While Friday’s announcement that the unemployment rate has dropped to 8.6% is more encouraging than reports we have seen in recent months, we are still very far away from the kind of job growth needed to get our country back on track. Instead of focusing on expensive short-term stimulus policies that have not worked, we need to give job creators the certainty and predictability they need to thrive, grow and hire; and that starts with reforming our tax code and reigning in excessive, job-killing regulations at the federal level.
One area where we can lower costs for taxpayers and help spur the economy is in health care. This week, I authored an opinion editorial piece with Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) that ran in Politico outlining ways in which we can improve Medicare for the millions of elderly and disabled who depend on it. Too many seniors are exposed to unpredictably high costs when they get sick and many feel forced to purchase costly supplemental plans.
Despite efforts to cut costs, Medicare is spending too much money and seniors are not reaping the full benefit. If we do not address these issues soon, program insolvency could hit as soon as 2016, according to the Medicare actuary. The way to save Medicare is to build on what is working. Congress should encourage competition in health care to create more affordable options for seniors by using private plans offering Medicare benefits. Congress can achieve Medicare reform that improves care for seniors, while reducing costs for taxpayers — and put Medicare on a sustainable path. Read our op-ed to learn more about our plan to reform Medicare and reduce costs.
All people deserve quality health care, and continuing to research and develop cures and treatments for diseases is of the utmost importance. Yesterday, we celebrated World AIDS Day, where people across the globe unite in their commitment to put an end to this devastating disease, support all of those who are currently suffering from HIV/AIDS, and remember all of those who have died. We have made much progress in the battle against HIV/AIDS over the past three decades, but there is still much to be done. In advance of World AIDS day, I joined with Senators Mike Enzi (R-WY), Tom Coburn (R-OK), and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius, reminding them of the dire need to continue the fight. Read more about the letter on my blog.
This Tuesday, I had the chance to catch up with Jerri Jameson on NewsRadio 570 WWNC. Click here to listen to our discussion on job creation, energy security, and my recent trip to Afghanistan.
On Wednesday, I had the pleasure to meet with Fuquay-Varina, NC resident Bianca Strzalkowski, the 2011 Military Spouse of the Year. Bianca’s contributions to her community demonstrate the importance of caring for those who spend their lives sacrificing for our freedoms. Servicemembers and military families face grave difficulties as they fight to protect our nation and keep us safe. Some encounter physical danger in combat, others are separated from their families and loved ones, and even more return home from deployment only to confront the challenges of finding employment in a struggling economy. You can learn more about Bianca’s extraordinary efforts here.
On Thursday, the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee held a hearing where we discussed the importance of quality and timely mental health care for our nation’s veterans. Unfortunately, many veterans have a hard time scheduling an appointment with a mental health care provider, and this is an issue that we must address. The men and women of the armed forces suffering from the invisible wounds of war deserve better, and I am determined to ensure that VA provides them with the quality and timely care they need. You may watch a video of my opening remarks or read the full transcript.
Also on Thursday, I was pleased to sign on as a cosponsor of a bill that directs the President to move forward with construction of the Keystone XL U.S.-Canada oil pipeline. Not only does this bill make sense from an energy standpoint, but it would create up to 20,000 American jobs. To learn more about this bill, click here.
This week, the Senate passed the National Defense Authorization bill which authorizes the funding for certain Department of Defense operations. There has been a lot of misinformation circulated about this bill, particularly concerning Sections 1031 and 1032. I have heard from some people who are concerned that this bill allows for the suspension of habeus corpus, which is simply incorrect.
Last night, the Senate voted on a bill that would extend the temporary payroll tax holiday enacted last year. This was an attempt to reduce long term retirement savings for short term stimulative gain; it did not work the way we hoped, and it is time to pursue other alternatives.
Our Social Security program is already in dire fiscal condition and in jeopardy of running out of money. We must protect this program so that it remains viable for our nation’s seniors and for future generations of Americans. In order to encourage job growth, we should stop relying on short-term, short sighted solutions and focus on providing small businesses with the certainty and predictability that they need to feel confident in expanding and hiring new employees.