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Protecting and Expanding Social Security
Democrats are proud to be the party that created Social Security, one of the nation’s most
successful and effective programs. Without Social Security, nearly half of America’s seniors
would be living in poverty. Social Security is more than just a retirement program. It also
provides important life insurance to young survivors of deceased workers and provides disability
insurance protection. We will fight every effort to cut, privatize, or weaken Social Security,
including attempts to raise the retirement age, diminish benefits by cutting cost-of-living
adjustments, or reducing earned benefits. Democrats will expand Social Security so that every
American can retire with dignity and respect, including women who are widowed or took time
out of the workforce to care for their children, aging parents, or ailing family members. The
Democratic Party recognizes that the way Social Security cost-of- living adjustments are
calculated may not always reflect the spending patterns of seniors, particularly the
disproportionate amount they spend on health care expenses. We are committed to exploring
alternatives that could better and more equitably serve seniors.
We will make sure Social Security’s guaranteed benefits continue for generations to come by
asking those at the top to pay more, and will achieve this goal by taxing some of the income of
people above $250,000. The Democratic Party is also committed to providing all necessary
financial support for the Social Security Administration so that it can provide timely benefits and
high-quality service for those it serves. Our plan contrasts starkly with Donald Trump. He has
referred to Social Security as a “Ponzi scheme” and has called for privatizing it as well as
increasing the retirement age.
Ensure the Health and Safety of All Americans
Democrats have been fighting to secure universal health care for the American people for
generations, and we are proud to be the party that passed Medicare, Medicaid, and the
Affordable Care Act (ACA). Being stronger together means finally achieving that goal. We are
going to fight to make sure every American has access to quality, affordable health care. We will
tackle the problems that remain in our health care system, including cracking down on runaway
prescription drug prices and addressing mental health with the same seriousness that we treat
physical health. We will fight Republican efforts to roll back the clock on women’s health and
reproductive rights, and stand up for Planned Parenthood. And we will tackle the epidemics of
substance abuse and gun violence, which each claim tens of thousands of lives every year.
Securing Universal Health Care
Democrats believe that health care is a right, not a privilege, and our health care system should
put people before profits. Thanks to the hard work of President Obama and Democrats in
Congress, we took a critically important step toward the goal of universal health care by passing
the Affordable Care Act, which has covered 20 million more Americans and ensured millions
more will never be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition. Democrats will never
falter in our generations-long fight to guarantee health care as a fundamental right for every
American. As part of that guarantee, Americans should be able to access public coverage through
a public option, and those over 55 should be able to opt in to Medicare. Democrats will empower
the states, which are the true laboratories of democracy, to use innovation waivers under the
ACA to develop unique locally tailored approaches to health coverage. This will include
removing barriers to states which seek to experiment with plans to ensure universal health care to
every person in their state. By contrast, Donald Trump wants to repeal the ACA, leaving tens of
millions of Americans without coverage.
For too many of us, health care costs are still too high, even for those with insurance. And
medical debt is a problem for far too many working families, with one-quarter of Americans
reporting that they or someone in their household had problems or an inability to pay medical
bills in the past year. Democrats will also work to end surprise billing and other practices that lead to out-of-control medical debt that place an unconscionable economic strain on American
households. We will repeal the excise tax on high-cost health insurance and find revenue to
offset it because we need to contain the long-term growth of health care costs, but should not risk
passing on too much of the burden to workers. Democrats will keep costs down by making
premiums more affordable, reducing out-of-pocket expenses, and capping prescription drug
costs. And we will fight against insurers trying to impose excessive premium increases.
Democrats will fight any attempts by Republicans in Congress to privatize, voucherize, or
“phase out” Medicare as we know it. And we will oppose Republican plans to slash funding and
block grant Medicaid and SNAP, which would harm millions of Americans.
We will keep fighting until the ACA’s Medicaid expansion has been adopted in every state.
Nineteen states have not yet expanded Medicaid. This means that millions of low-income
Americans still lack health insurance and are not getting the care they need. Additionally, health
care providers, clinics, hospitals, and taxpayers are footing a higher bill when people without
insurance visit expensive emergency rooms.
Democrats believe your zip code or census tract should not be a predictor of your health, which
is why we will make health equity a central part of our commitment to revitalizing communities
left behind. Democrats believe that all health care services should be culturally and linguistically
appropriate, and that neither fear nor immigration status should be barriers that impede health
care access.[3]
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Kaine on federal assistance programs
