premiums rise as much as 50%. with higher deductible, as well. here s major garrett. reporter: the increase in out-of-pocket medical costs would affect doctors visit, surgeries and medical supplies such as walkers and wheelchairs. currently the monthly premium is $10 4. it could rise to $159. eight million could face these higher costs. about a million are federal retirees. jessica klement of the national active and retired federal employees association. $55 a month makes a big, big difference to individuals living on a fixed income. reporter: here s the rising fast. by law 70% of people on medicare are protected from higher premiums if they don t get a raise. that s what s going to happen next year, which leaves only 30% of medicare patients to absorb all the higher health care costs. that 30% includes the wealthy, seniors who recently signed up for medicare and federal employees. congress can reverse the cost increase due to start january 1st, something the white hous
would affect doctors visit, surgeries and medical supplies such as walkers and wheelchairs. currently the monthly premium is $10 4. it could rise to $159. eight million could face these higher costs. about a million are federal retirees. jessica klement of the national active and retired federal employees association. $55 a month makes a big, big difference to individualslsiving on a fixed income. reporter: here s the problem: health care costs are rising fast. by law 70% of people on medicare are protected from higher premiums if they don t get a social security cost ofiving raise. that s what s going to happen next year, which leaveonly 30% of medicare patients to absorb all the higher health care costs. that 30% includes the wealthy, seniors who recently signed up for medicare and federal employees. congress can reverse the cost increase due to start january 1st, something the white house supports. there does seem toto be bipartisan supuprt in congress how you do that,
million on medicare could see premiums rise as much as 50%. with higher deductible, as well. here s major garrett. reporter: the increase in out-of-pocket medical costs would affect doctors visit, surgeries and medical supplies such as walkers and wheelchairs. currently the monthly premium is $10 4. it could rise to $159. eight million could face these higher costs. about a million are federal retirees. jessica klement of the national active and retired federal employees association. $55 a month makes a big, big difference to individuals living on a fixed income. reporter: here s the problem: health care costs are rising fast. by law 70% of people on medicare are protected from higher premiums if they don t get a social security cost of living raise. that s what s going to happen next year, which leaves only 30% of medicare patients to absorb all the higher health care costs. that 30% includes the wealthy, seniors who recently signed up for medicare and federal employee
year because inflation is too low to trigger one. the bad news gets worse: unless congress acts, many of the 55 million on medicare could see premiums rise as much as 50%. with higher deductible, as well. here s major garrett. reporter: the increase in out-of-pocket medical costs would affect doctors visit, surgeries and medical supplies such as walkers and wheelchairs. currently the monthly premium is $10 4. it could rise to $159. eight million could face these higher costs. about a million are federal retirees. jessica klement of the national active and retired federal employees association. $55 a month makes a big, big difference to individuals living on a fixed income. reporter: here s the problem: health care costs are rising fast. by law 70% of people on medicare are protected from higher premiums if they don t get a social security cost of living raise. next year, which leaves only 30% of medicare patients to absorb all the higher health care costs. that 30% incl
million on medicare could see premiums rise as much as 50%. with higher deductible, as well. here s major garrett. reporter: the increase in out-of-pocket medical costs would affect doctors visit, surgeries and medical supplies such as walkers and wheelchairs. currently the monthly premium is $10 4. it could rise to $159. eight million could face these higher costs. about a million are federal retirees. jessica klement of the national active and retired federal employees association. $55 a month makes a big, big difference to individuals living on a fixed income. reporter: here s the problem: health care costs are rising fast. by law 70% of people on medicare are protected from higher premiums if they don t get a social security cost of living raise. that s what s going to happen next year, which leaves only 30% of medicare patients to absorb all the higher health care costs. seniors who recently signed up for medicare and federal employees. congress can reverse the cos