Protecting Our Seniors
Social Security
Preserving Social Security and Medicare for America's seniors and for future generations is of paramount importance. For 70 years, Social Security has been the safety net for America’s seniors. Unfortunately, many of our seniors struggle to make ends meet on the current benefit system. I will never support any proposal that privatizes Social Security or erodes retirement benefits that workers have earned through a lifetime of hard work.
At least one in five seniors depend on Social Security as their sole source of income, but for years, the buying power of these checks has dwindled in the face of skyrocketing health care and prescription drug costs. The costs of prescription drugs are skyrocketing, but cost of living adjustments (COLAs) are not keeping up with these astronomical cost increases. Because of the general deflation due to the economic recession, the Social Security Administration announced seniors would not receive any COLA in 2010 or 2011. This is unacceptable, and it is clear that the formula the Social Security Administration uses to calculate COLAs must change. As a Member of Congress, I will sponsor legislation to change this injustice.Lowering the Cost of Prescription Drugs
I believe that Congress must act to help lower prescription medication prices for all seniors. It is common sense that the Secretary of Health and Human Services should harness the purchasing power of 40 million beneficiaries to negotiate lower drug prices for Medicare beneficiaries. In addition, consumers and pharmacists should be allowed to re-import FDA-approved drugs from other countries. Drug importation will lower drug prices not only for seniors, but for all Americans.
All of these changes must be made immediately as part of congressional efforts to reform the American health care system. The costs of prescription drugs are too high. The pharmaceutical industry cannot be let off the hook and instead must deliver savings to seniors in any final health care reform legislation.
Medicare and Comprehensive Health Care Reform
Comprehensive health care reform is essential, and if it is done right it can be a boon to seniors with better treatment and cheaper prescription drugs. I will only support health care reform efforts that ensure seniors receive even better care under Medicare than is currently being delivered. I strongly believe Congress can enact health care reform that provides greater access to health insurance coverage while bringing down insurance costs and not adding to our nation’s deficit. However, I will oppose any reform that cuts Medicare in a manner that negatively affects health care for seniors. Health care reform can be a great improvement in the health care of seniors – so long as it is done right.
