Issue Position: Protecting Social Security and Medicare

Issue Position

Sharing a home with his in-laws, George and Ping Kwok, Senator Schatz knows firsthand how important Social Security and Medicare are to Hawai"i's families. Seniors have earned these benefits through a lifetime of work, and he will oppose any and all attempts to cut benefits or privatize these programs, including through hidden cuts like chained CPI or raising the retirement age.

Social Security is the most successful anti-poverty program in American history. That's why, instead of looking for cuts, Senator Schatz is a proud co-sponsor of legislation to strengthen Social Security and increase benefits.

Senator Schatz partnered with Chairman Tom Harkin on the Strengthening Social Security Act, which would increase Social Security benefits and extend the solvency of the program for decades to come through common-sense reforms like making sure the wealthy pay the same rate into Social Security as the rest of us. For his work to increase Social Security benefits, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare endorsed Senator Schatz, calling him "the next champion" for Social Security in their endorsement, and another national advocacy group has called him a "Social Security hero."

In April 2013, Senator Schatz also joined his Senate colleagues to co-sponsor the Medicare Drug Savings Act to better protect seniors' health care, and reduce Medicare Part D drug costs for taxpayers by stopping drug companies from charging Medicare more money for prescription drugs used by some low-income or disabled seniors. The bill would save $141.2 billion over a decade, helping to responsibly reduce the deficit and prevent reckless proposals to cut Medicare benefits. The bill is supported by the AARP, Center for Medicare Advocacy, and the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.

Our seniors deserve to retire with dignity, and Senator Schatz will continue his fight to protect the benefits that they have earned.

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