Walter Gottlieb, Author at NCPSSM

Seven Falsehoods in Senator Mike Lee’s Social Security Post

Earlier this week, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) posted an extensive – and patently ridiculous – diatribe against Social Security on X (formerly Twitter). The thread is full of falsehoods and misleading assertions about America’s most popular social insurance program. Senator Lee incorporates many tired myths that the political right propagates to undermine a successful government program they can’t stand – simply because it is a successful government program.

Walter Gottlieb2024-12-04T17:07:23-04:00December 4th, 2024|Categories: Republicans, Senate, Social Security|

2025 Medicare Premium Hike Nothing New, Part of Larger Trend

Medicare beneficiaries will be paying a higher premium for Part B insurance in 2025. Unfortunately, this is nothing new. Medicare premiums have been rising every year for decades now. The 2025 increase, though, is receiving an unusual amount of attention, probably because of the media’s hyper-focus on inflation in general.

Walter Gottlieb2024-11-18T14:16:49-04:00November 18th, 2024|Categories: Medicare, Medicare Advantage|

WEP & GPO Repeal Passes House: A Bi-partisan Victory for Public Sector Workers & Their Families

The U.S. House voted Tuesday night to repeal two highly unpopular provisions of Social Security law --- the WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) and GPO (Government Pension Offset). These provisions, enacted more than 40 years ago, prevent millions of public sector employees and their families from collecting Social Security benefits. The Social Security Fairness Act, introduced by Rep. Garrett Graves (R-LA) and Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), would revoke WEP and GPO if passed by the Senate and signed by the president.

Walter Gottlieb2024-11-21T11:18:54-04:00November 13th, 2024|Categories: Congress, Social Security, WEP & GPO|

Harris, Dems Promise to Protect Seniors’ Earned Benefits at Convention

Along with powerful speakers from across the Democratic party (and even some Republicans), heartfelt personal testimonials, and a music-infused roll call, Social Security and Medicare played a prominent role during this week’s convention in Chicago. Democrats hammered home the message that Kamala Harris will protect senior’s earned benefits while Donald Trump and Project 2025 pose a clear threat to Social Security and Medicare (despite Trump’s mixed-messages on the subject).

Walter Gottlieb2024-08-23T15:58:27-04:00August 23rd, 2024|Categories: Election 2024, Kamala Harris, Medicare, Social Security|

Tim Walz Brings Unwavering Support for Seniors to the Harris Campaign

Seventy percent of voters did not know who Tim Walz was before Kamala Harris picked him as her running mate on Tuesday. As Americans learn more about the Minnesota Governor and newly-minted VP candidate, they will discover that he is a true champion for seniors --- and a welcome addition to the Democratic ticket. As our president and CEO, Max Richtman, put it, Tim Walz has built an impressive record on issues affecting older Americans as a congressman and later as governor

Walter Gottlieb2024-08-07T16:27:44-04:00August 7th, 2024|Categories: Boost Social Security, Congress, Max Richtman, Medicare, Social Security|

As Medicare Turns 59, We Still Need to Defend It

Before Medicare was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson 59 years ago today, nearly half of American seniors had no hospital insurance. Private insurance companies were reluctant to cover anyone over 65. Even fewer seniors had coverage for non-hospital services like doctor’s visits. Many of the elderly were forced to exhaust their retirement savings to pay for medical care; some fell into poverty because of it. All of that changed with Medicare.

Walter Gottlieb2024-07-31T09:22:19-04:00July 30th, 2024|Categories: Disability, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Older Americans, Politics, Prescription Drug Prices, President Biden|

Why We Endorsed Kamala Harris for President of the United States

“The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare proudly endorses Kamala Harris for President of the United States. As Vice President, she has championed President Biden’s policies on behalf of older Americans --- including strengthening Social Security and Medicare and lowering prescription drug prices for seniors. She has been in lockstep with the President in his pledge to protect Americans’ earned benefits against Republican proposals to cut and privatize them --- including Donald Trump.

Walter Gottlieb2024-07-24T09:49:38-04:00July 24th, 2024|Categories: Inflation Reduction Act, Kamala Harris, Latest News, Medicaid, Medicare, Politics, Social Security|

Harris Likely to Sustain Biden’s Social Security, Medicare, Rx Drug Policies

As we have noted many times, the President has fought especially hard for American seniors --- by lowering prescription drug prices, strengthening Medicare, and advocating improvements to Social Security --- which is why he earned our endorsement in June. His heir apparent, Vice President Harris, has been in lockstep with President Biden on these crucial issues.

Walter Gottlieb2024-07-22T15:31:36-04:00July 22nd, 2024|Categories: Inflation Reduction Act, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Medicaid, Medicare, payroll taxes, Rep. John Larson, Republicans, Social Insurance, Social Security|

What Does Project 2025 Bode for Older Americans? Hint: Nothing Good

The right-wing Heritage Foundation produced Project 2025, a blueprint for a second Trump term. Though Project 2025 doesn’t specifically advocate for cuts to Social Security, the right-wing think tank has taken positions that would seriously undermine the nation’s most popular social insurance program. On the issue of Medicare and prescription drug prices, however, Project 2025 explicitly calls for changes that could be devastating for seniors. We chatted with our senior legislative representative, Maria Freese, about the implications of Project 2025 for older Americans.

Walter Gottlieb2024-07-19T15:23:26-04:00July 19th, 2024|Categories: Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Drug Coverage and Costs, Social Insurance, Social Security, Trump|

National Committee Backs Biden; Campaign Launches Seniors For Biden-Harris

For only the second time in our history, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare is endorsing a candidate for President of the United States.  And for the second time, that candidate is Joe Biden.  NCPSSM broke precedent in 2020 because we believed Joe Biden would fight for America’s seniors --- and protect Social Security and Medicare.  We did not trust Donald Trump to safeguard either program or to uphold other cherished American institutions. Four years later, those beliefs have been validated beyond dispute.

Walter Gottlieb2024-06-21T09:39:07-04:00June 12th, 2024|Categories: Election 2024|