Congressman Pete King


Social Security and Medicare

Social Security and Medicare are vital and essential programs which must be strengthened and put on a sound fiscal basis. Demographic shifts over the next 25 years are going to have a profound impact on the solvency of these programs. To make sure that senior citizens continue to receive their benefits in the future, there must be comprehensive reform which should be done in a bi-partisan manner. This issue is too important for partisan politics.

Benefits

During the last four Congresses I have authored a bill that would amend the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the 1993 increase in income taxes on Social Security benefits which I strongly opposed. In the 111th Congress it is H.R. 882 and I am currently working to draw cosponsors.

I have also cosponsored H.R. 235, the Social Security Fairness Act, that repeals the government pension offset and so-called “windfall” elimination provisions. Additionally, Social Security disability payments have long been a hurdle for the Social Security Administration to overcome. To defeat this obstacle, I have cosponsored H.R. 1289 that would eliminate the five-month waiting period for terminally ill individuals who are applying for Social Security disability payments. Through these legislative initiatives I hope to move Social Security in a direction to assist more people.

Physician Payment

Nationwide, many physicians are restricting the number of Medicare patients they see because Medicare reimbursements do no cover their costs to provide services. Without permanent reform of the physician fee payment schedule, seniors on Medicare will have limited access to care. It is essential that we enact reform. Progress was made last year when the Medicare Improvements for Patient and Providers Act of 2008 (H.R. 6331) was enacted. I will continue this effort.

Durable Medical Equipment

I am working to keep durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs, orthotics and prosthetics available under Medicare. This has included supporting legislation (H.R. 6331) and working with other members of Congress to convince the Department of Health and Human Services that Medicare patients must have open access to these supplies.