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Seniors

Preserve Medicare for current beneficiaries. Make it sustainable for future generations.

I will not allow seniors to lose coverage at a time in their lives when they need it most. The program is vital to our nation's seniors and be protected.

However, I think everyone can agree that we must reform the Medicare program because will reach insolvency by 2026. We must reform the Medicare program because it is not solvent in its current form and it will reach insolvency by 2026. However, we also must be sure to keep our promises to those current beneficiaries and those nearing eligibility that have planned their health care needs in retirement around it. As we work to ensure that Medicare will serve our nation’s seniors for decades to come, we must keep health care providers in mind - years of Medicare reimbursement cuts have disincentivized critical providers from participation in the program, thus further exacerbating lack of access to care in communities all over the country, especially in rural areas.

I also believe we must reform the health care system generally. Bringing down the costs of services, equipment, and pharmaceuticals overall will carry over to the Medicare market. True health care reform will lower costs, improve care, provide greater patient choice, and increase access to care for all Americans—not increase Americans' dependency on failed federal programs.

We have the greatest health care community in the world, and I continue to examine ways to improve its quality, cost, and accessibility.

Social Security

Protecting and preserving Social Security is one of the most important issues facing Congress. I believe Social Security is a promise that must be kept. And while the fund is solvent for current recipients as well as those nearing retirement age, it will be insolvent by 2033. We must enact reforms in order to preserve Social Security for future generations, but I will not support legislation that will change Social Security for those already receiving benefits.

I agree with the concept of a "lock box" because time and again, leaders in Washington have dipped into the Social Security trust fund to pay for unrelated, wasteful government spending. We need to lock away these funds by taking Social Security "off-budget" to ensure our future retirees receive the promises that have been made to them. America's senior citizens have worked hard for their retirement. Congress needs to change the status quo to make sure Social Security is there for senior citizens and for future generations.

Congress has an opportunity and an obligation to address this issue in an honest and forthright fashion. It is wrong to ignore the problems facing the program for younger workers and it is wrong to frighten senior citizens who are currently reliant upon Social Security benefits. I pledge to work towards a common-sense solution that respects Americans of all ages.