Fighting for our Seniors
Maryland’s seniors have raised their families and paid their taxes, Congressman Ruppersberger believes seniors deserve to live their golden years happy and healthy.
Congressman Ruppersberger has been fighting to close the so called “donut hole” since the Medicare Part D legislation was enacted several years ago. Seniors face a massive gap in coverage when it comes to paying for their prescription drugs. Seniors should not have to decide between taking the medicines they need to keep them healthy or buying groceries.
The health care legislation that recently passed Congress and was signed by the President allows a $250 rebate in 2010, a 50% discount on prescription drugs in 2011, and a complete elimination of the donut hole in ten years. The health care bill also provides free preventative and wellness care, improves primary care, and enhances nursing home care.
The Congressman believes we need to modernize social security, but he does not believe social security should be privatized. He believes we should not risk the future of Americans on the volatility of the stock market. Congressman Ruppersberger believes seniors need a guaranteed, monthly payment.
Thousands of seniors depend on social security to pay their rent or mortgage, buy groceries, or pay their power bill. The Congressman believes we should consider expanding tax credits for IRA’s or 401(k)s or layering personal investment accounts on top of the existing social security system. Congressman Ruppersberger believes the government should not divert people’s hard earned tax money away from the system and reduce people’s benefits.
Congressman Ruppersberger, a long time supporter of retired Americans, voted in favor of several key pieces of legislation important to older Marylanders. The Congressman:
- Opposed $196 billion in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid (H. Con. Res. 141).
- Supported legislation to prevent home foreclosures by providing $300 billion in government loan guarantees for home refinancing (H.R. 3221).
- Voted for the Medicare Improvement Bill that expands access to Medicare for low-income seniors, adds preventive health care and mental health services, and prohibits cuts to physician reimbursement rates (H.R. 6331).
- Backed legislation to protect seniors from elder abuse by training prosecutors and law enforcement officers how to better protect older Americans (H.R. 5352).
- Supported legislation adding $5.1 billion to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and $477.2 million for the Weatherization Assistance Program (H.R. 2638).