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Senior Issues

Helping seniors thrive.

Too many seniors are in vulnerable positions, and all have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. As a staunch advocate for both Medicare and Social Security, Carolyn has continuously supported legislation to improve the lives of seniors in New York and beyond.

 

  • Writing the Delivering For America Act, to roll back harmful changes to the postal service, which are causing delays to all types of mail - including mailed prescriptions and absentee or vote-by-mail ballots, which many seniors rely on.
     

  • Preserving senior centers with funding and advocacy, Carolyn played a crucial role in preventing the closure of the Astoria Houses Senior Center by advocating for the allocation of funds from the city budget to the project. She has also secured the federal funding that ensures centers remain operational, including more than $750,000 for the Stein Senior Center.

 

  • Keeping local polling sites open to combat senior disenfranchisement and ensure that this demographic is able to exercise their right to vote. 

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  • Expanding senior housing for constituents in district 12 by acquiring federal funding to build and maintain development projects including: Carnegie East Houses, HANAC Archbishop Iakovos Senior Residence, and Vallone Family Senior Residence.

 

  • Legislating for stronger Medicare and fiercely fighting against Republican attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Carolyn has battled to maintain these programs that have saved seniors more than a billion dollars on prescription medication and remain crucial to the overall well being of millions. The ACA also expands Medicare coverage to common senior medical procedures including mammograms and colonoscopies. 

 

  • Highlighting retirement insecurity as the Vice-Chair of the Joint Economic committee - particularly for senior women, who are more likely to live in poverty due to lower lifetime earnings and pay discrimination

 

  • Working to preserve and strengthen Social Security while resisting efforts to privatize the senior social safety net.
     

  • Passing the Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Perscription Drug Costs Act (H.R. 987) in 2019.

 

  • Co-Sponsor, H.R. 4144: Seniors and Veterans Emergency (SAVE) Benefits Act. Provides seniors and veterans with a one-time payment that amounts to 3.9% of their social security benefits. Introduced in 2015 by Rep. Tammy Duckworth.