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President's Forum

President's Forum 143 - New Congress, New NRLN Legislative Agenda

READ THE LASTEST EDITION OF THE PRESIDENT'S FORUM

Bloomberg News reported on January 24 that health insurers are again circulating letters among members of Congress to marshal support for Medicare Advantage (MA), a program where private companies covered seniors’ healthcare with the help of $53 billion in taxpayer rebates in 2022. The Medicare Pricing Policy Committee (MedPAC) reported $57 billion. You may recall that in 2017, I referred to MA plans as Congress’ Trojan Horse, sent to Privatize Medicare. Some scoffed at that prediction then rebates were $20 billion.

The MedPAC’s January 12 report reveals that 2023 rebates to buy more enhanced benefits and to pay more MA premiums will be 20% higher, from $164 per month in 2022 to $196 per month in 2023. It is outrageous that Congress would pay $2,352 a year more for Medicare A & B benefits to insurance companies. These benefits are for 31.9 million in MA plans only but 29.4 million others in original Medicare are denied the same benefits that TV ads call “free”. About 15% of rebate money is kept by insurers to cover overhead and profit.

This year, that $196 will amount to over $75 billion! That’s over $200 million a day from general revenue and part of every nickel we pay in federal income tax, weekly, monthly, quarterly or on April 15, that is handed over to insurance companies. MedPAC reported that MA plans will control 52% of the Medicare market in 2023. I hope you will help us kill that Trojan Horse yet protect those in MA plans from losing what they have.

Bill Kadereit National Retiree Legislative Network

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MEDICARE AND YOU HANDBOOK 2023

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Two Medical Bills Should Be Passed

Ask your U.S. Representative to become a co-sponsor of two bills: H.R.35, Close the Medigap Act of 2023 which would prohibit discriminatory pricing and coverage denials for patients seeking supplemental Medigap coverage.

In the News

The articles and opinion pieces below are for information and are not necessarily a reflection of the NRLN’s position on issues.

The NRLN is nonpartisan and its positions on retirement issues are presented in its Legislative Agenda and white papers that can be accessed from under the Legislative Agenda tab on the website main menu.

Social Security Administration Employee Pleads Guilty to Fraud and Money Laundering SSA Press Release – Mar 8, 2023

Fauci says Redfield’s testimony of COVID call was ‘unequivocally incorrect’ By Jared Gans, The Hill – Mar 3, 2023

Video: President Biden’s plan would apply a Medicare tax hike to people who make over $400,000 By Robert Frank, CNBC – Mar 8, 2023

Biden’s about to unveil his budget proposal. His endgame: Forcing Republicans’ hand By Joey Garrison, USA TODAY – Mar 8, 2023

Washington teeters on the brink of a Cold War over Social Security By Burgess Everett, Politico – Mar 8, 2023

Social Security and OIG Hold Annual Slam the Scam Day Press Release – Mar 8, 2023

Biden’s nominee for IRS commissioner teed up for confirmation by Senate By Benjamin Guggenheim, Politico – Mar 8, 2023

House Democrats push back against GOP bill to abolish IRS, impose national sales tax By Chelsey Cox, CNBC – Mar 8, 2023

TikTok poses security concerns, FBI director says By Ines Kagubare – The Hill – Mar 8, 2023

Tesla under investigation after steering wheels fall off while driving By Stephen Neukam, The Hill – Mar 8, 2023

Opinion: Moving the needle on supply chain sustainability By Yossi Sheffi, The Hill – Mar 8, 2023

FDA-Mandated Tweak to Common Rx Painkillers May Have Saved Lives By Alan Mozes, U.S. News – Mar 8, 2023

Why everyone is talking about senior-focused primary care Advisory Board – Mar 8, 2023

Nearly 200K Florida residents warned about brain-eating amoeba Advisory Board – Mar 8, 2023

Biden budget proposal would increase Medicare tax for Americans earning more than $400K By Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY –Mar 7, 2023

Opinion: Should you wait to claim Social Security? Here’s how to make the right choice. By Maurie Backman, The Motley Fool – Mar 7, 2023

Economists, activists warn lawmakers of looming debt default if Congress cannot agree to raise the debt ceiling By Chelsey Cox, CNBC – Mar 7, 2023

Treasury Secretary Yellen warns that losses tied to climate change could ‘cascade through the financial system’ By Emma Newburger, CNBC – Mar 7, 2023

Graham says he will introduce bill to ‘set the stage’ for US to use military force in Mexico By Brad Dress, The Hill – Mar 7, 2023

Cyber command chief: Election interference is not going away By Ines Kagubare, The Hill – Mar 7, 2023

Medical Tourism: Traveling Outside US for Care Is Common By Miguel Roberts, Associated Press – Mar 7, 2023

Charted: Outpatient procedure volumes are on the rise From Advisory Board – Mar 7, 2023

How to decide between a virtual and in-person visit From Advisory Board – Mar 7, 2023

A combined COVID-19 and flu shot likely won’t be ready in 2023 From Advisory Board – Mar 7, 2023

Norfolk Southern to clash with Congress on toxic derailment By Tanya Snyder, Politico – Mar 6, 2023

The debt-limit time machine: What the last 10 big fights tell us about this one By Jennifer Scholtes and Caitlin Emma, Politico – Mar 6, 2023

Companies that give up stock buybacks for 5 years will get preferential treatment in $52 billion CHIPS program, Commerce Secretary Raimondo says By Chelsey Cox, CNBC – Mar 6, 2023

White House weighs mass poultry vaccination amid bird flu outbreak By Brett Samuels, The Hill – Mar 6, 2023

Bipartisan rail safety bill runs into Republican roadblock By Al Weaver and Karl Evers-Hillstrom, The Hill – Mar 6, 2023

Though Often Prescribed, Diuretic Pills May Not Prevent Kidney Stones By Amy Norton, U.S. News & World Report – Mar 6, 2023

Despite Pharma Claims, Illicit Drug Shipments to US Aren’t Full of Opioids. It’s Generic Viagra. By Phil Galewitz, Kaiser Health News – Mar 6, 2023

FDA Panel to Again Weigh Merit of Decongestant That Many Call Useless By Cara Murez, U.S. News – Mar 6, 2023

 Opinion: High egg prices: Getting to the bottom line By Jada Thompson, Ph.D., The Hill – Mar 5, 2023

Opinion: Worried about the debt: Tax the rich By Amy Hanauer, The Hill – Mar 5, 2023

Sen. Joe Manchin floats ‘better program’ for future Social Security, Medicare beneficiaries By Sarah Elbeshbishi, USA Today – Mar 3, 2023

Senate group eyes Social Security changes as Biden hits Republicans over benefits By Sahil Kapur, NBC News – Mar 3, 2023

Capitol Police confiscate assault-style ‘ghost gun’ and handgun capable of automatic fire during arrests By Daniella Silva, NBC News – Mar 3, 2023

Federal agency urges railroads to review how they share hazmat info in wake of Ohio train derailment By Jared Gans, The Hill – Mar 3, 2023

EPA to make states evaluate public water systems’ cybersecurity By Rachel Frazin, The Hill – Mar 3, 2023

Charted: The ‘alarming’ rise in colon cancer rates among younger adults From Advisory Board – Mar 3, 2023

What 11 minutes of exercise a day could do for your health From Advisor Board – Mar3, 2023

The top reason healthcare workers stay at their jobs From Advisor Board – Mar3, 2023

Opinion: Too critical to collapse: Today’s primary care crisis By Christopher Koller and Rebecca Etz, The Hill – Mar 3, 2023

Most Medicare Advantage users are happy with their plan. What to do if you’re not By Sarah O’Brien, CNBC – Mar 2, 2023

Permanent daylight saving time bill gets renewed push in Congress NBC News – Mar 2, 2023

Nearly 70 percent of motorists nervous about self-driving cars: AAA survey By Jared Gans, The Hill – Mar 2, 2023

Biden administration unveils long-awaited national cyber strategy By Ines Kagubare, The Hill – Mar 2, 2023

EPA to require Norfolk Southern to test directly for dioxins in East Palestine By Julia Shapero, The Hill – Mar 2, 2023

Opinion: Address the nursing shortage with realistic staffing and fair contracts By Marina Zhavoronkova, Nicole Rapfogel and Emily Gee, The Hill – Mar 2, 2023

BetterHelp Shared Users’ Sensitive Health Data, FTC Says By Associated Press – Mar 2, 2023

Medicare Special Needs Plans: Coverage and Eligibility By Joanne Kaldy, U.s. News – Mar 1, 2023

Opinion: Before Slashing Social Security, Cut 401(k)s. Don’t let rich people off the hook. Matthew Bruenig, Politico – Mar 1, 2023

GOP urges no ‘burdensome regulations’ on freight rail, after derailment By Tanya Snyder and Kayla Guo, Politico – Mar 1, 2023

Senators unveil rail safety bill after Ohio train derailment Liz Brown-Kaiser and Rose Horowitch, CNBS – Mar 1, 2023

Senate overturns federal rule on ESG investments, Biden vows to veto By Christina Wilkie, CNBC – Mar 1, 2023

Product safety commission requests information on gas stoves, taking possible step toward regulation By Rachel Frazin, The Hill – Mar 1, 2023

FDA advisers back GlaxoSmithKline RSV vaccine for older adults By Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill – Mar 1, 2023

Can screening for anxiety help older adults? From Advisory Board – Mar 1, 2023

Eli Lilly will cut insulin prices by 70% and cap costs at $35 a month From Advisory Board – Mar 1, 2023

Inside FDA’s ‘milestone’ decision for at-home diagnostic tests From Advisory Board – Mar 1, 2023

A popular sweetener may be linked to heart attack risk, study says From Advisory Board – Mar 1, 2023

Opinion: Community health centers are essential to keeping America healthy. Let me tell you why By Ron Yee, The Hill – Mar 1, 2023

Biden to tap Julie Su as next Labor secretary From Politico – Feb 28, 2023

Democrats unveil bill to tighten regulations for trains with hazardous materials By Mychael Schnell, The Hill – Feb 28, 2023

Fighting toxic air pollution By Rachel Franzin, The Hill – Feb 28, 2023

FDA panel narrowly endorses Pfizer vaccine for RSV in older adults By Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill – Feb 28, 2023

CDC: Surge of antibiotic-resistant bacteria poses ‘serious public health threat’ From Advisory Board – Feb 28, 2023

How (and why) social media is impacting healthcare providers From Advisory Board – Feb 28, 2023

National Retiree Legislative Network
Based in Washington, D.C., the National Retiree Legislative Network (NRLN) is the only nationwide organization solely dedicated to representing the interests of retirees and future retirees. Formed in 2002, the NRLN’s endeavors to secure federal legislation to protect retirees’ employer-sponsored pensions and benefits in addition to keeping Social Security and Medicare strong.

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