Thread by @DarrigoMelanie

People are living longer, earning less and their quality of life is declining. The dream of retirement isn’t something many seniors can realize.
#NY3 has over 155,000 adults over the age of 65. The problems they face are policy choices we can correct. Here are some ways how:
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Over 60% of seniors depend on Social Security for most of their income and one-third rely on it for virtually all of it.

Without Social Security, the poverty rate of seniors would be nearly 41%. We must protect and expand it.
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The average adult over 65 receives a social security check of $1,437.55 per month. Unfortunately, the average expenses of an adult 65 and older is $4,008.83.

A cause of this problem? Right now, a billionaire pays as much into social security as someone who is middle class.
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I support scrapping the payroll tax cap to ensure that Social Security continues to be fully funded. This would also allow us to expand benefits, including an increase for those with incomes below the equivalent to a living wage.
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I support #MedicareForAll (which despite the name, is not actually Medicare, for all). It’s guaranteed, high-quality healthcare for everyone— seniors would spend less and get a whole lot more.
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Under #MedicareForAll, there would no longer be any Medicare premiums, out-of-pocket costs or the need to purchase supplemental plans. #M4A would cover dental, vision, mental health and long-term care— including home and community-based services at no cost.
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Under #MedicareForAll, seniors would save money on their prescriptions with their costs capped at $200 per year.

A senior’s health could come first and their costs would go down, keeping more money in their pocket and allowing them to live a longer and healthier life.
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Older Americans deserve to be happy and healthy — both physically and mentally.

I support expanding the Older Americans Act to include more programs which would prioritize the physical and mental wellbeing of seniors.
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Expanding the Older Americans Act allows us to expand and modernize senior centers to ensure older adults are receiving healthy meals, health screenings, access to wellness and fitness facilities, classes and community spaces for events to help reduce the effects of isolation.
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Seniors are frequently targeted by scams and harassed by solicitors.

I support the Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act (H.R. 446) which would require the Federal Trade Commission to report on and raise awareness of scams targeting older adults.
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Unwanted robocalls regularly target and harass seniors.

I support requiring internet providers to validate that phone numbers are coming from the numbers being displayed and requiring telecom companies to block nuisance calls from reported numbers.
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Workers 65 and older were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and have returned to the workforce at a much lower rate. Despite decades of experience and a focused commitment to learn new skills, older Americans are often deliberately excluded from hiring consideration.
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I support enhanced judicial and congressional actions that strengthen the protections for seniors on matters of wages, benefits, hiring practices and termination — including ending at-will employment.
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Seniors have a right to live safe, healthy and financially secure lives. The obstacles to retirement they face are policy choices we can correct if we elect people committed to correcting them.

Seniors deserve more than lip service, they deserve action.⬇️
darrigo2022.com/seniors

Lobbyist-funded politicians— on both sides of the aisle— have always tried to cut or limit the benefits seniors need to lead happy and healthy lives.

I'm rejecting lobbyist money and need your help to win my primary in #NY3.

Please chip in today.🙏♥️
secure.actblue.com/donate/darrigo…