NCPSSM, Author at NCPSSM

What Does the President’s Budget Mean for Seniors?

There’s encouraging news for seniors in President Biden’s FY2023 budget, even though it does not contain everything that advocates for older Americans had hoped. The budget, which now will be submitted to Congress, includes crucial funding for services that seniors rely upon – from the operation of the Social Security Administration (SSA) to nutrition programs under the Older Americans Act.

NCPSSM2022-03-28T15:13:27-04:00March 28th, 2022|Categories: Boost Social Security, Budget, Congress, COVID, Democrats, Long term care, Medicare, Prescription Drug Prices, President Biden, Social Security, Social Security Administration (SSA), Uncategorized|

Federal Senior Nutrition Programs Turn 50. Let’s Keep Them Fortified.

The federal law providing seniors with nutritional services turns half a century old today. In 1972, the Congregate Meals program was added to the Older Americans Act (OAA) providing seniors in need with food in community settings.

NCPSSM2022-03-22T14:20:08-04:00March 22nd, 2022|Categories: Congress, Meals on Wheels, Older Americans, Older Americans Act|

Is Permanent Daylight Saving Time Healthy for Seniors?

There has been significant discussion of how making Daylight Saving Time permanent might affect children and teens – but scant dialogue about the impact on seniors. Is permanent Daylight Saving Time good for older people? There’s no clear-cut answer. One thing is certain: switching back and forth from DST to ST isn’t healthy for anyone – seniors in particular.

NCPSSM2022-03-18T14:20:09-04:00March 18th, 2022|Categories: Congress, Senate|

Seniors’ Programs in Jeopardy if Republicans Retake Majority

Any older voters inclined to put the GOP back in control of the House and Senate in November’s elections might well remember what the Republicans have long wanted to do to their earned benefits. As if to provide that very reminder, Senator Rick Scott, chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, released a plan last week that would terminate Social Security and Medicare.

NCPSSM2022-03-09T17:06:29-04:00March 9th, 2022|Categories: Congress, Democrats, Election 2022, GOP, healthcare, Medicare, Payroll tax cut, Politics, President Trump, Senator Mitch McConnell, Social Security|

President Takes on Big Pharma, Nursing Homes in SOTU speech

In his first State of the Union speech, President Biden addressed the ever-rising prescription drug prices that continue to plague Americans --- especially seniors.

NCPSSM2022-03-02T17:03:18-04:00March 2nd, 2022|Categories: Long term care, Medicare, Prescription Drug Prices, President Biden|

The Connection Between Social Security and Black History Month

On the surface, Social Security may not seem to be a relevant topic for Black History Month. But it is. Social Security has helped provide Americans with basic financial security for generations of retirees, the disabled and their families. It has been especially beneficial to Black Americans – whose average earnings and retirement savings are lower than their white counterparts’.

NCPSSM2025-04-11T13:42:43-04:00February 11th, 2022|Categories: EH Blog, Social Security|

Medicare To Cover At-Home COVID Test Kits

Seniors on Medicare soon won't have to pay for over-the-counter COVID test kits, thanks to a rule change from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. CMS announced Wednesday that Medicare will begin covering the cost of home kits sold at pharmacies and other retailers starting in early spring.

NCPSSM2022-02-04T11:22:08-04:00February 3rd, 2022|Categories: COVID, Medicare, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare|

Seniors’ Champions in Washington State Continue to Lead the Way on Long-Term Care, Despite Roadblocks

In 2019, the state of Washington plunged headlong into the treacherous waters of public long-term care insurance with WA Cares – the first comprehensive program of its kind in the country. WA Cares was born out of the realization that most seniors will need some form of long term-care at some point in their lives.

NCPSSM2022-01-27T16:31:10-04:00January 27th, 2022|Categories: Democrats, Long term care, Medicaid, Medicare, Republicans|

SSA Field Offices to Re-open in March

After nearly two years of Social Security field offices being closed for all but “dire needs,” the Social Security Administration indicated today that there is progress toward re-opening. Acting SSA Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi announced in a press release that the agency and its three main labor unions have reached agreement on a re-opening plan.

NCPSSM2022-01-21T17:18:43-04:00January 20th, 2022|Categories: Acting SSA Commissioner Kijakazi, Disability, Social Security, Social Security Administration (SSA), SSA field offices|

Pending Aduhelm Coverage Decision Could Pave the Way for Lower Medicare Premiums

Medicare Part B beneficiaries have seen their monthly premiums jump to from $148.50 to $170.10 this year – one of the biggest increases in recent history. Many seniors on fixed incomes who welcomed this year’s 5.9% Social Security COLA were dismayed to find that $21 of it will be consumed by the Medicare premium bump. But this week brought some potentially encouraging news.