Issue Position: Seniors

Issue Position

Seniors play an integral role in our country and it's important that we make sure they get the retirement benefits they have earned though a lifetime of hard work.

Social Security is one of our nation's most successful government programs. Currently it provides monthly benefits to 51 million Americans. This program has kept many of our most vulnerable citizens out of poverty, and remains a safety net for the entire country. Without Social Security, tens of millions of Americans would be left to fend for themselves, without any hope of affording the same benefits in the private market. Since the 1930s, Social Security has protected workers and their families from loss of income due to retirement or disability. Each day nearly 10,000 baby boomers enroll in Social Security.

Also, contrary to many rumors, Social Security is not bankrupt and has never added, nor will ever add, a dime to our deficit. Currently, the trust fund has a balance of $2.6 trillion -- an amount Social Security has collected in excess of what it has paid out in benefits. Put simply, Social Security is running surpluses, not deficits, and by law, Social Security can only pay benefits using the balance of its Trust Fund, which is generated by worker contributions. There is no doubt that we need to do something to ensure the solvency of the Social Security Trust Fund for generations to come, but we should not start dismantling Social Security nor should we use it to balance our budget. Social Security has been providing income security for seniors for more than 75 years and I want to see it continue for the next 75 years.

Medicare is also a program that is critical to the health and well-being of our nation's seniors. Today there are 49 million people currently enrolled in Medicare. Medicare provides a safety net of guaranteed health care benefits for seniors, so they can live out their retirement with dignity and the peace of mind that they will be able to access health care services if they need them. I am opposed to any attempt to privatize Medicare or block grant Medicaid--which many seniors rely on for long-term care services. We must continue to work to secure the solvency of Medicare. In the Affordable Care Act, Congress enacted many provisions that will extend the life of the Medicare Trust Fund by twelve years, and provide greater benefits to Medicare beneficiaries--including closing the Medicare Part D "donut hole" and providing new wellness and preventive service without a co-pay.

Not only are Social Security and Medicare important to our seniors, they are important to our economy. More than $2.8 billion comes into the counties that make up our district annually from these programs alone. That money is spent right here in our communities. This helps to create jobs and helps small businesses grow, which broadens our tax base and helps provide a means to further endow Social Security and Medicare.

As a member of both the House Ways and Means Health and Social Security Subcommittee, I will continue working to protect, defend, and strengthen Social Security and Medicare. Neither program should be used to balance our budget and any changes to either program should not be done on the backs of our nation's most vulnerable. We should never do anything to jeopardize Social Security and Medicare for future generations.

If you or a family member is facing problems with your Social Security or Medicare benefits, we might be able to help.

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