News

  • Legislative Update Week Ending June 1 2018

    Stories About High Drug Costs Lead To Congressional Investigation of Pharmaceutical Pricing .Negotiations thus far seem to be moving slowly, and it remains to be seen whether or not the conferees will reach an agreement before the looming deadline. TSCL will keep a close eye on the evolving negotiations, and we will continue to inform the conferees about the harms that would result from including harsh benefit cuts in a budget package. For updates, visit the Legislative News section of our website. .The report adds that, "The pharmaceutical industry has already shattered records this year, spending an unprecedented million to lobby the federal government in the first three months of this year, according to the CSP, including .7 million from PhRMA. Stephen Ubl, the CEO of PhRMA, criticized H.R. 3 last month, claiming it would ‘destroy an estimated one million American jobs.' The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the biggest lobbying spender this year, has also come out against the bill, comparing it to ‘government price controls' and claiming it would cost hundreds of thousands of jobs. … Continued

  • Social Security Medicare Questions October 2013

    Funding concerns are one of the key reasons TSCL is relieved SSA has decided to remove the text requirement from the login process. Without online access, more seniors than ever would have been relying on their local Social Security offices, and under-staffed offices would surely have been overwhelmed with requests. .In 2007 an analysis released by TSCL estimated that if 6 million illegal workers were to gain work authorization it would cost Social Security alone more than .6 trillion in benefits through 204Under current law, if illegal immigrants get work authorization at some point they could file claim for Social Security benefits. Currently the Social Security Administration uses all reported earnings to determine entitlement to benefits, including earnings for jobs worked illegally if the worker has kept evidence, like W2s, of earnings. .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. … Continued

I heard that Medicare would be mailing new cards. When can I expect to get mine? .Their new estimate says that universal masking in the U.S. could save some 130,000 lives by the end of February. .What's Missing From Your 2015 Social Security Check? About 3 Says The Senior Citizens League .Senate Adopts Budget Resolution .You might be able to avoid doing so. Coronavirus stimulus legislation (CARES Act) that was signed into law in March waives required minimum distributions (RMDs) in 2020 for anyone who owns a 401(k), 403(b), or IRA. Instead of taking money from your retirement accounts this year, retirees can wait, or take less, to give investments time to recover. That's helpful, because most RMDs are based on the value of your retirement accounts on December 31st of the previous year. .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. .TSCL is working to convince Congress to enact a bill that provides an emergency COLA. The organization supports the Seniors and Veterans Emergency (SAVE) Benefits Act (S. 2251, H.R. 4144), which would provide Social Security beneficiaries with a one-time emergency COLA of 3.9 percent. For the average retiree, the emergency COLA would amount to around 0 dollars. To learn more, visit . .For years, the age at which an individual could receive full, unreduced Social Security benefits was 6Since the passage of the 1983 amendments to the Social Security Act, the age has increased very gradually. The current full retirement age is 66 and it is slowly rising to 67 for people born after 195Benefits can be claimed as early as 62; however, doing so will result in a reduced benefit. For example, if someone was born in 1945 and claimed benefits at 62, their benefits were reduced by 25%. If someone who is born after 1959 collects benefits at 62, their benefits will be reduced by 30%. Some economists have proposed increasing the early retirement age, currently age 62, as well as the full retirement age. .Again, according to Bloomberg News, "Manufacturers have to offer Medicaid plans their lowest possible price under federal regulations in order to participate in other federal drug programs, which is likely why the Medicaid prices are so low."