Issue Position: Seniors

Issue Position

Nevada's senior citizen community has unique needs, requiring specific support and legislative policies. From ensuring seniors can access the medical care they need to protecting the programs they rely on for enhanced quality of life, I am committed to advocating on behalf of our seniors in Nevada.

We should be clear about one thing: Medicare and Social Security, upon which thousands of Nevada's seniors rely, are not on sound financial footing and need to be strengthened if they are to provide the health and income security our seniors deserve. In June, the Medicare and Social Security trustees released a report showing both programs will begin to spend more than they earn by 2020. Ignoring these challenges will result in cuts to benefits for current program participants and uncertainty about the future for those near retirement age.

In Congress, I am working to preserve Medicare for current retirees and to protect it for future generations. I introduced legislation aimed at fixing changes to Medicare implemented as part of the Affordable Care Act and reducing financial hardships for seniors on Medicare by ensuring Medicare covers skilled nursing facility stays.

After hearing from seniors frustrated by the lack of a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase for Social Security this year and in years past, I introduced a bill called the SENIORS COLA Guarantee Act to ensure seniors on Social Security receive a guaranteed minimum COLA. In the short-term, this will provide seniors a guaranteed income boost so they can afford everyday necessities like groceries, healthcare products, and housing costs. But we must have a serious national discussion on Social Security if we are to ensure its strength in the long-term.

As your Senator, I will continue my work to improve Medicare and welcome debate on improving Social Security so it can continue to operate as the program that has provided financial support to so many.

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