Our seniors are the backbone of this nation and I believe Congress should work to make sure that the needs of seniors are met. There are nearly 80,000 seniors in the 5th Congressional District and the issues of financial security and quality health care for all seniors are critical.
Making sure seniors get the care and benefits they need has been a principal concern of mine since coming to Congress. I want to do all that I can to make sure that seniors have the information they need to make the right decisions.
Despite some areas of concern, Congress has taken a step in the right direction by providing seniors with the relief they need to purchase prescription drugs. I sincerely believe that we should continue to improve this legislation as Social Security and Medicare issues will most assuredly continue to be a prominent concern for years to come. Seniors should not have to choose between buying their prescriptions, paying rent, going to the grocery store or paying their utility bills.
Seniors and spouses of seniors who have worked in federal jobs should be able to receive their full Social Security benefits concurrently with a government pension. I am working to remove the "Notch" provision in Social Security, which unfairly reduces benefits for seniors who reached age 65 after 1979 and before 1989. As the cost of daily living expenses continue to increase, Social Security and Medicare benefits must keep pace. I am working to establish a Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers which could be used to compute cost-of-living increases for Social Security and Medicare benefits.
2008 Seniors Press Release from Representative Bud Cramer:
Related Seniors Links:
Administration on Aging
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
FirstGOV for Seniors
Social Security Administration
To access a list of all available prescription drug plans, you can visit the medicare benefits website or call 800-MEDICARE (633-4227).
If you are having difficulties with receiving your Social Security and Medicare benefits, these frequently asked questions may help.
Social Security:
How Do I Apply For Social Security Benefits?
How do I apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
How do I apply for retirement benefits?
How do I apply for Survivors' Benefits?
Medicare:
How Do I Apply For Medicare Benefits?
If I Continue Working Past 65, Should I Still Apply For Medicare Benefits Then?
