Seniors

Scott Kleeb has great admiration for the generations that built this country, defended its freedom, and established its place in the world. Washington has lost sight of its promise to care for those who cared for us. Scott believes a lifetime of hard work must be rewarded by security in one's golden years. That's why Scott is committed to pushing for a no-nonsense plan designed to restore dignity and economic security for our seniors.

SECURE AND STRENGTHEN SENIOR HEALTH CARE

Scott Kleeb believes that our seniors deserve quality health care benefits, not the underfunded and burdensome system they struggle with today. In the U.S. Senate, Scott will work to restore our country’s commitment to providing quality and affordable health care for our seniors by:

Making prescription drugs more affordable. At a time of record drug company and insurance company profits, seniors are paying more and receiving less. Scott Kleeb believes our seniors deserve better. To reverse that course, Scott believes we need to explore all available options to reduce prices, such as permitting the federal government to negotiate for lower drug prices for the Medicare program, fixing the so-called “donut hole,” and allowing seniors to purchase safe and effective drugs from Canada.

Trimming waste and inefficiency. In addition to permitting the federal government to negotiate drug prices, a measure that will save the health care system - and seniors - money, Scott Kleeb will cut wasteful spending and streamline the system in ways to make the Medicaid and Medicare programs more affordable and efficient while ensuring that seniors continue to receive top notch health care services.

Making Medicare’s drug program more user friendly. Too frequently, because of inadequate information, seniors enroll in Medicare prescription drug plans that are more expensive than other options. Scott Kleeb will work to bring more transparency to these plans so seniors know their options.

Permanently restoring doctor payments and patient options. While Congress recently overrode a presidential veto to temporarily fix the scheduled 10% cut in Medicare payments to doctors, Scott Kleeb understands that we must reach a permanent solution. According to the American Medical Association, without stopping this scheduled cut, doctors will be forced to turn patients away. Scott Kleeb is committed to permanently fixing this problem so that our seniors continue to receive important benefits.

Increasing parity in reimbursements to rural America. Doctors in rural America have long received lower reimbursement rates than doctors in urban areas. This puts pressure on doctors and nurses serving rural communities to move to more populated areas, which leaves rural Americans without access to care. Scott Kleeb will work to increase parity in the Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement programs.

Strengthening long-term care options. Scott Kleeb will ensure that assisted-living facilities make good on their promises to our seniors and their families. Further, Scott will fight for tax breaks for those who care for an aging loved one and will work to address the other multi-generational needs of families.

Offering gas-payment tax deductions for caregivers. With today’s rising gas prices, caregivers who provide in-home services for the elderly and the sick, especially those in rural areas, are more likely to pass increased cost onto patients or discontinue service all together. Scott Kleeb will support tax deductions for caregivers so that our sick, elderly, and rural patients who are already facing financial difficulties don’t have to bear even higher costs.

PROTECT SOCIAL SECURITY

Scott Kleeb strongly believes that we have an obligation to safeguard Social Security so that it remains a viable safety net for Americans retiring today, 10 years from now, 50 years from now, and beyond. Scott will:

Strengthen, not privatize, Social Security. Scott Kleeb knows that the Social Security program began as a public service for those who built this great nation. Privatization of this program serves Wall Street, not Main Street - and it certainly does not serve America’s seniors. Scott also understands that a solution to the Social Security question will require strong bipartisan efforts. That’s why Scott will work across the aisle to strengthen Social Security.

Ensure SSA offices remain open. Access to Social Security Administration (SSA) field offices is critical for seniors to get the assistance they need to access much-needed benefits. But budget cuts have led to SSA office closures that force seniors to travel longer distances for service, a problem that disproportionately affects rural communities. Scott Kleeb will make sure seniors have access to the resources they need to get the benefits they have earned.

SUPPORT ECONOMIC MEASURES FOR SENIORS

When politicians are sending $12 billion each month to Iraq while seniors are faced with choosing between paying for a gallon of gasoline or a gallon of milk, Washington is out of touch with Americans’ priorities. Scott will be a voice for seniors, advocating for economic relief programs like:

Tax relief for seniors. Scott Kleeb will advocate for real tax relief for America’s low- and middle-income seniors like supporting property tax deductions for those who itemize their tax returns.

Increased heating assistance. Scott Kleeb knows firsthand how rising home-heating costs are taking a toll on Americans’ ability to balance their checkbooks. And these increases are even more difficult for those on a fixed income. That’s why Scott will work to increase funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Increase funding for other programs benefiting low-income seniors. Programs like Meals on Wheels and shuttle services are being slashed because of soaring gas prices. Scott Kleeb will be an advocate for seniors who rely on these critically important services.

ADVOCATE FOR SENIORS' RIGHT TO WORK

Scott Kleeb knows that just because a person becomes eligible for retirement does not mean that he or she wants to - or can afford to - retire from the workforce. Scott will work to:

Prevent age discrimination. Age discrimination in the workplace not only hurts seniors, it hurts our economy and the promise we’ve made to treat seniors fairly and in accordance with the law. Scott will support legislation cracking down on bad corporate citizens that leave our seniors behind.

Strengthen incentives for businesses that hire seniors. Scott Kleeb knows our seniors, and the decades of experience they bring, make outstanding additions to any workplace. That’s why Scott will strengthen incentives for businesses that have the vision to employ America’s seniors.

PREPARE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF SENIORS


In talking with seniors all around Nebraska, Scott Kleeb has heard that seniors worry that they will be the last generation to retire and that the future of the middle class they fought so hard to build will cease to exist. Scott is committed to making that promise a reality for the next generation of America’s seniors by supporting:

Retirement savings accounts. Scott Kleeb knows firsthand that the single best way to prepare for retirement tomorrow is to save today. Scott will support instituting a nationwide automatic workplace savings account program to help workers prepare for retirement. Further, Scott will advocate for savings incentives, like tax breaks, for the self-employed, and will support measures for a simplified 401k.

Protecting jobs for hard-working Americans. To sustain the middle class and ensure that more Americans are prepared for retirement in the future, we must invest in today’s workers. Yet too often, good American jobs are being shipped to foreign countries. To protect the next generation of seniors, Scott Kleeb will support workers by ending tax credits for companies taking jobs overseas and investing that money to create incentives for those companies that invest in our workers.