Seniors
America’s seniors have raised their families and paid their taxes. They deserve to enjoy their golden years with their families."
- Congressman C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger
Congressman Ruppersberger supported healthcare reform legislation that benefits seniors. The bill:
- Eliminates the Medicare Part D coverage gap known as the doughnut hole within 10 years, provides immediate prescription drug rebates and 50% discounts on name-brand prescription drugs;
- Provides free preventive care and screenings and improves nursing home care;
- Prohibits annual and lifetime limits, bans denials for preexisting conditions and prevents your insurance company from dropping you if you get sick.
Congressman Ruppersberger believes all seniors should have affordable healthcare.
- He works to address nursing and primary care physician shortages by ensuring doctors are adequately reimbursed for Medicare expenses.
- He cosponsors the “Prescription Coverage Now Act,” which will help low-income seniors pay for their Medicare drug coverage.
- He sponsors legislation authorizing a tax credit for the purchase of hearing aids.
Congressman Ruppersberger believes Congress should protect seniors’ investments.
- He opposes privatization of Social Security and borrowing from the Social Security Trust Fund; supports an annual cost-of-living-adjustment.
- He supports tax credits for layering personal investment accounts on top of the existing Social Security system.
- He cosponsors the “Social Security Fairness Act” to repeal the government pension offset and windfall elimination provisions.
- He signed a pledge to oppose raising the retirement age.
- He voted to target predatory-lending practices on vulnerable older Americans.
Congressman Ruppersberger supports work and service opportunities for seniors.
- He voted for the “Serve America Act,” a top AARP initiative, to improve service opportunities for seniors who can apply their skills to social service needs.
- He introduced legislation to provide scholarships to retired math and engineering professionals who want to pursue their teacher’s certificates.
- He secured funds to launch a program that will help seniors learn new technology to compete in today’s job market.
