Health Reform Press Release Bernie Sanders Hillary Clinton And Medicare For AllLegislation that would boost Social Security benefits and restore Social Security's solvency has been under debate this fall in the U.S. House. The Social Security 2100 Act, introduced by Representative John Larson in the House, and introduced by Senator Richard Blumenthal, have strong grass roots support from older Americans. While the House bill is advancing - we are steeling for a tough challenge in the Senate..This week, the American Health Care Act continued to advance through the House, and lawmakers in the Senate voted to confirm Seema Verma as the new administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services..This year, for the first time since the early 80's, the Social Security Trust Fund that pays retirement and survivors benefits fell into deficit and is paying out more than it receives in payroll taxes and taxes on Social Security benefits. In years in which there was an excess of Social Security taxes, the federal government used the surplus revenues for other purposes and then credited the Trust Fund with special non-marketable government bonds representing IOUs. But with the recession and prolonged economic recovery, the taxes that fund Social Security plunged. At the same time, enrollment is soaring as seniors who have lost their jobs turn to Social Security early. When the Trust Funds don't receive enough tax revenues, then the government must find the cash to redeem the IOUs to pay benefits. The only options Congress has is unsustainable levels of borrowing, tax increases, or cutting benefits. … Continued
Statedata Mental Health And Substance Use State Fact SheetsThis Congress, I introduced the Fair COLA for Seniors Act, to ensure that your Social Security payment keeps pace with your cost of living. This bill would change the current ineffective price index used to calculate Social Security's cost-of-living adjustment to one tailored around the lives and needs of seniors. This index, the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly, accurately reflects how seniors spend their money, with a focus on healthcare and housing. It is a common-sense proposal that will allow for benefits to keep up with costs..Social Security is a promise that the federal government made to its citizens. It is a promise that millions of Americans depend on, and one that must be there for them when they retire. I am the proud sponsor of H.R. 141, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that we keep the promises we made to our public-sector employees..As we all know, seniors are being hit the hardest by the coronavirus. To add even more insecurity and uncertainty to the lives of seniors is just plain wrong. … Continued
