Thursday, February 16, 2012
Rockefeller Says West Virginia’s Seniors Deserve Full Support of Congress
Senator Jay Rockefeller, author of the Older Americans Act and a long-time advocate of senior care, issued the following statement today in support of Senator Manchin’s field hearing of the Senate Aging Committee:
“Caring for our seniors has always been one of my top priorities. Today’s hearing reminds us that we should never waver in our support for our seniors, whether it’s protecting Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid, or pushing for legislation that provides all of the services our seniors need and deserve. We have to think broadly about the needs our seniors have—long-term care, nutrition programs, senior employment and transportation—and this is a good forum to highlight these issues. I’m very appreciative of today’s witnesses, who are on the frontlines in making our state and country better for seniors, and for Senator Manchin’s strong commitment to West Virginia’s seniors.”
Background
Senator Rockefeller has long fought to preserve programs that help provide essential care for aging seniors. Just as millions of Americans contributed to Medicare and Social Security throughout their lives, he believes we must make sure these programs are able to protect them when they need it. Senator Rockefeller has long fought to preserve programs that help provide essential care for aging seniors. Just as millions of Americans contributed to Medicare and Social Security throughout their lives, he believes we must make sure these programs are able to protect them when they need it. As governor of West Virginia, he worked to create senior centers in all 55 counties in West Virginia.
Rockefeller successfully fought back efforts to privatize Social Security, which would have made Americans’ retirement, survivor, and disability benefits susceptible to fluctuations in the stock market. More than 443,000 West Virginians - almost half of the state’s population - rely on these benefits. Rockefeller is working to protect the program so that it continues to be a safety net for decades to come.
Rockefeller also has worked to make sure that Medicare remains a critical program for seniors. He supported the creation of a Medicare prescription drug benefit program and has advocated for a bill that would enable the government to negotiate prices for seniors, to make prescription drugs more affordable. Additionally, the health care reform law, which Senator Rockefeller supported, will close the “doughnut hole” gap in coverage. It also gives seniors free annual wellness visits under Medicare and eliminates out-of-pocket costs for recommended preventive care and screenings, like mammograms and diabetes screenings.
In West Virginia, thousands of workers contribute part of their hard-earned pay checks into pension plans, and Senator Rockefeller believes those funds should be protected so people can enjoy their “golden years.“ He supports legislation that shores up the traditional pension system, encourages people to contribute greater amounts to their retirement, and protects retirees’ health insurance.
Rockefeller also has worked to create a viable long-term care system in this country. Among other things, the health care reform law includes new provisions to help seniors live independently in their own homes and communities.
Opinions | Commentary | G-LtE™ | G-Comm™ • Politics | Government | Election • State-WV • USA • Permalink
Print This Article
The message should be much more important than the messenger but still people just don’t read or take the responsibility of independent thinking. It seems more important to know who said it, to be on the “right” side. I don’t like bullies. I don’t care for people telling others what they should and should not say or how to say it. That’s my right, my opinion. Don’t have any problem signing my name to this but for now I’ll just use…
To Not Me,