News

  • Benefit Bulletin August 2015

    This week, talks to repeal and replace the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula continued, but lawmakers revealed that a temporary "doc fix" might be necessary. In addition, The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) announced its support for a new piece of legislation, and one key bill gained support. .Now we are looking for viral deliverance when drug development is one of the world's most lucrative businesses, ownership of drug patents is disputed in endless court battles, and monopoly power often lets manufacturers set any price, no matter how extraordinary. A new cancer treatment can cost a half-million dollars, and old staples like insulin have risen manifold in price to thousands of dollars annually. .Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown announced a consumer price index bill for elderly consumers on Wednesday. Under the Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers Act, the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) would be amended to use a formula that reflects the spending patterns of seniors. The current index is based on the spending patterns of urban workers. … Continued

  • H R 4144 Seniors And Veterans Emergency Save Benefits Act

    TSCL enthusiastically supports H.R. 807, H.R. 1902, S. 1909, and H.R. 1205, and we were pleased to see support grow for them this week. For progress updates on these and other TSCL-backed bills, visit the Bill Tracking section of our website. .By Rick Delaney, Chairman of the Board .For this reason, TSCL announced its support for the Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act back in March, and our legislative team has been busy advocating for it on Capitol Hill. The bill's sponsors expect the House Ways and Means Committee to take it up before the end of the year, and they are hopeful that both chambers will pass it shortly thereafter. For updates, visit and, on our new Facebook page, at www.Facebook.com/SeniorsLeague. … Continued

House Leaders Propose ACA Replacement .This week, one new cosponsor – Rep. Rich Nugent (FL-11) – signed on to the No Social Security for Illegal Immigrants Act (H.R. 1716). The cosponsor total is now up to thirty-two. .The TSCL Board of Trustees and staff are all dedicated to helping seniors. The following services provided by TSCL are considered primary and essential to the betterment of the quality of life of our nation's senior citizens: .I take a brand name drug that costs more than 0 per month in 2019 and I have a co-pay of In 2019, I hit the Part D coverage gap. Can you tell me how much I would have to pay in the Part D doughnut hole next year? .Do you have a plan to manage aging parents, siblings, or the needs of children or grandchildren? Do family commitments require your time, attention or other resources, including finances? If something were to happen to you, how would that impact other family members? If children or grandchildren come to you asking for loans or childcare, how does that impact your retirement finances and how will you manage that? .What is likely to happen if the test is not done? .Graves can't understand why the pricing is going unchecked by the federal government. "This needs to be investigated," she says. "People who don't have good Part D coverage or the money to pay for their drugs would be forced to go without," she protests. "It's GREED, GREED, GREED!" .Efforts to lower the cost of prescription drugs have been taking place at the state level as well as at the national level. This week the New Mexico legislature sent a bill to their Governor that aims to make the state among the first to work with the federal government on wholesale drug importation from Canada. States including Vermont, Maine, Colorado, and Florida have passed similar bills.
Backers said importing lower-cost drugs from Canada would help people who can't afford their prescriptions amid rising costs in the U.S. .Pre-Election Recess Continues