PROTECTING SENIORS

September 25, 2009


Dear Friend,

Yesterday I voted to protect seniors from unfair increases in their 2010 Medicare Part B premiums. The passage of H.R. 3631, the Medicare Premium Fairness Act, comes at a time when many of Pennsylvania's seniors are burdened by rising premiums and struggling to make ends meet. This legislation would prevent the burden of increased out-of-pocket expenses from falling on the 2.1 million Pennsylvanians enrolled in Medicare.

As I've traveled throughout northeastern and central Pennsylvania, I've listened to families who struggle to make ends meet because of their expensive medical costs. Our seniors should not be forced to choose between Medicare premiums and their food. Providing for our nation's senior citizens is not a partisan political issue, it is a moral obligation. I will continue to work tirelessly for lower out-of-pocket costs to those already struggling to pay for medical care.

The Medicare Premium Fairness Act passed the House of Representatives yesterday with broad bipartisan support by a vote of 406 to 18 and has earned the support of AARP, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, the Center for Medicare Advocacy, Alliance for Retired Americans, and the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the cost of the bill at $2.8 billion for 2010. It meets PAYGO requirements and is fully paid for by reducing the Medicare Improvement Fund, a non-controversial set-aside fund in Medicare.

As a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition, it was important to me that we protect seniors while not adding to the deficit and this bill does just that. By meeting the "pay as you go" (PAYGO) requirements this bill ensures that Medicare recipients are taken care of and that future tax payers are not burdened with the cost.

Currently, 42 million seniors and people with disabilities are enrolled in Medicare Part B. The standard Part B premium for 2009 is $96.40 per month. By law, the premium is calculated each year to cover approximately 25 percent of the cost of the Medicare program.

Premiums would normally increase to roughly $103 next year to cover 25 percent of the program's cost. However, current "hold harmless" policy ensures that most seniors do not see a decrease in their Social Security checks if the Part B premium increase is projected to be greater than the increase in Social Security. In the event that the current economic downturn affects next year's Social Security cost-of-living adjustment; the current law means that Part B premiums will not increase for 2010 for 73 percent of enrollees.

The other 27 percent of enrollees are not held harmless under current law. These include low-income individuals who are eligible for Medicare and Medicaid (18%, or 7.3 million beneficiaries), higher-income Medicare beneficiaries (5%, or 2.1 million beneficiaries), new Medicare enrollees (3% or 1.3 million beneficiaries) and enrollees whose Medicare premiums are not deducted from their Social Security checks (2%, or 850,000 beneficiaries). Because of the way the law is written, premiums for the enrollees who are not currently held harmless would be disproportionately increased to $110-$120 per month, unless Congress acts. This is the first time that such an interaction has occurred.

This bill would extend the current "hold harmless" policy to all Medicare enrollees, meaning that no seniors will see a decrease in their Social Security checks due to Medicare Part B premiums.

Please know that I will continue to work to protect both Social Security and Medicare beneficiaries and to ensure that our senior citizens can enjoy the quality of life they deserve. As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office for information on this or any other legislation. Thank you, and have a wonderful weekend.



Sincerely,

Christopher P. Carney
Member of Congress