I co-sponsored the Honesty in Budgeting Act, which assures the integrity of the Social Security Trust Fund. We should use part of the projected budget surplus to guarantee solvency of Social Security. Although I am open to proposals to help Americans plan their retirement, including additional tax incentives for investment in retirement accounts, I have serious reservations about any IRA proposal that would reduce the guaranteed benefits now available under Social Security. I am adamantly opposed to raising the age to receive retirement benefits. Medicare I co-sponsored a bill to include a prescription drug benefit through Medicare.
Seniors deserve a prescription drug benefit that is both guaranteed and affordable.
I oppose the sham majority party bill, which fails to provide guaranteed or affordable coverage. Subsidizing or relying on the insurance industry has failed before. I support using part of the federal budget surplus to shore up Medicare, and am opposed to raising the age of eligibility. We need Medicare reimbursement rates that will allow HMOs to remain in the market and assure that deductibles and co-pays are eliminated, or remain as low as possible. I support long-term care relief.