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Insider's Report: Older Adults Need Medicare to Cover Hearing, Dental and Vision Care
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There appears to be new momentum on Capitol Hill for expanding Medicare. The most urgent expansion is adding dental, hearing and vision coverage, because, as we have long argued, older Americans need health care from the neck-up, too. Right now, millions of seniors forgo proper dental, hearing and vision care because they simply can’t afford it. Neglecting this basic care has profound health consequences, which ultimately harms seniors and costs Medicare even more in the long run.
One thing is clear: the public wants Medicare expanded. According to a new Morning Consult poll, 84% of voters support adding dental, vision and hearing coverage to traditional Medicare. That number includes 79% percent of Republicans. Clearly, there is immense bipartisan support among everyday Americans for giving seniors these crucial coverages.
However, Senate Minority Leader McConnell opposes expanding Medicare to cover dental, hearing and vision care. Lawmakers who support Medicare expansion are trying to pass it through the filibuster-proof budget reconciliation process. And they would likely use the savings achieved through prescription drug pricing reform. But this won’t be an easy path to victory. That’s why the National Committee is launching a full-scale campaign to urge lawmakers to get on board both drug pricing reform and Medicare expansion.
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| Good Bills |
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The National Committee endorses the "Fair COLA for Seniors Act of 2021", which was just introduced in the House by U.S. Representative John Garamendi (CA-03). This bill would use the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) for the purpose of determining Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs). Using the CPI-E will ensure that benefits for retirees are not diminished by rising costs in the goods and services that seniors disproportionately consume.
Current measures of inflation fall short in that they do not adequately take into account the rising costs incurred by retirees in consumer categories such as housing and health care. This bill represents a bold step on behalf of seniors by safeguarding the future value of federal retirement benefits.
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| President Biden Fires Trump-Appointed SSA Commissioner |
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Last Friday, President Biden fired Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Andrew Saul and accepted the resignation of his deputy David Black. Both men were appointed by former President Trump and during their time in office they executed policies that systematically undermined the retirement security of our society’s most vulnerable members.
According to the National Committee’s President & CEO Max Richtman: “The Social Security Commissioner should reflect the values and priorities of President Biden which include improving benefits, extending solvency, improving customer service, reopening field offices and treating SSA employees and their unions fairly. That was not the case with former Commissioner Saul and we look forward to President Biden nominating someone who meets that standard.
In the meantime, the National Committee is eager to work with the Acting Commissioner who is committed to protecting and strengthening Social Security benefits for millions of retirees, survivors and people with disabilities.
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| Ask Web |
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Our resident Social Security expert, Webster Phillips — a Senior Policy Analyst for the National Committee and a 31-year veteran at the Social Security Administration — is here to answer your questions about Social Security.
You can either search our archives for valuable advice on a broad range of concerns or submit your question here.
This week's question is: I will be 62 in March. I have a child who has been disabled since birth. He began to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits when he turned 18. When I start Social Security, will I get extra money for him?
Click here to read the answer.
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| Poll Results! |
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In the last issue Benefits Watch we asked our readers the following question:
Despite the Supreme Court’s recent ruling reaffirming the Affordable Care Act, do you believe that opponents of the health care law will continue to try to overturn it in the courts?
The results from our recent poll are fascinating, but they’re only available to National Committee members! Join the National Committee today and we’ll immediately give you the results of this important poll.
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Ask Web
Whether you’re currently retired or approaching retirement, we can help answer your questions and provide valuable advice on Social Security. |
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Join Now
Your support sustains our campaigns in Washington to protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare. |
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Coronavirus
Find valuable information, essential tips and warnings about COVID-19-related scams. |
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| This Is the Moment to Rebuild America's Middle Class |
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The coming of Independence Day is an opportunity to assess the American Dream of equal opportunity and middle-class status. Unfortunately, for more than four decades, the middle class has been squeezed. (July 2, 2021, Common Dreams, Written by NCPSSM President & CEO Max Richtman)
Read More →
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| Social Security and Women’s Retirement |
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"Many people are aware of the 82 cents on the dollar wage inequity between women and men, but may not know that it translates into a significant retirement security gap for women," explains NCPSSM policy advisor Maria Freese in California radio interview. (July 1, 2021, KPFA, Radio Interview with NCPSSM Policy Advisor Maria Freese)
Listen Here →
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| The Paygap Disparity for women of Color |
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NCPSSM policy advisor Maria Freese discusses the challenges confronting women of color in saving for retirement... during Wisconsin radio interview. (June 25, 2021, WGKB, Radio interview with NCPSSM Policy Advisor Maria Freese)
Listen Here →
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