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  • What Is The Notch

    One glitch that trapped working seniors during the 2010 tax season involved the 0 economic stimulus payment beneficiaries received if they were getting Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), railroad retirement or veterans' disability compensation. The 0 payment reduced the Making Work Pay Tax Credit that working seniors could claim to a maximum of 0 (individual) or 0 (joint). The IRS withholding tables that employers used in 2009 and 2010, however, did not adjust for those payments. Compounding the problems for seniors, the problematic IRS withholding tables also allowed reduced withholdings for pensions — even though pension income was not even eligible for the credit. .Lawmakers Adjourn for Holiday Recess .A recent study by TSCL, which examines the price changes in the goods and services typically purchased by retirees, found that Social Security benefits lost 30 percent of their buying power since 2000. The loss of buying power jumped 7 percent in just one year, rising from 23 percent in 2016, to 30 percent in 201The steep one-year loss of buying power occurred as costs rose far more rapidly than the COLA and it is an early indication that the COLA for 2018 will likely be higher than usual. … Continued

  • Category Congressional Corner Page 2

    The witnesses at this hearing defended a number of payment provisions that may expire if Congress doesn't act soon, including add-on payments for mental health and ambulance services, and hold harmless payments for rural hospitals. When looked at separately the costs of these provisions seem minor, but if each of them were to expire at the end of this year, the federal government would save billion. The potential savings attracted most at the hearing, but Ranking Member Pete Stark (CA) reminded the Subcommittee that many of the provisions "ensure critical access to needy Medicare beneficiaries." ."The last thing struggling Americans need right now is a secret panel designed to slash their earned benefits and further undermine their economic security," House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal (D-Mass.) said in a statement. "I wholeheartedly object to the TRUST Act and will fight against its nefarious inclusion in any upcoming relief package." .However, MA insurers have already begun taking steps to reduce their costs in order to account for the cuts from CMS. As was noted in last week's legislative update, UnitedHealth – one of the largest MA plan providers – has dropped thousands of doctors from its networks, leaving many seniors doctor-less. It expects its physician network to be 85 percent of its pre-Obamacare size by the end of this year. TSCL is concerned that additional cuts to MA in 2015 will harm beneficiaries in other ways, by driving up premiums and reducing benefits. … Continued

TSCL would like to remind you that Members of both the House and the Senate will remain in their home states and districts until Monday, September 10th. We encourage you to contact your Members of Congress to request their support for fair cost-of-living adjustments, Notch fairness, and other issues affecting seniors. .In short, there are two main obstacles to the "Pelosi" bill to lower drug prices: overcoming objections from House Democratic progressives and getting through the Republican opposition in the Senate. .It will take true leadership in Congress and the White House to save Medicare and face the reality of the situation: if we do nothing, which has been the status quo for years, Medicare as we know it will cease to exist. I am committed to doing all that can be done to ensure a strong and healthy Medicare program for America's seniors. .We worked with members of Congress who supported ending the practice, although we were unable to get legislation passed. One of our key allies in the fight was Sen. Lamar Alexander (R- Tenn.). He was a champion of our cause but, unfortunately, he is retiring at the end of this year. We will certainly miss his leadership on the issue but we pledge to continue to fight to end the practice in 2021. .Alexandria, VA (June 17, 2013) Seniors are closely following the debate over Social Security, and a new survey indicates strong support for two major changes that could restore Social Security's long-term solvency. The survey, conducted by The Senior Citizens League (TSCL), one of the nation's largest nonpartisan seniors groups, found that 52% of seniors strongly favor, and another 30% somewhat favor, raising the Social Security maximum taxable wage base. In addition, 87% support banning the use of earnings from jobs worked under invalid and fraudulent Social Security numbers by unauthorized immigrant workers to determine entitlement to Social Security and other federal benefits. .Offsets Complicate SGR Talks .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. .CMS Announces Preliminary MA Payment Changes .These bills would enable retired school teachers, university employees and thousands of civil servants to receive all of the Social Security pensions for which they are entitled. A Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) have long limited the full aid that these beneficiaries merit.