Archive for October, 2007
Fires, Floods and the “Vicissitudes of Life”
Thursday, October 25th, 2007”We can never insure 100 percent of the population against 100 percent of the hazards and vicissitudes of life”…Franklin Delano RooseveltIt was true 73 years ago and as this week’s devastating fires in Southern California remind us, it’s still true today. But whether it’s destructive flames on the West coast or devastating floods in the [...]
COLA Can’t Keep Up
Friday, October 19th, 2007The Social Security Administration has announced a 2.3% cost of living adjustment for the more than 50 million Americans receiving Social Security in 2008. This adds about $24.00 to the average monthly Social Security check of $1,055 and is the lowest increase in four years. “Rising healthcare costs, including Medicare Part B premiums and prescription [...]
Falling Down the Rabbit Hole…
Tuesday, October 16th, 2007We have to admit to being more than just a little confused when we read press coverage of yesterday’s baby boomer event at the National Press Club. Just in case you missed it, the nation’s first baby boomer, Kathleen Casey-Kirschling, filed online for Social Security benefits yesterday to much hoopla. But what was truly unexpected [...]
Building the Case for Privatization
Tuesday, October 16th, 2007By Barbara B. Kennelly, President/CEOThe National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare The Bush administration continues its ongoing campaign to build a case for the same discredited Social Security “reforms” already rejected by Congress and the American people. This second Treasury Department report on Social Security continues the administration’s intergenerational warfare propaganda by attempting [...]
Seniors or Insurers?
Tuesday, October 2nd, 2007The Senate is currently searching for money from the Medicare program to prevent next year’s cut in doctors’ reimbursements. If you needed to cut billions of dollars from Medicare which of these options would you choose? Eliminate all or part of the $54 billion in government subsidies going to private insurers in the Medicare Advantage [...]
It’s More Than Just Nickels and Dimes
Tuesday, October 2nd, 2007So you probably saw the headline this morning… “Medicare Premiums Up 3.1%” …and thought ‘hey that’s not so bad’. At least that what CMS hopes you think. But Medicare premiums are just one part of the picture. Seniors are also facing higher co-payments, out of pocket costs, rising prescription drug fees and doughnut holes. In [...]