News

  • Major Immigration Legislation To Include Path To Social Security For Illegals

    The committee found that AbbVie inflated prices for the drugs while its executives pocketed growing bonuses. The committee's two-year investigation found that AbbVie "pursued a variety of tactics to increase drug sales while raising prices for Americans, including exploiting the patent system to extend its market monopoly, abusing orphan drug protections to further block competition, and engaging in anticompetitive pricing practices." .TSCL recently sent a letter to every office in Congress calling for enactment of legislation that would provide an emergency COLA, would prevent an anticipated Medicare Part B premium and deductible spike of more than 22%, as well as legislation that would result in a more fair and accurate COLA using the CPI-E in the future. .The Senior Citizens League agrees with Chairman Johnson's remarks at Thursday's hearing, and we hope that Congress will address the shortfall as soon as possible so that any negative impacts on current or future retirees can be averted. In the months ahead, we will continue to advocate for solutions that strengthen the Social Security program responsibly – without cutting benefits – and we will post updates on Twitter, and here in the Legislative News section of our website. … Continued

  • Legislative Update Week Ending September 16 2016

    Please help us continue our important work on behalf of senior citizens and retirees. Make a secure, online donation today. .According to Bloomberg News, "Budget officials analyzed prices of 176 popular brand name drugs and found the price for a 30-day supply of medication was 8 on average through Medicaid and 3 through Medicare Part D, which pays for prescription drugs in retail pharmacies. The government also paid twice as much on the same drugs through Medicare versus the Veterans Affairs program." .Source: "Senators Introduced Medicare Reform Plan: The Congressional Health Care for Seniors Act," Paul.Senate.Gov, March 15, 2012. … Continued

TSCL is gearing up to fight legislation that would cut the current rate of COLA growth. "People who depend on Social Security need a COLA that more adequately protects the buying power of their benefits," says Hyland. TSCL believes seniors would receive higher and more adequate benefits by using an index that more closely tracks senior spending, like the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E). TSCL supports The Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers (CPI-E) Act, H.R. 798 introduced by Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-4), and H.R.456 introduced by Charles Gonzalez (TX-20). Learn more by visiting TSCL on the web at . .Raising Medicare Age Would Save 500 Billion Dollars .Please take time to participate in TSCL's much anticipated Senior Survey. TSCL's surveys have helped burst the all too common perception that Social Security benefit cuts are inevitable in order to achieve program solvency. TSCL surveys indicate that there is little support among older adults for proposals that would cut Social Security or Medicare benefits, or to replace these programs with private versions. TSCL will fight attempts to cut benefits, and that includes cutting COLAs reducing Social Security benefits or increasing Medicare costs. .Should I Continue to Pay Into Social Security for Other Work I am Doing Now? ."For those who don't like these executive actions, there's time to get to the table and back a legislative solution," Grassley said in a statement. "I will continue the fight in Congress until significant prescription drug pricing legislation becomes law. The next coronavirus relief bill presents the perfect opportunity for Congress to meet the moment." .Social Security policy analyst and Advisor editor Mary Johnson finds the average monthly rate of increase for the past 12 months. This rate of inflation is added to the current month, and each subsequent month through to September, in order to project inflation in those months. The SSA's COLA formula takes the third quarter data (July/August/September) and finds the average for the quarter. That is then compared that with the third quarter average from one year ago, and the percentage of difference is determined. That percentage of difference is the amount that the COLA would increase. ."The bill does nothing at all to reduce or eliminate the tax on Social Security benefits that burdens more than half of all retiree households," Johnson notes. Yet the tax cuts for corporations and the wealthiest households in the Tax Cut and Jobs Act will add an estimated .5 trillion to the national debt. Some conservative Members of Congress say they are planning a budget that would require mandatory spending cuts to reduce the debt next year. .The Senior Citizens League encourages its supporters to attend these events and to ask important questions of their elected officials, like the following three… .Despite progress on the bill's movement in the House this week, the AHCA appears to have a tough road ahead. TSCL will be keeping a close eye on it in the days and weeks ahead since its passage would negatively impact the health and financial stability of older Americans. For updates, follow TSCL on Twitter, or visit the Legislative News section of our website. In addition, we encourage our members and supporters to call their representatives in Congress to request their opposition to the AHCA. Contact information can be found HERE.