Modest and manageable changes will make Social Security stronger for generations. In spite of this fact, cutting benefits by raising the retirement age, means testing, or adopting a stingier cost of living formula still remain the favored approach for Wall Street CEO’s and the many deficit-scold lobby groups flooding the halls of Congress.
See more posts like this on Tumblr
#politics #social security #medicare
(Photo Above: Yesterday National Committee volunteers testified in front of the House Democratic Policy Forum about the importance of strengthening Medicare and the dangers of the Ryan plan)
Social Security News:
Unmasking the most influential billionaire in U.S. politics. - Los Angeles Times
Paul Ryan Was Never a Moderate on Social Security. - Huffington Post
Medicare News:
Feds Crack Down on Medicare Readmissions. - Fox Business
Pelosi, House Democrats Return to Congress to Blast Romney, Ryan on Medicare. - National Journal
Politics:
Gang of 8 plots secret retreat. - Politico
A few basic misconceptions about Simpson-Bowles. - Washington Post
The annual Social Security and Medicare trustees report was just released, and it will presumably inspire the predictable scaremongering about those programs by many in the media and in politics. We’ll be told that those programs are running out of money, that they’re going to go bankrupt, and that they’ll be insolvent.
However, some conservatives in Congress insist that relief for programs like the Older Americans Act be paid for by cutting Medicare and Medicaid. This budgetary sleight-of-hand could trade partial relief for some seniors’ programs by cutting other essential health security programs like Medicare and Medicaid, thus further eroding the tenuous economic situation many older Americans face.
Max Richtman via Huffington Post.
While a shutdown would not threaten payment of Social Security checks or Medicare and Medicaid benefits, Social Security Administration employees could face furloughs which could stop or slow the processing of new applications for benefits, and requests by current beneficiaries for changes of address or replacement Medicare cards.
Democrats are drawing an early line in the sand for this fall’s budget negotiations, saying they will reject any effort to make changes to entitlement programs as part of the talks, according to a source familiar with the discussions.
via Politico.
When Senator Elizabeth Warren came out for increasing Social Security last month it set in motion a remarkable turn of events. For over a decade the only discussion of Social Security by the Washington power types was over how much to cut it and when. The extreme left position was that current spending was about right.
Rep. Keith Ellison (MN) speaks on single payer, enhanced and improved Medicare for All, and expanding social security, PDA’s Progressive Roundtable, May 21, …
Read our responses to the Medicare and Social Security Trustees’ Reports.
New addition to our tumblr, daily news! Every morning we will be updating you with interesting Social Security and Medicare articles.
Social Security News:
“Young voters face conflicting visions of Social Security’s future” - Sun Sentinel
“Teaching Social Security, With and Without Prejudice” - The People’s Pension
“Dear Mitt Romney: ‘I Am the 47 Percent’” - Huffington Post
“Obama Revives Social Security Idea: Raise Payroll Tax Cap To Replenish Fund” - Huffington Post
“Health Care Reform To Ease Health Insurance Shopping With Plain-Language Paperwork” - Huffington Post
Medicare News:
“Medicare recipients save $4.5 billion on prescriptions” - USA Today
“The Romney-Ryan Medicare Plan is Bad for Students and Seniors” - Viva Roosevelt
National Committee grassroots activists were on Capitol Hill today to deliver 2 million signatures to the Senate urging Congress to reject ongoing efforts to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) received the petitions and vowed to continue leading the fight to protect these vital programs.
via Entitled to Know.
