AFSCME Illinois Retiree Chapter 31

05/28/2026

Social Security Poll: About 90% of respondents opposed cutting Social Security benefits broadly, while 80% opposed increasing payroll taxes on workers and employers. Borrowing more money to support the program also faced resistance, with 76% opposed.

However, voters were far more supportive of reducing benefits for wealthier retirees.

Americans remain sharply divided on how to prevent Social Security from running short of money as the program's projected 2032 funding deadline approaches, according to a new Ronald Reagan Institute survey reviewed by FOX Business. The poll found broad opposition to many proposed Social Security ref...

05/27/2026

We have neither a competitive health care system nor a regulated one—we have a fragmented, micromanaged health system that fails to control costs and makes both patients and health professionals more miserable than they should be.

Asked for a one-pager on what's wrong with the U.S. health system, Dr. Drew Altman, Founding President and CEO, explains the top issues in this piece, published today as his latest column. Altman explains, "We have neither a competitive health care system nor a regulated one—we have a fragmented, ...

05/27/2026

Senior Scam Alert: A new report found that Meta, the corporation that owns Facebook and Instagram, has failed to stop scammers from repeatedly buying ads that target seniors.

The report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate found that scam ads aimed at older adults are particularly common on Facebook. According to the report, ads from 30 of the most active scam accounts generated an estimated 215 million views over the past year, with nearly three-quarters of those views coming from users aged 65 and older.

A new report from the Center for Countering Digital Hate finds 30 of the most active scam accounts on Facebook generated about 215 million impressions in the last year.

05/27/2026

New research shows that the Inflation Reduction Act’s provision capping yearly prescription drug costs has helped Medicare patients afford and stay on their prescription medications. The annual out-of-pocket drug costs cap is $2,100 for 2026.

With a new yearly cap on drug costs, Medicare patients are experiencing lower bills and fewer disruptions.

05/27/2026

AI in Medicare Update: This “Snapshot Report” released by Sen. Cantwell (WA) in April found that since its launch in January, the WISeR program has resulted in longer wait times & higher rates of denials for traditional Medicare beneficiaries.

On January 1, 2026, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) launched a pilot program called the WISeR (Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction) Model that uses AIbased prior authorization requirements to overturn traditional Medicare coverage decisions in six unlucky states. Washington is one of six states CMS chose to pilot the program.

05/27/2026

The Supreme Court sided with common sense and upheld the landmark law allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prices for some of the most expensive prescription drugs used by older Americans. The Court recognized that drug corporations should not get special treatment when they do business with the federal government.

The Supreme Court has upheld the federal government's authority to negotiate Medicare drug prices, rejecting appeals from pharmaceutical companies. This decision supports the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act's goal to enhance drug affordability for older adults.

05/22/2026

Good news for Illinoisans! Senate Bill 3496, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board Act, was just passed by the Illinois House which would help lower the cost of lifesaving medication and hold drug companies accountable. But the work is not done yet. The fight now moves to the Illinois Senate and your help is needed. With just one week left in the session, senators need to hear loud and clear that we are demanding action on prescription drug costs. Please call your state Senator and ask them to support SB 3496. You can find your State Senator and their contact information by clicking the link here: https://www.ilga.gov/members/FindMyLegislator

05/19/2026

"Here's the dirty little secret: Trump Accounts are Social Security personal accounts," Cruz said during the Milken Institute Global Conference. "We're going to be able to go to parents and say, 'Hey, you know that Trump account your kid has? Wouldn't you like to be able to keep a portion of your tax payments that you're paying already, and instead of sending it to Uncle Sam, wouldn't you like to have a Trump account just like your kid does?"

Social Security experts have pointed out that private, personal investment accounts are not a substitute for earned benefits. Even with the $1,000 contribution, Trump accounts will favor wealthier Americans who have the ability to save and invest the maximum amount allowed each year. Plus, since families are required to invest in stock funds for the first 18 years of investment, funds will have a much higher risk of low returns or losses due to market fluctuations.

Proponents say the Trump accounts will be better than Social Security. Don't believe them.

05/19/2026

"For far too long, Illinois politicians made a habit of treating public employee pensions as a budget line they could shortchange—deferring contributions, borrowing against the future, and hoping the next generation of lawmakers would deal with the mess. They never did."

A look back at politicians' repeated attempts to cut pension benefits and our union's efforts to stop them.

05/19/2026

Read the latest AFSCME Retiree Notes here including articles on Trump admin brings AI to Medicare, Champaign retiree launches hygiene pantry and Fraud Alert: SERS retirees must use caution.

Trump admin brings AI to MedicareJan Lease, an AFSCME Chapter 31 retiree and Medicare beneficiary, is one of many seniors concerned about a new pilot project from PresidentTrump’s Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). Called the WISeR Model, it allows Artificial Intelligence (AI) to determine wh...