The generation of Americans now in their senior years have defended our nation abroad, discovered cures and treatments for disease, driven our nation's economic engine and served as exceptional role models for their children and grandchildren.

Most seniors in West Virginia and across the country rely on Social Security and Medicare as an important part of their economic security in retirement.  Our seniors have earned Social Security and Medicare benefits through a life time of hard work.  Any discussion of reforming Social Security and Medicare should begin and end with the principle that no one currently 55 or older should see any change in their promised benefits.  For this reason, Congresswoman Capito opposed President Obama’s $716 billion cut to Medicare that was included in the Affordable Care Act.  She has also opposed President Bush’s proposal to privatize Social Security.

It is important that we keep the promise of Social Security and Medicare for future generations of Americans.  Medicare’s Hospital Insurance Trust Fund will be exhausted by 2024, forcing allowing it to pay less than three-quarters of promised benefits after that date.  By the middle of the next decade, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and interest on the debt is projected to consume 100 percent of federal government revenues.  As our population ages, the cost of entitlement programs will impact our nation’s ability to provide promised benefits while also maintaining important investments in other programs and keeping taxes at a reasonable level for middle class families. 

Congresswoman Capito believes that strengthening Social Security and Medicare for future generations is an important part of providing economic security both for our nation and for future seniors.  As Congress discusses proposals related to these programs, protecting current seniors from any reduction in benefits is paramount.   

If you are a West Virginia senior in need of assistance with your Social Security benefit, please click here.