Njura Kinyua
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes, D-Third District, held a virtual town hall meeting last Friday to explain the federal government’s plan to extend Social Security and health coverages to senior citizens through the Build Back Better Act.
Sarbanes said he strongly supports the bill because he believes it would uplift the lives of seniors by providing financial support and reducing healthcare costs.
He joined Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski in the online session with the Bykota Senior Center for a “Cup of Joe with Johnny O.”
Sarbanes said it’s great that the executive was “providing this opportunity… to stay in contact and talk with constituents of Baltimore County”
The congressman was invited to the monthly county event to answer questions about his priorities related to older adults in the coming years.
The bill is set to allocate approximately $1.8 trillion dollars over the next 10 years to support various programs and benefits, the congressman said.
His talking points focused on how the act would benefit how Social Security is handled. He said the Social Security trust fund needs to be managed in a way that is smart and responsible to better help those who rely on it. He suggests lifting the income cap in order to tax incomes above the $136,000, which are not subject to Social Security taxation.
He stated the act would grant opportunities to negotiate current drug legislation and drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, dramatically reducing the cost of prescription drugs. Sarbanes said he also wants money to replace and supply hearing aids every five years and place a $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket spending for seniors under Medicare Part D, which covers prescription drugs.
Sarbanes also is looking at increasing in-home services for older adults. This would allow them to stay and receive services directly in a place familiar to them, he said.
Sarbanes said he is hoping the Build Back Better bill will be passed by Congress in the next two weeks.