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NRLN WORKS TO PROTECT YOUR RETIREMENT INCOME AND HEALTH CARE SECURITY

The National Retiree Legislative Network (NRLN) is dedicated to senior Americans over age 50. Two million of us welcome you to our website and urge you to share www.nrln.org in emails, with your Facebook Friends and your Twitter Followers. We provide timely news, important information and tools that enable you to help us lobby Congress for reliable pension and Social Security Income and lower cost Health Care Benefits and Medicare. There are over 50 million of us over age 65 now, our children will join 75 million by 2035, and our great grandkids 100 million by 2060. We need to help each other now and they need us to insure their futures NOW!

 

The NRLN recently created the American Retirees Education Foundation (AREF) with a mission is to research, educate and inform retirees, future retirees and the general public on how best to protect and promote retirement income security and retiree health care. Donations to AREF are tax deductible. Learn more about AREF, at www.SeniorsAREF.org.

The NRLN regularly informs members by email about important information. If you did not receive an email with the NRLN President’s Forum message or an Action Alert posted on this home page, possibly you mistakenly “unsubscribed” on one of our emails or you have a new email address that is not in the NRLN’s database. You will no longer hear from us unless you “re-subscribe”. To “re-subscribe”, click here.

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PRESIDENT'S
 FORUM
And Other Important Messages
Postings from NRLN Facebook Page Are Often Included Here

Pension ‘Recoupment’ from Chrysler Retirees

Have you ever heard of a retiree who is receiving a pension and years after he/she retired received a letter saying his/her pension benefit had been miscalculated and the pension plan sponsor wants the overpayment back in a very short time? This is the “recoupment” situation being is faced by over 200 members of the National Chrysler Retirement Organization, an NRLN retiree association.

On May 14, Jay Kuhnie, President, NCRO; Karen Ferguson, Director, Pension Rights Center; Alyson Parker, NRLN Executive Director, and I had two meetings in Washington, DC to present common sense proposals to address the “recoupment” issue. Our first meeting was with Employee Benefits Security Administration officials at the Department of Labor. The other meeting was with officials at the Department of Treasury.

We recognize that a pension plan sponsor has the right to recover overpayment of a pension benefit and return the money to the pension trust fund. However, we advocated there should be clearer guidance in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) that does not create an undue hardship for the retiree.

One of our proposals was that a pension plan sponsor must purchase insurance that would cover the cost of calculation errors made by the plan sponsor or a contractor who made the pension calculations. If the plan sponsor did not purchase insurance, the plan sponsor instead would require the contractor liable for the over payment to purchase insurance.

Our second proposal was to limit the “claw back” period to three years for the plan sponsor or contractor to identify their calculation error and request recovery of overpayment over 180 months. The retiree could opt to pay the recoupment in a lump sum at his/her discretion.

The NRLN is also exploring the potential for legislation to provide fairness for retirees in pay-status whose pensions have a calculation error and owe money back to the pension plan. There is precedent for such a bill. Tom Harkin, who was an Iowa U.S. Representative from 1975-1985 and a U.S. Senator from 1985 to 2015, had introduced a bill limiting the “claw back” period to three years. The bill also had other provisions favorable to retirees. We would incorporate our unique proposals into a new bill.

The NRLN will continue to support the NCRO as it interfaces with Fiat Chrysler to work out a fair repayment schedule under current rules that favor corporations.

Bill Kadereit, President
National Retiree Legislative Network

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amazon smile AmazonSmile Program to Benefit the American Retirees Education Program (AREF)

The National Retiree Legislative Network (NRLN) board created the American Retiree Education Foundation (AREF) in 2014 as a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible, nonprofit education foundation to expand the research and educational reach of the NRLN and to enable NRLN to sharpen its focus as an organization lobbying for the passage of federal legislation and regulations that benefit retirees.

The AREF is always seeking ways to increase its funding through individual tax-deductible contributions, grants from public and private foundations, individual tax-deductible bequests and non-traditional ways. AREF funds pay for a number of tasks previously paid for by the NRLN. For example, the updating this month of the white paper on Protecting Pension Assets which is used to educate members of Congress on the need for legislation to prevent pension plan sponsors from using plan assets for non-pension expenses. Access the white paper here.

The AREF has identified a non-traditional way that you can help fund the AREF without costing you anything extra if (when) you make a purchase online from Amazon through its AmazonSmile program designed to provide a percentage of a purchase price to qualified non-profit organizations, such as the AREF. I urge you to read the following information and help provide funding to the AREF should you make an Amazon purchase. Click here to learn more about AmazonSmile.

NRLN members are saving big with the Free Health Savings Rx Card℠

The NRLN has arranged to offer you a Health Savings Rx Card™, at NO COST, that offers you and your family savings on prescription drugs, plus vision and hearing services and products.Click here to access the Rx Savings Card℠ website.If you do not already have a Health Savings Rx Card℠ you will need to create your personal login and then printout your free card. Savings information for prescription drugs, vision and hearing services and products is available through the links under the Savings Plus tab.

ACTION ALERT

NRLN Action Alert: Congress Must Also Act to Cut Drug Prices

President Trump has announced his blueprint to lower the price of prescription drugs. The President failed to call on Congress to pass laws allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices or importing safe, lower priced medicines from Canada. Click here to send the NRLN’s sample letter, with your comments added, to tell your members of Congress to pass bills authorizing these policies immediately to institute real competition and provide immediate relief for Americans. Seniors and families don't have time to wait to see if the President’s initiatives lower prices.

NRLN 2018 Survey Needs Your Input

Now Only Name and Email Address Required in the NRLN 2018 Survey

The NRLN has received a number of emails stating that too much personal information was requested in requiring their home address in order to advance in the NRLN 2018 Survey. We have listened to the feedback and have dropped the requirement for the home address. Only your first name, last name and email address is now required. This will allow the NRLN to email to you Action Alerts and other important information, including the overall results of the survey. Click here to access the survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NRLN2018 .

If you enter your home address the NRLN’s database can identify your Congressional District and State so if there is important information about your State or Congressional District or an NRLN Action Alert sample letter needs to be sent to your U.S. Representatives and/or Senators you can be notified and could help.

Whether you now decide to participate in the survey or are among the nearly 2,000 who have already provided all of the previously required information, your contact information will be in a secure database used only for the NRLN to communicate with you and for you to communicate with federal government officials. Your personal information will not be sold to or provided to a third party. You will not receive junk mail as a result of participating in this survey or any other NRLN communications, it has never happened.

Survey results will be compiled in total for the NRLN and by retiree group to provide NRLN Retiree Association and Chapter leaders insights into the opinions of their members. Overall results (no individual responses) of the survey will be published in the summer edition of the NRLN FOCUS newsletter that will be posted on the NRLN website. You will be notified by email when the newsletter is posted.

Bill Kadereit, President
National Retiree Legislative Network

alysonHAPPENINGS ON THE HILL April 2018
By Alyson Parker, NRLN Executive Director

The multiemployer pension plans’ insolvency continues to be the focus of members of Congress. The select committee that was formed to address and suggest a fix for the severe underfunding of the multiemployer plans is well underway. It had their first Congressional hearing on April 18th that focused on the history and structure of the multiemployer pension system since many members do not understand the multiemployer system. This is the first of many hearings before their November deadline to reach a consensus on how to fix the multiemployer pension plans that benefits millions of Americans.

The PBGC held their Participant Stakeholder meeting in late April where they gave an overview of the financial status of the multiemployer and single employer plans. The single employer plan is 11 billion dollars in the hole, but will be solvent within the decade assuming there is not another economic crisis.

President Trump announced that he would unveil his plan to address the high cost of prescription drugs on April 26th, but postponed the announcement days before with no new date announced. President Trump has been critical of drug manufacturers and the pricing system and has promised to take action.

I am sure all of you are aware that Speaker Ryan will not seek reelection. The two front runners to replace him as speaker are Kevin McCarthy, who is currently House Majority Leader and Speaker Ryan has endorsed to succeed him, and Steve Scalise, currently the Majority Whip. The other name that is floating around is far right congressman, Jim Jordan. If the Republicans maintain control of the House, who is the next speaker is important because he or she will decide whether to continue Speaker Ryan’s push for entitlement reform meaning changes to Medicare and Social Security.

NRLN Sharing Two Articles with Important Medicare Information

The NRLN is sharing two articles with important Medicare information that were recently published in the AUSWR CO/WY Retiree Guardian and the NWB – U S WEST – Qwest Retiree Association Retiree Guardian. Both Newsletters are published for retirees of CenturyLink, Qwest, U S WEST and their predecessor companies. Click here to access the articles.

Sept. 10-12, 2018 for NRLN Fall Fly-In to Washington, DC

Grassroots advocates of the NRLN retiree associations and chapters will meet in Washington, DC with members of Congress and their staffs during the fall Fly-In Monday, Sept.10 through Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018.

The Holiday Inn Capitol Hotel, at 550 C Street SW, Washington, DC, was selected again for its very competitive nightly room rate and being near Capitol Hill. The room rate for the Sept. meeting is $279 per night. This rate is subject to additional tax and fees.

The Fly-In will begin on Monday afternoon with a session at the hotel. Attendees will spend the entire day of Tuesday and part of Wednesday meeting with their Representatives, Senators and members of their staffs.

The fall Fly-In is open to all NRLN grassroots advocates. Advocates who are affiliated with a retiree association or chapter should notify the president of their organization if they are interested in attending.

Presidents of retiree associations and chapters affiliated with the NRLN are encouraged to solicit as many of their Grassroots State and Congressional District leaders as possible to attend the Fly-In. The sooner the NRLN is notified of intentions to attend the meetings the better it will be for the NRLN to make plans for the meetings. Email intentions to attend and/or questions to contact@nrln.org.

report card

NRLN Provides New “Report Card” Feature on Members of Congress

NRLN has introduced a “report card” for each state that shows whether the U.S. Representatives and Senators have supported bills in Congress advocated by the NRLN. Read all about it here.

money Learn About the Dollars Members of Congress Are Receiving from Pharma How much are your U.S. Representatives and Senators taking as campaign contributions from the Pharmaceutical and Health Products Industry? Could these be a reason why bills to reduce the price of prescription drugs are not being passed? Click here to see data that the NRLN has compiled from OpenSecrets.Org, Center for Responsive Politics. The contributions are for each 2-year election cycle. Note that Representatives run every cycle; Senators every 6 years (3 cycles), one third every 2 years.

READ MEMBERS COMMENTS HERE

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 the Legislative Agenda tab.

White House plans to release new tax cut proposal this summer
By Max Greenwood & Naomi Jagoda; The Hill ~ May 25, 2018

Reigniting Health Law Repeal Just Before Midterms? It Might Not Be That Far-Fetched.
From KHN Morning Briefing; Kaiser Health News ~ May 25, 2018

Opinion: Protect air ambulance services that fill the health care access gap in rural America
From Richard Sherlock; The Hill ~ May 25, 2018

Opinion: When You Decide Your Retirement Is a Mistake
From Rodney Brooks; US News & World Report ~ May 25, 2018

Opinion: Senior advocates say new draft guide to Medicare distorts facts. Here’s what you need to know
From Philip Moeller; PBS News Hour ~ May 25, 2018

Senate health committee to hold hearing on Trump drug pricing plan
By Nathaniel Weixel; The Hill ~ May 24, 2018

Opinion: If we want better health care at a lower cost, primary care must become a policy priority
From John Rother; The Hill ~ May 24, 2018

Health Insurance Coverage For Healthy Groceries? More Food-Based Interventions May Be Coming
From Tommy Tobin; Forbes ~ May 24, 2018

Insurers, small businesses praise move to kill Obamacare health insurance tax
By Kimberly Leonard; The Washington Examiner ~ May 24, 2018

Medicare Part B premiums devouring many retirees' Social Security increase, survey shows
By Sarah O'Brien; CNBC ~ May 24, 2018

Why Is Retirement So Stressful?
From Robert Laura; Forbes ~ May 24, 2018

Opinion: How To Democratize Healthcare: AI Gives Everyone The Very Best Doctor
From Vijay Pande; Forbes ~ May 23, 2018

CBO: ObamaCare premiums to rise 15 percent in 2019
By Rachel Roubein; The Hill ~ May 23, 2018

Drugmakers Blamed For Blocking Generics Have Jacked Up Prices And Cost U.S. Billions
By Sydney Lupkin; Kaiser Health News ~ May 23, 2018

Medicare's stealth price hike: Seniors are paying more for generics even though the drug prices haven't increased
From Michael Hiltzik: Los Angeles Times ~ May 23, 2018

I.R.S. Warns States Not to Circumvent State and Local Tax Cap
By Alan Rappeport & Jim Tankersley; The New York Times ~ May 23, 2018

Opinion: Injecting Common Sense Into Financial Markets
From Ike Brannon; Forbes ~ May 23, 2018

Closing The Gap For The Retirement Haves And Have-Nots
From Peter Fisher; Forbes ~ May 22, 2018

Trump administration policies could account for $1,000 average increase in ACA premiums
By Evan Sweeney; FierceHealthcare ~ May 22, 2018

Uninsured rate mostly unchanged in Trump's first year
By Nathaniel Weixel; The Hill ~ May 22, 2018

Avoiding The IRA Waterfall: 4 Ways To Increase The After-Tax Value Of Your IRAs
From Bob Carlson; Forbes ~ May 22, 2018

HHS Chief Seeks To Rally Support For Trump’s Lackluster Drug Price Plan
From KHN Morning Briefing; Kaiser Health News ~ May 21, 2018

Opinion: Government money should help solve this pension crisis
By Alicia H. Munnell; MarketWatch ~ May 21, 2018

Opinion: Why Trump’s plan will not cut drug prices
Economist – May 19, 2018

Trump’s Attempt to Shame Drugmakers Shows Medicare Costs Soaring
Yahoo.Com – May 21, 2018

Opinion: What Barbershops Can Teach About Delivering Health Care
From Aaron E. Carroll; The New York Times ~ May 21, 2018

Chained CPI Hits Social Security Through Taxation of Benefits
By Brenton Smith, FedSmith – May 21, 2018

The Drug Industry's Middlemen Are in the Hot Seat
By Clifton Leaf; Fortune ~ May 21, 2018

How to Age Well and Stay in Your Home
By Jane E. Brody; The New York Times ~ May 21, 2018

Opinion: Calling For A Blue-Ribbon Panel On The Retirement Crisis
From Chris Farrell; Forbes ~ May 21, 2018

Opinion: Without federal leadership, states must safeguard ACA markets
From Mike Kreidler & John Arensmeyer; The Hill ~ May 20, 2018

Trump official on defensive as critics scoff at drug plan
By Peter Sullivan; The Hill ~ May 19, 2018

Why Your 2019 Social Security Increase Could Be the Biggest in Years
By Dan Caplinger; The Motley Fool ~ May 19, 2018

Let’s talk about the Big Book: Everything your family needs to know when you die
By Thomas Heath; The Washington Post ~ May 18, 2018

Naming Names: FDA Calls Out Drugmakers For Blocking Generics To Shame Them Into Better Behavior
From KHN Morning Briefing; Kaiser Health News ~ May 18, 2018

FDA approves drug to prevent migraines
By Max Greenwood; The Hill ~ May 17, 2018

Opinion: Why Your IRA Is Likely At Risk... And How To Help Correct It
From Mark D. Kinney; Forbes ~ May 18, 2018

Nonprofit drug companies may cut rising generic prices, hospitals say
By Amy Norton, HDN; United Press International ~ May 17, 2018

Ryan: 'Compromise' in the works for controversial drug pricing bill
By Peter Sullivan ; The Hill ~ May 17, 2018

Some Union Retirees Could See Pension Benefits Cut 90%, PBGC Chief Warns
From Ted Knutson; Forbes ~ May 17, 2018

High Premiums A Political Hot Potato As Rates For Next Year Start To Come Out
From KHN Morning Briefing; Kaiser Health News ~ May 17, 2018

Opinion: Dems in denial on why ObamaCare premiums are through the roof
From Betsy McCaughey; New York Post ~ May 16, 2018

7 Steps to Pay off Debt in Retirement
From Rachel Hartman; US News & World Report ~ May 17, 2018

FDA names drug companies that may 'game' the system to stall generics
By Peter Sullivan; The Hill ~ May 17, 2018

Opinion: Trump Takes First Step Toward Cutting Prescription Drug Costs With 'American Patients First' Plan
From Robin Seaton Jefferson; Forbes ~ May 17, 2018

Automation, older workers to shape US workforce in 2020s
From Karen Harris & Andrew Schwedel; The Hill ~ May 17, 2018

Opinion: President Trump’s historic rescissions package is a welcome step to cut wasteful spending
From Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas); The Hill ~ May 16, 2018

Retirement Industry Officials Back Bipartisan Bills to Update ERISA
By Melanie Waddell; ThinkAdvisor ~ May 16, 2018

Graham working on new ObamaCare repeal bill
By Peter Sullivan; The Hill ~ May 16, 2018

Court saga over Obamacare payments reaches end
By Tom Howell Jr. ; The Washington Times ~ May 16, 2018

Court rules Dem states can intervene in ObamaCare lawsuit
By Jessie Hellmann; The Hill ~ May 16, 2018

Vermont becomes first state to permit drug imports from Canada
By Rachana Pradhan; Politico ~ May 16, 2018

Trump's short-term insurance proposal could cost more than expected
By Nathaniel Weixel; The Hill ~ May 16, 2018

9 Ways To Pay For Long-Term Care Without Buying Insurance
From Kerri Fivecoat-Campbel, NA; Forbes ~ May 16, 2018

Defending the 'middlemen' in the battle on drug prices
By Nathaniel Weixel; The Hill ~ May 15, 2018

Trump Nominates McConnell and Chao’s Brother-In-Law to Lead Pension Agency
By Justin Sink & Toluse Olorunnipa; Bloomberg ~ May 15, 2018

Opinion: Can The Republicans Replace Obamacare Before The Next Election?
From John C. Goodman; Forbes ~ May 15, 2018

Azar Warns Pharma That Administration Will Be ‘Turning On The Pressure’ As He Defends President’s Drug Plan
From KHN Morning Briefing; Kaiser Health News ~ May 15, 2018

PhRMA expresses 'serious concerns' with Trump drug pricing proposals
By Peter Sullivan; The Hill ~ May 15, 2018

Apart From A Few ‘Sacrificial Lambs,’ Pharma Emerges From Trump’s Speech Largely Unscathed
From KHN Morning Briefing; Kaiser Health News ~ May 14, 2018

This is what a death spiral looks like
From Catherine Rampell; The Washington Post ~ May 14, 2018

IRS may nix blue states' workaround on tax deduction caps
By Darla Mercado; CNBC ~ May 14, 2018

Trump targets Medicare, PBMs in plan to lower drug prices
By Mike Stankiewicz; FierceHealthcare ~ May 14, 2018

Trump health secretary pushes back against Medicare drug negotiation
By Nathaniel Weixel; The Hill ~ May 14, 2018

A Major Social Security Change Is Coming in 2022
By Sean Williams; The Motley Fool ~ May 14, 2018

Opinion: Look in the Mirror, America, to See a Reason Drug Prices Are So High
From Max Nisen; Bloomberg ~ May 13, 2018

Opinion: The politics of pensions in America
From Joshua Gotbaum; The Hill ~ May 12, 2018

Carrying debt into retirement and past age 75 has become the new normal
By Russ Wiles; USA TODAY ~ May 12, 2018

Rescuing seniors and Part D from Congress
From Doug Badger & Grace-Marie Turner; The Hill ~ May 12, 2018

Opinion: Trump's Drug Pricing Reform Proposals May Be Politically Tepid But Are Eminently Sensible
From John Osborn; Forbes ~ May 12, 2018

Short-Term Plans Are Same Ones Obama Had For Eight Years, HHS Secretary Says In Face Of Criticism
From KHN Morning Briefing; Kaiser Health News ~ May 11, 2018

6 Ways Trump's Drug Price Plan Could Lower Rx Costs
By Lisa L. Gill; Consumer Reports ~ May 11, 2018

What's Driving US Healthcare Costs? Stakeholders Weigh In
By Jaime Rosenberg; AJMC ~ May 10, 2018

When Credit Scores Become Casualties Of Health Care
By Shefali Luthra; Kaiser Health News ~ May 09, 2018

Senate GOP warms to Trump's rescissions package
By Jordain Carney; The Hill ~ May 08, 2018

GOP chairman in talks with Trump officials on more ObamaCare actions
By Peter Sullivan; The Hill ~ May 08, 2018

Schumer: Dems will be 'relentless' in attacking GOP for premium hikes
By Peter Sullivan; The Hill ~ May 08, 2018

Eye-Popping Premium Increases Give First Glimpse Of Next Year’s Marketplace
From KHN Morning Briefing; Kaiser Health News ~ May 08, 2018

Democrats See Opportunity In Trump’s Inaction To Reclaim High Drug Prices As Winning Issue
From KHN Morning Briefing; Kaiser Health News ~ May 08, 2018

Medicare Beneficiaries Feel The Pinch When They Can’t Use Drug Coupons
By Michelle Andrews; Kaiser Health News ~ May 08, 2018

More Americans expect to work until 70; there are benefits
By Sarah Skidmore Sell; The Associated Press ~ May 08, 2018

Pelosi says she wants to increase taxes
By Steve Goldstein; MarketWatch ~ May 08, 2018

The Health 202: Guess what's in the farm bill? Funding for health plans pushed by Trump
By Paige Winfield Cunningham, Washington Post – May 7, 2018

Today’s Special: Obamacare Menu Labeling Rules Ushered In
By Phil Galewitz; Kaiser Health News ~ May 07, 2018

‘Pharma Folks Are Nervous’ As Trump Gears Up For Major Speech On Curbing Drug Prices
From KHN Morning Briefing; Kaiser Health News ~ May 07, 2018

Take control of your health care (exert your patient autonomy)
From Carolyn A. Bernstein, MD, FAHS; Harvard Health ~ May 07, 2018

What happens when your pension fund runs out of money
By Katie Lobosco; CNNMoney ~ May 07, 2018

As election looms, policymakers work overtime to finish killing ObamaCare
From Sarah Lee & Justin Haskins; The Hill ~ May 07, 2018

IRS Aggressively Enforcing Employer Mandate Despite Trump’s Promise That Health Law Is All But Dead
From KHN Morning Briefing; Kaiser Health News ~ May 07, 2018

Opinion: Medically tailored food is the future of health care
From Karen Pearl; The Hill ~ May 07, 2018

Three Things People Often Get Wrong About Social Security, And Why It's Critical To Get It Right
From Beau Henderson; Forbes ~ May 07, 2018

Social Security Beneficiaries Top 62,000,000 for First Time
By Terence P. Jeffrey; CNS News ~ May 07, 2018

FDA chief Gottlieb to pharma: Those rebates you love to hate may soon count as kickbacks
By Arlene Weintraub; FiercePharma ~ May 04, 2018

House Dems call for a vote on ObamaCare stabilization bill
By Nathaniel Weixel ; The Hill ~ May 04, 2018

Trump to deliver major address on drug prices, but advocates predict small steps
By John Fritze; USA TODAY ~ May 04, 2018

DC execs told not to worry about fiduciary rule decision
By Meaghan Kilroy & Robert Steyer; Pensions & Investments ~ May 04, 2018

Blame our politicians for the retirement savings problem
From Andrew Biggs; The Hill ~ May 04, 2018

Trump likely to target Medicare in quest for lower drug prices
By Mike Stankiewicz; FierceHealthcare ~ May 04, 2018

Opinion: The Social Security Trust Fund Is Real - But So What?
From Elizabeth Bauer; Forbes ~ May 05, 2018

Opinion: A New Snapshot Of Older Adults In The U.S.
From Howard Gleckman; Forbes ~ May 04, 2018

Opinion: Social Security Administration should stop closing field offices
From Max Richtman; The Hill ~ May 04, 2018

FDA chief hints at changes to drug rebates ahead of Trump speech
By Nathaniel Weixel; The Hill ~ May 03, 2018

The myth of outliving your retirement savings
From Gail MarksJarvis; Reuters ~ May 03, 2018

Your right to choose restored by health mandate repeal
From Dr. Roger D. Klein; The Hill ~ May 02, 2018

Price walks back warning on ObamaCare individual mandate
By Nathaniel Weixel; The Hill ~ May 02, 2018

Opinion: Relieving Pension Tension?
From Olivia Mitchell; Forbes ~ May 02, 2018

Court refuses to let states, AARP intervene in Obama-era financial rule case
By Lydia Wheeler; The Hill ~ May 02, 2018

HHS secretary: Trump drug pricing plan will go 'much further' than budget proposal
By Rachel Roubein; The Hill ~ May 02, 2018

Medicare costs could rise by more than 200 percent for these retirees
By Darla Mercado; CNBC ~ May 02, 2018

Opinion: People need fair insurance coverage in a medical emergency
From Dr. Paul Kivela; The Hill ~ May 02, 2018

NIH seeks health data of 1 million people, with genetic privacy suddenly an issue
By Lenny Bernstein; The Washington Post ~ May 01, 2018

HHS proposes Medicare payment rules to encourage hospitals to be clearer about prices
By Goldstein, Washington Post – Apr 24, 2018

Industry Voices—Why insurers are spending billions to acquire physician practices
By Dan Mendelson; FierceHealthcare ~ Apr 30, 2018

How A Drug Company Under Pressure For High Prices Ratchets Up Political Activity
By Jay Hancock & Elizabeth Lucas; Kaiser Health News ~ Apr 30, 2018

How Inflation Can Ruin Your Retirement
From Robert Laura; Forbes ~ Apr 30, 2018

The 3 Financial Planning Items You Should Review Every Birthday
From Megan Gorman; Forbes ~ Apr 29, 2018

Social Security is looking like a pretty good investment these days
By Monique Morrissey, Economic Policy Institute – April 23, 2018

So, Hey, Why Not Just Remove The Social Security Earnings Cap?
From Elizabeth Bauer; Forbes ~ Apr 28, 2018

DOL Fiduciary Rule Fight Intensifies As State AGs, AARP Step In
By Ashlea Ebeling; Forbes ~ Apr 27, 2018

Echoes of Disastrous Obamacare Launch: Report Rips Medicare Shopping Tool
By Brendan Kirby; LifeZette ~ Apr 27, 2018

These Charities Are Meant To Help Patients Pay For Drugs. But Critics Say They’re Just A Marketing Arm Of Pharma
From KHN Morning Briefing; Kaiser Health News ~ Apr 27, 2018

How to Talk About Moving to a Retirement Home: ‘It’s a Journey’
By Peter Finch; The New York Times ~ Apr 27, 2018

Opinion: Why Reverse Mortgages May Not Boost Retirement Income
From John Wasik; Forbes ~ Apr 27, 2018

Dissecting The Rhetoric Vs. Reality Of Trump’s Tough Talk On Drug Prices
By Sarah Jane Tribble; Kaiser Health News ~ Apr 27, 2018

Nine Rights Every Patient Should Demand
By Elisabeth Rosenthal; The New York Times ~ Apr 27, 2018

Older, Sicker Consumers Will Bear Brunt Of Healthier People’s Decision To Go With New ‘Skinny Plans’
From KHN Morning Briefing; Kaiser Health News ~ Apr 26, 2018

Don't make this dangerous Medicare mistake
By Steve Vernon; CBS News ~ Apr 26, 2018

How High Drug Prices and Big Lobbying Budgets Go Together for Big Pharma
By Jay Hancock & Elizabeth Lucas; Fortune ~ Apr 26, 2018

Social Security 'is under attack,' say these congressional Democrats
By Annie Nova; CNBC ~ Apr 26, 2018

States ask court to reconsider decision on Obama-era financial rule
By Lydia Wheeler; The Hill ~ Apr 26, 2018

Opinion: Primary care is a home run for both sides of the aisle
From Ann Greiner & Dr. Evan Saulino; The Hill ~ Apr 25, 2018

Should I get out of the market until it returns to sanity?
By Walter Updegrave; CNNMoney ~ Apr 25, 2018

Heartburn drugs linked to pneumonia in older people
By Allen Cone; United Press International ~ Apr 25, 2018

Hospitals To Be Required To Post Prices Online As Part Of CMS Push To Increase Transparency
From KHN Morning Briefing; Kaiser Health News ~ Apr 25, 2018

EBRI: Employees say workplace retirement plan will be a major income source as retiree
By Robert Steyer; Pensions & Investments ~ Apr 24, 2018

Long-Term Care Expenses Growing As A Worry For Retirees
From Ted Knutson; Forbes ~ Apr 24, 2018

Short-Term Insurance Plans Will Siphon Off Healthier Patients And Split Market Place, Opponents Warn
From KHN Morning Briefing; Kaiser Health News ~ Apr 24, 2018

Express Scripts targets Amgen, Lilly migraine drugs in pricing shift
By Deena Beasley; Reuters ~ Apr 24, 2018

Opinion: ‘Let food be thy medicine’
From Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine); The Hill ~ Apr 24, 2018

3 Rulings Show The Importance Of Checking IRA Beneficiary Forms
From Bob Carlson; Forbes ~ Apr 24, 2018

Environmental, consumer groups call for firing of TVA CEO over use of jets
By Dave Flessner; Times Free Press ~ Apr 23, 2018

Insurer group issues warning on Trump administration's short-term health plan proposal
By Jessie Hellmann; The Hill ~ Apr 23, 2018

Trump delays drug pricing speech, no set date yet
By Yasmeen Abutaleb; Reuters ~ Apr 23, 2018

Opinion: How much does the FDA really do to promote public health?
From Lindsey Stroud; The Hill ~ Apr 23, 2018

Estate And Long-Term Care Planning Help For Solo Agers
From Sara Zeff Geber; Forbes ~ Apr 23, 2018

Opinion: How to Avoid a Retirement Disaster
From Barry Ritholtz; Bloomberg ~ Apr 23, 2018

Opinion: Let’s talk about drug costs
From Rick Pollack & Jo Ann Jenkins; The Hill ~ Apr 23, 2018

Employers don't understand the 'black box' behind rising drug prices, and are fed up
By Christina Farr; CNBC ~ Apr 22, 2018

IRS Tax Day glitch exposes antiquated tech infrastructure
From Morgan Wright; The Hill ~ Apr 21, 2018

Doctors Attack Trump's Short-Term Health Plans Ahead Of Comment Deadline
From Bruce Japsen; Forbes ~ Apr 22, 2018

Political Winds Have Shifted When It Comes To Health Law, Now Seen As Possible Winning Issue For Democrats
From KHN Morning Briefing; Kaiser Health News ~ Apr 20, 2018

3 more multiemployer plans apply for benefit cuts
By Hazel Bradford; Pensions & Investments ~ Apr 20, 2018

These economists say a $1 trillion deficit is just a good start
By Jeff Stein; The Washington Post ~ Apr 20, 2018

The U.S. Healthcare System Is Back To Its High-Spending Ways
From Peter Ubel; Forbes ~ Apr 20, 2018

PhRMA spends record amount on lobbying amid drug pricing fights
By Jessie Hellmann; The Hill ~ Apr 20, 2018

Opinion: Avoiding 7 Deadly Estate Planning Mistakes
From Bob Carlson; Forbes ~ Apr 20, 2018

Tennessee lawmakers appeal to Trump to drop plan to sell TVA transmission assets
By Dave Flessner; Times Free Press ~ Apr 19, 2018

Hearing Witnesses Lay Out How Multiemployer Pensions Got Where They Are
By Rebecca Moore; Plansponsor ~ Apr 19, 2018

The next big thing for Democrats: Medicare for all
From Paul Waldman; The Washington Post ~ Apr 19, 2018

Five things to expect (again) from President Trump’s upcoming drug price speech
By Emma Court; MarketWatch ~ Apr 19, 2018

Dem senators unveil expanded public option for health insurance
By Peter Sullivan; The Hill ~ Apr 18, 2018

Opinion: Many Americans Go Broke In Retirement, But Many Others Gain Wealth In Old Age
From Howard Gleckman; Forbes ~ Apr 18, 2018

Pension insolvency crisis only grows as Congress sits on its hands
From Former Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.); The Hill ~ Apr 18, 2018

Doctors have lost faith in politicians supporting a real health care fix
From Dr. Linda Giris; The Hill ~ Apr 18, 2018

Congrats, you filed your 2017 taxes. Now it’s really important to do one more thing.
By Heather Long; The Washington Post ~ Apr 18, 2018

The Type of Consumerism Healthcare Really Needs
From Sachin H. Jain; Forbes ~ Apr 17, 2018

Congress Urged To Cut Medicare Payments To Many Stand-Alone ERs
By Michelle Andrews; Kaiser Health News ~ Apr 17, 2018

1 million Americans are counting on Congress to save their pensions
By Katie Lobosco; CNNMoney ~ Apr 17, 2018

Pharmacies surge on report that Amazon is backing away from prescription drugs
By Danielle Wiener-Bronner; CNNMoney ~ Apr 16, 2018

Opinion: 6 Misunderstood IRA Rules And Strategies
From Bob Carlson; Forbes ~ Apr 17, 2018

Opinion: 2018 marks final season of tax complexity
From Alex Hendrie; The Hill ~ Apr 17, 2018

GOP Candidates Shy Away From Once-Favorite ‘Repeal And Replace’ Talking Point
From KHN Morning Briefing; Kaiser Health News ~ Apr 16, 2018

Opinion: Both parties have a plan for the debt crisis: Do nothing
By Robert J. Samuelson; The Washington Post ~ Apr 15, 2018

How Much Should Insurance Companies Know About The Things They Insure?
From Enrique Dans; Forbes ~ Apr 16, 2018

Amazon drops plan to become a major pharmaceutical distributor: 7 things to know
By Alia Paavola; Becker’s Hospital Review ~ Apr 16, 2018

Top Tax-Advantaged Investing Alternatives Beyond Company 401(k) Plans
From Kyle Brownlee; Forbes ~ Apr 16, 2018

Trump to give speech on lowering drug prices this month
By Peter Sullivan; The Hill ~ Apr 16, 2018

Ryan: Trillion-dollar deficits were inevitable
By Alexander Bolton; The Hill ~ Apr 15, 2018

Canadian pharmacy fined $34 million for importing counterfeit drugs into U.S.
By Luis Sanchez; The Hill ~ Apr 14, 2018

How To Track Down That Lost 401(k) Or Pension
From David Rae; Forbes ~ Apr 15, 2018

Opinion: Congress must act to ensure access to air medical services
From Reps. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) & Raul Ruiz (D-Calif; The Hill ~ Apr 13, 2018

Top House, Senate Dems warn administration on short-term insurance
By Nathaniel Weixel; The Hill ~ Apr 13, 2018

House fails to advance a balanced budget amendment to counter high spending levels
By Eliza Collins; USA TODAY ~ Apr 13, 2018

Medicare spending projected to climb 7 percent annually after this year, says Congressional Budget Office
By Jeff Lagasse; Healthcare Finance ~ Apr 12, 2018

Study: Tax refunds used to pay for healthcare
By Allen Cone; United Press International ~ Apr 12, 2018

How are Americans importing more affordable medications?
By Gabriel Levitt, PharmacyChecker.com – Apr 12, 2018

Does House Speaker Paul Ryan's retirement signal a blue wave in the fall?
By Nicole Gaudiano & Eliza Collins, ; USA TODAY ~ Apr 11, 2018

Sadly, fiscal restraint is no longer a core principle of the GOP
From Chris Edwards; The Hill ~ Apr 11, 2018

Opinion: A Constitutional Amendment To Cut Benefits For Old And Sick People
From Howard Gleckman; Forbes ~ Apr 11, 2018

Speaker Paul Ryan Will Not Seek Re-election in November
By Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns, NY Times – April 11, 2018

Why We May Lose Generic Drugs
By Cynthia Koons; Bloomberg ~ Apr 11, 2018

House panel approves bipartisan bills aimed at improving the IRS
By Naomi Jagoda; The Hill ~ Apr 11, 2018

Can You Hear Me Now? Senate Bill On Hearing Aids May Make The Answer ‘Yes’
By Michelle Andrews; Kaiser Health News ~ Apr 10, 2018

Like it or not, annuities are coming to retirement plans
InvestmentNews ~ Apr 07, 2018

Administration Relaxes Essential Benefits Regulations, Creates New Mandate Exemptions
From KHN Morning Briefing; Kaiser Health News ~ Apr 10, 2018

Opinion: Limiting patient choice is the wrong way to address high drug prices
From David I. Daikh & Ralph L. Sacco; The Hill ~ Apr 10, 2018

Eight Tax Goofs To Avoid
By Kelly Phillips Erb; Forbes ~ Apr 10, 2018

Avoiding The 5 Greatest Threats To Your Retirement Security
From Bob Carlson; Forbes ~ Apr 10, 2018

Opinion: Avoid these 7 exercises if you’re over 50
From Linda Melone; MarketWatch ~ Apr 10, 2018

CBO Sees $804 Billion 2018 Deficit, $1 Trillion Gap By 2020
By Paul Krawzak; Roll Call ~ Apr 09, 2018

Opinion: Respect For Our Seniors? Let's Put Our Money Where Our Mouths Are
From Bart Astor; Forbes ~ Apr 09, 2018

Primary Care Doctors Being Pushed To Brink Of Extinction By Mega Mergers And Urgent Care Clinics
From KHN Morning Briefing; Kaiser Health News ~ Apr 09, 2018

GOP looks to reduce spending after hearing criticism back home
By Melanie Zanona; The Hill ~ Apr 09, 2018

State solutions to bring down drug prices face steep resistance from drug industry
By Paige Minemyer; FierceHealthcare ~ Apr 09, 2018

Opinion: For Uber And Lyft, Medicare Could Be The Next Profitable Ride
From Bruce Japsen; Forbes ~ Apr 08, 2018

Ask these questions to avoid hiring a bad (or unethical) financial adviser
By Alessandra Malito; MarketWatch ~ Apr 08, 2018

A debt crisis is coming. But don’t blame entitlements.
By Martin Neil Baily, Jason Furman, Alan B. Krueger, Laura D'Andrea Tyson & Janet L. Yellen ; The Washington Post ~ Apr 08, 2018

Facebook's Medical Research Project Shows It Just Doesn't Understand Consent
From Kalev Leetaru; Forbes ~ Apr 06, 2018

Azar taps Landmark Health CEO Adam Boehler as CMS' innovation chief
By Tina Reed; FierceHealthcare ~ Apr 06, 2018

U.S. Medicare sets outpatient rate for Yescarta reimbursement
By Deena Beasley; Reuters ~ Apr 06, 2018

Democrats Spurred To Run By GOP Health Law Attacks Plan To Go On Offense During Midterms
From KHN Morning Briefing; Kaiser Health News ~ Apr 06, 2018

The 8 Challenges Of Aging
From Katy Fike; Forbes ~ Apr 06, 2018

Could You Be Saving Too Much For Retirement?
From Bob Carlson; Forbes ~ Apr 06, 2018

What ACA enrollment numbers do, and don't, show
By Dan Diamond; Politico ~ Apr 04, 2018

Premiums shoot up, but many are paying less for ‘Obamacare’
By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar; The Associated Press ~ Apr 03, 2018

Opinion: The Real Reason the Investor Class Hates Pensions
By David Webber; The New York Times ~ Apr 04, 2018

How Trump's New Medicare Rules Boost Amazon And Walmart
From Bruce Japsen; Forbes ~ Apr 05, 2018

Timeline: Despite GOP’s Failure To Repeal Obamacare, The ACA Has Changed
By Julie Rovner; Kaiser Health News ~ Apr 05, 2018

Alexa.......What is HIPAA?
By Kristen Andrews Wilson; The National Law Review ~ Apr 05, 2018

Boomers And Gen Xers Skipping Health Care Due To Cost
From Richard Eisenberg; Forbes ~ Mar 27, 2018

People think Obamacare is failing, but they want it anyway
From Jennifer Rubin; The Washington Post ~ Apr 03, 2018

Medicare Advantage Plans Cleared To Go Beyond Medical Coverage — Even Groceries
By Susan Jaffe; Kaiser Health News ~ Apr 03, 2018

Here's Why Your 401(k) May Be An Ugly Duckling Right Now
From Robert Laura; Forbes ~ Apr 03, 2018

Walmart eyes Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in Humana talks
By Brittany De Lea; Fox Business ~ Apr 02, 2018

How Startup Parachute Health Is Bringing E-Commerce To Your Crutches
By Michela Tindera; Forbes ~ Apr 02, 2018

Retirees will face tough decisions with reverse mortgages
From Liz Weston; MarketWatch ~ Apr 02, 2018

Trump administration aims to lower drug prices for seniors
By Tami Luhby; CNNMoney ~ Apr 02, 2018

Older Americans Are Hooked On Vitamins Despite Scarce Evidence They Work
By Liz Szabo; Kaiser Health News ~ Apr 04, 2018

Ubi Est Mea?" And Social Security Spending
From Elizabeth Bauer; Forbes ~ Apr 01, 2018

April is Financial Literacy Month - Why Financial Wellness Matters
From Mark Avallone; Forbes ~ Mar 31, 2018

U.S. Tax Deadline: IRS Refunds Over $180B, Provides Online Tools To Find Your Refund
From Roger Aitken; Forbes ~ Mar 31, 2018

10 Common Financial Myths That Should Be April Fool's Jokes
From Erik Carter; Forbes ~ Apr 01, 2018

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