News

  • Legislative Update For Week Ending January 18 2013

    If you would like to continue receiving these press releases via email, please send your email address to [email protected]. .Inflation has been at historic lows in recent years and seniors received a 1.7 percent COLA this year. "For every 0 worth of expenses seniors could afford in 2000, they can afford just today," says study author and Advisor editor Mary Johnson. .On Wednesday, the Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing titled "Maximizing Your Social Security Benefits: What You Need to Know." The Committee heard from a panel of experts, including Virginia Reno – Deputy Commissioner for Retirement and Disability Policy at the Social Security Administration (SSA) – and William Meyer – CEO of Social Security Solutions, Inc., a private firm that provides financial advice to retirees. … Continued

  • Drug Company Head Faces Grilling Over Massive Increases In Drug Price

    TSCL enthusiastically supports the bills mentioned above, and we were pleased to see support grow for each of them this week. .Proponents of cutting benefits argue that Social Security, as it is currently structured, is unstainable because there are fewer workers to support current retirees. Social Security is estimated to run short of funds in about 15 years. Without changes and soon, Social Security benefits would have to be reduced by about 22% to match the amount of revenues that the program receives. .While no one should try to be one's own physician, it is vital to establish good communication with your doctor. If you feel awkward asking these questions, consider bringing someone with you to appointments who can ask on your behalf. Sources: "The Patient As A Consumer," Marvin Moser, M.D., Yale University School of Medicine Heart Book. "Physicians Wade Into Efforts To Curb Unnecessary Treatments," Julie Appleby, Kaiser Health News, April 4, 2012. … Continued

Have You Been Fully Vaccinated? .As we know more, CDC will continue to update our recommendations for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people. .Generic drugs account for 84% of drugs sold nationally, but only 12% of spending. .TSCL Endorses Two New House Bills ."Social Security benefits simply are not adequate when people with a Social Security benefit of even as much as ,288 per month are at risk of having their entire COLA used to cover rising Part B premiums," says Mary Johnson, Social Security and Medicare policy analyst for The Senior Citizens League. "That is what happened in 2018, and that left nothing to cover all other rising household costs," Johnson explains. .The Medicare Trustees estimated in their April 2020 annual report that the base 2021 Part B premium would rise by .70 (6 percent), from 4.60 to 3.30.[9] The annual report was written prior to the coronavirus national emergency and does not incorporate the effects of the coronavirus caused recession, the interaction with an extremely low, or even no COLA, and the potential triggering of hold harmless in its forecast. .On Tuesday, President Donald Trump addressed the nation in his first State of the Union. In his speech, the President reflected on the strong economic growth of the country and he shared his hopes for the year ahead. The President said he plans to push .5 trillion in infrastructure investments, to secure the southern border with Mexico, and to offer a pathway to citizenship for 1.8 million immigrants known as "Dreamers." .TSCL enthusiastically supports H.R. 4704, H.R. 4841, and H.R. 2212, and we will continue to advocate for their passage in the months ahead. For more information, visit the Bill Tracking section of our website. .Talk to prospective assisted living or long term care facility management about your real estate problems. Occupancy rates at assisted living facilities have fallen, coinciding with the collapse in real estate. Find out if the facility offers special terms or agreements for people who are waiting for their homes to sell, and if so, what those terms might be.