House GOP Says –Killing Obamacare Didn’t Work So Let’s Cut Medicare Instead
Congressman Paul “Never Pass Up a Chance to Cut Benefits” Ryan’s latest deficit scheme adds a new set of hostages to the ongoing debt ceiling/government shutdown crises created by House Republicans. Since the GOP wasn’t successful in withholding health insurance to millions of Americans already benefiting from Obamacare their new fallback position is to cut benefits for middle-class seniors in Medicare.
Seems their promise that the GOP “has to get something” but they “don’t even know what it is” is still their game plan. In the meantime our government remains shut down and the threat of default looms.
While Ryan continues to pretend that his plan to further means-test Medicare only impacts the wealthy the truth (as usual) is quite different. Further means-testing Medicare would hit 25% of beneficiaries…not just the wealthy. In fact, a study from the Kaiser Family Foundation found that this would affect individuals with incomes equivalent to $47,000 – meaning it would reach many middle-income Americans.
According to Ryan’s logic: when it comes to seniors who depend on Social Security and Medicare: $47,000 means you’re wealthy. But, remember the tax debate? Ryan and his conservative pals argued then that earning $250,000 didn’t even qualify as being wealthy. However, now middle-class seniors in Medicare are being threatened by GOP hostage takers with benefit cuts.
GOP Should Shut Down the Chained CPI
Originally posted on Huffington Post.
Max Richtman, President/CEO
National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
It took only two days into the latest self-inflicted congressional crisis before Republicans on Capitol Hill resuscitated their zombie-like “grand bargain” scheme. Since their plan to defund Obamacare hasn’t worked and the government shut down because of it, the GOP has now pivoted to the next best thing on their ideological wish list, benefit cuts for millions of middle-class Americans who depend on Social Security and Medicare.
The GOP’s political gamesmanship and stated goal of “getting something” from this debacle has shifted the House leadership’s attention to so-called “entitlement reform,” which means benefit cuts targeting seniors including: Social Security Chained CPI, extending means testing in Medicare to the middle class, raising the retirement and eligibility ages, and ending traditional Medicare in favor of Rep. Paul Ryan’s “Couponcare” plan. Each of these ideas shares the same fundamental flaw, requiring the still struggling middle-class to pay down our deficit while giving the wealthiest Americans a pass. However, the Chained CPI plan to change the formula which calculates the cost of living adjustment for seniors, veterans and people with disabilities is the most insidious of these proposals. Here’s why the Chained CPI is so devastating, not only to seniors but to our economy as well.
While some in Washington portray this benefit cut as nothing more than a “technical tweak,” the truth is that it would be a benefit cut imposed on the oldest and most vulnerable Americans who would be least able to afford it. In our new National Committee Foundation report, produced in consultation with economist Dean Baker, we’ve also clearly shown that the Chained CPI will have a huge impact on local businesses, state economies and our national economic recovery. “The Chained CPI: Shackling America’s Economic Recovery,” provides a detailed look at what the adoption of a stingier cost of 
living adjustment really means for communities and states. This study uses the Congressional Budget Office projections for cuts to national spending to estimate cuts that would be made in each congressional district, based on the Social Security Administration’s data on Social Security spending by congressional district. It also makes projections for the economic impact on the reduction in output as well as the jobs lost in each district. The results are striking.
The negative impact of the Chained CPI should not be ignored or trivialized. This new analysis clearly illustrates just how harmful this COLA cut will be to seniors as well as state economies and local businesses. Adoption of this so-called “tweak” could mean the loss of $31 billion in economic output and more than 200,000 jobs nationwide. Washington’s blind determination to cut Social Security benefits in the name of deficit reduction must be stopped and those who continue to peddle the Chained CPI should now explain to American workers, retirees and their families how losing billions of dollars in economic output and hundreds of thousands of jobs is a ‘modest adjustment’ we should accept.
While Washington’s well-financed austerity lobby has downplayed the economic impact of losing billions in benefits spent in local communities due to the chained-CPI, step outside the Beltway and state lawmakers and business owners alike understand what this benefit cut would mean. That’s why this study applies these calculations to each congressional district. It’s time members of Congress see in clear dollars and cents what the Chained CPI actually means to their communities and constituents. Many districts with large populations of retirees would be especially hard-hit by these cuts.
In Florida’s 16th congressional district, which includes Sarasota and other cities along the Gulf Coast, the benefit cuts would be $6.1 million in 2015, $53.3 million in 2020, and $87.7 million in 2023. This implies a loss of output in the district of $8.9 million in 2015, $80.2 million in 2020, and $127.2 million in 2023. The job loss would be 70 in 2015, 550 in 2020, and 780 in 2023.
In Pennsylvania’s 12th congressional district, a largely rural area in the southwest corner of the states, the benefit cuts would be $5.0 million in 2015, $44.9 million in 2020, and $71.3 million in 2023. This implies a loss of output in the district of $7.2 million in 2015, $65.2 million in 2020, and $103.3 million in 2023. The job loss would be 60 in 2015, 440 in 2020, and 630 in 2023.
Given the economy’s slow rebound, is this really their plan to strengthen America? Is there any community which can afford to lose millions of dollars and hundreds of jobs over the next decade? This is also at stake if the chained CPI is adopted.
Real dollars, real jobs and real damage to our economy.
Follow Max Richtman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/maxrichtman
Chained CPI Threatens Recovering Economy
New Economic Analysis Shows Billion$ of Dollars and Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs Would Be Lost While Seniors, Veterans & Disabled Put At Risk
The National Committee Foundation has released a startling new report today which details, state by state and Congressional District by District, the true
economic impact of adopting a new formula called the “Chained CPI” to measure annual cost of living adjustments (COLA). While some in Washington portray this benefit cut as nothing more than a “technical tweak” the truth is it would be a benefit cut imposed on the oldest and most vulnerable Americans who would be least able to afford it.
Our report, “The Chained CPI: Shackling America’s Economic Recovery,” was created in consultation with economist Dean Baker and provides a detailed look at what the adoption of a stingier cost of living adjustment really means for communities and states.
“The negative impact of the Chained CPI should not be ignored or trivialized. This new analysis clearly illustrates just how harmful this COLA cut will be to seniors as well as state economies and local businesses. Washington’s blind determination to cut Social Security benefits in the name of deficit reduction must be stopped and those who continue to peddle the Chained CPI should now explain to American workers, retirees and their families how losing up to $31 billion in economic output and more than 200,000 jobs nationwide is a ‘modest adjustment’ we should accept.” Max Richtman, NCPSSM President/CEO
“Social Security plays an enormously important role in stabilizing the economy during a downturn. It maintains a flow of income to a group of people (the elderly and disabled) who will overwhelmingly spend it. In this way it sustains demand and consumption. The downturn we have seen since 2007 would have undoubtedly been far more severe without Social Security altogether. Any measure that reduces benefits would lessen the stabilizing role that Social Security plays.” Dean Baker, Co-Director Center for Economic and Policy Research
“The Chained CPI: Shackling America’s Economic Recovery,” uses CBO projections to calculate state and Congressional district level impact of the Chained CPI proposal. Many districts with large senior populations would be especially hard-hit by the Chained CPI cuts, top among those:
In Pennsylvania’s 12th congressional district, a largely rural area in the southwest corner of the states, the benefit cuts would be $5.0 million in 2015, $44.9 million in 2020, and $71.3 million in 2023. This would imply a loss of output in the district of $7.2 million in 2015, $65.2 million in 2020, and $103.3 million in 2023. The implied job loss would be 60 in 2015, 440 in 2020, and 630 in 2023.
In Florida’s 16th congressional district, which includes Sarasota and other cities along the Gulf Coast, the benefit cuts would be $6.1 million in 2015, $53.3 million in 2020, and $87.7 million in 2023. This would imply a loss of output in the district of $8.9 million in 2015, $80.2 million in 2020, and $127.2 million in 2023. The implied job loss would be 70 in 2015, 550 in 2020, and 780 in 2023.
Congressman Ted Deutsch is a champion of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid on Capitol Hill. His legislation extends the solvency of Social Security – without raising the retirement age or slashing benefits – and finally guarantees adequate and accurate cost of living adjustments each year.
“We’ve heard the Chained CPI just slows COLA growth but this cut actually hurts not only seniors but also the communities where they live. No matter how you try, you simply can’t make this proposal sound reasonable to seniors, veterans, the disabled and their families. Losing billions in output, hundreds of thousands of job and taking a step backward in our economy at this moment simply doesn’t make sense. We’ve got to make some changes for Social Security’s long-term solvency and we can do that. But the problem isn’t lavish benefits to seniors.” Rep. Ted Deutsch (D-FL)
While Washington’s well-financed austerity lobby has downplayed the economic impact of losing billions in benefits spent in local communities due to the chained-CPI, step outside the Beltway and state lawmakers and business owners alike understand what this benefit cut would mean:
“Social Security is invaluable not only to our senior citizens, but to our economy. We must stand firm against any change that imperils both our seniors and our economy. Benefit changes that lead to a loss in purchasing power and employment would be detrimental to both national and local economies.” New Jersey Assemblywoman Celeste M. Riley
Abraham Kapusuz owns the Green Olive restaurant in Bridgeton, New Jersey. The vast majority of his patrons depend on Social Security and he knows first hand what a cut in benefits would mean to his customers and his business:
“I’ve talked with many of my customers about the chained CPI proposal and they are 100% opposed. Not only would they feel a big pinch in the wallets, but my employees could be hurt too. If I have fewer customers, I obviously can’t keep a payroll of 50 people so some staff would lose their jobs. The chained CPI sounds like a lose-lose proposition. It will hurt my customers, it will hurt me and it will harm my local economy.” Abraham Kapusuz, small business owner
A full breakdown of the economic and employment impact of the Chained CPI, by state and each Congressional District, can be found on the National Committee Foundation’s website.
Government Shutdown Eve
By all accounts, it looks like a government shutdown could happen this time, even if for a brief time. The Senate and the President won’t acquiesce to demands to stop Obamacare implementation that begins tomorrow morning, yet the House GOP continues to make the same demands. So, let’s put into perspective what this really means for seniors.
House Republicans want:
To Return Higher Drug Costs for Seniors
No Free Preventive Visits and Screenings
9 years of solvency taken from the Medicare Trust Fund
Raise Part B Premiums
Eliminate extra waste fraud and abuse efforts in Medicare
These are just some of the added Medicare benefits which have already been enacted and enjoyed by millions of seniors thanks to the passage of Obamacare. However, the House GOP is willing to shut down the government, regardless of the negative economic impacts to follow, rather than allow these benefits to stand.
There are some rumblings that the GOP might come back with yet another set of demands after the Senate acts tonight. The House leadership is already staging the next (they believe more win-able) threat to our government…the debt ceiling fight. Here are just a few of the items on the GOP debt ceiling ransom list :
· One Year Debt Limit Increase
o Not a dollar amount increase, but suspending the debt limit until the end of December 2014.
§ Similar to what we did earlier this year.
o Want the year long delay to align with the year long delay of Obamacare.
· One Year Obamacare delay
· Tax Reform Instructions
o Similar to a bill we passed last fall, laying out broad from Ryan Budget principles for what tax reform should look like.
o Gives fast track authority for tax reform legislation
· Energy and regulatory reforms to promote economic growth
o Includes pretty much every jobs bill we have passed this year and last Congress
o All of these policies have important positive economic effects.
o Energy provisions
§ Keystone Pipeline
§ Coal Ash regulations
§ Offshore drilling
§ Energy production on federal lands
§ EPA Carbon regulations
o Regulatory reform
§ REINS Act
§ Regulatory process reform
§ Consent decree reform
§ Blocking Net Neutrality
· Mandatory Spending Reforms
o Mostly from the sequester replacement bills we passed last year
o Federal Employee retirement reform
o Ending the Dodd Frank bailout fund
o Transitioning CFPB funding to Appropriations
o Child Tax Credit Reform to prevent fraud
o Repealing the Social Services Block grant
· Health Spending Reforms
o Means testing Medicare
o Repealing a Medicaid Provider tax gimmick
o Tort reform
o Altering Disproportion Share Hospitals
o Repealing the Public Health trust Fund
We say enough is enough. That’s why the National Committee joined 41 other groups telling Congress we’ll continue to stand against those who want to hold our economy hostage in order to dictate the terms of debate.
House GOP Says –Killing Obamacare Didn’t Work So Let’s Cut Medicare Instead
Congressman Paul “Never Pass Up a Chance to Cut Benefits” Ryan’s latest deficit scheme adds a new set of hostages to the ongoing debt ceiling/government shutdown crises created by House Republicans. Since the GOP wasn’t successful in withholding health insurance to millions of Americans already benefiting from Obamacare their new fallback position is to cut benefits for middle-class seniors in Medicare.
Seems their promise that the GOP “has to get something” but they “don’t even know what it is” is still their game plan. In the meantime our government remains shut down and the threat of default looms.
While Ryan continues to pretend that his plan to further means-test Medicare only impacts the wealthy the truth (as usual) is quite different. Further means-testing Medicare would hit 25% of beneficiaries…not just the wealthy. In fact, a study from the Kaiser Family Foundation found that this would affect individuals with incomes equivalent to $47,000 – meaning it would reach many middle-income Americans.
According to Ryan’s logic: when it comes to seniors who depend on Social Security and Medicare: $47,000 means you’re wealthy. But, remember the tax debate? Ryan and his conservative pals argued then that earning $250,000 didn’t even qualify as being wealthy. However, now middle-class seniors in Medicare are being threatened by GOP hostage takers with benefit cuts.
GOP Should Shut Down the Chained CPI
Originally posted on Huffington Post.
Max Richtman, President/CEO
National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
It took only two days into the latest self-inflicted congressional crisis before Republicans on Capitol Hill resuscitated their zombie-like “grand bargain” scheme. Since their plan to defund Obamacare hasn’t worked and the government shut down because of it, the GOP has now pivoted to the next best thing on their ideological wish list, benefit cuts for millions of middle-class Americans who depend on Social Security and Medicare.
The GOP’s political gamesmanship and stated goal of “getting something” from this debacle has shifted the House leadership’s attention to so-called “entitlement reform,” which means benefit cuts targeting seniors including: Social Security Chained CPI, extending means testing in Medicare to the middle class, raising the retirement and eligibility ages, and ending traditional Medicare in favor of Rep. Paul Ryan’s “Couponcare” plan. Each of these ideas shares the same fundamental flaw, requiring the still struggling middle-class to pay down our deficit while giving the wealthiest Americans a pass. However, the Chained CPI plan to change the formula which calculates the cost of living adjustment for seniors, veterans and people with disabilities is the most insidious of these proposals. Here’s why the Chained CPI is so devastating, not only to seniors but to our economy as well.
While some in Washington portray this benefit cut as nothing more than a “technical tweak,” the truth is that it would be a benefit cut imposed on the oldest and most vulnerable Americans who would be least able to afford it. In our new National Committee Foundation report, produced in consultation with economist Dean Baker, we’ve also clearly shown that the Chained CPI will have a huge impact on local businesses, state economies and our national economic recovery. “The Chained CPI: Shackling America’s Economic Recovery,” provides a detailed look at what the adoption of a stingier cost of living adjustment really means for communities and states. This study uses the Congressional Budget Office projections for cuts to national spending to estimate cuts that would be made in each congressional district, based on the Social Security Administration’s data on Social Security spending by congressional district. It also makes projections for the economic impact on the reduction in output as well as the jobs lost in each district. The results are striking.
The negative impact of the Chained CPI should not be ignored or trivialized. This new analysis clearly illustrates just how harmful this COLA cut will be to seniors as well as state economies and local businesses. Adoption of this so-called “tweak” could mean the loss of $31 billion in economic output and more than 200,000 jobs nationwide. Washington’s blind determination to cut Social Security benefits in the name of deficit reduction must be stopped and those who continue to peddle the Chained CPI should now explain to American workers, retirees and their families how losing billions of dollars in economic output and hundreds of thousands of jobs is a ‘modest adjustment’ we should accept.
While Washington’s well-financed austerity lobby has downplayed the economic impact of losing billions in benefits spent in local communities due to the chained-CPI, step outside the Beltway and state lawmakers and business owners alike understand what this benefit cut would mean. That’s why this study applies these calculations to each congressional district. It’s time members of Congress see in clear dollars and cents what the Chained CPI actually means to their communities and constituents. Many districts with large populations of retirees would be especially hard-hit by these cuts.
In Florida’s 16th congressional district, which includes Sarasota and other cities along the Gulf Coast, the benefit cuts would be $6.1 million in 2015, $53.3 million in 2020, and $87.7 million in 2023. This implies a loss of output in the district of $8.9 million in 2015, $80.2 million in 2020, and $127.2 million in 2023. The job loss would be 70 in 2015, 550 in 2020, and 780 in 2023.
In Pennsylvania’s 12th congressional district, a largely rural area in the southwest corner of the states, the benefit cuts would be $5.0 million in 2015, $44.9 million in 2020, and $71.3 million in 2023. This implies a loss of output in the district of $7.2 million in 2015, $65.2 million in 2020, and $103.3 million in 2023. The job loss would be 60 in 2015, 440 in 2020, and 630 in 2023.
Given the economy’s slow rebound, is this really their plan to strengthen America? Is there any community which can afford to lose millions of dollars and hundreds of jobs over the next decade? This is also at stake if the chained CPI is adopted.
Real dollars, real jobs and real damage to our economy.
Follow Max Richtman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/maxrichtman
Chained CPI Threatens Recovering Economy
New Economic Analysis Shows Billion$ of Dollars and Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs Would Be Lost While Seniors, Veterans & Disabled Put At Risk
The National Committee Foundation has released a startling new report today which details, state by state and Congressional District by District, the true economic impact of adopting a new formula called the “Chained CPI” to measure annual cost of living adjustments (COLA). While some in Washington portray this benefit cut as nothing more than a “technical tweak” the truth is it would be a benefit cut imposed on the oldest and most vulnerable Americans who would be least able to afford it.
Our report, “The Chained CPI: Shackling America’s Economic Recovery,” was created in consultation with economist Dean Baker and provides a detailed look at what the adoption of a stingier cost of living adjustment really means for communities and states.
“The negative impact of the Chained CPI should not be ignored or trivialized. This new analysis clearly illustrates just how harmful this COLA cut will be to seniors as well as state economies and local businesses. Washington’s blind determination to cut Social Security benefits in the name of deficit reduction must be stopped and those who continue to peddle the Chained CPI should now explain to American workers, retirees and their families how losing up to $31 billion in economic output and more than 200,000 jobs nationwide is a ‘modest adjustment’ we should accept.” Max Richtman, NCPSSM President/CEO
“Social Security plays an enormously important role in stabilizing the economy during a downturn. It maintains a flow of income to a group of people (the elderly and disabled) who will overwhelmingly spend it. In this way it sustains demand and consumption. The downturn we have seen since 2007 would have undoubtedly been far more severe without Social Security altogether. Any measure that reduces benefits would lessen the stabilizing role that Social Security plays.” Dean Baker, Co-Director Center for Economic and Policy Research
“The Chained CPI: Shackling America’s Economic Recovery,” uses CBO projections to calculate state and Congressional district level impact of the Chained CPI proposal. Many districts with large senior populations would be especially hard-hit by the Chained CPI cuts, top among those:
In Pennsylvania’s 12th congressional district, a largely rural area in the southwest corner of the states, the benefit cuts would be $5.0 million in 2015, $44.9 million in 2020, and $71.3 million in 2023. This would imply a loss of output in the district of $7.2 million in 2015, $65.2 million in 2020, and $103.3 million in 2023. The implied job loss would be 60 in 2015, 440 in 2020, and 630 in 2023.
In Florida’s 16th congressional district, which includes Sarasota and other cities along the Gulf Coast, the benefit cuts would be $6.1 million in 2015, $53.3 million in 2020, and $87.7 million in 2023. This would imply a loss of output in the district of $8.9 million in 2015, $80.2 million in 2020, and $127.2 million in 2023. The implied job loss would be 70 in 2015, 550 in 2020, and 780 in 2023.
Congressman Ted Deutsch is a champion of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid on Capitol Hill. His legislation extends the solvency of Social Security – without raising the retirement age or slashing benefits – and finally guarantees adequate and accurate cost of living adjustments each year.
“We’ve heard the Chained CPI just slows COLA growth but this cut actually hurts not only seniors but also the communities where they live. No matter how you try, you simply can’t make this proposal sound reasonable to seniors, veterans, the disabled and their families. Losing billions in output, hundreds of thousands of job and taking a step backward in our economy at this moment simply doesn’t make sense. We’ve got to make some changes for Social Security’s long-term solvency and we can do that. But the problem isn’t lavish benefits to seniors.” Rep. Ted Deutsch (D-FL)
While Washington’s well-financed austerity lobby has downplayed the economic impact of losing billions in benefits spent in local communities due to the chained-CPI, step outside the Beltway and state lawmakers and business owners alike understand what this benefit cut would mean:
“Social Security is invaluable not only to our senior citizens, but to our economy. We must stand firm against any change that imperils both our seniors and our economy. Benefit changes that lead to a loss in purchasing power and employment would be detrimental to both national and local economies.” New Jersey Assemblywoman Celeste M. Riley
Abraham Kapusuz owns the Green Olive restaurant in Bridgeton, New Jersey. The vast majority of his patrons depend on Social Security and he knows first hand what a cut in benefits would mean to his customers and his business:
“I’ve talked with many of my customers about the chained CPI proposal and they are 100% opposed. Not only would they feel a big pinch in the wallets, but my employees could be hurt too. If I have fewer customers, I obviously can’t keep a payroll of 50 people so some staff would lose their jobs. The chained CPI sounds like a lose-lose proposition. It will hurt my customers, it will hurt me and it will harm my local economy.” Abraham Kapusuz, small business owner
A full breakdown of the economic and employment impact of the Chained CPI, by state and each Congressional District, can be found on the National Committee Foundation’s website.
Government Shutdown Eve
By all accounts, it looks like a government shutdown could happen this time, even if for a brief time. The Senate and the President won’t acquiesce to demands to stop Obamacare implementation that begins tomorrow morning, yet the House GOP continues to make the same demands. So, let’s put into perspective what this really means for seniors.
House Republicans want:
To Return Higher Drug Costs for Seniors
No Free Preventive Visits and Screenings
9 years of solvency taken from the Medicare Trust Fund
Raise Part B Premiums
Eliminate extra waste fraud and abuse efforts in Medicare
These are just some of the added Medicare benefits which have already been enacted and enjoyed by millions of seniors thanks to the passage of Obamacare. However, the House GOP is willing to shut down the government, regardless of the negative economic impacts to follow, rather than allow these benefits to stand.
There are some rumblings that the GOP might come back with yet another set of demands after the Senate acts tonight. The House leadership is already staging the next (they believe more win-able) threat to our government…the debt ceiling fight. Here are just a few of the items on the GOP debt ceiling ransom list :
· One Year Debt Limit Increase
o Not a dollar amount increase, but suspending the debt limit until the end of December 2014.
§ Similar to what we did earlier this year.
o Want the year long delay to align with the year long delay of Obamacare.
· One Year Obamacare delay
· Tax Reform Instructions
o Similar to a bill we passed last fall, laying out broad from Ryan Budget principles for what tax reform should look like.
o Gives fast track authority for tax reform legislation
· Energy and regulatory reforms to promote economic growth
o Includes pretty much every jobs bill we have passed this year and last Congress
o All of these policies have important positive economic effects.
o Energy provisions
§ Keystone Pipeline
§ Coal Ash regulations
§ Offshore drilling
§ Energy production on federal lands
§ EPA Carbon regulations
o Regulatory reform
§ REINS Act
§ Regulatory process reform
§ Consent decree reform
§ Blocking Net Neutrality
· Mandatory Spending Reforms
o Mostly from the sequester replacement bills we passed last year
o Federal Employee retirement reform
o Ending the Dodd Frank bailout fund
o Transitioning CFPB funding to Appropriations
o Child Tax Credit Reform to prevent fraud
o Repealing the Social Services Block grant
· Health Spending Reforms
o Means testing Medicare
o Repealing a Medicaid Provider tax gimmick
o Tort reform
o Altering Disproportion Share Hospitals
o Repealing the Public Health trust Fund
We say enough is enough. That’s why the National Committee joined 41 other groups telling Congress we’ll continue to stand against those who want to hold our economy hostage in order to dictate the terms of debate.