Congress has just five days to pass a spending bill and avoid a government shutdown. And now the White House is raising the stakes, threatening to go beyond traditional furlows and laying the groundwork for mass firings across the government if a deal is not reached. NBC News obtained a memo from the Office of Management and Budget asking federal agencies to prepare a quote reduction in force plans if possible. Joining us now, House Minority Whip and Democratic Congresswoman from Massachusetts, Katherine Cl ...

Joining us now, House Minority Leader, Democratic Congressman Hakee Jeff of New York. Of course, we want to talk to you about the looming shutdown. But first, uh would like to get your reaction and what you're hearing from your colleagues on the Hill uh about uh the Jimmy Kimmel situation being yanked off the air.Well, good morning. Great to be with you. Uh Democrats in the House and the Senate are deeply disturbed uh by the events.This is another example of Donald Trump and the Trump administration weaponi ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the financial concerns of a couple in their early 60s regarding healthcare costs before they qualify for Medicare [1][4] - It highlights the potential financial burden of private insurance during the gap years until they turn 65 [1][3] Financial Situation - The couple plans to retire at 63, expecting an annual income of $50,000 from Social Security and 401(k) withdrawals [2] - They have $80,000 in emergency savings, but are aware that this could be depleted by a single health emergency [2] Insurance Options - Simon could extend his employer's coverage under COBRA, with premiums ranging from $400 to $700 per month per person, totaling up to $1,400 per household [3] - Affordable Care Act (ACA) options could reduce premiums to about $500 per month, but typically range from $800 to $1,200 per month without subsidies [3] - Even with ACA, the couple could face annual costs of $9,600 to $14,400 for health insurance, which is significant given their fixed budget [3] Healthcare Costs - Average healthcare costs for individuals aged 60 and older in the U.S. are approximately $12,000 per year for routine care [4] - Without insurance, the couple would be responsible for the full costs of emergency care, which can be substantial, such as hospital stays for serious conditions costing upwards of $18,931 [4] Cost Comparison - A comparison of costs shows that under subsidized ACA, the couple might pay approximately $11,880 for two years of health premiums [5]

It is is just a series of obstacles being put in front of me and other people to try to get the new COVID vaccine. 74 year old Allison Engel has Medicare and when she went to get a COVID shot a few weeks ago, she expected it to be free, but instead they said it wasn't approved by Medicare. Now, the rules for eligibility are strict, blocking anyone below 65 or without an underlying medical condition.But even then, it's a confusing patchwork. A key CDC panel hasn't signed off on the new vaccine yet. Until the ...

Group 1 - The Social Security Administration does not penalize individuals for not claiming benefits at age 67, which is the full retirement age for those born in 1960 or later, allowing them to receive 100% of their benefits [2] - Delaying benefits past age 70 does not incur penalties, but it is financially disadvantageous as individuals would miss out on the benefits they earned [3] - The warning about penalties may relate to Medicare enrollment, where individuals could face late-enrollment fees if they do not sign up when eligible [3][4] Group 2 - Medicare has a seven-month enrollment period that includes three months before turning 65, the month of the 65th birthday, and three months after, with penalties for late enrollment [4] - Individuals with employer-provided health insurance can delay Medicare enrollment until their coverage ends, with an eight-month window to sign up after stopping work [5] - Medicare Part A is often free for many Americans, making it advisable to sign up even if other health insurance is in place, while Part B incurs a monthly premium and requires adherence to enrollment rules [6][7]

Healthcare Costs - Medicare 受益人面临更高的保费和自付额 [1] - Medicare 服务减少 [1] - Medicare 项目可能面临削减 [1] Pharmaceutical Benefits - 部分药物的价格有好的消息 [1] - 药物支付计划 [1]

On paper, Susan Collins Senate seat would seem like a relatively easy pickup for Democrats in the midterms if she had not proven such a formidable opponent in Maine. Since she was elected in 1996, Collins has trounced every single challenger that has come her way. And in her last campaign in 2020, she beat Democratic opponent Sarah Gideon by more than eight percentage points, while Donald Donald Trump lost Maine by more than nine points.Already a slate of Democrats have stepped up. Each believing they can u ...

Economy & Tariffs - The Democratic Party initially predicted economic faltering and recession due to tariffs, but this hasn't occurred [2] - Concerns remain that tariffs will worsen inflation and affordability issues, especially for consumer goods [6] - There is disagreement on whether tariffs have significantly impacted prices [5] Economic Indicators & Performance - Job creation has decreased to near record lows [3] - Inflation reached a high of 9% but is now at 27% year-over-year [7] - Unemployment is at 42%, considered full employment, and GDP was 3% [7] Political Stance & Policy - Democrats advocate for a strong social safety net, including Social Security, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act [9][10] - The administration is accused of attacking these programs and nutritional assistance [10][12] - There are concerns about a bill that could negatively impact healthcare access and affordability [11] New York City Mayoral Race & Affordability - Affordability is a key issue in New York City, influencing the mayoral race [14][21][22] - One mayoral candidate is focused on addressing affordability, but his solutions are under scrutiny [14][23] - A proposed solution involves increasing the supply of affordable housing through public-private partnerships [24] Government & Free Market - The Trump administration is accused of attacking the free enterprise system and engaging in "pay to play" schemes [28][29] - There are concerns about political interference in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [27][28] - The President is criticized for bullying corporations and individuals [31][32]

>> Welcome back to Squawk Box. >> Joining us right now, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. There is so much to talk to you about this morning, about everything that's going on in Washington, about the BLS, the fed.We could talk about Nvidia Democratic Party, but I want to start with this. And by the way, mea culpa on me too. So but I'm curious where you land.For the last several months, the Democratic Party, for the most part, has been publicly suggesting that because of these tariffs that the economy w ...

Most families drastically underestimate long-term care costs, and Medicare won't help. Here's what younger generations need to know to plan for their parents and, eventually, themselves. https://t.co/iORd1ElsrH ...