Caring for Our Seniors
A Note from Congressman Carson
Dear Friend,
Our senior citizens are important members of our nation and our communities. They have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and their hard work helped build this great country. Unfortunately, Medicare, a program that nearly 50 million senior citizens rely on, may be in grave danger.
Medicare provides senior citizens access to quality health insurance. Without this important program, many of the individuals who contributed to the strength of our nation will be unable to access vital health care services when they need them most. This is simply unacceptable! We must commit to ensure that Medicare continues to be affordable and accessible. It is critical to find a permanent fix to the existing physician payment formula, the Sustainable Growth Rate. While this formula is complex, its impact is clear. If we fail to address this issue, physician payments will be cut and many Doctors may decide to stop seeing seniors covered by Medicare.
Members of both parties agree that so called "doc fixes", or short term corrections to the payment rate, are fundamentally flawed, and a permanent solution is necessary. This week, I was disappointed to see a bipartisan agreement within reach, only to have Republican leaders derail it by connecting it to the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Holding the future of our senior's health hostage in order to push a political agenda is wrong. Congress has a responsibility to protect and defend the benefits senior citizens have earned and deserve. Rest assured as your representative, I will continuously fight to pass a permanent solution to fix the physician payment formula within the Medicare system.
As always, please feel free to call or email my office if there is anything I can do for you.
Regards,
André
Inside Scoop
32 Days Left To File Your Taxes!
The deadline to file taxes, April 15th, is right around the corner. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers several free resources including Free File, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs to help you prepare and file your taxes. Free File provides free federal tax prep and e-file for taxpayers, either through brand-name software or online forms. A popular feature of the program is the ability to get your money faster and track your refund. All you will need is an email address, a copy of your 2013 tax return and documents for your income and deductions. Visit https://www.freefile.irs.gov/ to learn more.
The VITA Program provides free and professional tax preparation for people who make $52,000 or less while TCE assists all individuals with a priority on taxpayers who are 60 years of age or older. Services are provided at various locations throughout the community by volunteers who are trained and certified by the IRS. To find a VITA or TCE site in your zip code, call 1-800-906-9887 or visit https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers.
Voting: Our Privilege and Responsibility
One of the greatest privileges of being an American citizen is the opportunity to voice your opinion through the electoral process. With the 2014 elections just a few months away, you may be asking yourself: Am I registered to vote? Where is my nearest polling place? If you live in Indiana, Click here to register to vote online, find your nearest polling place, and confirm your voter registration.
Below are important dates for Indiana voters to note:
April 7, 2014 Voter Registration Ends
May 6, 2014 Primary Election Day
May 20, 2014 Voter Registration Begins
October 6, 2014 Voter Registration Ends
November 4, 2014 General Election Day