Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today issued the following statement on the report sent to Congress.
"The trustees report analysis shows that Democrats succeeded in strengthening the Medicare program while improving benefits for seniors. As a result of the newly-enacted health reform law, the Affordable Care Act, Medicare will be in the black for 12 additional years--through 2029--and millions of seniors will benefit from reduced premiums and co-pays, lower prescription drug costs, and free preventive services. In short, this report proves that health reform is not only going to improve the nation's public health, but our fiscal health as well.
"I look forward to building on the Affordable Care Act, our starter home, to ensure that Medicare is financially viable well beyond 2029, and I believe that the high priority the bill places on prevention and wellness to keep people healthy in the first place is the key to achieving this goal.
"This report also reaffirms that the trust fund will continue to pay full Social Security benefits for decades. Social Security is an incredibly successful program -- one in which some 570,000 plus Iowans rely on -- and that includes individuals with disabilities, children and veterans. I will continue to fight to protect Social Security so that it remains solid for generations to come."
Source: http://harkin.senate.gov/press/release.cfm?i=327043
