In a Way, It’s a Silver Tsunami, Too
Seniors and their families can join Americans of all ages in celebrating Tuesday’s Blue Tsunami. It was a Silver tsunami, too – in the sense that the Democrats’ winning control of both house of Congress presents a historic opportunity to strengthen Social Security and make health care more affordable. Or… given that Trump still has veto power, Democrats can at least lay the groundwork for progress in 2028 and beyond.
Recapping our Endorsements for Tuesday’s Elections
As our Social Security on the Ballot campaign draws to a close, polling suggests that midterm candidates who support strengthening the program (and oppose benefit cuts) will largely prevail on Tuesday. "Even if Social Security isn’t voters’ top issue, per se, it plays into the number one concern in this campaign: Affordability," says Max Richtman, NCPSSM President and PAC board member. "Social Security is a lifeline for seniors on fixed incomes who are being squeezed by ever-rising prices in Trump’s economy. Ditto for younger voters struggling to afford housing, health insurance, and student debt payments -- who will need every dollar of their earned benefits."
SSA is “Fixing” Social Security Data; That Worries Us
It’s funny, because when Donald Trump was re-elected, we didn’t hear a hew and cry from the voters to prioritize “waste and fraud” at the Social Security Administration (SSA). In fact, we remember Trump promising voters multiple times “not to touch Social Security.” The opposite has happened. He and Musk and DOGE ‘touched it’ in ways that affect millions of beneficiaries who rely on the SSA.
Upcoming Celebration Event
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It’s ‘Buyer Beware’ This Medicare Open Enrollment Season
This year’s Medicare open enrollment season – which began October 15th and runs through December 7th – should come with the warning: “Buyer Beware.” The Trump administration and its allies in Congress have made health coverage more costly and degraded Americans’ options by prioritizing insurance company profits over patients’ well-being, especially when it comes to the privately-run Medicare Advantage (MA) program.
Trump & GOP Candidates Have Pushed Social Security Privatization, Cuts
It’s been quite a week for Republicans telling us how they really feel about Social Security – from the President to GOP candidates in key races. On Wednesday, President Trump admitted that he wanted to privatize Social Security “so badly” after he won in 2016, but “Democrats and some Republicans” stopped him, because it was “risky.” You think?
Trump’s $90 Medicare Rebate — Another Gimmick Masquerading as Policy
Instead of meaningful action to lower Americans’ health care costs, Trump has announced yet another publicity stunt. He has promised some 20 million Medicare Part B enrollees a one-time, $90 rebate. Of course, this does effectively nothing to lower Americans’ health care costs, which Trump/GOP policies have made increasingly unaffordable. The Republicans’ Big, Ugly bill slashed nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid – and the GOP-controlled Congress refused to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits. These actions have put immense upward pressure on Americans’ health care premiums.
Trouble Ahead for Medicare Advantage & Medicaid Patients
For years, Medicare Advantage (MA) providers have marketed their plans with celebrity endorsements, promises of extra dental, vision, and hearing benefits, and the appeal of low or zero monthly premiums. But for millions of older adults, that illusory promise of stable coverage is colliding with a harsh reality. Unsatisfied with profits, insurance giants like Humana, United HealthCare and Aetna are pulling out of some markets entirely, leaving Medicare Advantage patients stranded. People enrolled in these plans will be forced to look elsewhere for their coverage in 2027.
Protecting FDR’s Vision on Social Security’s 91st Birthday
When President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Social Security into law 91 years ago -- on August 14, 1935 – he said its enactment was “historic for all time.” FDR was right. Nine decades later, Social Security remains one of the most successful – and most popular – federal programs ever. In poll after poll, overwhelming majorities of Americans across party lines approve of Social Security – and don’t want to see it cut. Despite public sentiment, there’s been a well-funded, long-term movement to undermine this landmark achievement of FDR’s New Deal. Many on the political right have opposed Social Security from the very beginning.
Our Concerns About Medicare & Medicaid as they Turn 61 Years Old
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare and Medicaid into law 61 years ago today! These legacy Great Society programs could not be MORE IMPORTANT, but the political right has been targeting them for years - and lately, they have been successful in chipping away at the programs that seniors and lower income people depend on for health coverage. We asked our legislative and policy director Dan Adcock to reflect on Medicare's history and the threats that it faces today.