Bill · H.R. 1950· House(119-HR-1950)
Protect Social Security and Medicare Act
- Introduced
- 3/6/2025
- Last activity
- 3/6/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Rules.
- Sponsored by
- Mark Pocan
- Cosponsors
- - 8 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Protect Social Security and Medicare Act," aims to protect benefits provided under Social Security, Medicare, and other programs administered by the Social Security Administration or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. It requires a two-thirds supermajority vote for any bill, joint resolution, or amendment that would reduce existing benefits. This supermajority requirement applies to both the House of Representatives and the Senate. There is a specific exception regarding reductions in payments made to Medicare Advantage plans. Finally, the Office of the Chief Actuary of the Social Security Administration is tasked with determining if a provision results in a reduction of benefits.
Yes· 3 of 10
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+5
Seniors are protected from benefit reductions through the new supermajority voting requirement.
Would retired people be better off under this?+5
The bill provides increased security for the retirement benefits provided by Social Security and Medicare.
Does this strengthen Social Security?+5
The bill protects Social Security benefits by requiring a two-thirds supermajority vote to implement any reductions.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill makes it harder to pass legislation that reduces government spending on Social Security and Medicare benefits.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Protection of existing benefits: The bill requires a two-thirds supermajority vote for any provision that would reduce existing benefits administered by the Social Security Administration or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (Section 2(a)). This could prevent sudden or easy reductions to benefits people rely on.
-
Clarified determination process: The bill establishes that the Office of the Chief Actuary of the Social Security Administration will be the sole authority to determine if a provision would result in a reduction of benefits (Section 3). This provides a specific mechanism for identifying when benefits are being cut.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Exceptions for Medicare Advantage payments: The supermajority requirement does not apply to provisions that reduce payments to Medicare Advantage plans, provided that the money is redirected to other purposes under title XVIII of the Social Security Act in an equal or greater amount (Section 2(b)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Retirees+5Good For Seniors+5Good For Low Income Households+3Good For Middle Class Households+3Good For Veterans+3
- Healthcare
- Increases Medicaid Funding+3Increases Medicare Funding+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Social Security+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2Increases Federal Power+2
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-2
- 4/7/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/26/2025
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 3/10/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/6/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Rules.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Lloyd DoggettDemocrat · Texas
Maxwell FrostDemocrat · Florida
Pramila JayapalDemocrat · Washington
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Ilhan OmarDemocrat · Minnesota
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Jill TokudaDemocrat · Hawaii
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan