The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) the agency within the Department of Labor that gathers information about prices that consumers pay in order to determine the inflation rate, and therefore the COLA for next year, has let it be known that because of the virus they are going to have to estimate some of the costs of goods and services instead of finding out what they actually are. .What happens when Congress waits too long to address a Social Security funding crisis? Deeper benefit cuts, sudden tax increases, and glitches in the implementation of reforms that can lead to significant benefit inequities between people close to each other in age. Consider the case of the Social. Benefit Bulletin: June 2013 What Caused The Social Security Notch? .TSCL believes that while the proposal may be a sensible first step, it doesn't go far enough. Before individuals can enroll in Medicare Advantage or Part D plans, they must be enrolled in Medicare Part B and have a Medicare number. How illegal immigrants obtain that number, and whether they are properly enrolled in Medicare Part B, are two key questions. "To prevent ineligible people from receiving benefits, the responsibility lies with the 'gatekeeper' and that's the federal government," says TSCL's Executive Director, Shannon Benton. "The Social Security Administration and Medicare need to do more to prevent illegal immigrants from getting Medicare numbers to begin with," Benton says. "In addition, both Medicare and private health and drug plans need up-to-date and accurate verification systems in place to determine whether beneficiaries are legally present when they receive services," she adds. .This is a much longer legislative update than usual but there is a lot of information about the pricing of prescription drugs that we believe is important for you to know and that you might be interested in. .Understand the type of Medicare options available to you. You can receive coverage for the costs that Medicare does not pay in two main ways: through a Medicare supplemental (sometimes called Medigap) or through a newer Medicare Advantage managed care plan, like an HMO or PPO. Both types of plans cover medically necessary hospitalization as well as doctors' and outpatient services. Many, but not all, Medicare Advantage plans also offer Part D prescription drug coverage. There are significant differences between these two types of plans that affect what you pay out-of-pocket. And those differences are often buried in all the tedious-to-read fine print. .Recommended reading: "Get What's Yours - The Secrets to Maxing Out Your Social Security," Laurence J. Kotlikoff, Philip Moeller, Paul Solman, and "How to Make Your Money Last: The Indispensable Retirement Guide," Jane Bryant Quinn. .In 2005 the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report documenting the growth of the ESF saying a number of factors contribute to the earnings reports, particularly minimal work site immigration enforcement(16) efforts. The GAO also reported that the percentage of foreign-born persons receiving reinstatements has grown dramatically over time from about 8% in 1986 to nearly 21% in 200The country of birth of foreign-born receiving the greatest number reinstatements is Mexico. .Three Key Bills Re-Introduced in Congress .TSCL's members and supporters are sending in thousands of petition signatures to fight the cuts that threaten senior benefits. Senior voter outcry, especially in an election year, is a highly effective means to make lawmakers wary of making major changes.