1.2.4: Social Security & Medicare
Other Information:
We believe every American deserves a secure, healthy, and dignified retirement. America's seniors have earned their Medicare
and Social Security through a lifetime of hard work and personal responsibility. President Obama is committed to preserving
that promise for this and future generations. During their working years, Americans contribute to Social Security in exchange
for a promise that they will receive an income in retirement. Unlike those in the other party, we will find a solution to
protect Social Security for future generations. We will block Republican efforts to subject Americans' guaranteed retirement
income to the whims of the stock market through privatization. We reject approaches that insist that cutting benefits is the
only answer. President Obama will also make it easier for Americans to save on their own for retirement and prepare for unforeseen
expenses by participating in retirement accounts at work. The Republican budget plan would end Medicare as we know it. Democrats
adamantly oppose any efforts to privatize or voucherize Medicare; unlike our opponents we will not ask seniors to pay thousands
of dollars more every year while they watch the value of their Medicare benefits evaporate. Democrats believe that Medicare
is a sacred compact with our seniors. Nearly 50 million older Americans and Americans with disabilities rely on Medicare each
year, and the new health care law makes Medicare stronger by adding new benefits, fighting fraud, and improving care for patients.
And, over 10 years, the law will save the average Medicare beneficiary $4,200. President Obama is already leading the most
successful crackdown on health care fraud ever, having already recovered $10 billion from health care scams. We will build
on those reforms, not eliminate Medicare's guarantees. The health care law is closing the gap in prescription drug coverage
known as the "doughnut hole." More than five million seniors have already saved money—an average of $600 last year—and the
doughnut hole will be closed for good by 2020. In short, Democrats believe that Social Security and Medicare must be kept
strong for seniors, people with disabilities, and future generations. Our opponents have shown a shocking willingness to gut
these programs to pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest, and we fundamentally reject that approach
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