We Have a Plan. It's Called Medicare.
We Have a Plan. It’s Called Medicare.
As House Republicans continue their fight to end Medicare as we know it, House Democrats have a plan – it is called Medicare. We will fight against any effort to cut benefits or roll back this pillar of support for America’s seniors. By passing the Affordable Care Act, Democrats have already extended the life of Medicare and reduced prescription drug costs, closing the Part D ‘donut hole’ by 2020. We will not stop our work to protect seniors and retirement security for all Americans.
Setting the Record Straight on Health Care Waivers
This week, you might have seen news stories from Republicans attacking and spreading misinformation about waivers from a part of the Affordable Care Act granted to companies in San Francisco. Some have raised questions and so there is no confusion, here are the facts:
These waivers are a temporary measure granted by the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure employees do not lose the coverage they have between now and 2014, when Americans will have an opportunity to shop for affordable coverage on the health exchanges established by the Affordable Care Act, and will no longer be at the mercy of insurance companies placing coverage limits on policies. Waivers are reviewed and granted solely by the Administration in an open and transparent process so workers currently enrolled in ‘mini-med’ policies, plans with low premiums and limited coverage, will not be punished and lose the minimum coverage they already have. In fact, because San Francisco has passed rules requiring employers to provide health care to their workers, San Francisco has more ‘mini-med’ policies than in many other parts of the country.
This clear attempt to score political points at the expense of working Americans is not surprising, as they recently voted to end Medicare as we know it.
Celebrating Harvey Milk Day
This Sunday we celebrate Harvey Milk Day, which honors the life, legacy, and achievements of a leader dedicated to the fundamental American value of equality.
In San Francisco – the birthplace of Harvey Milk’s campaign for LGBT rights – we know that this holiday is about more than the heroic life and tragic death of a great man; it is about living up to his cause – the right of LGBT Americans to participate in our society as equals; the responsibility to treat others with dignity and respect.
Casework on Your Corner
A constituent who was receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits came to our office seeking help because her benefits lapsed due to changes in her employment status. Our office was able to contact the Social Security Administration, and the agency determined they were mistaken - her earnings in that period did not exceed the limit for individuals entitled to SSDI. Her benefits were reinstated and she was credited for the time her benefits were on hold.
If you have a problem with a federal agency or obtaining your federal benefits, you can learn more about how my office can be of assistance to you at my website or by calling my office at 415.556.4862.
Please feel free to forward this information to your family and friends. To learn more about these efforts, to express your views, or to sign up for email updates, please visit my Web site. I am also on Twitter https://twitter.com/NancyPelosi.