IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 59 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Medicare and 

Social Security provide an essential benefit for current enrollees and 

should be strengthened for future generations. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JANUARY 17, 2019 

Mrs. LESKO (for herself, Mr. BUDD, Ms. STEFANIK, Mr. BILIRAKIS, Mr. 

GRIFFITH, and Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in 

addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be 

subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 

of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that 

Medicare and Social Security provide an essential benefit 

for current enrollees and should be strengthened for future generations. 

Whereas, since 1965, Medicare has been, and continues to be, 

essential for senior citizens of the United States; 

Whereas, since 1935, Social Security has been, and continues 

to be, essential for senior citizens of the United States; 

Whereas, in 2018, there were over 60,000,000 citizens of the 

United States who were Medicare and Social Security 

beneficiaries, with 10,000 new eligible enrollees each day; 


pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
2 

•HRES 59 IH 

Whereas a promise has been made by the Federal Government to provide Medicare services and Social Security 

benefits for senior citizens; 

Whereas many Social Security and Medicare beneficiaries rely 

on these critical benefits to make ends meet each month; 

Whereas in the absence of meaningful reform, Medicare is 

scheduled to deplete by 2026, according to the nonpartisan Medicare Board of Trustees; 

Whereas in the absence of meaningful reform, Social Security 

is scheduled to deplete by 2034, according to the nonpartisan Social Security Administration; 

Whereas the Department of Health and Human Services estimates that $48.5 billion was lost in 2018 due to improper payments, including waste, fraud, and abuse, in 

the Medicare Program; and 

Whereas the Social Security Administration estimates that 

$10.9 billion was lost in 2018 due to improper payments, 

including waste, fraud, and abuse, in the Social Security 

program: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) affirms its deep obligation to fulfill the 

3 promises made to senior citizens of the United 

4 States regarding access to Medicare and Social Se5 curity; 

6 (2) rejects, in the strongest possible terms, any 

7 changes to Medicare or Social Security that diminish 

8 benefits for Americans currently enrolled, or citizens 

9 of the United States who are in or near retirement, 


pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
3 

•HRES 59 IH 

1 in the Medicare Program under title XVIII of the 

2 Social Security Act, or in the Social Security pro3 gram under title II of such Act; 

4 (3) expresses its firm commitment that Medi5 care and Social Security should be strengthened and 

6 preserved for future enrollees; and 

7 (4) supports efforts to reduce waste, fraud, and 

8 abuse in the Medicare and Social Security programs. 

Æ 


pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS