The Impact of Medicare Premium Increases in Northern Maine
Serial Number
Levin Center Identifier
Document Date
2004-09-24
Report Length
9 pages
Policy Agendas Project Major Code
Policy Agendas Project Minor Code
Additional, Minority, Dissenting Views
Report Type
Found Using Methodology
Yes
Committee(s)
Subcommittee(s)
Commission(s)
Idependent Author(s)
Brief Executive Summary
The Special Investigations Division of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform examines the consequences of the Bush Administration's announcement regarding Medicare premium increases in northern Maine. The report reveals that over 70,000 Medicare beneficiaries in the region will face nearly $10 million in additional Medicare premiums next year, with about $5.7 million directly linked to provisions in the new Medicare law signed by President Bush. Medicare costs are escalating much faster than Social Security benefits. An estimated 29,900 Medicare beneficiaries in Northern Maine will need to allocate most or all of their Social Security cost-of-living adjustments to cover the increased Medicare premiums.