Many observers believe the plan will likely include a combination of tax increases and benefit cuts for Social Security. Some of the most commonly mentioned proposals are: (1) switching to the chained Consumer Price Index (CPI) to calculate Social Security COLAs; (2) lifting or raising the cap on income which is subject to Social Security taxes; and (3) raising the Social Security retirement age. Switching to the chained CPI alone would both reduce initial benefits and cut lifetime Social Security benefits by more than 10%. .If signed into law, the PRIME Act would take a number of steps to prevent and reduce fraud, waste, and abuse within the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Among other things, it would enact stronger fraud penalties, curb mistaken payments by the agencies, phase out the ineffective "pay and chase" practice, reduce the theft of physician identities, and improve the sharing of fraud data among states, agencies, and programs. .Although we didn't hear what we had hoped to hear during our visits, at least we know where things stand and what must be done if anything is to be passed regarding lowering drug prices. TSCL will continue pressing Members of Congress to get drug price legislation passed but we will need the help of every TSCL supporter to get on the phone or send an email to your Senators and let them know you want something done this year. You can contact your Members office through our website at , or call toll free (the call will be paid for by The Senior Citizens League) at 844-455-0045. .An abrupt jump in inflation in February and March of this year wiped out a short-lived improvement in the buying power of Social Security benefits in 2020, according to TSCL's latest study on rising senior costs. The study, which compares the growth in the Social Security cost of living adjustments (COLA)s with increases in the costs of goods and services typically used by retirees, found that, while consumer prices flatlined in 2020 through January 2021, costs are now sharply increasing. .The Notch years are 1917 through 1926, but this is subject to some controversy. To read more detail, click here: What is the "Notch"? .Action on Capitol Hill remained slow as Members of both the House and Senate spent the final week of the month-long recess in their home states and districts. Members of Congress are expected to return to Washington on Monday, September 10th. .The fact is there isn't much information yet— even though doctors and their staff are reporting huge amounts of data mandated by the 2010 health law. Based on what I've been able to learn, the Administration is still tinkering with the system. .If these aren't challenges enough, The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) recently estimated that the Social Security benefits of the first wave of baby boomers have taken a hit from the economic downturn. Due to two years of no cost-of-living-adjustments (COLAs), and lower than expected COLAs, as well as an unprecedented drop in wages over the past decade, retiring seniors' benefits based on average earnings could be impacted as much as ,000. This impact is compounded when the losses in personal retirement savings and 401(k) plans are accounted for. .We were also told that the Congressman is working on further legislation to raise benefits and further extend solvency which he plans on introducing later this year. We will report on that new bill whenever it is introduced.