When it comes to the future of Social Security, we have a choice: we can tell our children and grandchildren that their Social Security benefits won't be there for them because of a regressive tax that benefits the wealthy. Or, we can do what's right to make sure America's seniors and disabled citizens don't fear living in poverty. Our country is stronger when everyone can be financially independent and living with dignity, thanks to a program they paid into..The programs were struggling even before sequester. Federal funding has remained flat for years, even though about 10,000 Baby Boomers retire every day..Here are the seven policy priorities for the disability program that we shared, based on overwhelming support in our recent polls and surveys of our members and supporters. Many of them appeared in the budget deal that was reached in October..Garden: A recent long-term study followed more than 2800 men and women aged 60 and older for 16 years. The study measured admission to hospital, and nursing homes with any kinds of dementia, while assessing a variety of lifestyle factors. Researchers found daily gardening to represent the single biggest risk reduction for dementia in both sexes, reducing incidence by 36%. Gardening involves many critical functions, including improved vitamin D levels from exposure to the sun for good health, exercise, learning and observation, problem solving, sensory awareness and maintenance of sanity, that its benefits are believed to a synthesis of various aspects..While the legislation made some changes to Social Security and did not cut benefits of any current retirees, it did end a complicated benefit claiming strategy known as "file and suspend" for people very close to retirement. Although the legislation closes an unintended "loophole," the strategy was one of the few means married couples had to maximize their payouts. A similar provision was contained in Obama's 2015 fiscal year budget and was estimated to cut Social Security costs by as much as .5 billion annually..We must provide the basic benefits that our seniors count on, regardless of the ups and downs of the economy. In addition to my legislative proposal, I co-sponsored Congressman Earl Pomeroy's Seniors Protection Act, which would have provided a 0 payment to help beneficiaries cover rising costs of Medicare, prescription drugs, and other necessaries. Unfortunately, despite the President already budgeting for it, the House of Representatives did not enact this one-time payment to seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities who receive Social Security to help them make ends meet during this tough time. This payment would have assisted those 54 million vulnerable individuals nationwide. However, this would have been just a short - term solution to the lack of COLA. I will continue to fight to make sure that Congress passes a long-term solution to the manner in which the COLA is calculated..Do I Have To Give Up My Current Healthcare Coverage To Go On Medicare?.Transportation services.What do you feel are Medicare's major problem areas, and how do you feel they should be addressed?
