Issue Position: Seniors

Issue Position

Congressman Sarbanes knows our seniors make enormous contributions to our civic life and to the success and prosperity of our nation. He is seeking to find ways to ensure that they are treated with respect, that they receive the health care and retirement benefits they have earned and that they have meaningful continuing opportunities in the working world and in society as a whole.

Medicare and Prescription Drugs:

Medicare is one of the most successful government programs ever created and the goal of the health care reform bill is to strengthen and improve it. Congressman Sarbanes is working to strengthen Medicare by closing the Medicare Part D "donut hole," instituting discounts on brand-name drugs for seniors, permanently reforming the Medicare physician fee schedule so more doctors will participate in Medicare, and eliminating co-payments and deductibles for preventive care. He also supported legislation that will prevent waste, fraud and abuse by strengthening oversight of compliance standards; increasing funding for the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Fund; and implementing new penalties for fraud and abuse.
Congressman Sarbanes heard from many seniors who are concerned that rising Medicare Part B premiums, combined with a flat Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment in 2010, would cause significant financial hardship. In response to these concerns, on September 24, 2009, he voted in support of H.R. 3631, the Medicare Premium Fairness Act, which would block the increase in Medicare Part B premiums. This measure passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 406 to 18. It has now been referred to the Senate for further consideration.

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services has posted their 2011 handbook online for easy reference.

Social Security:

Social Security has made it possible for millions of Americans to live with security and dignity in their retirement. It has also provided a safety net for widows, children who have lost a parent, and disabled workers. For these reasons, Congressman Sarbanes strongly believes that we must keep our commitments to retirees and provide them with the income security that they were promised. Congressman Sarbanes voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) which provided an automatic $250 payment to every adult Social Security recipient.

Jobs for Seniors:

ARRA invested $120 million for the Senior Community Service Employment Program which provides part-time jobs in community service for seniors looking for employment.

Lowering Daily Expenses for Seniors:

ARRA provided funds to lower the cost of food and energy for America's seniors, including $100 million for senior nutrition programs like Meals on Wheels and meals served at senior centers and $5 billion to help hundreds of thousands of seniors weatherize their homes and reduce their heating bills.

Strengthening Consumer Protection:

Congressman Sarbanes voted for the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights which provided tough new protections for consumers by banning unfair rate increases and forbidding the use of abusive fees and penalties.

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