Appeals Court Blocks DOGE’s Access to Social Security Records

The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals voted 9-6 on Wednesday to maintain a block on the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) access to sensitive Social Security records. The ruling upheld federal district court Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander’s previous decision to grant a preliminary injunction cutting off the group’s access to Social Security Administration (SSA) data.

In addition to limiting access, the previous rulings from Judge Hollander also require DOGE operatives to uninstall software deployed at SSA and destroy any personally identifiable information they had accessed outside of the agency.

The decision is the latest development in the Alliance’s lawsuit, filed jointly with the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) in February, that challenges Elon Musk and DOGE’s infiltration of SSA systems.  

“We are appreciative that judges continue to take strong action to safeguard older Americans’ personal information,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance. “It is imperative for beneficiaries to be able to trust the Social Security Administration and its ability to secure their data.”

Republicans Grapple With Disagreements Over Potential Medicaid Cuts

Republican congressional leaders plan to finalize the Administration’s spending and tax cuts package by July 4, despite a growing number of Republicans expressing concern about voting for deep cuts to Medicaid and food assistance.

The comments come as Alliance members and allies are pushing their members of Congress to vote against the Republican budget.

Last week, the California Alliance and partner organizations held a “Hands Off Medicaid” rally in front of Rep. David Valadao’s (CA) office with 1,000 people in attendance. 

Labor leader Dolores Huerta and members of the California Alliance at last week’s “Hands Off Medicaid” rally outside Rep. Valadao’s office

Days after the rally, Rep. Valadao – who represents the largest percentage of Medicaid enrollees in the entire GOP conference – warned against enacting sweeping cuts this week, while Rep. Don Bacon (NE) said he would not accept any proposals that slash Medicaid by more than $500 billion. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (WI) urged his colleagues to not cut federal funding for food assistance.

Some Senate Republicans have also expressed doubts about details of the House Republicans’ plans. Sen. Bernie Moreno (OH) and Sen. Josh Hawley (MO) this week argued against capping Medicaid expansion and slashing federal funding for states that have expanded Medicaid.

A new poll shows that vulnerable Republicans have reason to be wary of cutting Medicaid, as a majority of Americans are opposed to slashing it in order to lower the national debt. 

Despite internal dissent, Speaker Mike Johnson (LA) still plans to pass the House’s version of the spending bill before the July 4 deadline.

“Millions of older Americans rely on Medicaid and food assistance. These critical services should not be slashed in order to pay for more tax cuts for the wealthy. Medicaid should be enhanced to provide more accessibility to those who need it the most,” said Robert Roach, Jr., President of the Alliance. “We are paying close attention to how the budget reconciliation process unfolds and our members are prepared to speak out against draconian cuts.”

New Poll Shows Strong Support for Medicare Drug Price Negotiation

A new poll from Republican pollster Fabrizio Ward shows that a majority of Americans overwhelmingly support Medicare drug price negotiation, with 88 percent saying that it’s very important for the government to negotiate drug prices.

The poll also demonstrated that approval is high across the political spectrum: 86 percent of Trump voters, 92 percent of Harris voters, and 87 percent of swing voters stated that drug price negotiation is fairly or very important. 67 percent of voters overall believe Medicare negotiation should apply to all drugs, and when separated by votes, 66 percent of Trump voters and 74 percent of Harris voters agree with that sentiment.

High drug prices are a priority issue for voters as well. 57 percent reported having difficulty paying for drugs in the past year or having to skip doses due to price, and over 75 percent want Congress to take action to lower costs.

Poll findings suggest Republicans would be hurt politically if they continue to pursue Medicaid cuts, as 78 percent of voters opposed that policy. But the party would receive a 20-point boost on the generic ballot by endorsing drug price negotiation. 

“It’s hard to find an issue with such overwhelming bipartisan support,” said President Roach. “Legislators would be wise to listen to their constituents and protect Medicare drug price negotiation.”

Alliance Members Stand In Solidarity With Workers

Alliance members commemorated both International Workers’ Day, or “May Day,” and Workers’ Memorial Day this week, attending and coordinating events across the country.  

“This May Day, working people are standing together, unified in our commitment to a better future for all workers,” AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said in a statement. “We’ll fight to protect all workers from the Trump administration’s illegal attacks on our jobs, our unions, our contracts and our freedoms. Our solidarity is our strength.”

City Hall. The Idaho Alliance organized a North Idaho Worker’s Memorial event and the Missouri Alliance hosted a Union Labor Mass to honor workers who died on the job last year. Arizona Alliance members marched with other labor groups during a May Day National Day of Action event at the Arizona State Capitol.

“Workers are the backbone of this country,” said Joseph Peters Jr., Alliance Secretary-Treasurer. “We are proud to stand in solidarity with them and fight back against corporate greed.” 

KFF Health News: Trump Administration Retreats From 100% Withholding on Social Security Clawbacks

By David Hilzenrath and Jodie Fleischer

The Social Security Administration is backing off a plan it announced in March to withhold 100% of many beneficiaries’ monthly payments to claw back money the government had allegedly overpaid them.

Instead, the agency will default to withholding 50% of old-age, survivors, and disability insurance benefits, the agency said in an “emergency message” to staff dated April 25.

The agency long made it a routine to halt benefits to recoup billions of dollars it sent recipients but later said they should not have received. A policy under the administration of former Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley to provide relief to beneficiaries, who often live on the fringe of poverty, last year had capped the clawbacks at 10%.

Read more here.

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