News

  • Rx Surprise Medical Bills

    TSCL Supports New Legislation .The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that spending for Social Security, Medicare, other major healthcare programs, defense, and interest payments alone would require every dollar of revenue in about eight years, leaving nothing left over for the rest of the federal budget. The CBO further says that federal debt cannot grow faster than the nation's output indefinitely without causing long-term damage to the government's finances and broader economy. .Judge Rules Hospitals Must Disclose Prices … Continued

  • Ask The Advisor November 2010 Advisor

    If you're like most seniors, you probably depend on Social Security for at least half of your income. But how well does the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) protect you from rising costs? TSCL will soon release some answers to this question with the results of its 7th Annual Survey of Senior Costs. In recent years these surveys have indicated that Social Security beneficiaries lose a considerable portion of their buying power — as much as 31 percent — in as little as the first decade of retirement. .What is the full retirement age for Social Security? .New retirees often fail to understand just how rising Medicare costs can result in less Social Security income than anticipated. The Social Security Administration automatically deducts premiums for Medicare Part B from Social Security benefits. This year, the Part B premium is 4.00 per month for retirees with incomes under ,000 and the Medicare Trustees estimate it will rise to 5.50 for 2019. … Continued

TSCL Estimates 2019 Social Security COLA .Mr. Kluck and The Senior Citizens League's legislative team met with several congressional offices — including the offices of House Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Phil Roe (TN-1) and House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman John Larson (CT-1) — to discuss goals and strategies for the 116th Congress, which officially began on January 3rd, 2019. .A majority of those at this week's hearings, however, were strongly opposed to the IPAB. Multiple Members referred to it as the "denial of care board," and Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee Frank Pallone (NJ) called it the fruits of a "growing, imperialistic presidency." Critics believe that it will undermine Congress's ability to represent their constituents, and that elected officials — not a Board of Presidential appointees — should be legislating healthcare policy. .This week, The Senior Citizens League was pleased to see support grow for three important bills that would strengthen the Social Security program and reduce prescription drug prices for Medicare Part D beneficiaries if signed into law. .In the months ahead, TSCL's legislative team will closely monitor proposals that would impact older Americans, and we will continue to advocate for legislation that would strengthen and modernize the Social Security and Medicare programs responsibly, without enacting harsh benefit cuts. .Starting a new medication can sometimes take you by surprise when drug plans don't cover the drug or charge higher co-pays than you can afford. If you're having trouble covering the cost of your medicine, here are some things to try: .A Fifth Coronavirus Relief Bill Unveiled in the House of Representatives .The Part D doughnut hole will be "closed" in 2020, but that doesn't mean that your out-of-pocket spending will stop. To the contrary, an unprecedented spike in Medicare's required out-of-pocket costs means you may pay more than you did in 201You will hit the former coverage gap around October or November, depending on whether the price of your prescription goes up. .The main purpose for the Senate's return was to work on confirming to office many of the appointments of the Trump administration. These include leaders of many government departments as well as judicial appointments.