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Smaller 2010 Social Security Checks Impact Senior Health Care
By
Stephen J. Baetge
Staff Writer
Most
seniors reported getting smaller Social Security checks in 2010,
according to the results of a new survey by advocacy group The Senior
Citizens League (TSCL), with the result being that many are cutting
back on medical appointments and prescription drugs in order to make
ends meet.
The annual survey, performed by TCSL, found that 51 percent of seniors surveyed
reported receiving a smaller Social Security check this year than in 2009. Of
seniors receiving smaller checks, one in three report receiving at least $31
less per month, and one in nine report decreases of $70 or more each month.
The survey also found that nearly two-thirds of all seniors estimated an $80
per month increase in living expenses.
To cope, nearly half of the older Americans surveyed cut back on visits to doctors
and/or hospital outpatient services. Thirty-eight percent postponed filling a
prescription or took less medication than they were prescribed. Almost half (48
percent) reported difficulty covering their heating, cooling or electric bills.
That seniors are forced to cut back came as no surprise to officials.
According to TCSL, almost 70 percent of beneficiaries depend on Social Security
for 50 percent or more of their income. Social Security is the sole source of
income for 15 percent of beneficiaries.
Approximately one-third of the average Social Security checks in 2010 will be
consumed by Medicare out-of pocket health care costs.
“Although the economic downturn has been tough for many Americans, few
groups have been hurt as much as our nation’s seniors,” observed
Daniel O’Connell, chairman of TSCL.
“Too many seniors are no longer living on a fixed income, but rather a
shrinking income,” he added.
Most observers believe that Social Security checks are lower because many seniors
have their Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage premiums automatically deducted.
Some may also have been affected by significantly higher Medicare Part B costs.
Usually, Medicare deductions do not lower the overall amount of the Social Security
checks received by beneficiaries because they receive an annual cost-of-living
adjustment (COLA). 2010 was the first year that beneficiaries failed to receive
a COLA since the Automatic COLA was introduced in 1975.
Advocacy groups such as TSCL have increased their pressure on federal policymakers
to pass the Emergency COLA Bill (H.R. 3557). This bill would provide a COLA for
2010 equal to the average COLA over the past 10 years. That average is roughly
3 percent.
In addition to the Emergency COLA Bill, advocates have been diligent in their
efforts to bring much-needed financial relief to older Americans.
In a recent letter to federal lawmakers, Barbara B. Kennelly, president and CEO
of The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, urged members
of Congress to authorize a $250 payment to seniors as an economic recovery payment.
“Despite a relatively low rate of general inflation, health care costs
continue to rise rapidly,” wrote Kennelly. “In addition, the elderly
on fixed incomes spend a significantly larger share of their income on these
health costs.”
“The National Committee strongly urges you to pass legislation to provide
a $250 payment to our nation’s seniors who did not receive a Social Security
COLA this year,” she continued.
“It is vitally important that we provide help for seniors of modest means
who have been adversely affected by the economic recession and rapidly rising
health care costs,” Kennelly concluded.
This page and its contents ©2010
Metropolitan News Company, Inc.
