On Tuesday, President Joe Biden will focus on Medicare and Social Security, two contentious subjects that might carry a political punch six weeks before the November elections.
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His remarks at the White House will come days after the popular programmes received scant prominence in House Republicans' unveiling of the agenda they vow to pursue if they win control in November.
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Both Medicare and Social Security face long-term funding issues.
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Democrats' suggested remedies have largely focused on raising taxes on higher-income people while simultaneously pledging benefits expansion.
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Many Republicans have supported extending the Medicare qualifying age and the Social Security retirement age as part of a proposal to keep the programmes stable without boosting taxes.
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Because the government pays out more in monthly Social Security payouts than it collects in taxes, the government is expected to run out of reserves in 2035 to properly cover benefits. It would then have enough money to cover 80% of benefits.
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After 2028, the Medicare trust fund, which covers inpatient hospital treatments, will be able to pay just 90% of planned payments.
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Biden had planned to visit the retirement paradise of Florida to discuss Social Security and Medicare. With a storm bearing down on Florida, Biden is speaking at the White House.
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Biden will discuss how he is working to enhance Social Security and Medicare, while Republicans want to "cut these programmes," according to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
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Senior citizens, who vote at higher rates than younger Americans, routinely rank Social Security and Medicare as top priorities.
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