A Note from Nancy

Dear Friend,

What a great week this has been! I do so enjoy visiting with Kansans across the Second District and hearing what’s on their minds. The past few days, I’ve been especially privileged to speak with hundreds of high school students. I really enjoy getting to talk about policy and the democratic process with these teenagers. They are remarkably aware of what’s happening in our country and passionate about what they feel needs to be done to fix the things that are wrong.

While we, as a country, have certainly faced some turbulent times these past few months, I have a bit of good news to share. Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits will increase by 5.8 percent in 2009 for more than 55 million Americans. So, come January, a retired worker’s monthly benefit will increase from an average of $1,090 per month, to $1,153 monthly. The 5.8 percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is the largest increase since 1982. This increase is certainly not enough to change one’s lifestyle, but it may help buy a bag or two of groceries.

For more information on the COLA increases, click on this website:
http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/factsheets/colafacts2009.htm

While there’s no place like home, I’m also looking forward to getting back to D.C. and tackling the pressing issues facing our nation. There’s much work to be done, especially when it comes to providing support for the economy and helping our hardworking middle class families.

As always, I want you to know that your opinions and concerns matter to me. Please feel free to contact my office (Topeka: 785-234-8111, Pittsburg: 620-231-3011, and D.C.: 202-225-6601) anytime. Your thoughts really do help shape our country’s policies!

With warm regards,

Nancy Boyda
Member of Congress


Casework Corner – Medicare’s Annual Open Enrollment Period Begins

By Adam Stolte, District Representative

It’s that busy, stressful time of year again. No, I’m not talking about the election cycle or even preparing for holiday celebrations and shopping. It’s time to review your Medicare health and/or prescription drug plan. Are you ready? I know there is a lot of tedious information to review but it is important to go over this information – even if you feel your current plan is working well for you.

The good news is that most people will be able to switch to a Prescription Drug Plan with a lower premium in 2009. You should review your current plan and compare it to coverage and costs for the upcoming year because plans can change change premiums and coverage every year. There are 48 prescription drug plans and more than 60 health plans to choose from in Kansas; it’s likely that one will meet your needs better than the plan you now have.

You may be thinking, “How can I possibly compare all of the health and prescription plans to determine which one has the best premiums, co-pays and deductibles? Which one covers my medications and the services I need? And, how can I find out which plan works with my doctor and pharmacy?” However, there are many resources available to make this tough decision quite a bit more manageable.

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Letter of the Week - Nancy is Against Raiding Social Security

Dear Nancy,

We are hoping you support passing new Social Security Preservation Act (H.R. 219). This is very important to us. Thank You Nancy.

Paul in Lecompton, KS.

Dear Paul,

Thank you for writing me about the Social Security trust funds. I want you to know that I share your commitment to preserving Social Security, and I'd like to let you know the steps I've taken to make sure that the Social Security benefits Kansans are earning today will be available for them when they retire.

Most of the Social Security taxes paid by people working today go to pay benefits being paid to people currently drawing on Social Security. When today's workers retire and begin drawing on Social Security, most of the money that they are paid will come from the people working at that time.

This seems like an odd set up. First, it depends on there being enough workers to support retirees. However, as people live longer, the number of retirees is growing much faster than the number of workers. Second, it's different from a pension. In a traditional pension plan, the money you receive in retirement is money that your company invested for you while you were working. That way, even if your company disappears, you can still depend on a pension payment in old age.

Unfortunately, Social Security probably can't be set up like a pension plan. For one thing, we need money to pay current retirees. The money they paid in when they were working went to the retirees at that time. They need the money paid in by today's workers to receive the benefits they are entitled to. This is why I oppose allowing today's workers to divert their money into private accounts – it would leave today's retirees high and dry.

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This Week in Congress - October 13 to October 17 


                                          
            Rep. Boyda Shakes Hands with a Constituent on UPS Ride-Along

On Monday I met with representatives from the Sunflower Community Action group to discuss healthcare issues. That evening, I attended the first “Lights on Afterschool” program in Topeka. There were representatives from the Educational Research & Public Service at KU as well as ERC. Kids participating in afterschool programs from all over Topeka came to kick off the event.

I visited the Manhattan UPS facility on Wednesday and rode along with UPS worker Jimmy Ladners as he made deliveries around Manhattan and K-State University. That afternoon, I joined Kansas Attorney General Steve Six and Kyle Kessler of KVC Behavioral Healthcare at a press conference to announce that my Effective Child Pornography Prosecution Act had been signed into law by President Bush. This new law closes a legal loophole that allowed a convicted Kansas predator to walk free. I was proud to make this announcement with Attorney General Six. 

                                         
                                    Rep. Boyda and KS. A.G. Steve Six

Thursday afternoon, I drove down to Southeast Kansas. I met Michelle Reed in Fredonia. Michelle was our nominee for the Angels in Adoption Award. In addition to adopting two children from Kazakhstan, she has become an advocate for international adoption by facilitating support groups and by serving on the board of Two Hearts for Hope. Michelle is truly an Angel in Adoption.

First thing Friday morning, I spoke at the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce. Following the breakfast, I drove to Girard to host a meeting at Greenbush with area superintendents. Afterwards, we went to Frontenac High School where I spoke to a speech class and then to the entire student body. I then drove on to Columbus for the dedication of the new welding program at the Columbus Campus of Coffeyville Community College.