# Plain Language Summary: Commission on Sustaining Medicare and Social Security Act of 2023

This bill creates a temporary government commission tasked with studying how to keep Medicare and Social Security financially healthy for the long term. Think of it as assembling a team of experts to diagnose problems with these two programs and suggest possible solutions. The commission will have one year to complete its work and submit a report to Congress with recommendations.

The commission will examine several specific issues. First, it will look at whether the government should use different methods to calculate cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security benefits—particularly exploring whether using a special index designed for elderly people (called CPI-E) would be fairer than the current approach. Second, it will study whether Medicare premiums should be calculated differently, including whether they should take into account whether someone is struggling financially. Third, the commission will investigate various reforms that could make both programs more sustainable and financially stable going forward. Finally, it will examine ways to prevent fraud and reduce improper payments in these programs.

The commission will consist of 11 members, including leaders from Social Security and Medicare, plus outside experts appointed by congressional leaders from both parties. These members will work without pay but will receive travel expenses. The commission will have the power to hold hearings, request information from government agencies, and hire staff to help with their analysis. Once they submit their report, the commission automatically dissolves. Congress has authorized up to $2 million to fund this effort.

Essentially, this bill doesn't change any current benefits or rules—it simply creates a formal process for experts to study Medicare and Social Security's future challenges and propose potential solutions for Congress to consider.

Commission on Sustaining Medicare and Social Security Act of 2023

Bilirakis, Gus M.

Commission on Sustaining Medicare and Social Security Act of 2023 This bill temporarily establishes the Commission on Sustaining Medicare and Social Security within the legislative branch to report on specified information relating to the Medicare program and the Social Security retirement and disability programs. The report must address (1) the impact of using alternative price indexes to determine cost-of-living adjustments; (2) the impact of using alternative formulas to calculate certain Medicare premiums; and (3) recommendations to prevent fraud, increase integrity, increase sustainability, and reduce improper payments in the programs.