Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee introduced a bill Thursday to protect a quarter of Medicare enrollees who face a 20 percent increase in Part B premiums next year.
The Medicare Premium Fairness Act aims to protect new Medicare enrollees and retirees targeted for a premium increase and vulnerable state budgets obligated to pay premiums for many low-income seniors, according to Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), the bill's sponsor.
According to Waxman, because of the recession, there will likely be no Social Security cost-of-living increase next year. As a result, most beneficiaries – nearly three-quarters of Medicare enrollees – won't see their premiums increase. But the remaining 27 percent of Part B beneficiaries will see their Part B premiums rise from $96 to $110-$120 per month.
"This bill will protect seniors and the disabled from substantial premium hikes at a time when there is no increase in their Social Security checks," Waxman said. "Especially given the state of the economy, we must act to ensure that all seniors are treated fairly."
"Unless Congress acts, millions of America's seniors could find themselves with a smaller social security check," said Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.). "Living on a fixed income is always demanding, and it is even more difficult now that seniors are already stretching every dollar they have. Congress must act in order to ensure that every Medicare beneficiary is treated fairly and is able to afford the Medicare services he or she needs and deserves."
The bill has been endorsed by the AARP, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM), Center for Medicare Advocacy (CMA), Alliance for Retired Americans and National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Association.