News Release
President Trump’s FY 2018 budget drastically cuts programs that benefit America’s oldest – and most vulnerable – citizens. The President’s spending plan calls for deep cuts to Social Security Disability Insurance, breaking his promise not to touch Social Security. It guts Medicaid, violating another Trump campaign pledge. Programs that feed needy seniors, keep them warm in their homes and pay for long-term care are eliminated or slashed.
“This heartless budget does not reflect true American values,” says Max Richtman, President and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. “In our America, we do not cast seniors into the cold. We do not take food out of their mouths or make it harder to get the healthcare they so desperately need. In short, we do not cut off our most vulnerable citizens at the knees to pay for a massive tax break for the wealthy and big corporations.”
Among other things, the President’s FY 2018 budget:
*Cuts billions from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
*Slashes more than $600 billion from the Medicaid program, which undermines seniors’ access to long-term care.
*Eliminates the Community Services Block Grant which helps to pay for the Meals-on-Wheels program, delivering hot meals to needy seniors.
*Eliminates the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) which assists seniors with heating costs.
*Reduces funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by $5.67 billion (including nearly $300 million for the National Institute on Aging), which will negatively impact research into cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other diseases affecting older Americans.
*Flat-lines funding for the Social Security Administration (SSA), which has been critically underfunded since 2010 – forcing service cuts to current and incoming beneficiaries.
“This budget undermines the President’s promises to seniors. It guts Medicaid, which he promised to protect. The cuts to Social Security Disability Insurance violates his pledge not to tamper with Social Security. It also casts into serious doubt his pledge as a candidate to defend Medicare. No one who is serious about protecting these vital programs would propose a budget so harmful to seniors,” says Richtman.
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The National Committee, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization acts in the interests of its membership through advocacy, education, services, grassroots efforts and the leadership of the Board of Directors and professional staff. The work of the National Committee is directed toward developing better-informed citizens and voters.
Media Inquiries to:
Pamela Causey 202-216-8378/202-236-2123
Walter Gottlieb 202-216-8414