Tuesday, September 29, 2009

House Passes Bill To Avert Medicare Premium Increase

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=cqmidday-000003209910&mp=Most_Viewed
The House passed a bill that would prevent Medicare premiums from rising sharply for about 11 million senior citizens.

The legislation would block a big increase in Medicare Part B premiums for the affected seniors, who account for about 27 percent of those enrolled in the health insurance program for the elderly and disabled.

They are in jeopardy of a steep increase in their monthly premiums because of complexities in federal law and the likelihood that Social Security recipients won’t get a bump in their benefits next year to cover the cost of the premium increase.

“I have 100,000 Social Security recipients in my congressional district [who] will be impacted by the increase in the Medicare Part B premiums next year since this increase is not going to be offset by the normal cost-of- living increase in their Social Security checks,” said Rep. Shelley Berkley , D-Nev. “I think this is a very important way and a very necessary way of helping to keep my seniors who rely on Social Security ... whole.”

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