[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 83 (Friday, May 28, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E969]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      REITERATING THIS CONGRESS'S COMMITMENT TO AMERICA'S SENIORS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 27, 2010

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, Democrats have an unassailable record when 
it comes to protecting the rights of seniors, and I rise today to thank 
all of my fellow Seniors Task Force Members for their continued 
commitment to America's seniors.
  As the party that consistently fights efforts to dismantle Social 
Security and Medicare, we understand that many older Americans depend 
on these federal programs just to make ends meet. These parts of the 
social safety net constitute a right of all seniors to meet their needs 
for financial security and high quality, affordable health care.
  The current Medicare system already delivers the best care in the 
world and it is strengthened by provisions in the health-care bill that 
was recently signed into law. Our bill fulfills this right to 
affordable medicines by beginning to close the ``donut hole,'' a 
process which is starting this year. The right to quality, affordable 
health care also means helping seniors avoid getting sick--our bill 
makes preventive care free for Medicare beneficiaries.
  Seniors also have the right to a secure retirement, including a 
secure pension. Democrats will take action to secure this right in the 
coming weeks.
  And one of the most important rights that every American senior has 
is the right to live with dignity. Federal policy should therefore be 
aimed at empowering seniors to make important decisions with family 
members, not insurance bureaucrats.
  Seniors have a right to be protected from scams and fraud including 
credit card company abuses, identity theft, and mortgage schemes. 
That's why the financial reform legislation, which will be sent to the 
President in the coming weeks, is so critical to enact immediately. By 
reining in the ability of Wall Street executives to gamble away our 
retirements we will help put our economy on a path to financial 
stability. We will fulfill this right of America's seniors to have 
economic security and create an economy that we will be proud to pass 
on to future generations.
  Madam Speaker, America's seniors want to guarantee America's place as 
a leader in a global economy by reinvesting in manufacturing and 
American-made goods, training students to be the workforce of the 
future, and ensuring there are job opportunities for anyone who wants 
or needs one.
  Thanks to the Recovery Act, the Affordable Care Act, and the Wall 
Street Reform Act this Congress is making each of these rights a 
reality for our seniors.

                          ____________________