You Earned This: The Social Security & Medicare Podcast!

Tom Harkin is very concerned about the future of Social Security. In this episode, the former U.S. Senator and one-time presidential candidate says seniors and their advocates must go on OFFENSE to protect the program from Donald Trump & DOGE. Otherwise, he says, they will "terminate Social Security as we know it." The Senator also sees nefarious motives behind DOGE's getting access to Americans' sensitive personal data. "They want...

Let's face it--- 2024 was a better year for Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid than 2025. Here are highlights from last year's podcast for your enjoyment, featuring host Walter Gottlieb and VIP guests:

Jim Roosevelt (Grandson of FDR); Dr. S. Jay Olshanksy (aging expert - University of Illinois); Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI); Michael Hiltzik (Columnist, Los Angeles Times); David Tatel (Retired federal appeals court judge, Aut...

Just in time for your retirement... Trump and the Republicans are messing with Medicare. They're trying to turn into a privatized program like Medicare Advantage. Also, the recent "Unfair, Ugly Bill" could trigger Medicare cuts down the road. Medicare Rights Center President Fred Riccardi tells us it's a time to be concerned for the future of these programs --- and take action to defend them... in this encore episode from April, 20...

In this special episode from April, 2025, host Walter Gottlieb and digital media manager Shahab Shokouhi answer your questions & school the trolls from our Facebook page. Questions include:  Will Social Security still be there for me? How much money is in the trust fund? And when will people formerly limited by WEP & GPO get their checks?  We also answer the Facebook trolls who insist we are "commie Democrats spreading lies."  Fun ...

Ann Crittenden was a correspondent for the New York Times in the late 70s and early 80s. She left the paper to care for her newborn son --- and later become an advocate for the millions of Americans who stay at home to care for kids, elderly parents, or other relatives in need. Author of the 2001 best-seller, "The Price of Motherhood," Ann says it's finally time that our society placed more value on caregiving --- and caregivers!  ...

Former Social Security Commissioner Martin O'Malley worked hard to improve customer service at the Social Security Administration --- only to see Trump, Musk & DOGE interefere in the agency and reverse the significant progress of O'Malley and his team.  Beneficiaries can't get through on the 1-800 number, SSA's website is crashing, and people are being declared 'dead' while very much alive. O'Malley worries that Trump, Musk & DOGE ...

In this encore episode, AARP's chief public policy expert, Dr. Debra Whitman, says we shouldn't fear older age, but embrace it. She has released a new book about how life after 50 can be fulfilling and rewarding.  But for everyone to age more securely, we must defeat ageism --- which costs our country socially and financially! In this episode, Dr. Whitman shares helpful insights for aging Americans and their loved ones from the rec...

Jon Bauman is best known for his 50s greaser character, Bowzer, from the band Sha Na Na and tv show of the same name. In addition to his career as an entertainer, Jon is an outspoken advocate for Social Security and Medicare! In this episode of the podcast, he tells us how we can save Americans' earned benefits during the Trump/Musk regime.  We also hear how Bowzer went from Doo Wop revivalist to seniors' activist. If you're wonder...

The Trump administration is starting to do to Medicare and Medicaid what it's been doing to Social Security.  Plus, Republicans in Congress want to cut nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid to pay for tax cuts for the rich. Medicare Rights Center President Fred Riccardi tells us it's a time to be concerned for the future of these programs --- and take action to defend them. He also has reservations about tv's Dr. Oz...

Martin O'Malley warns Americans that their Social Security benefits are threatened by Trump & Musk's interference at the Social Security Administration, the agency he led under President Biden. The former commissioner says that Elon Musk wants to "destroy" Social Security and that the world's richest man "believes older and disabled beneficiaries are a waste." Using a phony hunt for 'fraud' as a cover, the Trump administration is s...

Laura Haltzel resigned from the Social Security Administration (SSA) at the end of February. In this exclusive on-the-record interview, she speaks out against Trump/Musk/DOGE abuses at SSA from an insider's eyewitness view. She says that "Mayhem is the M.O." of the new administration --- and that employees and the public are being hurt.  She believes that Musk's real agenda is to cut Social Security in a back-door way, while preten...

Ann Crittenden was a correspondent for the New York Times in the late 70s and early 80s. She left the paper to care for her newborn son --- and later become an advocate for the millions of Americans who stay at home to care for kids, elderly parents, or other relatives in need. Author of the 2001 best-seller, "The Price of Motherhood," Ann says it's finally time that our society placed more value on caregiving --- and caregivers!  ...

Tom Harkin is very concerned about the future of Social Security. In this episode, the former U.S. Senator and one-time presidential candidate says seniors and their advocates must go on OFFENSE to protect the program from Donald Trump & Elon Musk. Otherwise, he says, they will "terminate Social Security as we know it." The Senator also sees nefarious motives behind Musk's getting access to Americans' sensitive personal data. "He w...

Jon Bauman is best known for his 50s greaser character, Bowzer, from the band Sha Na Na and tv show of the same name. In addition to his career as an entertainer, Jon is an outspoken advocate for Social Security and Medicare! In this episode of the podcast, he tells us how we can save Americans' earned benefits during the Trump/Musk regime.  We also hear how Bowzer went from Doo Wop revivalist to seniors' activist. If you're wonder...

A new survey released by the National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS) confirms that majorities of Americans across party lines support Social Security --- and do not want to see benefits cut.  In fact, most people are willing to pay more into Social Security to strengthen it for the future.  On this episode, NIRS research director Tyler Bond tells us that while policymakers in Washington are seriously divided, the public is...