Titus, others introduce bill to protect seniors and disabled from rising premiums

Seniors and people with disabilities would be protected from an increase in Medicare premiums under a bill introduced Wednesday by Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., and dozens of other members of the House of Representatives.

According to a description of the legislation, 27 percent of Medicare Plan B enrollees could face an increase in premiums unless the bill passes. Titus and the other co-sponsors want to protect people from a premium increase because Social Security recipients are not expected to receive a cost of living increase next year, due to a lack of inflation.

“This important legislation will protect Nevada’s seniors from an increase in premiums at a time when too many are struggling to make ends meet,” Titus said. “The combination of higher premiums and no cost-of-living adjustment is unacceptable for seniors who count on every dollar of their benefits.”

The estimated cost of the bill is $2.8 billion in 2010 and it would be covered with money from the Medicare Improvement Fund, an existing account. A spokesman for Titus said it is important to pass the bill by the end of the fiscal year, which is Sept. 30.

Here's a copy of the bill, H.R. 3631.