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    THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY & MEDICARE
    ~ Trusted ~ Independent ~ Effective ~

    November 15, 2011

    NEWS RELEASE

    Means Testing Medicare Targets More than Just "Wealthy" Retirees

    "Some members of the Congressional Super Committee apparently believe retirees who own their house or have saved for their retirement shouldn't receive their full benefits in Medicare because they're considered 'wealthy'. Yet when it comes to tax breaks and loopholes, Americans earning a quarter of a million dollars aren't considered 'wealthy' by the same fiscal hawks now gunning for benefit cuts. The double-standard is clear.

    Means testing middle-class benefit programs not only shifts costs to seniors, it will actually impact far more than just 'wealthy' retirees as more and more middle income Americans will be hit with growing premiums. Under some means testing proposals, people with incomes as low as $40,000 would face higher Medicare costs.   Affected seniors who pay both Part B and Part D premiums could see their combined rates rise anywhere from $300 to $700 per month.

    For too long, American taxpayers have subsidized tax breaks for millionaires and corporations while at the same time some on Capitol Hill argue 'we can't afford' the benefits earned by middle-class Americans.  Wall Street financed lobbyists continue their clarion call for the Super Committee to "go big" which really just means imposing big benefit cuts onto generations of working Americans to pay for economic policies that continue to enrich the wealthiest 1 % .  When someone says they want the wealthy to pay more in Medicare, our first response should be 'define wealthy' because the truth is, means testing Medicare simply shifts costs to average Americans to pay for policies that benefit those who really are rich."  Max Richtman, NCPSSM President/CEO

     

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    The National Committee, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization acts in the interests of its membership through advocacy, education, services, grassroots efforts and the leadership of the Board of Directors and professional staff. The work of the National Committee is directed toward developing better-informed citizens and voters.

    Media Inquiries to:
    Pamela Causey 202-216-8378/202-236-2123
    Kim Wright 202-216-8414
    www.ncpssm.org