News

  • Cola Next Year May Be Zero Yet Your Housing And Medical Costs Are Jumping

    In April, TSCL's staff trekked up to Capitol Hill to hand-deliver hundreds of thousands of petitions to each Congressional office. The petitions were delivered along with a cover letter from Larry Hyland, Chairman of TSCL's Board of Trustees, who encouraged Members to support key bills. He wrote: "Your constituents listed in the following pages are active and informed, and these represent some of the issues that matter the most to them. Each of these bills would go a long way in protecting and defending the earned benefits of senior citizens." .Last year, my office received reports of people coming up to the doors of our elders, posing as census takers or COVID testers, and requesting sensitive information like Social Security numbers and other forms of identification -- something that real census takers or health workers would never do. .First, the bipartisan Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act of 2017 (H.R. 807) gained four new cosponsors in ​Representative Mike Capuano (MA-7), Representative Tom Rooney (FL- 17), Representative Linda Sanchez (CA-38), and Representative John Curtis (UT-3). The cosponsor total is now up to 23If signed into law, H.R. 807 would repeal the Medicare outpatient therapy cap that currently limits coverage for rehabilitation services at ,940. … Continued

  • Category Newsletter Archive Page 3

    TSCL is opposed to this new rule. It is not possible to reduce the costs of prescription drugs by taking actions that end up making those who need the drugs pay more. .The issue of physician choice and access to care for Medicare recipients arises time and again as Congress has taken last minute action to prevent drastic cuts to physician reimbursements. Only repeated, last-minute actions have saved doctors from substantial pay cuts. Cutting reimbursements for doctors has surface appeal because it does not require seniors to pay additional dollars out-of-pocket. However, there is a hidden cost. Physicians who live under constant fear of substantial cuts may opt to stop serving Medicare patients, resulting in loss of access to care for many seniors. .The White House confirmed that many of those affected would be eligible for Social Security, Medicare and a wide array of federal benefits. "TSCL is concerned that the President's executive action would not only provide authorization to legally work in this country, but access to Social Security and Medicare benefits that, under current policy, could be based in part on earnings under fraudulent Social Security numbers," says TSCL Chairman, Ed Cates. "With the Social Security Disability Insurance program facing insolvency by the end of 2016, and beneficiaries facing a 20 percent benefit cut, we are calling on Congress to end this policy that pays benefits based on document fraud," Cates adds. … Continued

TSCL is very supportive of the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act, since it would make COLAs more accurate and extend the solvency of the Social Security Trust Funds responsibly, without enacting benefit cuts. Currently, Rep. Deutch's bill has five cosponsors – Reps. David Cicilline (RI-1), Marcy Kaptur (OH-9), James Langevin (RI-2), Chellie Pingree (ME-1), and Jan Schakowsky (IL-9). We look forward to working with Rep. Deutch and Sen. Begich in the coming months to help build support and to pass the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act into law. .Both bills are now awaiting the signature of President Donald Trump. He is expected to sign them into law in the very near future. The Senior Citizens League is pleased that lawmakers successfully advanced legislation that will protect the American public from "gag clauses" that result in higher out-of-pocket costs at pharmacies. .This week, The Senior Citizens League saw support grow for three key bills that would strengthen and improve the Social Security and Medicare programs if adopted by Congress. .Get routine physicals and screenings done prior to the start of Medicare's annual Part D Open Enrollment. Case in point: My client had problems with her new blood pressure medication. It was one of the most common and inexpensive generics but she suffered from extreme fatigue and depression. At my urging, she returned to her doctor and was given a new brand prescription to try and a 7-day free sample. She felt better right away. Routine physicals and screenings are generally scheduled about 12 months apart, but try to get them completed about 30 days BEFORE the annual fall Medicare Part D Open Enrollment period, so you can allow for a trial period with any new meds. When you get your new prescription, ask your doctor or pharmacist for a complete list of side effects or possible drug interactions. Keep a list of symptoms if you don't start feeling better. .This tax hike will disproportionally hit America's oldest and most vulnerable populations. Seniors make up more than half of those claiming the medical expense deduction. .Please join us in our efforts by signing our Social Security Fairness petition to Congress, or by calling your elected officials and asking them to support CPI-E legislation. .TSCL would like to thank the following Members of Congress and their aides for taking time out of their busy schedules to discuss issues of critical importance to seniors: Rep. Steve Chabot (OH-1), Rep. Jack Kingston (GA-1), Rep. Mark Meadows (NC-11), Rep. Kurt Schrader (OR-5), Rep. Steve Stockman (TX-36), Bobby Cornett (Legislative Director for Rep. Trent Franks (AZ-8)), Hill Thomas (Legislative Director for Rep. John Barrow (GA-12)), and Chris Maneval (Legislative Assistant for Rep. Randy Forbes (VA-4)). .This week, one House Subcommittee heard from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) about its most recent report to Congress, which was titled Medicare and the Health Care Delivery System. In addition, the 2013 recovery estimate was released for the Senior Medicare Patrol, and The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) saw support grow for two key bills. .Getting the maximum you've earned on your personal work record requires some homework and planning. You can't count on getting all of your retirement advice from the Social Security Administration. According to TSCL's Senior Survey, 77% of participants said they received no counseling from Social Security staff about the best age to start benefits, undoubtedly because people are directed to sign up for benefits online.