On behalf of the millions of members and supporters of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, I want to thank Chairman Sam Johnson and Ranking Member Xavier Becerra for holding this hearing entitled “Maintaining the Disability Insurance Trust Fund’s Solvency.” I am honored to appear before the Committee today.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) advises Americans to keep their Social Security card in a safe place.  At the same time, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) tells their beneficiaries to carry their Medicare card – which includes their Social Security number – with them at all times.  What is a Medicare beneficiary to do?  And what should the government do about this conflict?

On February 2, 2015, President Obama submitted his Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 budget to Congress. For seniors, there is good news and bad news in some of the key proposals which are summarized below. In addition to the National Committee’s long-standing opposition to any benefit cuts, we will vigorously support proposals that enhance benefits, strengthen safety net programs and improve the quality of life for older Americans and their families.  Some of the more significant proposals, including the National Committee’s positions, are detailed in our budget analysis.      

On behalf of the millions of members and supporters of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, I write to endorse your legislation entitled the “Social Security 2100 Act.” The National Committee commends you for introducing this legislation, which extends the solvency of both the Old-Age and Survivors and the Disability Insurance Social Security trust funds throughout the 75-year valuation period.

We’re glad to see President Obama respond to the GOP majority’s Social Security hostage-taking by including language in his 2016 budget allowing the routine rebalancing of the Trust Funds. Threatening people with disabilities with a 20% benefit cut unless there are broader Social Security benefit cuts plays politics with the livelihoods of 11 million Americans and their families rather than resolving this imminent funding issue. We applaud the President for taking a stand against this Social Security ploy.  The President also included increased funding for the Social Security Administration which is desperately needed by an agency that’s been forced to reduce local office hours, cut back on consumer services, and increase the wait time for disability hearings. We urge Congress to approve this Social Security Administration budget.