Since taking office, Donald Trump has suggested cuts to Social Security, Medicaid, Food Stamps, heating assistance programs, and eliminating a variety of other critical initiatives that support older Americans.  In addition, as seen since early March, seniors still desperately lack needed testing to defend against COVID-19. 

To mask his record against seniors, Trump provided a presidential proclamation declaring the month of May to be “Older Americans Month 2020.” In observance for May’s Older Americans Month and in response to both the Trump agenda and the lack of leadership from Jeff Van Drew (R-02) on this issue, Brigid Callahan Harrison, Democratic candidate for Congress announced today her policy position on Social Security and Medicare:

Social Security and Medicare have transformed aging in the United States, and they are a sacred intergenerational compact. In paycheck after paycheck, hard-working retired Americans have paid into Social Security and Medicare, and it is each successive generations’ obligation to honor this and ensure that retirees receive the benefits they have earned. As congresswoman from New Jersey’s second congressional district, I will work to ensure that Social Security and Medicare are protected.

President Trump and the GOP have already begun an assault on Medicare, and in January 2020 Trump stated that he “was going to look” at cuts to Social Security and Medicare as a way to cut federal spending.

In Congress, I will oppose any efforts to cut Social Security and Medicare.

The GOP has for years been a proponent of privatizing Social Security and Medicare. Such a plan will only ensure that investment bankers and insurance companies get richer, and I will oppose any efforts to privatize Social Security and Medicare.

I will also support efforts that would enable individuals who are over 55 to buy into Medicare, giving those who wish to retire early, change jobs, or join the gig economy the opportunity to be flexible while having the safety net of healthcare coverage.

Many New Jersey seniors face sky-high out-of-pocket costs, including premiums and co-payments. In Congress, I would support increasing the income eligibility threshold for Medicare recipients to qualify for the Medicare Savings Program, which provides financial assistance to help recipients pay for their out-of-pocket healthcare costs, including premiums, copayments, and prescription drug costs.

We can also reduce these out-of-pocket costs by enabling the federal government to leverage Medicare’s purchasing power and negotiating with pharmaceutical companies so that that we can lower drug costs, and in Congress I will work to ensure this occurs.