Seniors

Prior to its creation in 1965, only 50 percent of seniors had health insurance. Today, Medicare provides one of the most important guarantees in our society – the guarantee that if you are an older American and you get sick, you will get the care that you need without going broke. Brian is committed to protecting the Medicare guarantee, opposing plans that would force seniors to buy insurance on the open market, and making sure that the program remains affordable and continues gives seniors access to the care they deserve.

Social Security is the most successful antipoverty program in American history and we must keep it strong for the future. The formula used to set the annual cost of living increase is out of date and does not properly weigh the price increases in housing and medical care. Brian supports using a Consumer Price Index for the Elderly to more accurately reflect the costs incurred by seniors. And rather than cut benefits or ask Americans to invest their Social Security in Wall Street, Brian thinks we should lift the cap on what very high income Americans are asked to pay into the system.

More on Seniors

Senator Schumer & Congressman Higgins Call for Immediate Halt of Efforts to Close Amherst Social Security Office

Apr 3, 2014 Press Release

Following a call with Social Security Acting Commissioner Carolyn Colvin this morning, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) are insisting the Social Security Administration halt all plans to close the field office in Amherst, New York.

Schumer, Higgins Request In-Person Meeting with Head of Social Security Admin To Raise Serious Concerns About the Slated Closure of the Amherst SS Office – Will Push Colvin to Reverse Course and Keep Amherst SS Office Open

Mar 4, 2014 Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and Congressman Brian Higgins requested an in-person meeting with the Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA) Carolyn Colvin in Washington DC to raise concerns about the slated closure of the Amherst Social Security Office. Schumer and Higgins will make the case that the Amherst Office is efficient and has sufficient demand to warrant continued operation. They are pressing Acting Commissioner Colvin to hear out their arguments and they both will urge the Commissioner to reverse course and keep Amherst open.

Higgins and New York Colleagues Call on Social Security Administration to Reconsider New York Field Office Closings

Feb 28, 2014 Press Release

Congressman Higgins (NY-26) and his New York colleagues in Congress, Congressman Dan Maffei (NY-24) and José Serrano (NY-15), wrote a letter to the Social Security Administration opposing the proposed closure of four New York Social Security field offices in Amherst, Bronx Hub, Kingston, and Williamsburg.

Higgins Says Social Security Violating Own Rules on Amherst Closing

Feb 7, 2014 Press Release

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) says the Social Security Administration (SSA) is violating its own rules by failing to adhere to the 90-day notification standard included in the agency’s field office consolidation manual.

Higgins Introduces Social Security Administration Accountability Act

Feb 4, 2014 Press Release

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) spoke from the House Floor to introduce the Social Security Administration Accountability Act, legislation that would require that the Social Security Administration provide adequate justification before closing any field offices.

Higgins Stands With Residents, Business and Non Profits Impacted by Proposed Shutdown of Amherst Social Security Office

Jan 31, 2014 Press Release

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) stood with Western New York residents, businesses, and employees concerned that the proposal to close the Social Security office in Amherst, NY would have a serious impact on the population it serves.

Higgins Makes a Case to Social Security Administration for Keeping Amherst Office Open

Jan 21, 2014 Press Release

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) wrote to the Acting Commissioner of Social Security, Carolyn Colvin, expressing his concerns with the proposed plans to close the Amherst Social Security office.

Higgins Stands with Alliance for Retired Americans to Protest Chained CPI

Jul 2, 2013 Press Release

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) joined the Alliance for Retired Americans on their National Day of Action to make their voices heard about the consequences of implementing chained CPI to calculate the cost of living adjustment (COLA) Social Security benefits.

Statement By Congressman Higgins on Proposed Social Security Cuts

Apr 6, 2011 Press Release

Congressman Brian Higgins released the following statement in response to an informational picket at the Buffalo Social Security office:

“I stand with local workers today opposed to the proposed cuts to Social Security. Recently I joined several colleagues urging funding at levels that will prevent furloughs and ensure continuation of Social Security services for local residents.

Higgins Fights for WNY Seniors, Social Security Funding

Mar 17, 2011 Press Release

Today, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) joined 124 of his colleagues in sending a letter to Speaker John Boehner which expressed strong opposition for the cuts to Social Security Administration’s (SSA) operating budget in H.R. 1, the Full-Year Continuing Resolution and urged funding at levels that will prevent furloughs and ensure SSA’s ability to provide services.

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