TSCL's new online Medicare healthcare cost survey visit: . .IMPORTANT: We Need Your Help .Both Senate Leader McConnell and President Trump have said they are in no rush to pass another virus-related aid bill, but the Democrats believe it is necessary to get relief out to individuals and businesses as soon as possible. .I'm helping my brother who has cognitive problems. He's enrolled in a Humana Medicare Advantage plan that covers prescription drugs in addition to providing hospital and doctor benefits. The plan seems OK, but I'm annoyed by numerous (often weekly) phone calls from the plan asking for permission to send out a visiting nurse. They say the visit is provided at no charge to get his blood pressure, and a physical. That sounds good, but my brother doesn't want strangers coming to his home, and I'm getting suspicious. Is this request legitimate? .You might better be able to help your brother by reminding him of doctor visits and seeing that he gets to appointments. You can also help by monitoring his care plan, and making sure he understands how and when to take prescriptions and any other forms of therapy. .According to the report, the triggering of hold harmless will continue on an individual basis, particularly when inflation is lower than forecast (about 2.4 percent) or if Medicare Part B premium increases are higher than forecast (5%), or both. The risk for both is high, because over the past 8 years COLAs have averaged just 1.2 percent and since 2000 Medicare Part B premiums have increased on average more than 10 percent per year. According to the report, individuals with the lowest benefits, 0 or less, are the most likely to be affected by hold harmless on an individual basis over the next decade, even in years when a COLA is payable, particularly if Medicare Part B premium increases are higher than expected. .TSCL believes that Congress should strengthen Social Security's protections by enacting legislation to prohibit the use of unauthorized earnings from being counted toward eligibility for Social Security benefits, "a change that should be made regardless of the outcome of the Supreme Court decision or whether Congress moves on immigration or Social Security reform," Cates says.