Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Medicare and Social Security provide an essential benefit for current enrollees and should be strengthened for future generations.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 61 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 61

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Medicare and 
Social Security provide an essential benefit for current enrollees and 
             should be strengthened for future generations.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 25, 2021

Mrs. Lesko (for herself, Mr. Bilirakis, and Mr. Griffith) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and 
 Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a 
 period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
                          committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Medicare and 
Social Security provide an essential benefit for current enrollees and 
             should be strengthened for future generations.

Whereas, since 1965, Medicare has been, and continues to be, essential for 
        senior citizens of the United States;
Whereas, since 1935, Social Security has been, and continues to be, essential 
        for senior citizens of the United States;
Whereas, in 2020, there were over 60,000,000 citizens of the United States who 
        were Medicare and Social Security beneficiaries, with 10,000 new 
        eligible enrollees each day;
Whereas a promise has been made by the Federal Government to provide Medicare 
        services and Social Security benefits for senior citizens;
Whereas many Social Security and Medicare beneficiaries rely on these critical 
        benefits to make ends meet each month;
Whereas in the absence of meaningful reform, Medicare is scheduled to deplete by 
        2024, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office;
Whereas in the absence of meaningful reform, Social Security is scheduled to 
        deplete by 2034, according to the nonpartisan Social Security 
        Administration;
Whereas the Department of Health and Human Services estimates that $42.9 billion 
        was lost in fiscal year 2020 due to improper payments, including waste, 
        fraud, and abuse, in the Medicare Program; and
Whereas the Social Security Administration estimates that $7.8 billion was lost 
        in fiscal year 2019 due to improper payments, including waste, fraud, 
        and abuse, in the Social Security program: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) affirms its deep obligation to fulfill the promises 
        made to senior citizens of the United States regarding access 
        to Medicare and Social Security;
            (2) rejects, in the strongest possible terms, any changes 
        to Medicare or Social Security that diminish benefits for 
        Americans currently enrolled, or citizens of the United States 
        who are in or near retirement, in the Medicare Program under 
        title XVIII of the Social Security Act, or in the Social 
        Security program under title II of such Act;
            (3) expresses its firm commitment that Medicare and Social 
        Security should be strengthened and preserved for future 
        enrollees; and
            (4) supports efforts to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in 
        the Medicare and Social Security programs.
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