Two of the most successful programs in the United States, Social Security and Medicare, are in danger of being minimized and destroyed.  Through my work as an intern for Senator Edward M. Kennedy this past summer, one of the most senior members of the United States Senate, I was able to see the importance of protecting these programs from privatization.  Without them, too many people would be living in poverty and without healthcare.    

Contrary to popular belief, Social Security is not facing a financial crisis.  In fact, according to a Social Security Trustees report released in early 2005, the program has sufficient revenue to pay full benefits until 2041.  At the same time, the Congressional Budget Office projected revenue to pay full benefits through 2052.  Rather than cutting benefits and privatizing the system, Social Security should be strengthened to ensure durability and inflation-adjusted benefits.  Currently, over one million senior citizens in Massachusetts receive Social Security.  It is the primary source of income for two-thirds of seniors and the only source of income for one-fifth of seniors.  Without these benefits, the majority of these people would be living in poverty.  It is important that the lives of these seniors not be put in the hands of the stock market for the gain of a few people on Wall Street.  

Social Security not only helps seniors, but also the disabled.  If an individual has worked for a minimum amount of time and becomes disabled and unable to work, this individual will be able to draw lifetime disability benefits, no matter their age.  It also provides survivor benefits for the widow and minor children of workers who have died.  

Senator Edward M. Kennedy seeks to improve the Social Security program and protect it from privatization.  He is also concerned with the issues of his constituents, the residents of Massachusetts.  Constituents sometimes write about having trouble receiving Social Security or Social Security Disability benefits.  At other times, they write about confusion with a change of status or the amount of benefits which they receive.  As interns, we take the time to review these letters and take the necessary steps toward resolving the matter.  Our interest in the cases help in expediting the process and a majority of our constituents are satisfied with the results.  

Senator Kennedy supports affordable health care for all Americans.  Since their inception in 1965, Medicare and Medicaid provide this service to senior citizens.  However, due to changes in the structure of Medicare in recent years under the current Administration, the program has been left without the funds necessary to provide adequate prescription drug benefits.  Many individuals who are paying for Medicare coverage still cannot afford their prescriptions.  Once seniors have reached an initial cap of $2, 250 in drug spending, they are not able to receive coverage again until they have spent another $2,850 on prescription drugs on their own.  Left without the prescriptions they need, the medical condition of the elderly can only get worse.

Rather than catering to the needs of the elderly who want the option to choose who their doctors are and what coverage they want to use, the Administration is catering to HMOs and drug companies.  It has been made illegal for Medicare to negotiate for lower drug prices, although the Veteran’s Administration has been using this tactic successfully.  Thus, drug prices remain exceedingly high.  Plans are changed sporadically without the insured’s knowledge.  The prices of drugs that were once available at a reasonable cost are suddenly raised to unaffordable amounts a week later.

Senator Kennedy’s office receives numerous phone calls and letters from constituents requesting assistance with their problems with Medicare.  As an intern, I help seniors make sense of their options with Medicare drug coverage and help solve other bureaucratic Medicare problems. Although we cannot override the laws of our country or the regulations of federal agencies, the staff in Kennedy's office assures seniors they will receive the assistance and attention that they deserve in a timely manner.  However, without addressing the basic issues of affordable drug coverage and health care, the country will soon end up in a health care crisis situation that could have been avoided.

The Stabenow-Kennedy Medicare Guaranteed Prescription Legislation Drug option proposes to simplify the system by offering a choice of many private insurance plans, or to enroll in the traditional Medicare program.  The main goal is to offer affordable coverage at affordable prices.  This bill would also reduce drug prices by allowing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate prices directly with pharmaceutical manufacturers.

In an effort to also ensure affordable health care for children, Senator Kennedy would also like to expand the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Interning at the Senator’s office taught me much about our government and bureaucracies, especially within these programs.  In addition, I had the opportunity to see how the work of Senator Edward M. Kennedy has impacted families and individuals of all ages in his efforts to better the lives of the people of Massachusetts as well as the USA.

For more information on Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s stances, please visit www.kennedy.senate.gov and www.tedkennedy.com. For more information about Social Security, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov. Information about the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services can be found at www.cms.hhs.gov.

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