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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

Concerns About Private Medicare Exchanges

Dan Pitts, the new President of the Tennessee Valley Authority Retirees Coalition (TVARC), an NRLN Chapter, has brought to my attention an issue that has affected TVA retirees’ selection of their Medigap (Medicare supplement) plans offered through a Private Medicare Exchange (PME). Companies use PMEs to move retirees from their group plan and into the individual Medicare market. This has caused me to wonder whether other NRLN grassroots advocates many have been similarly impacted by a PME.

Dan is requesting that you sign his online petition on this issue that will be sent to Congressional leaders and the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Click here to see the petition.

The NRLN has a brief survey for anyone who has had dealings with a PME to purchase their Medicare coverage and/or has a Medicare Advantage plan. The NRLN survey is at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NRLNMED. Your input will help the NRLN determine whether there is a need to take action.

Dan has been trained and certified as a member of the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), a federally funded program administered by each state. Dan is empowered to assist Medicare beneficiaries to prevent, detect and report health care fraud, errors and abuse. Because Dan’s goal as a SMP volunteer is to ensure that all seniors receive accurate and complete information to make their Medicare choices and to report any cases of impropriety to Medicare, I take seriously his concerns about PMEs.

First, a little background about the PME situation with TVA retirees. TVA terminated retirees’ health coverage effective January 1, 2017 and contracted with a PME to help retirees find new Medicare insurance. In the fall of 2016, TVA retirees started looking at the Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans offered during transition to the PME. It turned out the most popular Medigap plan (Plan G) and the two insurers offered by the PME were 35-67% more expensive than buying coverage directly the insurers.

Retirees complained to TVA about the PME’s higher rates and TVA executives were surprised about the higher rates and challenged the PME about its high rates. The PME eventually admitted to TVA that many of its high-priced plans may carry the look and brand of major, well-established insurers, but the plans are really "separate legal entities" with rates based on different cost structures, resulting in much higher rates. The names of those insurers, their logos, plan descriptors, and plan benefits were used in the marketing and promotions material presented to TVA retirees.

Dan sent an email on December 6 to TVARC members whose email addresses are in the NRLN’s database. He cited an example of how much more expensive the two Medicare Plan G offerings were versus eight other plans

Dan noted that another issue relates to a very basic, but a very important, option available to retirees who have no serious pre-existing conditions. Healthier retirees have absolutely no need for the PME's high-priced "guaranteed issue" plans. Because of their better health, they would qualify to purchase any plan, not just guaranteed issue plans, from any insurer in their local market, many at very low rates. Some insurers will allow switching to a Medigap plan at any time, not just during open enrollment. Before changing plans, retirees should always make sure they will not be giving up any significant benefits such as healthcare subsidies or insurance for their under 65 spouses.

He said it is unclear why the PME chose not to disclose this information to TVA retirees. Also, it is troubling that the PME restricted its offerings for the highly popular Medigap Plan G to just two insurers and did not bring more competition into the offerings.

Dan made other good points that apply to anyone age 65 and older.

Medicare eligible seniors should not be afraid to inquire about changing plans, especially if they have no serious pre-existing condition,” Pitts said. For example, even if you have been treated for cancer and the disease has been in remission for a certain period, some

insurers may be willing to provide you a new Medigap plan without imposing higher rates or waiting periods. As always, before changing plans, retirees should make sure they will not be giving up any benefits such as healthcare subsidies or insurance for their under age 65 spouses.

Dan pointed out the Medicare website at https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/when-can-i-buy-medigap/switching-medigap-policies provides information about Medigap plans. Another excellent source for advice on Medicare plans is offered by the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) that provides local, in-depth, and objective insurance counseling and assistance to Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers. The national SHIP website can be accessed at https://www.shiptacenter.org/.

Please take a few minutes to review and sign Dan’s petition. Also, please respond to the NRLN’s brief survey if you have had experience dealing with a PME and/or have a Medicare Advantage plan. It is voluntary whether you submit your name, email address and home address on the NRLN survey.

Bill Kadereit, President
National Retiree Legislative Network

PHARMA CONTRIBUTIONS TO CONGRESS

money Learn About the Dollars Members of Congress Have Been Receiving from Pharma since the 2012 election cycle . How much did your U.S. Representatives and Senators and newly elected members take as campaign contributions from the Pharmaceutical and Health Products Industry for the 2018 election ? 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.

Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles for 2019

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced Medicare Parts A and B premiums and deductibles for 2019.

The Medicare Part A inpatient deductible that beneficiaries will pay when admitted to the hospital is $1,364 in 2019, an increase of $24 from 2018. About 99 percent of Medicare beneficiaries do not have a Part A premium since they have at least 40 quarters of Medicare-covered employment. Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility, and some home health care services.

The standard Medicare Part B monthly premium for 2019 will be $135.50, an increase of $1.50 per month over 2018. The annual deductible for Medicare Part B beneficiaries will be $185 in 2019, an increase of $2 from 2018. Medicare Part B covers physician services, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, durable medical equipment, and certain other medical and health services not covered by Medicare Part A.

An estimated 2 million Medicare beneficiaries will pay less than the full Part B standard monthly premium amount in 2019 due to the statutory hold harmless provision, which limits certain beneficiaries’ increase in their Part B premium to be no greater than the increase in their Social Security benefits. High earners pay significantly more. Medicare uses modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) from a participant’s tax return from two years ago to determine premiums.

For a fact sheet on the 2019 Medicare Parts A & B premiums and deductibles, click here.

Social Security Checks Will Increase 2.8% in 2019

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced on Oct. 11 that the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2019 will be 2.8%, the largest increase since 2012 when the boost was 3.6%. The increase in 2018 was 2.0%.

For those who are collecting an average Social Security benefit of about $1,400 a month, the 2019 COLA will amount to an extra $39 per month. The Medicare Part B premiums for next year have not yet been announced.

The size of a COLA is linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a measure of inflation. The announcement from the SSA comes after the release of the CPI for September which showed a 2.3% increase in the cost of all items over the past year.

The SSA said that the maximum amount of income subject to Social Security taxes in 2019 will be $132,900, up from $128,400. The NRLN’s Legislative Agenda calls for amending tax codes to eliminate federal and state taxes on all Social Security income and/or allow a tax credit for taxes withheld.

The NRLN’s “Grand Bargain” proposal would close the Social Security and Medicare funding deficit of 3.66% and save both programs for the next 75 years.

instagramInvitation to View NRLN Photos on Instagram

You are invited to visit the new NRLN Instagram page at www.instagram.com/photosnrlnorg/. The page has photos from the NRLN’s September 2018 Fly-In and March 2018 Leadership Conference in Washington, DC. Click on each photo to read about who is in the photo and what is happening.

You do not need an Instagram account to visit the NRLN’s page. Instagram can be accessed with an electronic tablet, smartphone or computer. If you have an Instagram account, I encourage you click on the “Follow” button.

READ MEMBERS COMMENTS HERE

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.

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.

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.

Why Is Obamacare Enrollment Down?
By Reed Abelson & Margot Sanger-Katz; The New York Times ~ Dec 06, 2018

Opinion: How to Cut Drug Prices: Experts Weigh In
By Austin Frakt; The New York Times ~ Dec 10, 2018

Study: Statins have low risk of side effects
By Tauren Dyson; United Press International ~ Dec 10, 2018

Opinion: Obamacare Doctor Choices Narrow As Insurers Make More Money
From Bruce Japsen; Forbes ~ Dec 09, 2018

More blood pressure meds recalled due to carcinogen
By “HealthDay News”; United Press International ~ Dec 09, 2018

OIG: 46% of Medicare Patients in LTACs Experience Harm
By Maggie Flynn; Skilled Nursing News ~ Dec 09, 2018

Opinion: 4 Basic Financial Documents Every Family Should Have
From Kathryn Flynn; Forbes ~ Dec 07, 2018

Opinion: Do You Know How Much 401K Fees Are Costing You?
From Jaime Catmull; Forbes ~ Dec 08, 2018

Millions of Americans Could Face Surprise Emergency Room Bills in January. A contract fight means thousands of doctors may no longer be in-network.
By John Tozzi; Bloomberg ~ Dec 07, 2018

VP Mike Pence on Social Security: "Everything Has to Be on the Table"
By Sean Williams; The Motley Fool ~ Dec 08, 2018

House set to vote on bill cracking down on drug companies overcharging Medicaid
By Peter Sullivan; The Hill ~ Dec 07, 2018

How to Lower Healthcare Costs: Advice to Congress from AAPS President Marilyn Singleton, M.D., J.D.
Via “Association of American Physicians and Surgeons”; The Associated Press ~ Dec 07, 2018

US health-care spending topped $10,739 per person in 2017: report
By Jessie Hellmann; The Hill ~ Dec 06, 2018/font>

Column: Pfizer and Merck are raising drug prices again, showing that their price cuts were just a sham to mollify Trump
From Michael Hiltzik; Los Angeles Times ~ Dec 06, 2018

Seniors Steamed Over Cuts To SilverSneakers Fitness Program
By Judith Graham; Kaiser Health News ~ Dec 06, 2018

Opinion: Why Retirement Is Broken And Needs To Be Reinvented
From Stephen Chen; Forbes ~ Dec 06, 2018

Without Obamacare Penalty, Think It’ll Be Nice To Drop Your Plan? Better Think Twice
By Emily Bazar; Kaiser Health News ~ Dec 05, 2018

Health-care marketplace confusion — here are all of the facts
From Marc Boutin, Matt Eyles & Rick Pollack; The Hill ~ Dec 05, 2018

International price index for medicine will harm patients
From Grover Norquist & Alexander Hendrie; The Hill ~ Dec 04, 2018

Column: How to navigate Medicare options as Trump officials boost private plans
By Philip Moeller; PBS ~ Dec 05, 2018

Big Retirement Losses If The Market Crashes Tomorrow
From Teresa Ghilarducci; Forbes ~ Dec 05, 2018

Obamacare premiums will get cheaper for the first time
By Katie Lobosco & Tami Luhby; CNN ~ Dec 04, 2018

Poll: 57% believe government should ensure health insurance
By Allen Cone; United Press International ~ Dec 03, 2018

In Grandma’s Stocking: An Apple Watch To Monitor Falls, Track Heart Rhythms
By Rachel Bluth; Kaiser Health News ~ Dec 04, 2018

Opinion: Time is money: Let’s open Social Security field offices, not close them
From Nancy Altman; The Hill ~ Dec 04, 2018

Hopeful Signs For Elder Care From Trump's HHS Secretary
By “Next Avenue”; Forbes ~ Dec 04, 2018

Physician Practice Roundup—Study finds Americans concerned about hospitals acquiring independent practices
By Joanne Finnegan; FierceHealthcare ~ Dec 04, 2018

Trump's drug-prices-in-ads idea gets two more nay votes as federal comment deadline looms
By Beth Snyder Bulik; FiercePharma ~ Dec 03, 2018

Medicare Cuts Payments To Nursing Homes Whose Patients Keep Ending Up In Hospital
By Jordan Rau; Kaiser Health News ~ Dec 03, 2018

Opinion: Trump keeps ignoring the biggest economic crisis of our generation
From Kristin Tate; The Hill ~ Dec 02, 2018

Column: You've got one month to get your taxes in order — here's what to consider
From Russ Wiles; Arizona Republic ~ Dec 02, 2018

Opinion: 7 Reasons It's Time To Update Your Estate Plan
From Bob Carlson; Forbes ~ Dec 02, 2018

GOP balks at Trump drug pricing plan
By Peter Sullivan; The Hill ~ Dec 02, 2018

Trump Administration Peppers Inboxes With Plugs for Private Medicare Plans
By Robert Pear; The New York Times ~ Dec 01, 2018

Opinion: The Other Way People Can't Afford Healthcare
From Erik Sherman; Forbes ~ Dec 01, 2018

Opinion: The Best Way to Save Social Security
From Martin Feldstein; Barron’s ~ Dec 01, 2018

Joe Kennedy III 'hopeful' he can support revised 'Medicare for all' bill next year
By Peter Sullivan; The Hill ~ Nov 30, 2018

Short On Federal Funding, Obamacare Enrollment Navigators Switch Tactics
By Phil Galewitz; Kaiser Health News ~ Nov 30, 2018

Opinion: The Gray Tsunami: Older Drivers, Their Medications, And Why It Matters For All Of Us
From Tanya Mohn; Forbes ~ Nov 30, 2018

Opinion: The Health 202: Trump's latest move to lower drug spending pits patients versus insurers

New insurance guidelines would undermine rules of the Affordable Care Act
By Amy Goldstein; The Washington Post ~ Nov 29, 2018

US aging trends are more alarming than we thought
From John Rowe; The Hill ~ Nov 29, 2018

Dem single-payer fight set to shift to battle over Medicare ‘buy-in’
By Nathaniel Weixel; The Hill ~ Nov 29, 2018

Democrats Taking Key Leadership Jobs Have Pocketed Millions From Pharma
By Emmarie Huetteman; Kaiser Health News ~ Nov 29, 2018

Trump budget director: Medicare, Social Security can be cut without eliminating benefits

Opinion: How to Save Social Security Systems
By Martin Feldstein, Project Syndicate – Nov 28, 2018

Obamacare signups down 13 percent from 2017
By Tauren Dyson; United Press International ~ Nov 28, 2018

Dem senator Murray calls for trying again on bipartisan ObamaCare fix
By Peter Sullivan; The Hill ~ Nov 28, 2018

Will Opening Up Multiple Employer Plans Fix Our Retirement Problems?
From John Scott; Forbes ~ Nov 28, 2018

Opinion: Republicans shouldn't embrace ACA rules about pre-existing conditions
From Hadley Heath Manning; The Hill ~ Nov 27, 2018

Turning Campaign Rhetoric Into Reality: Dems Ran On Health Care, But Do They Really Have Power To Protect ACA?
Via KHN Morning Briefing; Kaiser Health News ~ Nov 26, 2018

Trump Medicare plan promises lower prescription prices for seniors, but also risks losing coverage of some critical cancer, HIV, depression drugs
By Berkeley Lovelace Jr.; CNBC ~ Nov 27, 2018

Democrats slam 'imaginary Republican tax bill
By David Morgan; Reuters ~ Nov 27, 2018

House proposes ambitious tax package with retirement provisions
By Hazel Bradford; Pensions & Investments ~ Nov 27, 2018

Why prescription drug prices have skyrocketed
By Robin Feldman, Washington Post – Nov 26, 2108

The Health 202: Obamacare enrollment is lagging, despite cheaper options
By Paige Winfield Cunningham; The Washington Post ~ Nov 26, 2018

Opinion: Do Democrats Have A Health Care Plan?
From John C. Goodman; Forbes ~ Nov 26, 2018

Five health-care priorities for Dems in next Congress
By Peter Sullivan; The Hill ~ Nov 26, 2018

Opinion: Congress: Improve Medicare home health reforms to protect patient care
From Keith Myers & William Dombi; The Hill ~ Nov 26, 2018

Social Security runs short of money, and ideas fly on how to repair it
By Paula Span, New York Times – Nov 26, 2018

Opinion: The Tax Cuts And Jobs Act: 3 Changes You Should Know
From Frank Marano; Forbes ~ Nov 26, 2018

Opinion: Health Insurance -- How To Compare Prices On HealthCare.gov
From Carolyn McClanahan; Forbes ~ Nov 25, 2018

Trump Administration Invites Health Care Industry to Help Rewrite Ban on Kickbacks
By Robert Pear; The New York Times ~ Nov 24, 2018

Opinion: Promoting the health and well-being of older adults should be a priority
From Ryan Frederick; The Hill ~ Nov 24, 2018

Good information on Social Security can be hard to find — here are some reliable sources
By Annie Nova; CNBC ~ Nov 23, 2018

Opinion: What Socialized Medicine Would Mean for Your Health
From Peter Ubel; Forbes ~ Nov 21, 2018

Opinion: How to find the Medicare plan that’s right for you
From Christopher Ciano; MarketWatch ~ Nov 21, 2018

Attention, Marketplace Shoppers: Don’t Delay On 2019 Enrollment
By Michelle Andrews; Kaiser Health News ~ Nov 21, 2018

Six tax deductions you'll lose on your 2018 return
By Darla Mercado; CNBC ~ Nov 21, 2018

On ‘Medicare-for-All,’ Democrats Tread Lightly. It polls well. But Dems say the proposal isn’t ready for floor action
By Mary Ellen McIntire; Roll Call ~ Nov 20, 2018

Buyers Of Short-Term Health Plans: Wise Or Shortsighted?
By Anna Gorman; Kaiser Health News ~ Nov 20, 2018

House Democrats target DOJ decision not to defend Obamacare
By David Morgan; Reuters ~ Nov 20, 2018

Tech giants plunge again, pushing market into red for year
By Marley Jay; The Associated Press ~ Nov 20, 2018

Struggling multiemployer plans see help ahead at expense of healthy funds
By Hazel Bradford; Pensions & Investments ~ Nov 20, 2018

Lawmakers consider multibillion-dollar bailout for troubled pensions, retirees
By Erica Werner & Damian Paletta; The Washington Post ~ Nov 20, 2018

Drug industry nervous about Grassley’s new role
By Nathaniel Weixel; The Hill ~ Nov 20, 2018

Volatile stock market spooking some older workers, retirees
By Andrew Soergel; The Associated Press ~ Nov 19, 2018

Opinion: Obamacare's Looking So Good Insurers Are Fighting To Sell It
From Bruce Japsen; Forbes ~ Nov 19, 2018

4 in 10 Medicare beneficiaries expected to be on Medicare Advantage plans by 2028
By Eli Richman; FierceHealthcare ~ Nov 19, 2018

Opinion: House Democrat agenda, led by $15 minimum wage, threatens economic prosperity
From Alfredo Ortiz, ; The Hill ~ Nov 19, 2018

Opinion: How Obamacare Will Carry Nancy Pelosi To U.S. House Speakership
From Bruce Japsen; Forbes ~ Nov 18, 2018

It’s Official: The 2019 Standard Deduction Is Getting Even Larger
By Matthew Frankel, CFP; The Motley Fool ~ Nov 18, 2018

Democrats ran and won on health care. Now what?
By Grace Sparks; CNN ~ Nov 17, 2018

Pelosi angers left by proposing supermajority requirement for raising income taxes on the middle class
By “Allahpundit”; Hot Air ~ Nov 17, 2018

As predicted, GOP tax cuts prompt record tax revenues
By Andrew Malcolm; Hot Air ~ Nov 16, 2018

GE Pensioners And Stockholders Contemplate The Unthinkable
From Ken Kam; Forbes ~ Nov 16, 2018

Pfizer to raise prices on 41 drugs in January
By Jessie Hellmann; The Hill ~ Nov 17, 2018

Bipartisan Senate bill would penalize illegal robocalls
By Tal Axelrod; The Hill ~ Nov 17, 2018

Opinion: Never mind the Social Security increase, seniors are in trouble — here’s why
From Paul Brandus; MarketWatch ~ Nov 17, 2018

Tax law failed to save GOP majority
By Naomi Jagoda; The Hill ~ Nov 16, 2018

Private Health Insurance Use Rises in HealthCare.gov States
The privately insured rate for working-age adults is falling in the state-based exchange states, according to the CDC.
By Allison Bel ; ThinkAdvisor ~ Nov 16, 2018

Opinion: Congress must address the looming tax on seniors in Medicare Advantage
From Former Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz (D-Pa.) ; The Hill ~ Nov 16, 2018

PBGC financial conditions improve, but multiemployer programs still at risk – annual report
By Hazel Bradford; Pensions & Investments ~ Nov 16, 2018

The Health 202: Progressive Democrats ready to push 'Medicare for all' with new House leadership
By Paulina Firozi; The Washington Post ~ Nov 16, 2018

Opinion: Small Fees Can Have A Big Impact On Retirement Accounts
From John Scott; Forbes ~ Nov 16, 2018

Left wants a vote on single-payer bill in new Congress
By Peter Sullivan; The Hill ~ Nov 15, 2018

Allowing Medicare To Negotiate Drug Prices Is A Top Priority, Says Likely Chairman Of Energy And Commerce Committee
Via KHN Morning Briefing; Kaiser Health News ~ Nov 15, 2018

Column: Is Healthcare Better or Worse Than A Decade Ago?
Via “Liberty HealthShare; The Daily Caller ~ Nov 15, 2018

Opinion: 2 million people hope Congress can compromise on pensions
From Joshua Gotbaum; Brookings ~ Nov 15, 2018

Seniors want drug prices in ads. Young people? Eh, whatever: survey
By Beth Snyder Bulik; FiercePharma ~ Nov 14, 2018

Doctors Are Fed Up With Being Turned Into Debt Collectors
Physicians, hospitals and medical labs are grappling with the rise in high-deductible insurance
By Blake Dodge; Bloomberg ~ Nov 15, 2018

Opinion: Medicare Part D Changes: Empowering The Plan, Not Necessarily The Beneficiary
From Joshua Cohen; Forbes ~ Nov 15, 2018

Opinion: A Patient Complained About The Cost Of Her Medical Care. Here's How Her Doctor Responded.
From Peter Ubel; Forbes ~ Nov 14, 2018

Opinion: Health care is now a major liability for Republicans. Will they dig the hole deeper?
From Andy Slavitt; USA TODAY ~ Nov 14, 2018

Something Happened to U.S. Drug Costs in the 1990s
By Austin Frakt, New York Times – Nov 12, 2018

Opinion: Short-Term Insurance Plans Offer A Much-Needed Escape From Obamacare
From Sally Pipes; Forbes ~ Nov 13, 2018

Opinion: Kamala Harris's Plan Would Cut Taxes For Many But Could Add Trillions To The Debt
From Howard Gleckman; Forbes ~ Nov 14, 2018

U.S. senators introduce bill to rein-in proxy advisers
By Michelle Price; Reuters ~ Nov 14, 2018

Incoming Dem chairman: Medicare negotiating drug prices is a priority
By Peter Sullivan; The Hill ~ Nov 14, 2018

CDC doubles recommended weekly exercise time for Americans
By Tauren Dyson; United Press International ~ Nov 14, 2018

DNC head can't say how Dems plan to pay for universal healthcare: 'I don't think we're there yet'
By Jessica Chasmar; The Washington Times ~ Nov 13, 2018

Drug pricing group launches six-figure ad buy pressuring Congress to act
By Peter Sullivan; The Hill ~ Nov 13, 2018

More And More, Americans Must Make This Choice: Take On Debt Or Forgo Insurance And Hope For The Best
Via KHN Morning Briefing; Kaiser Health News ~ Nov 13, 2018

Opinion: Medicare Costs Drop As Humana Shifts Doctors To Value-Based Models
From Bruce Japsen; Forbes ~ Nov 13, 2018

Trump administration loosens restrictions on mental health treatment
By Nathaniel Weixel; The Hill ~ Nov 13, 2018

Express Scripts looks to limit rebate model, lower drug costs in 2019
By Alex Kacik; Modern Healthcare ~ Nov 13, 2018

3rd blood pressure drug recalled in recent weeks over impurity
By Clyde Hughes; United Press International ~ Nov 13, 2018

Opinion: How The Midterm Elections May Steer Retirement Policy
From Teresa Ghilarducci; Forbes ~ Nov 11, 2018

Online tool explores assumptions for pension liabilities
By James Comtois; Pensions & Investments ~ Nov 12, 2018

New Congress must keep its foot on the economic gas pedal
From Joseph Semprevivo; The Hill ~ Nov 12, 2018

‘Magical Thinking’ About Vitamin D’s Effect On Cancer And Fish Oil’s Effect On Heart Health Upended In Sweeping Study
Via KHN Morning Briefing; Kaiser Health News ~ Nov 12, 2018

Bye bye Cadillac tax, hello Congressional health care gridlock
By Dan Cook; BenefitsPRO ~ Nov 12, 2018

Opinion: With GOP Losses, Obamacare Heads For Expansion And Calm
From Bruce Japsen; Forbes ~ Nov 11, 2018

Pelosi says she'll be Speaker ‘to protect the Affordable Care Act’
By Michael Burke; The Hill ~ Nov 11, 2018

Drug price controls will be more pain than gain
From Robert D. Atkinson; The Hill ~ Nov 10, 2018

Democrats Won a Mandate on Health Care. How Will They Use It?
By Robert Pear; The New York Times ~ Nov 10, 2018

HealthCare.gov breach compromised applicants' financial, immigration data
By Andrew Blake; The Washington Times ~ Nov 10, 2018

FACT CHECK: Are Republicans Trying To Eliminate Social Security, Medicare And Medicaid?
By Shane Devine; Check Your Fact ~ Nov 09, 2018

Opinion: Congress should broaden legislation to curb medical price gouging
From George A. Nation III; The Hill ~ Nov 10, 2018

Opinion: What the midterm election results mean for your taxes
By Bill Bischoff; MarketWatch ~ Nov 09, 2018

How Republicans who voted against ObamaCare repeal fared in midterms
By Peter Sullivan; The Hill ~ Nov 09, 2018

Seniors are big winners in House elections
From Max Richtman; The Hill ~ Nov 09, 2018

Column: Before the post-election bonhomie fades, Congress should fix pensions
From David Von Drehle; The Washington Post ~ Nov 09, 2018

Pelosi-Trump overtures making Big Pharma sweat bullets
By Joe Williams; The Washington Examiner ~ Nov 09, 2018

Medicare expands access to in-home support for seniors
By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar; The Associated Press ~ Nov 09, 2018

House Dems plan key vote on pre-existing conditions
By Peter Sullivan; The Hill ~ Nov 08, 2018

Opinion: An economist’s policy wish list for House Democrats: Government debt, Social Security, health care
By Laurence J. Kotlikoff; MarketWatch ~ Nov 08, 2018

Democrats’ House Win Is Likely End For Republicans’ Years-Long ‘Repeal And Replace’ Battle
Via KHN Morning Briefing; Kaiser Health News ~ Nov 08, 2018

What the 2018 midterm elections mean for healthcare: predictability
By Paige Minemyer; FierceHealthcare ~ Nov 08, 2018

Opinion: Is Your Local Hospital About To Close? Here Is How Congress Can Help
From Peter Ubel; Forbes ~ Nov 08, 2018

General Electric Retirees Contemplate Selling GE Stock
From Ken Kam; Forbes ~ Nov 08, 2018

Opinion: 5 ways the midterm election results will affect your health care
By Jacob Passy; MarketWatch ~ Nov 07, 2018

Opinion: What The New Congress Will Mean For Tax And Budget Policy
From Howard Gleckman; Forbes ~ Nov 07, 2018

Midterm election power shift could bolster retirement legislation efforts
By Hazel Bradford; Pensions & Investments ~ Nov 07, 2018

The Democrats took the House, here’s what that means for your retirement
By Alessandra Malito; MarketWatch ~ Nov 07, 2018

‘Fox & Friends’ host tells Eric Trump that GOP ‘blew it’ by not having ObamaCare replacement plan
By Chris Mills Rodrigo; The Hill ~ Nov 06, 2018

American Hospital Association plans to sue CMS over final site-neutral payment rule
By Rose Meltzer; FierceHealthcare ~ Nov 05, 2018

Opinion: Yes, Social Security Is An 'Entitlement'
From Elizabeth Bauer; Forbes ~ Nov 05, 2018

Opinion: The growing pension black hole is pulling us all in
From Olivia S. Mitchell; The Hill ~ Nov 05, 2018

Retirees donate more to Dems than GOP for first time in years
By Megan Keller; The Hill ~ Nov 05, 2018

Experts agree that Social Security numbers need to change — but there's no solution in sight
By Brandi Vincent; NBC News ~ Nov 04, 2018

Opinion: Obamacare Has Managed to Survive, But Can It Thrive?
From Max Nisen; Bloomberg ~ Nov 04, 2018

You don’t need ObamaCare to help people with pre-existing conditions
From Charlie Katebi; The Hill ~ Nov 02, 2018

Opinion: Rescinding Obama-era guidance on ACA waivers invites states back to the reform table
From Rea S. Hederman Jr., ; The Hill ~ Nov 02, 2018

Opinion: Prescription Drug Prices: A Bitter Pill In The Midterm Elections
From Richard Eisenberg; Forbes ~ Nov 02, 2018

GOP Candidates Are Hearing It From Constituents With Pre-Existing Conditions
By Emily Kopp; Roll Call ~ Nov 02, 2018

Trump, top House Republican admit there's no chance of a middle class tax cut this year
By Donna Borak; CNN ~ Nov 02, 2018

Opinion: Republicans' Public Opposition To Social Security And Medicare
From Teresa Ghilarducci; Forbes ~ Nov 02, 2018

Healthcare Experts Propose Both Market and Regulatory Changes to Reduce Prescription Drug Costs Amid the Trump Administration’s Call to Cut Medicare Drug Prices
Via “Business Wire”; The Associated Press ~ Nov 01, 2018

In Search Of Insurance Savings, Consumers Can Get Unwittingly Wedged Into Narrow-Network Plans
By Steven Findlay; Kaiser Health News ~ Nov 01, 2018

Federal health care website up and running after slow start
By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar; The Associated Press ~ Nov 01, 2018

As ACA Marketplaces Open, The Effects Of GOP Changes To Insurance Rules Will Come Into Focus
Via KHN Morning Briefing; Kaiser Health News ~ Nov 01, 2018

Many Current Retirees Enjoying More Treats Than Tricks
Via “Business Wire”; The Associated Press ~ Oct 31, 2018

List of struggling multiemployer plans grows in 2018
By Hazel Bradford; Pensions & Investments ~ Nov 01, 2018

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.

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