Group sues HHS, Social Security over Medicare requirement

A group of Medicare-eligible citizens have filed a lawsuit against HHS and the Social Security Administration over a rule requiring that retirees give up their Social Security income if they don't want to participate in Medicare Part A. The men filing the lawsuit, who filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, say they can buy better insurance in the private market.

The plaintiffs bringing this case include Brian Hall, formerly of the Department of Housing and Urban Development; Lewis Randall, a board member of E*Trade; and Norman Rogers, founder and retired CEO of Rabbit Semiconductor, as well as board member of libertarian-leaning think tank the Cato Institute.

The lawsuit argues that the policy is illegal because the laws enacting both programs describe them as voluntary, and also because Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush didn't follow appropriate administrative procedures in establishing these policies.

To learn more about this suit:
- read this Modern Healthcare piece

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