NCPSSM, Author at NCPSSM

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’.

NCPSSM2022-02-12T17:33:05-04:00February 11th, 2022|Categories: 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.

NCPSSM2022-03-21T12:31:59-04:00January 11th, 2022|Categories: COLAs, Congress, Medicare, Medicare premiums, Prescription Drug Prices, President Biden|

Seniors’ Voting Rights on the Line As Schumer Vows Senate Action

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has set a self-imposed deadline of January 17th – Martin Luther King Day – to pass sweeping voting rights legislation. This will be a heavy lift given opposition from Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema to adjusting the filibuster, an essential step in passing voting rights legislation without Republican votes. Nevertheless, President Biden and Hill Democrats feel compelled to try, given that the voting rights of millions of Americans – including and especially seniors – are very much at stake with the 2022 midterm elections approaching.

NCPSSM2022-01-18T16:56:34-04:00January 10th, 2022|Categories: Democrats, Election 2022, Republicans, Voting Rights|

Trump Plan to Privatize Medicare Is Alive and Well

Seniors and their loved ones may be alarmed to learn that there is an insidious, but largely unpublicized effort underway to gradually privatize Medicare. According to recent reporting, some traditional Medicare patients are now being placed in for-profit managed care plans without even knowing, thanks to a Trump administration policy that is still in effect.

NCPSSM2022-01-05T11:38:32-04:00December 22nd, 2021|Categories: Medicare, privatization, Trump Administration, Uncategorized|

President Biden Should Roll Back Medicare Premium Hike

The National Committee is urging President Biden to mitigate the announced $21 monthly increase in Medicare Part B premiums. President and CEO Max Richtman sent a letter to the White House this week asking President Biden to intervene before the premium hike takes effect in 2022.