Democrats Archives

SSA Woefully Underfunded, Struggling to Provide Customer Service, Witnesses Tell Congress

Witness after witness at Tuesday’s Congressional hearing on Social Security Administration (SSA) customer service testified that the agency is in dire need of additional resources in order to properly serve the public. The hearing was held by the House Ways and Means Social Security subcommittee, chaired by Rep. John Larson (D-CT), with testimony from a variety of witnesses from SSA and advocacy groups.

NCPSSM2022-05-18T11:29:21-04:00May 18th, 2022|Categories: Congress, Democrats, Max Richtman, Rep. John Larson, Social Security, Social Security Administration (SSA)|

The Part D Prescription Drug Bait and Switch

Medicare Part D prescription drug beneficiaries can be in for a rude surprise after they sign up for coverage. In an article this week in Kaiser Health News, Susan Jaffe writes that the price of a drug may jump within a month of a patient enrolling in the Part D drug plan

NCPSSM2022-05-06T10:51:04-04:00May 5th, 2022|Categories: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Congress, Democrats, Medicare, Medicare Drug Coverage and Costs, Prescription Drug Prices, President Biden|

It’s Time to Bring Back the House Select Committee on Aging

Some two decades ago, seniors had a Congressional committee dedicated solely to safeguarding their interests. Then the Republicans, led by Speaker Newt Gingrich, took control of the House for the first time in 40 years and shut down the House Select Committee on Aging. Today, there is a movement to revive that committee – and there truly is no moment since 1994 when it has been so sorely needed.

NCPSSM2022-05-04T10:04:32-04:00April 25th, 2022|Categories: Congress, Democrats, Medicaid, Medicare, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, Retirement, Trump|

$35 Insulin Cap Would Save Seniors Money, But Leave Drug Prices Untouched

The U.S. House took a big step toward saving seniors money on a life-saving drug. On Thursday, lawmakers voted to enact a $35 cap on the cost of insulin for “most Americans who depend on it."

NCPSSM2022-04-01T15:28:45-04:00April 1st, 2022|Categories: Democrats, Medicare, Part D, Prescription Drug Prices, President Biden|

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|

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|

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|

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|

NCPSSM President Testifies at Hill Hearing on Social Security Legislation

Social Security must be expanded and strengthened now. That was the message National Committee president Max Richtman delivered in testimony today before the House Ways and Means Social Security subcommittee, chaired by Rep. John Larson (D-CT). This was the first and possibly only hearing on Congressman Larson’s Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust legislation, which would boost benefits and extend the solvency of the program’s trust fund.

NCPSSM2021-12-08T12:21:49-04:00December 7th, 2021|Categories: COLAs, Congress, COVID, Democrats, Max Richtman, Rep. John Larson, Republicans, Social Security, women, women's retirement security|

House Passage of Build Back Better is Something For Seniors To Be Thankful For

The House of Representatives passed President Biden’s landmark Build Back Better plan this morning --- a victory achieved by Democrats to benefit American seniors. The House-enacted legislation represents the biggest expansion of the social safety net for older Americans and their families in five decades.