Issue Position: Medicare and Social Security

Issue Position

I stand strongly in support of the preservation of Medicare and Social Security. There has been a concerted effort by my Republican colleagues over the past year to privatize Medicare, as well as drastically cut Social Security benefits. I am committed to ensuring that these vital programs remain intact, and that our seniors are not disadvantaged by budget cuts. Medicare is needed now more than ever. In 1965, only 51% of seniors had health care coverage. Thanks to Medicare, virtually all seniors have health care coverage today. Moreover, the coverage corresponds to a sharp decrease in the number of seniors living below the poverty line. In 1965, nearly 30% of seniors lived below the poverty line. Today, that number is less than 8%.

For more than half of elderly beneficiaries, Social Security provides the majority of their income. For one-quarter, it provides nearly all (more than 90%) of their income. That's why I've hosted numerous Social Security forums in the last year to inform constituents and communicate important information on benefits to the people who need it most. I will continue to fight against attempts to drastically change Social Security and Medicare.

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