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Insider's Report: National Committee Urges Reduction to Medicare Part B Monthly Premium
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) made its final decision to limit coverage of Aduhelm, a controversial Alzheimer’s drug, to patients who are participating in clinical trials.
The arrival of Aduhelm, originally priced at $56,000 per year (and later lowered to $28,200) contributed to the highest increase in Medicare Part B premiums in recent history. Beneficiaries have seen their monthly premiums jump from $148.50 to $170.10 this year. This year’s Medicare premium increase was partly based on Aduhelm’s exorbitant cost and the potential expense of wider coverage.
Prior to the Medicare Part B premium hike taking effect, the National Committee urged the Biden Administration to prevent Aduhelm from driving up the cost of Part B premiums, raising concerns about Aduhelm’s safety and efficacy. Now that a final decision on Aduhelm has been made, the National Committee urges CMS to swiftly reduce the hefty 2022 Medicare Part B monthly premium. CMS has said it is still “reviewing” Part B premiums.
Medicare beneficiaries struggling to pay their bills need relief from this year’s premium increase as soon as possible. The Aduhelm controversy highlights the urgent need for Medicare to be able to negotiate drug prices with Big Pharma. If the price of Aduhelm had been negotiated, it is unlikely that it would have impacted Medicare premiums so dramatically in the first place.
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| Good Bills |
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The National Committee endorses the “Safeguarding American Families and Expanding Social Security Act” (SAFE Social Security Act) S. 3070, which would 1) Increase benefits across the board by an average monthly benefit of $115 and provide a new minimum benefit; 2) Improve the Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA); 3) Provide caregiver credits; 4) Increase benefits by 5% for older seniors receiving benefits for 20 years; and 5) Elminate the current wait period for disability insurance and surviving spousal benefits.This bill would also strengthen Social Security’s finances by requiring the wealthy to pay their fair share into the program. To help us pass the SAFE Social Security Act in Congress, please sign our urgent Petition today!
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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 am a 54-year-old woman, and I am disabled. I haven’t worked enough during the past 10 years to be insured for Social Security disability benefits, but I am receiving Supplemental Security Income payments. I was married to my former husband for over 30 years and have been divorced for the past 4 years. He is the same age as me. Can I qualify for benefits on his record now or do I have to wait until he either becomes disabled or reaches age 62?
Click here to read the answer.
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| Poll Results! |
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In the last issue of Benefits Watch we asked our readers the following question:
Do you support a measure in President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget proposal that would establish a 20% minimum tax rate on all American households worth more than $100 million?
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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Aging, Health and Care
Find useful resources on everything from caregiving and hearing care to long-term care and transportation. |
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| Social Security Offices Open to Their Communities |
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“You can imagine there’s a huge pent-up demand for people who have been waiting two years to get help from Social Security,” NCPSSM President and CEO Max Richtman tells West Virginia radio hosts. “I would encourage people to do what they can online or by phone if they don’t absolutely have to go into an SSA office.” (April 8, 2022, WEPM, Radio interview with NCPSSM President & CEO Max Richtman)
Listen Here →
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| As Social Security field offices re-open, seniors need Congress to properly fund SSA |
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"Social Security field offices that have been shuttered since the beginning of the pandemic will re-open on Thursday. That’s a relief for customers who have been unable to obtain in-person service for more than two years. But the Social Security Administration (SSA) already was struggling to provide adequate customer service before the pandemic because it has been chronically underfunded by the U.S. Congress," writes NCPSSM President and CEO Max Richtman. (April 7, 2022, The Hill, written by NCPSSM President & CEO Max Richtman)
Read More →
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