“America’s seniors have spent many years working to raise families and improve the communities in which they live, and they deserve the best resources—resources they have earned—as they enter retirement.”

SUMMARY OF STANCE

I am committed to improving the health and well-being of our seniors by supporting policies that protect Social Security, strengthen Medicare, and reform our financial system so they have the tools they need to achieve health and retirement security.

RELATED ACTIONS AND LEGISLATION

Introducing legislation is just one action that a member of Congress can take to address a concern or issue that impacts constituents. House Members can also introduce Congressional resolutions calling on the House (or even the full Congress) as a body to recognize or support a certain event or position on an issue. Members can write letters to government leaders requesting they take certain action, hold hearings with expert panels to address issues, work with colleagues at the committee level on specific issues, or even make direct in-person appeals to other Members or officials in the government. Here are a few examples of how I have taken action on this issue.

Social Security

Social Security is a critical part of our nation’s social contract to its people. It is a source of economic security for millions of hard-working Americans—through survivor benefits and assistance to seniors and people with disabilities. About 90 percent of people aged 65 and older receive Social Security benefits and nearly 2 in 3 get half or more of their income from Social Security. While I agree that Congress must certainly address the long-term funding challenges to Social Security, I believe that any reforms must not be accomplished by reducing benefits.

That is why, I cosponsored H.R.1205, the “Social Security Fairness Act” and H.R.711, the “Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act,” two measures which protect Social Security benefits for certain beneficiaries, often those who have worked in public service. I believe we should support our government and public service employees rather than unfairly penalize them for their service to our nation.

I have cosponsored nearly two-dozen bills or resolution in Congress aimed at strengthening Social Security, including: H.R.649, the“Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act,” to make sure future Social Security cost-of-living increases are adequate; H.R.1902, the “Social Security 2100 Act,” to raise the maximum gross income threshold for Social Security taxation and use the funds to preserve Social Security solvency; and, H.Res.393, a resolution expressing the support of Congress for policies to protect and expand Social Security and secure its long-term future in a fair and responsible manner.

Medicare

We must keep Medicare’s promise of secure health coverage for hardworking Americans now in retirement by keeping it solvent and reliable. Thanks to the “Affordable Care Act” (ACA), seniors are now further protected by new improvements to Medicare service delivery such as the closing of the prescription drug gap in Medicare Part D and free preventive and wellness care for Medicare beneficiaries. We must continue to fight to protect and improve the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).

Future generations need a sustainable support system as they enter into retirement. It is imperative that we provide our seniors guaranteed protections against poverty in retirement so they can live the life they worked so hard to attain.

Among more than a dozen specifically Medicare-related bills I have cosponsored include: H.R.3696, the “Medicare Premium Fairness Act” that sought to block increases to Medicare Plan B premiums and deductibles; H.R.1173, the “Medicare Mental Health Access Act,” to include a clinical psychologist with respect to the furnishing of qualified psychologist services through Medicare; and, H.R.1383, the “Medicare Adult Day Services Act,” to cover certified adult day services furnished in a certified adult day services center.

CAUCUSES OR MEMBERSHIPS RELATED TO ISSUE

Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease
The Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease was established to advance research and public awareness of Alzheimer’s disease by bringing the disease to the forefront of the congressional agenda.