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Seniors
“Social Security and Medicare are critical to El Paso seniors. Americans work hard and pay into these programs, and the expect that their earned benefits will be there when they need them. I will continue to fight in Congress to strengthen and preserve Social Security and Medicare." -Congressman Silvestre Reyes
Congressman Reyes strongly opposes proposals to privatize Social Security and Medicare, and is firmly committed to protecting the retirement security of beneficiaries, who paid into the system during their lifetime and now rightfully expect and depend on these benefits for their well-being. Whatever changes to Social Security and Medicare might be adopted in the future to ensure their long-term viability, the system must continue to provide a dependable source of income and health coverage that seniors can rely on in their retirement.
For many low-income seniors in El Paso and across America, these programs are their only safety net. To jeopardize that safety net would be unconscionable. Congressman Reyes will continue to fight for strong Social Security and Medicare programs for America's retirees.
Protecting and Preserving Social Security
For two-thirds of America's seniors, Social Security is their primary, and often only, source of retirement income. Social Security is also a safety net for workers who become disabled and for families whose sole provider dies prematurely, and over 98,000 El Pasoans receive Social Security benefits.
Social Security is a rock solid guarantee from the United States that we will not let them fall into poverty if they have paid into the system. For nearly 70 years, the Social Security program has assured Americans a monthly payment, paid in full and on time. Congressman Reyes opposes efforts to privatize the Social Security system or otherwise reduce benefits for seniors and the disabled.
Congressman Reyes supports the Social Security Fairness Act would repeal both the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). These measures are important to many El Pasoans, including teachers and others who have devoted themselves to public service.
Congressman Reyes also supports the Preserving Our Promise to Seniors Act would strengthen Social Security for the next 75 years while improving benefits by fixing the outdated Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) formula and providing a supplemental payment of $250 to all retirees when there is no annual COLA.
Impacts of the Republican Plan for Medicare
For more than 40 years, Medicare has offered critical health and financial stability for seniors, people with disabilities, and those with end-stage renal disease, providing coverage for over 45 million individuals this year. In El Paso, more than 92,000 residents are Medicare beneficiaries.
Congressman Reyes strongly opposed the budget passed by House of Representatives Republicans in April 2011 which would makes radical changes to Medicare. The Republican budget would raise costs for seniors and individuals with disabilities enrolled in Medicare, reduce benefits, and put private insurance companies in charge of the program. For Americans under 55 and nearing retirement, Medicare’s guarantee of comprehensive coverage would be replaced with a voucher that individuals could use to buy private health insurance. In order to save money, this voucher program would not keep pace with medical cost and would shift thousands of dollars in costs to individual Medicare patients.
Medicare Physician Payments
Medicare has helped bring affordable health care to seniors, and key to that success has been the timely and appropriate payment to doctors who see Medicare patients. Prior to Reyes’ election to Congress, a budget-cutting measure was enacted which automatically cuts payments to physicians, and providing affordable health care for our seniors. A reduction in Medicare payments would have a devastating effect on doctors and patients across the country. Reyes worked to both halt impending cuts and to reform the physician payment process to stop these arbitrary reductions.
Health Care Reform and Seniors
Congressman Reyes was a strong supporter of comprehensive health care reform, known as the Affordable Care Act. In addition to expanding access to care for the uninsured, the law includes substantial reforms to reward efficiency and high quality care. The law provides seniors who find themselves in the “doughnut hole” with a 50% discount on prescription drugs and will ultimately close the gap entirely. The law expands Medicare coverage to include free preventive services, including annual doctor visits. These efforts will help modernize the program and strengthen Medicare's financial health, protecting both beneficiaries and taxpayers.
Press Releases
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Reyes Echoes President Obama‘s Message on Blueprint for an America Built to Last
1.25.2012
Press Releases
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Congressman Reyes House Floor Speech 'Holiday Reminder'
12.20.2011
Speeches and Statements
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Congressman Reyes House Floor Speech 'Hands off Social Security'
12.13.2011
Press Releases
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Congressman Reyes rejects President Bush's proposal to cut Medicare, Medicaid, and LIHEAP in the 2009 budget.
2.5.2008
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