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2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
2023 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTIO N 23
April 3, 2023 - Introduced by Senators WIRCH, CARPENTER, HESSELBEIN, L. JOHNSON,
ROYS and SPREITZER, cosponsored by Representatives C. ANDERSON, BARE,
EMERSON, HONG, JOERS, MADISON, ORTIZ-VELEZ, RATCLIFF, SINICKI and
SHANKLAND. Referred to Committee on Senate Organization.
***AUTHORS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***
Relating to: affirming the Wisconsin State Legislature's support for Social Security
and Medicare.
Whereas, Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance, also known as Social
Security, was enacted in 1935 to provide a safety net for workers in the event of old
age, disability, or the death of a parent or spouse; and
Whereas, Social Security has become extremely popular and successful in its
nearly 90-year existence; and
Whereas, in 2023, an average of almost 67 million Americans each month
receive some form of Social Security benefit, totaling over one trillion dollars in
benefits paid during the year; and
Whereas, Social Security is the primary source of income for many or most
retirees, with nine out of ten people aged 65 and older receiving a Social Security
benefit as of December 31, 2022; and
Whereas, Social Security provides more than just retirement benefits.
Disabled workers and their dependents accounted for almost 12 percent of the total
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LRB-2153/1
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2023 - 2024 Legislature
benefits paid in 2022, and the survivors of deceased workers accounted for 11.5
percent; and
Whereas, Social Security currently lifts more than 16 million older adults and
1.1 million children out of poverty; and
Whereas, Medicare started in 1965 through an amendment to the Social
Security Act of 1935; and
Whereas, Medicare serves as the primary source of health insurance for 65
million Americans, either aged 65 and older or younger people living with long-term
disabilities; and
Whereas, Medicare helps to pay for hospital and physician visits, prescription
drugs, and other acute and post-acute care services; and
Whereas, Medicare plays a major role in the health-care system, accounting for
21 percent of total national health spending in 2021; and
Whereas, Medicare covers 62 percent of all long-term care costs in the United
States; and
Whereas, the number of Americans aged 65 and older will increase from about
58 million in 2022 to about 76 million by 2035; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the members of the
Wisconsin Legislature support Social Security and Medicare, and Wisconsin's
congressional delegation is urged to oppose any cuts or changes that would harm the
viability and stability of these programs.
(END)
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