Kaptur, Richman Decry Republican Budget's Impact on Seniors

TOLEDO (April 23, 2014) – Congresswoman Kaptur joined Max Richman, head of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, in denouncing the Republican budget as a threat to the social safety net for America’s senior citizens.

Congresswoman Kaptur and Dr. Richman appeared at a rally at a senior center in Toledo. “Once again we have the Republican Ryan budget, which seeks to decimate Social Security and Medicare, the two most important programs for America’s senior citizens,” Kaptur said. “As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, I will do everything I can to protect our seniors and prevent the Ryan Budget from ever becoming the law of the land.”

Dr. Richman called the Ryan budget “an all-out declaration of war against millions of Americans still struggling in our recovering economy. If it ever becomes law, seniors will immediately lose billions in prescription drug savings, free wellness visits and preventive services provided in the Affordable Care Act.”

Congresswoman Kaptur voted against the Ryan budget when it was brought the House floor earlier this month. No Democrats supported his proposal, which would increase military spending by almost half a trillion dollars ($483 million) over a 10-year period while making $791 billion in cuts to domestic programs by repealing the Affordable Care Act and turning Medicaid over to the states in the form of block grants.

“Millions of senior citizens depend on Social Security and Medicare for their livelihood. They are very concerned about the earned benefits they deserve, having paid into those systems for years and years,” Kaptur said.

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