Social Security significa más que sólo un cheque para millones de norteamericanos. De acuerdo a un reporte reciente, los beneficios de Social Security generan más de 9 millones de empleos en todo el país y más de un trillón de dólares de actividad económica.
Christina Martin-Firvida, Directora de Seguridad Económica de AARP, dice que su investigación encontró que Social Security tiene un impacto superlativo porque cuando sus beneficiarios se gastan el cheque que reciben cada mes, esos dólares se filtran a toda la economía.
“Se enfocó esencialmente en los beneficios que se pagan, cómo se gastan y cómo eso hace crecer las economías tanto nacional como la de cada estado.”

California es el estado que tiene mayor impacto debido a que tiene la economía más grande del país. El reporte detectó que los beneficios de Social Security, tan solo en el estado generaron casi un millón de empleos, 147 billones de dólares en actividad económica y casi 9 billones en impuestos locales y estatales. Martin-Firvida afirma que los resultados de este reporte adquieren un peso específico importante en la discusión sobre cómo tapar el boquete de la deuda de largo plazo que tiene Social Security.
“Este reporte le ayuda a la gente a llenar los vacíos de información que tenían, mientras meditan esas propuestas para entender que, cuando recortas los beneficios, también afectas a la economía; eso es lo que falta aquí.”

La administración de Social Security dice que a menos que se hagan cambios al programa, los beneficios tendrán que ser reducidos en todos los ámbitos más o menos en un 25 por ciento a partir de 2033.

Consulte el reporte en Social Security may provide income stability for more than 1 million people in California, but it's also good for the economy, according to
a report from AARP.

Christina Martin-Firvida, AARP's director of economic security, says its research found that Social Security has a much greater impact because when the recipients spend their monthly benefit checks, those dollars trickle through the economy.

"It looked at, essentially, benefits that are paid, how they are spent, and how does that make the economy grow, both nationally and in each of the states," she said.

Since California has the largest economy of any state, it sees the greatest impact. The report found that in California alone, Social Security benefits support nearly 1 million jobs and $147 billion in economic output, and help produce nearly $9 billion in state and local tax revenues.

Martin-Firvida said the results of the report are important to discussions about how to close Social Security's long-term financing gap.

"This report helps people fill in some blanks in the information they had, as they think about those proposals, to understand when you're cutting benefits, you're also hurting the economy," she said. "That's what's missing here."

According to the Social Security Administration, unless changes are made to the program, Social Security benefits will have to be reduced across the board by about 25 percent beginning in 2033.

The report is online at aarp.org.


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After more than 50 years of use, some Michigan lawmakers say naloxone may not be the best choice in an overdose situation.

Naloxone is sometimes called the "Lazarus drug" because of its powerful ability to seemingly resurrect people after a drug overdose.

Sen. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores, and some of his colleagues have introduced a bill which would open the door for what they say are more costly, but more powerful, antidotes.

"Given the prevalence of fentanyl in our communities, and how much stronger some of these drugs that we're now seeing are, we believe -- and in talking with others -- that there should be other tools to respond to an overdose," Hertel explained. "To make sure we're doing everything we can to save somebody's life."

Not everyone is on board with the proposed legislation, Senate Bill 542. Opponents argued the more expensive naloxone alternatives are not necessary, and using them would only increase profits for the pharmaceutical industry.

Jonathan Stoltman, director of the Opioid Policy Institute in Grand Rapids, said while the naloxone alternatives do help in overdose situations, they can also cause nasty side effects.

"The newer approaches, they put people into more severe withdrawal," Stoltman pointed out. "That's a pretty profound negative side effect. The one approach is very inexpensive and works great; the other approach is far more expensive and has this strong negative side effect."

Sponsors of the bill say they're hoping to give Michigan residents a chance to chime in on the issue in a public hearing sometime in June. Michigan saw more than 3,000 opioid overdose deaths in 2021.


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New Mexico saw record enrollment numbers for the Affordable Care Act this year and is now setting its sights on lowering out-of-pocket costs - those not reimbursed by insurance. More than 56,000 New Mexicans are enrolled in a medical health insurance plan on the state exchange - an increase of 12,000 people overall.

Colin Baillio, deputy superintendent with the state's Office of Insurance, said the state has boosted its outreach and made efforts to improve the overall consumer experience.

"We saw a 40% year-over-year increase, and New Mexico saw the biggest percentage increase during the open-enrollment period among all of the state-based marketplaces," he explained

Part of the enrollment increase is due to what's called the "unwinding" - a federal directive that required all states to redetermine Medicaid eligibility following a three-year pause on checks during the COVID pandemic. He said by using expanded tools made available by the federal and state government, 8% of New Mexico's population is now uninsured - down from 23% in 2010.

Following approval by lawmakers in the 2024 legislative session, the New Mexico governor signed seven health care-related bills into law - one of which requires annual reporting of prescription drug pricing. Baililo said the Affordable Care Act built the foundation that has allowed the state to pursue additional affordability initiatives.

"I'm really glad to see that there's so much interest in the next step of health reform, really leaning into these out-of-pocket cost issues and making it easier for people to afford to stay covered and see their doctors," he continued.

Two years ago, the state also passed a one-of-a-kind law that did away with behavioral health co-pays for people in certain insurance plans.

New York's medical aid-in-dying bill is gaining further support. The Medical Society of the State of New York is supporting the bill. New York's bill allows terminally ill people with only six months to live to use this option, with safeguards requiring two physicians' approval.

The bill's Assembly sponsor Amy Paulin, D-Westchester, said despite the growing support, other hurdles lie ahead.

"Now we have what I believe, if it came to the floor, a majority. There's still a hesitation on the part of leadership. You know, we need members to assure leadership that they no longer have reservations," she said.

Other newly resolved concerns center on making sure insurance companies and doctors who don't support this aren't held liable. She's optimistic the bill will pass after nine years in the Legislature. New York would be the 11th state along with Washington, D.C. to have medical aid in dying legislation.

Corinne Carey, senior New York campaign director with Compassion and Choices finds the pandemic drew a vivid picture of a person's end-of-life experience. There were images of people dying on ventilators, apart from loved ones, and unable to communicate. She said people began thinking about a "good death."

"And, what is a good death is being surrounded by loved ones, having some measure of control, experiencing the touch of your loved ones, and being the one in the driver's seat," she explained.

Now people have different options for end-of-life care, each of which presents various challenges. Polls show medical aid in dying has garnered considerable support since being introduced in 2015. A 2022 Compassion and Choices poll finds 57% of nurses support medical aid in dying professionally, although fewer support it personally.