News Release

“President Biden’s 2020 budget proposal affirms his commitment to America’s seniors in major ways – from improved customer service for Social Security beneficiaries to prescription drug pricing reform to expanded Home and Community-based Services (HCBS).  The President proposes a $1.3 billion (or 9.7%) funding increase for the Social Security Administration, which saw deep budget cuts over the past decade – and struggled to provide adequate customer service before and during the pandemic.  The President’s budget proposal urges Congress to allow Medicare to negotiate prices for certain high-cost, life-saving drugs that many seniors currently cannot afford.  The President also calls for requiring manufacturers to pay rebates when drug prices rise faster than inflation. The savings from these reforms could be used to add much-needed dental, vision, and hearing coverage to Medicare.  President Biden’s budget also includes more than $400 billion in new spending over ten years to expand HCBS for seniors who prefer to receive skilled care in the comfort of their homes and communities, even more so after the devastation COVID wrought on nursing homes.   

The President’s proposals are a welcome change after four years of Trump budgets that sought to slash Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security by hundreds of billions of dollars.  With 10,000 Baby Boomers turning 65 every day – and the number of seniors projected to double by 2050 – it’s clear that President Biden understands the need to safeguard the older Americans he calls ‘pillars of every community’ – now and into the future.” – Max Richtman, President and CEO, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare 

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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
Walter Gottlieb 202-276-9089