ALBANY, N.Y. WINTER 2014 • C h a i r : J u d y R i c h a r d s • Editor’s Note: This article was written by U.S. Rep. Tim Bishop, who represents New York’s 1st Congressional District on eastern Long Island. I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday season and were able to spend quality time with your loved ones. As life begins to settle back into normal routines, so too does work in Washington. While preparing to begin the next legislative session, I would like to call your attention to what Congress is expected to consider in the coming months. It is likely that a frequent area of discussion will continue to be the federal budget. As we have seen during previous debates, there will be many ideas discussed to reduce our deficit and reign in long-term debt. It is certain that any debate regarding fiscal issues will include a discussion of what is generally referred to as “entitlement reform.” Please know that when you hear people propose “entitlement reform,” what they are really talking about is reducing expenditures in three areas: Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Indeed, these areas have been targeted for significant reduction in the budget resolutions that have passed the House of Representatives on party line votes (Republicans voting in favor, Democrats voting in opposition) in each of the last three years. These budget resolutions, which thankfully have not been enacted, would end the Medicare guarantee, shift health care costs to seniors, and slash Medicaid. I opposed these measures because of how they would significantly weaken retirement security. In truth, these programs should not be considered as entitlements at all. They are in fact benefits that retirees like you have paid for throughout your entire working lives. Nearly 90 percent of Americans age 65 or older receive Social Security benefits. For many seniors, it is their only source of retirement income. Medicare provides retirees with access to vital health care services while 60 percent of the hundreds of billions we spend on Medicaid cover nursing home expenditures for the elderly. Rather than cutting these vital programs, we should enact sensible reforms that strengthen and secure retirement for current beneficiaries and ensure long-term solvency for future generations of retirees. The last thing Congress should do is make irresponsible cuts for the sake of instant deficit reduction gratification. Rather, we should be doing everything possible to ensure a secure retirement for American workers. I remain willing to work with Republicans and at times disagree with Democrats to achieve reasonable, thoughtful reforms in all areas of the federal budget. Doing so will strengthen the economy and guard younger generations from the burden of unsustainable debt. There are responsible ways to closing the budget gap. And it is long past time for both sides to work together to find them. State and local employees who choose public service should be rewarded for making government work better, not asked to give away more hard-earned benefits. You can be assured that I will always stand with you to protect your rights and your families from further cuts. Thank you for your hard work and outstanding service to our government. I wish you all the very best in 2014. — U.S. Rep. Tim Bishop U.S. Rep. Tim Bishop safeguards retiree benefits Bishop
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