U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), and Mike Lee (R-Utah) today reintroduced the Retirement Freedom Act (S.1030), a bill that will empower senior citizens and create more options and opportunities for healthcare. This bill would allow senior citizens the choice to opt-out of Medicare Part A and utilize other healthcare options without being forced to lose their Social Security benefits. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Ala.) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
“The Retirement Freedom Act would empower our seniors with the power of choice by providing them with the freedom to choose healthcare that best suits their needs,” Sen. Cruz said. “Right now, seniors across the country are forced to enroll in Medicare Part A or risk losing their Social Security benefits if they take the steps to choose other healthcare options. I am hopeful my colleagues in Congress will act swiftly to empower America’s seniors with the freedom to choose a healthcare plan that fits their needs without the fear of losing their Social Security benefits.””Our Retirement Freedom Act gives seniors the ability to act in their own best interest without bureaucrats threatening to take away their Social Security. It is a reform grounded in freedom and a respect for the American people, and it’s a model for the changes we can make to strengthen our health care system moving forward,” said Sen. Paul.
“Seniors know their health care needs better than the federal government,” said Dan Weber, President of the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC). “Every senior should be able to opt out of unwanted Medicare Part A benefits without losing their Social Security benefits. The Retirement Freedom Act puts health care freedom back into the hands of seniors, and ensures every senior can choose the health care plan they want, while keeping their hard-earned Social Security benefits.”
“Seniors already pay a disproportionate share of their income for basics, like rent, food, medicine, and utilities – and having them forced by federal government to choose between the right health care and receiving their Social Security benefits adds insult to injury and is just plain wrong,” said James Martin, Founder and Chairman of the 60 Plus Association, and Saul Anuzis, President of the 60 Plus Association. “This legislation is trying to right a wrong and we applaud the Senators’ efforts and stand with them as they continue to serve the needs of retirees. Thank you, Senators, for your dedication and commitment to seniors nationwide.”
The bill text states:
“116TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION S. ll
To allow individuals to choose to opt out of the Medicare part A benefit.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. CRUZ (for himself, Mr. PAUL, and Mr. LEE) introduced the following bill;
A BILL
To allow individuals to choose to opt out of the Medicare part A benefit.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Retirement Freedom Act’’.
SEC. 2. ALLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO CHOOSE TO OPT OUT OF THE MEDICARE PART A BENEFIT.
Any individual who is otherwise entitled to benefits under part A of title XVIII of the Social Security Act may
elect (in such form and manner as may be specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services) to opt out
of such entitlement. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in the case of an individual who makes such an election, such individual—
(1) may (in such form and manner as may be specified by the Secretary) subsequently choose to end such election and opt back into such entitlement (in accordance with a process determined by the Secretary) without being subject to any penalty;
(2) shall not be required to opt out of benefits under title II of such Act as a condition for making such election; and
(3) shall not be required to repay any amount paid under such part A for items and services furnished prior to making such election.”
