Seniors
Every day, 10,000 Americans turn 65 years old. As the Co-Chair of the House Democrats Task Force on Aging and Families in the House of Representatives, I believe it is essential that we nurture a culture that respects older Americans and that protects the financial and health security that Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid provide.
Older Americans have spent many years working to raise families, pay their taxes, protect our country and build our communities. They have the right to the benefits that they have earned and to know that they will have the resources they need in retirement. That is why I so strongly oppose efforts to privatize Social Security or reduce benefits, to turn Medicare over to private insurance companies and turn it into "vouchercare", or jeopardize access to long-term care services by cutting Medicaid and turning it into a block grant. We can ensure the longevity of these programs by making them more efficient. We do not need to cut benefits.
I am also committed to expanding access to the full range of long-term care services and supports, and helping seniors age in place within their own communities. We must build upon the Older Americans Act to meet those needs.
More on Seniors
This past week, we held leadership elections for the 118th Congress. I would like to congratulate Minority Leader-designate Hakeem Jeffries, Whip-designate Katherine Clark, and Chairman-designate Pete Aguilar. I have the utmost confidence in our new leaders, who truly epitomize the great diversity of our nation.
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Co-Chair of the House Democratic Task Force on Aging & Families, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), joined a virtual roundtable with Caring Across Generations and a coalition of Illinois care advocates. The lawmakers underscored the urgent need for federal support for the array of care programs and caregivers that provide invaluable support to families across Illinois.
As the holiday shopping season begins, we must ensure that toys bring joy, not injury. For 37 years, Illinois PIRG Education Fund has released the Trouble in Toyland report, which has helped shape toy safety regulations since the 1980s. Last week, I attended a press conference at Lurie Children’s Hospital to discuss the findings of the report. Thankfully, since the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act became law 14 years ago, the number of dangerous toys has decreased.
Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, starting in January 2023, insulin will be capped at $35 per month for Medicare beneficiaries. If the Inflation Reduction Act's $35 insulin cap was in effect in 2020, a Medicare beneficiary in Illinois' 9th Congressional District enrolled in a Medicare plan could have saved $1,433 per year. This is a matter of life and death. I held a press conference last week to highlight this important provision. We heard from a constituent who said that he often must decide between paying his bills or getting his lifesaving medication.
WASHINGTON - Following the announcement of the historic 8.7% Social Security cost-of-living increase, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Co-Chair of the House Democratic Task Force on Aging & Families, and fellow members of House Democratic Task Force on Aging & Families leadership released the following statement: