Our seniors deserve to know that their retirements are secure and that Social Security and Medicare will be there when they need it. With the number of current and future retirees increasing we must continue to make sure that their benefits are there for them in the future.

The Emergency Retiree Health Benefits Protection Act, H.R. 1322, introduced by my colleague Congressman John Tierney, would provide emergency protections for retiree health benefits by prohibiting health plans from making post-retirement reductions in benefits.

I agree with President Bush's statement, "No senior in America should have to choose between buying food and buying prescriptions." I look forward to working with President Bush and my colleagues like Congressman Tierney to make sure that retiree benefits will still be there when our most cherished population - our seniors need it the most.