News

  • Legislative Update For Week Ending November 22 2013

    I read that the Medicare Part D doughnut hole is closing. What does that mean? I recently started on Lantus insulin, which my drug plan covers, but with the other drugs I take, I expect to hit the doughnut hole with my April refill. .Most Committee Members seemed to agree with him but as the hearing went on, it became clear just how difficult the task will become under strict time constraints and in a politically-charged environment. Most Members shifted their focus toward reforming the corporate code, since it will likely be more politically feasible. Co-chair Jeb Hensarling (TX) stated, "Fundamental tax reform, even if limited to American businesses, can result in both revenues for economic growth and jobs for the American people." By lowering the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 25 percent and by eliminating loopholes, Hensarling said that 2.1 million jobs would be created over ten years. ."'We trace this mortality effect to cutbacks in life-saving medicines like statins and antihypertensives, for which clinical trials show large mortality benefits,' the researchers wrote. … Continued

  • For Capitol Hill Staff

    In the meantime, many Members of Congress will be holding town hall meetings to address the questions and concerns of their constituents. TSCL encourages its members and supporters to attend these town halls and to ask questions of their elected officials about important Social Security and Medicare issues, like the following four… .Other countries, such as Britain, take a more head-on approach: a national body does a cost-benefit analysis regarding the price at which a new drug is worth being made available to its citizens. Health authorities then use that information to negotiate with a drug maker on price and to develop a national reimbursement plan. .Did you wind up owing federal income tax last year or this tax season due to the effects of the Making Work Pay Tax Credit? TSCL is concerned that senior taxpayers were disproportionately affected by implementation problems of the Making Work Pay Tax Credit, and is conducting an online to survey to learn how they were affected. … Continued

Doc Fix for Medicare Providers – Establish a permanent solution in order to bring greater stability to doctor reimbursements, ensuring continued access. .The TSCL legislative team continues to work diligently to promote the issues affecting our members. While much of this week's success was focused on current bills, our team also strives to stay on top of forth-coming legislation yet to be formally introduced. The work of our committed legislative team enables TSCL to keep capable eyes and ears on Congress' inner-workings to better represent the concerns of our valued members. .TSCL believes Congress must ensure stronger protections of Social Security in order to prevent payments based on illegal work. TSCL supports legislation that would prevent Social Security credit being earned without legal status such as (S.95) introduced by Senator David Vitter (LA). Sources: "Status of Totalization Agreements," Social Security Administration, October 22, 200"Social Security Benefits for Noncitizens," Congressional Research Service, July 20, 2006. .We are reading a lot these days about "Greedy Geezers." The term is used to describe supposedly self-centered seniors who insist that elected lawmakers get their HANDS OFF! Social Security and Medicare. These affluent old codgers are reportedly bankrupting the nation, leaving nothing but crushing debt and taxes for the nation's children. .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. .Should seniors with Medigap supplements that provide "first dollar coverage" be required to pay more up-front? Should Medicare continue to pay for services based on medical necessity, or should the government change to a system "based on evidence of the value of services?" Congress may be debating these questions this month when the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) issues its June report to Congress. The idea is to make Medicare beneficiaries "think twice" before scheduling doctor, outpatient services, or hospital stays in order to reduce government spending on Medicare. .Although home health workers are one of the fastest-growing segments of the labor market, they typically earn about ,000 per year, often without benefits. .With respect to Ad Servers: The Senior Citizens League does not partner with or have special relationships with any ad server companies. From time to time, we may use customer information for new, unanticipated uses not previously disclosed in our privacy notice. If our information practices change at some time in the future we will post the policy changes to our website to notify you of these changes and provide you with the ability to opt-out of these new uses. If you are concerned about how your information is used, you should check back at our website periodically. .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)).