Ginny Updates a 5th District Senior on the Social Security COLA for 2009

Washington, Nov 7 -

As most Floridians know, our region is a wonderful place for people to spend their retirement.  The 5th District has hundreds of thousands of seniors who moved into the area with dreams of spending their golden years in the warmth and beauty that Florida has to offer.  With a low cost of living, a great climate and friendly neighbors, I am honored to represent you in the U.S. House.

The past several years, however, have seen some tough times for seniors living on fixed incomes.  Whether it is the high cost of homeowner’s insurance, the wild fluctuations in gasoline prices, or the toll rising inflation has had on everyday purchases, our retirement incomes just don’t go as far as they used to.  Unfortunately, the current leaders in Congress have done nothing to support an “all-in” energy policy or guarantee the solvency of our retirement benefits.  And, while I was able to get my bill to create a national catastrophic fund through the House, once again it was held up in the Senate.

With no legislation benefitting hard-working Americans coming out of this current Congress, I wanted to share some good news that was just released from the Medicare and Social Security offices.  For the first time since 2000, the Medicare Part B premiums of 5th District seniors are not going to increase.  Even though inflation on almost everything you buy has gone up, Medicare has kept down costs and is passing along those savings to you.  This announcement should help keep health care costs lower this year for seniors and help them afford the services they need to stay healthy.

Additionally, Social Security has recently announced that they will be having the largest cost of living adjustment (COLA) in several years.  The 5.8% increase for next year is more than double what the COLA was this year, and is the largest increase in over 25 years.  I am very pleased with this outcome, and hope you are as well. 

Even with this good news on the health care front, I will continue to push my legislation to create a national catastrophic insurance fund that will keep homeowner’s insurance rates low.  I will work with my colleagues to fight for a comprehensive energy policy that weans our nation off of foreign oil, and find real solutions to America’s economic crisis, not another taxpayer funded bailout.

In the meantime, if you or any of your neighbors need help with federal agencies like Medicare or Social Security, please do not hesitate to contact me to ask for assistance.  My offices are here to help solve your federal problems and find solutions that benefit our entire district.