There is real concern that many people who are treated for the coronavirus could end up with surprise medical bills. Because of that Democrats want to make health-care services free to people who contract the new coronavirus. If treatment were free, those with the virus wouldn't have to fear surprise medical bills. That would, of course, still leave unsolved the issue of surprise billing for other types of treatments..a modest boost in benefits,.TSCL Mounts Nationwide Effort Fighting COLA Cuts.Another possibility for House legislative action is subsidies to make health care more affordable..Consumer price index data show that the rate of inflation has changed significantly over the past decade, and has yet to return to the average rate during the decade prior to the 2010 Great Recession. From 1999 to 2008, COLAs averaged 3%. Since 2010, however, the COLA, which is tied to the increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, has averaged just 1.4%. Since that year, inflation has been so low that there was no COLA payable three times - in 2010, 2011, and 201In 2017, inflation was almost zero at just 0.3 percentage point. This is not normal, and research on the costs experienced by older Americans indicates the COLA often doesn't reflect inflation that retirees actually experience..That estimate appears to be one prepared by the Social Security's Chief Actuary who projected in 2003 that a totalization agreement with Mexico would have a negligible long-range cost to Social Security. The Social Security Administration estimated that costs to the U.S. Social Security system would average about 0 million per year over the first five years. In 2003 the Government Accountability Office evaluated that cost estimate and sharply criticized it, saying that "the cost of such an agreement is highly uncertain." The GAO reported that SSA's estimate failed to account for the large number of Mexicans who are or have worked in this country without legal authorization..TSCL believes this offensive policy is long overdue for a change. Social Security provides monthly income to retirees and we believe retirees are entitled to every last dime, including benefits for the month in which they die. Payment for the final month is especially important as you point out because medical and funeral expenses can be significant..Kyle Carpenter joined TREA in 2013 while stationed at Buckley AFB in Colorado and became active in Chapter 3Kyle has served in the Air Force for 20 years, first as active duty and currently as a guard member in active duty status. Kyle is currently serving in the Arkansas Air National Guard on active duty. He holds a master's degree in Maters of Business Administration with an emphasis in Healthcare from University of Phoenix and a bachelor's degree in Business Management from University of Phoenix. Kyle also obtained his Community College of the Air Force associate's degree in Human Resource..Medicare costs often consume up to half of your Social Security benefit. In a recent TSCL survey, 48% of respondents said they spent 11% to 33% of their Social Security benefits on healthcare in 201Another 25% said they spent from 34% to 50% of their Social Security on healthcare.
