September 24, 2012
Dr. Maya Rockeymoore, Board Chair of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare and President of Global Policy Solutions, testified before the Congressional Black Caucus today in defense of America’s social insurance safety net programs, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. In her testimony, Dr. Rockeymoore highlighted that two-thirds of African Americans and Hispanics have incomes below $22,500, and they make up a large share of those who have incomes below the poverty level.
“Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security are vital to the economic and health security of millions of senior Americans, especially communities of color. That is why, according to our latest poll, African Americans are the strongest group in opposition to the Ryan budget plan – 17 percent for and 73 percent against.
This is our fight. That is why any changes in these programs must be made based on what is best for their beneficiaries, and not what is expedient for reducing America’s debt. And, Congress can cut the deficit without cuts to these cherished and successful programs if it focuses on improving the economy and asking those who have done extremely well in the last decade to finally pay their fair share.”
Dr. Rockeymoore asked the CBC members to support and improve Medicare by building on the provisions that are in the Affordable Care Act and to reject proposals contained in the House passed Ryan budget which would end traditional Medicare to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy.
A copy of Dr. Rockeymoore’s full testimony is here.
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