Issue Position: Seniors

Issue Position

Seniors worked hard to raise the younger generations, and I am adamant about supporting their needs. This is why I am working hard to strengthen Medicare, protect Social Security, and advocate for other critical resources like nutrition assistance for seniors in Northwest Washington and across the country.

Strengthening Social Security

Social Security must remain a safety net that covers all of our seniors. Washington state seniors have spent a lifetime contributing to Social Security. They are entitled to the benefits they have earned. For that reason, I oppose the privatization of Social Security. While Social Security is fiscally sound for the near future, the retirement of the baby boom generation will strain it. We owe it to future generations to keep Social Security solvent and not take unnecessary risks with it. That is why I support a proposal to make the benefit formula more generous, use a cost-of-living formula that takes into account the expense of seniors' purchases, and preserve Social Security for the future by scrapping the cap on income subject to Social Security taxes.

Improving Medicare for Seniors

Medicare is one of the cornerstones of our social safety net. I believe that Medicare beneficiaries deserve the best treatments possible. To that end, I supported measures, like closing the Medicare prescription drug donut hole and cracking down on Medicare fraud, that strengthen Medicare and improve its long-term viability. Uncovering Medicare fraud protects Medicare's long-term viability and returns taxpayer dollars to their rightful purpose. I also fought for better access to health care for Medicare beneficiaries by supporting free preventative care and maintaining Washington state's physician reimbursement rate. Ensuring that Medicare and Medicaid are protected for future generations is something I have stood by through every budget and deficit negotiation. I do not support any proposal that ends the guaranteed benefit of Medicare.

Accomplishments

Voted for the Democratic alternative to the Ryan Budget, which would have turned Medicare into a voucher system, to keep Medicare a guaranteed benefit.

Strongly support the Medicare fraud task force, which gets an 810 percent return on taxpayers' investment, returning $8.10 for every $1 in fraud.

Support deficit reduction that limits government spending growth, protects our social safety net for seniors, and expands revenue collection, particularly from the richest Americans and large corporations.

Fought against proposals to privatize Social Security.

Support Social Security benefits for same-sex couples, ensuring all Americans have access to the benefits they have earned.

Support funding for senior nutrition and employment programs to address the rapidly growing aging population.

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