Social Security and Medicare are two of the most successful government programs in the history of this great country. For nearly 80 years, Social Security has succeeded in keeping millions of seniors, widows and people with disabilities out of poverty. Before Social Security, about half of America's seniors lived in poverty. Today, fewer than 10 percent live below the poverty line, and more than 58 million Americans receive Social Security benefits. Medicare, another critically important federal program, has guaranteed health care benefits to seniors and people with disabilities. Before its passage in 1965, only half of America's seniors had health insurance. Now, less than 2 percent lack health insurance coverage.
In order to protect these essential programs, Sen. Bernie Sanders has introduced the Keeping Our Social Security Promises Act, S.500. This legislation would keep the Social Security Trust Fund solvent for at least 75 years by asking the wealthiest Americans to contribute their fair share. In addition, Sen. Sanders founded and currently chairs the Defending Social Security Caucus in the Senate to ensure that your benefits are protected and strengthened. He also supports the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act, S.117, which would instruct Medicare to negotiate drug prices on behalf of beneficiaries.
Sen. Sanders is a champion for the Older Americans Act, the landmark law that provides meals, supportive services, jobs, and protections from abuse for more than 11 million American seniors. Sen. Sanders introduced bipartisan legislation, S.1562, to extend and modernize the Older Americans Act.