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Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) expressed strong concern for the tens of millions of American seniors impacted by today’s announcement that Social Security beneficiaries would not receive a cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) increase in 2016.

“Many do not understand the implication of today's announcement. Too many seniors in our community are barely getting by and are facing increased costs for everyday living. Most challenging – and what they find terrifying – is that on top of not receiving a cost-of-living-adjustment next year, their Medicare premiums will increase at an unprecedented rate and they simply do not know how they are going to do it,” Dingell said. 

"Last week, while John was in the hospital, a number of people sought me out – several in tears, scared, worried and with no answers about how they would manage the increased costs of what it takes to just get by. They were worried about their escalating Medicare premiums, supplemental insurance, co-pays, tests, prescription drugs, as well as food, housing and transportation.

“We have to do better. Social Security and Medicare are promises we make to our seniors, and they should be able to count on them for a secure and dignified retirement. Failing to provide the necessary cost-of-living-adjustment – for only the third time in 40 years – makes it too hard for older Americans to get by. We cannot leave seniors out in the cold without the critical support they have earned through a lifetime of hard work. We have to address this issue.”

Dingell has co-sponsored legislation, H.R. 3696, the Medicare Premium Fairness Act, to protect seniors from an increase in their Medicare Part B premiums and maintain 2015 deductible rates through 2016 for all Medicare enrollees. She also signed a letter to Acting Commissioner of Social Security Carolyn W. Colvin this week urging an increase in COLA for 2016 and advocating for a new, more accurate formula to calculate cost-of-living-increases for American seniors. The letter can be read in full here.