“Political Malpractice” – Not Reforming Social Security & Medicare! - reason magazine
If you watch the news at all these days, you’ve witnessed most Democrats and some Republicans opining – even vowing – that Social Security and Medicare reform is “off the table.” The almost humorous antics on that topic during this year’s State of the Union address were a classic example of politicians tripping over themselves to deny any cuts to these crucial senior programs are even being considered. Yet a few lone voices in the wind speak of the reality – Social Security and Medicare reform MUST be addressed soon if automatic cuts to everyone’s benefits are to be avoided in less than a decade. Despite election-season vows to leave both of these programs alone, a stark reality faces us – unless both parties work together for reform, Medicare Part A (hospitalization insurance) payments to service providers will be cut in 2031 and all Social Security beneficiaries will see their monthly payments shaved by 23% starting in 2034 (this according to the recently published Trustees’ Report). Vowing to not touch Social Security or Medicare is, essentially, vowing to allow automatic cuts to occur – clearly “political malpractice” as explained in this article by Veronique De Rugy appearing in reason magazine.
For its part, the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) has been at the forefront trying to strengthen Social Security by developing and proposing its Social Security Guarantee which restores the program to solvency without raising payroll taxes. AMAC has been discussing and continues to discuss this common-sense solution with Congressional Representatives in its efforts to protect America’s senior citizens who rely on Social Security. To review AMAC’s Social Security Guarantee, click here.