Using Generic Drugs Could Save Billions of Dollars .Survey participants also support making changes to modestly increase benefits by using a senior CPI, the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), to determine the annual cost of living adjustment (COLA), and to provide a boost of about per month. TSCL is meeting with Members of Congress to enact these changes. With 73% of survey participants reporting that their household expenses in 2015 rose by more than a month, while average Social Security benefits are stuck around ,250 due to low or no COLAs, TSCL is making a strong case that older Americans need a raise! .Which Medigap plan is best for you? To learn about Medigap plans and the coverage they offer you can find a chart comparing the coverage of plans A through N in the "2016 Medicare & You" publication on page 10You can download a copy online at www.Medicare.gov or call 1-800-Medicare ( 7) to request a copy. .This week, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) held a hearing on rising prescription drug costs. In addition, The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) saw two key bills gain support in the House of Representatives. .More than 61 million people, including adults age 65 and older, and younger disabled adults who receive Social Security disability benefits, get their healthcare coverage though Medicare.[3] The Social Security hold harmless provision protects about 70 percent of beneficiaries (almost 43 million beneficiaries) from increases in the Medicare Part B premium that exceed the dollar amount of their COLA. When an individual's Part B premium increases more than the dollar amount of his or her COLA, the Part B premium is reduced to prevent a reduction in net Social Security benefits from one year to the next. .On Wednesday, just hours before funding for the federal government was set to expire, Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR) to avoid a shutdown like the one that occurred two years ago. The temporary fix will provide enough funding to last through December 11th. .How would seniors go about improving Social Security's financing in the future? A clear majority, 67% strongly agree that it would be fair to require workers to pay Social Security taxes on all of their income rather than letting some pay nothing on income over 0,000. More than 42% strongly agree that with Americans living longer, it would be fair to raise the age for full retirement very gradually, by two months per year to age 69 for people who are age 49 and younger. TSCL was inundated with email comments, and what you're saying should give incumbents pause. .Ticket to ride. If you still drive, consider issuing "Tickets to Ride" to friends or family members who don't drive any more. Type or hand letter tickets on colorful construction paper. Offer rides to doctor visits, stores, or even to visit out-of-town friends and relatives. If you are handy with the computer and want fancier artwork, do an online search for "free ticket artwork." You can find a number of free images that you can copy for your own use. .We want to begin this week's update by reminding you to seriously consider seeing your health care provider if you have been putting it off because of the pandemic. That is especially true if you have a serious health condition and you need treatment or close monitoring.