Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has a plan to keep Social Security and Medicare financially strong for generations... without cutting benefits.  He sat down with our president, Max Richtman, to talk about the difference between his plan and GOP proposals to cut both programs... plus President Biden's actions to bring down prescription drug prices for seniors! 

READ THE TRANSCRIPT HERE::: https://www.ncpssm.org/documents/transcript/your-earned-this-podcast-transcript-118/

Meet freshman Rhode Island congressman Gabe Amo, who fills some sizable shoes as the successor to former Rep David Cicilline - a stalwart for seniors. At 36 years-old, Rep. Amo has a clear vision for protecting older Americans, inspired by growing up with a mother who was a nurse in Rhode Island nursing homes. We get his take on the future of Social Security, Medicare and prescription drug costs --- in this episode of "You Earned This!"

READ THE TRANSCRIPT HERE::: https://www.ncpssm.org/documents/transcript/your-earned-this-podcast-transcript-117/

USA Today dubbed the generation born in the early 1960s the "Beatlemania Boomers." New research suggests these younger boomers have less retirement security than their older counterparts.  Anqi Chen of the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College explains why retirement may be a Hard Day's Night for this age group --- compared to older Boomers and the younger generations... underscoring the need to boost, not cut, Social Security benefits! 

READ THE TRANSCRIPT HERE::: https://www.ncpssm.org/documents/transcript/your-earned-this-podcast-transcript-116/

Judy Stein, founder and executive director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy, has made it her life's work to ensure that Americans reap the full benefits of Medicare --- a program that 65 million people depend on for health coverage.  In this episode, Judy answers some crucial questions about the present and future of Medicare --- including:  how to improve the program to meet seniors' current needs and how to protect it from privatization and other threats.  This episode is a must-listen for Medicare beneficiaries and their loved ones. 

READ THE TRANSCRIPT HERE::: https://www.ncpssm.org/documents/transcript/your-earned-this-podcast-transcript-115/

Our president, Max Richtman, is known as The Mythbuster because he excels at dispelling misinformation about Social Security. In part 1, Max takes on several pernicious myths including:  "Social Security is going bankrupt" and "Politicians are stealing from Social Security," among others! 

READ THE TRANSCRIPT HERE::: https://www.ncpssm.org/documents/transcript/your-earned-this-podcast-transcript-114/

Rationing medicine, cutting pills in half, not filling prescriptions. That is what too many Americans have been forced to do because of the soaring cost of prescription drugs. Big Pharma claims it can't afford to lower drug prices, but spends billions on advertising and marketing. But help is on the way. Hazel Law of Families USA tells us how the Inflation Reduction Act is already lowering Americans' drug costs - including and especially for seniors. 

READ THE TRANSCRIPT HERE::: https://www.ncpssm.org/documents/transcript/your-earned-this-podcast-transcript-113/

Our elder care system can be confusing, right?  Especially when it comes to home health care. You almost have to be an expert to know the difference between the myriad kinds of home health care --- and who pays for it all! Medicare? Medicaid? Long-term care insurance?  Luckily, we have an expert on the podcast this week, Ann Horton, Former Executive Director of the Home Care Association of Maryland and DC, to help us navigate the seniors' home health care maze. 

As of March 1, millionaires are finished paying into Social Security for the rest of the year.  That's because of the Social Security's payroll wage cape. So while Elon Musk, Tim Cook of Apple, Rupert Murdoch, and Charles Koch are done contributing to the system for 2024, the rest of us have to continue paying through the end of the year! Our Social Security expert, Maria Freese, explains why it's time to Scrap the Cap! 

READ THE TRANSCRIPT HERE::: https://www.ncpssm.org/documents/transcript/your-earned-this-podcast-transcript-scrap-the-cap-111/

If Franklin D. Roosevelt was the father of Social Security, Rep. John Larson (D-CT) is the godfather. He works harder than anyone on the Hill to boost FDR's legacy program. His Social Security 2100 Act would enhance benefits and keep the program financially strong for decades. Congressman Larson joins us to talk about the future of Social Security, including the good, the bad, and the ugly ideas circulating in Congress. 

READ THE TRANSCRIPT HERE::: https://www.ncpssm.org/documents/transcript/your-earned-this-podcast-transcript-rep-john-larson-110/

Seniors need every dollar of their retirement and health benefits. But House Republicans are pushing to create a fiscal commission that could recommend cuts to Social Security and Medicare. The White House has called such commissions "death panels" for seniors' earned benefits, because they give politicians political cover to slash them. Our legislative director, Dan Adcock, tells us why fiscal commissions are "radioactive" --- and why congressional Democrats should vote NO.