Social Security Alerts, News & Updates
GOP Social Security Pledge Draws Skepticism From Pritzker
The House recently passed a budget resolution, though it encountered opposition from two Republican representatives. This resolution proposes a $5 trillion increase in the federal debt ceiling alongside $2 trillion in spending reductions. Despite Speaker Mike Johnson’s firm assurances that Social Security benefits and other social programs “will not take a hit,” Governor Pritzker remains deeply skeptical about the future of these retirement benefits.
“The reality is that underneath that framework, they don’t want to mention what they are going after: $880 billion they have to find. They are only three places to find that much money all at once: Medicaid, Medicare, or Social Security,” Pritzker stated during his appearance on Fox Network’s Fox News Sunday. He further emphasized, “We don’t know exactly what they will attack but I think you’ve already seen that there is not a lot of respect for Social Security by this administration.”
When host Shannon Bream noted that the resolution does not explicitly mention cuts to these programs, she added, “For the record, the speaker and the president say it will be attached, and we will all be able to know that and track it in real-time.”
Medicaid Policy Changes Intensify Concerns
Governor Pritzker’s apprehensions about potential Social Security budget cuts follow a significant announcement from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The agency has recently stated it will discontinue federal funding for portions of state Medicaid programs that are not directly connected to healthcare services for low-income Americans, such as:
- Internet services
- Housekeeping assistance
- Other non-medical support services
Currently, Medicaid provides essential health insurance coverage to approximately 79 million Americans and requires $584 billion in federal funding for fiscal year 2024 alone. This policy shift raises questions about the republican Social Security plan and the broader approach to funding social programs that protect vulnerable populations.